Saturday, Dec. 21, 2025 

Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s 14th Dechö

 In person and online

Watch your email for information about attending this decho; Puja schedule to be announced.

This December marks the 14th Dechö of Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s parinirvana. “De” refers to the time of a lama’s passing and “Chö” to the offerings made by students to connect with the blessings of the lama’s wisdom mind.

Kyabje Rinpoche held a profound connection with Pema Osel Ling, where he maintained spiritual guardianship for many years. He frequently traveled to the center to teach and directly contributed to the creation of the shrine, including the final sculpting of the face of the Guru Rinpoche statue.

In 1995, he bestowed the full Dudjom Tersar empowerments at Pema Osel Ling. Today, his kudung stupa — containing sacred relics — stands in the shrine room near the Guru Rinpoche statue, offering a place of devotion and blessings for disciples and visitors.

Speaking of Dechö, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche once said:

“For us, our Lama’s Dechö is equal to that of Buddha Shakyamuni and all past Buddhas, and is in fact more important because Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche is our root lama: He shows us the path, gives teachings, guides us on the path and we rely on Rinpoche until we become fully enlightened and inseparable with him. It is like doing one mantra on a holy day where the merit multiplies by millions. During this time, we can remember Rinpoche’s wisdom, his kindness, how much that has penetrated our mind, how our lives would be inconceivable without him ... We can come together and pray, make aspiration prayers together that immediately this life has set we can be reborn in the Pureland, that we can practice together and attain fully enlightened Buddhahood always together. Then we don’t have any separation, from life to life.”

 

[For Rinpoche’s full words about Dechö, please click here.]

 

Lama Sonam Rinpoche encourages all sangha members to attend. For those unable to join in person, he recommends Vajrasattva practice, sponsoring tsok and butterlamps, and making offerings such as water bowls, prostrations, and circumambulations.