Being a gelong brings many more extra benefits. It says in the text: “The merit a lay person can collect in 100 years, an ordained person can collect in one day. These are the benefits of living in ordination, every day is like that."

Some people ask why it is necessary, in the modern world, to live an ordained life. Is it really necessary when one can practice Dharma and achieve enlightenment as a lay person?

Some Western monks and nuns have got the habit when they sit down of bringing their legs up too high and then bringing them down, which exposes their secret places. When Lama and I first came to the West, we were at Geshe Sopa’s place.

You asked whether there is a time when it is appropriate to wear sleeves, for example, when you go to Europe, to look more normal, or in cool weather. Generally, it is better not to wear sleeves.

If someone asks you why you are wearing robes, you can say:

I want to emphasize how important it is to wear robes properly because people’s devotion and interest, being drawn to Buddhism, to the Dharma, planting the seed of liberation and full enlightenment, depends on how you behave.

My very dear one,Please wear this very short zen. It doesn’t mean you are going to get shorter, not at all! Don’t misunderstand. HA HA HA. Maybe [wear the zen] when you do prostrations and any other time you like.

Rinpoche: One time in Varanasi, when Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was teaching Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand from his notes, I was invited to his room and asked to scratch his back. I did it just a little.

My very dear one,I was very happy to receive your kind letter.That is very important, what you discovered during retreat, discovering one’s own life, one’s own mind—that is the benefit of retreat.

To travel around and teach in the world would be very good at the moment. Then, after six months you can do retreat, to recharge your batteries. Your retreat could be lamrim with preliminary practices.