Over the past year Lama Choje Namse's health problem became very serious and his nephew Lama Tenzin and all his students in the Toronto Center tended to him as best they could. Recently however the doctor told Lama-La he was entering into the last stages of his illness and that time was running short. After hearing this news Venerable Choje Lama Namse decided to go Palpung Sherabling for his final days as a result of his unshakable devotion and trust in Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa and His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Drodul Trinley Dorje.

Lama-La arrived at Palpung Sherab Ling Monastic Seat with his nephew Lama Tenzin and his close student monk George as well as other helpers from Toronto's Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Center. While in India he visited Sidhbhari for the blessing of H.H. Gyalwang Karmapa and also received teachings, empowerments and advice from Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa many times. Lama-la finally passed away peacefully on the morning of November 30th 2009. He remained in Thugdham for one day and the following day Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa did phowa for him. On the 3rd of December, Namse Rinpoche's cremation took place with several hundred lamas, monks and Rinpoches including Yonge Migyur Rinpoche, Bo Gangkar Rinpoche, Gyalton Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsulnam Rinpoche. The funeral ceremony was elaborately arranged according the advice of Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. Miraculously, during the cremation, beautiful rainbows filled a clear blue sky.

Photo of Lama Namse from http://www.ksdl.org/

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