Diana Finnegan talked to Shiwa Lha Rinpoche, the eighth recognized reincarnation of Shantideva, who attended the teachings of His Holiness.

As several thousand people sat quietly listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s commentary on two texts last December, among the audience was none other than Shiwa Lha Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the author of those texts, Shantideva, the eighth-century Indian saint and scholar. Shiwa Lha is the Tibetan for the Sanskrit Shantideva, which means God of Peace.

As befitting the author of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life and Compendium of Advice, Shantideva’s presence at the teachings was perfectly low-key. Few people could provide much information about him, except that he was a 19-year-old monk from Sera Je Monastery sitting somewhere on the teaching platform.

Before I had heard that he was among us, I had noticed that very monk, who always seemed to be listening to His Holiness’s comments with an unusually clear and focused gaze. Whenever my own distracted eyes wandered to the edge of the platform, there he sat, perfectly alert and unwaveringly attentive.

Just before returning from Bodhgaya to Sera Je, he kindly agreed to be interviewed by Mandala.

Rinpoche, can you please tell us a little about your life. How were you first recognized?

First, when I was two months old, one monk of Sera said now we need a reincarnation of Shantideva. They sent a letter to Trijang Rinpoche. Rinpoche made an observation and said first we must ask Ling Rinpoche. Then Ling Rinpoche made an observation and said we must ask His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness said now is a very good observation: One family of Switzerland, the father’s name is Takchen and the mother’s name is Tsewang – their son is the reincarnation of Shiwa Lha. Then I was Shantideva. I was maybe two and a half months old

They told me this but I don’t remember now.

One abbot from Sera Je was a friend of the last Shiwa Lha, the seventh Shantideva – I am the eighth; they were very good friends. He came to Switzerland. At that time they were making a new temple at Sera Je and he came to ask for donations. He came to our family. I was very small then. I don’t remember, but my parents say that I went to him with a khata. I was sitting on his lap. Then the abbot thought, “Oh, this is amazing. Amazing child.” When he went back to Sera, he asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness said, “This one is the reincarnation of Shantideva.” At the time I was maybe four months.

Did you have memories of your previous life?

No. Not yet, but in the future, I don’t know.

Can you please tell us about the lineage of Shantideva?

Actually I don’t remember. Only what other people tell me. The seventh Shantideva was a Sera Je monk. He became a lharam geshe. In 1959, he was fighting the Chinese. No one knows how he died. Some people say the Chinese shot him. Others say he jumped in the water. No one knows.

I don’t know the history of the second to sixth incarnations of Shantideva. I have a scripture [about this] but I haven’t read it.

How long did you remain in Switzerland after you were recognized?

I didn’t go to Sera until 1981. Then I went to Sera to make a tri-shuk, a puja. After the puja, I went back to Switzerland. Then I lived nine years in Switzerland.

Why did you stay that long in Switzerland instead of going to Sera Je?

My parents didn’t want me to stay in Sera. First, they wanted to know that I could speak German. I went to school maybe two years in Switzerland.

While you were in Switzerland, did your friends know you were Shantideva?

No.

When they eventually found out, what was their reaction?

They called me Shaolin. They didn’t think I was a lama, only a monk. All my friends called me Shaolin.

How about your family? Was it easy for your parents to accept your going to Sera?

I think it’s easy.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche mentioned that your father was a Nyingma lama. Was it unusual for you to go to a Gelugpa monastery?

My father is Nyingmapa, a Nyingmapa lama, Takchen Rinpoche. But my mother is Gelugpa.

Where is your family now?

My parents live in Switzerland.

Did you enjoy living in Switzerland? Were you happy there?

Not so happy. The best place is at Sera. I like it there. All the people are so busy in Switzerland. I don’t like that.

What benefits do you see from your experience of living in Switzerland?

That I can now speak German. I think this is the only benefit. I started learning English in Sera.

After being accustomed to life in the West, was it easy for you to get used to living in Sera?

Yes, easy. I have been in Sera nine years now.

What is your favorite part of your studies?

I have many programs in Sera. Tibetan grammar, debate, English, German, how to use a computer, making mandalas.

What text are you studying now?

Trang Nge [Je Tsong Khapa's composition on definitive and interpretative meaning.]

Do you have private tutors?

Yes. I have six private tutors. My main teacher is Choden Rinpoche. Then Geshe Jampa Topgyel and Lobsang Gyaltsen and Geshe Kelsang Yanlak for Tibetan grammar, Geshe Jamphel Sengye for English, and Tenzin Dorngak is my German teacher.

Who is your root guru?

His Holiness [the Dalai Lama]. My other teachers are Choden Rinpoche and Geshe Urgyen Tseten.

How does your life at Sera differ from the life of other monks?

My life at Sera is the same, not so different. Only the teachers are a little different.

After you become a geshe, what would you like to do?

Study, meditation. That’s all.

What differences do you see between teaching Westerners and Tibetans?

I think it’s the same. I don’t know if I can teach people, but I will try. Now I am studying.

Can you give some advice for Westerners on how to develop bodhichitta?

To become a kind person.

How should one do that?

It’s difficult to say. I can’t say this now. It’s difficult.

Can you give us some of your own ideas about bodhichitta?

I don’t have any new ideas.

The first Shantideva said the same thing in Bodhicaryavatara! Do you have any old ideas?

No.

Can you give some advice for Westerners trying to practice Dharma?

Please become a kind person. Only this.