Dear Friend of Montchardon,
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mina Tamang, who left us very early this morning, Tuesday, February 17, after a long illness.
For many months, Mina had been suffering from ovarian cancer, diagnosed last September. She was immediately cared for by an excellent medical team, but it was a rare and very aggressive form of cancer, inoperable from the beginning. Although all possible treatments were attempted, they were unfortunately not able to stop the progression of the illness.
Throughout this period, Mina faced this ordeal with great courage and dignity. She always kept her smile and the strength of character we knew so well, without ever complaining.
At her request, and that of her husband, Olivier Clerc, her medical situation remained confidential. She said she did not wish to worry friends of the center. For this reason, this news may come to many of you as a sudden and painful shock.
Her condition gradually worsened, leading to her admission about ten days ago to palliative care at the hospital of Romans, where she deeply impressed the medical staff with her smile, kindness, and absence of fear. Until her final moments, her mind remained clear and alert.
A sudden deterioration occurred yesterday, late in the afternoon of Monday, February 16. Lama Sangpo went to her bedside just after completing the five long days of the Mahakala ritual. He remained with her until her last breath, around 1:10 a.m., and then, together with Olivier Clerc, began the funeral practices until 5 a.m. She passed away peacefully, to the sound of mantras and aspiration prayers.
We offer our most sincere condolences to her family, especially to her husband Olivier Clerc, as well as to her family in Nepal, where she was born.
Who was Mina?
Mina arrived in Montchardon in September 2008. She wished to come to help the center and live close to Lama Teunsang, whom she knew from having previously worked in the family of Karma Tsering Teundroup, the Lama’s nephew.
She immediately joined the kitchen team and, together with Claude, served as cook at Karma Migyur Ling for about ten years. She then continued alone in this responsibility until 2023, when she chose to join her husband, who was living in the region.
She also devoted much time to caring for Lama Teunsang during the last years of his life, when he was ill, being present for him outside her kitchen duties.
During these fifteen years, she was the cook who nourished lamas, residents, and retreat participants with devotion, kindness, energy, and inner strength that inspired admiration and affection in all. She was 44 years old.
We express our deep gratitude to Mina for everything she gave to the center.
We know that many of you will wish to express your love and support to her husband Olivier during this difficult time.
However, in order to preserve for him a space of recollection and rest, we kindly ask you not to contact him directly for the moment by personal messages or calls.
The quality of your inner presence and your benevolent thoughts already constitute a precious support.
The cremation will take place on Friday, February 27 at 11 a.m., at the crematorium of Beaumont-lès-Valence. It will be possible to pay respects to her body at the funeral center of Saint-Marcellin. We will inform you shortly of the place and times.
Lama Teunsang often reminded us that the best way to help the deceased is through practice and dedication of merit.
An Amitabha ritual will be performed at Karma Migyur Ling on Sunday, April 5 (Easter Day) at 6:00 am. Olivier Clerc, her husband, wished this ritual to be held around the 49th day following her passing. To allow as many people as possible to attend, we chose to organize it on a Sunday.
Other practices will be organized in consultation with the lamas and the family, and prayers will be requested from the Karmapa.
In the meantime, those who wish are invited to join, in person or via streaming, the daily practices held each morning and evening at Karma Migyur Ling. These collective practices, established by Lama Teunsang since the beginning of the center, are intended to support and help, through prayers and practices, the living, the sick, and the deceased.
Another opportunity for practice will take place soon: the Eight Nyoung Nés, beginning on Saturday, February 21, for a duration of fifteen days. Lama Teunsang always emphasized the benefit of performing Nyoung Né practices for the deceased.
A dedicated donation fund has been opened for Mina, to collect offerings intended to support the accumulation of merit dedicated to her through these various practices.
If you wish to contribute, please click on this link.
Instead of flowers, the family kindly asks that offerings be made to support Dharma practices.
As soon as we have further information, we will write to you again. We thank you in advance for not calling the Montchardon reception desk. Thank you for your understanding and your support.
With prayers and in the Dharma,
The Karma Migyur Ling Team