Taipei Times: When did you first visit Taiwan?
Rinpoche: I first visited Taiwan in 1978. Since then, I have come to Taiwan almost every year because there are many followers here.
This year, I came particularly for the purpose of clearing up the difficulties and unhappiness that have beset Taiwan in recent years. Too many catastrophes have happened and I hope these will stop soon.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
TT: Do you have particular views on the way Taiwan has changed since 1978, especially about Taiwanese belief in Buddhism?
Rinpoche: Taiwan has advanced its state of development over the years. And although my followers have improved their learning year by year, people are still beset by problems.
TT: What kind of problems?
Rinpoche: People are becoming more and more unhappy. This is mainly because people have not followed the karma (the law of causality).
Many people only care about their own interests. They cheat and act disrespectfully toward others. I hope we can reduce this kind of behavior.
TT: Tibetan Buddhism is becoming very popular in Taiwan. What is the main reason for this?
Rinpoche: We Tibetan Buddhists were oppressed by China's communists and forcibly exiled overseas to India, Taiwan or Western countries. Many lamas hope to promote Buddhism overseas and bring happiness to people around the world.
The reasons why Tibetan Buddhist lamas come to Taiwan are twofold: One is that Taiwan's economy is prosperous and people wish to support lamas; the other is that the Taiwanese are very pious.
TT: Are there any special features of Buddhism in Taiwan that distinguished it from other countries you have visited?
Rinpoche: Buddhism emphasizes following and learning from a lama. Taiwanese show their highest piety in this regard. This stems from Taiwan's historical familiarity with Buddhism. Usually the greater the concentration of people of Han Chinese origin (the main ethnic Chinese group), the better developed local Buddhism will be.
But the majority of Taiwanese face a major problem -- people are too busy to learn the rules and put them into practice.
TT: Do you have anything to say to our readers?
Rinpoche: All the people of the world have the same dream -- peace and happiness. We have to follow the karma and think of the next life as ways to achieve happiness. Buddhists' prayers are not only good for Buddhists but also benefit the state and its people.
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