Palyul Times (PT): Tashi Delek! Khen Rinpoche, with our humble greetings, we would like to request you to grant an interview for the Palyul Times magazine for this year’s publication. It is an annual English publication we produce from the Ngagyur Rigzod Editorial Committee. The magazine contains a general introduction to dharma, descriptions of sacred Buddhist sites, biographies, events at Namdroling and exclusive interviews with the senior Rinpoches and khenpos of this monastery.
PT: For a Buddhist practitioner, how important do you think it is to study the topics of modern education?
Khenpo Jigme Kalsang (KJK): Modern education is not necessarily important for renunciation and realization but it can be a good medium to spread Buddhism. When I was in my seventh year [of shedra], Kyabje Drubwang Lama repeatedly told me to study English and spread Buddhism in Western countries. He even managed to secure me an Indian passport but due to lack of interest in learning English, I could not fulfil His Holiness’ command, which I still regret.
PT: These days, various diseases, famines, conflicts, and natural disasters are taking place in this world. Are these because of wrong conduct or the absence of dharma? Or is there any other reason behind them? Please express your view.
KJK: In my view, these calamities are taking place because of causes such as engaging in non-virtuous activities by individuals and communities as a whole, and conditions like the lack of love, compassion and bodhi-mind in those evildoers. Also, there are disturbances in the equilibrium of external and internal natural elements due to the evolution of the new scientific era. In brief, these may be the causes of such suffering.
PT: What do you think is the cause and condition for Buddhism pervading in Western countries these days? How do you see their devotion and understanding in Buddhism?
KJK: Buddhism is rapidly spreading its wings towards these countries because it is pure from the point of view of the three-fold scrutiny [to analyze by bare perception, to analyze by valid inferential cognition and to analyze by spiritual authority], it has noble advice on refraining from doing harm to others from its base and benefiting others from its base as well, and it is the teaching which shows that everything evolves from the cause and effect of our own actions rather than believing in a particular creator. There is also the condition of trust and interest having been induced in the minds of practitioners by authentic masters who hold the noble altruistic intention of benefitting others, introducing them to the perfect essence and principles of Buddhadharma.
The faith and understanding of the foreign disciples depend on the teachers of their centres who guide them. If the teacher is someone who is realized and with the motivation to benefit others, then that would be helpful in generating faith and understanding.
PT: Khen Rinpoche, what is your view about the pros and cons of modern economic development on Buddhism?
KJK: I greatly feel that modern economic development has been a factor in benefitting the building of temples and enhancing the necessities for the sanghas’ day-to-day life. But spiritually, it is a harmful factor in terms of practising the Buddha’s teaching of scripture and realization, especially for realizing the essence of teaching.
PT: If one wants to be a genuine practitioner, what kind of motivation and conduct one should have?
KJK: It is very difficult to find someone these days like those noble beings of the past who, from the beginning, led their lives without separating from the practice of hearing, reflection and contemplation. So for beginners, one should divide one’s life into three stages: in the first, generate wisdom in yourself by studying the sutras and tantras; in the second, benefit others through teaching the knowledge that you have gained; and in the third, bear in mind that you should accomplish the method of meditation in a hermitage on whatever you deduced and understood from the teaching. Further, you should have faith and pure perception to your teacher and the Three Jewels. Be compassionate to all the motherly sentient beings and believe in the irreversible law of cause and effect even though the physical and spiritual world changes in the course of time. Place particular emphasis on the lives to come after this one. And, if you follow the practice of awareness with a sense of contentment regarding modern accessories, you will not only be able to behave according to what to adopt and abandon, but also be a genuine practitioner.
PT: As you have been working sincerely in propagating the Buddhadharma, how is your experience?
KJK: I have experienced that if we want to serve the Buddhadharma and sentient beings with our utmost ability, we should have motivational principles such as suppressing the partiality between self and others, and abandoning the attitude of pride and selfishness. Thus, if one supplicates one’s guru and the Three Jewels, and acts without hypocrisy, there will be no obstruction in serving them. Particularly, while spreading the Buddhadharma, if one thinks only of gathering disciples rather than thinking of one’s guru’s noble instructions and the time of uncertain survival of the Buddhadharma, that would not be at all significant.
PT: In the 21st century, what qualities does one need to have in order to start their dharma practice?
KJK: Sentient beings are born uncountable times from beginningless time until now. It is certain that in one of their past lives, he or she must have made some connections with the sangha community. Circumstantially, whenever their connection and karmic tendencies with dharma awaken, at that time they will unconditionally wish to take part in dharma practice and this is one of the most important requisites they should have when they first enter dharma practice. For these beginners, they have to start in accordance with noble worldly attitudes and conduct regarding the practice of abstaining from harming others and benefiting others till whatever should be avoided and taken up. Especially nowadays, this is the time of the increasing condition of outward mundane diversions and inward inattentiveness. Hence, one should persevere with one’s body, speech and mind, all the time hearing, reflecting and contemplating.
PT: We would like Khen Rinpoche to share your suggestion regarding the Palyul Times magazine.
KJK: I wish that this magazine would be the condition for awakening the connection and karmic tendencies with dharma from beginningless time of all beings, and in helping those who have already joined the dharma tradition to become genuine practitioners. Moreover, it should have as its main quality clarifying the essence of Buddhism. In addition, I think it would be far better if we could publish the magazine in Chinese too.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Ngagyur Rigzod Editorial Committee for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to share my views in this year’s publication.
May the Buddhadharma continue to flourish forever!
May the precious Dharma-holders live for a thousand eons!
May peace and happiness prevail in the world!
By Rigzod Editors
