Q. Tell us about yourself and how your journey into Buddhist teachings and becoming a motivational speaker began.

Julley! My name is Tsewang Norboo Vivek, and I’m from Stok village. My early childhood was spent there, where I studied in a small government school for the first ten years. At that time, most of the teachers were from Kashmir, and the medium of instruction was Urdu—a language unfamiliar to us. We hardly used it in our daily lives, so even though we attended school regularly, we didn’t really understand much of what was being taught.

In 1982, a few Christian missionaries arrived in Ladakh. They came with the intention of helping poor children by providing education and opportunities. However, I later realized that their main goal was not just education but conversion to Christianity. Missionaries often target weaker sections of society—especially the poor—by offering support in exchange for faith.

That same year, I was taken to Kashmir along with seven friends, and we were enrolled in Tyndale-Biscoe School in Srinagar**, near Lal Chowk. Our principal was from London, and many teachers were from England. The school followed a British system of education, which was excellent in many ways. I studied there from 1982 to 1989, just before the outbreak of terrorism and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley.

During that time, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) realized that many Buddhist children, including us, were being converted. With growing tension between the Buddhist and Christian communities, the LBA, with the help of police, decided to bring us back to Ladakh. Initially, I resisted—I was the leader of our group and didn’t want to return because I thought there were no good schools or facilities in Ladakh. I even tried to convince others to stay in Kashmir. But eventually, in 1989, all 48 of us were brought back.

When we returned, we were welcomed like VIPs—from Mulbek to Lamdon School, people greeted us with white scarves, tea, and biscuits. But once we reached Lamdon, reality was different. We were locked up in the hostel and not allowed to go out for about six months. By then, most of us had already converted to Christianity. My Christian name was David.

Since Lamdon School didn’t have enough resources for all of us, we were later sent to Bangalore to the Mahabodhi Society, founded by the great monk Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita in 1956. After reading about our story, he said, “Bring them to me, and I will educate them.” However, he could only accommodate the boys, as there were no facilities for girls. So, in 1989, we moved to Bangalore.

Life at the monastery was strict and disciplined. We woke up at 5 a.m., meditated, chanted, and studied Buddhist philosophy every Sunday. Initially, it was challenging, but over time, it sowed the seeds of spirituality in me. It was the perfect age to begin such a journey. Interestingly, because we had studied in a Christian school, our English was fluent—something everyone admired.

When I was in the Christian school, we were conditioned to believe that their God listens to prayers, while Buddha does not. For example, during Christmas, we would pray for new clothes or sweets, and the next morning, gifts would appear on our pillows—we truly believed that Santa Claus had answered our prayers. That’s how we were influenced. Christianity emphasized blind faith, while Buddhism taught questioning and reasoning.

At the monastery, a young monk introduced me to the Five Precepts of Buddhism—no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no false speech, and no intoxication. When I learned this, I immediately wrote to my father, saying, “You’re not a true Buddhist because you drink alcohol.” Later, my family told me that my words touched him deeply—and he quit drinking altogether. That was one of my earliest personal achievements.

I spent around ten years in Bangalore under my teacher’s guidance, and that period completely transformed my thinking. My most valuable education didn’t come from textbooks—it came from the monastery.

I still remember when I was about 14, a great master came to give a talk at our auditorium. We all expected a monk, but instead, an elderly couple walked onto the stage. The man was S.N. Goenka, founder of Vipassana meditation. Seeing a layperson teach with such depth and wisdom was eye-opening. That day, I decided that if I ever became a teacher, I wanted to be like him—a layperson but a true spiritual guide.

Over time, I became known among friends as “Junior Goenka” for my similar style of teaching and humor. Academically, I wasn’t very strong. I studied in a basic government school in Karnataka, skipped 9th grade, and appeared directly for the 10th exam as a private candidate. After passing, I studied arts in 11th and 12th, then commerce. I didn’t go to college but instead became a monk for three years, which turned out to be the most profound spiritual phase of my life.

My journey as a speaker began unintentionally. Because I spoke fluent English, I was often asked to give speeches at school functions. In 12th grade, I participated in a competition on “The Effects of Watching Television on Children” and won first place. That experience made me realize my gift for public speaking. Gradually, I started giving motivational talks, counseling students, and sharing the wisdom I had gained through Buddhism and personal experience.

Q. What is the significance of Buddhism, and how did your Dhamma House Meditation Centre begin?

In 2004, when I returned to Ladakh, I got caught up—like many others—in the rat race of trying to become a civil servant. I chose sociology as my subject, but during the exam, a strange realization hit me. I thought, “If civil servants become DCs and grow more egoistic, what will happen to me when I already have so much ego now?” I realized that this path might only make me worse. So, right there in the examination hall, I tore my paper, walked out, and decided to dedicate my life to teaching Buddhism and meditation, something I had already been practicing for ten years.

Later, I went to Burma (Myanmar) for two and a half years to study Buddhist psychology. When I returned, people mocked me for wanting to teach Buddhism. They expected Buddhist teachers to look like monks, not a young man in simple, everyday clothes. When I started asking people basic questions about Buddhism—like where the Buddha was born or what the Five Precepts were—most had no idea. That was deeply shocking for me and made me realize how disconnected we had become from our own spiritual roots.

In 2004, I opened Dhamma House in my home village, Stok. I began by teaching my sister and soon opened the classes to foreigners, as locals were not yet ready to accept me as a teacher. For the first four years—from 2004 to 2008—I taught only foreigners. But as people saw the growing number of visitors and heard positive feedback, the locals slowly started showing interest too.

In 2008, I founded the International Fellowship of Buddhist Youth Ladakh (IFBYL) to connect with young people and inspire them through Buddhist principles. We began organizing summer and winter residential camps, where students stayed for 10–15 days or even a month.

