good very special program. we're going to explore tibetan buddhism. we are joined and very honored to have the venerable -- with us. and a good friend of mosaic. professor of buddhist art, aesthetics and culture at the graduate theological union. we're going to share a little bit about the broad nature of tibetan buddhism. some of the aspects and history. what it is. and the last two segments, we will talk a little bit about their lives and the amazing

stories. ron, if you can act as host here. how do we get into -- and what do we need to know about tibetan buddhism? >> i think it is best if we asked the venerable here to tell us a little bit about tibetan buddhism. from that tradition and culture. can you tell us a little bit about the history of tibetan buddhism. when it went from india? and how it changed into that. and talk about the three things that start with m. these are very prominent in tibetan buddhism. >> yes. in tibet, the buddhism came

early. generally speaking, tibetan buddhism -- came to to that. we have four different schools of buddhism. we have the red -- the red hat and the black cat. we have yellow had. -- yellow hat. this is like old culture semitism. but buddhism culture. and involving tibetan life in

tibet. tibet was not different -- then indian philosophy. >> we have a different culture and lineage. a different way to practice. a lot of different levels. one is for the community, the general, the people. the other is more traditional. it is very fully involved. the interesting thing is -- it looks like so many visuals.

in the high level practice -- one of the highest tibetan practices, it has so much meaning in detail. bottom line is, according to tibetan buddhism, there is so much -- it is something you have to develop your mind to benefit. not only for your -- but the whole community. we believe tibetan buddhism is a rebirth.

this is -- since i was a little boy, we understood not to harm any beings. and with your mother -- that is how the rebirth -- the understanding of the rebirth. >> that is fundamental. >> yes. >> to cultivate oneself. and threw that cultivation, whatever we learn, we help other people. this is fundamental to all of buddhism. >> yes. >> can you talk a little bit about the recent history of tibetan buddhism? we know in 1959, the dalai lama came to india and you at the same time fled tibet.

when did tibetan buddhism come to america? >> i will pause because we have about one minute left in this segment. let's take a break. come back and we will give you the full seven minutes to respond. >> thank you. >> we will be right back. the reverend is with us.

share with us more about this particular school of buddhism. help us please. >> as you know, buddhism has a very long history. today, at the present time, primarily, we have two major traditions. one of course -- two traditions. translated as the movement of the elders. and a great vehicle. and tibetan buddhism is a branch. another manifestation of buddhism. in all buddhist schools, we have two primary traditions. one is to acquire wisdom from

oneself. and one is acquiring wisdom. one is to share this. this is called compassion. so wisdom and compassion. another great virtue is how we use wisdom in the process of the implementation of compassion. and one of these manifestations of compassion is to be able to share one's compassion through multiple generations. multiple times. this is where in tibet, they have fully developed a system of reincarnation, of one life to another, to share one's great wisdom. we will talk more about that later. can you say something about this system in tibet? >> this system is tibet was in

the year 11,000. it became a very significant -- to the tibetan buddhism. the responsibility of buddhism. they take it very seriously. the leadership by the two groups became a powerful involvement of community. and how the community is connected. basically, it is all connected by the leadership by the wisdom. what i mean is -- tibetan buddhism -- it is a mayan practice. very much of a benefit.

even the laypeople culture. when you drink some tea -- and do this -- this is the method. this is called, wisdom. all wisdom and method has to be inseparable to generate any aspects. this is pure compassion and wisdom. we use that for the laypeople. generally speaking, with our practice, we do all of this compassion and love. >> so it is not only enough to be smart. you have to know how to use

your wisdom? >> yes. >> so book learning is not enough. >> no. >> kindness is one of the most important to generate. >> so the system -- we know the dalai lama is the 14th dalai lama. he is part of this reincarnation. and the dalai lama is a reincarnation or personification. >> yes. >> that is why when we go through a tibetan shrine, we see the image of the dalai lama. not because he represents is wisdom -- but because he uses it skillfully. >> this means compassion.

he is respected as a compassionate person. generally, any aspect of family life -- has to start with kindness. since your first born baby, the first work is with kindness. even when the baby was in your womb, it is nine months. tibetan we count the babies age before it is born. we have the developing there. so when the baby comes out, -- there is already the

compassion. mostly -- the mental development. then they will do high academic reading and possibly a degree. tibetan is very down to earth level. >> so to that -- tibet is really a bowl -- buddhist culture. one aspect. very important. >> very important. we have to have a responsibility. being able to hold up your lineage. to hold that properly. >> making sure we go in the right direction. >> we're going to need to take

a break. when we come back, we will hear about in your life. and thank you for your insight and commentary. we will be right back. [laughter] announcer: they say that when you're facing extreme danger your life flashes before you.

