Record 13
Tsori of Chik Dril County(Householder who ordained just before her death, 1961 – 2019)
Summary
Tsori was a nomad. When she was dying, she joined her hands in prayer and said, “Our protector Amitabha Buddha and his retinue have come to receive me. There are so many, many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas filling the whole valley. They are everywhere I can see. I am so happy. I'm going to the Pure Land.” Nearing her death, she sang Amitabha’s name with a joyful voice without any signs of suffering.
Life Experience
Tsori was born in the 16th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Ox year (1961) in Muyang Village, Palyul Township, Chik Dril County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. A nomad with nine children, it was said that she possessed a gentle temperament and never quarreled with anyone in her community.
She suffered from a leg disease for several years. Despite receiving some medical treatment and performing rituals, there was no improvement. Doctors declared her condition incurable and she was discharged to return home. For over four months, she was lovingly cared for by her children.
When her pain was intense, she could not lean backward or bend forward on her own; even turning her body required assistance. Despite this, she never showed any signs of irritation. She said, “Although I cannot die yet and must endure this pain, I believe there will be no problem after death. When my Guru, HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, placed his hand on my head, I vowed to recite Amitabha Buddha’s name one million times. I have now completed that, so I have great confidence in facing death.”
Later, during the Great Sukhavati Dharma Assembly at Larung, her son Degagya received a thangka of the solitary form of Amitabha Buddha and gave it to his mother as a support for her practice. When she saw it, she said, “You should show me Amitabha’s thangka often just like now.” From then on, Tsori would be absorbed in gazing at the thangka -- sometimes from the top of the Buddha crown downward, sometimes from the lotus petals upward, sometimes directly in front. She pored over each detail carefully.
Although Tsori was enduring great pain, her son told her, “Pray to Protector Amitabha. HH Jigme Phuntsok once said, “I’ll be waiting for all of you in Sukhavati, making tea for your arrival.’ So, Guru will certainly be waiting there while boiling tea. Guru also said that reciting Amitabha’s name (in Tibetan) one million times and Vajrasattva's short mantra 400,000 times is the requirement for creating a karmic connection with him.”
Tsori responded, “It’s wonderful that our Guru has made such a promise to us.” As she spoke, tears flowed down her face.
Signs at the Time of Passing
The next day was the 30th day of the Tibetan month (new moon day). Tsori's children, siblings and relatives were gathered together. That afternoon, her complexion became increasingly clear and radiant, and her speech grew more lucid. There was not the slightest sign of pain or illness.
She said, “There! I see Amitabha Buddha—not just one deity, but three! There’s one on each side of him, though the two on the sides are not so clear. Who are they?”
The family replied, “The one on the right is Chenrezig and the one on the left is Vajrapani.”
Tsori said, “Oh ya! And there are many others—the whole space is filled with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.” Saying this, she joined her hands in prayer and, for about the duration of a meal, sang Amitabha’s name and prayer.
The next evening, after a brief nap, she awoke and immediately placed her hands together in prayer, exclaiming, “Amitabha Buddha and his retinue have come to receive me!” She then raised her voice joyfully and said, “Everyone is going to Sukhavati. This is so wonderful! So joyful! Over there! There are many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they fill the entire valley.”
At times she recited Amitabha’s name (I prostrate, make offerings and take refuge in the Bhagavan, Tathagatha, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened Buddha Protector Amitabha), at times she recited “I prostrate, make offerings and take refuge in the Bhagavan, Tathagatha, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened Buddha Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche”.
In this way, she substituted the name “Amitabha” with HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s name alternately in her recitation. She also had the thangka of Amitabha Buddha placed above her head.
On the 2nd day of the Tibetan month, she experienced no pain throughout the day and remained calm and at ease. When evening came, she said, “Now, please help turn me to face the west.” Her family complied with her request. She remained completely still, without any movement or discomfort. At around 2 am, she took a final long breath and departed from this life.
Those who witnessed this said, “Based on everything we saw, she was certainly reborn in Sukhavati in that very instant, arriving in the presence of Protector Amitabha inseparable from HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche.”
Investigation and Verification
About 20 to 30 days after this happened, Khenpo Tsephun conducted a detailed inquiry with those familiar with the event, including Degagya and Nyendo.
On October 29, 2021, we, the editors, made a special trip to Dorzong Monastery in Banma County, Golog Prefecture, where we interviewed the deceased’s son Degagya, nephew Nyendo, and Khenpo Tsephun. We also gathered supplementary accounts from other eyewitnesses and individuals familiar with the situation. Based on their testimonies, we compiled this written account and subsequently presented it to them for review. They confirmed that the account is factually accurate. We did not simply rely on what the deceased said before her passing or on the statements of a few individuals who knew about the matter. Instead, we conducted a thorough and multi-faceted investigation to confirm the credibility of the story. Only after being satisfied with its reliability did we decide to include this record here.
Record 14
Drolma Lhamo of Ganzi County (Ordained in second half of her life, 1947-2002)
Summary
From a young age, Drolma Lhamo had always been deeply afraid of death. However, just before her passing, she said, “Now my heart is at peace. I have seen Amitabha Buddha and HH Jigme Phuntsok. I will definitely be reborn in Sukhavati. I am not afraid of death at all." After that, she passed away in the lion's sleeping posture.
