Dec 15th 2011
With great sorrow, we would like to inform you that Geshe Dawa, ABC's first resident geshe teacher, has passed away.
After a deteriorating liver condition and brief hospitalisation, Geshe Dawa passed away peacefully on 8 December in his residence in Sera Je Monastery, south India. He was 81 years old.
Geshe Dawa taught at ABC from 1995 to 1999. The previous resident teacher, Ven. Sangye Khadro, had felt that it would be useful for ABC to have a qualified geshe who could guide our members into the study of advanced philosophical treatises. Our precious guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche then invited Geshe Dawa to Singapore as the new resident teacher.
Geshe Dawa decided to return to India in 1999 as he wished to resume his responsibility of caring for the younger monks under his charge, mostly from the Kham region in eastern Tibet. Despite his departure from Singapore, many of the older cohort of ABC students remained in contact with Geshe Dawa and would often visit him at his residence at Sera Je.
At this time after more than a week, Geshe Dawa is still in clear light meditation. Several geshes and senior monks are performing daily Yamataka self initiations in his room while another group of monks recite prayers every evening in another prayer hall. The prayers will continue until Geshe Dawa completes his meditation.
Geshe Dawa will surely be remembered with fondness by his students for the zest and energy that he brought into all that he did. Those who came to know him in recent years during visits to Sera Je will always be deeply grateful for his warm hospitality, unstinting generosity and great kindness.
May Geshe Dawa's holy wishes be fulfilled always. |
Dec 19th 2011
