Venerable Jigme Palmo: Why Come to Kyoto?

ACI's Christina Kasica interviews Ven. Jigme Palmo, senior ACI teacher and president of ACI's Board of Directors, about Asian Classics Institute's upcoming Steps on the Path retreat in Kyoto, Japan, Dec. 5-11.

CK:  Hello, we're here today talking with Ven. Jigme about a few things that are coming up soon at Asian Classics Institute.  Ven. Jigme, are you planning to travel to Kyoto this December for ACI's 30th anniversary celebration?

VJ: Yes, I'm planning to go.

CK: Can you tell us a little bit, however much you may or may not know, about what could be coming up in Kyoto?

VJ: Well, of course, the main draw is, Geshe Michael will be teaching in person, I think it's ten classes. So of course that's always worth going to. But in fact it's actually a retreat, and Kyoto is a remarkably beautiful place. And so I think just the chance to go there and submerge yourself in this ancient culture is also a very big draw. In addition to Geshe-la being there, there's also going to be teachers--ACI senior teachers. And apparently there's going to be live question-and-answer sessions with Geshe-la and with the teachers. In addition to that, as usual, there will be yoga, and guided meditation, and I think there's a free lunch. So all in all, it's probably worth it. And you might even win some money if you get your answers correct!

CK: Now in your view, is it important that people attend retreat in person when they can? What benefits might they get?

VJ: I think doing a retreat--well, of course, whenever you do a retreat it's in person, because you're there. But to do a retreat with a group, it gives a lot of personal support. So especially for somebody who hasn't done a lot of retreat, now I'm thinking more about a personal retreat. A retreat like this is more group energy and group schedule, and the schedule helps, because when you're doing a retreat by yourself there's a possibility that you might not really follow the schedule. And everything is provided for you, so you don't really have to worry about, "What do I do next?" or things like that. So for that reason I think it's a lot more intense.

Plus you meet people from all over the world, and you can create networks, and find  teachers and find students. So that's a lot of fun, really, because everybody in the group is really nice.

CK: That's wonderful. Also, I think that at this particular retreat, we will be celebrating ACI's 30th anniversary. Now, you were one of the people who were involved at the very beginning of the Asian Classics Institute. Do you have many stories to tell about those days?

VJ:  I suppose, yes. I wasn't there--I mean, I was there sort of. I was the first student who got--the first what do they call them, let's see, correspondents. I was the first correspondent student. It was me and one other person. And we got tapes of the classes from the very beginning. And so in that way I was participating. And I had met Geshe-la.  But I wasn't there physically. I had a job that I had to finish up. So I didn't get to go for two years. But then I was there.

CK: Then you were there. And I know you met a lot of the earliest people, and I think that I'm going to invite you to talk with us at another time, more about that.

VJ: Okay.

CK: So I invite our audience to stay tuned and tune back in. So thank you very much today, we appreciate it.

VJ: Okay, you're welcome!

CK: And we'll see you in Kyoto!

VJ: Yes!