Rinpoche’s ashes, Ireland, August 2006
As Namgyal Rinpoche had a house for teaching and meditation in Co. Kerry (Glengeal), it was decided that it would be appropriate to scatter some of his ashes near to this site. Catherine (being Irish) and Simon volunteered to take some of the ashes to an area recommended by Terry which Rinpoche knew and loved, at Glengariff Nature Reserve, South West Cork.
On Friday the 18th August, the two of us took one of the small phials of ashes to spread at the ancient woodland at Glengarriff. Between us we created a small but perfectly formed ceremony!
Apparently Rinpoche loved these wooded hills. Some great walks take one quickly up to some high ground overlooking the broad alley and to the sea beyond. We chose a spot which we have found inspiring before, on the Esknamucky path, where some great rocks rise out of the hillside, surrounded by heather, bramble and birch trees.
The
nature reserve in the valley floor
One
of the great rocks, about 50 metres away from the pathThis nature reserve is situated at the edge of Bantry Bay, where winds and rain come straight from the Atlantic, and the air is pure and fresh, and there is the most wonderful quality of clear light.
On the morning of August 18th, the weather was cool, overcast and showery. But soon after parking the car and setting off on our walk, the sky cleared, and a warm sun shone auspiciously through the trees, onto moist grass and dripping leaves.
We walked uphill through rocky paths and woodland, the fresh smells of pine, moss, trees, grass and blackberries were superb! We followed the path high up into the woods, before reaching a very large outcrop of smooth boulder, which pushed its way out of the trees, and overlooked an amphitheatre of hills, and woodland valleys, with the sea stretching beyond.We climbed higher, out of the public domain, and settled on some rocks to do the Puja.
We created a small shrine from materials around us, and laid the phial in a cleft of rock which naturally had two sides of a diamond, with twigs and stones completing the other sides. We took some heather and gorse flowers, leaves, moss and blackberries to adorn the shrine.
The
shrine on the rock
A
funny thing happened here – a raindrop appears to have landed in the
centre of the lens creating this halo effect in the next few shots –
very appropriate we felt!
It was a moving and humbling experience and we felt honoured to have had this responsibility. We felt the presence of Rinpoche all around us for the rest of the walk. We hope that this record offers all who knew, loved and were moved by the Rimpoche something of the same sense of the magic of this moment.
Catherine Markey and Simon Michaels - simon@lightgreen.net
August 2006
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