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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 49

Mingyur Rinpoche: I think many people have education and Buddhism. In fact, there is much more
misunderstood what is the Buddhist meaning of in Buddhism to help you develop your path and
kindness and compassion. Kindness and compassion compassion, which leads to transformation. So now we
doesn’t mean that you are just passive. Kindness and are focusing on Buddhist schools, but in the future we
compassion means that you need to be of benefit to may open up to others.
others. When you benefit others, you also benefit
yourself, so this is a win-win situation! If you really want You will be starting the Kindergarten teacher
to benefit others, then also that is through transforming training program next year? Are there certain
yourself. But if you only look for success, then there are qualities or types of candidates you are hoping to
a lot of side effects. In the end, even if you look like you attract for this teacher training program?
have a lot of achievements, you are still not happy right?
So I think it is the way in which we look at kindness and Mingyur Rinpoche: I think the most important thing is
compassion. Some people think that you just let bad the person’s motivation. Whoever decides to take this
people have their way. This is not real compassion. The program should be keen on the subject and have great
Buddha said compassion needs wisdom. Many people interest in education. Otherwise, if you are not deeply
have misunderstood the meaning of compassion. interested, it will become merely a job.

Abiding Heart Education is going to train teachers; Presently there are plans for teacher training
is the program only suitable for Buddhist schools programs covering both kindergarten and primary
and institutions? school education. Are there plans for the high
school and tertiary levels as well?

Mingyur Rinpoche: We are mainly focussing on
Buddhist education here in Nepal, because up till now Mingyur Rinpoche: Yes, first we have a teacher training
there is no integration between Buddhist principles program for kindergarten up till grade 8. We are now
and modern education. So there are now Buddhist thinking about creating a program to train teachers to
schools, but they teach Buddhism and modern subjects teach up to grade 12, but the program (for grades 9-12)
separately. So far, I have not seen schools integrating is not solidified yet.
Buddhism and modern subjects together. Personally, I
think that there is no contradiction between modern