Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche passes away

Mangan mourns the passing away of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche as the entire town shut down and went silent on Tuesday as news arrived of the Rinpoche’s passing away in New Delhi.

SIKKIM MOURNS LOSS, PRAYERS GO UP FOR EARLY REINCARNATION
CM REMEMBERS RINPOCHE AS ‘LEARNED BUDDHIST SCHOLAR OF HIGH REPUTE’
GANGTOK, 18 Sept: Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche passed away early this morning at AIIMS, New Delhi. His body will be brought to Gangtok on Wednesday, it is informed. The date and details the funeral have not been finalised as yet.
In a press communiqué issued today, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has conveyed his personal deep felt condolence to the bereaved family and devotees on the sad demise of Lachen Gomchen Rimpoche.
The Chief Minister has remembered the late Rimpoche as a learned Buddhist scholar of high repute and as someone who has contributed to the welfare of the State as a legislator and Cabinet Minister.
An IPR press release conveys that Mr. Chamling has said that the Rimpoche’s passing away is a great loss to one and all in Sikkim. As a mark of respect to the departed soul the Secretary Ecclesiastical Affairs Department, Tenzing Gelek, will be receiving the mortal remains of the departed soul at Bagdogra on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Dre-Goen Jingkyong Tsogchen (Assembly of Sikkimese Monasteries) has mourned the passing away of Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Trulku Rinpoche who breathed his last early this morning in New Delhi. “The Rinpoche immediately passed into ‘thuen’ state of meditational trance till the writing of this release”, informs an ASMAN press release.
“A vivid practitioner, Kyabje Rinpoche dedicated his life for world peace and benevolence and for the preservation of Bayul Dremo Djong. Though physically ailing for some time, he was still instrumental in reviving some of the ever fading traditions and dharma heritage of Sikkim,” the release states.
As the Chog-tso Kujen (vice president) of this dharma body, he dedicated his everything for the cause of preserving Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage. His brief presence in the government in the early 1980s witnessed the inauguration of monastic schools across Sikkim, and which now has become the nucleus to later advancement of students and practitioners in spiritual pursuits.
The release goes on to recall that on the passing away of the Najoir emey Shenchen, a reincarnate of one of the four Rechen Jis (four foremost disciples) of Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Chogyal  Sir Thutob Namgyal’s government had declared a week long National Mourning with a complete holiday on the day of his funeral.  His reincarnation was born in Yangtey, West Sikkim, who as a perfect Denjong Ngako, wandered across Sikkim and attained Parinirvana in a remarkable manner, the association of monasteries highlights.
His reincarnation was later born as the famous Lachen Gomchen, a great practitioner whose stories, attainment and spiritual accomplishments are well known. In fact, one of his disciples was the legendary French lady, Alexander David Neel. A National Mourning was also observed on his death with a national holiday by the then Chogyal, the release reminds.
This legacy, tradition and spiritual attainment were continued by the present Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, being the fourth in succession. The Chog-Tso (president) of this dharma body, Kyabje Lhatrul Terchen Rinpoche has accordingly requested all the monks and monasteries of Sikkim to pray for the smooth arrival of the reincarnation of Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, without any disturbance for the benefit of all sentient beings, the release further states.
Meanwhile, National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization [NASBO] has also condoled the demise of Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche. “The passing away of Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche has landed this organization and all the Sikkimese devotees in a state of profound sorrow”, expresses a NASBO release.
Late Kyabje Rinpoche was a source of solace during difficult times which was the true reflection of his attainment of highest Buddhist spiritual realization, the release adds.
“His ready and prepared solution to all our bewilderments and straight-forward guidelines shall always remain helpful even till posterity”, the release mentions and further prays for the early arrival of his reincarnation.