Akong – A Remarkable Life

29 Apr 2016

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Dear Friends

On 24th March 2016 around 250 people joined Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche in Samye College Lecture Hall for the first Private Screening of the film “Akong – a Remarkable Life”. The room was filled with invited guests: members of  Rinpoche’s family, Ordained Sangha, representatives from many areas of Rinpoche’s vast activity, Sponsors and those who had helped in so many ways to make the film possible, as well as many of Rinpoche’s students and old friends from Samye Ling and the local community. 

Some of us had naturally been somewhat apprehensive about seeing the film, with concerns that it might be just too difficult to be reminded of what we have lost.  However, it was actually inspiring to be reminded of the great Compassionate Activity of Rinpoche, to remember how fortunate we have been to know him and we came away feeling blessed and encouraged to carry on his work to the best of our ability.

After we had seen the film, Lama Yeshe gave a very positive speech saying how pleased he was that the film will soon be finished so that we can begin to share the story of Rinpoche’s life with the world and,through the Akong Memorial Foundation, we can prepare to support the next Akong Tulku. Assisted by Lama Zangmo and Ani Lhamo, Lama Yeshe then presented auspicious gifts to Chico and the team.

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The film’s Director Chico Dall'Inha and his amazing team worked so hard to prepare the “provisional cut” of the film to share with us at this special event and have been taking a short well deserved rest.  Now their work continues as they finalise the editing and post production, making minor improvements to arrive at the finished version of the film.  Once this is done we will be able to show “Akong – a Remarkable Life” at appropriate Film Festivals as well as offering Samye Dzongs and other centres the opportunity to host special screening events in aid of the Akong Memorial Foundation.  We will of course continue to keep you informed.

For those of you who were fortunate to attend the Private Screening in Samye Ling, as promised you can now offer feedback on the film that will inform the final editing process.  Please click on this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2W5H8ZJ

His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa sent us an inspirational message which Lama Zangmo read out before we watched the film.  Here is a short excerpt from the message:

“I am happy to see that this project, instigated by Akong Tulku himself, has been completed successfully. It is my hope that as you watch this film, you will not just learn more about the life and activities of this remarkable human being, but that it will inspire you, by showing how each and every one of us can put compassion into action in our lives.” 

We would like to express our sincere appreciation once again for all of the wonderful support we have received as we bring this project to completion – it is an honour and a privilege to be able to do this work.

Thank You!

Chico Dall'Inha: chico@chicodallinha.com

Vin Harris: vin@hartknowe.co.uk

The Buddhist principle is to be everybody's friend, not to have any enemy.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Meditation means simple acceptance.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Only the impossible is worth doing.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Whenever we see something which could be done to bring benefit to others, no matter how small, we should do it.
Chamgon Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche
Freedom is not something you look for outside of yourself. Freedom is within you.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Hasten slowly, you will soon arrive.
Jetsun Milarepa
It doesn’t matter whatever comes, stop judging and it won’t bother you.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
Whatever obstacles arise, if you deal with them through kindness without trying to escape then you have real freedom.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
To tame ourselves is the only way we can change and improve the world.
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche
I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Strive always to be as kind, gentle and caring as possible towards all forms of sentient life.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Every sentient being is equal to the Buddha.
Chamgon Kentin Tai Situ Rinpoche
Wherever and whenever we can, we should develop compassion at once.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Reminding ourselves of how others suffer and mentally putting ourselves in their place, will help awaken our compassion.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche