TEACHER, PUPIL
Most of Zhabdrung Rinpoche's followers are from farm and pastoral areas in northern Tibet. When he returns to Taklung Monastery, as many as 20,000 people attend his dharma assembly, hoping that he will bless them by touching their heads or breathing on them.
When she heard the Living Buddha was back, Tsering Drolma, 67, was keen to receive a blessing from him. In her eyes, he can "predict everything". Supported by her granddaughter, she hobbled to meet Zhabdrung Rinpoche and pray for peace and happiness.
Sonam Tsomo, her granddaughter, said that although they are the same age, she idolizes the Living Buddha. To her, he is someone she can "pour out her heart" to.
"I cannot imagine my life without the Living Buddha," she said.
Ngawang Sherab, a teenage monk in Taklung Monastery, feels "nervous" when he is in the presence of the Living Buddha because he is so "sharp and dignified".
His admiration, however, quells his nerves. "Everyone holds him in the highest esteem," he said.
"I'm an ordinary person bearing light from Buddha," says Zhabdrung Rinpoche. "If I were asked to re-select my way of life, I would make the same choice because I know it would benefit all living creatures."
Living Buddhas must study much harder than most monks. Zhabdrung Rinpoche must study Buddhist scripture, literature, English and history, and attend sutra-debates, between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. six days a week. All Living Buddhas receive one-on-one tuition on literature, English and history.
"The living buddha is intelligent," said Phuntsog Choying, Zhabdrung Rinpoche's khenpo. "He has mastered many unique approaches of the Kagyu School, and studied a large quantity of scripture."
THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Although he has a busy schedule, Zhabdrung Rinpoche has free time to explore his other interests.
When he was younger he loved reading the fairy tales by Grimm and Andersen. He is now interested in poetry, especially works by Kahlil Gibran and Rabindranath Tagore.
Driven by his love for poems and essays, he pens his own. "I enjoy writing about nature and people's feelings in both Tibetan and Mandarin," he said.
Every fortnight, there is a basketball match in Drepung Monastery. Zhabdrung Rinpoche will always join whenever he is free. "I'm the only Living Buddha who plays."
Last year, he visited Shanghai and Zhejiang Province in east China as a member of the Tibet youth league. The huge, towering buildings impressed him most.
When he was walking around Shanghai in his red robe, one passer-by called him "a man in skirt".
"It's true," he said smiling, without the slightest sign of annoyance. Experiences like this strengthen his resolve to share the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, as he believes it to be the perfect education.
"Tibetan Buddhism can cure the anxiety of modern life," he said.
Zhabdrung Rinpoche studies traditional Tibetan medicine as well. "It is essential for all beings," he explained. "These are extraordinary paths to take -- either a doctor or a monk," he said. "Our society not only needs doctors but monks, too."
He will continue studying for the next three to five years to obtain the geshe, the equivalent of a doctoral degree in Tibetan Buddhism. After that he will study the Buddhist scripture of his school, followed by five years, five months, and five days of meditation in a cave.
"Only by doing so, can I lead fellow monks to enlightenment," he said.
