I still cannot believe he is gone

I still cannot believe he is gone. I keep expecting to hear his voice, to hear his laughter, to see his smile. I miss him very, very much.

I have so much to thank him for, but the most precious gift he gave me was his dedication to my freedom. The traditional Buddhist writings state that if I want to attain enlightenment I should pray to be born a man in my next life. Rama told me I could attain enlightenment in this life as a woman. He was the only teacher I knew who truly believed in and advocated the enlightenment of women. He brought hope and healing to this place of greatest pain while he personally suffered for his efforts. He was a real bodhisattva.

Rama gave his woman students the same high, pure level of ordination amd empowerments as he gave his men students. He never treated me like an ornament, he treated me like a player. Like a good mentor, he expected nothing less from me than my personal best.

I will always be grateful for his presence in my life.

-- Mariko