Life Story
Drolma was born in the 16th Tibetan Rabjung Fire Pig year (1947) in Dahe Village, Ganzi County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. She had nine children. Since her childhood, she would say, “One day, death will come,” and unable to control herself, she would become very emotional. When hearing of others suffering from illness or other misfortunes, she often wept.
From a young age, Drolma delighted in the Dharma. She developed the habit of reciting Amitabha and the “Aspiration to Be Reborn in Sukhavati”. She showed faith and respect towards any monastic she encountered and often taught her children to do the same.
Around the age of 47, she said one day, "Until now, I have wandered through samsara, tormented by karma and suffering. If I don’t ordain and cultivate virtue now, my future lives will surely be very miserable. Although I have many children, they are all able to live independently so there is nothing left to hold me back."
Accordingly, she took ordination, completed the 500,000 Ngondro to accumulate merit and purify obscurations and recited Amitabha’s name more than 30 million times.
Signs at the Time of Passing
(1) Family Reunion
In the autumn of 2002, during the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly at Larung Gar, Drolma said to her daughter, the nun Sherab Drolma, “Now go tell your brothers and sisters that mother wants everyone to come to Larung to attend the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly. I’m feeling a little unwell, bring the children too and let’s all gather here.”
The entire family came together at Larung. The children said, “Mother, you can’t stay on like this. How can we attend the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly when you’re ill? We need to take you to the hospital immediately.”
Drolma replied, “My dear children, I don’t need to go to the hospital. I know my own condition. I don’t need anything. There’s money under my pillow—take it and buy something tasty. Let’s all enjoy being together happily.”
The children said, “We have money,” but Drolma was very insistent. So they used their mother’s money to buy some food and drink. Just as she wished, they spent a joyful day together as a family. She also said things like, “Now I’m satisfied”, and gave her children many parting words and instructions.
(2) Seeing Her Guru and Amitabha Buddha
The next day, Drolma’s body became very weak, but she insisted on going to the Dharma Assembly. The children pleaded, “Mother, please don’t go.” But she responded, “Of course I have to go. Participating in a Dharma assembly with so many monastics is a great blessing. Aren’t you happy about that? It’s something to rejoice in!” She did not listen to her children’s concerns.
From the second day onward, her body deterioriated so much that she couldn’t go to the Dharma Assembly. That morning, she said, “Don’t come near me. Don’t touch me.” She wouldn’t allow anyone to approach or touch her.
In the afternoon, she exclaimed, “Oh! Now it’s all good. My heart is full of joy. I have seen the Protector Amitabha Buddha and the Guru. I am now going to be reborn in the pureland of Sukhavati. Can you see them up there? Up there—HH Jigme Phuntsok has come, Amitabha Buddha has come! I swear I’m really going to be reborn in the pureland! Now don’t come near me.” She refused to let anyone get close.
Over the next two or three days, she loudly proclaimed, “Lay out some cushions in front—the Guru is coming! Protector Amitabha Buddha is here! Set up the cushions properly, offer incense, and burn some juniper and pine incense too.” She added, “Don’t sit here—go to the back. I am so happy! Let me be here for a while, I’m so happy! Clean the house well. Just like this, I’m satisfied. My time to die has come. When I die, it should be in the lion’s sleeping posture.”
On the day of her passing, some visitors came to see her. Drolma said, “Don’t sit in the front—that’s where the Precious Guru sits. And not there either—that’s where Amitabha Buddha sits. You go sit behind.” She would not allow anyone sit in front.
Throughout those three or four days, all she saw was Amitabha Buddha and the Guru, her heart was filled with joy and delight.
Later, she said to her son, Rigzin Wangchuk, “I’m not afraid of death at all now. I feel no pain whatsoever. All of you, stop making noise, don’t touch me—everyone go out quietly.”
Everyone left the room. She asked her youngest daughter, Sherab Drolma (a nun) to stay with her, saying, “Don’t go out. Cover me with my Dharma robes.” Her daughter did as she was told. In a short while, without any signs of pain or discomfort, she peacefully stopped breathing and left this life.
Investigation and Verification
On July 23, 2020, we, the editors, traveled to Dahe Village in Ganzi County where we interviewed close relatives such as Yangga Dronma. The next day, we went to Ganzi County again to interview the deceased's son, Rigzin Wangchuk. Her family members said, “Whether this story is good or not, we wouldn’t casually tell it to just anyone. But we are really happy to be able to share it with you.” Based on their account, we compiled a written draft and later presented it to them for review.
To make it easier for readers to understand, we made slight adjustments to the wording and phrasing, then asked the family to carefully verify the content again, checking for any inconsistencies or omissions. They confirmed that the account was accurate to their knowledge. We also conducted a broader investigation into their character and trustworthiness to assess if they were likely to fabricate anything. Only after confirming their credibility to our satisfaction did we decide to include this record here.
Drolma Lhamo of Ganzi County (Ordained in second half of her life, 1947-2002)
Summary
From a young age, Drolma Lhamo had always been deeply afraid of death. However, just before her passing, she said, “Now my heart is at peace. I have seen Amitabha Buddha and HH Jigme Phuntsok. I will definitely be reborn in Sukhavati. I am not afraid of death at all." After that, she passed away in the lion's sleeping posture.
