He is a ‘maverick monk’, whose vision and pragmatism has transformed a vast 250 acres of deserted barren land into an oasis of learning campus bustling with diverse activities, which land hopes to thousands of underprivileged families. In a Buddhist’s monk world; he is an anomaly, who is not confined to monastic life has set out to transform and brighten lives of hundreds, especially the girl child. He serves as a guiding force and a beacon light to needy family. His distinctive journey from a Soldier to a Monk juxtaposes a vast experiences and transformations in his life, which made him the man he is. A change of means from guns to peace is indeed intriguing.

His innovative and pioneering projects, vis-à-vis, residential schools for deprived normal, blind and visually impaired students; charitable hospital; old age home for destitute and various spiritual and social works dedicated to the welfare of Ladakhis has not only influenced people of Ladakh, but many people round the globe. He says: "Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre is not a foreign organisation. It is set up by a Ladakhi for the people of Ladakh".

His is an inspiration not only forLadakhis but is a celebrated figure internationally, known for his humanitarian service. His tireless pursuit of enhancing lives of downtrodden with his spiritual, educational, medical, environmental and social contribution was won him many accolades. He is a recipient of many prestigious national and international awards; list of awards, honours, and titles are just too long to be written here.

The founder of Mahabodhi International Meditation Center (MIMC), Bhikkhu Sanghasena (lay name: Tsering Wangchuk) is one of the most influential people in Ladakh. His famous slogan: "Compassion in Action and Mediation in Action" is indeed what he preach and practice. Let us hear from the Ven. Bhikkhu himself about his life story.

Q. Your story of transformation from a soldier to renowned figure has intrigued many of us. Tell us about the transition.

SCHOOLINGS

I am born in 1958, to a religious Buddhist family in Timisgang, Ladakh. My father was a traditional medicine practitioner; we belong to an Amchi family. From a tender age, I was curious and inquisitive about everything. During those days, there were only two schools in entire Leh district: the first governmental school was opened at Leh in 1933 and Timisgang, being one of the largest villages in Ladakh, had the second governmental school which was opened in 1956. When I was seven, my parent asked me to joined Timisgang school, so did I. The school was a kilometre and a half far from my home, thus, I had to walk school every day as there was no means of transportation. Nonetheless, I was ecstatic and overjoyed when I joined my first classmates. My formal education began with 'phed-pa' , nursery class.

FAILURE!

When the first annual result was announced, to my dismay, I was declared fail! I was certain that I was doing better than the other lot. My old classmate got promoted to Class 1 and I was to stay with fresh students. But I continued being with my old classmates for around 2 weeks, as I could not digest the fact that I flunked. Only after many reiterations from my teacher that I failed and that I must separate, I realized, he meant it. I was shocked, heartbroken and damned.

That evening, I told my mother that I 'graduated' and I won't be going to school anymore. My mother certainly got worried and asked what wrong had I done.  I told her my teacher failed me for no reason. She would not believe me, thinking that I might have done some mischief which could have offended the teacher.  She told me she will arrange 'Chang', a traditional way of approaching anybody for a reason,  with a custom of offering a white scarf and a bottle of barley beer: this time for forgiveness. My mother and I had a disagreement over offering Chang.  From my conversation and response, she finds me arrogant and said: " You failed because you speak with conceit." To not to further annoy her, I finally agreed to present Chang to my teacher. However, mentally, I had already decided not to go to school anymore.

Next morning, my mother handed me a ceremonial scarf and a bottle of barley beer. I took it and headed to school. On my way, I met a few of my old classmate. Since I wasn’t willing to meet my teacher, I invited my friends, sat near a river bank and shared my packed lunch 'Kholak', and of course, had the Barley beer together.  In the evening, when I went back home, I lied to mother and told her my teacher forgave me. I also told her that we have a few days of holidays. She bought my lies. Well, that was the end of my education!

My father, apart from practicing medicine, travels to trade in the western part of Tibet. A two-way journey takes around six months. At times, I used to accompany him on such a journey and every now and then help my mother in household chores. But I still had a strong desire and thirst for learning and studying.

