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Revered teacher helps pass on Buddhism

By Gary Soulman

Barry Mac Monegle’s video production shop in Wilmington set aside paid work on Tuesday and Wednesday to help a small community of Buddhists build their faith.

Mac Monegle and crew members Pat McDowell and Kathi Lehmer volunteered to film a visit to northeast Philadelphia by the Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most admired Buddhist teachers.

During the visit, the goals of His Holiness, as many call him, aligned with that of the videographers—to help Mongolian and Tibetan communities pass on Buddhist teachings to the next generation.

“How could we not do this?” said Mac Monegle of Immagine Studios in Wilmington. “This is something that matters very much to this group of people—and it’s something we will remember the rest of our lives.

“And when we post our footage online, Mongolians and Tibetans around the world will be able to connect with this event.”

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, met with monks and families just after 9 a.m. Wednesday at a petite, light-filled temple in the Feltonville section of the city adorned by flowers, a painted driveway mandela and a new bright yellow awning to shade the sun.

He chanted and prayed with three dozen monks and spoke to more than 200 members of Kalmyk (Mongol) and Tibetan communities as he wandered the compound.

Sometimes he touched hands and scarves in an offering of blessings. At other times he urged people to pull together in unity, and when a wayward sound system squawked, he laughed.

Dordzhi Sandzhiev, 24, drove from his New York City home with friends to see the Dalai Lama in such an intimate setting.

“I’m still shocked,” said Sandzhiev, who grew up in the Republic of Kalmykia.

“I can’t believe it. I have a dream for a long time to see the Dalai Lama. Now I’m happy.”

Also, that afternoon the Dalai Lama spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Kimmel Center about Buddhism in the 21st century. But the Kimmel event is not what brought him there.

Invited by Kalmyks

More than two years ago, he was asked to visit the region by the Kalmyk Buddhist community.

He thanked the community for the invitation.

“We want to serve you and help you,” he said.

Now 73, the Dalai Lama made no mention of flashy secular things, such as “High School, the Musical,” or the fashion of Gossip Girl. Instead, he spoke about the importance of adults learning Buddhist philosophy and sparking an interest in their kids.

But as Buddhist parents try to pass on religious teachings, they are worried about the lures of American secular culture. In this they are like parents in other faiths.

“It may be a battle we’ll lose, but it’s one worth fighting,” said Danza Schogurow of Marlton, N.J., one of the organizers.

He liked that the Dalai Lama drew attention to the suffering of the Kalmyk Buddhists.

“Little is ever said about us,” Schogurow said. “Yet over half our people died in Siberia 60 years ago. It’s nice to be remembered.”

In the 17th century, longstanding conflict and a search for better land led Mongolia’s Buddhists to eastern parts of Russia on the Caspian Sea.

A sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the Mongolians came with their faith and were known as Kalmyks.

Czarist policies were not friendly. But things grew worse after World War II, when some Kalmyks fought for Russia and others served in the German Army.

Because of that, the Soviet leader Stalin expressed hatred for the Kalmyks.

He closed temples and had the Kalmyks deported to Siberia in unheated railroad cars. Thousands died.

Formed U.S. community

However, some fled and in 1952 a community of Kalmyks formed in New Jersey and southeast Philadelphia.

Jeffrey Hopkins, professor emeritus of Tibetan studies at the University of Virginia, credits the Kalmyks with seeding America’s fascination with Tibetan Buddhism.

“The growth of Tibetan Buddhism in the United States could not have occurred the way it did without the contributions of a little known band of stateless immigrants whose remarkable odyssey spans four centuries and half the globe,” Hopkins writes.

One of those leading a revival in the Republic of Kalmykia and Philadelphia is Telo Tulku Rinpoche, a 35-year-old lama born in Philadelphia.

“We want to restore the faith and heritage and culture,” he said.

“That’s why we’ve been so excited the Dalai Lama was willing to come.”

Rinpoche has known the Dalai Lama almost 30 years.

“He’s an inspiration because of his wisdom, compassion and sincerity,” Rinpoche said.

“And he not only wishes prayers for peace, he works tirelessly.”

Rinpoche joked that he hoped some of the Dalai Lama’s humble rock star status would rub off on the temple, located in a modest working-class section.

“To me he’s a Buddhist hero,” Rinpoche said. “He’s shown us all how to live well.”

At age five, Rinpoche announced to his parents that he wanted to be a Buddhist monk. So his parents took him to meet the Dalai Lama, who suggested the boy come to live and train in Dharmsala, India, if they were serious.

Two years later, he was living there and, as time went on, the Dalai Lama pronounced him to be a reincarnated master.

Moved to Kalmykia

Later, after ups and downs in his Buddhist practice, Rinpoche found himself living in the Republic of Kalmykia, after the fall of the Soviet system.

At the time - 1991 - there were no temples, but a few Buddhists began to meet in homes. As numbers grew, the people elected Rinpoche as leader of their faith, asking him to build a temple.

The community built a seven-story temple in nine months, and it now serves several hundred people, Rinpoche said.

“His Holiness said go for it. I’m glad we did.”

On Wednesday, many worshippers were also grateful that Rinpoche invited the Dalai Lama to Philadelphia.

Among them were the Wilmington videographers who were documenting the day.

“Barry is drawn to the Buddhist teachings of loving kindness,” said McDowell, one of the video crew.

“And what could be better than spending the morning with a man who asks us to think about where wisdom and laughter come from?

“That’s what the Dalai Lama is asking—that we all do our best.”

TO SEE VIDEO

The video of the Dalai Lama’s visit will be posted on www.getmiro.com in about two weeks. The site organizes video feeds. Search under Dalai Lama to find the video shot on Wednesday by Immagine Studios.

Copyright © 2008 Delaware Online

Published in Delaware Online