Thupten Kalsang Rinpoche

1932 - 2020

BORN

1932

DIED

2020

About

University of Massachusetts

Thupten Rinpoche Obituary

Petersburgh – Thupten Kalsang Rinpoche, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Born in Woobdu, Tibet on May 10, 1932, he was the son of the late Karma and Dholma.Rinpoche dedicated his life to learning and teaching the Buddhist faith. He was recognized at an early age by the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche Thupten Chukyi Dorje as the reincarnated Head Lama, Jyamyang Drupbai Wampo. After observation and the approval of his parents, Rahob Rinpoche followed traditional studies and trainings at his monastery. In 1952 he began seven years of education at Drepunt University in Lhasa. Later, after graduating from Varanasi Sanskrit University in India, he spent ten years practicing in the Teravedan tradition in Thailand and seven years teaching and working with Zen and Shingon Masters in Japan. In 1979 he received an invitation as an adjunct professor and taught two years each at University of Massachusetts, Harvard Divinity School and Tuft University Theology Department before becoming an American. At Rahob, his home monastery in Eastern Tibet, Rinphoche was the ninth throne-holder. While leading there, he studied the six forms of Tibetan calligraphy, natural medicine, Sanskrit, poetry, astrology for healing, and many volumes of Buddhist logic and debate, as well as rituals for purifications, initiation and healings. In 1998, Rahob Rinpoche established the Rahob Development Project, Inc., a non-profit organization and the Rahob Dharma Center in the Berkshires area of New York. Practice, events and retreats by the Rinpoche were aimed at bridging the traditional teachings from his Rahob Monastery with practitioners here in the West.Rinpoche leaves behind his loving wife, Loretta Minervini. Funeral services in his memory will be held privately. http://www.lastingmemories.com/thupten-kalsang

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Published by The Record from Jun. 8 to Jun. 9, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Thupten Rinpoche

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6 Entries

Elizabeth Musto

June 7, 2023

Thinking of you at this time, Loretta. I am reminded of how blessed I was to study with Rinpoche in the early 80's. He remains a source of comfort and inspiration. Sending my warm wishes to you and the Center, Betsy

Terry Schiefer

January 25, 2021

We taught Buddhism classes together at Tufts University in the early 80's. I will miss my selfless and humble friend.

Elizabeth Musto

December 11, 2020

Just yesterday I went online in the hopes of reconnecting with Kalsang Rinpoche. I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing this past June. In 1981, I had the great fortune of attending, along with my soon to be husband and dedicated Dharma practioner, Lou Musto (Kunga Lodro), Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" at his home in Malden, MA. I have never forgotten Rinpoche's unassuming kindness and dedication to the teachings and his students. Rinpoche will remain dear to my heart and I pray that we will meet again. My sincere condolences to his wife, family, friends and students.

Elizabeth Musto

Planted Trees

Jon Horne

June 25, 2020

I recently heard about the passing of Thupten Kalsang Rinpoche whom I knew simply as Rinpoche on his 88th birthday, an auspicious number. We first met in 2002 at his Dharma Center in Petersburg, NY when I began working as an Ethics teacher in a nearby boarding school. He was, as many who know him, a wise, friendly and humble man embodying the noble teachings of Buddha and Padmasambhava. My first encounter with Padmasambhava was at the Kham Tibetan House, now called Marpa House, in 1973 when I met Lama Chime Rinpoche. At that time, there were six of us living in the house along with him, his wife and baby. We had some amazing experiences learning about Padmasambhava and the Six Yogas of Naropa which I shared with Rinpoche who was familiar with Lama Chime. Nearly fifty years later, I met Rinpoche at his Dharma Center not fully realizing he was a living emanation of Padmasambhava. Had I known that at the time, it might have interfered with the natural, congenial friendship we developed over the years. Despite his great learning and sagacity, he was neither arrogant nor condescending but sincerely humble and genuinely compassionate so much it was easy to feel peace in his presence. Over the years, I visited him and his gracious wife Loretta at the Dharma Center enjoying plentiful cups of tea, delicious cakes, ice cream and sweets while Rinpoche sat comfortably in his recliner beside the window near his little feathered friends congregating around a bird feeder in close proximity. Rinpoche was a very kind, friendly and modest man always eager to listen and learn as well as inform. He is a jewel in the lotus. On several occasions, I invited him to be a guest speaker at the school where he met enthusiastically with many diverse international students and reciprocated with invitations for students and faculty to meet privately with him at the Dharma Center. He admired the local land upon which he lived, feeling its geo-spiritual essence, and enjoyed being a local resident participating in community activities. Thupten Kalsang Rinpoche will be missed in the Valley of the Owls. Happy Trails, my friend, until we meet again!

June 11, 2020

I found refuge by you at the karmapa's palace in Woodstock may your soul be with buddah as mine will be with christ AMEN Jim Shepard Troy ny

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