By ROBYN MCLEAN
Like most children, his holiday agenda is full of fun activities. This morning he will go swimming, play golf and take in the sights at Te Papa.
But the boy dubbed the Kiwi Buddha has other items on his holiday programme – all printed in a colour brochure outlining what he will be doing during his “Australasian Tour 2003”.
Venerable Pong Re Sung Rap Tulku Rinpoche, or Rinpoche for short, is not your average boy. The 10-year-old is the first Tibetan lama to be born in the southern hemisphere.
During his early years, he grew up like any other Kiwi kid, enjoying school and the freedom allowed by his small community in Kaukapakapa, north of Auckland.
But in 1999 his life changed. He was declared to be a reincarnation of a high Tibetan lama who died in the 1950s. He left New Zealand three years ago to begin Buddhist studies at the Sherab Ling monastery in northern India.
During his first trip back to New Zealand, he said he had enjoyed catching up with old friends from Wainui School – and shopping for new toys.
His father, Lama Shedrup, said the family had missed Rinpoche. “But he’s doing a great job. He will bring benefits to others, he will bring peace and happiness to many.” He said Rinpoche would probably return to live in New Zealand in about 20 years, when he had finished his studies.
Sitting on a special silk mat, Rinpoche seemed more interested in playing with his toys than being interviewed about his life in India. What he will say is that his day starts at 5am and finishes at 8pm. The monastery is not the solemn place you might expect – many of his friends have televisions and computers in their rooms.
Rinpoche has participated in ceremonies with the Dalai Lama and displayed signs and wisdom of a senior master. He will visit New Plymouth, Auckland, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur before returning to India. Tonight he will hold an “empowerment ceremony” at the National Library.