Life Story
Drolma was born in the 16th Tibetan Rabjung Fire Pig year (1947) in Dahe Village, Ganzi County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. She had nine children. Since her childhood, she would say, “One day, death will come,” and unable to control herself, she would become very emotional. When hearing of others suffering from illness or other misfortunes, she often wept.
From a young age, Drolma delighted in the Dharma. She developed the habit of reciting Amitabha and the “Aspiration to Be Reborn in Sukhavati”. She showed faith and respect towards any monastic she encountered and often taught her children to do the same.
Around the age of 47, she said one day, "Until now, I have wandered through samsara, tormented by karma and suffering. If I don’t ordain and cultivate virtue now, my future lives will surely be very miserable. Although I have many children, they are all able to live independently so there is nothing left to hold me back."
Accordingly, she took ordination, completed the 500,000 Ngondro to accumulate merit and purify obscurations and recited Amitabha’s name more than 30 million times.
Signs at the Time of Passing
(1) Family Reunion
In the autumn of 2002, during the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly at Larung Gar, Drolma said to her daughter, the nun Sherab Drolma, “Now go tell your brothers and sisters that mother wants everyone to come to Larung to attend the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly. I’m feeling a little unwell, bring the children too and let’s all gather here.”
The entire family came together at Larung. The children said, “Mother, you can’t stay on like this. How can we attend the Sukhavati Dharma Assembly when you’re ill? We need to take you to the hospital immediately.”
Drolma replied, “My dear children, I don’t need to go to the hospital. I know my own condition. I don’t need anything. There’s money under my pillow—take it and buy something tasty. Let’s all enjoy being together happily.”
The children said, “We have money,” but Drolma was very insistent. So they used their mother’s money to buy some food and drink. Just as she wished, they spent a joyful day together as a family. She also said things like, “Now I’m satisfied”, and gave her children many parting words and instructions.
(2) Seeing Her Guru and Amitabha Buddha
The next day, Drolma’s body became very weak, but she insisted on going to the Dharma Assembly. The children pleaded, “Mother, please don’t go.” But she responded, “Of course I have to go. Participating in a Dharma assembly with so many monastics is a great blessing. Aren’t you happy about that? It’s something to rejoice in!” She did not listen to her children’s concerns.
From the second day onward, her body deterioriated so much that she couldn’t go to the Dharma Assembly. That morning, she said, “Don’t come near me. Don’t touch me.” She wouldn’t allow anyone to approach or touch her.
In the afternoon, she exclaimed, “Oh! Now it’s all good. My heart is full of joy. I have seen the Protector Amitabha Buddha and the Guru. I am now going to be reborn in the pureland of Sukhavati. Can you see them up there? Up there—HH Jigme Phuntsok has come, Amitabha Buddha has come! I swear I’m really going to be reborn in the pureland! Now don’t come near me.” She refused to let anyone get close.
Over the next two or three days, she loudly proclaimed, “Lay out some cushions in front—the Guru is coming! Protector Amitabha Buddha is here! Set up the cushions properly, offer incense, and burn some juniper and pine incense too.” She added, “Don’t sit here—go to the back. I am so happy! Let me be here for a while, I’m so happy! Clean the house well. Just like this, I’m satisfied. My time to die has come. When I die, it should be in the lion’s sleeping posture.”
On the day of her passing, some visitors came to see her. Drolma said, “Don’t sit in the front—that’s where the Precious Guru sits. And not there either—that’s where Amitabha Buddha sits. You go sit behind.” She would not allow anyone sit in front.
Throughout those three or four days, all she saw was Amitabha Buddha and the Guru, her heart was filled with joy and delight.
Later, she said to her son, Rigzin Wangchuk, “I’m not afraid of death at all now. I feel no pain whatsoever. All of you, stop making noise, don’t touch me—everyone go out quietly.”
Everyone left the room. She asked her youngest daughter, Sherab Drolma (a nun) to stay with her, saying, “Don’t go out. Cover me with my Dharma robes.” Her daughter did as she was told. In a short while, without any signs of pain or discomfort, she peacefully stopped breathing and left this life.
Investigation and Verification
On July 23, 2020, we, the editors, traveled to Dahe Village in Ganzi County where we interviewed close relatives such as Yangga Dronma. The next day, we went to Ganzi County again to interview the deceased's son, Rigzin Wangchuk. Her family members said, “Whether this story is good or not, we wouldn’t casually tell it to just anyone. But we are really happy to be able to share it with you.” Based on their account, we compiled a written draft and later presented it to them for review.
To make it easier for readers to understand, we made slight adjustments to the wording and phrasing, then asked the family to carefully verify the content again, checking for any inconsistencies or omissions. They confirmed that the account was accurate to their knowledge. We also conducted a broader investigation into their character and trustworthiness to assess if they were likely to fabricate anything. Only after confirming their credibility to our satisfaction did we decide to include this record here.
Record 15
Onpa Jigbu from Zadoi County (Householder, 1950 – 2011)
Summary
Onpa Jigbu had great faith in the Guru Triple Gems. Before his passing, he said, “The morning after tomorrow, I will go to the pureland. The eight great Bodhisattvas have already appeared in the space before me to take me there.” He later passed away peacefully without any signs of suffering or pain.