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we're visiting. thanks for being our guests. thank you for helping us understand. we would like to know about you. you are, tibetan. take us back and share with us something about where you were born. where you grew up. how you became recognized. >> i was born in 1954 in the capital of tibet.

i moved in 1957 when i was three years old. i entered the monastery. 1959, i was in tibet. then to india. now i will talk about tibet. when i was three years old, a monk came to visit my family. suddenly, there was -- six months and one month -- other monks came looking for me to talk to me. when i was a little boy, three years old -- there was like a

recognition. like a best friend. and there was no fear. the mother was even surprised. this was the first way with the meeting. then they wanted to talk to my family. my parents were like denying. they didn't think i would be -- somehow, tibetan families --

they have a tibetan culture. there is a happy side. they are very proud for a little boy to become into the family. but didn't want to be away from my family. and the tibetan life. especially my mother -- there was so much attachment to me. after three months, the monks came back. they said, okay, -- and said, you are one of the most candidates. now we have to do that test.

so they have different items. those tests, i think i passed to the mall. -- past them all. and they approved. and then i became. >> that easy? >> yes. >> and then we went into a monastery. we have an image here. what are we looking at? >> this is one of the biggest monasteries for the yellow hat schools. 1957 until 59.

this picture was during the monastery. this was reestablished in india. also the new monks coming in to study. >> i think we have another image of you as a somewhat younger man. >> yes. i was in the front on the far left. it was 1962. i was six years old. this is at the school. a very important memory in my life. this was a day that was special to me. they all gather here.

used -- you go here for three years. >> we have gotten you that far. and this is our honored guest. we will learn more about what happens when he came to america. stay with us.

are very special guest. you grew up in tibet. you shared with us how you were

recognized with reincarnation. and then it is time to leave tibet and go to schools in india. and you arrive in the united states. tell us what brought you here. then you lived for many years at berkeley. >> yes. in india, i was an advisor. from 1975 until 1980. during that time, i worked on a joint project at the smithsonian institution and washington dc. that is why i came here. they invited me, in 1979 -- to washington dc. >> and catch us up with how you got to the bay area. >> i went back to india in 1980.

there were only 15 tibetans in 1983. we had very few tibetans. later, we brought more tibetans here. now we have about 2000 tibetans here. i am a tibetan board member in california. i founded this. for seven years. we do a lot of involvement with tibetan preservation culture and tibetan americans, we have to make sure we have a tibetan culture growing in the community. and then i did work for for

them. >> when you came here, you had to go to work? >> yes. >> that was a new experience. and we have an image here of you working. here you are as the younger monk in india. the next one will probably get us here. the visual artist skills. there you are. you worked there for -- how long? >> eight years. it was a great time. for me, it was a learning center. we have a lot of good customers come here. we have good times, bad times, stressful times, happy times. >> so instead of being the head lama, and meditating -- i remember you talking like you

liked things open but not closed. >> yes. >> i worked the 88 -- eight years in albany. most people are young people. i never missed one day to be late. >> now you are living in santa barbara and visiting here and teaching. i think we have one more image of you here with the dalai lama. you are in contact with him. i think what you are going to do is offer us a tibetan prayer as we go out. in english, what would the words be? >> i am going to -- this is tradition. what we do, every day show --

>> we better start. >> [tibetan prayer] compassion, to grow in a sense of being. and to be happy. >> we're blessed. thank you so much for being on mosaic. >> thank you so much.

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you might do when you hit the ripe old age of 8 welcome to bay sunday. i am your host, frank mallicoat. ever wonder what you might do when you hit the age of 80 or 82? our first guest got a little restless and decided to start a whole new career at age 82. a proud person from oakland. started writing and writing more. a lot of books in front of us. has published three novels. and a self book on self-publishing. the latest thriller is called "justice for joshua ". let's say hello to the author. good to have you on the program. >> good morning. >> so 61 years in the insurance business.