"T" in Tibet

T is a former high-level, Tibetan Buddhist monk (or lama) who is now a Christian. He had lived at the lamasery (a monastery of lamas) since the age of five when his parents left him there in order to gain merit. As he grew older, he was a good and dedicated lama who quickly rose to become a leading, teaching lama, training others about Buddhism.

One day a Christian visited the lamasery and left T with three Bible scriptures. They were so impacting to T that he sent three of his lower monks to find a Bible to see if the scriptures were real. The younger monks found a Bible for him. T searched through the Bible, found the verses, and said, “I found the scriptures and they have touched me, but unless God speaks to me directly I cannot serve Him.”

Shortly thereafter T heard news that his mother was very ill. He decided to leave the lamasery to be with her but she passed away before he got home. When T arrived, his family blamed him for his mother’s death, saying, “Because you left the lamasery, our mother is dead.” T was crushed that he had lost not only his mother but his entire family. Disillusioned with life, he did not return to the lamasery but took the small amount of money he had to start a business, but it quickly failed. T felt he had lost everything and decided to go to the river and drown himself.

At 3:00 am on a deserted road next to the river, T heard a voice say, “Where are you going?” T was startled and looked around, but no one was there. He continued to walk when he heard the voice again saying, “Where are you going?” Again he looked but saw no one. After taking a few more steps he heard the voice again, but much louder, “Where are you going?” This time he stopped and said, “I’m going to the river to drown myself. I have nothing to live for.” The voice answered, “No you’re not. I have plans for you!” T immediately dropped to his knees and gave his life to Christ. T is now married, has a young daughter, and his ministry is targeting other Buddhist lamas with the gospel!