Life Experiences
(1) Virtuous Deeds
Onpa was born in the 16th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Tiger year (1950) in Gegyazong Village, Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. He had eight children. During the turbulent times that followed, he tried his best to avoid jobs involving killing and devoted himself to virtuous practices such as prostrations and making offerings.
Ten years prior to his passing, he lost his eyesight. Nevertheless, he said: “There is a saying that ‘illness is an encouragement for virtuous actions and suffering is a broom that sweeps away negative karma.’ Losing my eyesight is actually a helper in the form of adversity.”
In the presence of a teacher, Onpa vowed to recite 100 million Mani mantras. He said, “HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche promised that if one completes one million recitations of Amitabha’s name and 400,000 Vajrasattva mantras, one will be reborn in the pureland. I have made this vow and practiced accordingly. All of you must complete it too.”
Onpa never told others how many mantras he recited. However, it was recorded on page 95 of the Almanac compiled by the Tibetan Medical Astrology Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region (in 2011, 13 days before his passing) that he had completed 250,580,000 Mani mantras. It is estimated that he also completed around 2 million recitations of Amitabha’s name.
(2) His Advices
Onpa told his children, “Once one gets a terminal illness and reaches the end of their lifespan, even the Buddha himself cannot prolong it. So please don’t make yourself busy or spend a lot of money for me on medical treatments. If you use that money for virtuous deeds instead, it will bring a greater result.”
While hospitalized, he said to some visitors, “My life is reaching its natural end. No medical treatment or puja can delay it. My children and relatives are still very hopeful for a recovery, so to put their minds at ease, I came to the hospital. But I won’t be staying here long. As it is said, ‘For those who cannot recover, death is better.’ My wish is to pass away quickly.”
Later, he said to his caretakers, “When a person is nearing death, the most regrettable thing is to stay in a noisy hospital ward where one can’t hear any sounds of Dharma, being put through tests by doctors daily, not even able to recite the Aspiration to Be Reborn in Sukhavati in peace. I want to return home quickly. No matter how much time I have left, I want to focus my mind on rebirth in Sukhavati and on diligent recitation of Mani mantra. That would be something truly wonderful! Also, if I pass away with my family and loved ones around me, I would feel quite at peace.”
Onpa returned home. During that time, he said to his family, “Don’t worry or grieve. ‘Suffering is essentially a reminder to practice virtue’, it is enough to simply exert your body, speech, and mind in creating virtue. There are customs like staining the clothes with some dirt or not washing the hair after someone dies, but these actually bring more harm than benefit to both the living and the dead—so don’t follow them. Just listen to my words.”
In this way, Onpa gave many such advices.
Signs at the Time of Death
When a Guru was giving him an empowerment and reciting the phowa practice (transference of consciousness), Onpa said to the lama, “Your empowerment and phowa practice are very effective.” Onpa himself uttered “Ha” three times, those present saw this.
When the monk Raga was preparing to go to Beijing to apply for a passport, Onpa told him, “Travel safely. Don’t rush. I’ll wait for you. We’ll meet again before I pass on.” Later, when Raga safely returned home, Onpa said, “I gritted my teeth and waited for you. Now I am satisfied. The morning after tomorrow, I will go to the pureland. The eight great Bodhisattvas, the retinue of Amitabha, have appeared in the space before me to receive me. Prepare clean offerings in the shrine room.”
When family members such as Karma Khyenrab were by his side, he added, “After I pass on, in the room to the left of the shrine, place a thick cushion and seat my body in the vajra posture, sitting upright naturally. No support is needed. After I die, if you invite anyone to do prayers, you must first invite Dzogchen Monastery’s Lama Dunga. Apart from that, there is no need to arrange other deliverance pujas by asking the Delogs, mirror-divination masters and so forth for divinations or prophecies.
Other than that, he also urged his family, neighbors, and relatives not to slaughter animals or eat meat tainted with karmic debt. Consequently, some vowed to completely give up meat for their whole lives, some vowed to abstain for a few years while most people promised to abstain from meat for that year. Onpa said, “If you can cultivate a kind heart of virtue and abstain from killing like this, we’ll meet again in Sukhavati.”
The next morning, while some monks were reciting prayers in the shrine room, Onpa’s mother said to Karma-gya, “Onpa’s condition is worsening.” Karmagya went to his bedside and recited Guru Yoga, Aspiration to Sukhavati, and Samantabhadra’s King of Aspiration Prayers. When he reached the following stanza,
Onpa’s breath gently ceased and he departed from this world. It was the 6th day of the 8th month in the 17th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Rabbit year (October 2, 2011).
Signs After Passing
It was said that, following Onpa’s earlier instructions, his family placed his body in the vajra posture. The body could sit upright without any support. His body’s complexion remained fair and luminous and each day it appeared to gradually shrink in size, until one person could very easily lift him.
When the body was taken to the charnel ground, witnesses reported seeing phenomena such as a five-colored rainbow ascending into the sky with three unusual vultures with white feathers on their chests circling above and so forth. Someone also dreamed that Onpa appeared in the sky filled with rainbow light and loudly proclaimed, “I’m going to Sukhavati. Don’t worry.” Then, while smiling, he ascended higher and higher through gaps in the clouds until he completely vanished.
