A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN FPMT LAMA

Born in Kham, Tibet in 1934, Chime Lama became a monk at the age of 18. He studied at Dayab Monastery and Drepung Monastic University in Lhasa. After escaping to India in 1959 he lived in Kalimpong in a branch of Gyuto Upper Tantric College. Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked Chime lama to come to O.Sel.Ling retreat center in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain, near Granada, where he has now been living as resident lama since May.

Why did you become ordained?

My father did not want me to become a monk but my mother did. She persuaded me, saying “You must go to the monastery!” My father wanted me to marry into a rich family. I had a strong wish to become a monk and my mother said that I must keep my vows until I die in order to fulfill her wishes. I don’t remember this, but my mother told me that when I was very young I used to play at giving initiations to the other children. I ran away from home in order to study the Dharma. With no money I set off for Lhasa in central Tibet. I met some companions on the way and we begged for food.

I stayed in Drepung Monastery for three years studying basic philosophy under Geshe Lobsang. Then I went to Gyuto Tantric College in Tibet to study tantric rituals.

What does ritual master mean?

In Tibetan we say “Lama Gyupa” – there is a direct, unbroken lineage from Vajradhara to the present ritual masters. This lineage is very powerful and comes from Vajradhara through to Lama Tsongkhapa. Lama Tsongkhapa then established two tantric colleges. If we can preserve these rituals, which are a special method to subdue the mind, it will be very beneficial for future generations. However, without understanding the essence of Buddha’s teachings, tantra will not be effective.

Have you done much retreat?

I did a lot of retreat in India after escaping from Tibet. In the monastery they did not give me much work, saying it is best for Chime Lama to do retreat. I don’t remember how much, but I stayed in a rented retreat house on top of the hill near the monastery.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama requested the tantric college monks in exile to do retreats on Yamantaka, Chakrasamvara [and other deities]. Although I did not achieve anything through my effort I am not discouraged about that. I did not have any realizations but I have no regrets as I followed my guru’s instructions.

Do you remember some advice your guru would tell you?

My first teacher Tenpa Chöden from Gyupa Monastery in Tibet and later in India was a great scholar of Buddhist philosophy and tantra. He founded two monasteries in Kalimpong. He would say many times to me, “I will become better in the next life, much better than this life and in the life after the next life even better. You do the same and you will be like me!”

How did you imagine the West to be whilst in India?

I heard the West was very nice and comfortable. I heard that anything you want you can get for free – this is what my friends told me. Actually there is no difference between the East and West. People are the same – they have suffering and problems so there is no real difference.

What was your first impression of the West?

Nothing, only a peculiar feeling as the plane was landing!

And of Western students?

I am very happy here because Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa’s students are really practicing Dharma. They have a religious mind.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to being a Western practitioner?

If you practice Dharma properly then there is no doubt that you will gain an advantage. If you practice Dharma properly it can reduce your delusions, ignorance and close-mindedness. The result of this is that you will experience happiness and lasting joy.

Do you put emphasis on any particular practice?

I have nothing to say because all the scholars and geshes have very good advice about this. Just maybe to be a kind person.

What day in your life had special significance?

At one point I received teachings from Debok Jogan. Before these lam-rim teachings I was keeping my vows very well but I did not know how to practice properly. After receiving these teachings my mind completely changed – I was like a new person. These teachings on the stages of the path start with guru devotion and go up to enlightenment – I had never heard them before. It changed my mental activities, my behavior and my daily practice.

What is a typical day for you in O.Sel.Ling?

My daily practice is to improve my mind. I watch and concentrate on the mind, keeping it open, trying not to be close-minded.

Is this what is called “being aware of the nature of the mind”?

Through improving and watching my state of mind I try to realize the nature of the mind, the buddha-nature. If you put effort into improving the mental process, the mental attitude will improve every day. I try not only to practice in my room but wherever I go. If I go to the market or to the city, I bring the practice I do in my room with me.

Whether you spend your time in a positive way or a negative way, time is always moving. If you spend your time positively until death, there is no regret. What will happen in the next life does not matter because in this life I have done my best.