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A Journey to the West
Can illness stop a teacher from teaching? Seriously ill, Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche still took the stage. A lesson in courage and impermanence.
On August 18 in Canada, Rinpoche suddenly developed high blood pressure, fever, vomiting, and severe pain. His companions wanted to cancel the evening lecture—but he insisted on going to Dalhousie University.
Once seated on the Dharma throne, he taught as if he were not ill. Yet after the lecture, his condition worsened, forcing major changes to the rest of the European journey.
This episode also reveals something deeply human: one day he was peacefully enjoying the Canadian scenery; the next, everyone around him was overwhelmed with anxiety.
What you will discover in this lesson
① Why the Dalhousie lecture was almost canceled ② How Rinpoche taught despite intense physical pain ③ Why his European itinerary had to be shortened ④ How sudden illness became a vivid lesson in impermanence ⑤ Why this journey became his first—and last—visit to the West ⑥ The background to his public talk, “Wisdom and Compassion
👇 Follow the timestamps below to explore the story step by step.