KOTA Territory NewsBuddhist Monk visits KOTA Territory

Buddhist Monk visits KOTA Territory

Jared Andersen, Sheridan newsroom

It's not everyday in cowboy country you find a monk from India with the Buddhism equivalent of a PHD.  However, a Buddhist Monk teaches people in KOTA Territory how to live happier lives.

Rinpoche teaches people yoga, meditation, and practical ways to find happiness.  Professor of Religion at Colorado College, David Gardiner explains, "Not only can we make more money, and buy a bigger house, do things like that, and learn new languages, and play new sports, we can actually train our hearts and minds to be more loving and gentle in the world."

Touring the country, Rinpoche brings these lessons to Big Horn, Wyoming.  Rinpoche says, "We have to learn how to live with the world, without causing problems, without contradictions.  He teaches people logical and practical ways to obtain happiness.  "First you learn how to love yourself.  You have to learn to be honest," said Rinpoche.

In return he accepts donations to the Siddartha school he started in Northern India, and a monastery in southern India where he is the Abbot.  David Gardiner says, "So you have these institutions for Tibetan education flourishing with western aid, and it is a really precious and special thing."  He says that is because the Chinese Government represses Buddhism in Tibet.  "These days if you want to carry a picture of the Dalai Llama, if you get caught holding a picture, you'll be put in jail," said Gardiner.

To learn more about the Buddhist monastery in exile, you go to this web site: www.thePLTLproject.org