Investigation and Verification
A preliminary version of this story is based on recordings by Karma-gya in 2020. On the evening of January 19, 2021, an additional detailed inquiry was conducted in a hotel in Zadoi County by gathering the deceased’s sons—Jigme Sangye, Karma Khyenrab, Karma-gya, and Gyaltsen, as well as his brother Gayang and relative Draden. A written account was compiled according to their testimonies and later reviewed by them. After a series of careful verifications, the story was deemed credible and formally included here.
Onpa Jigbu from Zadoi County (Householder, 1950 – 2011)
Summary
Onpa Jigbu had great faith in the Guru Triple Gems. Before his passing, he said, “The morning after tomorrow, I will go to the pureland. The eight great Bodhisattvas have already appeared in the space before me to take me there.” He later passed away peacefully without any signs of suffering or pain.
Life Experiences
(1) Virtuous Deeds
Onpa was born in the 16th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Tiger year (1950) in Gegyazong Village, Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. He had eight children. During the turbulent times that followed, he tried his best to avoid jobs involving killing and devoted himself to virtuous practices such as prostrations and making offerings.
Ten years prior to his passing, he lost his eyesight. Nevertheless, he said: “There is a saying that ‘illness is an encouragement for virtuous actions and suffering is a broom that sweeps away negative karma.’ Losing my eyesight is actually a helper in the form of adversity.”
In the presence of a teacher, Onpa vowed to recite 100 million Mani mantras. He said, “HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche promised that if one completes one million recitations of Amitabha’s name and 400,000 Vajrasattva mantras, one will be reborn in the pureland. I have made this vow and practiced accordingly. All of you must complete it too.”
Onpa never told others how many mantras he recited. However, it was recorded on page 95 of the Almanac compiled by the Tibetan Medical Astrology Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region (in 2011, 13 days before his passing) that he had completed 250,580,000 Mani mantras. It is estimated that he also completed around 2 million recitations of Amitabha’s name.
(2) His Advices
Onpa told his children, “Once one gets a terminal illness and reaches the end of their lifespan, even the Buddha himself cannot prolong it. So please don’t make yourself busy or spend a lot of money for me on medical treatments. If you use that money for virtuous deeds instead, it will bring a greater result.”
While hospitalized, he said to some visitors, “My life is reaching its natural end. No medical treatment or puja can delay it. My children and relatives are still very hopeful for a recovery, so to put their minds at ease, I came to the hospital. But I won’t be staying here long. As it is said, ‘For those who cannot recover, death is better.’ My wish is to pass away quickly.”
Later, he said to his caretakers, “When a person is nearing death, the most regrettable thing is to stay in a noisy hospital ward where one can’t hear any sounds of Dharma, being put through tests by doctors daily, not even able to recite the Aspiration to Be Reborn in Sukhavati in peace. I want to return home quickly. No matter how much time I have left, I want to focus my mind on rebirth in Sukhavati and on diligent recitation of Mani mantra. That would be something truly wonderful! Also, if I pass away with my family and loved ones around me, I would feel quite at peace.”
Onpa returned home. During that time, he said to his family, “Don’t worry or grieve. ‘Suffering is essentially a reminder to practice virtue’, it is enough to simply exert your body, speech, and mind in creating virtue. There are customs like staining the clothes with some dirt or not washing the hair after someone dies, but these actually bring more harm than benefit to both the living and the dead—so don’t follow them. Just listen to my words.”
In this way, Onpa gave many such advices.
Signs at the Time of Death
When a Guru was giving him an empowerment and reciting the phowa practice (transference of consciousness), Onpa said to the lama, “Your empowerment and phowa practice are very effective.” Onpa himself uttered “Ha” three times, those present saw this.
When the monk Raga was preparing to go to Beijing to apply for a passport, Onpa told him, “Travel safely. Don’t rush. I’ll wait for you. We’ll meet again before I pass on.” Later, when Raga safely returned home, Onpa said, “I gritted my teeth and waited for you. Now I am satisfied. The morning after tomorrow, I will go to the pureland. The eight great Bodhisattvas, the retinue of Amitabha, have appeared in the space before me to receive me. Prepare clean offerings in the shrine room.”
When family members such as Karma Khyenrab were by his side, he added, “After I pass on, in the room to the left of the shrine, place a thick cushion and seat my body in the vajra posture, sitting upright naturally. No support is needed. After I die, if you invite anyone to do prayers, you must first invite Dzogchen Monastery’s Lama Dunga. Apart from that, there is no need to arrange other deliverance pujas by asking the Delogs, mirror-divination masters and so forth for divinations or prophecies.
Other than that, he also urged his family, neighbors, and relatives not to slaughter animals or eat meat tainted with karmic debt. Consequently, some vowed to completely give up meat for their whole lives, some vowed to abstain for a few years while most people promised to abstain from meat for that year. Onpa said, “If you can cultivate a kind heart of virtue and abstain from killing like this, we’ll meet again in Sukhavati.”
