“Listen,” says Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in this charming video, “the most important thing in your life is to play. It is!” He swirls a hand around the temple room he’s in, indicating all of the surroundings: “This whole thing we have here is all for play. So play! To have fun is so important.”

“Next important,” Rinpoche continues, “is to be kind.” Then the kids visiting with him help Rinpoche enumerate the various ways we can be kind: “Sharing.” “Loving.” “Caring.” “Respecting other people.”

It is, of course, advice for us all. As Rinpoche says, “Don’t lose this state of mind!”

Transcript

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: You are all older than me. I am only two. You enjoy it here? Have a lot of fun? What kind of fun?

Child: Happiness.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Happiness? Fantastic.

Child: Peace.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Okay. Do you have something to ask me? Anything?

Listen, the most important thing in your life is to play. You understand? It is. The whole thing we have here, is all for play. You understand? So, play. To have fun is so important. All the way. Parents may say “Don’t play.” Don’t listen. You understand? You have to play. If you don’t play now, by the time you get old, and my age. You can’t play. No fun anymore. You understand? So play as much as you can, and you want. You got it?

Next, important is to be kind. Do you know what is kind?

Child: Sharing

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Sharing, what else?

Child: Loving.

Child: Caring.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: What else? That’s about it, actually. Caring, sharing, loving, respecting other people. That’s so important. First, most important is what? Playing. The second? Be kind. The rest is details. Education. Jobs. It doesn’t matter.

(laughter)

So, I tell you what, don’t grow up. They tell you to grow up fast. Don’t grow up. You must take a long time to grow up. Twenty, maybe even thirty. Don’t lose this state of mind. Don’t grow up.

Okay, so, first, what is it?

Children: Play,

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Second?

Children: Be kind.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Third?

Children: Don’t grow up.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Fantastic. Now, fourth. Except him (points to cameraman), don’t tell your parents what I tell you.

(laughter)

You promise?

Children: Yes.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: Okay. That’s it. I have to go now. I have to go and do adult games, but very boring. Okay, before I go, I want you to remember. First?

Children: Playing. Be kind. Don’t grow up.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: You can tell me how much you are playing. All of that you can tell me, you understand? I can give you my email, or whatever.