Mayum Tsering Wangmo passes away, merging her mind with the dharmadatu

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we share the news that Mayum Tsering Wangmo, beloved mother of Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Rinpoche, Thigyal and Dechen Lakar and the elder sister of Khandro Tsering Chodrön, has passed away, merging her mind with the dharmadatu.

She was born in 1923, the year of the water pig. According to western dates, she had reached 99 years of age, and according to the Tibetan system of counting age, she had reached 100 years. Only recently, her health had been deteriorating over the last few weeks, at her home at Lerab Ling in France.

At the time of her passing, Minling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Dzogchen Rinpoche, and Alak Zenkar Rinpoche were practising for her, and Dechen-la was present. Several other lamas close to Mayumla were immediately informed and conducted practices for her from a distance.

Living in Lerab Ling for the past two decades, Mayum-la has been a spiritual inspiration and support for the Lerab Ling community and the entire Rigpa sangha. Her main root teacher was the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Thubten Chökyi Dorje. She received many teachings from Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, Khenpo Ngakchung and many other eminent masters. She was regarded by Khenpo Ngakchung, as an emanation of Ushnishavijaya, Tsuktor Namgyalma, one of the three deities of long life. In fact, when Trulshik Rinpoche came to Lerab Ling he requested a blessing of Namgyalma from Mayum-la. Pewar Rinpoche said “We can truly say that she comes from the family of true dakinis, true feminine embodiments of the teachings.”

She would recite mantras constantly, the mantra of Buddha Shakyamuni being one of her favourites. For generations in Tibet her family, the Lakar family, were benefactors of many monasteries and sponsored all kinds of dharma activities. Mayum-la herself played a vital part in inspiring the construction of Dzogchen monastery in India, and the temple at Lerab Ling.

Mayum-la was always vibrant and joyful, and until several weeks before she passed, she was constantly practising and praying for those who were sick or had died, and going on scenic drives in the region around her home.

Please join us in directing our prayers so that all of Mayumla’s enlightened activities flourish.

Offerings to sponsor practices for Mayum Tsering Wangmo

Many people have been asking to sponsor prayers, practices and ceremonies that are being done for Mayumla for the the next 49 days. If you wish to make donations, you can do so here.

Practices are being performed and vast offerings are being made in Lerab Ling in France, Dodrup Monastery in Sikkim, in Nepal at Asura Cave in Pharphing and Boudanath Stupa, in Bodhgaya, in many other monasteries and Rigpa centres around the world.