The next morning, while some monks were reciting prayers in the shrine room, Onpa’s mother said to Karma-gya, “Onpa’s condition is worsening.” Karmagya went to his bedside and recited Guru Yoga, Aspiration to Sukhavati, and Samantabhadra’s King of Aspiration Prayers. When he reached the following stanza,
“Before that pure assembly of Buddha and his retinue,
May I be born from an excellent lotus.
There may I behold Buddha Amitabha
And receive the prophecy of enlightenment directly.”
May I be born from an excellent lotus.
There may I behold Buddha Amitabha
And receive the prophecy of enlightenment directly.”
Onpa’s breath gently ceased and he departed from this world. It was the 6th day of the 8th month in the 17th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Rabbit year (October 2, 2011).
Signs After Passing
It was said that, following Onpa’s earlier instructions, his family placed his body in the vajra posture. The body could sit upright without any support. His body’s complexion remained fair and luminous and each day it appeared to gradually shrink in size, until one person could very easily lift him.
When the body was taken to the charnel ground, witnesses reported seeing phenomena such as a five-colored rainbow ascending into the sky with three unusual vultures with white feathers on their chests circling above and so forth. Someone also dreamed that Onpa appeared in the sky filled with rainbow light and loudly proclaimed, “I’m going to Sukhavati. Don’t worry.” Then, while smiling, he ascended higher and higher through gaps in the clouds until he completely vanished.
Investigation and Verification
A preliminary version of this story is based on recordings by Karma-gya in 2020. On the evening of January 19, 2021, an additional detailed inquiry was conducted in a hotel in Zadoi County by gathering the deceased’s sons—Jigme Sangye, Karma Khyenrab, Karma-gya, and Gyaltsen, as well as his brother Gayang and relative Draden. A written account was compiled according to their testimonies and later reviewed by them. After a series of careful verifications, the story was deemed credible and formally included here.
Record 16
Rinpel from Nangchen County (Householder, about 1900 – 1988)
Summary
The elderly woman Rinpel stayed in Nangchen. At the time of her passing, she said, “Protector Amitabha and his retinue have arrived! Take away this sheepskin jacket.” Then she sat up and passed away.
Signs at the Time of Death
Rinpel was born around the year 1900 in Jola Town, Nangchen County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and passed away around 1988. Before her death, some Gurus and monks came to her home to recite prayers and perform pujas. Her family and caretakers also gathered. She said to her son, “Help me take off the sheepskin jacket. One should not die wearing a fur coat.” Her son replied, “Mother, if we take off this robe, you’ll be cold. We can’t do that!” She responded, “Son, when a person is about to die what cold is there to fear? This body is about to become earth. Protector Amitabha and his retinue have arrived! Now take away this sheepskin jacket.”
She sat upright without assistance with the key points of meditative posture, joined her palms together and took one long breath, passing away without any illness or suffering. After her death, her body remained upright, not falling over. All the Gurus and monks present exclaimed, “If she were not just an ordinary elderly woman but a Guru or Tulku, she would certainly become famous.”
Investigation and Verification
This story of passing occurred 33 years ago. Currently, besides Khenpo Gawa, there is no one else available to ask. On 22 January 2021, we, the editors, went to Nyangla Town (Nangchen County, Yushu Prefecture) and interviewed Khenpo Gawa to get more details. He said: “There is no one alive today who can speak further about this story. In the past, my uncle, the monk Chakme, told me this. Uncle Chame has now passed away, but this story is definitely true. That’s all I know—I’m not sure about other details—but I guarantee that this account is true.” According to Khenpo’s statement and our investigation from other angles, we consider this story reliable and have included it here.
Rinpel from Nangchen County (Householder, about 1900 – 1988)
Summary
The elderly woman Rinpel stayed in Nangchen. At the time of her passing, she said, “Protector Amitabha and his retinue have arrived! Take away this sheepskin jacket.” Then she sat up and passed away.
Signs at the Time of Death
Rinpel was born around the year 1900 in Jola Town, Nangchen County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and passed away around 1988. Before her death, some Gurus and monks came to her home to recite prayers and perform pujas. Her family and caretakers also gathered. She said to her son, “Help me take off the sheepskin jacket. One should not die wearing a fur coat.” Her son replied, “Mother, if we take off this robe, you’ll be cold. We can’t do that!” She responded, “Son, when a person is about to die what cold is there to fear? This body is about to become earth. Protector Amitabha and his retinue have arrived! Now take away this sheepskin jacket.”
She sat upright without assistance with the key points of meditative posture, joined her palms together and took one long breath, passing away without any illness or suffering. After her death, her body remained upright, not falling over. All the Gurus and monks present exclaimed, “If she were not just an ordinary elderly woman but a Guru or Tulku, she would certainly become famous.”
Investigation and Verification
This story of passing occurred 33 years ago. Currently, besides Khenpo Gawa, there is no one else available to ask. On 22 January 2021, we, the editors, went to Nyangla Town (Nangchen County, Yushu Prefecture) and interviewed Khenpo Gawa to get more details. He said: “There is no one alive today who can speak further about this story. In the past, my uncle, the monk Chakme, told me this. Uncle Chame has now passed away, but this story is definitely true. That’s all I know—I’m not sure about other details—but I guarantee that this account is true.” According to Khenpo’s statement and our investigation from other angles, we consider this story reliable and have included it here.
