Transcribed and translated by Ven Yeshe Gyatso & Nigan Tsatsang
Edited by Kabir Saxena

Before fleeing Tibet in 1959, he had been appointed as His Holiness the
Dalai Lama's Senior Tutor and became the 97th Ganden Throne Holder in 1965.

Rinpoche now studies at his former monastery, Drepung Loseling in South India.

"….Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked me to come therefore I am very happy to be able to visit.

Regarding the history of Tushita, generally Thubten Yeshe la and Zopa
Rinpoche both had a very strong connection with Ling Rinpoche and were
his disciples. I myself also in this life, have this connection with
Rinpoche and Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche. When we were young, I was
staying over there at Chopra House and we came to know each other very
well. Lama Osel used to come for tea, just like this, you know.

A while ago, I had a casual conversation with Zopa Rinpoche and at that
time I asked Rinpoche what was the reason he had for having all these centres.

Then Rinpoche said, that because he is a Tibetan lama and a Buddhist
Dharma practitioner, preserving and spreading the Buddhist teachings has
become Rinpoche’s duty. Regarding this, Rinpoche has a strong
relationship, specially a dharma relationship, in foreign countries,
giving teachings and so forth. Therefore Dharamsala is a place where
many foreigners gather. That's why Rinpoche thought that having a
Dharma centre here, a place where the Buddha Dharma could if possible,
be taught, would be excellent. Thinking that, it all started, Rinpoche said.

Therefore this was an extensive vision of Rinpoche and a centre started.
Therefore, Rinpoche’s vision being like this, even if you cannot
generate the path within your mindstream, you should all have the
determination to do so. According to the wishes of Rinpoche.

The teachings are divided into two - scriptural and insights. The
insight teachings refer to generating the path in the mindstream; and
scriptural teachings refer to teaching the Dharma. So generating the
path within the mindstream refers to practicing, and then teaching
based on one’s experiences, that is the scriptural teachings. In the
Abhidharma, it is said: “explaining and accomplishing only?”. The
essence of the teachings are like this.

Therefore mainly Gyalwa Yeshe Norbu (Holiness Dalai Lama); then your
guide, master and root guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the various refuge
protectors have given various teachings. Also all the different lama’s
teachings as well as Holiness’s teachings and advice that you have
received, should be racticed by practicing scriptural and insights
teachings, hence preserving them.

Like this, practicing and preserving in this manner. You foreigners
are sometimes unstable, constantly running after new things. That’s
the way I see it, you foreigners are unstable - receiving teachings for
a few days from a lama and then criticizing afterwards. This happens.
So this should not happen. You should reflect on this and act
accordingly, it is important. Why’s that? Because as a practitioner of
the Buddha Dharma, one accepts the Buddha Dharma, and should practise in
accordance with the Buddha Dharma. Because if one degenerates the
practice of relying on the Spiritual Master, it is very serious because
in the outline of the Lam Rim, in the very beginning, is the topic of
relying on the Spiritual Master. Therefore this is very important. One
should practise properly.

Thus if one doubts the teacher’s way of doing things, then one should
humbly ask for clarification and remove the doubts; it is good to do it
in this way. Otherwise if, upon seeing something disagreeable, one
immediately criticises and so forth, then it’s only negative karma for
the self only, it will not affect the lama.

Practise the Dharma well, and stay with a happy mind, with a virtuous
mind, eat delicious food and thus - make merry!

Eat well! You have good cooks, huh! Amdo cooks!

Thank you!"