Tsem Rinpoche in an American ‘Tantric Dress’!!!
Click on photo to view bigger if you like
I was around 18 years old when this picture was taken..in courtyard of Fenmore Apts on Sunset Blvd in 1983 where I lived in a studio apt.
I had left New Jersey, hitchiked across to California. Living in a small studio Apt on the famous Sunset Strip or Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. I could walk to Hollywoold Blvd where the Walk of the Stars was in 25mins flat from my apt. I was in the heart of ‘it’ all.
I was on my own, working at Fotomat in a kiosk (photo below). Those little one-man photo kiosks on Sunset Blvd making barely enough money to survive. Making friends with rock band lead singers wannabes, porno stars, prostitutes, agents, small time actors, and models who walked the sunset strip to come to Fotomat to develop their film.
There was the guy in a rock band, with long curly hair, hanged over, smoking a cigarette and wearing neat red boots staggering down to my little shop to develop film. He talked about rock and roll gigs on the strip he was singing at nites to earn a living, booze, drugs parties, the women and hangovers and hung out at my shop once in a while. He looked cool in his dark glasses staggering to develop film or just hang out…he had the usual morning hangovers.
I liked his whole rock look and the red boots. He said he got it at Fred Segal’s on Melrose Ave for around US80!! On my next paycheck, I ran down to Melrose got myself a pair of the same red boots (they had my size!!! thank god i thought at the time!!), wore an earring and went to work at Fotomat to meet my rock hero. Hehe. He was too hung over to be impressed with my boots that looked like his, but i thought it was neat! But he did say my boots looked like his…i was like yeah they do don’t they, can I get in your band????? And be the lead singer??
My paycheck was like US$120 a week and I blew $80 on boots and starved that week BUT HEY, I THOUGHT I LOOKED COOL. That is why that time my waist was 29inches and inseam 34 inches. Now I’m like 44 inches with 34 inseam!! hehe.
When Geshe-la at the centre saw me in the boots, as you see me in this picture, he took a double take and didn’t say a thing and I just gulped…..
I wore those red boots for a year then painted them black with suede coloring and it lasted me another year! Then I was over the boot thingy.
I like the way Billy idol, Adam Ant and Punk Rockers looked that time…so I thought I’d dress like them. Hehe..I didn’t like the way Boy George looked but thought he had guts to be himself.
After work, took a bus down sunset home, when I came home to my apt, I would have one or two ppl hanging and playing Sylvester and they’d be smoking and I’d be doing my sadhana and prostrations. I did 100 a day. No matter how weird I looked, the dharma was in me! My friends thought I was super religious zealout freak and I didn’t care. Imagine doing your Vajra Yogini long sadhana with your friends in the same room singing to Syvester’s ‘You Make Me Feel, Mighty Real’?? But I could concentrate.
If you look real closely around my neck is a blessed red string THAT I GOT FROM HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA IN NEW JERSEY before I ran away to California. I wore that string everyday until it fell apart!! I totally believe in and loved HH Dalai Lama. My friends didn’t know who he was.
This was my altar in my studio apt of Fenmore Apts. I didn’t have money to buy statues, but I had alot of framed pics of high Lamas, yidams, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I had pics of HH Dalai Lama, Trijang Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, Tsongkapa, Zong Rinpoche, etc. Behind Dalai lama’s black and white photo, I have a great clay Shakyamuni I bought for US$5.00 because it was a second hand shop and He was used as a doorstop! So brought Him back, washed and cleaned Him and placed on my altar.I loved that Statue very much. Wonder what happened to Him, cos I left it with a student of Thubten Dhargye Ling’s when I left California in 1987 forever.I would do my 100 prostrations a day and sadhanas in front of this altar. On the right was my single mattress bed on the floor with a reddish-blue blanket from a 2nd hand shop.
I worked in a Fotomat Kiosk in a parking lot on Sunset Blvd in 1983-84 time. It looked just like this except the one I was in had a bluish room. People would drive in from up from both sides to drop off film to be developed and come a few days later to pick up the pictures. A van would come daily to pick up all the negatives for developing and finished pictures.
When I worked in Fotomat, I was asked hundreds of times if I was Chinese, Japanese, Half-White/Half Asian, Mexican, Jewish (?), Italian and even if I was Polish???? I was like Polish? But they asked.
In the evenings walking across my kiosk were many prostitutes who stopped by to chat. And you know, they were really nice ppl who were down and out. Nobody liked being a prostitute. I felt so bad for them. And glad I had this Fotomat job, because I was asked to be a male prostitute many times.
During the day in the kiosk there were times there wasn’t even one customer for hours…so I would happily do my long sadhana of Vajra Yogini and Heruka and many mantras. I was like doing this in the Fotomat shop almost everyday because I had alot of Sadhanas and mantras to do. I liked it too.
In the evenings at Fotomat I would get robbed at least once a week. They’d walk up with a gun, tell me to put the money in a Fotomat envelope, pass it to them and then sit on the floor. Sitting on the floor wasn’t easy because I am 6’2″inches and the kiosk was tiny. Then after they left, I called the cops and they were like yeah, yeah, I know..it’s you again from Fotomat. They were bored and I was bored. I got their reports weekly to submit to my manager so Fotomat can claim insurance. The cops never did anything. No one got caught or hurt. After a while, I’d know when he’d be coming and see him walking up with a cover on his face, and I’d get the money ready, pass it to him and sit on the floor and ask ‘how’s the kids’!! It was ridiculous, but it was real robberies. Sounds like a sitcom or something or some ‘Saturday Night Live’ spoof, but that is what happened for weeks.
This was me in the Fotomat Shop snapped by a customer and gave me the picture. It’s the only one I have of me in the Fotomat kiosk on Sunset Blvd. I worked in three kiosks. One on Santa Monica Blvd, Sunset Blvd and a bigger kiosk on Beverly/ Wilshire Blvd.
This was happening before, during and after I met HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.I was at Fotomat for a while.
