The-Tibetan-Book-of-Living-and-Dying

420 ACKNOWLEDGMENTSthere to deepen whatever understanding I have and to give iteloquence. As the years went by, he took on more and morethe role of teacher for me, with the personal attention andadvice he gave me so freely, and with his gentle, unendingkindness. Increasingly, when I have thought of "the master,"my mind has turned to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and hebecame for me the embodiment of the entire teaching, a realliving Buddha.These great masters continue to move me and guide mealways, and not a day goes by that I do not remember themand their unrepayable kindness, and talk about them to mystudents and friends. I pray that something of their wisdom,compassion, and power, and their vision for humanity, maylive through the pages of this book they have so inspired.Nor shall I ever forget my uncle Gyalwang Karmapa, whoshowed me such special affection from my childhood on, andthe very thought of whom moves me to tears. I often thinktoo of the great Kalu Rinpoche, the Milarepa of our times,who gave me enormous encouragement through his belief inme, and in the warmth and respect with which he treated me.I would like to acknowledge here as well the debt of inspirationI owe to other great teachers, such as His HolinessSakya Trizin, a close friend from my childhood, who has beenmy teacher and yet also like a brother, encouraging me atevery turn. I give my deep thanks to Dodrupchen Rinpoche,who is a constant guide, especially on this book, and a sourceof refuge to me and to all of my students. Some of the mostprecious moments over recent years have been spent withNyoshul Khen Rinpoche, with whom I had the great goodfortune to clarify the teachings in the light of his seeminglylimitless learning and wisdom. Two other outstanding andeminent masters who have been special springs of inspirationto me are Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Trulshik Rinpoche, andI must thank also the very learned Khenpo Appey and KhenpoLodrö Zangpo, who played such an important part in mystudies and education. Nor will I ever forget GyaltönRinpoche, who showed me such kindness after my master,Jamyang Khyentse, had passed away.I wish to pay special tribute to the encouragement andmarvellous vision of Penor Rinpoche, an outstanding masterwho works tirelessly to maintain the unbroken transmissionof the rich tradition of teachings that come directly fromPadmasambhava.