KATHMANDU, Nepal -- On July 31, between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., the mortal remains of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche, one of the highest leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, will be cremated at Shar Minub monastery near Kathmandu (Nepal). Tens of thousands of followers are expected. His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje, spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the oldest Buddhist traditions in Tibet, will preside over the ceremonies.
Shamar Rinpoche was the second-highest Karma Kagyu leader and one of the most important personalities in the Himalayas and for modern Buddhism worldwide, due to his widely recognized spiritual realization and broad range of academic and humanitarian activities.
"His students from all over the world now meditate together and make strong wishes for Shamarpa's swift rebirth that, according to Buddhist tradition, will be found and recognized by the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje," said Jigme Rinpoche, general secretary of Karmapa.
Shamar Rinpoche had died in Germany on June 11. Karmapa Thaye Dorje had accompanied the body to India and Bhutan where thousands of students had paid their last respects during traditional ceremonies (shamarpa.org/photo-gallery/). According to Shamarpa´s wishes, his mortal remains were now taken to Nepal.
"We are deeply grateful for the decision of the Nepalese government to grant permission for Rinpoche´s body to be taken here," said Caty Hartung, spokeswoman for three Western Buddhist organizations representing 650 Buddhist groups in 45 countries. Some days before, the Buddhist world had been in deep turmoil as the already-issued permission letter had been revoked.