I don't think I've changed anything, but I hope that by my talks I have encouraged people in their practice. That's as much as any of us can do.

I never really wondered about getting from London to Lahaul. It all seemed such a natural progression. In London I felt I was in the wrong place and wanted to leave. I'd thought about going to Australia or New Zealand. It's nothing against England, but I knew I wasn't meant to be there.

Still all the tulkus being born are men.

Even if one isn't a committed Buddhist, it just helps us become better human beings.

The big lamas coming from Tibet, Ladakh, India - everywhere - have been very friendly. But I don't figure in their world. For one thing, being Western puts you outside the limits. A token female doesn't hurt - there's only one.

We have met with the dharma. Many of us have met with teachers. We do have some idea of what to do and how to practice. And we should not be lazy.

There are other ways of benefiting than by being a recognized tulku and sitting on a throne.