Finally, a section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors. Just post your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.
Note: This section of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s blog is meant for Dharma questions or questions related to Kechara and our lineage. If the question is not relevant or out of our scope, we will respectfully request you to seek an answer on a more relevant platform. Before posting your question, we would also like to suggest that you look through some of the older posts (or do a search on this blog) before you post a question as your question may have been already answered in an older post.
Browse through previous question submissions and learn from the Pastors’ answers. Click on the different page numbers or arrow buttons to view older questions.
Question asked bySabina G.
Dear Pastors, I have a question on the fifth precept about alcohol. I have broken this precept, I had a beer and did not get drunk, it's a small amount but still I had one beer. Now my questions are: Is the vow lost from the root and must be taken again at another Refuge ceremony, or can it be purified? If the vow is lost from the root, should I still try to keep it?
I admit that it is very hard to be social, make friends, socialize,… and always avoid alcohol. I am not trying to justify alcohol abuse, but many times I wished I had not taken this precept but only the first four. I always used to drink with moderation and with meals. It is very hard for someone my age to always keep the fifth precept purely. Can the fifth precept be given back without creating heavy karma? I mean can I decide to abandon the fifth precept? I would Never quit Refuge and never quit Bodhisattva vows. I only have a problem with that one, at Refuge ceremony I had to know better and only take the first four, like some other people did.
Thanks!
Reply by pastor
Dear Sabina G,
The fifth precept is refraining from taking alcohol and other intoxicants. When a vow is broken, you can take the refuge vows again. You can also do purification practice. I think your problem is not being able to overcome your attachment to alcohol. You have to analyse your priorities. Do you want to be stuck for the rest of your life or do you want to diligently cultivate precepts, concentration and wisdom? How can you keep the Bodhisattva vows if you can’t keep the five precepts? If you wish to be a good Buddhist, start by observing the five precepts which will help you to overcome attachment or greed. Through the fifth precept we develop mindfulness and abstain from unwholesome mental excitement.
Question asked bykent
Dear Rinpoche,
I hope you can give a dharma talk a more detail version on this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b57vafqo_As (Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche – three bonds that bind a practitioner)
Thank you in advance.
Question asked bylily
recently i came across a story about Drukpa Kunley who is a a mahasiddha in butan the below link is to his sutra, i was wondering id this is really the buddhas teachings or just some bad path.
Reply by pastor
Dear Lily,
I’ve never come across these “teachings” in my readings of the Buddhist scriptures. It is probably a “path” created by the so-called mahasiddha.
Question asked byAnxious wife
Dear Pastors,
Recently my husband has been having various panic attacks and trips to the doctor did not seem to help. Out of desperation, my husband sought a sifu's help and we were told that one of my husband's ancestors has been looking for my husband for 100 odd years to take revenge. From what we could understand, my husband may have wronged him in his past life and he has probably been reborn as his descendant. The sifu had managed to 'send it away'. We would like to offer prayers to that ancestor for any wrongdoings that my husband had inflicted on him in his previous life and hope he would be reincarnated again. As we just started out to take interest in Buddhism, would there be any prayers that we can offer or the 'Om Mani Padme Hung' mantra would be sufficient?
Reply by pastor
Dear Anxious wife,
As we have had countless lives before this present one, it is only logical that we must have done a lot of good as well as bad deeds, made friends as well as enemies. All this is due to our ignorance or lack of Dharma knowledge. Doing prayers and dedicating the merits to our ancestors would benefit them very much and would be a cause for them to have good rebirths. In Kechara House, we will be having the Ullambana Setrap Puja on 20th August. Do come and join the prayers if you can. On your own, you can recite OM Mani Peme Hung everyday and dedicate it to the ancestor.
Question asked bySoh Joon Hui, Cedric
Dear Pastor Choi,
I have recently bought n invited a Green Tara statue from Kechara store to my house. My question is can I chant the Green Tara mantra "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha" after my meditation in front of the statue without me having a proper mantra initiation from a Master, Lama or Rinpoche?
Thanks N Regards
Cedric Soh
Reply by pastor
Dear Cedric,
Yes. The Green Tara mantra can be recited without initiation from a Master. In the Kechara Paradise outlets, there is a prayer card of Green Tara with a simple prayer followed by the mantra. It would be good to recite the prayer and mantra everyday to create a connection with Mother Tara and also the cause to meet a guru who can give you an initiation.
Question asked byJY
Dear Rinpoche,
Do you have any mantra to clear sexual desire and confusion?
Thank you in advance.
Reply by pastor
Dear JY,
You can recite the mantra of Lama Tsongkhapa (Migtsema) daily at least 21 times to overcome confusion and to achieve peace and clarity of mind. Or you can recite Manjushri’s mantra OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI (one mala every day)to develop wisdom.
To overcome desire and its many forms, you must transform your desire into pure love – the wish for all beings to be happy. Lama Tsongkhapa’s mantra is also very good for this. As you recite it, let go of your desire. Avoid sexual misconduct and lead a virtuous life.
Question asked byJohn M
When figuring out Ascendant of Rat, please, what time zone are you using to figure the hours…GMT?…U.S. EST? I was born at 1:25 Pacific Daylight Savings Time.
Thank you for your time,
John M
Reply by pastor
Dear John M,
We use the local time, that is, the time zone of the place where you were born.
Question asked byJD
Dear Rinpoche,
I hope you are well.
I was just wondering if you can help me, I have a few different skin problems and at the moment the treatment is not working. Is there some practice or something I can do?
Thank you so much Rinpoche,
May you live 100,000 years.
Question asked byalexa
Dear Pastors,
I recently commissioned some pujas for the benefit of a family member. I feel that they were immediately effective. My question is, what can I do now to help them continue to work, lest the problem quickly arise again?
Reply by pastor
Dear alexa,
I’m happy to learn that the pujas were effective. To continue to receive blessings, your relatives can attend the weekly pujas in the gompa. It is recommended that they also attend the dharma classes to learn Dharma and practice with understanding. This will help them a lot. If they are not able to come, you can attend the pujas and dedicate the merits to them. But it is better if they attend.
Question asked byKaung Zaw Han
Dear pastors,
During my recent search I found out a terrible website called www.chiinnature.com It is run two ignorant idiots who bash every other religion but praise their BRANCH of Taoism there Germany offensively rude essays bashing Buddhism Christianity Islam Judaism and even Wicca!Please read through them and tell what you think?
Reply by pastor
Dear Kaung Zaw Han,
You are right in saying that they are ignorant. Otherwise, they would not criticize other religions and praise their own religion. My advice is, just ignore these websites. You will not learn anything of value from them.
In the 3rd Century, the great Buddhist emperor Asoka said, “One should not honour only one’s own religion and condemn the religions of others, but one should honour others’ religions for this or that reason. So doing, one helps one’s own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one’s own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honours his own religion and condemns other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking, “I will glorify my own religion”. But on the contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely. “So concord is good: Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others.” (Rock Edict II)
The Buddha always practised tolerance and freedom of thought. He never encouraged others to leave their own religion to follow his teachings. Once, in Nalanda, there was a wealthy man called Upali, a follower of Jaina Mahavira, who was sent by Mahavira to meet the Buddha and to defeat him in debate on certain aspects of karma. But Upali ended up being convinced by the Buddha and he begged the Buddha to accept him as a lay disciple. But the Buddha asked him to continue to respect and support his old religious teachers as he used to. (Upali Sutra)
Question asked byJorge Tafich
Hi,
First of all thank yuo for all the big work you are doing in spreading the Dharma, may blessings be upon you.
I watched the video about khatas and I was wondering if they can be reused, as in offering the same khata to different people in different times.
Thanks!
Reply by pastor
Dear Jorge Tafich,
Thank you for your interest. Yes, khatas can be reused, especially those offered on altars to the Buddhas and on the thrones of the Lamas. After a while, they start to pile up, so they are rolled up again to be reused by devotees. However, one might want to keep the khata offered to a high lama who offers it back to you with his blessings. These “special” khatas can be placed on one’s own altar at home as a blessing.
Question asked byTan
Dear Pastors,
Is masturbation consider sexual misconduct?
Reply by pastor
Dear Tan,
Sexual misconduct is having extra-marital affairs, cheating on your partner, and if you do it in unnatural ways. And if you do it near your religious teachers, near religious institutions, near your altar, on religious holidays and also it says during the day. Buddha said that sexual desire is strong in all humans and one should practice restraint. As a Buddhist practitioner, if we wish to have attainments, we should overcome desire which is a cause for us to remain in samsara. Therefore, desire in any form should be eliminated if we wish to have lasting happiness.
