‘Will you make me a coat
that looks respectable and rich
yet able to keep out
the winter of Eastern Tibet.’
We began to make a coat
gold brocade on the outside
three linings on the inside.
Rabbit fur, moss green wool
and a silken peacock blue
for the final trim.
We stitched and tacked and tailored
and stayed up nights
till we were sure
it would keep out the chill
of the winds, the cold of the snows
and still look respectable.
Finally we fitted him
with the coat before he left.
To top it, a matching hat.
Months later
when the snows had melted
he returned without the coat.
And when I asked him, he said
‘I never intended to wear it.
It was for the old man
high up on the plateau.’
—By Angela McCabe.
[Angela is a devoted student of Akong Rinpoche who resided at Samye Ling during the 1980s. She now works at Jampa Ling, Cavan with Ven Panchen Ötrul Rinpoch—a fellow student and lifelong friend with Akong Rinpoche.]
All at Jampa Ling are reciting prayers and mantras for Rinpoche, his nephew and attendant monk at this tragic time.
