NEWS FEATURE - The Mornington Mail

Monks are back
PAGE 9, Thursday 12 July, 2001
Picture and story by Keith Platt
Continued from page 1

The couple had three children who Mr Rigzin regularly sees, although his marriage has ended.

While in Australia his jobs have been varied, from being a translator to dishwashing, courier to running a Mexican restaurant in a Melbourne suburb.
Mr Rigzin's life changed again seven years ago when the Gyuto monks included Australia on their tour list.

'The background I have had here is useful and I'm also their translator. When they're not here I'm planning their next trip,' he said.

When I stopped being a monk there were no ill feelings. Being a monk is easy to get into and easy to get out. 'Buddhism is such a free and pragmatic religion. No one looks down on you. You choose your own ethical conduct.

'I still say my prayers and do meditation. Those practices are not exclusive to monks.'

During this visit to the Peninsula the Gyuto monks hope to find a site for a stupa, which would be a monument to peace and reconciliation.

The six metre high semi-spherical stupa would ideally be surrounded by a garden and be seen as a site for special ceremonies and meditation.

'But it wouldn't worry me if the stupa was at the centre of a busy intersection. Having people drive round it all day would be OK, the circle is a meaningful symbol in Buddhism,' Mr Rigzin said.

At Muranna throughout July the monks will hold 10am meditation sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and tsa tsa (clay figures) making from 11am.

On Monday evenings at 7pm there will be learning to meditate classes, 'nondro' preliminary practice Tuesday evenings and Buddhist philosophy on Wednesday evenings. For details phone 5989 7295 or 0412 124 678.

Photo caption:
THE Gyuto monks in the gardens at Muranna: Grand Chant Master Lobsang Tsering (second from left), Thupten Khedup, Yeshe Topgyal, Lobsang Tsultrim, Sonam Rabgye and Pasang Gyamso.

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