Tsem Rinpoche
大家好。我也发现自己挺怪异的……
请看看过去我在哪里工作，在哪居住，及我在洛杉矶做些什么……嘻嘻。当我独自抵达那里时，我只有16岁。当时我得找份工作和落脚的地方。
我马上设起自己的佛坛。这篇博客的题目我写成“美国密续装”。嘻嘻嘻。是的，当时的我非常年轻，也更怪异，我也曾是一名青少年。嘻嘻嘻。请好好欣赏！
詹仁波切的美国“密续装”
请点击放大图片
这张照片是我大约18岁时拍的，1983年，在我所居住的公寓庭院，位于日落大道的芬摩尔公寓。
我离开了新泽西，搭顺风车横跨美国到加利福尼亚州。后来我在西好莱坞著名的日落大道找到一间一室公寓住了下来。星光大道离我的公寓只有25分钟路程而已，我可以步行到好莱坞大道。我就住在这些城市的中心。
当时我独自一人在Fotomat一间冲洗照片的小店内工作（照片如下）。在这间位于日落大道的一人运作的小店工作，仅够我勉强维持生活。我在这里和各种各样的人打交道，有梦想当摇滚乐队主唱的人、色情片明星、妓女、代理人、小明星及模特儿，他们经过日落大道到Fotomat来冲洗照片。
有一位摇滚乐队的团员，他留着一头披肩的蜷曲长发，口中叼着一根烟，穿着一双很抢眼的红色靴子，摇晃地踏进我的小店冲洗照片。他偶尔在我的店里逗留，告诉我他在日落大道驻唱以维持生活的事，谈酗酒、毒品派对和女人。他戴一副很酷的太阳眼镜，摇摇晃晃地到我的店里来冲洗照片，或只是逗留一会儿……他每早都有宿醉的样子。
我很喜欢他的摇滚造型及红色靴子，他说他在莫洛斯尔大道的Fred Segal 以80美金买的！于是我领到薪水后，便马上到莫洛斯尔大道买了一双一模一样的靴子。（当时我想，谢天谢地，他们竟然有我的尺码！）接着我戴上了耳环，回到Fotomat工作，见我的摇滚英雄。嘻嘻！可惜当时他太醉了，不能好好欣赏我这双与他一样的靴子，我自己则觉得超好看的。不过他有说我的靴子和他的很像，我回答说，是呀是呀，我可以参加你的乐队吗？可不可以成为主唱呢？
当时我的薪水只有一星期120美金，我花了80美金买靴子，结果那个星期只好挨饿了。不过，嘿，我觉得自己酷毙了！所以你明白为什么那时候我的腰围只有29寸，裤管内长34寸！现在我的腰围有44寸，裤管内长34寸。嘻嘻！
当佛教中心里的格西拉看到我穿着这双靴子时，就像你在照片中看到的一样，他多看了我一眼，不过没说什么，我倒抽了一口气……
这双红靴子我穿了一年，然后我把它染成黑色，再穿上一年。之后我对靴子的热情也就消退了。
那个时代，我很喜欢比利爱多尔、亚当安特及朋克摇滚的造型，因此我便模仿他们的的穿着。嘻嘻！我不喜欢乔治男孩的形象，不过我觉得他很有勇气，敢于做自己。
每天下班后，我搭车回到自己位于日落大道的小公寓。我有一两位朋友呆在我那儿弹唱西尔维斯特的歌及抽烟，而我则修诵仪轨和做大礼拜，我每天做100次大礼拜。尽管我外表看来怪异，但我内心却非常热爱佛法！我的朋友认为我是宗教狂热分子，我不管他们。想象一下，你在持诵金刚瑜伽母的仪轨，你的朋友就在你身旁唱着西尔维斯特的“You Make Me Feel, Mighty Real”？不过我却能专注地做持诵。
如果你仔细观察，便可以看到我颈上有一条红色的绳子。那是我逃往加利福尼亚之前，在新泽西那里从嘉瓦仁波切手中得到的。我每天都戴着这条绳子，直到它断了为止。我对至尊嘉瓦仁波切有很大的信念，也非常爱戴他，但我的朋友都不知道他是谁。
这是我位于芬摩尔公寓里的佛坛。我没有钱买佛像，不过我有很多镶在相框里的高僧喇嘛、本尊、佛菩萨的照片。比如至尊嘉瓦仁波切、赤江仁波切、林仁波切、堪索洛桑达庆仁波切、格西簇亲格而辛、宗喀巴大师、宋仁波切等的照片。在嘉瓦仁波切的黑白照后面，我有一尊以5美元买回来的陶制释迦牟尼佛像，这是在一家二手店买的，人们把祂当作门垫，于是我把祂买回来，洗干净后供奉在我的佛坛上。我很喜欢这尊佛像。后来我在1987年离开加利福尼亚的时候，把祂送给一位在图登达杰林的学生，不知道这尊佛像现在下落如何？我每天都在这个佛坛前做100次的大礼拜，然后持诵仪轨文。佛坛右边是我的单人床，地上那件红蓝相间的被子是我在二手店买的。
1983至1984年间，我在日落大道停车场的Fotomat小相馆工作，不过我的小相馆是蓝色的。人们驾车经过我的店并把底片留下，过几天才来领冲洗好的照片。每天公司都会派货车来收集所有的底片以做冲洗工作。
在小相馆工作的时候，我被人问了上百次我是不是华人、日本人、中美混血儿、墨西哥人、犹太人、意大利人、甚至波兰人？我长得像波兰人吗？不过他们就这样问我。
傍晚时分，很多路过的妓女会停下来与我聊天。你知道吗，她们都是好人。她们只因环境穷困所逼而当妓女。没有人喜欢当妓女，我为她们感到难过。多得Fotomat这份工作，很多时候我被问及是否要当男妓。
有时候，白天好长的一段时间内都没有一个顾客上门，于是我很高兴地修诵金刚瑜伽母和胜乐金刚的仪轨及其他心咒。我喜欢几乎每一天都在Fotomat的小相馆里这么做，因为我有很多的仪轨和心咒必须修诵。我也喜欢修诵仪轨和心咒。
这是我在遇见至尊宋仁波切之前、期间和之后的事。我在Fotomat工作了好一段时间。
晚间在Fotomat工作的时候，我一个星期至少被抢劫一次。他们拿着枪，要我把钱放进Fotomat的信封然后递给他们，接着要我坐在地上。坐在地上对我来说很吃力，因为我身高6尺2寸，店面又很狭小。 劫匪离开后，我致电报警，警察说：是，是，我知道，又是来自Fotomat的电话。他们很烦，我也很烦。我每个星期都向警察领报告，然后呈交给我的经理以索取保险赔偿。警察根本都没做什么，从来没有人被逮捕或受伤。后来我学乖了，我大约知道他们什么时候会来，而当我看到他们蒙着脸出现时，我会把钱准备好，交给他们然后坐在地上，问他：“孩子们还好吗”。这实在荒谬，但这是千真万确的抢劫！它听起来就像是喜剧的情节，或《周末夜现场》的恶搞情节，不过这是每个星期发生的真实故事。
这是我在Fotomat工作的照片。当时一位顾客拍了照片然后送给我。这是我在日落大道Fotomat工作的唯一照片。我在三间小店内工作，一间在桑达莫妮卡大道，一间在日落大道，还有一间较大的在比威利/威斯尔大道。
詹仁波切
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Rinpoche always looks great in whatever clothing Rinpoche wears. Especially during Rinpoche’s modelling days 😍. Really miss you so much Rinpoche and not having you around to write new blog stories. Hope you come home soon to give us more dharma talks. 🙏😘☸️🕉
Despite of all those hardships, Rinpoche had gone through, with Rinpoche having a strong imprint, courage and determination Rinpoche was where today. Rinpoche had to work at Fotomat, for a living to support himself , got robbed , meeting customers and so forth. Rinpoche yet remained happy as Rinpoche could carry on as usual doing long sadhana of Vajra Yogini and Heruka and many mantras.
Back at his studio apt of Fenmore Apts, Rinpoche could do sadhana and prostrations in the room while his friends will be singing. Not everyone could concentrate with the noise but Rinpoche could. That’s incredible in such a situation.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Rinpoche’s encounter happening before during and after Rinpoche met HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Its an encouragement , inspiration for us .
Dear Rinpoche,
I have always enjoyed reading Rinpoche’s story. Even more so now ( it’s been a week now since Rinpoche has came out from Thukdam on 6/9/2019). I’m almost in tears but holding back as I’m in the coffee shop. Not knowing where and what to do next. Sorry for that… Huh…
Thank you Rinpoche for this blog. My little comfort for ‘talking’ to Rinpoche. Please return swiftly, show signs of reincarnation and please turn the Dharma Wheel again Rinpoche.
