As we approach the anniversary of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s 13th Dechö Parinirvana Anniversary, our hearts naturally turn to gratitude.
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche (1936–2013) was one of the great Dudjom Tersar masters who helped bring the authentic Vajrayana tradition to the West. Born into the renowned Repkong Ngakpa lineage in Amdo, Tibet, he was the tenth lineage holder of one of Tibet’s largest communities of yogic household practitioners. From an early age, he trained under the guidance of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, completing years of intensive retreat while mastering ritual arts, sacred music and dance, torma-making, mandala construction, and the profound teachings of Dzogchen.
After escaping Tibet in 1960 and spending many years serving his teachers in India and Nepal, Rinpoche came to the United States in 1984 at the request of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje to establish, preserve, and transmit the Dudjom Lineage and the Vajrayana teachings in the West. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, Rinpoche founded the Vajrayana Foundation and established Pema Osel Ling (Lotus Land of Clear Light) Retreat Center, Drub Nyiy Döjö Gatsal Three-Year Retreat (The Joyful Grove That Provides Both Kinds of Accomplishments), Namdrol Pemay Gatsal (The Joyful Lotus Stupa Mandala), Zo Rig Gyu Tsal Khang (Magical Display of the Arts), Bero Jeydren Translations and Publications, and the Treasure Vase Project. Through Rinpoche’s extraordinary kindness, humor, precision, and unwavering devotion to the Dharma, he nurtured generations of practitioners.
Those who had the great fortune to know Lama Tharchin Rinpoche remember not only the depth of his realization but also the warmth of his smile, his spontaneous laughter, his artistic brilliance, his Jokechen jokes, and his remarkable ability to make every student feel personally seen and encouraged. His teachings continue to illuminate the path for practitioners around the world.
One of the greatest blessings since Rinpoche’s passing has been the tireless work of Libby Pema Dechen (Libby Luning). Through the Heart Teachings project and the Lama Tharchin Rinpoche Heritage Foundation, she has lovingly preserved, organized, and shared an extraordinary treasury of Rinpoche’s recorded teachings, writings, ritual traditions, artwork, songs, and oral instructions. Because of her years of dedicated service, we continue to hear Rinpoche’s voice, receive his guidance, and feel deeply connected to his living presence in the lineage.
For anyone wishing to learn more about Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s life, lineage, and enduring legacy, the Lama Tharchin RinpocheHeritage Foundation offers an extensive biography and archival resources.
As we remember Lama Tharchin Rinpoche on the anniversary of his 13th Dechö Parinirvana Anniversary, may our gratitude deepen into practice. May we honor his immeasurable kindness by keeping his teachings alive in our own hearts and by passing them faithfully to future generations.
May Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s blessings continue to guide all beings on the path to awakening.
On a personal note, my own connection with Lama Tharchin Rinpoche began in a way that I (Sonam Famarin) never could have imagined.
I first met Rinpoche when he came to our cottage in Mill Valley. During that time, Rinpoche heard about the Tibetan input text work I was doing and came because he was curious about the software I was using.
Following that first visit, Rinpoche came to Mill Valley to offer teachings. By the second month of teachings, we realized we needed a larger space. We partnered with Rob Calef of Open Secret Bookstore on C Street in San Rafael (Closed last year after 36 years) to offer Rinpoche’s teachings there. Even then, the teachings overflowed their beautiful sacred temple. Students filled every available seat and lined the aisles leading from the bookstore into the temple. The response was so extraordinary that we rented the space next door and literally opened the wall between the two buildings to make room for everyone. Nearly 150 people attended that first teaching, and even then, we barely fit.
Within the year, I was living at Pema Osel Ling, where I had the great privilege of creating and preparing Tibetan texts for Lama Tharchin Rinpoche for 12 years. The responsibility for hosting Lama Tharchin’s teachings at Open Secret was graciously passed on to Sheppard Powell and Diane DiPrima when I entered retreat. The rest, as they say, is history. From those humble beginnings, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s activity continues to flourish, benefiting countless students.
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Lama Tharchin Rinpoche touched your life.
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Some of the Open Secret Series teachings are available through Heart Teachings by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche.
Join the Vajrayana Foundation in the practice of Dorsem Lama Chopa
(Offering to the Lama in the Form of Vajrasattva)
at Pema Osel Ling or YouTube online for
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s 13th Dechö Parinirvana Anniversary
Two sessions on July 29th at 9am and 2pm
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL! DETAILS