Mipham Rinpoche’s cremation, Part 1

February 18, 2026

The cremation ceremony for the Third Ju Mipham Rinpoche, His Eminence Mipham Namgyal Gyatso Tshojung Gyepe Dorje, was held at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) on the 10th of February 2026, following the traditional 49 days of rituals.

In the early morning the monastic sangha started the preparatory rituals inside KIBI’s main shrine hall.

Following this, Mipham Rinpoche’s Kudung (Wylie: sku gdung, honorific term for the mortal remains of a realised master) was carried from the shrine hall outside in a ceremonial procession, and placed inside the cremation stupa that had been set up in the courtyard of KIBI.

Karmapa and the other Rinpoches then took their places on the seats prepared for them, the fire for the funeral rites was lit, and five Jinsek (Wylie: sbyin sreg, fire offering pujas) were performed simultaneously, each of them led by an eminent Buddhist master: Karmapa himself presided over the Jinsek of Gyalwa Gyatso (Jinasāgara), His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche led the Jinsek of Dorsem (Vajrasattva), His Eminence Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche the ritual of Dorje Phagmo (Vajravārāhī), His Eminence Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche the fire offering puja of Jampal Zhidrup (Mañjuśrī Śāntisiddhi), and Venerable Sang Sang Rinpoche the Jinsek of Mingling Dorsem (Vajrasattva).

Each of the masters was surrounded by an assembly of Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns, first and foremost Karmapa’s monks from Rumtek, Sikkim.

Countless devotees from all around the world had gathered at KIBI for Mipham Rinpoche’s funeral rites, in order to pay their last respects to the beloved great master.

This first selection of pictures will convey some impressions of this unique occasion.