Question asked byMichele
Thank you for ansewring my question. I have another question for you. As I mention in the first questions I have no guru who lives near me so I have to learn meditation on my own and it is difficult. It took me a year and a half to learn the simple breathing meditation and walking meditation. I daily say Om mani padme hum everyday because it is a great desire in my heart to help all sentiant beins. I have a book on the Vajrasattva practice and I find the visualization part quit difficult I can visualize buddha and Milareapa but the whole vajrasattva discription is confusing. Am I trying to do too much right now? I also realize if I read the stories of a buddha or guru I get a much clear vision of them. Do you know of any books on Vajrasattva's life I can read.
Reply by pastor
Dear Michele,
The best way to learn meditation is from a qualified meditation teacher. Find out whether there are meditation centres nearby. Or sign up for a meditation retreat. Do continue with your recitation of OM Mani Padme Hum as it will benefit you very much. As for the Vajrasattva practice, don’t worry about the visualisation if you can’t do it well at the moment. The Vajrasattva practice is a practice in which one visualizes the Buddha Vajrasattva and recites his one hundred-syllable mantra, specifically used to purify negative karma. Vajrasattva is one of the Dhyani Buddhas or spiritual sons of the Adhibuddha. Since he is not a Manusibuddha (a mortal Buddha who has lived on earth), he does not have a life story, for example, like Buddha Shakyamuni. I suggest you also learn a simple sadhana like the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa. Do watch the videos and teachings of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on Lama Tsongkhapa on this blog. It will be very beneficial for you.
Question asked byLost soul
Dear Rinpoche
It seems that each time I met someone who strengthened my understanding and faith in dharma, i will end up disillusioned as unexpected events will occur.
Just when I was on the verge of giving up the dharma, I met the guru I have been seeking all my life. However, someone tells me now that he might not be who I think he is and he not suits me at the end of the day. What should I do?
Question asked byRoy
Dear pastors,
Rinpoche just barely posted a Chenrezig eye sadhana. Would it be appropriate to add this practice before or after Chenrezi phowa?
Reply by pastor
Dear Roy,
Use your discretion. If you normally do the guru yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, this sadhana should be after the guru yoga, and it can be inserted either before or after the other prayers that you do.
Question asked byvivacela
Dear Pastors,
Good day to you. I have few matters that i need your advice on.
1) I've faced all "sorts" of obstacle since the day i was young. As i grow up, I was looking for a solution to at lease reduce these obstacles. E.g, at work, i will always meet up with evil colleagues who are always scheming something to put me in trouble. each time i'm going for exam something bad will happen to the extend i don't feel like attending the examination and even when i try to conceive something made the pregnancy unsuccessful. It is devastating. I would like to know is there a way for me to improve that.
2) My close friend, recently has broken up with her long time boyfriend. However, the breakup is not the main problem. Both being non-Penangites, they lived together in an apartment. However, lately, my friend noticed that someting is not right with her house. She felt like it is heavy. So i asked her to chant mantras for protection. She went to see a taoist master who told her that the reason for the "heaviness" is due to her ex boyfriend who is staying with her. His "star" is not that bright hence, the ghosts follows him back to their house. Not to say that she is believing blindly as there were many weird events that happened after that..Her room mirror that was laid against the wall for 7 years, suddenly crashed into pieces. She start to have scratches on her body. Different part every day. I wished to help her but i just don't know how.
Reply by pastor
Dear Vivacela,
Have you thought of learning the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings)? Because it is the solution to your “obstacles”. Buddha’s teachings will help you deal with difficulties in life and overcome your negative emotions (anger, greed, jealousy, pride, etc). When you get rid of all your negative habituations and emotions, and develop kindness, gratitude, patience, and forgiveness towards others, you will become a happier person. You must collect merits by doing good things, and helping others (people and animals) and so on. Stop blaming others for your problems because all your suffering is the result of causes created by you. Then you will find both peace and joy. There are many teachings of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on this blog that can help you. Please find time to learn.
As for your friend, she can attend our Setrap puja on Monday night. Above all, it is important to practice the Dharma and be a good person. Then you will have less “obstacles”. Read Dharma books and learn from this blog, from Rinpoche’s teachings, how to deal with one’s negativities and how to develop virtuous qualities that will give you peace and happiness.
Question asked byL
Dear Pastors,
What mantra is the best to cut of confusion and instability of the mind?
Reply by pastor
Dear L,
I suggest you do the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa every day and recite the Mantra of Tsongkhapa (Migtsema) at least 21 times a day. It can be recited anytime, anywhere, and as many times as possible. It has the benefits of receiving the blessings of Avalokiteshvara or Kuan Yin, (the Buddha of Compassion), Manjushri (the Buddha of Wisdom) and Vajrapani (the Buddha of Power). Reciting this mantra will bring you peace and stability of mind. You will find the prayer and mantra in the section on prayers and sadhanas on this blog.
Question asked byKevin
Dear Rinpoche,
Hope Your Eminence is doing well. I would like to know how "lightly" or seriously should one take of one's Guru's instructions or things that was said in a dream?
Thank you!
Question asked byPastor Lanse
Dear Sir,
my name is Marco van Heusden.
I have found a ancient ring with pali-canon text on it
I also believe it dates back until the time of atlantis and that its a High detailed Navaratna ring.
i hope u can see the picture at the following url :
Dear Pastor Lanse,
I opened the link but Marco van Heusden says he is not sharing anything.
Question asked byjason
my mother who is a so called " buddhist" but really a spirit worshiper is against me practicing buddhism. when i was doing gaden lhagyama and other mantras in my room she keeps telling me to stop and that i am an extremist for doing my practice she also does not like me going to dharma teacheings . when doing my practice i always do it in such a way that it is low volume and respectful to others . she thinks that i'm entering darkness( Chinese phrase) . how do i deal with it , i already do my practice in secret (my room) , during walks in the park, and there no place that i i practice because i live in a very close nit community and every body knoes everybody…. i can't even use my mala with out looks of worry
Reply by pastor
Dear Jason,
Your story sounds very familiar. Have you read H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s biography? His parents also did not like him practising Buddhism and he had to practise secretly in his room. Be inspired by Rinpoche’s example and do not be discouraged by the behaviour of others. But at the same time be respectful to your family members, friends etc. and be kind to them. In time, they will see the positive change in you and will support you and your practice. Continue to learn from Rinpoche’s teachings, understand and practice from your understanding. Remember that you can’t change others, but you can change yourself to be a better person and to be of benefit to others.
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Combining the responsibilities of the ordained and the appearance of a layperson, pastors are the connection between the sangha and the everyday practitioner. They are ordinary people who have taken an extraordinary step in dedicating their lives towards sharing the Buddhist tradition. As laypeople holding vows, pastors will make the Dharma accessible to more people, giving them guidance and sharing knowledge. The pastors are usually present at Kechara House and available for consultation anytime. For more information, contact house@kechara.com.
Pastor Chia (sangha to be)
As a pastor, Chia will dedicate his life to befitting others through spreading the works of Tsem Rinpoche and Dharma to many people, through the use of pujas, rituals, counseling and sharing of his knowledge.
Ordained as a Pastor in 2011, Chia Song Peng has had a rich and varied Dharma career. He has held a core position with the Kechara Paradise retail outlets, served as a personal attendant to Tsem Rinpoche, embarked on various pilgrimages and received initiations into higher yoga tantric practices. He is accomplished in many pujas and has a deep understanding of the Dharma.
As a pastor, Chia has dedicated his life to befitting others through spreading the works of Tsem Rinpoche and Dharma to many people, through the use of pujas, rituals, counseling and sharing of his knowledge.
When Chia first met Tsem Rinpoche, he was asked if he wanted to become a monk, however even though this was his aspiration he informed Tsem Rinpoche that he would do so at a later date. For Chia, as he has is already in the Dharma full-time, it would be best if he became ordained. Tsem Rinpoche has reminded Chia from time to time to work towards becoming a monk and he promised that he would do so in the future.
Kechara began from nothing to become a growing Dharma organisation with major projects such as Kechara Forest Retreat, so Chia thinks that this is the perfect time to become ordained as a monk. Recently Tsem Rinpoche asked Chia again if he would like to be ordained, this time Chia said yes.
Pastor Khong Jean Ai (sangha to be)
Jean Ai wishes to become a vessel that holds the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to benefit future generations, inspiring others to live by the Buddha’s teachings.
