OTHER LAMAS

GESHE ACHARYA THUBTEN LODEN is Spiritual Head of the Tibetan Buddhist Society, and these days is based principally in Melbourne, Australia. Geshe-la was born in 1924 and became a monk at the age of 7. His main training was at Sera Monastery in Tibet where he studied under his kind root lama, His Holiness Venerable Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Geshe Loden holds the highest degree of Lharampa Geshe from Sera, an Acharya degree from Varanasi Sanskrit University and a Master’s qualification in Vajrayana Buddhism from Gyume Tantric College. Geshe-la moved to Australia in 1976 at the invitation of Lama Thubten Yeshe as one of the first resident lamas in the West, at Chenrezig Institute in Queensland. He later established the Tibetan Buddhist Society.

How do you find being in Australia Geshe-la?

Very good. Karma is very uncertain. When I was a small boy living in eastern Tibet I never thought that one day I would be living in Australia – on a big property in the countryside with ducks and rose bushes!

This is the Peaceful Land of Joy center in Melbourne? You have very beautiful gardens I believe?

Yes. The center is in quiet countryside near the edge of the city. But still quite close for our city students – for most maybe 20-30 minutes’ drive. These days we have more than 1,100 rose bushes as well as beautiful spring and winter flowers, and more than 20 redwood trees. Our resident people, students and visitors enjoy the gardens very much. Twice a year the center gardens are open to the public. This is very beneficial I believe for all people, Buddhist or non-Buddhist. Through being in a peaceful, beautiful place people naturally relax. Without having a relaxed mind, Dharma practice is impossible.

And there are centers in other cities too?

Yes. There are centers in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane and a second Melbourne center. Each center is set up in a similar way and managed by a local committee. The directors of all the state centers meet regularly about national issues for the Society.

Can you tell me something about the main teachings at Tibetan Buddhist Society centers?

In all of our centers throughout Australia we have a consistent teaching program, with three levels. First, there are basic introductory and stress management courses. Second, there is a lam-rim program – the centers’ main practice – which runs for the whole year. Third, there are Vajrayana teachings on the practices of Vajrayogini and Yamantaka, with explanations of generation stage and completion stage. Each year we have a Vajrayana retreat.

Also we hold two Buddhist festivals each year: the Buddhist Spring Festival in November and our Tibetan New Year Festival. We have teachers from several other Buddhist centers attend – Thai, Sri Lankan, Vietnamese and Tibetan. Usually about 1,400 or 1,500 visitors come to the festivals.

Do the Tushita Publications activities occupy much of your time?

Yes. We have published three lam-rim books, Path to Enlightenment with more than 1,000 pages, Meditations on the Path to Enlightenment with more than 600 pages and Essence of the Path to Enlightenment with more than 300 pages.

Why three books?

This follows Lama Tsong Khapa’s tradition of having extensive, medium and condensed path to enlightenment texts. Some people think 1,000 pages is too much. They are maybe a little frightened of such a big book, so for those people Meditations is better! Some people are very busy – not so much time. For those people Essence is better. Also we have published Fundamental Potential for Enlightenment, which is about buddha-potential. Western people enjoy the teachings about natural and developed potential. These books took four years to produce, with three people working full-time and four people working part-time.

We are about to release Ocean of Indivisible Method and Wisdom, which is a commentary on Solitary Hero Yamantaka practice. Making books is very time consuming – usually minimum of two hours each day reading and translating from Tibetan texts, and then another two hours writing. When I first came to Australia I could not speak one word of English. But through continuous practice and learning these days it’s possible to make books in English. I believe making books is very useful. Through this, all the teachings I have received for so many years from my kind lamas can continue to bring benefit for many, many years.

What else does your day hold for you?

Each morning we feed the birds on our property. These days perhaps 500 or 600 birds arrive each morning for breakfast, including 50 ducks. We feed them basmati rice and bread. Then usually some work in the garden – with so many roses we have to look after them properly. There is always work to do around the center, the teaching program to look after and students who visit for personal advice. Also we are building a new temple. This involves a lot of planning and organizing. Sometimes students say they would like a life that is less busy, with more holiday time. I think it is more useful to be busy – with positive actions. I say – if you don’t like being busy: no problem! Because step by step death is coming! Now is a very good opportunity, so being busy is better.

You mentioned a new temple the Society is building?

Yes. This is the Community Meditation Centre being built at the Melbourne property. The temple will have a traditional Tibetan form and appearance. We are arranging for a Tibetan craftsman to decorate it in the traditional style. We have also commissioned a magnificent new Buddha statue from Nepal for the temple.

Why is it called a Community Meditation Centre?

It is very important to be part of our community. We have many students from local areas – business people, workers, etc. Twenty years ago many Australian people felt that Buddhism was unusual, maybe just for Asian people. These days more and more people recognize the benefits of meditation and relaxation. With the new temple more people can come to classes.

I never forget that over my last 23 years here, I have continuously been supported by the generosity of the Australian people. During that time my food, drink, clothing and shelter have all come from Australia. Now I feel that I would like to repay the kindness that has been shown to me. So it is my wish that the new temple will benefit our community.

Why do you think there is more interest in Buddhism in Australia now?

This is not just in Australia – also in Western countries generally. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the main reasons of course. Because of His Holiness’ good heart, peerless communications and compassion – this is naturally good publicity for Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness’ qualities are numberless and his activities have benefited an enormous number of people everywhere. Almost everyone responds positively to His Holiness, whether they are religious people or not. Many Western people become interested in meditation for this reason. Also so many other people – lamas, students, supporters – have worked very hard to develop Dharma teachings in the West. Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa and the FPMT are a fantastic example. For my first three years in Australia I lived at Chenrezig Institute in Queensland. The FPMT, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa have been unbelievably kind to me and the Tibetan Buddhist Society. I never forget that kindness.