“THE COMMUNIST RULE KILLED A HUNDRED THOUSAND MONKS” – HIS EMINENCE LING RIPOCHE
His Eminence Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche was born on the 18th of November, 1985. After the passing of his mother, little Kyabje Yongzin was brought up in a Tibetan orphanage in Dharmashala. During this time, in 1983 His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan monks were in the course of finding the re-incarnation of Ling Rinpoche. After the detection of Kyabje Yongzin as the re-incarnation of Ling Ripoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama took him to Dharmsala. Following this, he was ordained as the 7th Ling Rinpoche by the Dalai Lama.
By the time, he completed his ‘Geshe’: Tibetan Buddhist Academic Degree and started travelling world with the goal of propagating Buddhism. He started his journey with the aim of spreading peace among all the Buddhists in the world, he was able to join many Buddhist conferences and seminars. Being able to build up a relationship with the Tibetans around the world while travelling was one of his greatest pleasures.
On January 27th Ling Ripoche visited Sri Lanka together with two other Tibetan monks, in order to worship historical Buddhist sites. He mentioned that Sri Lanka holds a very important place in the Buddhist world and he also appreciated how Sri Lankan Buddhists and the ‘sangha’ protects the Buddhist culture and values.
He mentioned that, even though his parents were Tibetans born in Tibet, they also live in exile in India. He said that he was born in India and he doesn’t believe that he’ll be able to go to see his motherland, Tibet.
During the last six decades Chinese communists have been destroying Tibet’s Buddhist identity, in order that so many Buddhist monastries have been destroyed.
He mentioned at the interview with Dr Damenda Porage, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation in New Delhi, India.; that the remaining Buddhists in Tibet are facing so many hardships, threats and harassments, and as a result of this and the rate of self-immolation deaths by fire has been increased.
His Eminence worshiped the Temple of Tooth Relic, Jaya Sri Maha Bodiya and Waskaduwe Kapilawasthu relics and other historical shrines. At the interview which was held after meeting with Mahanayaka theros, His Eminence mentioned the willingness of Tibetan people to practice Buddhism in their motherland under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and he also said that it is a democratic right of those people. If that is to happen, Tibet should be independent from the communists and Chinese military should also be removed from Tibet.
Answers given by His Eminence Ling Ripoche to the questions asked by the Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation, Dr. Damenda Porage at the interview.
What are the similarities and the differences between the Tibetan Buddhism followed by the Tibetans and Theravada Buddhism followed by the Sri Lankans?
According to Holiness the Dalai Lama and other teachers, there is no difference. There is no difference between ‘vinaya’ either. But there are differences between the colors of the robes and other traditions. We can see a 90% of similarities. Therefore, both the institutions can work together very well.
It is said that Tibetans are hundred percent Buddhists. When did Buddhism commence in Tibet?
Buddhism was commenced in Tibet during the 7th Century CE. Buddhism was first brought by a Buddhist master named ‘Padmasambhava’. Ven. Shantharakshita Thero who was a scholar provided a tremendous service in introducing the lifestyle of a monk to the Tibetans. He was the head of the Nalanda University. He was also in Vikaramasheela. One can not reach certain understandings without being ordinated, and he was the person that introduced it to Tibet. Also, Ven. Athishaa Thero came to Tibet after that, just 400 years back.
Shanthirakshitha Thero brought Buddhism to Tibet from India and initiated the monastic life. But what was the religion practiced by the Tibetans before that?
They followed their traditional religions and believed in their Gods. They worshipped the nature. They worshipped the sea and the rivers. 600 years back the great teacher Tsongkhapa Thero started the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and introduced a new way in Buddhism which is very similar to Buddhism in Sri Lanka. According to them you can practice either Mahayana or Thantrayana as a pure monk, but without practicing Vinaya you will never be able to come to the perfect understanding. Before the Chinese invasion around 1950’s Tibetans had a very peaceful Buddhist way of life.
What happened in 1950s?
