Q. How spiritual are our youths today?

A. I think their spirituality is good but they are increasingly exposed to materialism and western culture by way of modern mass media. Through means such as advertisements, they are made to feel to want more material goods. We must make them feel that they also need more spirituality.

Q. What can be done to make Buddhism more relevant to youth?

A. Buddhism is more relevant to people of all ages, not just youth. Youths must be let to understand that Buddhism is not just about rituals and visiting monasteries. It is about practicing basic human values such as compassion, charity, helping others, controlling passions etc. in everyday life. Of course, this isn’t easy. At home and in schools, parents and teachers must inculcate these values by practicing them. This is the digital age. Youths are crazy after digital gadgets. It will be wonderful to have the teachings and materials digitized and made freely or cheaply available to them.

Q. We seem to be giving more importance to form rather than the essence while practicing Buddhism. Please comment.

A. Form is visible. It seems fashionable. That’s why there is more emphasis on form. Whether it is donning on a monk’s robe, wearing a rosary around one’s wrist or having a spiritual mobile ring tone, form attracts. Form is very good only if it reflects inner spirituality. Otherwise, it is just another deceptive facade.

Q. When our society seems to rapidly fracturing, what role can Buddhism play to keep our society intact?

A. I think it is a big assumption to say that our society is rapidly fracturing. Indeed there are ruptures here and there. But our society has its own resilience. If you look at Bhutan’s history and society, Buddhism has been the unifying force. Most Bhutanese connect to each other because they are Buddhists. It is the foundation of our cultural practices and institutions. It is the repertoire of our core values. Thus, promoting Buddhism as a way of life will only heal ruptures that appear due to modernization.

Q. Monks are supposed to remain apolitical. Please comment.

A. Politics is just another way of organizing our life. It is an instrument of governance. If monks as Buddhist practitioners can inform politics and thus our governance, it will be good. However, if monks involve in conventional politics, mongering after power and fame for their own sake, it is worthless. Monks may not form or join political parties. But they will have an unbiased view as to which candidate or party would best serve the country. The views can be shared and expressed. But if views are used to influence voting and gamer support, it will be undemocratic.

Q. Can Buddhism influence our local politics?

A. Often, the most influential people in local communities are the head of monasteries or local monastic community. People revere them and listen to them. Even if the Constitution requires them to stay apolitical, I am sure certain influences on local politics cannot be prevented. But it will be in the interest of our democratic venture that this doesn’t happen.

Q. With the onslaught of western influence, our cultural and religious values among the youths are fast eroding. What intervention can be put in place to balance this?

A. Again, let us not assume too much that cultural and religious values are fast eroding. I don’t deny that these values are put under stress as youth encounter various experiences generated by western influence. The best intervention is education at home, school and workplace. I think we need to re-think how we educate young people. Value-education that is examination oriented will not help much. We must enable them to practice these values through school or social programs such as voluntary activities. And make these activities interesting and appealing.

Q. There is an urgent need to rethink Buddhism in more pragmatic way for our youths to understand what religion actually is. Please comment.

A. There is no need to re-think Buddhism. What is needed is to take advantage of modern technologies to make the teachings more appealing for everyday practice.

Q. Religion is perceived by the youth as something practiced by the old leading to widening generational gap. What can be done about this?

A. That’s a wrong perception. I always tell my students that we should practice now when we are still young and when we are physically strong. Don’t wait until opportunity slips by. You would never know what will happen next. Longchen Rabjampa never wasted his time to cut the thorn which blocked his way out of his meditation cave. At first he thought he should cut it off. Again he thought why waste time cutting it as life is too precious yet impermanent.

Q. How can youth, GNH, and Buddhism compliment each other?

A. GNH draws upon the values of Buddhism. GNH is an accepted policy directive of the Bhutanese state. For the youths to be inspired, the state must be actually seen to make policies and implement programs based on GNH. Otherwise, the youths become quite cynical and then indifferent if they see what the state preaches about GNH and what it practices are not in harmony.

Q. What role can Buddhism play to curb the antisocial attitude fast picking up among the youths?

A. If Buddhist teachings and practices are integrated in everyday life, it will obviously help in curbing antisocial attitudes among youths. Buddhism is after all an antidote to temptation, anger and ignorance. All antisocial attitudes arise from not being able to overcome these three poisons. Taming the mind is the hardest thing to do especially when one is young. But I am confident and indeed sure that proper guidance and promoting Buddha’s teachings will surely bring changes in the youth’s thoughts and actions.

Source: Bhutan Times