• Victoria: Could you share a little about your early life and the influences that shaped your spiritual path?

Rinpoche: First of all, greetings. I offer my warm greetings to the Sakya Rigzin Ling community.

To answer the first question, I was born in the United States in 1999, and I grew up there under the guidance of His Holiness Sakya Dagchen Jigdal Rinpoche. I was taught by him, as well as by my parents, the alphabet and the basic reading of Tibetan texts. At the age of six, I moved to Nepal, to Tharlam Monastery, where I studied the rituals of the Sakya tradition and stayed there for about seven to eight years. After that, I moved to India and studied Buddhist philosophy at the traditional Sakya College for Nuns under the guidance of the late venerable Venerable Khenchen Sonam Gyatso Rinpoche. I studied under him for about ten years, and that is the early part of my life.

What really helped me to understand the Dharma and appreciate it was having constant access to the gurus and receiving teachings from them. They were always available whenever I needed guidance. My love for reading books also played an important role. For me, the most enjoyable time was during my childhood in Nepal, where the culture and traditions are still very much alive. With Buddhist practices, teachings, and culture so present, the right causes and conditions were always there for Dharma practice, so it was not too difficult.

• Victoria: How would you describe the essence of the Buddhist path to someone encountering it for the first time?

Rinpoche: The teachings of the Buddha are very vast, but for someone encountering them for the first time, I would say they mainly fall into two points: if you can, you should benefit others; and if you cannot do that, at least you should avoid harming others. I think that is the essence of the Buddhist path.

• Victoria: In today’s world, many people struggle with anxiety, distraction, and uncertainty. What Buddhist practices do you feel are especially helpful for modern life?

Rinpoche: In the Buddhist path, there is generally an antidote to every problem we face in life. When you have anxiety, when your heart is racing and you cannot relax, there are breathing meditation methods that help bring you back to the present moment. Your thoughts are no longer chasing the past or the future; you simply rest in the present moment, and that helps to calm you.

For depression, I think that in the Buddhist path we come to value our human life and everything we have. Whatever good things we have are the result of our past good karma, and everything we have depends on others. We cannot live truly independently. Whatever food or drink we have comes from somewhere and depends on people who make it, package it, and bring it to us. So we learn to be appreciative of others.

As human beings, we have mental afflictions such as ignorance, hatred, and attachment. But when we really think about it, these are problems created in the mind. The whole practice of the Buddhist path is to look inward, and if you can heal your own mind, then naturally the problems we see on the outside disappear on their own.

• Victoria: What qualities should a sincere student look for in a spiritual teacher?

Rinpoche: It is said that from the very beginning, the student should examine the teacher before seeking the teacher. It is very important to examine whether the teacher understands the sutras and the meaning of the treatises, whether they have a good understanding, and whether they know the methods for guiding students. They should be good at teaching and have the ability to guide others.

A teacher may have ability but not the right motivation, so you should seek a teacher who has genuine compassion and genuine care to help students. The teacher should not only be skilled in teaching; they should also practice themselves, just as they teach others to practice.

Once you find such a teacher, it is important to respect and honour the teacher, because that person will guide you and shape your Dharma practice. Likewise, it is also important for the teacher to examine the student. It goes both ways.

• Victoria: In your view, what is the relationship between inner transformation and service to others?

Rinpoche: When inner transformation occurs, the wish to help others naturally and effortlessly arises. It does not become an extra chore or task. Until we bring about some inner transformation, we are naturally more inclined to accomplish our own welfare and cherish our own needs. Of course, it is good to accomplish your own goals, but in the Buddhist path, helping others is considered to be at the heart of the practice.

This is very important because we believe in karma and that we have a connection with all beings. We share with all beings a connection like that of parent and child from past lives. Because of this, we have the wish to repay the kindness of all living beings. Once inner transformation is brought about, good qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy naturally arise, and when they arise, helping others becomes much easier.

• Victoria: What hopes do you have for the next generation of Buddhist practitioners and teachers?

Rinpoche: For future practitioners, it is important to understand and have something to grasp onto as the essence of the Buddhist teachings. Nowadays, there are many Dharma teachers, many centres, and the Dharma is generally flourishing. Because of that, practitioners have many options and many places to go, which is good. But sometimes we miss the main point, which is to practice the Dharma. It is not simply about accumulating teachings or chasing after whatever is available.

It is important to understand the heart of the Dharma: all practices should be based on the right motivation, loving-kindness, compassion, and the right view. We need right conduct and right view when we practice. Quality is much more important than quantity. Some people may say they have practiced for many years or for long sessions each day, which is very good, but even a short practice with an undistracted mind and virtuous motivation is much better than a long practice with a distracted mind and the wrong motivation.

For teachers, it is important to remember that teaching the Dharma and guiding others is a great responsibility. It can be risky in some ways because controlling the mind is very difficult, and we may forget the right motivation in our actions. Whatever teaching or guidance we offer to sentient beings, it is important to keep compassion in mind. That is most important.

As times are changing and technology is advancing, it is also good not to stick strictly to traditional methods, but to use what we have, including social media and technology, to find new ways to introduce the Dharma to others. The motivation should not be to convert someone who is not Buddhist into a Buddhist. Rather, it should be to bring positive change to the lives of others through the teachings of the Buddha. These teachings do not need to be practiced by Buddhists alone; they can be applied by anyone and remain relevant in this day and age.

• Victoria: If there is one message you would like people to take away from your life and teachings, what would it be?

Rinpoche: I do not think there is anything special for anyone to take away from my life. What I can say is to never stop learning. The process of learning is always beautiful. As for myself, I spent a number of years in a traditional college and also in a Western university, so I have had the opportunity to taste both worlds. Still, I am not quite satisfied, because I feel there is no end to learning. Actually, I think the more you learn, the more you realise that you really know nothing.

Victoria: Thank you very much, Rinpoche, for your precious time, kindness, and inspiring words. We are truly grateful for the teachings and guidance you have shared with us today.