From the VOCL Archives: Sharing the Timeless Joy

A Memorable Encounter with His Holiness 34th Menri Trizin at a Summer Retreat

We fondly revisit a special interview the VOCL team conducted with His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin during the summer retreat of June 2019. At that time, our dear colleague Vickie Walter was still an integral part of the VOCL team. We continue our work in her loving honor and memory. The full interview reflects the profound joy, wisdom, and kindness that His Holiness graciously shared. It was originally published in the August 2019 issue of Voice of Clear Light.

VOCL: We are not here at Serenity Ridge and Ligmincha International because we are enlightened. We all need to work on ourselves. What advice do you have for best doing that as practitioners?

His Holiness: With hard work, honesty, sincerity and a good motivation, and being very harmonious.

VOCL: We are very attached to the ego here in the West. What do you prescribe for breaking this attachment, which blocks our progress on the path?

His Holiness: The opposite of the ego is peace. So if you think that you are getting agitated or very upset, you have to recognize that, and you have to control yourself and have patience.

VOCL: What is your vision for the spreading of Bon in the West?

His Holiness: My vision is to help others and to support others to be better, and to better bring peace and harmony into this world through the Bon teachings.

VOCL: You came to Serenity Ridge back in 2013, and now you are here again. How has your experience of being here changed since your first visit?

His Holiness: The difference is that when I came here in 2013, I came as attendant for the 33rd Menri Trizin, and now I come as the 34th Menri Trizin! I am very happy to see all of the progress and development here - the new buildings, all of the surroundings. When I was here as an attendant in 2013, I was not paying very much attention to how people were practicing. Now, I am paying special attention to how people are practicing and how they are taking the teachings. It's very interesting, and I am very happy with how we are all doing the practices and meditation. I am very happy to see that!

VOCL: Thank you so much for traveling so far and wide to be with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's students. Please know that you are always welcome here, and that we would love to see you again whenever you can possibly make the trip back.

His Holiness: The way that I feel is that I am not even 50 yet, and as long as I have the energy I will come and visit! I will go wherever people invite me. When I get to Yongdzin Rinpoche's age, then I might be a little challenged to travel. Until then, though, wherever I am invited, I will go! [smiles]

VOCL: Thuk-je-che! (Thank you!)