Dechod
Dechod is the commemoration of the parinirvana of a great master. In this instance, we honor our primary teacher and founder, Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (1931–2011). Rinpoche entered parinirvana on Monday, December 26, 2011. According to the Tibetan Buddhist lunisolar calendar, this was the 2nd day of the 11th month of the Iron Rabbit year. Each year, we commemorate his passing on this lunar calendar date, which this year corresponds to December 21, 2025. (See schedule below.)
We also commemorate the parinirvana of our Dudjom lineage teachers Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche II Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904–1987) on the 18th day of the 11th lunar month, and Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche III Sangye Pema Shepa (1990–2022) on the 14th day of the 12th lunar month. (For more dates, please refer to our Calendar.)
Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s 14th Dechod
🗓️ December 21st, 2025
🕐 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Kunzang Gatshal Foundation
80 Kemp Road, Delhi, NY 13753
The 14th Anniversary of Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche's Parinirvana (Dechöd) is on Sunday, December 21st, 2025. At Kunzang Gatshal, we will practice The “Wisdom Sun” Sadhana of the One Mother, Tröma Nagmo (Medium Length Troma) over three days: Friday, December 19th, Saturday, December 20th, and Sunday, December 21st.
We cordially our Dharma friends to Kunzang Gatshal, Always Noble Joyful Park for this public event. For those who wish to join remotely we will be live-streaming the main day (Sun, Dec 21st at 12:30pm), on Youtube: www.youtube.com/KunzangGatshalFoundation
Program Schedule:
Friday, December 19th, 2025.
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1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Medium Length Tröma (Session 1)
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2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Tea Break
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3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Medium Length Tröma Puja (Session 2)
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5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Tsok & Dinner
Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
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1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Medium Length Tröma (Session 1)
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2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Tea Break
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3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Medium Length Tröma Puja (Session 2)
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5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Tsok & Dinner
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 [Main Day]
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12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Medium Length Tröma (Session 1)
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2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Tea Break
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2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Medium Length Tröma Puja (Session 2)
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4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Tsok & Dinner
Link to Youtube Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/be_6I0J8UlM?feature=share
Link to Text PDF: Medium Length Troma [pp. 161-412]
Offerings
Everyone is welcome to make a tax deductible donation for Dechod, to go towards Tsok, flowers, light offerings, and other Dechod related expenses on our Donation page. For Dechod offerings please select 'Tsokkhor Fund' in the menu bar or check memo section.
Thank you.
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, speaking of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s Dechod, said:
Regarding Dechöd, In this instance, ”De” is the time when Kyabje Dungse Rinpoche passed into Parinirvana and “Chod” is the aspect where the student can make offerings to connect with the blessings of Rinpoche’s wisdom mind... For us, our Lama’s Dechod is equal to that of Buddha Shakyamuni and all past Buddhas, and is in fact more important because Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche is our root lama: He shows us the path, gives teachings, guides us on the path and we rely on Rinpoche until we become fully enlightened and inseparable with him. It is like doing one mantra on a holy day where the merit multiplies by millions. During this time, we can remember Rinpoche’s wisdom, his kindness, how much that has penetrated our mind, how our lives would be inconceivable without him... We can come together and pray, make aspiration prayers together that immediately when this life has set we can be reborn in the Pureland, that we can practice together and attain fully enlightened Buddhahood always together. Then we don’t have any separation, from life to life.
[For Lama Tharchin Rinpoche’s full words about Dechod, please click here]