In Memory of Justin Ripley, 1975-2011
On Friday, 23rd December 2011, I was in my room with Justin Ripley and one or two other people, and we were all having a conversation about work and the different things that we want to do. I even stuck in a short talk about impermanence and how our lives can end, and that we should do the best we can while we can to benefit others. This was specifically in reference to somebody in Justin’s life that we were talking about.
We had a wonderful two-hour conversation, and Justin was very happy because his brother Jason, and his mom were going to be arriving in Kuala Lumpur in half a day. We talked and talked about various things, and finally when we finished our conversation, he went downstairs to help with the other Ladrang people to do some work, and I was upstairs doing my other work. Then I had another meeting so I had to talk to another group of people.
About one and a half or two hours later which was around 7pm, suddenly JP ran upstairs and told me that Justin had collapsed, and that he was unconscious. That was when the whole unbelievable event happened. Within two hours of his collapse, he had a cardiac failure and had passed away, and it was just amazing because he was only 37 and I had just talked to him a few hours ago. So that day was an incredible shock for all of us.
While his body was in the hospital and then transferred to the morgue, his mother and brother were on the airplane, just a few hours from landing in Kuala Lumpur. I kept thinking to myself, “You know, this is just so terrible, that this person is waiting for his mom and brother to show up, whom he loves very much, and now his body is in the morgue and he’s not going to ever be who we know him as anymore.” How to tell his mom?
Shocked, bewildered and at a loss, we still had to carry on to inform the family, carry on with the procedures, and go on with the post-mortem. When they did the post-mortem, it was confirmed that it was a cardiac failure. Apparently, according to Justin’s mother, it’s quite rampant in the family among the male members.
I’m not going to write a lot here because I have spoken about him at the wake. We had a special wake for Justin in Kechara House, where he had touched so many people’s lives – over 120 people showed up to offer white roses, to share, to talk about how Justin has affected some of their lives. You can see the videos I’ve included in this post of the memorial at Kechara.
Justin was a student, a friend, a person that never created any type of problems, difficulties or hardship for other people. He wasn’t a saint but he definitely was a wonderful person. This blog post and the videos I’ve included here do not do near any justice to who he was. No type of dedication would be enough to describe Justin. But, this is my blog post in remembrance to him – a student and a friend. When I first met him like around 8 years ago or moree he was clubbing and doing all the stuff you do at clubs. Through speaking, talking and explaining the Dharma he left behind the club and came into Dharma and did alot of work in the Dharma.
WE MISS YOU, AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
I will be erecting a statue, 3 feet or more of Lord Manjushri, to be put in the monastery for you, Justin. It will be dedicated to you for the young monks to worship, and all the merits will go to your future rebirth. On top of that, your ashes will be saved, purified, and kept for Kechara World Peace Centre (KWPC). You will be up there with us, one way or another. I will have your ashed enshrined in the Monastery and up in Kechara World Peace Centre. You said to me a few weeks back that you wanted to be up in KWPC with us and that is where you like to live out your life. Well I am bringing ‘you’ up there.
I hope to meet you very soon again Justin. Take a good rebirth and come back soon. I am waiting. We are waiting……
Much care and affection,
Tsem Rinpoche
To Our Beloved Justin… ‘You Will Always Be Irreplaceable’
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/justinripley.mp4
Justin’s Memorial at the Kechara House gompa (Thursday, 29-12-2011)
Justin’s portrait surrounded by beautiful flowers in Kechara Gompa
Abby (left) and Liaison Sharon Saw, the Chinese and English language emcees at Justin’s memorial service.
Liaison JP Thong of Tsem Ladrang spoke about Justin’s dedication in his work and also towards the cause of benefiting others through Kechara.
Justin’s family and friends at his memorial service. It was good to see Justin’s family and his Dharma family together.
Jason, Justin’s older brother, spoke about what it was like growing up with Justin and what it was like to be his brother.
Everyone at the memorial service then did Lama Chopa to dedicate towards Justin’s swift rebirth and that he may connect with Dharma and lineage practices again very soon.
Jason, representing his family received a Lama Tsongkhapa
Although I wasn’t feeling too well, I thought that I should come to see Justin’s family. And also I gave a talk about Justin.
I did a quick explanation on death, reincarnation and our consciousness leaving the body- from which points/parts of the body the consciousness leaves, it determines where we will take rebirth in our next life.