Back to this article: If there’s a ‘pause’ button and we can rewind the time, I wonder if Rinpoche would like to change any of the scripts? However, I think Rinpoche will not change a thing because it’s the little experiences that we had had helped to shape the person we are now. Definitely! I always use past experiences especially those mistakes that I’ve made to be a better person than I were.
Hence, that’s why Rinpoche can easily relate it to any of us and give us the best advice according to circumstances and not pushing us to do Dharma using the traditional ways such as becoming monks or nuns albeits it’s the best method. Rinpoche will give us method to counter our delusions not only through prayers but also by action such as honouring our parents and respect other people’s faith. That’s why we are so close to Rinpoche even though we might be few hundreds or thousands kilometres away. I’m glad that even though Rinpoche was in the middle in samsara (with the red boots too!) and yet what Rinpoche had in mind was Dharma. Rinpoche has always dream in becoming a monk. It’s not easy to hold the samaya, do the hundreds over pages of sadhana and retreats while working to support oneself in Dharma.
Due to this, Rinpoche understood that it’s not easy and I think that’s the reason why Rinpoche supported many of the students financially, from renting rooms, phone bills, car loan, food and etc. I believe the list is long. Thank you Rinpoche for being the best example for us.
1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
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Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
I had just finished the post on Rinpoche’s biography recently and I came across this post. I inspired of how focused Rinpoche is in his spiritual practice. Imagine ourselves doing a few hours of sadhana while your friend is singing loudly at our back and Rinpoche still can contrate. It is amazing on how firm and determine Rinpoche is.
Despite of all those hardships, Rinpoche is still on the spiritual path with his undivided faith and attention. What makes it even more amazing us Rinpoche lives in Los Angeles, the home of stars.
With that much of samsaric distraction around the area, it is certainly extremely difficult to be spiritual.
Humbly.
Chris chog
Like any other teenagers, Rinpoche likes rock music, like to look cool and hot with his expensive RED BOOTS. But doing what other teenagers do not have to do was, Rinpoche working 3 jobs in a day, he still do his Sadhana, meditation, prostration, clean the temple etc. At the time, that age, that situation, many people had chose to accept the easy money, got into drug etc.
Rinpoche worked triple hard compare with other kids in his age. Rinposhe knew what he wants and why is he here. Rinpoche did everything for the sake of dharma without any other excuses of saying tired. Rinpoche do not need any one to push him.
Today, Rinpoche given even more of his time to Kechara, He endured all the fever, headache, back pain, restless nights, to teach, to blog, to deal with problem students, yet Rinpoche still continue to teach because His guru said so. We shall feel very fortunate and grateful that most of the students do not have to work outside to support themselves so that they can do dharma work. We should stop complaining. What Rinpoche wants is just do our work well in Kechara.
This is a true story from an enlighten Guru, even in a worse situation that may cause harm for him he still treat the robber with compassion.
This article show that there are many abnormal story behind Rinpoche but this do not make Rinpoche fail to be our Guru as today. He not give up to practice Dharma to benefit us. Thanks Rinpoche with fold hands _/\_ form the bottom of my heart.
Many people has been thinking that doing Spiritual practice will have to give up secular work completely and be a monk or nun, but in fact, it is not, being a monk / nun doesn’t solve the problem if we still have lots of attachment, ego, etc.
