Tulku Koondhor was only four years old when he was reincarnated as a Living Buddha in Qamdo of eastern Tibet in 1956. He left Tibet three years later and eventually settled in Switzerland in the 1970s. In 2011, he decided to move back. What made him leave the country? And why did he return fifty years later? How did Tibet achieve remarkable development in last decades? Liu Xin spoke to Living Buddha Koondhor himself.

Liu Xin: The title of "Living Buddha" refers to eminent Tibetan monks and later was recognized as a special title for a monk who became the successor of the deceased leader of a monastery. Mr. Koondhor, you were reincarnated at the age of four as one of the four Living Buddhas in the Qamdo Galden Jampaling Monastery. How has your life changed after that moment? And what became your primary duty as a living Buddha?

Living Buddha Koondhor: When I was four years old, I was recognized as the sixth Koondhor Tulku, the Living Buddha of Jampaling Monastery in Tibet's Qamdo.

When I was young, gaining knowledge was the top priority. So, I began to take various kinds of cultural courses.

After I grew up, I participated in various Tibetan Buddhism rituals. As a Living Buddha, it is my duty to deliver all living creatures from difficulties and bring benefits to them.

Liu Xin: You left Tibet in 1959, around the age of 7. Why did you leave back then？

Living Buddha Koondhor: In about a year after I turned 6, I was the Deputy Director of the Qamdo People's Liberation Committee. Though I was pretty young, I would insist on participating in the different activities of the committee.

For example, during that one year, as a member of Qamdo People's Liberation Committee, I also participated in the democratic reform work of the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region.

There were about 10 to 15 children from aristocratic families who had the opportunity to study in Beijing with government support.

However, my parents, friends and other relatives were strongly against this as they were not aware of the true situation. They were afraid that we would be gone forever and would be away from homeland for a lifetime.

Due to this misperception, we left for India.

There was no doubt that the country cared for us. And we were grateful for it.

Liu Xin: You first lived in Nepal and India for over a decade, and then for another 4 decades in Switzerland. I know it’s very hard to summarize half a century, but if you could try, could you give us a brief description of how you felt while being outside of China, and what were the major difficulties that you had to overcome?

Living Buddha Koondhor: As I said earlier, I really enjoyed the time when I was a member of the Qamdo People's Liberation Committee. However, due to my parents' misunderstanding and concerns, they took me away to Nepal and India. At that time, it was tough living in a foreign country.

Later, I went to Switzerland. Although the living conditions were good, my longing for home and my love for my country never wavered.

When I started living abroad, I always listened to China National Radio, the Tibetan People's Radio, and similar stations to cope with homesickness, as well as to follow what was happening in my homeland.

Then there was China's reform and opening up. I first returned home in 1984.

Liu Xin: In 1984, at the age of 32, you returned to pay a visit to Tibet Autonomous Region for the first time. Do you still remember scenes from that visit? What impressions did you get back then?

Living Buddha Koondhor: After returning, I found that Tibet had carried out massive infrastructure construction, such as building roads and repairing monasteries. People led better lives, so I felt happy and was very excited.

Liu Xin: After that trip, you stayed in Switzerland for 27 years before moving back. When was that final decision made? How was it made? Did your family and the local communities, especially the Tibetan community, support your decision?

Living Buddha Koondhor: In 1984, both the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and the leaders of Tibet like Yin Fatang (former secretary of the Committee of the CPC of Tibet Autonomous Region), and Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai (former chairman of the CPPCC of Tibet Autonomous Region), appealed to me to return to China. They said since the reform and opening up, the government had introduced many beneficial policies to support overseas Tibetans.

At that time, I desperately wanted to return. However, my two children, who had just turned 8 and 9, were still in school. I couldn't leave them behind and had to wait till they finished school.

In 2011, after my two children were 25, graduated and found jobs, they were able to stand on their own feet. So, I was relieved and came back to China.

Liu Xin: You mentioned previously that part of the reason you decided to come back was the local authorities' persistent investment in Buddhist temples and policies that respect religious freedom. Could you give some examples? Do you think the outside world know enough about these investments and policies? If not, why?

Living Buddha Koondhor: Some foreign news media outlets have been criticizing China's policies on religious freedom. It is incited by some anti-China and hostile forces abroad who want to provoke China.

Even if our country does a good job, they will not stop. They will still stir up public opinion against China and point fingers at China. At least I think so.

Liu Xin: Over the past ten years what are the biggest changes you have seen in Qamdo and Tibet in general? What's your observation of the local people's perception about these changes?

Living Buddha Koondhor: It has been 10 years since I returned. During this period, China celebrated the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up. What makes me most gratified and moved is the radical changes that have taken place in Tibet.

With such dramatic changes, the living standard has been greatly improved and people are happier.

It's impossible to list everything. Just to give you some brief examples, you can see the extent to which the state has taken care of various sectors such as transportation, medical care, education, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation.

In short, Tibet has made world-renowned achievements in many aspects, which I am particularly delighted about.

I have been to Europe and the United States. So, I can say that the living conditions in Tibet and other parts of China have even overtaken the West in some aspect.

