The Proust Questionnaire with Khenpo Sodargye

In June 2016, renowned Chinese journalist Yi Lijing traveled to Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, situated at 4,000 meters above sea level, to interview Khenpo Sodargye, a distinguished Tibetan Buddhist master. At this pivotal moment, the Khenpo had just endured profound life changes: his body was still recovering from a six-hour surgery, his mother had recently passed away, and the Buddhist Academy was facing major restructuring. Against this backdrop of impermanence and upheaval, Yi Lijing ascended to the high plateau with the Proust Questionnaire in hand, seeking to document how a spiritual practitioner confronts loss and the ever-changing nature of existence. This was more than just an extraordinary interview—it was a deep exploration of spiritual wisdom. When the person closest to him had departed, when the external world was in flux, what was the inner state of a practitioner believed to have "transcended life and death"? How could he maintain focus on his duties after losing his beloved mother? How does one balance filial love with spiritual attainment? This dialogue reveals the most authentic, human side of a spiritual master while showcasing the profound insights of Buddhist wisdom when facing life's ultimate questions. 20166