Hong Kong businessman Peter Kedge is helping to facilitate the Western education of Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche. Based at Sera Je Monastery in south India, Lama pursues two levels of education: the traditional study of Buddhist philosophy and practice under the guidance of Geshe Gendun Chopel and a classical Western education under the tutelage of American monk and MIT graduate Ven. George Churinoff. Lama studies three languages: Tibetan, his native Spanish with his father Paco, and English.

I visit Lama Osel from time to time, to provide materials and support for his education and to ensure that Lama’s circumstances are conducive to his growth and development – spiritual, psychological, intellectual, and physical.

It has been helpful for Lama Osel to have his father Paco and brother Kunkyen living with him at Sera. I found both Lama and Kunkyen extremely well. They are happy, stable, healthy, and thoroughly enjoying their studies and the environment.

Lama receives his education in Tibetan, Spanish and English. Each tutor regularly tests him on different subjects, which gives Lama an incentive to do well in his studies. He enjoys the challenge of surpassing himself.

Ven. George Churinoff started as Lama’s Western tutor late last year. He is very qualified: he has a degree in physics from MIT in the USA, he is a qualified Buddhist teacher, and in addition is a monk. But most importantly, Lama Osel is very happy to work with George and respects him very much. The chemistry between student and teacher is working very well. Ven. George is brilliant and can challenge Lama Osel’s intellect and thirst for learning and discovering. He is able to show kindness and be caring, and when the situation requires it, demonstrates firmness as well.

Ven. George follows a curriculum and materials provided by WES – Worldwide Education Service – an English foundation specializing in distant learning for children of expatriate diplomats, the military and the like. WES have been in existence for almost 100 years. The curriculum, teaching materials and aids they make available are to the highest international standards and are considered to be on a par with the best English public schools.

WES have also assigned a tutor in England who is constantly available to Ven. George for advice, and who maintains a dialogue with him on Lama Osel’s progress. The WES program follows the UK national curriculum, which also includes such things as music, poetry, painting and ecology. The materials provided by WES include everything, even science kits.

Lama has an Apple computer with a CD ROM and a modem, as well as a microscope and other teaching accessories such as a chemistry kit, barometer, compass, year planner, etc. His computer is loaded with educational software which he uses during classes under Ven George’s direction.

In Tibetan, Lama Osel is learning writing and reading, and is studying lam-rim, meditation and debate. During a class in which I participated, Lama was engaged in debate with Geshe Gendun Chopel, Lama’s appointed Tibetan tutor. Lama took time to translate into English for me and gave me a commentary on the debate subject. Ven. Pemba from Kopan is Lama Osel’s Tibetan attendant and teaches Lama memorization of texts and prayers as well as colloquial Tibetan in which he seems now quite proficient and completely at ease.

In Spanish Lama Osel studies reading, writing and arithmetic with his father, and also studies lam-rim and other classical Buddhist books in Spanish.

Lama Osel’s brother Kunkyen follows a well-designed daily program too and is beginning to speak Tibetan. Kunkyen’s English has improved greatly. He is highly intelligent and his progress seems excellent.

In late August last year, Lama Zopa made a special trip to Sera to check for himself Lama Osel’s situation. Rinpoche spent two days with Lama privately in Mysore before going to Sera, and then spent three days in Sera, looking into every aspect of his program and well-being. Rinpoche was satisfied.

Once a week, Paco, Lama and Kunkyen usually go into Mysore of Deer Park or somewhere similar for recreation or some activity which is relaxing and stimulating. Last autumn, Paco took the whole household to the seaside at Mangalore.

Both Lama and Kunkyen receive regular medical and dental checks and treatment when necessary. There are good clinics in Mysore for this.

In January Paco took Lama and Kunkyen to the Kalachakra initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Both Lama Osel and Kunkyen play in the garden which has become beautiful and certainly the best in Sera. They keep animals, including a blind deer Tsering.

Lama Osel’s house in Sera has a telephone and he is able to maintain regular phone contact with his family. Ven. George and I have established an email link – the first and only one in the entire district around Byalakuppe. Lama Osel now has an email account of his own.

I believe Lama Osel’s situation has become, by any international standards, a unique and privileged learning environment. For my part, it is a great privilege to be able to offer my input and support.