Honoring Gyari Rinpoche: A Legacy of Dharma and Devotion in the Himalayan Realm

Sikkim, India – While Gyari Lodi Gyaltsen Rinpoche is widely remembered as a close envoy of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and a prominent figure in the Tibetan freedom movement, few are aware of the profound depth of his spiritual legacy. Revered not only for his political acumen but also for his Dharma work, Rinpoche’s influence continues to echo through the sacred valleys of the Himalayas.

A reincarnation of Khenchen Jampel Dewe Nyima, a great Nyingma master from **Nyarong in eastern Tibet, Gyari Rinpoche devoted his life to actualizing His Holiness’s universal vision of compassion, interfaith harmony, and cultural preservation.

Among those who walked closely with him during his final years was Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar, Tibetan calligrapher and spiritual collaborator.

“I had the great privilege of serving him for eight years during the final phase of his life,” Jamyang Dorjee shared. “We worked to implement his spiritual mission and strengthen the Dharma, particularly in Nepal and Sikkim.”

A Legacy Etched in Mantra

One of the most meaningful collaborations between the two was the Lieu Dun Bumtherma recitation—the vajra words of Guru Rinpoche—held at the historic Sangchen Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim. This spiritual endeavor was initiated 13 years ago at the request of Yap Lopon Tenpo Gyatso, the head of the monastery, with wholehearted support from Rinpoche and his family.

The event gathers over 500 monks, nuns, and lay devotees annually for a ten-day prayer ceremony, led by the esteemed H.E. Kyabje Lachung Rinpoche. In the years since Rinpoche’s passing on October 29, 2018, his family has continued to support the event, honoring his legacy with unwavering dedication.

Today, this sacred practice has grown into one of Sikkim’s most significant Monlam prayer gatherings, drawing practitioners from across the region and beyond.

“Every year on this day,” Jamyang Dorjee reflects, “we fondly remember him during the great Monlam prayer.”

Photos shared by Jamyang capture moments from these deeply spiritual gatherings—testaments to the enduring power of one man’s quiet yet transformative devotion to the Dharma.