Comments on: Farewell to a great master: H.E. Khejok Rinpoche

By: Father Meath Conlan

Father Meath Conlan — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 12:02:41 +0000

During my years in New York (1995-1997), we were apart, however, 1997 proved to be an important year in our relationship — with Rinpoche’s call from Wu Tai Mountain in China and his assurance of a nine-day puja for me entering cancer treatment, and this was the year that he invited me to travel with him to Dhe Tsang Monastery. I accompanied him and his devotees such as Margaret Lee, Thomas Lim and others to again visit Dhe Tsang and Lhasa in 2000. I was always astounded that he could or even would invite me to accompany him on such pilgrimages. But he plays asserted: “My life is just an ordinary story of an ordinary monk wandering around, and there is nothing good to say about it.” During such travels, he would make remarks such as: “Curb desires, focus on the present moment, and find contentment within yourself.” I think people generally needed and welcomed reminders like this. What he said was simple, direct, practical and achievable. I remember he was wont to say a number of times: “Yesterday is already dead, too late, tomorrow is not born, too soon, the present moment is the only one you have, just right.”

My Last Darshan

The last time I saw Rinpoche was a shock. I had not heard of his cancer. He was in a wheel chair looking very pale and gaunt. His smile was ever-present and he blessed all who came near and bowed. As always, I maintained a reverential attitude, not wanting to thrust myself into a place of honour and deny others their chance for a blessing. But I was saddened that my friend was leaving us; I knew I would miss him, and I still do. Rinpoche used to say: “In a real Guru-disciple relationship, there will only be short separation, not a real farewell.” When I received the news, I immediately sat in meditation and prayed for his eternal rest. His entering the clear light was announced on October 16, 2013, but his body remained warm and supple until October 18, 2013, when his consciousness was said to have left his body. In the Tibetan tradition, death is not an end but a transition, and I hold to that understanding, even as I miss my friend’s physical presence. I am not that far off eighty years of age, and I have a mysterious sense of Rinpoche’s presence every day. I can’t say in clipped, precise language what it is I sense. I just accept that while the temporal Rinpoche has passed, the eternal Rinpoche lives.

Somewhere high in the mountains of Eastern Tibet, at 12,000 feet, a brass plaque on the front door of a hermitage still bears my name and the occasion— my blessing of the newly renovated hermitage. Whether I ever return to occupy that hermitage or not, the invitation remains — a door left open by my Eminent and holy friend whose wisdom, whose laughter, whose beaming smile changed my life forever. The temporal Rinpoche has passed, but the eternal Rinpoche lives — in that hermitage, in the restored monastery, in the hearts of thousands who knew him, and in the silence we once shared, sitting together, saying so little, understanding everything. — Rev Dr Meath Conlan, Honorary member of the Dhe Tsang Monastic community, Perth, Australia

By: Sierra

Sierra — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:58:35 +0000

Thank you for a beautiful tribute to a great lama. He must have been a great teacher his disciples have continue their devotion to their Guru till after his passing. They gave a tradition farewell to their lama.

Thank you, too for sharing the pictures of the final journey of H.E. Khejok Rinpoche in this incarnation.

May H.E. Khejok Rinpoche incarnation return soon to continue his work in spreading the dharma

By: Hope Townsend

Hope Townsend — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 06:05:11 +0000

Khejok Rinpoche was a accomplished and very great lama. He used his whole life to bring dharma to others. He relied on all the practices his master conferred on him throughout his life. You don’t see him chasing after Dalai Lama or showing up in Dharamsala to look good in front of CTA (ex Tibetan Govt). He practiced his teachings and held Dorje Shugden supreme. His very close students know that in his private bedroom in Australia, he kept a very precious statue of Dorje Shugden. Because of the unfair witch hunts against Dorje Shugden practitioners, Khejok Rinpoche had to go underground with his practice and publicly declare he is not practicing Dorje Shugden, although secretly among his lama friends and monks, everyone knew he was very devoted to Shugden.

It is very sad he has chosen to pass away, but he must have his reasons. We await his perfect reincarnation soon.

Thank you to this website http://www.dorjeshugden.com for having a tribute and article to this great lama. The website’s work is very much appreciated.

Hope Townsend

By: Ashok

Ashok — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 16:11:34 +0000

we assume others show love the same way we do

By: Ashok

Ashok — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 16:08:00 +0000

I would like to buddhist realison

By: sansar

sansar — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 07:04:28 +0000

dear Khejok Rinpoche swift return to continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.and thank you so much love and care for your student.