This interview is just one of the many that took place for “A New Generation of Buddhist Young Practitioners,” the cover feature of Mandala July-August 1998:

How did you meet the Dharma?

Through my mum and dad. My mum had been practicing since before I was born, so I was introduced through them.

Did your parents teach you about Dharma when you were growing up?

Not really. We always went to pujas and things like that. They never pressured us to do anything. They always said if we don’t think it’s the right religion, we don’t have to follow it. I thought it was very interesting, though, and felt that if I was to believe anything it would be that. It’s so believable.

What aspects of the Dharma stood out and made it believable?

Reincarnation – I think that’s definitely true. Being reborn as different animals, and as humans, also the theory of karma. I think those ideas have a lot behind them.

If you look at your social environment, what are some of the difficulties that young people face?

There are the aspects of drugs, and there’s the social aspect of worrying about being accepted by everyone. As a young person it’s important to be cool and fit in with all the groups and that sort of thing.

Has the Dharma helped you in any way?

I think it has. It makes me more aware of my surrounding. I’ve always been a strong believer in non-cruelty to animals, and I think it makes sense to say if you step on an ant, you will be reborn as an ant.

I think about that when my friends do things like that. I tell them what I believe, and that has changed a few people. Some of them think it’s interesting. It changes my views on different things.

Do your friends have spiritual interests?

Not really. A couple of my friends are interested. I’ve got friends from many different religions: Jewish, Christian, Anglican. Everything is accepted, nothing is discriminated against. Everybody is open to different beliefs. A few of my friends have shown interest but none have taken that big step to become part of the Buddhist community.

Are there any lamas you have met who have made a strong impression on you?

Definitely. Geshe Doga – he lives at Tara Institute, just down the road from us. We’ve seen him ever since we were born. He’s really funny and makes us laugh. He’s just a fantastic person and makes you feel so good about yourself.

Quite a lot of geshes that have been here have made a huge difference in my life. Lama Zopa blessed me when I was in my mum’s stomach.

At what point did you begin studying Buddhism out of your own interest – or did you always have that interest?

It’s always been a big part of my life, mainly because my whole family is Buddhist. It’s always been around. If I ever have any questions I just ask mum because she teaches a lot of it. I’ve never really had to study it because we’ve got a lot of books here and mum is such a source of information that it’s never become a big deal to study it. We just go to the pujas, and I also ask questions to Geshe-la.

Do your brothers or sisters have similar interests and beliefs in Buddhism?

Yes. It’s funny because my sister goes to a private Anglican school here and she’s Buddhist. Everything they teach her in class is about God, but they’ve never taught her anything that made her change her mind about Buddhism, or made her want to believe in something else. She’s very interested in Buddhism as well.

If you could introduce one element of the Dharma to a group who knew nothing about it, which would it be?

The kindness of the religion. The whole religion is so beautiful and forgiving. For example, the Dalai Lama about the Chinese people – he doesn’t hate them, he thinks of them as his brothers and sisters. I just love that. There’s so much kindness and forgiveness – there’s no hate.

Why do you think meditation is important?

It’s very good relaxation. It helps me during tough exams or projects. It helps you concentrate a lot more on whatever task is in your mind.

Do you think Buddhism will always be part of your life?

I think so. I think it will be there, although I’m not sure how big a role it will play, depending on if I get married to a Christian girl or whatever. But I would definitely introduce it to my kids because it changes you so much because of the amazing kindness.

If someone is bullying you, you have so many ways of dealing with it. You think, “How would Geshe-la deal with it,” and you just walk away instead of picking more fights. I would like to introduce it to my kids to help them through, because it has helped me through so much. It helps me think, it calms me down. It makes me realize things aren’t as bad as I make them out to be.