Justin’s mother and I after the talk in Kechara. I had to give her my sad condolences.
The woman who gave birth to a wonderful person…I hugged her and understood her pain of missing her son. We all missed him so much.
Greeting Justin’s oldest brother, Jason.
Meeting Justin’s 2nd brother, Michael, for the first time… who flew in for Justin’s funeral.
Each person then offered a flower in memory of Justin…
Dr Jiang offering a flower.
Kechara’s four pastors praying that Justin may be reborn quickly and perfectly near the dharma again soon.
(left to right) The Liaisons offering flowers: Miss Han, Datuk May and Yoke Fui, each with a white rose for Justin.
Dato’ Ruby (left) of Kechara Soup Kitchen and Nicholas Yu of Kechara Care offering a white rose each.
Irene, who gnerously and lovingly sponsored the catering via Kechara Oasis during Justin’s wake, places a white rose into the bowl of flowers.
Andrew was someone who worked closely with Justin in Tsem Ladrang… he was also the person who was with Justin till his last breath.
Michael Ripley giving his brother a white rose.
Justin’s niece placing a white rose into the bowl for her uncle.
Joanne, Justin’s sister-in-law, placing a white rose into the bowl.
Dr Lanse, the person who performed CPR all the way to the hospital, places a white rose into the bowl of flowers for the first and last time. Dr Lanse tried very hard and continuously to resuscitate Justin in the car on way to the hosptital until the ambulance people took over. Thank you Dr Lanse for trying so hard.
In Memory of Justin, Part 1 of 3
In Memory of Justin, Part 2 of 3
In Memory of Justin, Part 3 of 3
Justin’s Wake at Xiao En Memorial Centre (Monday, 30-12-2011)
The itinerary for Justin’s memorial and wake.
Justin the way many people remember him.
Justin’s mother, Alice, signing in the guest book.
What a beautiful message from mother to son.
Justin’s room in Xiao En Memorial Center.
Justin’s portrait amongst offerings and beautiful flowers from Kechara Blooms…
Flowers for Justin Ripley’s family…
The altar with 2 Tsongkhapa statues.
Justin behind the Buddha he is strongly connected with, followed and practised, Lama Tsongkhapa.
A mix of traditional and modern Chinese set-up…
…that turned out simple and beautiful.
Many of Justin’s friends came to see him… (left to right) Lelaina, Katrina, Yen Pin, Yvonne and Louise. A sacred Lam Rim text was placed on Justin’s head.
Louise paying her respects to Justin.
The beautiful Ripley family… close-knit and loving to one another and Kecharians.
We will meet again Justin, at Kechara World Peace Centre (KWPC)… We will wait for you….
Cards from Justin’s Family
Letters from Justin’s Family
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Everything about this post is emotional to be a stranger like me, I can’t imagine what it must be like for people who knew Mr.Ripley. What shines through is Rinpoche’s great compassion for his students since the moment one meets him till one dies. His compassion as they say in prayers written by his gurus that his bodhicitta is like that of ten million holders of the teachings of Buddha. We are lucky to witness his compassion in action. We are blessed.
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I thought of Justin few days ago, I miss his smile. Every time when we see him, he will always greet us with a cheerful smile. Edward then will always give him a high-five. The last time I saw him was in One Utama, when we were having our dinner with my parents and aunty.
May he come back as a healthy and dharmic person.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.
Not a day I do not think of Justin ever since he has been gone. From Haven to Ladrang and even to using my mobile phone reminds me of him. Even as I type, this blog was created by him along with Rinpoche and Joy. I remembered Rinpoche came down from his apartment and spoke to both Justin and Joy about creating this blog. Joy did the design and you did the technical side. It was created within a day on a computer in one of the private office in the administration section. Now this blog has benefitted so many out there. This blog has save people from suicidal, depression and etc. Rinpoche has received emails that because of this blog they will be a better person, husband, wife and friend.
Rinpoche still talks about Justin till today, he was a pivotal part of Rinpoche life.
Justin and how he has serve the dharma will always be an inspiration for many who knows him.
Dear Justin Ripley,
You will always be remembered as that big guy in worn-out jeans & dreadlocks whom taught me how to hold mandala mudra properly, thank you for being patience with me. To a gentle, soft-spoken, and friendly ‘giant’. _/\_
Justin will be greatly missed, what a loving soul. Thoughts go out to Justin’s family at this time. May he rest in peace.
