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| Lama Tsering Paljor |
In 2012 Donal Creedon led a one month retreat in BMC in Sikkim. He taught from Tsele Natsok Rangdrol’s Lamp of Mahamudra, not an easy text by
any means. In order to retain some sort
of equilibrium to the teachings which often left me confused about some of the
complicated techniques propounded, I often found solace in talking to the
resident monk, Lama Tsering Paljor who passed away at 7 pm on 15 October.
I’m
not sure how old Lama La was; he had that youthful appearance, which many
Tibetans have, and a calm deportment that affected all who came in contact with
him. His easy manner of speech and his
openness with others put them immediately at ease, and one felt that they were
in the company of an exceptional individual.
During
his time in retreat in Pharphing near Kathmandu in Nepal, he told me of his
practice of tummo and how he wore
three sets of wet robes consecutively and dried them with the heat of his own
body. This he performed in the winter. He
also joined me in qigong, together with others early in the morning after
performing his ritual offerings at the fire house on the roof of the gompa. We
also enjoyed watching a film about Milarepa
on the laptop and he would explain each part of the story to me, especially
the power of his sorcery and his later tutelage under Marpa.
Lama
Paljor also liked to demonstrate his skills in singing and dancing and once
led an extended session of chanting the mantra om mani peme hum in the shrine room.
In his little kitchen at the top of the building, he made chai and offered sweets. These times provided welcome moments of relaxation.
To
us, the first knowledge of his problems came about half-way through the
retreat. Lama La was experiencing a
burning sensation in his chest and decided that he wanted to seek medical
advice. My wife and I took him to
consult a homeopathic practitioner in Gangtok and he was prescribed various
‘remedies’, but to no avail. He was
later diagnosed with cancer and the prognosis was not good.
Lama
La was a gentle man and enjoyed our company.
He showed us his photographs and it was surprising to see him stand out
with his long hair and beard while the others had shaved heads.
However,
he was able to travel back to Tibet and passed away amongst his family and
friends.
Lama
Paljor will be remembered fondly by all who met him and he will live on in
their thoughts.
[Please
refer to Annie Dibble’s article published in Bodhicharya Ireland, Remembering Lama Tsering Paljor.]
