05/07/2026

theSunday Special II ON SUNDAY JULY 5, 2026 Wisdom of ancients for a better world T HE enchanting Himalayan region of Dolpo, located in northwestern Nepal, sustains some of the The importance of moral discipline, mindfulness and knowledge are contained in the Tripitakas, which will be featured in a unique recital in Malaysia Ű BY HIMANSHU BHATT newsdesk@thesundaily.com lakes and meadows, and the air is crisp, soothing and serene. He heads the Dolpo Tulku Charitable Foundation (DTCF), which is focussed on environmental protection, healthcare, preservation of culture and a meaningful combination of traditional and modern education. Recital of ancient texts

realities faced by humankind. The first, Vinaya Pitaka , refers to moral discipline to counter mundane physical desires. The second, Sutra Pitaka , promotes mindfulness to train the mind inwards to alleviate suffering. The third, Abhidhamma Pitaka , is about knowledge of true reality to counter delusions. “ Abhidhamma Pitaka is Buddhist science, as we call it.” Basically, moral discipline and mindfulness are best observed with knowledge or wisdom. This is why the three are profoundly linked. “That is why the Buddha said that your morality and meditation ( samadhi ) should be led by wisdom and knowledge. “If you just meditate on something that does not exist, it is of little use. “You can meditate and imagine that that they are a hundred Himalayan yaks in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. “You can meditate on that, but it is not knowledge-based meditation. It’s a totally wrong imagination and not in tune with reality.” Dolpo Tulku emphasised that all religions touch on themes similar to those highlighted in the three pitaka s, but with different vocabularies. “I am sure they also talk about moral discipline, mindfulness and knowledge,” he said. Destined from tender age At the age of eight, Dolpo Tulku was present at the immensely transformative Kalachakra empowerment given by the Dalai Lama in the ancient city of Varanasi, India, from December 20, 1990 to January 4, 1991. How he ended up there is an unforgettable tale in itself. The little boy had secretly followed his grandfather, who left their village to walk towards Varanasi to attend the gathering.

on soaring crags and cliffs. It was in one such humble and deeply pious village that Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche was born to an extremely austere Lama Yogi family. Today, he is regarded as the reincarnation of a well-known revered yogi, the second Nyingchung Tulku Rinpoche, who was the Dharma holder of Namgung Monastery, one of the three oldest mother monasteries in Dolpo.

highest human inhabitations on Earth, with certain elevations reaching up to 4,000m above sea level. Dotted with idyllic villages occupied predominantly by Tibetan-speaking populations, it features an endless landscape that is incredibly panoramic and breathtaking. The green mountain slopes are surrounded by streams,

Yaks and sheep graze blissfully along the cold pastures in placid coexistence with the human settlements. It is no wonder that the communities here are among the most peaceful and spiritually uplifted that one can find. It is also no surprise to see Buddhist monasteries and stupas across the hills, in picturesque valleys and high up

Dolpo Tulku shall soon lead a nine-day chanting initiative dedicated to peace in Malaysia. The 2nd Malaysia Grand Tripitaka Recital is scheduled to take place daily from July 11 to 19 at the Manhattan V hall of Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The event is organised by the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Paramita Buddhist Society, with Berjaya Corporation Bhd being the main sponsor. It features soothing and uplifting chants of sacred Buddhist sutras that originated over 2,000 years ago. These verses were designed to inspire people of all walks of life with the three pitaka s, as they are called in Sanskrit – pearls of wisdom on mindful living and prosperity. “This activity is on the Buddha’s written sutras . You can put them in three parts, which we call the three pitaka s,” Dolpo Tulku said in a video interview with theSun from a monastery in Sankhu, Nepal. He explained that when scholars in ancient times put into writing the teachings of the Buddha, the parchments were placed in three boxes. Literally, pitaka in Sanskrit means box or container. “That is why they are known as three pitaka s,” he said. These pitaka s were originally composed in Sanskrit and Pali. They were translated to Tibetan around the 8th century, he added. Metaphorically, the pitaka s preach about topics relevant to the moral, ethical and spiritual

See page III

Dolpo Tulku relishes returning to his homeland where he currently oversees various humanitarian, educational and welfare initiatives for the people. – PIC COURTESY OF DOLPOTULKU.ORG