"His Holiness is a Living Sūtra" & Other Reflections on Emptiness | Yangten Rinpoche Q&A

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho ask Yangten Rinpoche about what is required to receive a Geshe degree, the nature of Emptiness, what Theravāda and Mahāyāna can learn from one another, and reflections from his years working as His Holiness the Dalai Lama's assistant. Ven. Thubten Damcho generously served as the translator.
The interview was hosted by Sravasti Abbey, near Newport, Washington (sravastiabbey.org/).
Biography
Yangten Rinpoche was born in Kham, Tibet in 1978. He was recognised as the reincarnation of the previous Yangten Rinpoche at of age of 10 and was enthroned at Kandze Monstery. After living in Tibet under the Chinese rule for 12 years he left his homeland for India in pursuit of traditional Tibetan monastic education in south India. In 1990, at the unusually young age of 12, he entered the Geshe program at Sera Mey Monastery-carrying out the study of traditional buddhist texts on philosophy, logic and epistemology, Buddhist Metaphysics and Cosmology (Abhidharma), and Monastic Code of Conduct (Vinaya)-and graduated with a Geshe Lharampa degree (with distinction) in 2007, aged only 29.
After graduation, Rinpoche joined Gyuto Monastery for 2 years and completed the traditional tantric studies there. During his time at Gyuto Monastery, Rinpoche helped His Holiness the Karmapa as a debate assistant.
In 2008 Rinpoche was called up by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to work in His Holiness’ Private Office and has assisted His Holiness on many projects, including being selected to to compile a book on Buddhist Science, from the Kangyur and Tengyur.
Tune in with fellow practitioners every Wednesday evening from 6 - 6:45 pm or Saturday morning from 9:30 am - 11 am for a Dhamma Talk and Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo or Ajahn Nisabho. Saturday mornings begin with a thirty-minute meditation. Wednesday evening Q&A's are followed by a discussion on Zoom from 6:45 pm - 7:30 pm. See www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit linktr.ee/clear_mountain_mona... for details. Welcome!