But when we can focus on our spiritual practice, even in our daily work, we can still do it, it is just depend on how we can get it’s balance. The balance of Spiritual and secular.
rinpoche s nice alter.Amazing storry for rinpoche.thank you.
dear rinpoche 看了这个密续装，心里有个想法，想的是， 原来在年轻时僧人也有跟我们一些相同的喜爱动作和喜爱某些东西，心理感到很亲切。从心感受到您对佛法的诚恳心和修持，真令人敬佩，学习，也有着正确的想法
Oh yes, that little fotomat parking lot brings back flooding memories. First time I see him, knew he was something special. Had no idea how special!!! All his friends say he smell like a giant incense stick, all his clothes smell of incense. When he worked in banks and offices, all the lady’s liked him,because he was different, good to be around. Great sense of humor no matter how tough times got. Always respectful of his teacher Geshe-la, help around the centre no matter how busy he was.
Nice story… hehe! mixture of hardwork, hardship, “cute but scary” robbery experience… hehe.
Surprisingly I had same job as Rinpoche, when I was about 16 years old due to family financial difficulty, I had to work part time to earn pocket money and I also worked in a photo shop, did the same things as what Rinpoche was doing at Fotomat but I was lucky because no robber come to see me every week. hehe.
Personally it is not easy to concentrate when doing sadhana at a place with a lot of distractions. This is the challenge I really want to overcome, I love to do prayer in a small, cold and quiet room with beautiful altar and scented incense 🙂
Another point which I admired Rinpoche very much is your strong principle towards those “easy-money” jobs. Although life was tough for you plus surrounded by so many negative attractions but you never ever touch and join their way of living. Exactly like the lotus in the muddy water.
Thank you for sharing Rinpoche, your life is a very good learning example for us.
Take good care,
With love,
VP
After reading Rinpoche’s story for a second time, the bitter-sweet sensation still persists. It is sweet to see the purity from which Rinpoche viewed those who were labeled “outcasts” of society. At the same time, it is saddening to read about so much bitterness and difficulties that cloud the lives of so many in samsara. This duality in perception is certainly caused by the state of my mind that is still influenced by the 3 poisons that causes. However, if one’s mind is enlightened like Rinpoche’s, one will be able to see through all the delusions of samsara and realize we are all one and the same.
Rinpoche was able to be in the deep-end of samsara but maintained the goodness of Dharma in Rinpohce’s actions. This shows that true practice of Dharma is all from within: regardless of our environment, we have the ability to live out our Dharma learning. In fact, the harsher the environment, the more conducive it is for pure Dharma practice. This is why we should follow the foot steps of enlightened beings like Avalokiteshvara and Tsem Rinpoche and aspire to be reborn in the worst conditions to benefits the “lost causes” there.
Rinpoche’s teenage life story in the US is so interesting and inspiring, Rinpoche can overcome all odds and difficulties on his own without any help.I really liked what Rinpoche said “No matter how weird i looked the dharma was in me”. He can even focus his sadhanas, mantras recitation and prostrations with friends smoking and playing music in his room, this shows that Rinpoche is so deeply and sincerely committed to his dharma practice no matter what environment he is in.
It is very inspiring that we can see Rinpoche has been always finding time to do his Dharma practices, such as doing Sadhana and mantras during the quiet times in kiosk, and doing long Vajra Vogine sadhana while his friends are in the same room singing. It is showing me that every moment we can also do our practice!
Like the saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” How real and meaningful this could be in the case of Rinpoche’s young life. When in the heart of Los Angeles, gorgeous, young, and energetic Rinpoche at 18, was really “living it up” at clubs in and around sunset Boulevard and west Hollywood with many friends in the 80s. He likes the way Billy idol, Adam Ant and punk rockers looks at that time….. “so I thought I dress like them, hehe…”. But, despite all these, Rinpoche never forgets his spiritual commitments/practice, no matter how late he stayed up/or out. He always make it a point to finish Sadhana before going to bed!! “Dharma was always of the utmost importance; everthing else is secondary”, as what was affirmed by Rinpoche in his beautiful book, “The Promise”. It is truly indeed a state of the mind! What a teaching, a great many thanks and deep appreciation for the sharing, Rinpoche.
A high Lama’s aspiration and motivation never changes no matter what they have to go through to bring benefits to others. Thank you Rinpoche for being you. We love you.
As a teenager,Rinpoche got himself totally immersed in the pop culture of the ’80s, living in the heart of it(so to speak). What with the robberies that became like a regular feature of his life then, too. All very exciting and distracting on the surface.
Yet deep inside was the real Rinpoche, very Dharmic, fulfilling all his Dharma commitments with sharp focus – doing his daily sadhanas and practices even in the Fotomat Shop!
Yet there is no ‘contradiction’ nor personality conflict. All the ‘labels’ that have been the outside personalities of Rinpoche, the hippie-like, ‘rock star’ persona of the ’80s and the monk of today – have been seamlessly woven together by a heart of great compassion, of selfless commitment to serving others and unwavering Guru Devotion.
Rinpoche, I did not know you were so rock. I like to do chant mantra when I am driving too. I wish I could learn from you as much as possible.
Thanks Rinpoche that always feed us with good information.
Rinpoche has shared a very interesting story with us especially the robber part. Rinpoche even ask how’s the kids of the robber! Yes it sounds very dramatic, but I guess what Chinese always says “人生如戏，戏如人生” is right. 🙂
rinpoche, the buddha image is beautiful. u still have the statue with u now? i think it’s in japanese form..
I showed this to customer in Outlet, first question will be : ” Your Guru so Leng Zai ! (Handsome in Cantonese)”. Dharma can be fun and it is fun as well.
Look at Rinpoche’s early altar in Fenmore Apts. Busy but look very warm, who said we cannot have more than 3 Buddha on the same altar? LOL.
At the age of 16,17,18, what were we chasing/looking for?
Love the story!
Thank you for sharing your story again.
It helps to remind us despite all the difficulties in life we will be able to overcome it when you have the will you will find a way.