Liu Xin: Could you just give us one example, please?

Living Buddha Koondhor: For example, the U.S. healthcare system usually serves the interests of the bourgeoisie, but not the general public.

I didn't really believe it when China first planned to build the medical insurance system, but when the system was officially established, I was stunned and proud.

The U.S. does not have high-speed rail either. When I arrived in the U.S., I thought as a developed country, the facilities would be very advanced. At that time, I planned to take the high-speed train, but I was told there are no high-speed trains at all, only ordinary trains.

Liu Xin: Let's talk about situation concerning religious belief in Tibet. According to your observation, do the local people have freedom of religious belief? How is that manifested? Could you use an example from your daily life to demonstrate your observations?

Living Buddha Koondhor: I do think highly of China's religious policy in terms of protecting religious freedom in Tibet and other parts of the country. It has spent significant sums on the repair and renovation of many monasteries, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.

The country has funded a considerable amount of money to build new Buddhist colleges in Tibetan areas and has trained many apprentices and sutra instructors. It has given great support to inherit and promote Buddhist culture.

Liu Xin: In July 2016, the Kalachakra instructions were delivered by the 11th Panchen Lama in Xigaze, Tibet. The ritual includes a series of teachings that are given by gurus to help Buddhists through the cycle of life. This is the first time in 50 years that the ritual has been performed in Tibet. More than 100,000 people attended the ritual. You were there on side as well. How did you feel at that moment? How do you look at the significance of China holding such a large-scale religious event?

Living Buddha Koondhor: I was honored to participate in the event. The fact that a large number of believers were able to attend the tantric Kalachakra instructions is proof of religious freedom.

Tibet has unique religious and cultural customs. I am truly happy that similar religious rituals were also held during the time of the 10th Panchen Lama.

The 11th Panchen Lama holds religious activities every year. Last year, the 11th Panchen Lama visited the Jampaling Monastery of Qamdo in Tibet and Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Qinghai province. This year he visited monasteries in Sichuan province and Tibet to conduct religious activities and meet the needs of religious believers. I am very happy to see this.

More than that, President Xi Jinping visited Tibet this year as 2021 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 70th anniversary of peaceful liberation of Tibet.

This is his third trip to Tibet. President Xi's unfailing care and concern for Tibetans has been seen and remembered by millions of Tibetans.

Liu Xin: However, critics say China is "intervening" in the reincarnation process in Tibet. How do you understand the situation? Do these processes align with Buddhist religious rituals and historical conventions?

Living Buddha Koondhor: Yes, this is true. Living Buddhas, such as the Panchen Lama, are identified by "drawing lots from the golden urn". The reincarnation system for the Living Buddhas in Tibet should be approved by the central government since the Qing Dynasty.

There are many special religious rituals for the identification of the reincarnated Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. This procedure involves recognition from both the local and central governments, a practice that has been in place for hundreds of years.

The Qing government granted seals and titles to the Living Buddhas such as the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, which can be seen in Norbulingka and museums. The reincarnated Living Buddhas are identified and approved through drawing lots from the golden urn and the golden certificate of appointment.

Therefore, the Central Government has recognized the reincarnation system of the Living Buddhas and conferred titles on them for a long time. The process of "drawing lots from the golden urn" is used to identify the reincarnated Living Buddha, including the grand Living Buddha the Panchen Lama, according to religious rituals and historical conventions of Tibetan Buddhism.

The reincarnation system has been introduced for a long time ago and is still followed today. The reincarnated Living Buddhas have to be approved by the Central Government. Foreign countries have no right to interfere in this matter.

Liu Xin: In 2019, you donated around 380 cultural relics and historic literature to China. Many of these are classified as first- or second-grade cultural relics of China. Why did you do this?

Living Buddha Koondhor: I have donated 380 cultural relics to our country. My country and people have always been kind to me. I want to make my modest contribution to the country and my hometown. I genuinely wish my country and its people prosperity and well-being.

These relics are the collection of generations. I gave them to better protect them, so that they can be preserved for hundreds of years more.

Before my life comes to an end, I want to donate these cultural relics to the museum, to be registered and taken care of by the country, for many reasons. This is a long-term solution as well as my genuine wish.

My hope is that the country prospers, and the people are at peace.

Liu Xin: In previous interviews, you talked about one of your hopes, being to share the real picture of Tibet with Tibetan people living overseas. Now you have invited them to take a look themselves, of course we have to wait until the pandemic is over. What do you want to say to them if you could use the opportunity today?

Living Buddha Koondhor: Although I spent 30 to 40 years abroad, I was closely involved with the Chinese Consulate and the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and I was in and out of Tibet many times since 1984 to visit relatives and attend commemorative events as a guest.

I have shared, in written and oral form, the real situation in Tibet that I have witnessed. Foreigners are very interested in knowing what Tibet looks like today, so I have many CDs with me and play them while explaining.

I have showed my overseas audience Tibet's development and how people are living in prosperity and contentment today. There is a proverb: "Seeing is believing", and I encourage them to come to Tibet to see for themselves.