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FEATURES | EASTERN HORIZON 47

others are more worthwhile rather than just thinking Just as rich, colorful and elaborate symbolism define
about yourself. If you seek the mind of enlightenment, Tibetan Buddhism, the multitude array of our
you are actually trying to achieve Enlightenment interconnected senses and consciousness define our
which is basically a state of mind that is free from all relations with others, humans or otherwise. Practicing
falsehoods. The mind that leads you there is naturally for oneself is important but more importantly, our
an altruistic one. It accomplishes this state not just practice needs to directly benefit other beings, not just
for the sake of oneself but for all other sentient beings in thought but also in action.
as well. Apply this in daily life and you will reduce
egocentric behavior, reduce one’s own self-importance At the end of the interview, the katha remain wrapped
and become a more altruistic being. around my neck. I could still feel the warmth of Rinpoche’s
palms on my cheeks long after they had left them.
“Going further, you realize that your whole livelihood
depends on other beings’ existence. It is through their I backed away from this wise teacher knowing that I am
contributions that you get to enjoy life. Start by thinking leaving with not just his warm compassion, but also the
that all your good qualities arise from cherishing others. glowing wisdom that has been passed on to me, just as
It is easier to accomplish your own goals by putting what has been passed on to Rinpoche in the long line of
others first. This principle applies not just only to a great lineage stretching back to Je Tsongkhapa.
humans but to all sentient beings as well.”
The Gelug tradition is in good hands.
And so there you are, two basic essence of Buddhism
encapsulated by the clarity of a learned guru. The sound May all beings benefit from the wisdom of His Holiness
bytes can be further summarized into just two words: the 104th Ganden Tripa Rinpoche.
Compassion and Wisdom - different sides of the same coin
which essentially makes the whole of a complete being. The interview was conducted by the Buddhist Channel
in conjunction with the 600 years celebration of Lama
There are so many takeaways from this encounter. Tsongkhapa which was presided by His Holiness the
From the two basic essence we are implored to explore 104th Ganden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoch, held
the gamut of qualities that will help us to attain at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Petaling Jaya from
enlightenment: selflessness, egolessness, altruism, November 23-24, 2019. The Buddhist Channel would
reaching out, gratitude, empathy, interdependence. like to record its appreciation with Ven Shartse Khensur
Jangchup Choeden and Ven Lobsang Tsundue, who
Taking these teachings into the context of our helped translated Rinpoche’s answers into English.
contemporary situation, can we learn to see how our
thoughts and actions impact our well-being and the Source: The Buddhist Channel, December 1, 2019. www.
well- being of bigger things, such as matters on climate buddhistchannel.tv EH
change, social inequalities and unsustainable growth?