Question asked by Anne Huang
Dear Rinpoche, you and the Dalai Lama both say you don’t want to convert people. And yet, practically all of your followers (and many of his) are, in fact, converts—from Christianity, the Chinese folk religion, and/or Chinese Buddhism. If your followers are committed to follow your advice, and your advice is to remain within their original religions, then why don’t more of them go back? And for that matter, why does Kechara actively recruit people who are not from a traditional Tibetan, Mongolian, or Himalayan Buddhist background?
By the way, if you’re wondering how many unanswered questions you have left, by my count there are 35: 2 on page four (by Devon and Maxwell), 2 on page three (Audrey and possibly Jonis), 20 on page two (all), and 11 on page one (be sure not to overlook Doreen Teoh and “i” at the bottom). Note that the addition of this question (and all subsequent ones) will shift the page numbers slightly.
Dear Anne,
When I speak, I speak from my heart and if it comes out eloquent and ppl wish to follow that is their choice. If what I say makes sense to them, then it is not up to anyone to say what they can and connot do as that is conversion also. I do not speak to convert, but I speak to share. So either I don’t speak at all, or when I speak, I don’t speak well? I cannot control their minds. Sorry if this upsets you so much.
TR