[Buddha-l] The passing of Samdech Preah Maha Ghosananda

[Piya Tan]

Sadhu! It is heartwarming to see how even the passing of a good man brings
out the goodness in others (and us). It is a reassuring reminder that
compassion works.

May there be more cross-cultural understanding.

May there be more Ghosanandas.

Piya Tan


On 3/21/07, Michael Wilson <mjw2000 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>  On Tuesday 13 March 2007 15:44, Jamie Hubbard wrote:
> >
> > > Samdech Preah Maha Ghosananda, one of the amazing spiritual leaders of
> >
> > > our times, passed on the morning of Monday, March 13, 2007 in
> > > Northampton, Massachusetts.
> >
> > It was sad to see this news upon returning from a blissful five-day
> > respite
> > from e-mail. Venerable Mahaghosananda was one of those people whose
> > demeanor
> > and presence gives one great confidence in the dharma. I was fortunate
> > enough
> > to do two weekend-long mini-retreats with him, one on vipassana and the
> > other
> > on the brahma-viharas. His twinkling eyes and his gentle sense of humor
> > were
> > unforgettable.
> >
> > Once Ven. Mahaghosanda came to Toronto for a few days.
>
>
> I wonder if I was at the same weekend with him as you were?
> Mahaghosananda gave a weekend talk at Gaden Choling Mahayana Buddhist
> Meditation centre in Toronto, the seat of Ven. Zazep Tulku Rinpoche.   I was
> very impressed by the fact that he seemed to radiate a lot of light and
> human presence.  For some reason I remember his French was excellent, but I
> can't actually recall what language he gave the talk in.
>
> My favorite story about Ven. Mahaghosananda is about his meeting with Pope
> > John Paul (a well-known Catholic leader). The Vatican officials
> > carefully
> > instructed Ven. Mahaghosananda on the protocols involved in greeting the
> > Pope. The venerable sir listened attentively to all the details of how
> > to
> > enter the room, how to walk, where to stop, what to say and so forth.
> > When he
> > was finally taken to the room where the Pope was receiving visitors, the
> > Buddhist monk, who stood no more than about 152cm tall (about 5'0''),
> > ran
> > across the room with his arms wide open and gave the pontiff a huge
> > bearhug.
> > The Pope was reportedly delighted to get such a warm and heartfelt
> > greeting.
>
>
> I also recall that this weekend retreat in Toronto was just days before
> Mahaghosananda was going to go to Cambodia to meet Pope John Paul to give
> him a guided tour of the holocaust memorial.
>
> Michael J. Wilson
>
> Thanks for sending this news on, Jamie. I'm sure all of you in the
> > Northampton
> > area will be feeling this loss of this gentle and inspiring presence. As
> > you
> > hear of funeral arrangements, please keep us posted.
> >
> > --
> > Richard Hayes
> > Department of Philosophy
> > University of New Mexico
> >
> >
>
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