My love goes out to Justin, his family, and friends.
Happy Birthday Jus! (Taday. Jan 12) Rest in Peace.
Thank you Tsem Rinpoche, for this post.
Dear Justin,
It’s never ‘Goodbye’, matey~
I’ll see you later, alligator 🙂
Justin, I’m sure you will have a good rebirth, after all you have done and dedicated your life to Dharma. Hope to meet you again in your next rebirth close to us, ripe and ready for KWPC!
Though i may have talk to Justin and met him few times, and formally introduce and known each other for not more than a month, Justin passing really shocked me, am really loss for words. Justin passing felt as if i lost a very close brother, although we just had a small conversation during one of the dinner and share some small joke, the sad feeling lingers for many days right up till the cremation day. Short encounter it was, but the feeling of losing a friend was without words.
Justin kindness, compassion, and Dharma work really touched many, and i am one of them, your absent will be greatly missed together with you silent humor and joke. It was a great pleasure getting to know Justin, May you have a swift rebirth and come back soon to continue what you left off, many work are waiting for you, all of us will be waiting for you.
Till we meet again Rock of Kechara. OM MANI PADME HUNG
Dear Justin. I was told once that everyone die successfully. Well my dear dharma brother you proved it! We all feel sad you are no longer with us but if leaving us so soon is beyond anyone’s choice, then you were very blessed. Rinpoche loved you and he is doing absolutely all he can for you! he also blessed you before you left us so unexpectedly. I rejoice for you as you have so much merits so don’t take too long before you come back! I hope I have the merits to meet you again on your return and maybe we can have more cooking lessons then!
I won’t say goodbye as you will be back. Sorry I missed your memorial but you are such a sweet, kind, gentle person that I know you will forgive me ! By the way, watched it and you must agree it was beautiful.
Good bye Justin,
Thank you for being the brother u are to me.
you will always be in my prayers until we meet again
For Justin: a poem for you.
The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.
~ by Mary Oliver in Dream Work (1994)
I will miss you. No one can ever replace your accent in my ears. We will meet again in KWPC. Have a good rebirth my dearest Dharma brother…
I don’t know Justin in person. But I do know that he was part of the E-Division Team that has worked relentlessly to spread Rinpoche’s message and dharma teachings accross the globe via Internet, of which his selfless contributions have benefited many, including me.
As being advised by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in the video, I would be chanting 1,000 Chenrezig mantras per day, for the remaining 49 days and dedicate the merits collected to his rebirth that he would not be seperated from his guru – H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and he would be born in places that are condusive for one to practise dharma.
I think that is the least I can do for a great being like Justin.
One might say that Justin is very unfortunate to die at such g age. To me, it is a blessing in disguise for one to die when one’s Guru is around, whom he/she has served selflessly, for the Guru would ensure that his/her next journey would be well taken care of.
Dear Justin,
Please come back fast!
Let’s Do Dharma together.
Justin is a cool man who speaks very little, very kind and friendly, always greet me when i see him in Ladrang, he worked very hard to serve the Dharma and Rinpoche. May your strong guru devotion and prayers will lead you to a good rebirth and please, we all are waiting for you in KWPC! See you there!
Justin,
You will be greatly missed. You are one of the friendliest people I have met and will gladly help whenever help is needed. You have no air about yourself. When I think back, you have been there whenever i needed something in Ladrang and the roadshows. I will miss you and we shall meet again soon.
Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching on death. I truly believe that Justin will be back with us. How fortunate is Justin to be able to be near his guru at his time of death.
Justin is the first person who designed and sponsored Kechara Saraswati Arts first online Website many years ago, I do know understand his English that time, but he is always helpful, cleaning, moving, painting statues…
Later he joined Ladrang E.Div and involved in so many website and blog work for the organization and Rinpoche. It is quite difficult to see his seat left empty after he passed away.
Will see you soon Justin in KWPC…
Hey bro Justin,
It has been a great pleasure knowing you. You are one of the nicest person i have ever met in this lifetime.
Thank You very much for everything that you have done for the benefit of others. Words cannot express enough your contribution to others including me. Even your departure is benefitting others.
You taught us the true meaning of life is to benefit others.
You had proven to us that having a Dharma career like the one you had is the best thing to do in life.
You have taught us one of the most important lessons in life i.e. Death & Impermanence.
