I have read about the extraordinary, unbelievable and mind boggling merits that accrue from reading reciting,writing or even Listening to the 'Samghata Sutra' . Is this Mahayana text taught in your system?
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.
Dear Rinpoche, I am not surprised your blog has been viewed over 1,800,000 times!! It has such interesting information and it really adds to my spirituality. It has saved my friend's life. My question, what 'drives' you to do so much work on your blog? What prompted you to start and how did you start and keep it going? I always kinda of do things half way and it drops off. How do you keep it going? The drive I mean? Thanking you ahead of time for everything.
Hello Sir / Madam. I hope Ven Rinpoche or any of the Ven. Pastors could sometime post an elaborate description of Vase meditation (breathing technique,General Type not the Tantrik one), using charts/descriptions to show the channels and their meeting points, movement of breath downwords and upwards etc,. As I could not follow the same from the discourse on 'Vajrasattva Purification and prostration'..Rinpoche mentioned in that discourse that this is a very very powerful technique.Hence I think, if it is explained in detailed it may be of benefit to many.
my parents found my buddha picture and got very mad .my father said that if he found me doing mantras or making offerings that he wouldnever talk to me ever again. They took the picture and my lama tsongkhapa guru yoga book and locked it away. i just dont know what to do they say that they are buddhists but i say that they treat the triple gems like spirit only asking for blessings and when done send them away. please give me some advice i can't do anything at home and there are no secret spots to hide away and they even dislike that i go to the temple and the only reason they dont yell at my guru is that they dont know where the temple is.
Hello,
My name is Jesse I live in the uk. Unfortunately my lovely black Labrador monty was attacked today in our local park by other dogs. I was wondering if you could tell me how to dedicate prayers, mantras and offerings for him, also I was wondering if there are any prayers you would recommend for me to do for him. Thank you very much,
Best respects,
Jesse
Hi stan good question, pastors are human beings, do you think they can help you to redeem and change. I doubt so, why they probably have a lots of unanswered answers to their own lives, they may have huge of problems not exposed, I know I am a well read and not a staunch buddhist and even goes to churches. We need to be sensible and practicals. I have seen many staunch and good buddhist or even other religious beliefs, there is no answer, just follow and believe within the blind(no offence). If all these have super powers(no offence and insinuation) can change, we have a peaceful world, the world will be a better world, peace, harmony, kissing each others etc.. Yes they are supernatural beings, I have due respect for them, ghosts and evils but to redeem, I have doubt, its karma.Rinpoche will agree with me, no offence. What you do you pay for the price, I do not know what is past sins. I just read about someone a doctor reached heaven(today news), in coma, just wish he can send us his photos, images etc etc.we are living in a fast pace and high technology. In coma, u sense yourself in heaven, then you should be in alive to send pictures, photos etc and produce it to us. I love to see heaven.
Dear Psstors,
Good afternoon. Just wonder whether the Sutta below, reportedly of Siddhartha Gautama, is still valid holding true today as it was during his time:-
Kalamas Sutta
“Regard all sentient beings as equal to your dear mother.” – Buddhist maxim, a Tibetan saying.
An often-quoted Buddhist scripture, the Kalama Sutta, sometimes called the Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry, tells the story of a group of villagers who belong to the Kalama tribe. The Kalamas are vexed by a constant procession of monks, priests, and yogis who traipse through their town, each espousing a universal doctrine while disparaging all the others.
“Venerable sir, there is doubt, there is uncertainty in us concerning them,” the Kalamas tell the Buddha. “Which of these reverend monks and Brahmins spoke the truth and which falsehood?”
To which the Buddha responds:
"It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are bad; these things are blamable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,' abandon them.”
Learning occurs only once students have verified the truth FOR themselves – WITHIN themselves and BY themselves.
A guided advice on its exact status is much appreciated.
Thank you and have a great day.