Just like when I decided to stop taking meat 2 months ago, my mum was the one who went like “huh it’s not good for your health, what about the soup that I cook… Etc etc…” 2 months passed my mum has gradually accepted but she still insist that I should take fish which of course I avoided as well. Let’s wait or another 2 months ^_^
But nonetheless the story is aspiring and we should continue to pursue dharma no matter what our circumstances and most importantly stop making excuses for not doing our daily sadhanas if Rinpoche can do it so can we ^_^
great to know. thank you to share. it is interessing to learn that you ve been throught all this ! 🙂 make us feel closer to you. 🙂
It’s good to understand the culture in the 80’s to know what were the prevalent influencing forces. Pop culture were strong, people were getting caught up with labels, fashion, music and clubbing, education on AIDS increased due to the many lives and talents lost during that period. Inflation was the worry and I am sure Rinpoche’s parents wanted him to be in the mainstream of society, entering the american college and pursuing a successful career as that must be the hottest topic at dinner tables.
Well, looking at Rinpoche’s pictures, he was obviously welcomed fashion and Rinpoche sure looked good!! 🙂
But what is strikingly obvious is that Rinpoche enjoyed what was prevalent at that time but none of it was to be made into a mission for his life.
Can you imagine what a great loss it would be if that was Rinpoche’s mission in life… What mission would we like to make for our lives?
Rinpoche’s amazing story is a clear example of how our attitude towards seemingly impossible adversities determines the final outcome.If we respond positively to the stream of problems faced by us and refuse to surrender,we are likely to emerge victorious.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing your life experiences. From the experiences above, i feel Rinpoche very very patient with obstacles in life. Rinpoche live life to the fullest. Every moment live with Dharma apply in life. I am really amaze by the robbery in the shop.. to me it will be really traumatic, but, Rinpoche handle with patient. Another wonderful things, H.E grab whatever time he have to do prayers. Ya, i should do like this too, do mantras when i have time, and not wasting my mind thinking all the nonsense. Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching. _/\_
Rinpoche’s growing up years was “normal” like everyone of us but look how much Rinpoche has achieved compared to us.Through all the hardships and difficulties, Rinpoche persevere and never gave up what he wanted most of all – DHARMA.
Today, we have KECHARA with all the 13 departments and all these manifested because of the perseverance of a young boy, fighting against all odds growing up in America! THANK YOU, RINPOCHE!
This is the type of story that should be made into a movie or mini series that can inspire many.
读到Fotomat无聊到几个小时没有半个顾客和每周都“来访”的抢匪那段文字时，发现两者的比差好大。
无聊的时间可以安然自在地完成长长的仪轨，抢匪的到访变得家常到可以问候对方。唯有有一片安住自在的心，才可以在处于两个如此极端的状况里头，心的变化却是不大的。仁波切不仅能安然处之，还不忘关心来打家劫舍的匪徒，完全没有对立或伤害对方的念头。
环境总是无法控制的，连自己身体的变化都无法控制，能控制和学习驾驭的唯有自己的一颗心，这样才能让自己在处于环境变化时，仍能拨开云雾，看清状况。
感谢仁波切的分享。
“How’s the kids’!!!” What answer did you get from this question Rinpoche? This is so hilarious and a sign of kind people will never get hurt even in “bad” situations. It shows where your mind is at by asking such concern question to someone who is supposedly causing you “troubles”. You rock!
I used to have a leopard printed ankle boots which my mum hated so much LOL!! She threw it away after I wore it a few times haha… too Italian for her taste i guess…
Thank you for sharing this with us… I think Rinpoche look really cool in those red boot! (i may be a little biased here because I like boots lol!)
More importantly, thank you for sharing Rinpoche’s life story with us. I always felt it very inspiring and believe it or not, reading Rinpoche’s biography really helps me spiritually. How? The attitude, the devotion, trust, commitment and so much more. It is just so amazing how Rinpoche already has this in Himself, no one had to teach… while on the contrary to many of our situation (including mine…) our Guru needs to remind us again and again on things like these.
With all the distraction, vice activities and the era of the 90s of disco music, Rinpoche has full concentration on his prayers and dharma, and consistently doing it. It does not matter what the outlook of the person is, but what matters is his mind, commitment and passion.
As for the robbery that Rinpoche’s encounter almost every week of the evening, I find it very amazing, as after a while the unexpected as becomes expected, and the question that Rinpoche’s asked the face covered with paper bag on how’s the kids?, it really tickles my funny bone.
I have been asked a couple of times; if your Rinpoche is a high Lama, then why did he have to go through so much suffering, had red hair, went to discos, etc etc. My answer to them was simple: he went through all that, did what he did, did what he had to do, and look at where he is now? Then take a good look at ourselves, we went through all that, did what we did, did what we THOUGHT we had to do, AND LOOK AT US NOW!?!?
Lesson here is never to judge a Lama on how they choose to manifest. Look at the end result.
Yes, Mahasiddhas often go down to our levels so as to relate to ordinary folks like us. Their only motivation is to bring benefits to people through various skillful means. Sometimes , they may appear un-monkly. However, if we were to look further, we would see the results of their actions.
The only thing we know for certain is our own state of mind. One good training is to constantly check and work on improving our intention towards others.
from Yee Ling:
Dear Rinpoche, I love your story of your life in LA. You combined Dharma with living so smoothly and despite the hardship faced every challenge with such aplomb. Life as a homeless teenager must have been fraught with risk and difficulty but yet your story is one of freedom to live exactly as you want to and have Dharma as your guide. How wonderful to be so sure even at that age what you wanted in life. Many of us, myself included would have been tied down trying to do the “right” things and grow old wondering what happened!!! Thank you for sharing this story as it is so inspiring. I will make sure I get enough merits in this life so I know what I will be doing in my next life, even if it is as a worm circumambulating the Vajrayogini stupa, haha
Rinpoche was in an environment full of temptation but Rinpoche was so firm and determined, he was not distracted at all. Rinpoche could have his friends in the same room singing but Rinpoche would do his sadhana with full concentration.
Rinpoche liked to look trendy as well like anyone of us, but Rinpoche’s passion towards Dharma has never changed. To be a Buddhist, we do not have to change our appearance, we can still like rock and roll, shoes and clothes but the real practice is in our action, our attitude towards people and life.