Jean Ai met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as a young child and through her parents' involvement with Kechara over the years, she has never known a life without His Eminence. Jean Ai was a regular volunteer of Tsem Ladrang during her childhood and teenage years. After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Warwick in the UK and working at the London Probation Service, she returned to Kuala Lumpur to join Tsem Ladrang's e-division. There she managed kechara.com, responsible for the weekly Kechara e-newsletter, including content generation and editing. Since then she has joined His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s writing team, responsible for executing Rinpoche’s personal instructions and managing his correspondence.
Having visited a nunnery in India in 2004, Jean Ai remembers noticing how happy and purposeful everyone was. She had a feeling of familiarity and the sight of the robes comforted her. Immediately, Jean Ai messaged her mother who told her to ask Rinpoche’s advice. Rinpoche told her to complete her secular education so that when she taught the Dharma her words would carry the credibility and weight of a university degree, something she completed with the motivation that some day she wanted to become a nun.
Through her ordination as a nun, Jean Ai wishes to become a vessel that holds the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to benefit future generations, inspiring others to live by the Buddha’s teachings. Through this she hopes to repay the kindness of her parents and her Guru. Above all she wants to abide in a state free of suffering, and she wants this for others as well.
Pastor Shin Tan (sangha to be)
For Shin, this is a great step forward to being fully committed to the cause of others and repaying others’ kindness through sharing the Dharma with others.
Before joining Kechara, Shin worked as a lecturer and provider of content and
e-learning content solutions for various start-ups. Whilst providing training to educators teaching students in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at various colleges, she was invited to attend a Dharma talk given by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara House. This event rekindled her interest in Tibetan Buddhism, as she recalled the joy of accompanying her parents to teachings as a teenager.
Joining Kechara Media & Publications in 2006 as a volunteer, Shin assumed a full time position there as a Marketing Executive, with the aim of making His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings available to more people around the world. Shin is now a member of the Tsem Ladrang Team, who takes care of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s secular matters, enabling Rinpoche to focus on teaching the holy Dharma.
Shin states that when she decided to join Kechara full time, she had already decided to be of some benefit to others and spend the rest of her life doing only that. Working closely with His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, seeing his tireless effort in helping others and spreading the Buddhadharma through the Gaden tradition despite tremendous challenges has made her realise that the next logical step is to become ordained as she has the opportune conditions to study with her Guru. For Shin this is also a great step forward to being fully committed to the cause of others and repaying others’ kindness through sharing the Dharma with others.
Pastor Adeline Woon (sangha to be)
Since finding her spiritual home here in Kechara, Adeline has made dharma work her life’s mission and wishes to dedicate herself fully towards the benefit of others.
Adeline stumbled across His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche's blog towards the end of 2010 and has been following his blog and Facebook page ever since. Since graduating from Dharma Drum Buddhist College Taiwan with a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies in July 2012, she returned to Malaysia and joined Kechara as a Senior Education Executive. Adeline was attracted by His Eminence’s straightforwardness and impressed at Kechara's growth under his guidance. To Adeline, His Eminence is someone who walks the talk, keeps his promises and sincerely cares for others displaying an excellent example of guru devotion, qualities that she seeks to develop herself.
Since finding her spiritual home here in Kechara, Adeline has made dharma work her life’s mission. It was in May 2013 that she officially requested His Eminence for ordination as a nun to dedicate her life fully for the dharma. According to Adeline, become ordained means that she is being true to her calling to live according to the dharma and be of benefit to others.
This however can only be achieved by meeting and studying under her root Guru. Adeline has been fortunate enough to have met with hers - His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.
Pastor Niral Patel (sangha to be)
It is Niral’s motivation for full ordination to better himself, learn the teachings of our lineage in order to preserve them for future generations. He wishes to benefit others, just as he has benefited and is still benefiting from Tsem Rinpoche’s explanation of the Dharma.
Niral was born and raised in the UK, having graduated with a BA in Anthropology, he was working as a Financial Administrator for a Serviced Apartment & Hotel company as well as a Management Services company before stumbling across His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s Youtube channel, entirelyby accident. It was through His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings that he began to understand the importance of practicing the Dharma, in order to benefit himself and others around him.
Having been in contact with one of Tsem Rinpoche’s long time students in the UK, he was encouraged to visit Kechara in late 2012 for a 10 day visit. At the end of the visit Tsem Rinpoche requested Niral to come to work at Kechara, to which he agreed.
Niral moved to Malaysia in February 2013 to work as an education coordinator at Kechara House, assisting the Education Division in the creation and implementation of the new education syllabus, teaching teenagers during the Kechara Sunday Dharma School. Ever since meeting Tsem Rinpoche, he has always been encouraged by Tsem Rinpoche to do more Dharma work and strive to better himself. It is with that in mind, that Niral has requested monastic ordination.
It is Niral’s motivation for full ordination to better himself, learn the teachings of our lineage in order to preserve them for future generations. He wishes to benefit others, just as he has benefited and is still benefiting from Tsem Rinpoche’s explanation of the Dharma.
Pastor Tan Gim Lee (sangha to be)
Gim Lee’s main focus is to guide and help anyone who steps through Kechara’s doors through Dharma sharing, counselling, performing pujas and other Buddhist services. She wishes to repay Rinpoche’s kindness by spreading Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy teachings and inspiring others on the spiritual path.
She discovered Kechara by chance in 2006 and started to participate Kechara's activities almost immediately especially the retreat to collect 10 million Migtsema recitations. In April 2006, when Gim Lee met H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and first listened to his teachings, she wept uncontrollably. Though she could not understand it at the time, she had finally found her perfect teacher. She is especially touched by Tsem Rinpoche's compassionate method of teaching by setting his own examples.
Having joined as a staff of Kechara House responsible for housekeeping in 2009, Gim Lee is now one of Kechara House's Front Desk Managers predominantly based in the retreat centre in Bentong, Pahang. She also teaches the Sunday Dharma Class and moderates Dharma discussions on Tsem Rinpoche's blog chat.
The many teachings she has received from Tsem Rinpoche have changed her priorities in life. She found answers to her questions about the purpose of life, and she has realised that the way to overcome the sufferings of pain and anger is by following the path of compassion and wisdom as taught by Lord Buddha. These realisations have led to her request to be ordained as a Sangha member.
As pastor now, and later as a Buddhist nun, Gim Lee's main focus is to guide and help anyone who steps through Kechara's doors through Dharma sharing, counselling, performing pujas and other Buddhist services. She wishes to repay Rinpoche's kindness by spreading Lama Tsongkhapa's holy teachings and inspiring others on the spiritual path.
Pastor Loh Seng Piow (sangha to be)
Loh Seng Piow developed a strong wish to help Rinpoche in spreading the Dharma to the world. With that determination, Loh Seng Piow chose not to pursue his PhD degree in Cambridge University (for which he had been offered a place), resigned from his research job, and joined Tsem Rinpoche as full-time Dharma worker, and has never looked back since.
Back in 2001, Loh Seng Piow had no inkling of just how involved in Dharma he would become. As a Masters degree-holder in Engineering, Loh Seng Piow was working as a research engineer in Singapore when he met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s talk left a strong impression on him and after a few encounters with Rinpoche, Loh Seng Piow started developing websites for Rinpoche and Kechara.
Loh Seng Piow was trained in science, but soon realised that there were many questions that science could not answer. At the same time, he also felt that science and technology are not the solution to human problems, as humans are much better off compared to thousands years ago, yet the problems in this world are still the same, if not more, and we do not seem to be happier than our ancestors.
Loh Seng Piow soon realised that the Dharma is the ultimate solution to human problems, and that the methods used by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche are very suitable for this modern era. Loh Seng Piow developed a strong wish to help Rinpoche in spreading the Dharma to the world. With that determination, Loh Seng Piow chose not to pursue his PhD degree in Cambridge University (for which he had been offered a place), resigned from his research job, and joined Tsem Rinpoche as full-time Dharma worker, and has never looked back since.
Meeting Rinpoche was a very refreshing experience for Loh Seng Piow, as he never knew Dharma could be so unconventional yet maintain its essence. As Rinpoche’s personal attendant, Loh Seng Piow has had many incredible moments with Rinpoche and considers himself extremely fortunate because he sees real Dharma in action, both on and off the throne. It challenges him to practice Dharma 24/7. In this way, Rinpoche has blown away his old and persistent way of thinking, which was very much focused on the outer rituals of Dharma.
Having seen that Tsem Rinpoche truly embodies what he teaches, Loh Seng Piow is convinced beyond doubt that it is possible to develop our minds to a higher state, and ultimately achieving enlightenment. All these factors have propelled Loh Seng Piow to take a step further in his Dharma career to become ordained as a pastor in order to be even more effective in sharing and disseminating the Dharma to benefit others.
