'Religion is a human construct'

He was identified and recognized as the 14th Tongkhor Rinpoche by His Holiness The Dalai Lama when he was just two-and-a-half years old.

- Ritwik Mukherjee of The Statesman

Siling Tongkhor Rinpoche was enthroned at Sera Mey Monastic University in Mysore. Rinpoche is currently focusing on development of his own spiritual progression and is often invited to teach and speak at a number of dharma centers and international conferences on Buddhism, compassion and humanity.

In a freewheeling interview with Ritwik Mukherjee of The Statesman, he delves at length on wide-ranging issues like growing social and religious tensions, consumerism, food habits, concept of Shunya and Shunuyata, and much more.

Q. Why is it that India, which had once shown the path to peace, non-violence and tolerance to the rest of the world, is now often troubled by religious strife, communal tension, social unrest and intolerance?

A: It is true that in ancient India, despite our differences and even foreign invasions, we maintained mutual respect and fundamental human kindness. We did not lose our way even in the darkest times. Today's crisis is not about new conflicts, but about how modern tools amplify old divisions.

Social media, algorithms and AI, designed to maximize engagement, often spread fear and mistrust faster than truth and understanding. What were once manageable differences have become digital wildfires of suspicion. Buddha's wisdom remains relevant, 'Do not believe something just because you heard it, even from someone you respect'. We must investigate, verify, and acknowledge that our personal views may not reflect the complete truth. The irony is striking - in an age with unprecedented access to information and connection, we are losing the art of respectful disagreement that our ancestors mastered centuries ago. The solution lies not in using modern tools to silence those we disagree with, but in combining our traditional wisdom of tolerance with critical thinking for the digital age. True power lies not in our capacity to destroy, but in our wisdom to show restraint.