Chime Rinpoche, a Tibetan lama and teacher, died on March 24, 2026, in London, England, at the age of 84.
Born near Jyekundo, Kham, Tibet, on October 8, 1941, he fled Tibet in 1959 after the annexation and reached India via Bhutan. He later gained British citizenship in 1965, taught extensively throughout Europe and established Marpa House, the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in England.
Among his students were the American author and Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, as well as musicians Mary Hopkin, David Bowie and Tony Visconti.
Lama Chime Tulku Rinpoche (8 October 1941 – 24 March 2026) was a Tibetan Buddhist, Tulku and Dharma teacher. In 1959, due to the annexation of Tibet, he was forced to flee to India via Bhutan into exile. Gaining British citizenship in 1965, he taught extensively throughout Europe and established Marpa House, the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in England. His students included American author and Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön and musicians Mary Hopkin, David Bowie and Tony Visconti.