Rinpoche came to Winnipeg

Click on the image above to visit Gerry Kopelow's photo gallery of Namgyal Rinpoche's Memorial at the DCC in November 2003

My long-time Dharma friend, John de Jardin, introduced me to Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche some forty-five years ago. John felt that my identity as a freelance mystic was pretty flimsy, and that an authentic teacher was what I needed. Many of you know that Rinpoche was most certainly that, and of course much, much more.

It took some effort to attend retreats; I had a young family, and was trying to run a business in a time of 22% bank interest. But Rinpoche was kind and accepted my rather klutzy presence in class. He even granted me a cell phone exemption.

It took a couple of years before I was able to ask him – formally - to be my teacher. I also requested he recommend a main personal practise. He gave me Anapanasati, Mindfulness of In-Out Breathing. For instruction: “Read my book.” Should I take it to completion?  “Of course.” (Still working on that.)

For the next decade or so I attended retreats whenever I could. At the end of a Metta retreat in Vancouver I stepped up to thank him and he interrupted me: “Start a group in Winnipeg, and We will come.” Two or three years passed, and I reminded Rinpoche of his promise whenever I was able to join a teaching that he was giving in Canada. Sometimes he would nod, but most of these reminders seemed to land on deaf ears.

Around this time, we began to hear rumors that Rinpoche was sick. No details were available, and we were informed that an inner circle of ardent students was taking care of him. 

On Rinpoche’s return to Canada from what was to be his last visit to Japan, Terry let me know that they would stop in Winnipeg on their way back to the Dharma Center of Canada. Friend John provided details of Rinpoche’s favoured foods, condiments, teas, and fruit, etc. A nice corner hotel room with kitchen was secured and stocked. 

I picked Terry and Rinpoche up at the airport on a Thursday. A long weekend Labour Day retreat was set up to begin on Friday evening. I was shocked at Rinpoche’s pale face, unsteady walk, and bent posture. He did not look well.

Late on Thursday Terry called: Rinpoche would not teach on Friday evening, and would I take the class? I did take that class… much to the disappointment of a couple of dozen practitioners at St. Benedict’s (repurposed) Monastery, just outside of Winnipeg. 

As instructed, I picked up Rinpoche and Terry early on Saturday morning. Rinpoche was now upright  – perfectly upright. His face was radiant, his demeanor friendly and energetic. On both Sunday morning and Monday morning, although I arrived at the hotel earlier each day, I found Rinpoche standing curbside waiting for me. He gave a great Anapanasati retreat that ended with this booming instruction: “Now shut up and practise!”

Early on Tuesday I took them to the airport. Terry had some luggage-related details to attend to, but Rinpoche wanted to go through security so I escorted him to the line-up. Just before he disappeared into the security area, he turned to me and, with an authoritative nod, said, “Well done.” (Having just typed out those two words, I am on the verge of tears.) 

That was the last time I saw Rinpoche alive.

Gerry Kopelow