Voices from EEC4

Zula, Mongolia: “Seeing the three lamas, the relics, and the film festival will have benefited so many people; this is so special for us! When Lama Zopa Rinpoche talked about the benefits of having a good heart, this really touched me. I want to have this.”

John, Australia: “I do a daily Buddhist practice, and it makes it easier to deal with problems – but I have miles to go! Choden Rinpoche is the most incredible person I have ever seen. He said, ‘You should only drink as much alcohol as can bend a blade of grass.’ I think that’s great! And it’s been wonderful seeing all the people here and hanging out with all the other foreigners.”

Jargal, Mongolia: “Buddhism fits into my life perfectly: It makes me more sympathetic to other people and more positive to everything in life. EEC4 was very informative for the local people, and all the foreigners appeared to have a great time.
The lamas talked about anger, and how it is not the person who is saying the bad thing that you should be angry with. This is very important.”

Jigjed, Mongolia: “I am a monk, and Buddhism makes it easy to live very peacefully. The teachings were so good, especially when Denma Locho Rinpoche was teaching about emptiness. He also gave specific advice for monks how to practice and how to follow the Vinaya – this was very nice to hear. Teaching depends on translators, and there were very good translators at the EEC4. We’ve heard many people say that Buddhism is growing in the West, but we never get a chance to see it, so now seeing all these Western monks and nuns, we know that this is true!

Chui Yi Ching, Taiwan: “I’d attend another EEC anywhere in the world.”

This article can be read in its entirety in Mandala