Record 17
Rala from Drakgo-dzong (Luhuo) County (Householder, 1921–2016)
Summary
Whenever she had free time, Rala would make tsa-tsa (small clay Buddha/stupa images). Before she passed away, she said: “Put away these prayer beads properly; all the necessary practices are completed. I can no longer recite anything more. Dress me in that yellow cotton shirt and remove the cushions on both sides. It’s time for me to go to the pureland. Amitabha is watching over me with joined palms. Please turn my body to face the west.” After this, she passed away.
Life Story
Rala was born in the 15th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Rooster year (1921) in Machingwa Village, Likhogma Maima (Lower) Town, Drakgo-dzong County, Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province into an ordinary nomadic family. It was said that during both the old and new social eras she would use all her free time to make tsa-tsa images, so much so that the mold she used became completely worn down from use. Over her lifetime, she also recited the Mani mantra more than 200 million times.
Signs at the Time of Death
About six or seven days before Rala's death, the entire family moved to their winter campsite. While the family members were unloading supplies, Rala called out urgently, “Bring me my crystal prayer beads now.” They replied, “We’re busy right now, we will bring it to you after we finish unloading.” She responded, “By the time you’re free, I won’t be. Bring it now quickly.” During this period, she also repeatedly said things like, “I will die soon,” and “It’s time to go.”
On the early morning of the day Rala passed away, just as the sun was rising, her daughter-in-law, Chabi, helped her wash her hands and face. Chabi then removed Rala’s inner garment and helped her into a yellow one. At that moment, the elderly woman smiled, held Chabi’s hand and said affectionately, “Daughter-in-law, you have shown me great kindness. You and your husband have cared for me so well and helped me immensely. You never complained and always spoke gently and warmly. Just that alone is enough. May you both be reborn in Sukhavati. From now on, don’t tire yourself too much with worldly activities, create more virtues and merits instead, anyway you don’t have a long time left in this world.”
That evening, she placed two or three prayer beads used to recite Mani mantra and Amitabha’s name into a hat she used to keep the prayer beads and said. “Keep these well. I can no longer recite. Everything that needs to be recited is already done.” She handed the prayer beads in the hat to the family.
Rala added, “Remove the pendant around my neck and place it somewhere clean. I’m leaving now. There is no possibility of staying on any longer. Dress me in that yellow inner shirt and put the text “Liberation by Touch” on me properly. Take away all the other clothes. In the old days, valuable clothes were sold to commission the carving of Mani stones but now that custom has disappeared. If you need the clothes, take them. If not, just burn them.”
Chabi thought, “It might be cold in that yellow shirt,” so she put a yellow thermal jacket on Rala instead. While Chabi was clearing away the other clothing from the sickbed, Rala said, “Don’t leave clothes here, take them elsewhere. Don’t fool me. This isn’t the inner shirt, it’s a thermal jacket. It is usually said, ‘Speak little before death, drink little before sleep.’ But if I don’t say this now, you won’t understand. I must wear the inner shirt. Remove these cushions. It’s time for me to go to the pureland.”
Rala repeated these instructions several times.
Chabi told us, “At that time, I didn’t know what to say to Ama-la (mother), but to remain silent would make her feel I was ignoring her instructions, so I said: ‘Ama-la, don’t go just yet. In three or four days, there’s going to be a pureland puja at the HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s monastery. Let’s attend that together.’”
Rala smiled and replied, “Telling someone not to go when it’s time to go. How can you say this? I must leave now. There’s no possibility of staying.”
Chabi then asked, “Ama-la, would you like to take a blessed pill?” Rala replied, “Daughter-in-law, I’ve already taken plenty. No need now. You all will still need them, so save them for yourselves. Amitabha is watching over me with hands folded. I don’t need anything else. After I die, see if you want to do some pujas to increase your own longevity and good fortune. Other than that, even if you can't do the 49-day Buddhist pujas for me, it doesn’t matter to me.”
That day, Rala spoke joyfully about seeing the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara and a certain Guru giving teachings to four Dakinis, but since no one else besides Chabi was present, and since Chabi was sometimes too busy to listen or couldn’t understand what Rala said, none of these details could be ascertained clearly.
According to those present, Rala said to her son, Sonam Tsering, later that evening, “Son, help me turn my body to face the west. I’ll trouble all of you tonight, but you won’t have to do anything else after this. May you all be healthy and live long. May the Three Jewels protect you.”
Not long after turning her to the west as she had requested, at around 11 pm after dinner, Sonam Tsering called out, “Ama-la!” but found no response. They went to Rala quickly and found her as if she were still asleep, her limbs curled up in the same position. She had already passed away. This took place in 2016.
Investigation and Verification
This story is closely connected with Chabi. About a month after Rala passed away, at the encouragement of Khenpo Jordan, Chabi recounted everything she had seen and heard at the time. Khenpo recorded her account on his mobile phone and the recording is still well-preserved to this day. Building on that, on 21 October 2020, we, the editors, interviewed Khenpo Jordan, Chabi, Yangzong Tso, and others. After thoroughly investigating the specific details of the event, we composed this account based on their statements. They confirmed the accuracy of the account which is included here.
