URS: April 21, 2024
Today at 10:45 Pacific time our dear friend of nearly 5 decades, Fadhilla Bradley died. She had been struggling with poor health for several months, especially very poor mobility, and was also in her late 80’s.
In the late 1970’s Lama Dudjom Dorje was a regular person in our local Sufi family, especially at the Mendocino Camp. He set up a way for any of us to be sponsors for young Tibetan children to have proper schooling and care.
Fadhilla sponsored one such child. What was amazing was that as he reached adulthood he was recognized to the very important post as the Tibetan Oracle – the one who has the responsibility of finding H.H. the Dali Lama through vision. So Fadhilla became the God-Mother of Tibetan royalty through her generosity.
In her home in Berkeley, where several other Sufi friends lived in little apartments on the property, it also became little Tibet, a place where recent Tibetan immigrants could find food and shelter while they adjusted to life in California.
Blessing on your Sacred Onward Journey dear sister!
YA SALAAMO!
Much love,
Shabda
Fadhilla, a woman of generous heart and a devoted Sufi mureed. We sat next to each other at many Ruhaniat gatherings – always a delight to reconnect. Blessings, precious sister, on your journey home.
Close to 40 years ago, ?Fadhilla Bradley and Patricia Epps sponsored 2 small Tibetan boys. They would go to visit their “sons” at their monastery in Dharamsala, India…. and were treated like royalty and would stay at the monastery. When the boys were around 20 years old, Fadhilla and Patricia went again to visit them, and later left for Ladakh. Their sons realized that one of them had left her passport, (and traveler’s checks?) at the monastery. They received permission to go find them to return this property. They found and surprised Fadhilla and Patricia in Kashmir (maybe a day’s journey away) and brought them their important documents. ( this was before cell phones)….
From there, the “boys” joined them on their journey to and thru Ladakh. One of the monks used the camcorder Patricia or Fadhilla had brought, and filmed their trip to and thru Ladakh. They were on a bus weaving thru high mountain roads with incredibly sheer cliffs (and no guard rails).
With the monks presence they were invited into many temples and people’s homes.
When they returned to the US, I was spellbound for four hours watching the camcorder documentary movie. It was so interesting! And exciting!
It was later that Fadhilla’s “son” was recognized as The Oracle for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (A VERY important and auspicious position)
I know he stayed in touch with his American “mom ” thru out the following years.
And Fadhilla would visit with him.
When Patricia passed, about 20 years ago, her monk “son” Tenzin came from India to care for her. Twice! When she finally left her body, he fed her special pills as blessings from the Oracle, and guided her in meditations. Her death sounded beautiful.
I spent time with Tenzin and his family in Dharamsala and they were so kind and wonderful.
I am sure Fadhilla is now being honored and looked after.
She was a beautiful, smart, wise, generous and caring person.
Maybe she and Patricia are now involved in more adventures.
(I wonder where that camcorder recording is…..)
Fly free, Fadhilla….. you are loved…..
Malika Anderson