LIFE OF A SOLDIER

It was in 1975 when I was 17, I joined Ladakh Scout, Indian Army. Unlike today, those days there weren't much of an attraction in Ladakh which could catch the fancy of Ladakhis; yet, Indian soldiers in their combat uniform is the only magnetism that pulls the attention of people of Ladakh. It was a new thing. I was so allured by their smart-looking uniform that I joined Army not even knowing its purpose!
The eligibility age for recruitment in the Indian Army was 18. And I was only 17. So, before the fitness examination, I literally had a conversation with Buddha and seek his blessing with ardent faith I had in him and prayed that I could get through it. I almost bribed Buddha by promising to offer butter lamp with a huge chunk of my salary (he laughed it off). A Captain glared at me and said he doubts if I am 18. I told him "whether or not I am 18, I can perform. I can do just as good as others above 18". A doctor at the check-up desk smiled at me and said you are selected.

To my surprise, I was the youngest in the whole platoon. My guns were taller than me! I did well in the Army. I performed and won first in many competitions. We had a Map reading class where we were taught how to use compasses and find direction. The instructor always appreciates me for the sharp memory I had and assured me that I would become a great leader one day. One year training in the army were more like a game to me rather than really preparing for a war. I enjoyed it thoroughly. But still, my curiosity bothers me a lot asking questions which I don’t have answers for. When I had my duty at borders with Pakistan or China, I had to spend hours alone on the observation post, being alert and vigilant. Those were the times when different thoughts arise in my mind about why things are as they are and I question my being. I was often lost in my thoughts. When I don’t get an answer for a certain question, tears would roll down my cheeks. After a four and a half year of service in Ladakh Scout, I quit Army. One of the few good things I learned in Army was: I developed a strong sense of discipline and responsibility which have helped shaped my life immensely.

TRANSITION FORM A SOLDER TO A MONK

I had a monk relative, Bhikkhu Ananda, who was amongst few Ladakhi brought to Mahabodhi Society, Banglore for monastic education. He came to see me once. Since then we began sharing and exchanging our experiences. Although I was born in a pious Buddhist family, my knowledge of Buddhism was limited. A strong realization came within me when he spoke about the meaning of life, life of Buddha, about compassion and wisdom which intrigued me seeing that in Army I was just doing the opposite. I became conscious of precious human life. Being in the Army seems like a waste of life for me.

In Ladakh, monks were ordained at a very young age like six or seven. By that time, I was already 21; I thought I was too old to become a monk, but Bhikkhu Ananda told me it was an appropriate age. Thus, together, we wrote a letter to Ven. Acharya Buddharakhita, the abbot of Mahabodhi Society, Banglore about my wish to become a monk. A few days later, I received a positive response and I was welcomed. Going to Banglore to ordained as a monk was a huge turning point in my life.

Q. Ladakhis practices Mahayana Buddhism or Tibetan Buddhism. You are the first Ladakhi who follows Hinayana or Theravada tradition Buddhism. Why?

I have no specific reason to get ordained in Theravada tradition. I have no concrete reason to go to South India, to practice it. Since I know Bikkshu Ananda who was from Mahabodhi Society Bangalore, it just happened. I believe in Karma and previous life; so there must have a karmic link between me and my Guru.

However, an important thing was;  I develop a strong desire to join monastic institution to become a monk. The only thing that was in my mind was to learn Buddha Dharma and to lead a peaceful yogic life, either in mountains or in the forest, irrespective of achieving the end through different traditions of  Buddhism.  Of course, I don’t have any plans to return back to Ladakh and take up projects. However, during the course of time, from the Buddha's teachings I received from my Guru, it became very clear that we all owe something back to our community and we must serve in return. My idea of contemplating alone in forest or mountains doesn’t seem plausible if I had to serve my community. Also, it sounded selfish to retire to mountains at a young age and not to serve society.

Q. How long were you at Mahabodhi Society of Bangalore?

I went to Bangaluru in 1977 and visited Ladakh in 1986. Almost 9 years.

Q. How MIMC and Devachan Campus came into being?

When I visited Ladakh in 1986, I clearly saw the need for a new kind of organization. Ladakh was getting exposed to the modern world.  We sure do have many monastic institutions, but they were traditional; in a way, modern youth doesn’t fit into the old world. A younger generation stands at a crossroad. They pendulum between old and new world, thus, many youths are baffled with their choices and lands nowhere. There were no programmes or institutions which would cater to their needs and understand them. Moreover, youths are loaded with questions and they need to express it. Old world doesn’t comprehend them.  So, I wanted to create a platform for them where they could express their share of mind.

