The passing of great masters....

Deep gratitude

Three great masters pose for a photo in an Oxford back garden (probably at their residence St Margaret's road) sometime between 1965-67, perhaps dressed for an occasion. Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche on the left still a monk, yet, perhaps in jest, wearing the dress of a Chinese official of old times. At center is Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in best monks robes, beside him on the right is Sherab Palden Beru handsomely clad in a traditional Tibetan Chuba of burnt orange damask silk.

Recently scanned from a slide, this photo has remained unpublished for nearly 50 years. With the tragic passing of Kyabje Akong Rinpoche on the 16th October 2013 and on 29th November 2012, the passing of Sherab Palden Beru, along with the earlier passing of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1987. 

Such a historic photographic documentation is all the more poignant, knowing the great lives of these three masters that have influenced and benefited countless beings. Their great legacy lives on in their work, by their example and with their reincarnations.

Swift return prayer of Choje Akong Tulku was composed by
the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje.

Through the blessing power of an ocean of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, and the Blessing of the interdependence of pure faith and pure Samaya of Lama and follower. 

May the shining daylight of this magnificent guide and protector of the teachings and of beings rise as a new incarnation to shine once again, thus bringing benefit to those to be trained. 

It is due to the wisdom and artistry of these Bodhi masters that played an invaluable role for Tashi from boyhood. Akong Rinpoche became a spiritual father throughout, teaching values of excellence in creativity, be it sewing fine brocades to writing Tibetan manuscripts, but most importantly, by example in great patience and lovingkindness. 

Tashi is also indebted to one of the greatest master of Tibetan Art of this time Sherab Palden Beru, who Tashi worked closely as an apprentice during the timely building of the Samye Ling Temple in Scotland. 

Akong Rinpoche and Tashi as a monk and attendant
during one of many tours around Europe during the 90's.

Akong Rinpoche viewing art prints of Tashi that were presented to him in
April 2013, Tashi's last meeting with Akong Rinpoche.

Sherab Palden explaining temple decoration to Tashi as a young monk.

Talking of Art........

In association with The Awakened Heart community in Birmingham.

A two part video of this talk can be seen on U-tube

Homage to my Teachers.

"Namo Guru Benza dhara Ye"

"Homage to my teacher the bearer of reality"

Akong Rinpoche and Tashi Meeting H.H 17th Karmapa in Tsurphu, Tibet, 1996

His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche amused with Tashi, Samye Ling temple 1995

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

to my teachers:

To His Holiness The 17^th Galwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

His Eminence The 12th Tai Situpa, whom is an inspiration and guide in Tibetan calligraphic art.

My spiritual father and scriptural moderator, the late Akong Tulku Rinpoche, along with his brother Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbot and retreat master.

To my beloved teacher in the Tibetan arts, Master of Thanka painting, the late Sherab Palden Beru.

Also my teacher in Lanza and Wartu Sanskrit scripts, Lama Pema Lodrup of Dharamsala.

To Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who opend my eyes to contemporary Tibetan calligraphy.

To the late Tenga Tulku, for his precise instruction in the art of creating Mandalas.

Not forgetting some of my other teachers such as, Thrungu Rinpoche, Lama lodro of Palpung and the late Lama Thubten of Palpung and Nyingma Lama Pema.

Tashi Mannox happily sandwiched between Sherab Palden Beru and Akong Tulku Rinpoche, London Samye Dzong 2008.

Tashi with Lama Pema Lodrup in 2000, at his home with beautiful garden, at the Men-Tsee-Khang, Khara Danda road, Dharamsala, India.

Palpung Lama Lodro and Tashi at Karma Naro in the Welsh borders 1987.

Tenga Rinpoche leading a course on 'Vajrayana ritual/mandalas' in the old shrine room of Samye Ling Johnstone house 1986.