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You are here: Home / ash scattering / Friend, Freedom Fighter and a High Lama

Friend, Freedom Fighter and a High Lama

September 16, 2008 urngarden.com

Wheel of Life
Wheel of Life

Bloomington, IN.

Thubten J. Norbu, a former Indiana University professor and the oldest brother of the Dalai Lama, died Sept. 9, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Norbu was regarded as a reincarnated saint. As mourners filed into his room dropping blue,yellow, and white silk blessing scarves at his feet, Norbu was positioned upright in his bed, seated in the lotus position and adorned with an ornate Buddhist head dress. Amid a fog of incense, eight robed monks sat along a wall chanting Tibetan prayers, clanging cymbals and ringing bells — all aimed at helping him along his journey to rebirth.

Thubten J. Norbu’s cremation Thursday, Sept. 11 was the first of its kind in the state of Indiana after getting approval from Gov. Mitch Daniels. Indiana Law requires that cremation be preformed by a licensed crematory, but Gov. Mitch Daniels gave the family authorization to build a funeral pyre to perform this traditional ceremony.

Workers in Bloomington prepared the pyre for Norbu’s cremation
Workers in Bloomington prepared the pyre for Norbu’s cremation

Norbu’s passing has prompted prayer vigils in Tibet, India, Russia, Mongolia and Europe, among other places. In Dharamsala, India, the Tibetan government-in-exile shut down the day the news of his death was announced.

The family plans to use the ashes of Thubten J. Norbu to create statues the family can use as remembrance.

Source and images via

Filed Under: ash scattering, cremation, funeral service, Memorial Service Ideas, obituaries Tagged With: Buddhist funeral, Indiana Law, Thubten J. Norbu

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Urngarden.com has been active in the funeral industry since 2004 and strives to educate and comfort family and friends that are grieving the loss of a loved one. We provide beautiful cremation urns and memorials.

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  1. Kirsten says

    September 16, 2008 at 8:00 AM

    I could definitely stand to go out like that! They usually do pyres like that in India on the Ganges. But perhaps by the time I pass, if it’s when I’m old, that will be legal everywhere! Great post!

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