In Memory of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
“Two things I would appreciate, to eat less meat and to smoke less.
That would be benefiting for you and since it is benefiting for you,
I myself will be very, very happy.”
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche, 27 May 2013
Akong Rinpoche dedicated his life to creating a better, healthier, more compassionate world, and as part of this vision he helped to train more than 600 doctors of Traditional Tibetan Medicine. By working in very remote parts of Tibet where there is no access to hospitals, and by offering free clinics to those who are too poor to pay for essential medical care, these doctors are continuing Rinpoche’s work and saving many lives.
As Buddhists we are concerned not only with the lives of human beings, however. We also strive to protect and preserve all life forms and, again, Akong Rinpoche set a clear example of how to do this by regularly releasing animals, poultry and fish destined for slaughter and returning them to their natural environments.
We may not be a qualified doctor and we may not be able to release animals, poultry or fish, but we can certainly continue Rinpoche’s work in a different way.
We can, for example, commit to improving our own health by reducing our consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Not only is this directly beneficial for us, but this can also improve our relationships with our families, friends and colleagues. We can choose to eat less meat/poultry/fish or to take up vegetarianism, both of which reduce the number of beings killed for food. And we can help to improve and save the lives of other people by donating blood on a one-off or regular basis.
As we approach the third anniversary since Rinpoche’s passing, we invite you to consider the ways in which YOU can help to continue his work. On a worldly level, making these kinds of commitments brings many benefits, and from the Dharmic point of view, done with the correct motivation, such activity generates vast amounts of merit.
If you are inspired to help fulfil Rinpoche’s vision for a better, healthier, more compassionate world, then please send details of your commitment(s) to info@akongmemorialfoundation.org
If you are renewing previous commitments you have made, you can also email us to let us know.
As in previous years, we will be compiling a list of all of your pledges, which we will present to His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and to Chamgon Khentin Tai Situpa.