Pastor Yek Yee
Naturally an introvert, Yek Yee has transformed what was once her weakness into her strength; making what was once impossible now eminently possible.
Independence was forced upon Kok Yek Yee from the tender age of nine, when she had to juggle between work and school to make ends meet. Always the introvert, Yek Yee had few friends and had difficulty expressing herself. So it was unexpected when she chose a career in journalism.
Yek Yee excelled as an award-winning reporter with Guang Ming Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau. Her articles garnered her a fanbase, and in writing, she found an outlet for the thoughts and feelings that she could not verbalise. However, despite her success, Yek Yee was not satisfied. Temporary happiness was not what she was looking for – success, money, relationships, or fame was not the key.
In her search for happiness, Yek Yee met H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, who told her “don’t retaliate with your speech, but use your power of writing to express yourself”. This led her to join Kechara Media & Publications as a writer; subsequently she was appointed Senior Editor as well as a Liaison to His Eminence.
Yek Yee now holds a core role in Kechara Care, giving advice, tours, counseling and teachings to whoever walks through their doors. Through courage and determination, she has transformed what was once her weakness into her strength; making what was once impossible now eminently possible.
As a Pastor, her patience and open-mindedness developed through her journey with Kechara will bring comfort and solace, and her new-found ability to nurture and teach others will bring hope to many.
Pastor Lanse Chiah
Having been a Pastor for a year, Lanse wishes to continue with her integral duties by renewing her vows again.
Lanse graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China in 1999 and became a part-time lecturer for several years, teaching western medicine in a Traditional Chinese medical college in Kuala Lumpur.
For a long time, Lanse remained an atheist, subconsciously searching for a spiritual guru as she sought answers to questions she harboured in her mind, questions that had led her into a state of depression during her time at university. As such, she would often read philosophical books in her search for answers.
Lanse first came to know of Kechara in 2007, through her friend of over 10 years, Pastor Yek Yee. She was surprised to see a complete transformation in Pastor Yek Yee, whom she had always known as a non-spiritual person. The first book by Kechara that Lanse chanced upon was the Chinese version of Be Greedy. Naturally, Lanse was skeptical at first, thus she read the book in an attempt to find mistakes with the philosophy. However, she couldn’t find any and was left impressed by how logical the explanations in the book were.
In March 2009, Lanse joined Kechara Media & Publications (KMP) part-time to carry out Chinese translation and help with transcription. The following year, she contemplated upon whether to pursue a full-time medical or a Dharma career, finally deciding on the latter. Lanse came to realise that, although both careers share the same motivation of easing people’s sufferings, she felt that her work in Dharma could lead to a greater contribution for the sake of all sentient beings in a deeper, spiritual sense.
Having been a Pastor for a year, Lanse wishes to continue with her integral duties by renewing her vows again.
Pastor Han Nee
It was not until she witnessed how Rinpoche brought peace and comfort to her dying mother, that she realised she also wanted to touch others with the Dharma.
Lim Han Nee, a mother of two, is a retired secondary school principal. She retired in December 2000 after a 30-year career in education. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Education at Leicester University in the UK, at the end of 2001.
After gaining her master’s degree, Han Nee considered further options of embarking on a doctorate in education or spending her years in retirement, travelling and visiting family. At the same time, she was also in search of her spiritual path. She had begun exploring Theravadan and Chinese Mahayana Buddhism for answers to questions she had.
In December 2004, Han Nee attended a teaching retreat on the topic of the Lamrim and White Tara held by His Eminence Gelek Rinpoche. As the retreat proceeded, she found her questions were being answered. Then in June 2005, Han Nee was introduced to Kechara by her sister, where she met her spiritual guide, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, who has recently told her that she must go all the way in the Dharma for the benefit of others.
Han Nee had been a school guidance counsellor for nearly twenty years. However, it was not until she witnessed how Rinpoche brought peace and comfort to her dying mother, that she realised she also wanted to touch others with the Dharma.
A member of Kechara’s Puja Team, who conduct sponsored pujas in Shabten Khang, Han Nee is also a member of the Education Division with the portfolio of Content Development. Apart from this, Han Nee is also a member of the weekly Kechara Chat Time team.
Pastor David Lai
In 2014, with a sincere wish to benefit others, David decided to be ordained as a Buddhist pastor to continue serving the spiritual needs of the organisation.
David Lai has been a student of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche for over a decade now and was one of the founding members of Kechara. He joined Kechara as a full time staff in 2005 and has been working in various departments beginning with the Kechara Paradise outlets.
Right from the beginning, David had been advised by His Eminence to go into writing. Overcoming various hurdles, David finally began his literary career with the publication of his first book and autobiography, There’s No Way But Up in 2009. The book charts his spiritual journey from his childhood and culminates in the meeting with His Eminence.
The positive feedback from this book led him to write various other publications like Vajrayogini and Other Power Places in Nepal – a pilgrim’s guide of Nepal, Tales My Lama Told Me – a book on short stories and Conversations in Love – a book on relationships. These books continue to inspire and bring people onto the Dharma.
Besides writing, David has found his passion in sharing the Dharma since his earlier days working in the Kechara Paradise outlets. Over the years, David has received innumerable teachings from His Eminence, ranging from public teachings to personal instructions and advice. He is known to passionately share these teachings whenever he can and to whomever he meets. In 2014, with a sincere wish to benefit others, David decided to be ordained as a Buddhist pastor to continue serving the spiritual needs of the organisation.
Pastor Henry Ooi
After following Rinpoche as a Dharma student for all these years, learning and practicing the Dharma, Henry knows the importance of the pastors’ role in Kechara founded by Rinpoche. He wants to become a pastor to serve Rinpoche, to serve Kechara, and to serve the public.
Born in 1952 in Penang, Henry moved to Kuala Lumpur in search of work after he finished his Form Five studies in 1969. He worked at different types of jobs and it was when he was jobless in 1997/8 that he met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche at the house of his cousin, Ruby (now Dato’ Ruby Khong), when Rinpoche was giving a dharma teaching. At that teaching Henry was awed by how Rinpoche taught Dharma with simple yet profound explanations.
With the kind guidance, teachings and Dharma practices by Rinpoche including instruction to engage in their first spiritual retreat, Henry and his wife Angel started a small business that soon became profitable. A few years later after Kechara House Buddhist Association was founded, Rinpoche started to enrol students as liaisons and that was when Henry and Dato’ Ruby offered themselves. Later more students were elected as liaisons that saw the birth of Liaisons Council. The Liaisons Council is now known as the Board of Directors of which Henry is one of its members.
Currently Henry is the Project Director, overseeing the construction and completion of projects in the Kechara Forest Retreat. Prior to this appointment he was the Head of Department in Kechara Paradise retail outlets of which he served for about ten years. He still remains as its company director as well as director for most of the companies within Kechara. He served one term as vice president of Kechara House Buddhist Association from 2012 to 2103.
After following Rinpoche as a Dharma student for all these years, learning and practicing the Dharma, Henry knows the importance of the pastors’ role in Kechara founded by Rinpoche. He wants to become a pastor to serve Rinpoche, to serve Kechara, and to serve the public. As he aspires to be a monk as he grows older, being a pastor of Kechara will pave the way for his aspiration. Henry believes that as one gets older in life, one should have already prepared for the imminent, death. And what a beautiful death it will be, to die in Kechara Forest Retreat in a monk’s robes. This is the kind of death that Henry wants. But before the imminent death happens, Henry wants to continue working in Kechara Forest Retreat, serving the community and whoever comes into it in whatever way he can. And when he is not physically anymore to serve others, he will request instructions from Rinpoche to enter into retreats in Kechara Forest Retreat.
Pastor Patsy Gooi
All that Patsy wants now is to spend the rest of her life doing dharma work, dharma practices and being of benefit to others.
Formerly a full time housewife with plenty of free time, Patsy had the great fortune to visit Gaden Monastery and meet H.E. Tsem Rinpoche almost twenty years ago. That one week stay in the monastery changed her view of life. Prior to that, she had no spiritual inclinations but meeting Rinpoche stirred something inside her, and she realised that there was more to life than just eating, sleeping, shopping and having fun. Rinpoche’s approach to dharma was logical and practical but most importantly, he stressed that we should always focus out and work towards benefitting others. Rinpoche made dharma easy to understand and his advice was and still is, to “change inwardly, not outwardly.”
