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Question: Were you pleased with the way the Masters Program has progressed in its first year? Geshe Jampa Gyatso: Yes. The students did very well. They tried to develop themselves. There have been two examinations and almost all of their results were quite good. I think they were a real success. Question: Why do you think the Masters Program is so important? Geshe Jampa Gyatso: Because we need qualified teachers in the FPMT. By studying the Buddhist philosophical texts more deeply one will be able to teach people in a way that they can more easily understand the subtle points of Buddhism. In 1981 Lama Yeshe decided to create a seven year teacher training course. It was his wish to create this program. If we understand something clearly we can do it more easily. For example, if you wish to become a good cook you first need to study to understand how to be a good cook. Or, if you want to become a very good secretary, you need to learn a lot. If you do not have the necessary skills how can you be a good secretary? It is the same for teachers. If you don't have understanding, how can you be a good teacher? For this reason we need to study Buddhist philosophy. Then we will clearly understand the nature of all phenomenon. Question: What are some of the difficulties you saw the students facing? Geshe Jampa Gyatso: There are some difficulties. Some of the students have had difficulty because their mother language is not English. Some students have had some financial difficulties and need further support for their needs. There may be some dissatisfaction because of this. We are trying to solve these problems. In general, the students study very well. I think they are okay. There also may be some problems with their accommodations, staying together, sharing rooms and this kind of thing. We are trying our best to organize these things better. Some of the students have different attitudes which also creates some difficulties. But this is not a big problem. Question: How do you think that things will continue to develop? Are there any changes in the program that need to be made? Geshe Jampa Gyatso: I think now there is no need for any big changes. For the remainder of the seven years we will try to make things go smoothly. The teachers try their best to teach and the students are studying very hard and trying to successfully complete their studies. Seven years from now they will become qualified teachers! Question: How do you like teaching the students? Is it similar to how people are taught in a monastery? Geshe Jampa Gyatso: It's
a little bit different. In the monastery teaching is easier. There we
teach different aspects. In the monastery we teach in such a way that
the students then debate with each other and ask each other questions.
In a monastery it is said that 25% of one’s understanding of the
subject comes from the teacher lecturing, 25% from self-study, and 50%
from debating. Here we don't debate so much. Here we spend more time in
studying the meaning of the words and then trying to put them into meditation
and practice. This way we can develop concentration and wisdom and subdue
our minds. By combining work and study the mind is subdued and we make
the mind better. In this way, we try to eliminate the afflicted emotions
so that the mind becomes more quiet, relaxed, and happy.
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