Along with every thing that appears to be building inside this particular subject matter, many of your opinions happen to be relatively stimulating. Having said that, I appologize, but I do not subscribe to your entire suggestion, all be it refreshing none the less. It looks to me that your commentary are generally not completely justified and in simple fact you are generally your self not wholly confident of the assertion. In any event I did take pleasure in reading through it.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
You can never tell when as person is practicing Tantra or not. Because people who really practice Tantra are not supposed to tell another what they do or who their Gurus are. When Rinpoche was in L.A. although he use to mix around with non spiritual people he will dress the way his friends will dress. Like this he can still influence all his friends slowly to change their lifestyle from a non virtuous lifestyle to practice Dharma. You can still be with these people and superficially join them just like birds of a feather flock together but not doing the negative things that they do. At the same time you still can do your practice committedly.
Yes, it can be done! Living a normal secular life of making a living, struggling to make ends meet and yet being totally devoted to Dharma.
Many of us think that to be buddhist, we need to give up many things that we do. From Rinpoche’s example, we definitely have a very wrong perception. This brings me to contemplate on Rinpoche’s teaching of non-attachment and letting go.
In my mind, the above teaching goes like this, yes you can dress, look good and go meet friends and have fun. The importance is to go do all that but do not be attached to them, to the point that once we do not do all these things we get bored, depressed and useless.
More importantly be busy with the time of your life but not doing things that serves our pleasures but that of others.
Dear Kong Eu,
I am a hippy for sure.
Tsem Tulku
Rinpoche,
Just today, someone asked if I was a “hippie”. Considering we’re 30-40 years past that period, I replied “not exactly”. But of course, I know what she meant. ☺
I guess for some like me who’ve been wondering how our ambitions, desires & goals make any sense in our lives (& to all sentient beings!), there comes a time where all seemingly disparate aspects of our lives & mind will being to come together… When the karma ripens.
What additional insight to the realization that we live through unique experiences that make us unique individuals who can then relate better to others in future that we can help & care for.
Thank you.
Kong Eu
Rinpoche integrates dharma and life so seamlessly even as a young child and teenager. While others like myself would segregrate fun, work, dharma etc, Rinpoche combines it as one, and experiences every aspect of life from a Dharma perspective. That can only come from one with a tremendous amount of imprints from a past life.
What really strikes me when reading this post, is how happy Rinpoche is when he was in LA. He worked three jobs, and served his Guru at Thubten Dargye Ling, and cooked and cleaned and studied and attended teachings, hung out with friends, and on top of everything else maintain his sadhanas and commitments – he must have been busy and only had a few hours of sleep each night – but it sounds so joyous and a time full of happiness for him.
Rinpoche’s priority has always been Dharma, and I guess when one has imprints that strong, all other difficulties fade in comparison as long as Dharma can be received.
Dear Rinpoche,
It is a real eye opener to know someone like you. I realise the experiences that you have had during your early life had made you this way. Now, it seems that I cannot complain in my current life situation at all.
Rinpoche has allowed my two kids and me to view life differently. The two kids began to see each other differently and do not “individualise” so much their problems. We now have a better understanding of one another which we compromise on more incidents and situations. We chose to be more patient and give each other a better time.
Good news, our family just shifted to the latest Dharma house in Beverly Residence. This unit belongs to Phng Wee Liang. It is amazingly comfortable, it has a roof top for us too. It takes less than 10 minutes to our KH. Yes Rinpoche! You are so inspirational. Every of your sharing make us laugh and created so much of endorphin in our body. You make us healthy & happy. We wish to share our experience of you to our friends and family. May the one who has not known you, know you soon.
Lots of love from Joyce (11 years old), Adrian (13 years old) and Sabrina (46 years old). Thank you for your blessings before I depart to Houston, USA. (July) I have registered my own companies now and serving our Oil, Gas & Car Industries. Wish to learn & grow with our 12 departments and more!
I know this sounds TC but how else to describe Rinpoche except as the lotus that grows out of the muddy pond ….
At an impressionable age of 18 when most teens are easily influenced by the people they hang out with, Rinpoche stoically remained steadfast to his spiritual training. Can you imagine doing your prostration and sadhana while somebody is playing the records in the same room ?
He never judged nor criticized the prostitutes, instead befriended and felt sorry for them. If he were able to at that time I’m sure he would have helped them more.
Only someone with high attainments from countless lifetimes of training can remain untouched by all the vices around him and on top of it feels compassionate for these unfortunate people.
Rinpoche’s growing up stories is very inspiring! It shows his shining inner qualities. No matter where he goes, he will always keep his commitment in the Dharma consistently and with a lot of effort.
When he was sitting inside the Fotomat Kiosk with no customers, he will do his sadhana and mantras. Rinpoche nowadays is still like that – he will recite mantras wherever he is, inside a car, on an airplane or even when he is inside his own room, he is always consistent in his practise.
Rinpoche’s bedroom setup in the Fenmore apartment reminds me of our Dharma houses. Most of us have small altars like in the photo inside each bedroom. All of them have High Lama pictures and Buddha images. The Dharma house is an extension of Rinpoche’s vision during his teenager’s time.
Whatever Rinpoche mentioned and shared with us here, it help us in our own Dharma path, In the end, it gives us strength and also tells us that we are in good hands when we embark on our Dharma endeavors.
PAUL
I think Rinpoche when he was young in America was a real tough street wise kid , i think most of you would agree Rinpoche wasnt those typical Tibetan monks thats why many of us can relate to him. Rinpoche was so independant , never rely on anyone while in America yet with all the life obstacles in front of him , he never ever gave up , never take Dharma for granted but with all the problems he does Dharma more and more. Thats how we can learn from Him , how to incorporate Dharma in to our daily life.
Thats no way anyone after reading this post will think we have this and this problems , we have no time , we have no money and so on. Rinpoche had nothing back then , yet he serve a Guru DEVOTEDLY , he serve his centre DEVOTEDLY , he serve all others Guru DeEVOTEDLY and at the same still able to do all his practices , daily saddhanas and make a living out of it. My goodness ! Lastly by the way that photos of Rinpoche in red boots , if its me i dont think i can wear it lah.