In 2009, after years of practicing and applying what she had learned from Rinpoche’s teachings, Patsy decided to set up a Kechara retail outlet in Penang to share the dharma with others. She knew that Rinpoche’s teachings were very applicable to the people of our time and that his activities would benefit others just as they had benefited her. She also wanted to repay the kindness of her Guru who had constantly helped and guided her. Today, Kechara Paradise Penang is not just a dharma shop but also organises puja sessions, animal liberation and dharma talks.
In 2010, again with Rinpoche’s blessings, Patsy set up the Kechara Soup Kitchen Activity Center in Penang. Saddened to see the plight of the homeless and urban poor on the streets, Patsy decided to practice “compassion through action” as taught by Rinpoche in the most active way she knows. Today, together with her team of volunteers, Patsy feeds the homeless and urban poor four times a week and provides basic food provisions to many hardcore poor families on a monthly basis.
All that Patsy wants now is to spend the rest of her life doing dharma work and dharma practices, and that she may be of benefit to others.
Pastor Albert Ratchaga
In 2008, Albert Ratchaga began working as a part timer in Kechara Paradise, but as he learned more about the works of Rinpoche and Kechara, Rinpoche’s kindness and compassion touched him deeply. He realised that his work gave his life more meaning and decided to join Kechara full time.
Through his work as a sales executive, Albert was able learn more Dharma from Rinpoche's teachings and use this wisdom to assist those who entered his store to overcome their problems, thus improving their lives.
Albert soon developed a deep wish to follow in Rinpoche’s footsteps and in 2016 was ordained as a Pastor to continue benefitting and serving others.
BLOG CHAT
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Give the room a chance to answer you. Patience is a virtue. And if after awhile, people don't respond, perhaps they don't know the answer or they did not see your question. Do ask again or address someone directly. Do not be offended if people do not or are unable to respond to you.
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KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES
Here is the latest news and pictorial updates, as it happens, of our upcoming forest retreat project.
The Kechara Forest Retreat is a unique holistic retreat centre focused on the total wellness of body, mind and spirit. This is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration in a natural forest environment. At Kechara Forest Retreat, we are committed to give back to society through instilling the next generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion.
That’s wonderful now we have H E Tsem Rinpoche’s short biography in Mongolian. More and more readers got to know of our Guru and Dorje Shugden. May Rinpoche’s teaching spread and reach out to those Monglians.
Thank you Rinpoche and writers team for this wonderful sharing.
H E Zava Damdin Rinpoche, is an erudite Mongolian Buddhist master within the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Zava Damdin Rinpoche was recognised as the reincarnation of one of the greatest Buddhist masters, yogis, healers, scholars and mahasiddhas in Mongolia. Zava Damdin Rinpoche is famed for his absolute guru devotion. In spite of the unlawful ban on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden Zava Damdin Rinpoche remain devoted to the practice and has continued to see enormous growth around the world. Especially in Mongolia which has long held a strong historical and religious connection with Tibetan Buddhism. Back in 2016 H E Zava Damdin Rinpoche conferred Yamantaka initiation and Dorje Shugden sogtae . More than 10,000 ordained monks and lay people attended the initiation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Looking at those pictures in this blog says all, all monks and lay people were so blessed indeed. It has proven that the practice of Dorje Shugden is very popular . They were more blessed and fortunate as after the initiation, they were given a ‘heart’ crystal and a chakra which were consecrated during the sogtae ceremony. They are given as a blessing and reminder of the initiate’s commitments to Dorje Shugden, and also as a symbol of Dorje Shugden’s promise to protect them.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing .
.Great research by Dr Matthew William King on Dorje Shugden . It paints a thousand words of truth where more and more people understand better of Dorje Shugden. The practice of Dorje Shugden is often associated with Lamas in the Himalayan region in Tibet.
No doubt due the efforts of Lamas in Tibet and Lamas in Bhutan the practice was promoted. Together, these enlightened masters proliferated the practice, authoring and composing texts and prayers to invoke the blessings and protection of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. In Mongolia, the practice’s popularity was due to Mongolia’s own lamas independently promoting and encouraging it. Mongolian lamas preserve the tradition of Dorje Shugden through active propitiation since then. The powerful Mongolian nation has indeed a long history and connection with Dorje Shugden the Powerful Protector. As expressed in the life of Venerable Choijin Lama, a State Oracle of Mongolia who took trance of Dorje Shugden among other Dharma Protectors. Interesting read of how Mongolia saved Dorje Shugden .
Thank you Rinpoche .
Precious thangkas of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Life Story one must not missed. As its very rare old thangkas tells us the life story of Lama Tsongkhapa. Lama Tsongkhapa was an influential Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher and tantric yogi. Lama Tsongkhapa was hailed as the second Buddha by contemporary Buddhist masters of his time. Famous for reviving Buddhism in Tibet and revered for elevating the Dharma to all its present glory. . Through deep study, profound practice and high attainments, Lama Tsongkhapa led a revival of pure Buddhist teachings and distilling the best teachings. His teachings became the basis for the establishment of the Gelug monastery, a monastic institution which survives to this day.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such insightful life stories of a great Master with beautiful thangkas pictures .
The Iceman mummy, Otzi, was discovered amidst sheets of melting ice on the border between Italy and Austria, at an altitude of 3,200 m above sea level. The 5300-year-old world’s oldest wet mummy Iceman so special as is invaluable for archaeology and as well as for medical science, genetics, biology, anthropology, and many other disciplines. The nature of his life and the circumstances of his death are the subject of much investigation. That’s interesting discovery, the clothes he wore and equipment he carried are unique.The alleged curse revolved around the deaths of several people involved with the discovery, recovery and subsequent analysis of Otzi’s body. The legend continues and these days, Otzi the Iceman rests in a refrigerated room at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano, Italy. Each year thousands of visitors visited his mummified remains contained in a special cold cell at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.
Interesting read
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this Dambulla cave is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in 1991. King Valagamba of Anuradhapura in the first century built a temple in thankful worship. Located in central Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines.The place is worth a visit though, just for the stunning sculptures and paintings in this historical paradise. The site is remarkable in the Buddhist world with the continuous tradition of living Buddhist ritual practices and pilgrimage for more than two millennia. That’s interesting.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche is the 13th incarnation of the famous Kagyupa teacher, Lama Konchog Tenzin of Zuru Monastery. His teachings, delivered in excellent English are easily understood and fully engaging. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche is a highly realized internationally respected teacher of Gelugpa Buddhism, been exile from Tibet and had travels as teacher to many countries around the world. Zasep Rinpoche received extensive teachings and initiations from many erudite great masters. Today, Zasep Rinpoche is the spiritual leader of Gaden for the West, an international organisation of Dharma centres in Australia, Canada and the United States, successfully spreading the Gelug teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to many, many people who are karmically connected to him. A Tulku’s Journey From Tibet To Canada a book published Rinpoche autobiography, beautifully reflects his devotion to his teachers and the practices. Zasep Rinpoche points out, the practice of Dorje Shugden officially started in the Sakya school before it was embraced by the Gelugpas. Interestingly, this book also mentioned the great deeds of Dorje Shugden and how much this Dharma Protector has helped the Tibetan people as well and Tibetan Buddhism too.Zasep Rinpoche have touched the hearts of everyone he has encountered. Interesting read one must not missed as it is a true story of an incredible Tibetan Buddhist scholar and lama’s journey.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing of a great Master
As prophesies by Shakyamuni Buddha, Lama Tsongkhapa is an emanation of the Bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjushri. Lama Tsongkhapa was an influential Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher and tantric yogi, and saint who lived in Tibet. His practice will instill deep wisdom and confers great blessing upon us. His pure teachings and activities led to the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. With the establishment of the Gelug monastery which survives to this day. Lama Tsongkhapa, considered one of the greatest Buddhist masters and philosophers of all time. There many benefits that arise from Lama Tsongkhapa’s practice. Merely by reciting Lama Tsongkhapa’s mantra known as Migtsema mantra. is indeed very beneficial for everyone of us. We are so fortunate to learn and practices from our Guru.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing of a great Master.