The situation in the 1950s changed because of the Chinese invasion. We had to leave our country in 1959 because the Chinese communists invaded our country. They killed our monks and destroyed our monasteries. They had been capturing our territory for ten years. They completely invaded Tibet in 1959. The communist army destroyed the palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was considered as the king and the spiritual leader of Tibet. In the beginning they pretended to help Tibetan farmers. They provided funds. They asked farmers to rest while they worked in the fields. Step by step they strengthened their influence on Tibet. Since we did not have enough knowledge in technology or roads by that time, they provided us with knowledge and assistance in technology. During that time the Dalai Lama was a little boy; therefore, the cabinet took all the decisions. Today one fourth of China is Tibet.
They massacred a hundred thousand monks and killed two million civilians. Most of them died from starvation. They died in their homes, workplaces and prisons because of starvation. Not everyone was shot. They were brutally killed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to go to India with hundred thousand people seeking for political asylum in India. With him went the two of his teachers, the cabinet ministers and some other special people. Most of them came to India safe, but some died on the way. Indian Prime Minister during that time, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru offered them ‘Dharamsala’ to reside. They started schools and learning centers for Tibetan kids. They gave each 2 acres of land for 1500 monks to cultivate from Pakse in Assam. They were there for 10 years and later moved to south India for Agricultural purposes.
Even basic human rights are denied in Tibet and both the monks and the laity are suffering under the communist control during this time. They are facing a lot of hardships. Tibetan Literature, culture and traditions are being wiped out and Communist agendas are taught in schools. The youth in Tibet have desperately faced a total loss of hopes. Chinese have denied their rights to worship and chanting. The suicide and self-immolation rate is increasing. Tibetans have got no weapons. They do not harm anyone and never destroy any state property, instead, they protest and commit suicide. What they want is to make His Holiness the Dalai Lama the King and the spiritual leader and to lead a lifestyle according to Buddhist policies.
They are creating a situation where the farmers compel to sell their lands to Chinese military. They have made Tibetans refugees in their own country. They want to destroy Buddhism because as long as Buddhism is there, they can not destroy the Tibetan Identity. That is their conspiracy. Chinese people have destroyed five thousand monasteries and hundreds of Buddha statues until now. Murders, robberies or any other crime is justifiable according to their unethical policies. Their aim is to put the Tibetans on this immoral track. Now anyone can understand, to what kind of a situation one has to face by coming under the control of such immoral people. Survival of Buddhism is not possible under a communist government. Especially, an atheist can commit any crime. Now, the majority of the people in Tibet is communists, ratio of Chinese to Tibetan is 3:1.
What are your thoughts on this pilgrimage to Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a very holy place; it is a great honor to be able to visit this country. I would like to thank the Mahanayaka Theros for taking good care of me despite the fact of the covid-19 restrictions. and I would also like to Thank other Nayaka Theros also for welcoming me and spending their valuable time on me.
It was a strength and a contentment to worship Temple Tooth Relic, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Kapilawasthu Relics at Waskaduwa temple and other historical shrines and also to see all the people gathered at those places. The reason I felt such a strength might be because of the ‘Arahat’ monks that lived here long time ago. And the fact that the Buddha had visited this place might also be a reason. It was a huge blessing for me.
I would like to say thank you to you and your organizing committee. They were the reason for this journey to be unforgettable and an important one.
What do you have to say about Sri Lankan people?
Sri Lankan people are generous, simple and kind; I think that is the reason why they receive the Buddha’s blessings. Sri Lanka is a holy land and I wish to visit here again in the future. When it comes to Buddhism, the similarities are more than the differences between Sri Lankans and Tibetans. Specially, we can learn so many things from Theravada monks. Sri Lanka is a holy land and Sri Lankan people should protect that for future generations. At this moment, I send my blessings for everyone living in Sri Lanka. I bless Sri Lankans, Tibetans and everyone living in the world. It is my wish to have a world free from wars and pandemics!
© Satipatthana Magazine