Yes anila, Rinpoche worked 3 different jobs to make ends meet. Besides FOTOMAT, Rinpoche works in Mcdonalds and also hanging clothes at a departmental store. Rinpoche had to work hard to pay his bills and he did not want to take anything from the centre.
On top of this, in between jobs, Rinpoche will be helping in the centre and Rinpoche would do 2-3 hours of meditation during the week and 8 hours during weekends.
We often hear complains that we do not have enough time for dharma work and we refused to go beyond the call of “duty”. Rinpoche is a pure example that we can push ourselves. Yes, we can always give excuses that Rinpoche is different caused Rinpoche is highly attained BUT Buddha did say that there is a Buddha in all of us….does that mean Buddha is wrong?
Therefore, Rinpoche BIOGRAPHY (may it be print or via this blog and website)is very important as it will inspire and push many like myself towards REAL happiness.
I could tell that Rinpoche really had a tough time and yet because of the Dharma, Rinpoche was still happy to go through difficult times. This story really challenge the general perception that Lamas should be brought up as monks with halos, robes and live an austere live. Rinpoche breaks away from that and grew up just like one of us and yet held on tightly to the Dharma which reveal his innately spiritual mind. Hence, when Rinpoche teach, he teaches from experience of being one of us and so able to articulate our fears and delusions.
Although he had his younger years partying like many of us but his commitments and vows was never forsaken. It seemed second nature for rinpoche to uphold anything sacred and what’s great about Rinpoche, he never made a big show of outer or formal spiritual practice. It was just something he did because he believed that the Buddhas and his Lamas from the core of his being. What’s amazing, one can feel it through the funky earrings, red boots and disco garb. This spirituality maintain consistently through all his growing up years.
Just Imagine – In Tsem Rinpoche Apt, when he came home, the housemates hanging and playing or smoking and Rinpoche was doing his sadhana and prostrations.
Visualise the scenes, it’s weird but the dharma inside Rinpoche is so strong that, nothing matter anymore….
Rinpoche’s youth was difficult and grown under not so well environment, but he survived with the strong support of dharma, the imprint of dharma makes his mind very focus & firm. Outwardly, he like fashionable things, eg red boots.Deep down Rinpoche heart, only dharma thats matter the most.
This inspiring history of Rinpoche made me no excuse not to practice dharma,
This article strike me most was YOU STILL CAN BE YOURSELF BUT PRACTICE DHARMA, HOLD DHARMA HIGH.
I like the story very much, very dramatic yet Dharma
Thank you Rinpoche for this life story sharing.
I think I can relate to Rinpoche’s growing up years in Hollywood with tight jeans, dyed hair, red boots, rock music and discos because I am from that era. But that was as far as it goes because while I was enjoying life freely, Rinpoche was enjoying doing prostrations, sadhana and reciting mantras. So many worldly distractions in Hollywood but Rinpoche stayed true to his natural love for dharma. If it were me I think I would be stoned out almost daily with alcohol and drugs.
I believe Rinpoche chose to take re birth in Taiwan and grew up in USA before being ordained. Today, Rinpoche knows how the modern people feel and go through suffering and hence able to connect with all. How skilful!
In 1983-84, Rinpoche worked in a Fotomat Kiosk in a parking lot on Sunset Blvd. The funny thing Rinpoche has mentioned is robbed every week, can you imagine work in this kind of unexpected dangerous environment? I like to read Rinpoche post, because Rinpoche really can remember everything, even a small thing. And I also like Rinpoche’s altar very nice. We can he is fully of respect into his guru. In Rinpoche’s altar we can see his collected such as the pictures of HH Dalai Lama, Trijang Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, Tsongkapa and Zong Rinpoche show how deep his patient in Dharma.
His previous life imprint is very strong. And every article I has read that is full of Rinpoche’s love and care towards his guru.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche did not grow up in a monastery, he grew up in a very different environement, in various environements in fact, more information can be found on the following site: http://tsemtulku.com/biography/brief-biography/.
What is striking is how Rinpoche’s commitment to Dharma never waned, even through very difficult times, even when his friends would think of him as a “super religious zealous freak” (dixit), he’d go on, he knew better already. Imagine doing prayers while music is going on around, etc…
The imprint for Dharma must be so strong! Rinpoche is a true lama, and we can see it through, even when reading accounts of how he lived before he became ordained, the Dharma was always in him, always.
Compassion, dharma and spiritual connection had been imprinted in Tsem Rinpoche’s mind since he was born. His yearning to be close to dharma was so strong that he can focus and concentrate on doing his sadhanas consistently as well as prostrations in the midst of loud music, in the company of friends, smoke and Hollywood. This enforces my belief that imprints do leave a mark in our minds and this is clearly reflected in Tsem Rinpoche’s thoughts and actions.
Tsem Rinpoche is aware of the drawbacks and attractions in Hollywood but his love for dharma is even more. He wore his favorite red boots before he got tired of them. He gave up and renounced samsara.
Can you imagine, living in LA on Sunset Blvd?! Anyone of us would have gotten so caught up with what Hollywood has to offer! Rinpoche had a fantastic time but notice what he wore around his neck, how his room looks like and from the picture in his Fenmore Apt. It looks like the altar is the centre piece of the entire apt. This is the trait Rinpoche had ever since young…strong inclination and attraction to Buddha images, and lamas. Rinpoche, thank you for sharing these photos..all have us h ave our past but reading about Rinpoche’s past is so enriching. Rinpoche’s life is a proof of the workings of karma and fulfillment of aspirational prayers from many lifetimes of practice.