There are so much more to say …
May you have a good and swift rebirth.
May you always be in the presence of Guru, Yidam and Dharma Protector
May you always be in the presence of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
See you soon Justin at Kechara World Peace Centre.
OM MANI PADME HUM
Dear Rinpoche,
I’m truly sorry to hear about the news. It’s a reminder how short our lifespan is and that we shouldn’t waste our time in meddling something that doesn’t benefit others. May his family and friends can get through this difficult time.
Regards
Ferry
All our scientific activities are also dedicated to Justin. We believe we are ALL connect.
Love and Deep Gratitude from Portugal
My dear Dharma brother Justin, do take swift rebirth and connect back to Kechara soon as your dharma works have benefited many beings around the globe. Looking forward to meet you again and this time let’s meet at KWPC…
Dear Bro,
Not easy to accept that you are not around anymore. Will always remember the time with you checking the cctv, trying your new cooking recipe, massage, jokes, computer stuff…..
Will miss you & come back soon.
See you in KWPC!
Much love and condolences to Justin’s family and friends.
Thanks Justin, for all that you have done.
You are greatly missed Justin dear. Rest in bliss but not too long for we want to see you at our World Peace Centre. Don’t be a slow poke okay?
Dear Justin,
You have done many many great things and touched so many people’s heart in your simple, kind and friendly way.
Back in 2009, my son, CJ, and his friends looked forward to KSK’s Sunday evening rounds just because you were the team leader for Sentul route. You took us to countless back lanes (!!), showed us how to identify clients, tell us their stories and background and how to take care of those in need… also, the way you interact with teenagers was unique and they remember you dearly.
You are indeed irreplaceable and we are fortunate to have met you in this life time, and look forward to meeting you again very soon.
YO Bro! I miss you a lot. You are the one who greeted me each day and the last I see everyday. Ok, i’ll let you take a break for now. You’ll come back to KWPC ya. Lots of work waiting for you, you think you can escape? hehe… Bro, you are the coolest person i’ve met. Hope I’ll have to merits to meet you so soon in KWPC. Trust me, WE will recognize you!
i don’t know Justin well although I did bumped into him once in a while. From the memorial, I knew how he lived his life right to the end. He was happy doing what he did: for others. He had nothing and yet gave plenty. He was quiet but gave much reason for many to weep loudly. He came from afar to be near to dharma and Guru. A 21-Gun salute to Justin.
With our guru’s compassion, love and generosity for Justin, Rinpoche will be erecting a 3 feet or more of Lord Manjushri’s statute to nuture and create the merits for Justin to be able to take a good future rebirth soon, and to be part of KWPC. Rinpoche feels that all the good dharma work Justin had done to benefit others through Kechara is worth more than the lot he is doing for Justin now. We all do miss Justin greatly and have been aspired by his shinning example of how one should work for Dharma to be appreciated by all. Dear Justin, please come back soon, we are all waiting, waiting and waiting……………………….anxiously for you.
Dear Justin,
Your family and all of us, your Dharma family in Kechara, will miss you for a long long time to come.But you will surely return and be in the Kechara World Peace Center to be reunited with your Dharma family( or, whoever, like you, have created sufficient right causes to be there).
In life, you benefited countless beings by helping Rinpoche to spread the Dharma with the computer and keyboard. In death, you too have benefited and inspired. For by your sudden death whilst in the warm embrace of Dharma and our Lama, you have taught, with the most powerful impact of ‘direct experience’, the truth as taught in the Lamrim about remembering death – how death is inevitable; how when we die is uncertain; and how, nothing can help us when we die, except the Dharma.
Thank you Justin.
Death is not the end but a new Beginning. Justin, may you have a good rebirth and be back with your beloved Guru in KWPC.
May your rebirth be as powerful in spreading the Dharma as you have given in this short life to benefit so many.
I miss you, my computer tutor.
Justin is a man of few words but his actions speak louder than words. A sincere and humble man, I was fortunate to have him as a friend for the last 7-8 years. Through his strong faith in Rinpoche, his dharma works had touched the lives of many.
Justin, you will definitely be missed by all of us but we know you will be alright and will have a good rebirth. Do come back soon and see you in Kechara World Peace Center…. a place where you belong.
Farewell, my friend…..till we meet again.
My deepest and sincere condolences to Joy and the Ripley’s family.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this post.