Rala from Drakgo-dzong (Luhuo) County (Householder, 1921–2016)
Summary
Whenever she had free time, Rala would make tsa-tsa (small clay Buddha/stupa images). Before she passed away, she said: “Put away these prayer beads properly; all the necessary practices are completed. I can no longer recite anything more. Dress me in that yellow cotton shirt and remove the cushions on both sides. It’s time for me to go to the pureland. Amitabha is watching over me with joined palms. Please turn my body to face the west.” After this, she passed away.
Life Story
Rala was born in the 15th Tibetan Rabjung Iron Rooster year (1921) in Machingwa Village, Likhogma Maima (Lower) Town, Drakgo-dzong County, Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province into an ordinary nomadic family. It was said that during both the old and new social eras she would use all her free time to make tsa-tsa images, so much so that the mold she used became completely worn down from use. Over her lifetime, she also recited the Mani mantra more than 200 million times.
Signs at the Time of Death
About six or seven days before Rala's death, the entire family moved to their winter campsite. While the family members were unloading supplies, Rala called out urgently, “Bring me my crystal prayer beads now.” They replied, “We’re busy right now, we will bring it to you after we finish unloading.” She responded, “By the time you’re free, I won’t be. Bring it now quickly.” During this period, she also repeatedly said things like, “I will die soon,” and “It’s time to go.”
On the early morning of the day Rala passed away, just as the sun was rising, her daughter-in-law, Chabi, helped her wash her hands and face. Chabi then removed Rala’s inner garment and helped her into a yellow one. At that moment, the elderly woman smiled, held Chabi’s hand and said affectionately, “Daughter-in-law, you have shown me great kindness. You and your husband have cared for me so well and helped me immensely. You never complained and always spoke gently and warmly. Just that alone is enough. May you both be reborn in Sukhavati. From now on, don’t tire yourself too much with worldly activities, create more virtues and merits instead, anyway you don’t have a long time left in this world.”
That evening, she placed two or three prayer beads used to recite Mani mantra and Amitabha’s name into a hat she used to keep the prayer beads and said. “Keep these well. I can no longer recite. Everything that needs to be recited is already done.” She handed the prayer beads in the hat to the family.
Rala added, “Remove the pendant around my neck and place it somewhere clean. I’m leaving now. There is no possibility of staying on any longer. Dress me in that yellow inner shirt and put the text “Liberation by Touch” on me properly. Take away all the other clothes. In the old days, valuable clothes were sold to commission the carving of Mani stones but now that custom has disappeared. If you need the clothes, take them. If not, just burn them.”
Chabi thought, “It might be cold in that yellow shirt,” so she put a yellow thermal jacket on Rala instead. While Chabi was clearing away the other clothing from the sickbed, Rala said, “Don’t leave clothes here, take them elsewhere. Don’t fool me. This isn’t the inner shirt, it’s a thermal jacket. It is usually said, ‘Speak little before death, drink little before sleep.’ But if I don’t say this now, you won’t understand. I must wear the inner shirt. Remove these cushions. It’s time for me to go to the pureland.”
Rala repeated these instructions several times.
Chabi told us, “At that time, I didn’t know what to say to Ama-la (mother), but to remain silent would make her feel I was ignoring her instructions, so I said: ‘Ama-la, don’t go just yet. In three or four days, there’s going to be a pureland puja at the HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s monastery. Let’s attend that together.’”
Rala smiled and replied, “Telling someone not to go when it’s time to go. How can you say this? I must leave now. There’s no possibility of staying.”
Chabi then asked, “Ama-la, would you like to take a blessed pill?” Rala replied, “Daughter-in-law, I’ve already taken plenty. No need now. You all will still need them, so save them for yourselves. Amitabha is watching over me with hands folded. I don’t need anything else. After I die, see if you want to do some pujas to increase your own longevity and good fortune. Other than that, even if you can't do the 49-day Buddhist pujas for me, it doesn’t matter to me.”
That day, Rala spoke joyfully about seeing the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara and a certain Guru giving teachings to four Dakinis, but since no one else besides Chabi was present, and since Chabi was sometimes too busy to listen or couldn’t understand what Rala said, none of these details could be ascertained clearly.
According to those present, Rala said to her son, Sonam Tsering, later that evening, “Son, help me turn my body to face the west. I’ll trouble all of you tonight, but you won’t have to do anything else after this. May you all be healthy and live long. May the Three Jewels protect you.”
Not long after turning her to the west as she had requested, at around 11 pm after dinner, Sonam Tsering called out, “Ama-la!” but found no response. They went to Rala quickly and found her as if she were still asleep, her limbs curled up in the same position. She had already passed away. This took place in 2016.
Investigation and Verification
This story is closely connected with Chabi. About a month after Rala passed away, at the encouragement of Khenpo Jordan, Chabi recounted everything she had seen and heard at the time. Khenpo recorded her account on his mobile phone and the recording is still well-preserved to this day. Building on that, on 21 October 2020, we, the editors, interviewed Khenpo Jordan, Chabi, Yangzong Tso, and others. After thoroughly investigating the specific details of the event, we composed this account based on their statements. They confirmed the accuracy of the account which is included here.
