Rizong Shas Rinpoche III Jangtse Choeje

Profile

His Holiness Rizong Rinpoche III, one of the most highly respected lamas alive today, was born in Matho in 1928 and recognised as the reincarnation of Shas Rinpoche II at 2 years old by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama who had predicted the circumstances of the rebirth.  The Rinpoche went to Rizong Monastery at 4 years of age to study and at 17 went to Tibet to continue his studies, joining Drepung Loseling Monastery, Lhasa, in the mid-1940s.  He returned to Rizong in 1959 after the Chinese occupation of Tibet then went to Dalhousie to study for his Geshes degree.  He graduated, attaining the highest possible degree in 1972.

In 1984, His Holiness the Dalai Lama chose him to become the Abbot of Drepung Loseling, now re-established in South India.  In Tibetan spiritual circles, he is regarded as a modern-day Milarepa, having lived a life of simplicity and meditation since his youth.  Between 1992 and 1994, he underwent a 3 year, 3 month meditation retreat in a remote cave in the Nubra Valley, so inaccessible that it was snowed in for six months of the year. 

Nowadays he spends most of his time in Drepung Loseling giving teachings to monks and laypeople alike. He visits Ladakh several times a year. 

(MB - Manoj Bharij; RR - Rizong Rinpoche)

MB:  This interview focuses on changing society in the 21st Century and its effect on monastic life.  Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.

RR:  Well, to begin, it is important to move with the times.  Change is inevitable and its important that we move with this. 

MB:  My first question is about the role of monks in society; how are monks involved in society?  Has the traditional role of monks changed?

RR:  In early times, monks lived separately from society.  The society was progressing very much in education, language - things not related to monastic life.  If society is changing, monks also need to change.  They cannot remain 'backwards' but the focus must still be on religious education, not secular.  Society is especially progressing in science - monks also need to study science, this is very important.  Things which are related to monastic life they should take, leave those that are not related.  Monks need to study modern subjects for the development of their minds. 

MB: Rizong Monastery is very isolated, very far from villages or towns.  Should there be more interaction, more of a relationship between the monks of Rizong and the society?

RR:  We keep a distance but we also keep relations with society.  We place emphasis on the fact that we have a better environment here at Rizong, we have calm, silence to do more studies, to keep deep concentration.

MB:  So the monks develop themselves here so that they can go into society and help others more?

RR:  Yes, exactly, they develop themselves mentally and in their studies - this prepares them to go into society. 

MB:  Talking about society - societies the world over are changing rapidly, especially in Ladakh - has this affected monastic life?

RR:  Monastic life involves a good type of education and knowledge... if the monks have a good grasp of this knowledge, then they can have good relations with the progressive society, they can get knowledge so its very helpful for the monks, a chance to practice their studies in Buddhism by applying them in the real world.  This is the good side.  On the bad side, if monks don't live a good, disciplined monastic life, then they don't have the proper knowledge and going into society can really have a negative effect.  They can become greedy, materialistic.  Society is progressing very quickly - if we only concentrate on these outer developments and not on the inner life, the mind, then it can really affect us.

MB:  Regarding education - in monasteries now there is an emphasis on education.  In the past, even one generation ago, there were no schools.  Have the prospects, the opportunities for young monks changed now as a result of this?

RR:  The main thing is for the monks to progress themselves... to become a Geshes, a high lama, to practise their religious education they have learnt in a useful way, so that they can go into society and teach laypeople, and also to go outside, to foreign countries to teach people about the Dharma and the Buddhist way of life.  The aim is to progress the self, help the self.

MB:  Help the self to help others.

RR:  Yes, exactly.

MB:  Now regarding the role of learning English in monasteries - how do you think it can benefit the monks?

RR:  It is especially important for teaching the Dharma to people, people from outside, and helps to keep good relations with those different kinds of people who may also help the monastery.  If the monks don't know English, then this can't happen.

MB:  And you previously said that it is important to learn science - do you think that in the future, monks will be taught science?  Why do you think it is important to learn science?

RR:  In Buddhism, you have to experiment, you have to examine a great deal, like a science.  The two are very similar.  Buddhism is related to science and vice versa, so it is very important for monks to learn science.  Also, science is usually taught in English, and so learning English helps the monks to also study science.

MB:  Do you hope to see monks from Rizong go abroad to foreign countries to teach?

RR:  Those who are well educated, have good knowledge and practise of the Dharma can go abroad - this type of teaching is very useful.  If he has a good education and knowledge but no practise, then this is not useful.

MB:  What do you see as being the importance of Buddhism in the 21st Century?

RR:  I am excited as Buddhism now is especially relevant - the world is rapidly progressing, it is becoming more crazy.  In this respect, the Buddhist religion can limit this, decrease it.

MB:  What were your thoughts on your visit to England and how do you think Buddhism can help western life?

RR:  England has a very advanced society, people have very luxurious lives; they have very good outer lives but if you talk about the other side, the inner life, they are a little disturbed, unhappy.  On this matter, Buddhism can bring relief, lessen their worries... bringing happiness.  This is most important.

MB:  OK, thank you.  Finally, is there anything you would like to add?

RR:  Just to say that it is very good to have an organisation like Beautiful World to help monks and nuns in Ladakh.  In Ladakh we have English, but it is not good English, it is broken English... so it will help us.  If the monks can learn English, it can help learn science, and learn about the world, we can share our knowledge and the outside world can share theirs.

MB:  Thank you for your time.  Thuk-je-che.

RR:  Thuk je-che.