A Tribute to Lama Riga, founder of Rigul School

We are very sad to hear the news of the sudden death of Lama Riga, who was a monk from the nearby monastery in Rigul in Tibet, and the founder of Rigul School. Lama Riga worked tirelessly to complete the building and to make improvements and cater for all of the needs of the pupils and staff. His vision and energy have given this poor community the hope of rising out of poverty through the education and welfare of the children, and the continuation of this work will be his lasting tribute. He will be greatly missed.

Our Patron Ringu Tulku wrote of the sad news:

Dear all,

I have to inform you that Lama Riga who was in-charge of Rigul School passed away around 5 pm local time on 9th January 2012. He had a stroke and died suddenly.
Lama Riga was the main drive for the establishment and running of the Rigul School. He requested me to build a school when I went there in 2005 and promised me that he will do whatever needs to be done for it as long as he has life in his body. Since then he literally single handedly (he had only one arm as he lost his right arm in an accident) built the school and ran it till now. He took all kinds of responsibilities to rebuild and run the Rigul Monastery since the monastery was allowed to be re-established. Rigul Monastery have lost a very good monk and a very responsible and dedicated person in Lama Riga. The monastery is doing the usual practices for him and all are requested to dedicate some good thoughts and prayers for this simple and dedicated monk.

Khenpo Karma Senge assured me that the monastery is committed to continue to run the school as best as they could and make it even better. Since the school was his dream project I think it would be the best tribute to him to try to make the school continue and to develop it even further. Many children have already been benefitted by the school and all the people in and around Rigul appreciate and thank all who helped to build and run the school. I take this opportunity to thank all those who helped Rigul Trust in UK, Rigul Foundation in Belgium and the team led by Margaret Ford who helped to establish the school and the clinic at Rigul.

With Best wishes,
Ringu Tulku

Here are some more photos of Riga and the school

And with the children at Riga School