Our daily schedule started at 5:30 a.m. with meditation, yoga, chanting, and lessons on the Buddha’s life and philosophy—all taught in a simple, humorous, and practical way. Over the years, more than 5,000 students have attended these camps.

Today, if you meet a young, positive, confident, and mindful person in Ladakh, there’s a good chance they’ve attended one of our programs. What I had envisioned would take 30 years, we were able to achieve in just ten—a true testament to the power and relevance of Buddhist teachings in today’s world.

Q. How did you get the idea to organize special camps for mothers?

After our children’s camps became successful, we noticed something important — when the kids returned home, they often lacked support from their parents. We realized that while fathers may be the heads of the family, mothers are truly the heart. They hold the emotional and moral key to the household. So we thought, why not teach the mothers too?

At first, people told us it would be impossible because mothers are always busy with family and household responsibilities. But we decided to try anyway — and our very first five-day camp turned out to be a huge success.

The transformation we witnessed was incredible. Many of these mothers had spent their whole lives visiting monasteries but had never really understood the meanings behind the murals, paintings, and symbols they saw there. When we explained the philosophy and symbolism behind them, they were deeply moved. Many said things like, “I’ve been visiting these temples all my life, but now I finally understand their meaning.”

The impact went beyond understanding — there was emotional and mental transformation. The mothers became calmer, more patient, and more compassionate. Today, our mothers’ camps run for 15 days and have become one of our most loved and transformative programs.

Q. We have many monasteries and Buddhist teachers, yet society still faces injustice. How can people change this mindset?

One of the biggest problems in our society today is that we spend so much time and money on building statues, monasteries, and attending teachings, but very little effort goes into integrating those teachings into our daily lives. True spirituality is not about rituals or grand structures — it’s about transformation from within. That’s why, at Dhamma House, our focus is not just on learning the teachings of the Buddha, but on living them.

For the past 15 years, we’ve been taking our students and volunteers to old age homes and prisons to practice compassion in action. Every year, around 70 to 80 volunteers visit prisons to teach meditation, conduct motivational sessions, and simply share kindness. We remind the inmates that a jail is not just a place for punishment — it can also be a place for reformation and reflection.

During these visits, we sing, dance, and share food with them, spreading positivity and hope. Over time, many prisoners have shown genuine transformation — they’ve begun to accept their mistakes and rediscover their sense of humanity.

We must always remember that life is uncertain, and anyone can find themselves in difficult circumstances. Therefore, instead of judging or condemning others, we must cultivate compassion for all beings — even those behind bars. That is the true practice of the Dhamma.

Q.Today’s digital world has made connection easy, yet people feel lonelier than ever. How can one feel more connected?

Yes, modern technology has made communication convenient, but our connections have become shallow and superficial. We connect more with machines than with people. Someone might have a thousand followers on Instagram, but when they’re truly struggling,emotionally, financially, or physically,no one comes to help.

At Dhamma House, we don’t allow social media use during our programs. We encourage real human connection,talking, listening, singing, dancing, and sharing heart to heart. That’s where true transformation happens. Digital detox is essential. Don’t start your day by scrolling through your phone. Meditate, stretch, or simply be quiet for a few minutes. Don’t use your phone while eating, and keep it away while sleeping. Some people even carry their phones to the bathroom,that shows how deeply attached we’ve become. Detach a little, and you’ll feel much more peaceful and connected.

Q. How can young people balance spirituality with modern life?

Modern society runs on consumerism. Everywhere you go, advertisements are designed to trigger desire. Fifty years ago, people had simple needs. Today, we have hundreds of choices for everything,from shirts to shoes and that creates confusion and frustration. People buy more than they need, and when they can’t afford it, they resort to shortcuts like theft, gambling, or drugs.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.” We teach our students to understand the difference between needs and wants. Wants are endless,they never bring satisfaction. Needs are limited, and fulfilling them brings peace. When young people learn this through meditation and self-reflection, they live more content and meaningful lives.

Unfortunately, today’s youth are losing interest in spirituality because they don’t find relatable teachers. Some spiritual leaders discourage questions, which pushes young minds away. True spirituality should encourage curiosity, not suppress it. That’s why I teach in simple language and connect Buddhist philosophy to real-life situations,so young people can relate to it.

Q. Drug and alcohol addiction are major concerns among Ladakhi youth. How can one overcome them?

Yes, this is a serious issue. Once a person becomes addicted, it’s very hard to come out of it. Modern rehab centers are necessary, but they alone are not enough. If you force someone to quit without internal transformation, the change remains temporary,they often relapse.

That’s why I believe any rehabilitation process must include spiritual transformation. Along with medical help, we need to teach meditation, mindfulness, ethical values, and self-reflection. Real change happens when a person understands the harm addiction causes,not just to the body, but to the mind and spirit. Only then does the transformation last.

Q. What message would you like to give to the youth of Ladakh about living a meaningful life?

My message is simple; don’t waste your precious human life on negative things like drugs and alcohol. Human life is incredibly rare and valuable. Be grateful for what you have, your body, your mind, and your potential. Some people can’t see, can’t walk, or can’t talk, yet they live with dignity. You have everything, so use it meaningfully.

Don’t underestimate yourself or limit your potential. Every human being has the power to do great things, not just for themselves but for the whole society. Every one of us has the potential to become enlightened. Set your goals high, stay humble, and live a life rooted in compassion, wisdom, and purpose. That’s what it truly means to live meaningfully.

Message to the readers

Value your life. Please don’t waste it on negativity. Be grateful, stay humble, aim high, and live with compassion and purpose — that’s the true meaning.