Growing up with Rinpoche: Paying homage to White Tara, the saviouress
Tsem Rinpoche paying homage to White Tara, the saviouress
Having had the fortune of meeting Rinpoche when she was just 11 years old, the ‘Growing up with Rinpoche’ series captures Pastor Jean Ai’s growth under Rinpoche’s guidance. In this series, she recounts some of Rinpoche’s myriad Dharma activities to benefit sentient beings.
A student and devotee of White Tara had commissioned a 5-foot statue for his home. Having requested Rinpoche to bless and consecrate the statue, White Tara was escorted to the Ladrang where, upon sight, Rinpoche immediately paid homage to her and gave a short teaching on White Tara‘s sacred iconography and the benefit of making big Buddha statues.
This is a marked change from the days even before Kechara, when Rinpoche first arrived in Malaysia and began to introduce the concept of big statues to his students. Back then, in the late 1990s, most Malaysians did not even know who Lama Tsongkhapa was, let alone the benefits of having a 5-foot statue in their homes. In fact, many would balk at the idea of inviting home a 12-inch statue! So back in the 1990s (and even the early 2000s), I would often hear:
- “Aiyah, I don’t have enough space at home.”
- “My altar so crowded lah, how can fit?”
- “Why his hat so pointy?
- “Eh if I buy, every day must make offerings ah?”
Not only did people not understand the value of a large Buddha statue, but such statues simply were not readily available here in South East Asia. However, through Rinpoche’s tireless efforts to educate people and to make the statues available, we see now more and more practitioners inviting large statues into their homes. It has been a journey of nearly 20 years to reach this point.
People from countries with a strong Buddhist tradition might find this unusual. In countries like Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan, the people have no qualms or hesitation about inviting large statues home because they are raised in an environment surrounded by large statues, and taught from young about the benefits. Imagine being raised in Kathmandu for example, and just outside your front door are the huge statues at the foothill of Swayambunath Stupa.
Thanks to Rinpoche’s efforts, more and more Malaysians are inviting large statues into their homes. Pictured here is Pastor David‘s living and dining room, with his altar featuring a 3-foot Lama Tsongkhapa statue.
In Malaysia however, it is quite a different story because we are raised to value different things. Not that it is good or bad, but it is just different. Buddhism, particularly the Tibetan tradition, is also relatively new so we have some catching up to do. Hence it is wonderful that these days, the conversation here has changed. Nowadays, I often hear:
- “Which material better for our weather, wood or metal?”
- “I want, I want. Only 5 feet ah? Can be bigger?”
- “How long will it take to make? Can ask Pastor for help to check the iconography?”
- “What do I need to put inside the statue?”
Rinpoche has asked us before what statues we would like for our altars. It is something I think about a lot because there are so many deities, how do you decide on just one?! But that is for indecisive me, maybe you already know what you want. So what about you, what statue are you going to bring home for your altar? 😉
Originally posted: http://wp.me/p3DGTa-1nq
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
It is very true that due to our background and living environment, many of us Malaysian do not understand the significant of having big statues at home because we only see big statues at temples or Buddhist centers.
Due to Rinpoche compassion and kindness, dharma teachings are available online and we have well trained pastors and senior members who share dharma whenever people need it. Anyone can access information about the benefits of having Buddha statues through Rinpoche’s blog or talk to any of our pastors. Those who have learnt the benefits of big statues, they are open to invite big statue home when they are able to do so.
In a traditional Chinese family in Malaysia, the size of the statue is usually 8 inches or smaller. Anything taller than 1 foot people will have the perception that the statue should be put in the temple, not in the house. This is because most of the people in Malaysia don’t know much about Dharma.
I didn’t know much about Buddhism before but because of Rinpoche’s blog, I have learnt so much about how to collect merits and benefit others and ourselves. Now, I wish to have a big statue in the house too. One of the benefits of having a big statue is it brings harmony and create a very positive energy in the house.