On June 4th, 2010, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche held a press conference in the presence of reporters from major press and TV media in Taiwan. At 2 pm, many reporters and disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center of Drikung Kagyu Lineage waited reverently at the banquet hall for His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. At 2:15 pm, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, leading Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, Lhasang Rinpoche, Khenpos, and lamas arrived at the venue.
At the start of the press conference, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche took the center address seat and let the media take his photos. Then, eight girls bearing offerings in Tibetan costumes from Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center sang a song and made the offering of fruit to His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche, who also compassionately accepted scarves offered by the eight girls.
Thereafter, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche said to the media that His Holiness Chetsang himself was the first person to bring the Drikung Kagyu teachings to Taiwan. It was around 1987 or 1986 when His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche paid his first visit to Taiwan at the request of a tantric institute and several Buddhist groups. Mr. Tian Bishuang was still living at that time.
This particular trip to Taiwan is to pray for the prosperity of this land and to host a grand ceremony. In the past years, continual floods, draughts, and earthquakes had taken place in Taiwan. A partial reason for such a result lies in that the environment has been ruined with all the construction work. From a religious perspective, many invisible deities and animals have been harmed during the construction. They thereby generated a great amount of hatred and wanted to take revenge. Hence, it is necessary to hold a puja to alleviate their suffering and to bring prosperity to Taiwan as well as peace to the world.
Having his photo taken by the media at the media photo area, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche returned to the address seat with Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and Lhasang Rinpoche sitting at his sides. His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche took questions from the press media and delivered the following address:
There is not any plan for visiting other religious groups or any politicians on this trip, but a visit to the National Palace Museum would be preferred. There is a set of auspicious Tibetan Buddhist Cannons in the Palace Museum and its great beauty has been well preserved. Previously, the staff of the Palace Museum told about how human labor had been employed to haul the Cannons outside for a sunbath every once in a while as there had not been any dehydrating equipment. It is said that the National Palace Museum has a plan to produce reprint limited to 200 precious copies.
As for his excellent scholarship and memory during his childhood, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche said it was his ‘ascetic practice’ that paid off. After school, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche would review his lessons at home. Despite being a venerable throne holder, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche would spend time reviewing his lessons until midnight and studied diligently. Besides, the press media were quite interested in His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s excellence in football, his working experience at a fast food restaurant in the United States as well as his outstanding performance, and even ways to preserve one’s health. In his answers to questions from the media, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche explained the importance of environmental protection and the practice of mercy and compassion.
During the press conference, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche answered in fluent Chinese without the help of any translators. Reporters covering the story were utterly amazed. In his speech, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche constantly revealed his benevolence for the sentient beings, and all the attendees felt his immense mercy and compassion. When His Holiness moved around, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always followed His Holiness closely to serve him at any instant. When His Holiness delivered the speech, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always sat properly and was all seriousness throughout the conference, revealing his absolute reverence deep from his heart to His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche.
The press conference took an hour and was perfectly completed. Its content was covered by all the major TV media, including China Television, TVBS-N, CTI-News, as well as the next day’s newspapers.
Updated on June 17, 2010