Photo 5 of 12. This photograph is of Sampel Lam, one of Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s two main disciples at Guru Deva’s funerary vestibule. As a sign of respect, at great honour, and as Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s authorised representatives, Dugarjav Lobsang Bilguun and Lobsang Sampel escorted the body of Guru Deva Rinpoche, from his apartment in Ulan Bator to these cremation grounds. As Guru Deva Rinpoche the previous year had instructed his chief Mongolian disciple Zavaa Damdin Rinpoche to enter a period of extended solitary retreat at his monastery Delgeruun Choira in the Dundgovi, Zava Rinpoche was unable to attend these funerary rites. To have done so, would mean breaking his retreat, and the vow he made to his heart’s Guru. 13 April 2009. Photograph: C.Pleteshner

Photo 5 of 12. This photograph is of Sampel Lam, one of Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s two main disciples at Guru Deva’s funerary vestibule. As a sign of respect, at great honour, and as Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s authorised representatives, Dugarjav Lobsang Bilguun and Lobsang Sampel escorted the body of Guru Deva Rinpoche, from his apartment in Ulan Bator to these cremation grounds. As Guru Deva Rinpoche the previous year had instructed his chief Mongolian disciple Zavaa Damdin Rinpoche to enter a period of extended solitary retreat at his monastery Delgeruun Choira in the Dundgovi, Zava Rinpoche was unable to attend these funerary rites. To have done so, would mean breaking his retreat, and the vow he made to his heart’s Guru. 13 April 2009. Photograph: C.Pleteshner

Photo 5 of 12. This photograph is of Sampel Lam, one of Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s two main disciples at Guru Deva’s funerary vestibule. As a sign of respect, at great honour, and as Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s authorised representatives, Dugarjav Lobsang Bilguun and Lobsang Sampel escorted the body of Guru Deva Rinpoche, from his apartment in Ulan Bator to these cremation grounds. As Guru Deva Rinpoche the previous year had instructed his chief Mongolian disciple Zavaa Damdin Rinpoche to enter a period of extended solitary retreat at his monastery Delgeruun Choira in the Dundgovi, Zava Rinpoche was unable to attend these funerary rites. To have done so, would mean breaking his retreat, and the vow he made to his heart’s Guru. 13 April 2009. Photograph: C.Pleteshner

Photo 5 of 12. This photograph is of Sampel Lam, one of Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s two main disciples at Guru Deva’s funerary vestibule. As a sign of respect, at great honour, and as Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s authorised representatives, Dugarjav Lobsang Bilguun and Lobsang Sampel escorted the body of Guru Deva Rinpoche, from his apartment in Ulan Bator to these cremation grounds. As Guru Deva Rinpoche the previous year had instructed his chief Mongolian disciple Zavaa Damdin Rinpoche to enter a period of extended solitary retreat at his monastery Delgeruun Choira in the Dundgovi, Zava Rinpoche was unable to attend these funerary rites. To have done so, would mean breaking his retreat, and the vow he made to his heart’s Guru. 13 April 2009. Photograph: C.Pleteshner