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Kathmandu Monday May 21, 2001 Jestha 08, 2058.
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Misleading content
Your feature article entitled
"Kathmandu, city of temples or monasteries" published last week was misleading
both in caption and content. As a devout Buddhist and a translator by profession for many
of the scholarly Tibetan Lamas in exile, I am tempted to say that:
a) There are only about 93 Tibetan type of
monasteries within the valley of Kathmandu, not 200-300 as has been assumed in the
article. One of the inspirations for the construction of monasteries is that there is a
prediction by Guru Padma Sambhava that the valley of Kathmandu would be dotted with 108
monasteries. A very highly respected Lama, therefore, told me that " we are still
short of 15 monasteries to see the prediction of Padma Sambhava come true".
b) What Mecca is for Muslims, Nepal and India
are for Buddhists. Therefore many Buddhists all over the world, specially from Taiwan,
Hong Kong, Singapore, etc, who have attained a great economic progress but have
spiritually suffered an identity crisis, look for genuine teachers to fulfil their
spiritual needs. Such persons end up in meeting a Tibetan Lama in Nepal or India. This is
another factor for the mushrooming of monasteries.
c) Tibetan Lamas are in great demand all over
the world. Though some Lamas, like Trulshik Rinpoche, have been granted naturalized
citizenship by HMG, there are many other Lamas, who even after 40 years of stay in Nepal
or India, travel on refugee travel documents. This creates a situation where in the Lama
who receive requests to build monasteries or stupas depend on their Nepali devotees for
the construction. As true Buddhists, they do not attach much importance to who legally
owns the monasteries as long as the spiritual need for the devotees is fulfilled. Most of
these monasteries run normal schools while many others serve as an institute of higher
studies, besides preserving the cultural heritage.
d ) Since Buddhists believe in Karma and
every turn of event, good or bad is a result of one’s Karma, these Lamas are not much
bothered about pro or anti-China activities. For them this life is a transitory life to
the next life till they attain Nirvana.
e) I feel HMG should help these Lamas in
their efforts. There have been cases wherein million dollar projects could not receive
proper clearance from HMG but the Bihar state government happily welcomed them.
Sangye Sherpa
Boudha Tusal |
