My Space - Geshe Doga
The Age
Saturday August 18, 2007
Inside the sprawling East Brighton property that is home to the Tara Institute, Buddhist monks conduct weekly meditation sessions for a growing number of Melburnians. In the gompa, or meditation hall, a wall of stained-glass windows is a reminder of when Catholic nuns taught and cared for disabled children here. On the other side of the room, a richly decorated altar is dominated by a large golden statue of Buddha Sakyamuni. Geshe Doga, who entered the monastery in his Tibetan village at the age of seven, has been resident teacher at Tara since 1984.
Tell me about the institute. The main significance of our institute is that it serves as a place to benefit others who want to receive enlightenment. We believe that when the Buddha presented his advice, it was out of great compassion and love for those who wished to better their lives. Every individual will have the wish to be happy. When other things don't provide the answer to that, this is where religion comes in. The happiness we seek seems to come about through causes and conditions. They can be twofold: external means to help us on a physical level, but also the inner means, the mental happiness. When the external means, such as materialistic goods, fail to bring about inner happiness, this is where religion plays a role. The Tara Institute came about through the teaching of the late Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who established a monastery in Nepal. In the early '70s, Western visitors started to come from all around the world. They benefited greatly from the teachings. But it was difficult for people to come every year. They started to have requests to establish centres in other countries. What role does the gompa play? The term is loosely used here. The real literal meaning of gompa is solitude. So actually the word refers to the monastery, which is out of the main town. The monks would find it more conducive to meditation. Once monks and nuns were well trained in the practice of subduing their own minds, they would come out into the towns and cities to help others. What happens here? This is a place to gather to try to gain a peaceful mind, providing the means through meditation and teachings to attain that state of mind. When a spiritual gathering is done with a good attitude, from the teacher's side and listeners' side, it helps to bring about a peaceful mind. What is the significance of some of the objects in the room? The significance of having the statues as well as the written words of the Buddha up on the altar, is to indicate that the teaching comes from Buddha Sakyamuni. When the teacher has an authentic faith and reliance on the Buddha's words, that gives confidence for the teacher to share that with the students. I definitely have confidence in the teachings of the Buddha, and that is what I share. The image of the Buddha, with all the human features, reminds students that before he became an enlightened buddha, he was a human being. He had all the difficulties and shortcomings that we all have. Through many years of strenuous practice and effort, he attained a state of enlightenment. No matter how many shortcomings we have, just like the Buddha, we can gain enlightenment. That brings a very close feeling with the Buddha. The state of the Buddha is within reach. In front of the images, we also have the offerings. By making these offerings we clear our mind and expand our positive energy. One of the core practices of Buddhism is to practise generosity. On a daily basis, when you make offerings, it signifies that you are developing a sense of giving. The practice of generosity is to overcome miserliness, which can bring more pain and suffering upon ourselves. It also counteracts attachment to possessions.What has been your most memorable experience here? The best thing is that the attendance of people has increased over the years. That for me seems to be an indication that what I'm teaching here is useful to others. People seem to come out of sincerity and with an interest. The students relate to me how helpful the teachings are in their lives. My only wish in having come to Australia to be a teacher is that it would serve the purpose of helping others. When I see that there is some benefit, my wishes are fulfilled.www.tarainstitute.com.au -- INTERVIEW (VIA TRANSLATOR): LINDY PERCIVAL
© 2007 The Age
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