Dorje Shugden was enthroned as a protector of the Sakya tradition centuries ago and only later widely practised in Gelugpa tradition. All these was stated by H.H Trijang Rinpoche in his work “Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors. The throne holder of Sakya school of Buddhism, Sonam Rinchen enthroned Dorje Shugden as one of the protectors of Sakya. The practice of this Dharma Protector was later passed to his son the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro who was believed to be the emanation of Dorje Shugden himself. Interesting facts. He even composed a Dorje Shugden prayer or Kangsol to invoke the blessings of Dorje Shugden. The prayer has since been well known and it is used to this day. The 39th Sakya throneholder Sakya Trizin Dragshul Trinley Rinchen who also practised Dorje Shugden and praised Dorje Shugden as an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. Not only one but three Sakya Trizins who relied on Dorje Shugden and they referred to him as an enlightened being.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting sharing so as more and more practitioners know the truth and only truth that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being
A good reminder for all students reading what Venerable Acharya Kyabje Zasep Tulku Rinpoche wrote in his guidelines for students. We as students can make progress on our spiritual path and gain Dharma realizations all depends ourselves where else A dharma teacher who is our spiritual guide can show us how to meditate correctly and make progress on our spiritual path.
Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing
Buddhism one of the oldest religions in the world has been around for over 2,600 years. Many people all over the world from all walks of life have embraced Buddhism. Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in the west and have spreading further , all thanks to those highly lamas such as Gaden Tripas, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Geshe Wangyal, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin, Geshe Rabten, and so forth. Many people more people are becoming more aware of Buddhism and finding it a suitable way of life and religion. With the great spread of Buddhism, many people had benefitted with the practice as it emphasized individuals’ path to enlightenment and salvation, which could be attained in this life.
As in this blog, we see many famous Buddhist celebrities from the west such as Keanu Reeves, former American president Bill Clinton , Richard Gere, Steve Jobs and many more celebrities had been connected to Buddhism.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting sharing, how Buddhism had changed their life
The Legend of the Mermaid is well known and told with different forms and endings in all the oral tradition of peoples linked to the sea. It was rumored that the mermaid has a magical treasure. In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Interesting read mermaids were natural beings who, like fairies, who had magical and prophetic powers. We usually see it as in movie whether it do really exists no one have really seen it nowadays. While there is no evidence that mermaids exist outside folklore, reports of mermaid sightings continue to the present day. Mermaids have been a popular subject of art and literature in recent centuries. They depicted in operas, paintings, books and live-action films.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Wow that’s wonderful a very special gift for our Guru Tsem Rinpoche. A Dorje Shugden shop full of beautiful items which were connected to Dorje Shugden as such as posters, statues, pendants, tsa tsas, books, key chains, thangkas and so forth. Located in the most famous night market in the heart city of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. There’s where tourists and local will go over there. Many of them will be blessed merely b looking at it or passing by the shop. Posters will be given to anyone who stop by , its such a wonderful way to share and get people to know of this great Dharma Protector.
Thank you Rinpoche and those who made it possible benefiting many more people to come.
Trance is a state of semi-consciousness in which a person is not self-aware. The person is in a deep state of distraction by some inner turmoil or some outer mental influence. Taking trance is nothing new and not just in the east. Listening the video tells us more about trance. Interesting to know, but we should not get involve in trances as advice. Its better get involve in Dharma practice and have our mind transform.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
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Concept: Tsem Rinpoche Technical: Lew Kwan Leng, Justin Ripley, Yong Swee Keong Design: Justin Ripley, Cynthia Lee Content: Tsem Rinpoche, Justin Ripley, Pastor Shin Tan, Sarah Yap Admin: Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Beng Kooi
I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!
Tsem Rinpoche
About Rinpoche
Name
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche
Root Guru
H.H. Zong Rinpoche
Ordained by
H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
Affiliations
Pukhang Khangtsen, Gaden Shartse Monastery
Founder and Spiritual Advisor, Kechara House Buddhist Association Malaysia
President, Tsem Rinpoche Foundation, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Psychology, The Open International University
Hear the holy voice of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche giving advice on the practice of Dorje Shugden to those who had received the life-entrustment initiation. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche wanted to make sure those present received the maximum benefits from their practice, and that they kept their practice well. LEARN MORE >>
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is always said that whatever we practice must come from an enlightened source to be beneficial in our spiritual journey. As such in this video, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche shares with us the history and reincarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden to explain how great this Dharma protector is through the examples of his previous lives, showing us his powerful spiritual attainments. LEARN MORE >>
Dear everyone... This is a good condensed talk I gave on Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa. This is the one you should share with others when they are interested in a not too lengthy explanation. It is the perfect practice for everyone who wants simplicity yet effective blessings. You can share this with more people, it will be good.
"If you say you don't have money to help a animal shelter, why then do you have money to buy meat?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Eating animals is not our God-given right, but being kind to them is."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What makes us good humans is not how we abuse animals, but how much we allow them to live and be happy freely."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mythical concept of animals.... We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."
~ Henry Beston, The Outermost House
"Not eating animals is only unnatural when we are not used to it."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES
"We may encounter defeat, but we must not be defeated."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You think you can choose your life? What an ego trip!"
~ Lama Yeshe
"If TODAY you are dissatisfied, you must make the changes to create different results for TOMORROW."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
SPIRITUAL QUOTES
“Meditating on Dorje Shugden while reciting his mantra will open the gateways to higher dimensions, blessings and protection.”
~ Tsem Rinpoche
“If one does the recitation of the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga prayer for even one month using one of the visualizations for great or clear or quick wisdom, one will definitely see development of that wisdom. It is proved by experience. There is no doubt that by doing the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga practice one can meet Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings from life to life. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.”
~ Pabongkha Rinpoche
"I was 18 years old in 1983. That was a very special year as I met His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and received innumerable precious teachings and empowerments from Him at Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California. It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is Heruka Buddha and I met Heruka."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Never abandon your spiritual teacher no matter how many inner obstacles you need to overcome."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Actions to force something to be permanent makes all the karmas arise."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"The dharma is not easy to listen to… because some people take it as criticism. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Whether we do work and suffer but for others or we do work and suffer for ourselves, either way we have to suffer. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Those who really want the dharma to grow within themselves and to grow for others should never fear hard work, timing, difficulties, struggles, disappointments because it is for a good cause. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice. It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"His Holiness Zong Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we come up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness."
~ Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral
"Things in samsara always go wrong. That's its nature. Don't be surprised."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Knowledge never quenches the thirst, only application."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
LIFE QUOTES
"I pity men who occupy themselves exclusively with the transitory in things and lose themselves in the study of what is perishable, since we are here for this very end-that we may make the perishable imperishable, which we can do only after we have learned how to approach both."
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Money amplifies negative characteristics and that can cause problems.
To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it."
~ Angeline Francis Khoo
"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud."
~ Carl Jung
"There is a devil there is no doubt, but is he trying to get into us or trying to get out?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If you love someone, show it by being honest, respectful & honorable with them."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
~ Henry David Thoreau
"If I can just be the way I am & you the way you are & we accept each other, world peace is near."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"I am Asian, you are some other beautiful color. Together we make diversity so beautiful."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's amazing how some people have never met me or know who I am, but based on a few things they read here & there & rumours, they have formulated a new personality for me & all the things I've never done they passionately speak about....I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours...we just have to work hard & then rumours get proven wrong on it's own as a by product. No point explaining repeatedly. Just do our work & show results!!"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"There's a difference between patience and laziness. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Before we experience any pain, we already had a fixed view of how things should be. When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You know since very young, for better or worse, I always did the things that others told me not to do. I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor... If you love me, I'll always be in your heart... If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."
~ William Shakespeare
"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest."
~ Maya Angelou
Devotional Songs
Sung by Mary Fewel Tulin, these mystical songs in praise of the guru originate from the Sikh tradition. Yet, they are applicable to all traditions for those who want to venerate their guru.
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche
Photos On The Go
Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.
4 years ago
According to legend, Shambhala is a place where wisdom and love reign, and there is no crime. Doesn't this sound like the kind of place all of us would love to live in? https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=204874
4 years ago
108 candles and sang (incense) offered at our Wish-Fulfilling Grotto, invoking Dorje Shugden's blessings for friends, sponsors and supporters, wonderful!
4 years ago
Dharmapalas are not exclusive to Tibetan culture and their practice is widespread throughout the Buddhist world - https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=193645
4 years ago
One of our adorable Kechara Forest Retreat's doggies, Tara, happy and safe, and enjoying herself in front of Wisdom Hall which has been decorated for Chinese New Year
4 years ago
Fragrant organic Thai basil harvested from our very own Kechara Forest Retreat farm!
5 years ago
On behalf of our Puja House team, Pastor Tat Ming receives food and drinks from Rinpoche. Rinpoche wanted to make sure the hardworking Puja House team are always taken care of.
