Stop a While and Look Back, Tibetan Master Says
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Seoulites work the second longest hours in the world, following workers in Cairo, Egypt, according to research by Switzerland-based investment bank UBS. Being busy may translate into a successful life here, but Buddhist master Arjia Rinpoche believes that it can be a great burden both to your mind and soul.
``This is my third time in Korea, and I have noticed more tall buildings and, of course, the busy streets. Korea is always busy,'' he said during an interview with The Korea Times in northern Seoul last week.
He came to Korea after paying a visit to Mongolia, and was on his way back home in America.
``I met some Mongolians and also some high masters in Korean Buddhism. The Mongolians are fine, some are working and some are studying religion,'' he said.
Although Arjia Rinpoche was cheerful and smiling throughout the interview, the 59-year-old master has gone through a far from pleasant life. He was recognized as the reincarnation of Lama Tsongkhapa's father at the age of two; sent to live and study at the Kumbum Monastery at seven; and forced into hard labor in a Chinese camp during the Cultural Revolution for 16 years. Lama Tsongkhapa was the founder of the Gelupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
He went into exile and left Tibet in 1998 because of the repression of the Tibetan culture and religion and because he could not compromise his spiritual beliefs and practices. Had he compromised, his duties would have included becoming the tutor of a ``false'' Panchen Lama.
In 2005, the 14th Dalai Lama appointed Arjia Rinpoche to become the director of the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana and he has been in the post since then.
``We have a center and a temple where the goal is to maintain Tibetan culture and tradition. It's very hard to (maintain) them because many Tibetans immigrate to the U.S., and they have to deal with the American language and culture. The younger (generation) grow not knowing their roots, and we try to be a help, although not a big one, for the children,'' he said.
Traveling around the world, Arjia Rinpoche said it was interesting to meet different people living with different cultures and beliefs, and added that Buddhism in Korea was a good example for everyone.
``Korean Buddhists not only emphasize prayers, but also actions. They do a lot of social work, which is a good example for us. How to fit the idea to daily life? Now that is the big question. Our purpose is to bring Buddhism to the next level,'' he said, adding that temple stays in Korea were also a great example of the efforts of trying to bring Buddhism closer to the public.
When asked specifically how we can apply Buddhism to our lives, the master smiled and mentioned ``The Six Paramitas,'' or ``The Six Perfections,'' which are: generosity, morality, forbearance, effort, concentration and wisdom.
``These are ancient Buddhist teachings, but you can easily apply them to everyday lives. You can combine them with everything,'' he said, smiling.
Arjia Rinpoche lastly reminded the Korean public that being busy is good, but there comes a time when you need to sit back and stop for a while.
``People are so busy, especially in Asian culture. I have realized that when Western people have a job, they change their professions after two or three years. But in the Asian culture, people find a job, and they tend to stick to the job forever. I think it's in both culture and tradition. But when you have the same job, do the same thing and are busy every single day, you can damage your mind. If you don't do well, you can always have another chance, but we believe we have only one chance in our lives. People should stop once in a while and look back,'' Arjia Rinpoche said.