In 1986, I formed a group just to get together, inspired by seeing Muslims gathering at Mosque every Friday. The group consists of only a few of my Ladakhi friends. Those get together was more of a spiritual. Our small group gathers to have an informal discussion on the validity and relevance of Buddha dharma in modern times and so on. Initially, it was not so easy to form the group, but somehow it succeeded. So we needed a name for the group. I proposed 'Meditation Centre', they flatly rejected the name. They suggested people may think who are we to teach meditation. Earlier, meditation is taken as a thing of highly realized lamas and yogis. The idea of lay people meditating is completely new, especially at Ladakh. But after much persuasion for over 2 weeks about the relevance of name, they agreed on the name.

I started teaching simple meditation; just being mindful and watch breathings. It was very hard in the beginning; people aren't familiar with the idea of simply staying put and watch themselves breathe. For they thought recitations of mantras, prayer books come along with mediation; simply being quite, closed-eyed and watch oneself breath amuse them. Many mock the idea. Gradually it succeeded. During summer, the foreign tourist comes to practice meditation.  They were more familiar with the meditation concepts. In a way, tourist has encouraged the practice of meditation and sooner Ladakhis became familiar with it.

I soon realized that people with roti, kapra and makan may benefit from meditation, but what about those deprived children and aged people, for whom meditation is not a priority. Their priority may be to get a basic education in schools or to be in a home where there is warmth, security, and peace. So our group started looking for a piece of land where we could begin our works for impoverished child and old as well.

We have no money at all, people thought I have huge donations from Japan and other places, I didn’t even have dollar promises from anyone. People mocked me. They thought I must be crazy to start a venture with no investment, especially in this barren land with no water and road. Although it was discouraging, deep within me there is a strong calling that I can do it and I must do it. You don’t need a million dollar to start up good work. I simply wrote my ideas on a piece of paper. If you get a few hundred rupees, just get those ideas printed in black and white, it wouldnt cost much. So that was the beginning.

Q. Why was your organisation named as 'Mahabodhi'? Is your organisation in anyways affiliated to Mahabodhi Society of India?

The name of the monastic institution where I ordained as a monk is Mahabodhi Society Bangalore. So out of gratitude, I wanted to keep the name. I founded MIMC, its totally independent, registered under Jammu and Kashmir society acts. It has nothing to do with Mahabodhi Society of India nor Mahabodhi Society Bangalore. Many people seems to believe that I get support from these respected organizations.  It's not true. In fact, MIMC has supported Mahabodhi Society Bangalore in small ways.

Q. MIMC is a multifarious organisation, you look after more than 1000 underprivileged people. How do you run it or Where did you get the funds to form?

Raising funds has always been very challenging and still. Till date, all the funds came from overseas individual donors. Early 90's, I started travelling extensively around India and South Asian countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and also European countries. I began giving talks and slide presentation about plights of Ladakhis and my wishes to start up meditation centre and educational projects for the welfare of Ladakhis. They donated 50 cents and one dollar. That’s how I raised money for MIMC. It was a tough job, but I continued. When I began my work at MIMC or Devachen campus, people started visiting and gradually it became a well known organisation. Nowadays its bit easier to get donations because of MIMC's popularity but the needs also increases. Currently there are around 600 people residing at the centre, around 100 staffs, about 1000 students are being helped by MIMC, there are other branch schools of MIMC, we help the senior students in their studies after high schools, their lodging, food and daily expenses, thus all together there are over 1000 students whose studies are supported by MIMC. So the needs are on rise as well.  

Q. What motivates you to do such humanitarian works?

Although a huge reminder is written on the entrance wall of  our main office, I often share with my students and staffs to 'make the best use of your body and mind in the service of humanity, before it is burn or buried'. Human life is precious and short; it comes after much accumulation of merits and good karma. Thus,  considering the importance of human life, it  motivates me to work harder.  I believe, this life must be utilize fully for the service of humanity. We must not remain ideal, unless sick. We must engaged ourselves serving society and not to waste valuable human life.  Thus, knowing that fact that we are born as a human being and never knowing whether or not we will ever be reborn as human again, I work hard and do my best irrespective of the results.

I also believe that, because of  self-less motives I had for setting up MIMC, I strongly feel invisible blessing coming in all forms.