5 years ago
By the time I heard about Luang Phor Thong, he was already very old, in his late 80s. When I heard about him, I immediately wanted to go and pay my respects to him. - http://bit.ly/LuangPhorThong
5 years ago
It's very nice to see volunteers helping maintain holy sites in Kechara Forest Retreat, it's very good for them. Cleaning Buddha statues is a very powerful and effective way of purifying body karma.
5 years ago
Kechara Forest Retreat is preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. This is our holy Vajra Yogini stupa which is now surrounded by beautiful lanterns organised by our students.
5 years ago
One of the most recent harvests from our Kechara Forest Retreat land. It was grown free of chemicals and pesticides, wonderful!
5 years ago
Third picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
Second picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
First picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
The first title published by Kechara Comics is Karuna Finds A Way. It tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Karuna and Adam who had what some would call the dream life. Everything was going great for them until one day when reality came knocking on their door. Caught in a surprise swindle, this loving family who never harmed anyone found themselves out of luck and down on their fortune. Determined to save her family, Karuna goes all out to find a solution. See what she does- https://bit.ly/2LSKuWo
5 years ago
Very powerful story! Tibetan Resistance group Chushi Gangdruk reveals how Dalai Lama escaped in 1959- https://bit.ly/2S9VMGX
5 years ago
At Kechara Forest Retreat land we have nice fresh spinach growing free of chemicals and pesticides. Yes!
Fresh eggplants grown on Kechara Forest Retreat's land here in Malaysia
5 years ago
Most Venerable Uppalavanna – The Chief Female Disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni - She exhibited many supernatural abilities gained from meditation and proved to the world females and males are equal in spirituality- https://bit.ly/31d9Rat
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha.
5 years ago
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha. She was his step-mother and aunt. Buddha's mother had passed away at his birth so he was raised by Gotami.
5 years ago
Another nun disciple of Lord Buddha's. She had achieved great spiritual abilities and high attainments. She would be a proper object of refuge. This image of the eminent bhikkhuni (nun) disciple of the Buddha, Uppalavanna Theri.
5 years ago
Wandering Ascetic Painting by Nirdesha Munasinghe
5 years ago
High Sri Lankan monks visit Kechara to bless our land, temple, Buddha and Dorje Shugden images. They were very kind-see pictures- https://bit.ly/2HQie2M
5 years ago
This is pretty amazing!
First Sri Lankan Buddhist temple opened in Dubai!!!
5 years ago
My Dharma boy (left) and Oser girl loves to laze around on the veranda in the mornings. They enjoy all the trees, grass and relaxing under the hot sun. Sunbathing is a favorite daily activity. I care about these two doggies of mine very much and I enjoy seeing them happy. They are with me always. Tsem Rinpoche
Always be kind to animals and eat vegetarian- https://bit.ly/2Psp8h2
5 years ago
After you left me Mumu, I was alone. I have no family or kin. You were my family. I can't stop thinking of you and I can't forget you. My bond and connection with you is so strong. I wish you were by my side. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
This story is a life-changer. Learn about the incredible Forest Man of India | 印度“森林之子”- https://bit.ly/2Eh4vRS
5 years ago
Part 2-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
Part 1-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
The Mystical land of Shambhala is finally ready for everyone to feast their eyes and be blessed. A beautiful post with information, art work, history, spirituality and a beautiful book composed by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Rinpoche. ~ https://bit.ly/309MHBi
DON'T MISS THIS!~How brave Bonnie survived by living with a herd of deer~ https://bit.ly/2Lre2eY
5 years ago
Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%! Very interesting, find out more- https://bit.ly/2V1sJFh
5 years ago
You can download this beautiful Egyptian style Dorje Shugden Free- https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
Beautiful high file for print of Lord Manjushri. May you be blessed- https://bit.ly/2V8mwZe
5 years ago
Mongolian (Oymiakon) Shaman in Siberia, Russia. That is his real outfit he wears. Very unique. TR
5 years ago
Find one of the most beautiful temples in the world in Nara, Japan. It is the 1,267 year old Todai-ji temple that houses a 15 meter Buddha Vairocana statue who is a cosmic and timeless Buddha. Emperor Shomu who sponsored this beautiful temple eventually abdicated and ordained as a Buddhist monk. Very interesting history and story. One of the places everyone should visit- https://bit.ly/2VgsHhK
5 years ago
Manjusri Kumara (bodhisattva of wisdom), India, Pala dynesty, 9th century, stone, Honolulu Academy of Arts
Click on "View All Photos" above to view more images
Videos On The Go
Please click on the images to watch video
5 years ago
Pig puts his toys away
Animals are so intelligent. They can feel happiness, joy, pain, sorrow, just like humans. Always show kindness to them. Always show kindness to everyone.
5 years ago
Always be kind to animals-They deserve to live just like us.
Whales and dolphins playing with each other in the Pacific sea. Nature is truly incredible!
5 years ago
Bodha stupa July 2019-
Rainy period
5 years ago
Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
5 years ago
Your Next Meal!
Yummy? Tasty? Behind the scenes of the meat on your plates. Meat is a killing industry.
5 years ago
This is Daw
This is what they do to get meat on tables, and to produce belts and jackets. Think twice before your next purchase.
5 years ago
Don’t Take My Mummy Away!
Look at the poor baby chasing after the mother. Why do we do that to them? It's time to seriously think about our choices in life and how they affect others. Be kind. Don't break up families.
5 years ago
They do this every day!
This is how they are being treated every day of their lives. Please do something to stop the brutality. Listen to their cries for help!
5 years ago
What happened at Fair Oaks Farm?
The largest undercover dairy investigation of all time. See what they found out at Fair Oaks Farm.
5 years ago
She’s going to spend her whole life here without being able to move correctly. Like a machine. They are the slaves of the people and are viewed as a product. It’s immoral. Billions of terrestrial animals die annually. Billions. You can’t even imagine it. And all that because people don’t want to give up meat, even though there are so many alternatives. ~ Gabriel Azimov
5 years ago
Our Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir speaks so well, logically and regarding our country’s collaboration with China for growth. It is refreshing to listen to Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. He said our country can look to China for many more things such as technology and so on. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
This is the first time His Holiness Dalai Lama mentions he had some very serious illness. Very worrying. This video is captured April 2019.
5 years ago
Beautiful Monastery in Hong Kong
5 years ago
This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
These people going on pilgrimage to a holy mountain and prostrating out of devotion and for pilgrimage in Tibet. Such determination for spiritual practice. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Beautiful new casing in Kechara for Vajra Yogini. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Get ready to laugh real hard. This is Kechara’s version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!” We have some real talents in this video clip.
5 years ago
Recitation of Dorje Dermo‘s mantra or the Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws. This powerful mantra is meant to destroy all obstacles that come in our way. Beneficial to play this mantra in our environments.
5 years ago
Beautiful
Beautiful sacred Severed Head Vajra Yogini from Tsem Rinpoche's personal shrine.
5 years ago
My little monster cute babies Dharma and Oser. Take a look and get a cute attack for the day! Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Plse watch this short video and see how all sentient beings are capable of tenderness and love. We should never hurt animals nor should we eat them. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Cruelty of some people have no limits and it’s heartbreaking. Being kind cost nothing. Tsem Rinpoche
6 years ago
SUPER ADORABLE and must see
Tsem Rinpoche's dog Oser girl enjoying her snack in her play pen.
We were told by Uncle Wong he is very faithful toward Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden has extended help to him on several occasions and now Uncle Wong comes daily to make incense offerings to Dorje Shugden. He is grateful towards the help he was given.
6 years ago
Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnauzer Dharma boy fights Robot sphere from Arkonide!
6 years ago
Cute baby owl found and rescued
We rescued a lost baby owl in Kechara Forest Retreat.
6 years ago
Nice cups from Kechara!!
Dorje Shugden people's lives matter!
6 years ago
Enjoy a peaceful morning at Kechara Forest Retreat
Chirping birds and other forest animals create a joyful melody at the Vajrayogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat (Bentong, Malaysia).
7 years ago
This topic is so hot in many circles right now.
This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.
7 years ago
Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.
7 years ago
BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.
7 years ago
Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.
7 years ago
Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?
7 years ago
Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...
she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔
7 years ago
Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.
7 years ago
Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.
7 years ago
Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem
7 years ago
Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!
7 years ago
Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.
Sick animals are more profitable... farms calculate how close to death they can keep animals without killing them.
That's the business model.
How quickly they can be made to grow, how tightly they can be packed, how much or how little can they eat, how sick they can get without dying...
We live in a world in which it's conventional to treat an animal like a block of wood.
~ Jonathan Safran Foer
7 years ago
This video went viral and it's a must watch!!
