Richard Blum and his wife, Senator Dianne Feinstein, were Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s friends, and Richard regarded Rinpoche as his spiritual teacher. During a visit to Nepal in 2013, Richard told former U.S. President Jimmy Carter about Rinpoche, and Jimmy Carter expressed the wish to meet Rinpoche.

They met one afternoon at the Dwarika Hotel. Rinpoche said that he and Jimmy Carter spoke for many hours. Former President Carter told Rinpoche that he respected Buddhism and was interested in its teachings.
Rinpoche admired the former president and offers his sincerest condolences at his passing. Rinpoche very sweetly said of President Carter, “I respect him.”