Explore the Treasure Within

　　- Talk at Hong Kong University

　　27 November 2011, afternoon

　　MC”s opening words:

　　Welcome, everyone, to Hong Kong University to join this workshop held by the Centre for Buddhist Studies – “Explore the Treasure Within”.

　　I am a Buddhist Studies Master student, and I am very happy to have the chance to be the MC. Before I formally invite Khenpo Sodargye, please allow me to give a brief introduction for everyone:

　　Khenpo Sodargye is the chief Khenpo at the Larung Gar Serthar Buddhist Institute. In terms of translations, Khenpo has already translated voluminous rare Tibetan sutras and sastras into Chinese. In terms of spreading the Dharma, Khenpo has utilized various methods such as the Internet to broadly spread the Dharma. In terms of charity, Khenpo has used the form of “Initiate Love”, to encourage Buddhists to care for those who need help. In terms of Buddhist scholarship, Khenpo has been invited by universities such as Tsinghua, Peking, Renmin, Fudan, and Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Science and Technology University, to exchange ideas with everyone.

　　Now today, we are honoured to be able to invite Khenpo to give a talk at Hong Kong University, please welcome -

　　Hello everyone! I am very happy to come to Hong Kong University today to talk with the teachers, students, and scholars here. Before we exchange ideas on Buddhism, I would like to first talk about my reflections as a Buddhist during this visit to Hong Kong. There are those that are delightful, and those that are worrying.

　　A. Joy and sorrow of coming to Hong Kong

　　I am delighted that at Hong Kong University, there is a quite a large Buddhist study centre, as well as a strong organization that awards Buddhism masters and doctorates. When a university can attach such importance to Buddhist study, and put such effort into spreading Buddhadharma, then in my view, this has significantly deep and long-lasting meaning.

　　During my talk with some teachers and Dharma teachers just then, they expressed the wish that in the near future, there can be some Tibetan Buddhist practitioners coming here and together with Hong Kong University carry out theoretical and practical research and collaboration on topics like “Buddhism and Science.” I think that this is a very good direction.

　　I often believe that to be able to learn Buddhadharma is a great fortune in life. Regardless of whether as a belief or as academic interest, from the moment that we were attracted by Buddhist teachings and ideas and we stepped into its sacred halls, our lives have acquired profound meaning. I am not sure how you feel. Personally speaking, my most sincere oath and faith is that not only this life, but for every future life, I will never willingly abandon Buddhadharma”s light of wisdom.

　　You all know that society now is very materialistic and utilitarian. Everyone is busily searching for self-gain. But in my eyes, these are not very valuable or meaningful. The most meaningful thing is to spread the Buddhadharma, the truth, in order to help people in this world and benefit all beings.

　　I am relatively familiar with Hong Kong as I have been coming here for over 20 years. At that time, when I saw the freedom of belief, I was very envious. As far as I know, since the 50s and 60s, Dudjom Rinpoche had established some practice centres here. I saw some photographs of these in 1987, and such scenes of widely propagating Buddhism were very few in the cities in Mainland China.

　　However, when I returned here 10 years ago, apart from envy, there was also a touch of worry – perhaps due to excessive openness, there were particular Buddhist groups here that were a mix of good and bad. Then during this present visit, such feelings are even stronger: on some levels, there are th…

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