7 years ago
SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.
This happens daily in slaughterhouse so you can get your pork and Bak ku teh. Stop eating meat.
ASK A PASTOR
A section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors.
Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.
Scroll down and click on "View All Questions" to view archived questions.
kevin asked:Hi pastor I would like to ask something about mantra rolls the ones in yellow papers. If I open it to see the mantras inside, will it lose its power or integrity as a sacred object? Thank you very much.pastor answered:Dear Kevin,
Thanks for your question. No, the mantra roll will not lose it's power or integrity if you open then. However, they are some points to remember:
> Mantras are rolled tightly like that so there more copies of the mantras for insertion purposes. And they are rolls because they are easier to insert. Mantras are also the form of the Buddhas in sound (even when written), hence Dharma texts and mantras are respected. So it you do open the roll for whatever reason, you should be careful to wrap them back tightly again.
> The second point is the yellow covering (which is usually made out of cloth), is an offering to the Buddhas. Just like adorning Buddha statues with robes and clothing is an offering. Hence, the covering should also be put back correctly and nicely on to the mantra roll.
I hope this helps. Thank you.
July 10, 2024 04:24
Anonymous asked:I wish to not practice Shugden anymore and practice another protector, I haven't undergone initiations, commitments, etc. I've only been merely reciting daily prayers. Originally, I was deeply drawn to Palden Lhamo, now fast-forward to today, I feel affinity to Palden Lhamo again. Is it okay to just switch protectors overnight? Also I like to ask, can I take vows in front of an image, I can't attend any physical classes/ceremonies, etc. Thank you very muchpastor answered:Dear Anonymous,
If you wish to practice Palden Lhamo and not Dorje Shugden, that is fine. Both are enlightened Dharma Protectors, so there will not be any unfortunately circumstances. And yes, you can switch.
However, and this is the main point, once you have chosen which Protector to practice, you have to be consistent. If you are not consistent and perhaps keep switching between the two, you will not experience the most benefits from either practice. The purpose of Dharma Protector practice is to get benefits in both worldly and spiritual life to help us, however we must be consistent and commited to our practice to get the real benefits. If you would like to practice Palden Lhamo instead, that is wonderful. But it would be best to stick to Palden Lhamo's practice from now on and do it consistently.
You can take refuge in front of your altar (which would include an image), that is very much done when you can't attend the ceremonies at Dharma centres, etc. Here is Kechara, we have a service in which we take you through the Refuge ceremony only if you cannot attend our events physically. During the ceremony, you would be in front of your altar at home. You can email Care@Kechara.com if you are interested.
Other vows are different. For example the 8 Precepts need to be received in person or online for the 1st time. Then after that you can take the 8 Precepts whenever you want in front of your altar or image, as you already have the vows. Other vows, such as the layman vows, monastic ordination, Bodhisattva vows, etc, need to be received in person from someone holding those vows.
I hope this helps.
Rojal Poudel asked:are we allowed to eat garlic and onion?pastor answered:Dear Rojal Poudel,
Yes, on an every day level Tibetan Buddhist can and do eat garlic and onion.
It is only when in the retreat of or when practising intense sadhana of a lower tantric deity, that certain foods are not eating. For higher tantric practices, there are no such restrictions. During certain pujas also, deitery restrictions apply. It is dependant on the practice.
However, in general we can eat these foods.
Garlic and onions are part of what are known as 'Black Foods'. These foods are not eaten during retreats of lower tantric deities and certain pujas as mentioned above.
Such foods include meat, fish, seafood, eggs, milk & dairy products, onion, garlic, alcohol, radish, pungent/strong-smelling foods such as leeks, shallots, chives, durians and petai (stink bean).
There is a different reason why each of these foods are not consumed during certain practices. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Dear blog friends, you can submit your photos to this section by sending an email to tblogpics@gmail.com. Include your message in the "Subject" field (up to 250 characters only). Be sure to include your name in the subject field too!
6 days ago
Beautiful offerings arranged by Choong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
6 days ago
7/7/2024 Kechara Penang weekly puja completed. Kechara Penang Study Girup by Jacinta.
3 weeks ago
This week's puja offerings sponsored by a few people and we hope their wishes be fulfilled. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta.
3 weeks ago
29th June 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group completed weekly Dorje Shugden cum Manjushri Namasangiti. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta
4 weeks ago
Need a dose of spiritual nourishment or perhaps any spiritual protection? Do take up our Kechara Penang food/candles offering packages. Do not hesitate to contact our member Choong for more info. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 weeks ago
Different food offerings offered on Penang Kechara Chapel's altar behalf of the sponsors. May sponsors' wishes be fulfilled. Great effort from Choong Soon Heng, one of our Kechara Penang dedicated members who thought of this way for people to generate merits while clearing obstacles. Uploaded by Jacinta.
4 weeks ago
These are some of the offerings offered on behalf of our sponsors. We have different offerings packages which one can choose from or just simply sponsor our weekly puja in dedication to our loved ones. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
We hope you enjoyed our pictures, as much as we enjoyed our Wesak Day together in Penang. Let us carry the energy and enthusiasm we experienced so far and inspires many more. Happy Wesak Day! 22/5/2024 KPSG by Jacinta
2 months ago
Puja offering packages. Thanks to those who sponsored the puja. May all your wishes be fulfilled. KPSG by Jacinta
2 months ago
Colourful altar with plenty of offerings. We had DS puja with Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni as we celebrate this special day of Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana. KPSG by Jacinta
2 months ago
Some of the activities done during the Wesak Day Celebration in Penang. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Wesak Day Celebration in Penang!Buddha's Bathing Ritual. 22/5/2024 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. After puja, all members helped out clearing the offerings and we shared out the blessed food offerings with our families, friends and even animals. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. Activities during puja. Members chanting Dorje Shugden mantras. We've completed Dorje Shugden puja cum Namasangiti. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
11/5/2024, Saturday @3pm. Activities : Offerings of khata to Rinpoche, garland of flowers to Dorje Shugden and a new Tibetan butterlamp being offered on the altar. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Today we have an inaugural cancer free diet talk and info sharing by Mr. Ooi. Mr. Ooi is a Penangite and like any other man, he has a family to provide for. From colon cancer stage 4,he is now known as a cancer-free man. Learn more about his story and his acquaintance with Dorje Shugden here https://youtu.be/x7i-yXJBUwM?si=A-5O0udxjg52iS58
2 months ago
Kind-hearted sponsors sponsored these kuih-muih & flowers for today's puja @ 4th May, 2024. Should you wish to contribute these or sponsor our weekly puja, do contact us for more details. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Pastor Seng Piow guides us on the flow of Dorje Shugden puja, its benefits, significant of Chanting the names of Manjushri and also explaining the dedication for the sponsors and to those in need before we start the puja as we have 2 newcomers today.
3 months ago
Two Pastors in da house! Double the merits, double the happiness. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
3 months ago
Mr. Cheah Fook Wan offered lights and incense to The Three Jewels prior to the puja in Ipoh. (KISG - Kin Hoe)
3 months ago
Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations on Sunday afternoon in Ipoh. (KISG- Kin Hoe)
3 months ago
Powerful Dorje Shugden puja @ Jalan Seang Tek, Penang. Every Saturday, 3 pm. Remove obstacles and grant blessings to fulfil wishes. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 6th April 2024
4 months ago
Rejoice to the volunteers (also kind sponsors) who cleaned the Gyenze Chapel and made abundant offerings to Gyenze. ~ Alice
4 months ago
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
4 months ago
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
4 months ago
Our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ 23/3/2024 . William, as the umze is seen here burning incense powder as we are about to recite the Sangsol Prayer to Dorje Shugden composed by Ganden Serkong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
4 months ago
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
4 months ago
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
5 months ago
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
5 months ago
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
5 months ago
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
We are continuously improving this blog, and a major upgrade will be coming in the near future. We invite all users to share your feedback with us, so that the next version of the blog will be even better. Just enter your comments in the space below.
Dear Sabina G,
The fifth precept is refraining from taking alcohol and other intoxicants. When a vow is broken, you can take the refuge vows again. You can also do purification practice. I think your problem is not being able to overcome your attachment to alcohol. You have to analyse your priorities. Do you want to be stuck for the rest of your life or do you want to diligently cultivate precepts, concentration and wisdom? How can you keep the Bodhisattva vows if you can’t keep the five precepts? If you wish to be a good Buddhist, start by observing the five precepts which will help you to overcome attachment or greed. Through the fifth precept we develop mindfulness and abstain from unwholesome mental excitement.