Professor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche passes away
DHARAMSALA, Sept 29: A foremost Tibetan Buddhist scholar, Professor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has passed away at the age of 79.
Professor Namkhai Norbu passed away on September 27, at 9:10 pm (Local Time) from Merigar West international Dzogchen Community centre in Arcidisso, Italy earlier this week, sources told Tibet Express.The Tibetan Buddhist scholar was recently conferred with the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Italy’s highest honour. The highest ranking honour of Italy rewards people in the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities as well as for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers.
The Tibetan scholar also taught Tibetan Language and Literature at the Institute Universitario Orientale in Naples for 30 years from 1962 to 1992 and authored many books on Tibetan history, medicine, astrology and on numerous Tibetan traditions.
Professor Namkhai Norbu, one of the foremost living Dzogchen masters, was born in Derge, in eastern Tibet in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham in 1938. He has established Dzogchen communities in Italy, the United States, South America, Australia and Russia as well as the International Shang-Shung Institute to preserve the cultural traditions of Tibet.
