Cary was a member of the larger formless community of students of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, of which Westchester Meditation Center is a part. While Cary participated in our activities only occasionally, he was of like mind and spirit with us. He was a rare and unique individual who affected all who met him. You can read about him here. 

This is a ceremony which Trungpa Rinpoche developed for our community to practice on the occasion of the death of a sangha member, or a relative of a sangha member, called a Sukhavati Ceremony. While the main participants in a Sukhavati ceremony are the family and friends of the deceased, the entire community is also invited to attend, both as a gesture of appreciation and as a practice that is core to our path – working with the reality of death and dying. 

The ceremony begins with sitting mediation. After welcoming remarks, the preceptor explains the Buddhist perspective on death. Death is a profound end in that it is both final and a stage in the very long progression of time and space. This is followed by whatever offerings have been planned, such as a description of the life of the deceased, stories, anecdotes, poems, and songs. Depending upon the timing, others may be invited to add to the tribute. When appropriate, the preceptor will introduce the formal ritual ceremony and explain how it is performed so that all may participate in it by chanting the liturgy. At the end, a mantra is repeat while a photo of the deceased is burned. This signifies the act of letting go of the deceased and allowing them to progress on their journey by understanding that the manifestation we knew as that person was only a temporary one and that there will be another, if not many others.

For those who are unable to attend in person, a Zoom option is available and will be shared on the confirmation email.