A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN FPMT LAMA

Geshe Tashi Tsering has been the resident teacher at Chenrezig Institute in Eudlo, Queensland, Australia since June 1990. He was born in Kardze in Tibet in 1937 and joined the local monastery when he was seven, entering Sera Je Monastery in Lhasa ten years later. He fled Tibet for India in 1959. He worked and studied at the re-established Sera Je Monastery and attained the rank of Geshe Lharampa at the age of 47. Despite his busy schedule, he is joyfully involved in both sangha and general community activities, and likes to socialize and have fun, which is very important for group harmony: “Happy talking then happy coming,” he says in his unique English. Geshe-la talked to his attendant Ven. Tenzin Tshering.

I wake up most mornings around dawn – 5:30 or so in winter, 4:30 in summer, except on precept days, when I set the alarm for between 3:30 and 4:00. I preside over the precepts ceremonies on the full moon and new moon days each month, so of course it is necessary for me to take them myself beforehand.

The first thing I do normally is to set my motivation for the day, wash and then make three prostrations. Sometimes when I am meditating on motivation, I sit too long and the kookaburras start singing; then I know I need to hurry and start my prostrations! I offer 150 prostrations to the Thirty-five Buddhas every day, except on precept and tsog days when I do a minimum of 200. Then I have a shower, make offerings and begin my morning prayers. First, Six Session Yoga and Lama Chöpa with mandala offerings, followed by breakfast. After breakfast I continue my morning prayers: His Holiness Chenrezig Guru Yoga; Guhyasamaja sadhana; Heruka Yoga of Three Purities; Yamantaka long sadhana on normal days, short sadhana when there are teachings or special events (such as fire pujas, consecrations of stupas after stupa days, refuge, etc.); then Tara prayers – I recite Praises to the Twenty-one Taras 21 times each morning and 21 times each afternoon, because I feel that both Chenrezig Institute and people who ask me to say prayers for them and help them with their problems will benefit from this. Many people help me through their kindness and generosity, as does the center, and so it is necessary for me to help them in this way. Also since I became a monk at the age of seven, whatever I have needed has been provided for me and for this reason I have to say praises to Tara, because this purifies any lack of mindfulness in making use of whatever has been offered. Also it works as dedication for those who have given support.

Before morning and evening teachings I read a little and meditate on what I will teach. On other days I do prayers and read texts on Buddhism through until lunchtime – if I’m not busy there’s more time for meditation.

I eat lunch in the communal dining room with the Chenrezig community and visitors. Two afternoons a week I give interview for students and on Thursdays I have an English lesion with Matthew (a trained teacher of English as a foreign language resident at the institute.) Sometimes other visitors come, or the director or spiritual program coordinator might come and ask advice or fill me in on what’s going on. Sometimes after lunch I have a little rest or watch some TV – the talkback shows are useful for my English practice and help me to understand more about Western culture. Lately though I’ve been too busy for TV.

During the rest of the afternoon I finish my prayers – Six Session Yoga; Vajra Yogini long sadhana, a daily commitment; more Tara praises – and read texts or study English until dinnertime. I go to bed around 10 o’clock if I’m not too busy, later if there’s lots to do. Most nights my attendant comes and talks with me, to help me with my English.

In summer I like to go to the beach and swim in the ocean because it benefits my body and makes it feel light. I first realized this when, after years of not going swimming in the ocean, I visited some students with a beach house. At that time I could not actually swim, but I enjoyed myself in the ocean, and when I came back to Chenrezig, I felt like it was easier to walk, that my body was much lighter. It is very important for me to keep strong and healthy so that I can teach and help the students without getting tired.

I attend the monthly Tara puja; Guru puja on tsog days; give precepts twice a month; teach three times each week, two or three weekend course a month and a monthly public talk here at Chenrezig, plus give regular courses at Langri Tangpa Centre in Brisbane (100 kilometers away [62 miles]); and occasionally visit students in their homes.

In my spare time I always read Dharma texts. I would like to study more – sutras, Lam-rim Chen-mo, tantra and so on, but normally I don’t have time. Study is very important and never finished: if one hasn’t become a buddha, then study is not finished, is it?