On the Passing of Damayonti Sengupta

Damayonti Sengupta,
Karmapa Center 16 founding board member

Dear Friends of KC16,

Our hearts are filled with loving grief at the loss of KC16 founding board member, Damayonti Sengupta. Damayonti died peacefully in the presence of family and Nalandabodhi sangha members on Tuesday, January 26, after a lengthy and courageous effort to treat pancreatic cancer. Damayonti was 51 years old. 

Damayonti will be remembered for her sparkling eyes and infectious laughter, her all-encompassing kindness and boundless joy. Her vast beneficial activities speak to her wisdom and skillfulness as a leader. Her tireless dedication, despite her illness, to the success of Karmapa Center 16 in general, and the Stupa Project in particular, was deeply inspiring.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa along with Wadsworth mayor Glenn Ryback and village trustee Doug Jacobs sing Happy Birthday to Damayonti in 2018, with Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and Chris Stagg smiling at her good fortune.

In honor of our beloved friend and KC16 founding board member, we are committed to fulfilling her mission and heartfelt aspiration to continue developing Karmapa Center 16, commemorating His Holiness with a stupa, memorial, meditation hall, retreat center, and place to learn and study about the history of Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu lineage. 

For those who wish to practice for Damayonti, it is suggested to first recite the Heart Sutra followed by any type of nature-of-mind meditation practice, finishing by dedicating your practice to Damayonti and all sentient beings. 

If you would like to offer a gift in honor of Damayonti’s life and to help manifest her aspiration to complete the Stupa Project, you may do so here or on the Donate page.