Geshe Sherab, Tasmania, Australia, August 2012. Phots by Kunchok Gyaltsen.
Geshe Thubten Sherab was born in 1967 in the Manang district of Nepal. He entered Kopan Monastery at age nine. He completed his Geshe degree at Sera Je Monastic University in South India, followed by a year at Gyumed Tantric College. Over the last decade, Geshe Sherab has taught all over the world as well as serving several years as Kopan’s Headmaster.
In 2012, Geshe Sherab spent three months touring the FPMT Australian centers, organized by FPMT in Australia. Mandala spoke with Geshe Sherab in October 2012 while he was at Kadam Sharawa Centre, located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
“Mandala: Are there advantages that Westerners have in terms of studying Dharma?
“Geshe Sherab: Yes, absolutely. One of the advantages they have is that most have a good basic education, so when you explain the Dharma, I think it much easier for them to understand and to really get the essence of the Dharma. They are more interested in meditation and the essence of the Dharma than the ritual aspects. I believe that is good, it’s an advantage I think. When someone gets too into the ritual aspects, sometimes it is possible that he can lose the essence of the Dharma.
“Westerners also come with a bit of a skeptical mind and I think that helps them too. When you come with that kind of skepticism and doubt, you take more caution, you reflect more, you contemplate more, and therefore you can develop greater understanding and knowledge.”
From Mandala January-March 2013