A Toast to Liberation

Photograph by Terry Hagan

As Rinpoche’s 90th birthdate draws near, I am flooded with memories of glorious birthdays celebrated with him. I was so fortunate to be with Rinpoche on Oct 11th each year in diverse locations, from coral reefs, to deserts, to safaris, on freighters off the coast of Africa in the Arctic or the Antarctic and more.

I remember one birthday in particular. Rinpoche was teaching a group of students in the Bordeaux region of France with its lovely rolling hills festooned with famous vineyards. As his birthday drew near, Pierre, one of the French students who was a wine connoisseur, offered Rinpoche an exquisite bottle of Champagne that he had been saving for just such an occasion. Rinpoche accepted the bottle and early on the birthday morning he called together a few students, including Pierre, to join him in his room. It was quite early, well before breakfast, when we all gathered together to offer Rinpoche gifts. The champagne was opened with great aplomb, glasses were poured, and we all watched Rinpoche sample the bubbly nectar. He marvelled at its taste, its colour and fragrance much to Pierre’s pleasure and we all agreed the taste was divine. Rinpoche, ever one for pulling the rug out from underneath you, suddenly asked me to bring him his toothbrush. Puzzled, I brought it to him and when I handed it over I noticed the twinkle in his eyes. Rinpoche dipped his toothbrush into the champagne, gave it a quick stir and then commenced brushing his teeth with it. We were all stunned and you could have heard a pin drop in the room! Rinpoche carried on praising this new method of brushing your teeth with champagne and encouraged the rest of us to try it as well. Pierre’s face had dropped a foot as he watched Rinpoche's actions. You could feel his unease, his aesthetics tumbling into confusion and dismay. Yet Rinpoche maintained his smiling demeanor and began to teach a discourse about going beyond our concepts, cultures and norms. He reminded us of the Buddha leaving the palace and all its trappings behind. “It is such an essential step in the path of liberation,” he said. As he talked Pierre gradually unwound and began to see the wisdom being offered. He later told us that this had been a life changing moment for him. “Nothing like champers for breakfast!” (P.G. Wodehouse)

Keenly aware of international politics and with a passion for history and culture, Rinpoche loved to travel the world. He also encouraged many of us to follow him on adventures in many parts of the planet. He felt it helped people step out of the box of their conditioning, opening their view to recognize dharma in every aspect of life.  Some days he was known simply as George – he interacted with and influenced countless people on his travels – yet the very next day you might find him ensconced on a throne giving a highest yoga tantra teaching and initiations. There was scarcely a moment when he was not illustrating the dharma, by word, gesture, or example. He used everything to turn the mind to dharma and could simultaneously direct many people in activities that would bring benefit to their practice. Rinpoche continually challenged us to be authentic to the truth and not to hide behind 'niceness.' For those around him, every moment was an opportunity to unfold. It is so rare to have this quality of awareness consistently manifested in front of us. With patience for all our imperfections, so clear, kind and caring despite all our multitudinous needs, he was able to help us transform our difficulties into wisdom.

After his passing, it was with both great joy and continual amazement that I heard people sharing their recollections and stories of experiences with Rinpoche. Though I had felt over the years that I knew this man intimately, more and more I began to realize that we all had but a glimpse of the immense profundity that Rinpoche manifested. So many voices saying Rinpoche did this, Rinpoche meant that, but each of them based on our partial experience. How could we know the awakened mind without being awakened ourselves?

I am filled with incredible gratitude for the good fortune of having the privilege to spend so much time in the company of this monarch of the dharma. He is still so indelibly present in the lives of so many people and his teachings continue to flow through us. Every time we enter the temple, the waves of his blessing emerge from the walls; as we navigate the vicissitudes of life we are guided by his wisdom; as we do our practice his radiance leaps off the pages. What an astounding legacy he has left us.

by Terry Hagan