Justin’s work, particularly on Kechara’s online assets have affected many people including me.
It is still hard to mention, talk or even look at a picture of Justin and not have my eyes well up with tears. I know this “missing him” will never go away but what keeps my spirits up is the fact that he did what he enjoyed most and that was to be in the Dharma and working alongside Rinpoche till the last moments of his life.
What more can we ask for in this lifetime of delusions. I pray I will have the merits to see him again in this lifetime up in KWPC. Most of us will be old and grey and he would probably by a strapping young bright eyed and bushy tailed kid… hehehehe.
Miss you and love you bro… Andrew
Justin was the nicest, sweetest guy and even though i didn’t see him very often, every interaction with him was a pleasant one. He was always ever ready to help anyone at any time. The best way to remember Justin is to work hard to continue Justin’s work, which was to serve Rinpoche and to make KWPC manifest. I’ll miss you Justin and look forward to seeing you again very soon!
Dear brother,
You make take a short rest for now. We will see you very soon in KWPC. Hopefully by that time I can recognized you and still alive when you are back.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful farewell picture and video with us. Justin will never be forgotten.
I have the privilege to have met meet Justin and I remember him as a beautiful, humble and kind person. A truly balanced being at peace with himself. Not much communication was needed then and also not necessary. May you go on Justin and be well. We will meet again, I am sure.
Justin, you will be missed. I still look at your empty space each day, and wonder how you are doing. Wherever you are, I know you are under the protection of Rinpoche and will be fine in your next rebirth. See you again in KWPC
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for posting this beautiful farewell to Justin. Thank you for teaching us how to let go in this life for the good rebirth of a loved one. Goodbye Justin until we meet again. Condolences to Joy and the Ripley family.
Justin, thank you for everything. Please come back soon, we have a lot of work for you 🙂
Dear Justin,
It’s never the same without you. I can’t just turn my head and ask you about resolving technical issue, no one to shout out to be on standby to receive Rinpoche, no more funny jokes on the whatsapp group, no more…
But we will see you again Justin at KWPC, and yes, when you come back, we’ll give you a computer to login to the tsemtulku.com blog back end to see if it’s the real you!!!!
Come back soon!!!!!
Dear Justin, I have many many Dharma brother and sister in Kechara, however you cannot replace by other. It is hard to accept you had left us, but I strongly believe like what Rinpoche says we will meet again very soon. What you had help me in computer, website, open ladrang door for me in early morning when i called you up even may be you just slept 10 minutes but you never showed me “black face”, and always offered your big smile face to me…thank you! my lovely dharma brother.
I will miss you same like other dharma brother & sister in Kechara, but I most happy can meet you again in Kechara World Peace Centre(KWPC), I will pray for it.
Your warmth and touched smiling face will be always in my mind. Thank you for your contribution in Kechara, won’t be forget it.
See you soon:):)
Justin was cool and yet a sweet person. May he rest in peace.
We will meet again very soon!
Dear Justin, I am glad we met in this life and I sincerely hope we can reconnect again, in the next. It’s hard to think of you as gone but even now, you remind us all of how we should live the remaining time we have. Thank you.
Dear Justin, that day you came to ediv office and talked about how and when the idea of ediv was coming up from Rinpoche, you mentioned the ambitious goal of global domination by Rinpoche. You are part of the team who work at that… Hope you come back soon and continue to help the domination of compassion and love.
Dear Justin Bro ,
Lets meet up at KWPC , hope i will still recognized you then. I will be waiting for you there , maybe help you in the kitchen.
In Buddhism, we believe death is merely a transitory phase and not a complete loss.Nevertheless we will grieve Justin’s absence from this chapter in our lives and remember him both as a wonderful friend and also the amount of beneficial work he had done in such a short period in time. I was also a beneficiary of his kindness as are so many others .
Dear Justin,may your strong samaya and devotion be the cause for a good rebirth to rejoin us quickly in KWPC.
Justin is greatly missed in the Ladrang. He will never be forgotten. I look forward to meeting Justin again with open arms in Kechara World Peace Centre.
Dear Justin,
We hope to see u soon at KWPC…
Very lovely montage, pictures, and post. My prayers go out to Joy, Justin’s family, his friends at Kechara. I was very familiar with who Justin was but never spoke to him personally. His actions offer an example of what we can aspire to achieve. My humblest wishes that Joy, and everyone else is doing well.