It sounds like such simple times! You know, not much has changed – back then, Rinpoche was practising dharma right in the middle of samsara and today, Rinpoche is doing the exact same thing. Difference is, he’s taken ordination vows, and been recognised and enthroned as a tulku! Rinpoche shows that it IS possible to be dharmic in samsara (and as usual shows us this by example)…and it’s experiences like this that make Rinpoche so relatable to the people he meets. Because who would you trust more, the golden child who tells you to practise compassion for people on the streets, or the person who tells you to do the same because he knows what it’s like to go hungry? The golden child will work for some people, but not everyone. Again, another instance of how lamas manifest different appearances to bring people to the dharma.
What I love most about this post is how very REAL everything was – how Dharma was as much as part of Rinpoche’s life as his cool red hair, Sylvester songs and Fred Segal!
Many of us have this hang up that you have to pick: either live a hedonistic, material life or give it all up and be a spiritual hermit. I love some Rinpoche describes both aspects of his life so seamlessly – the sadhanas he did while holding a job; the prostrations he did alongside his funny hippy friends who were sitting in the same room listening to music; his bright red boots next to his beloved Geshe-la; the beautiful little altar that was assembled by whatever he could get in LA, even from a second-hand store. The little snippet about the Buddha statue being used as a doorstop – that made me smile because of the whole spontaneous, eclectic nature of the whole scene. A little sign that the Buddhas really are everywhere, if we only look out for them.
I would like to be able to look back in my life when I’m older and be able to say that my life was enriched by both Dharma and non-Dharma, and that the two complemented each other. Right now, in Kechara, Rinpoche has never made us pick between the two; rather, he encourages us to live fully in both but with a Dharmic motivation always. That way, we continue to have and enjoy everything we have on the outside – fashion, parties, good food, relationships, friendships – without being attached to them, or being disappointed/hurt by them…. just like how Rinpoche lived it up to the fullest in the 80s!
…if there was internet in 1983 you could’ve found pictures online and printed them out at the kiosk!! 😛
I really like how Rinpoche didn’t put the photos all over the walls but placed them together and called it his altar. A lot people make excuses by saying that they haven’t got enough “spare” money to buy things to make an altar. This post shows that you don’t need an elaborate one, as long as it’s from your heart: a photo and offerings is nicer than a huge but neglected one.
Even though you (I keep being inclined to say you, but feel that it’s rude by addressing you directly and not by your name and title!) weren’t ordained yet you were, I believe, still a Rinpoche. Therefore those people whom you interacted and associated with got the blessings and hopefully had seeds planted in their minds which would hopefully lead them to the Dharma one day. This includes the weekly robber which you started having conversations with! 😛
When Rinpoche left New Jersey to go to Los Angeles he worked at 3 places to support himself. This was before he became ordained as a monk. He dresses himself like any other young boy would and while working he would do his sadhanas. I notice the way Rinpoche set up Kechara is very different from other centers. It is very alternative. The way Rinpoche lives and dresses before he became a monk have been applied in our centre today. The one special thing I want to say about Rinpoche is that he has the charisma to attract people of all ages and, even change a person who is inhibited to an open person.
I would say that Rinpoche really worked hard all his life for the Dharma. No matter what Rinpoche looks like on the outside, the Dharma is strong in Rinpoche. However, we are the opposite. We may look half decent on the outside, but on the inside we are like a toxic wasteland. I am always amazed when I read about how Rinpoche had worked so many different jobs, yet still made time for his Dharma duties at the Thubten Dargye Ling Center, and Rinpoche would still complete his 100 prostrations and his Sadhanas. It goes to show when we are committed, we will not find any excuses NOT to do what we must do or have promised to do. Nothing will stop us or become a reason to hinder us in any way. To me, I always find strength and courage to continue motivating myself to do whenever I read Rinpcohe’s lifestory. If Rinpoche can do so much, I should quit complaining and do more too. Thank you, Rinpoche, for always sharing so much of yourself. Rinpoche truly gives all of himself to help all around him.
Rinpoche seemed to have lived such a “normal” life. Perhaps this contributes to Rinpoche’s exceptional ability to truly relate to his audience and students who are still immersed in samsara and all the ups and downs that comes as part of the package.
What strikes me most about Rinpoche’s “normal” life is how Dharma has been conscientiously infused into every possible moment with every person. This acts as an example for us to “Dharma our lives” with simple virtuous acts like i) developing sincere consideration and compassion for less fortunate people who had to make tough choices in life such as prostitutes or ii) use our spare time to do our Sadhana instead of becoming impatient with the wait etc.
Rinpoche’s ability to recount his tough life story with humor, neutrality and lightness is also very inspiring.
To give us the same opportunity to live life and Dharma as one, Rinpoche generously created 13 departments (www.kechara.com). Through these departments i) Dharma can disseminate and touch many beings and ii) Dharma students get the opportunity to create a beneficial Dharma-secular life.
Dear Fernando,
Please check http://www.tsemtulku.com for Rinpoche’s Biography and Spiritual lineage.
Regards
Wai Meng
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing your wonderful inspirational childhood with us and with pictures too! Now we can put the visuals of your story 🙂 Nice red boots!xxxjoy
Wow I love these boots ! (I love shoes ;))
I think yes prostitutes are nice people that just can’t do anything else to go out of the problems they’re in … We judge them too hardly.
I’m glad you never had to become a male prostitute, it sould be the most hard “job” in world … !
Hi Rinpoche,
Didn’t realize you go through the experience of being rob before. Surprise that You still able to handle the situation with a joke and a calm mind. Thanks for sharing this experience!!
Love,
J.V.New far way in Australia
Hi Rinpoche. I’m Polish girl and I need to say, you definitely don’t look like polish people. But any way you are superb! :):):) Love you.
Amazing! I love hearing about your history Rinpoche… it is very inspiring. Thank you for taking rebirth in American and going through your hardships in your early days. They provide such a concrete example on how to practice the Dharma in the modern world.
Thank you for writing about your life.
Wow! So cool to hear more about your early days 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing your story. How you became Tsem Tulku Rinpoche? Who recognized you and how?
Dear Fernando, you can check out out Rinpoche’s bio on this blog too, and you will find your answers. If you are overseas, please check out our website http://www.kechara.com and get a book “the Promise” which has the full detailed biography of HE Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. You will be more amazed when you read this book.