Q. You have many ardent foreign followers,  who are not born Buddhist but turned into one or at least are attracted to it. How do you think Dharma talks in helps bring change in them?

Being born as a human being; if you don’t have a spirituality or dharma life, one doesn’t really live a meaningful human life. I believe is the spiritual values that brings real beauty, colour and fragrance to human life. Without spiritual values, human life is like a flower tree without a flower! It is the religion, any religion, that will help you cross the ocean of darkness and ignorance and will reach the light of truth.

Every year, thousands of people comes here at MIMC to participate in the meditation programmes. Most of them are highly educated, they are blessed with wealth and all worldly comfort, but they are still miserable. They themselves said it. They feel no peace, happiness, fear and anxiety kills them. Thus, many dissatisfied people comes here, they practice meditation and listen to Dharma's nectar; within three to four days, they started feeling alive, they feel a life-changing experiences, they return back with so much of positivity, energy and confidence.

Whether or not one is a Buddhist, every human being needs a religion. Any religion will teach you the meaning of life, its purpose, the art of living peacefully, happily, harmoniously and friendly.

Q. Your popular slogan: "Compassion in Action and Meditation in Action". Could you explain it further?

The heart of Buddha's teachings are compassion and meditation. Meditation is experiencing the Buddahood within our own heart and compassion is sharing or radiating the fragrance of enlightenment that one experience within one selves through meditation. Meditation is must, there is no enlightenment without meditation. Once you experience the enlightenment; love and compassion naturally overflows, which is the result of meditation or realisation of the ultimate truth of existence.

Compassion has no values unless put into action.

Q. You are an acclaimed meditation teacher. What kind of meditation you conduct here?

Vipassana and Samadhi system of mediation. All the teachings and techniques of meditation taught by Buddha comes under these two category. Meaning of Samadhi is: tranquillity, peacefulness, serenity, calm and quietness. Thus, the first part of meditation, Samadhi is practicing concentration, it's about how to calm the mind. Vipassana is about special inside, it's about purification of mind.

Generally, we offer an introductory course in a simple language and in a practical way. Here, we teach daily oriented teachings and meditations. We don’t talk about heaven or hell, we don’t discuss about the afterlife or previous life; we talk about the present and how one can improve the quality of life from morning to evening. That’s why meditation centre at Mahabodhi became famous; for its simplicity.

Q. How did the popular 'International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh (IFBHL)' come into being?

From the inception of MIMC in 1986, we have been organising seminars and conferences on themes related to Ladakh for the benefit of its people.  We gathered on many level; international, national and local. But last three year, we choose the theme: ' Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh', because, with the materialistic development in Ladakh,  Ladakhis overlook our traditions, cultural and spiritual values. So IFBHL is about creating awareness, especially amongst youths. To put a check Ladakhis value and to not to let it become like other western countries, where people have an expensive pillow but no sleep. IFBHL is about creating a balance between material and spiritual world.

We are also on the process to approach UNESCO to declare Ladakh as one of the world's heritage sites.

Q. The question I pose may not cover all aspect of your life and MIMC, which needed attention. Is there anything else you want to add?

I need to emphasise that: I am ordained in Theravada tradition of Buddhism and I wear a different robe. But the robe I wear is not a Theravada tradition, it’s a robe worn by Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India to different countries, the style of robe changes according to different climatic condition. Our intention is not to introduce Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism in Ladakh; our aim is to strengthen the existing Buddhism, not just intellectually but practically. We are trying to make the younger generation understand the relevance of Buddhism and inculcate teachings of Buddha in their daily life for a more meaningful life. Buddhism may have a high philosophical perspective, which is beyond ordinary people's understanding, but simplifying it and make it practicable is what we are striving for.

Message to the readers:

Ladakh is a land of living Buddhism. Its unique place. It’s a land of 4 Ms: monks, monasteries, mountains and mystics. While Ladakh is making speedy progress in the field of education, technology and economy and as Ladakh is being connected to rest of the modern world: strive to maintain the real values which makes life beautiful, meaningful and purposeful.  Our culture, values and  traditions deeply intertwine with Buddhism are about being kind, loving and compassionate. We must preserve  and promote these real values. People from all over the world comes to Ladakh to seek peace and solace. They goes back happily, learning so much from our culture. Hence, if we don’t keep our good values alive, it will soon weaken. Nobody else will preserve our traditions if not us.