Dear Pastors, Be kind enough to disentangle the Gordon Knot below
All acquired assumption aside, Prince Siddhārtha Gautama, in accordance to scriptural text, has been reported to have pointed out: "Yo kho Vakkali dhammaṃ passati so maṃ passati" O Vakkali, whoever sees the Dharma, sees me [the Buddha]. Appearing twice in that statement was only the word “SEE’ with no explicit or implied indication of other needful. Dharma is the Sankit descriptive term for ‘the true nature of things as they are’ or ‘reality as it is’. Have the actual goings-on, by whatever quarter so interpreting, since the time passage after that particular specific statement, with their invented systemized approaches been in harmony with what Gautama had pointed out or could there be a contradictory divergence or a fall-out from that clarion call Gautama had made. Is ‘seeing’ the end result of and being brought about by any cultivation or practice? Could it be that freedom is the seeing of the reality of what is as what is – where interfering and intervening obstacles, hindrances, blockages, the in-between images (the products of thought) are not? Will any reactive response of crystallized thought of the known ever lead to that field of the unknown where thought cannot enter? Can disorder brings about order?
Another observable aspect of life is the ongoing contradiction and the perpetuation of it, the more of the same. While most ascribed that human beings are the crowns of creation, their very behavior may betray that the existing human condition is more inclined towards a cosmic joke – a divisive contradictory contradiction contradicting itself. Is not a sammāsambuddha one who finds out for himself. Or it refers to the finding out through another, a mandatory cannot do-without dependence on any established channel and media of whatever kind, the emerged competitive intermediary, each holding fast to their proclaimed purported superiority, the Showers of the Way or the mysterious Key that unlock the door to the Eternal, the Immeasurable. It has and is it not still happening in the marketplace? On one breath we profess to what is construed as of eternal value but the next breath we trample on, mutilating and corrupting its every essence which brings to mind “What man touches, man destroy.”
May the blessings be.
With regards and have a nice day.
Allan
Dear Rinpoche,
Is it really ok, to practice the mantra of Kalarupa without any sort of permission. I wouldn't like to do so, but since you posted about the practice, I have felt quite drawn – to take it as a main focus – or practice. Somehow it seems like it might be a good idea, as I do have some experiences of sensing ghosts etc.. I wonder what you would think about this. . or do you think something else would be better ~ with many thanks . very much for your time
Dear Rinpoche, I am learning to be honest and see how dishonest I am
with my own self to begin with…I am always betraying myself saying one thing and doing another…I am learning to be honest it is so freeing and liberating why do I create a prison around me., why do I create my own hell .as I wish so much to be free and work for the benefit of all beings everywhere? Thank you eternally ~
I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE ME FIND RELIGION, I FIRST NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND GET ANSWERS TO MY DOUBTS TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS. I HOPE YOU WILL DO YOUR BEST. THANK YOU.
Guru Rinpoche lived in the 8th century. During his life on earth through his great knowledge he helped in the spread of Dharma. When he died, I am sure he achieved nirvana? If he did achieve nirvana that means he does not exist, and if he does not exist how can he hear us when we recite his mantras or pray to him for protection?
In the puja room (Sikkim Buddhist tradition), Lord Buddha is placed in the centre, Guru Rinpoche towards the left and Lord Alokeshwara at the right.
I understand the significance of Lord Buddha in the centre: That the image / statue of Lord Buddha is to inspire us, as it is the reflection of ourselves; reminding us about our true self, that we all can achieve nirvana.
I do not understand, the image/ statue of Guru Rinpoche and Alokeshwara, you could say that they are the forms or character of Buddha, to inspire us to be compassionate and spiritual, if this is true then it is logical and makes sense, as they are also just reminders and inspiration of what we can be, and holds the same principle as the statue/ image of Buddha.
What gives me faith in Buddhist philosophy?
We can achieve nirvana through meditation and good karma, and become Buddha. The seed of our good Karma and bad Karma “sprouts” depending upon our actions, thus we control our own destiny and future births.
What really confuses me in Buddhist philosophy?
We can use certain mantras to cure our ill health or misfortunes, by praying to the various “Deities”, and like Doctors who are divided into various disciplines as per their purpose viz. Dermatologist, Cardiologist, Surgeon etc The Deities are also divided into various types as per their function: Eg. White Tara –for compassion, long life, healing and serenity; Red Tara; for magnetizing all good things, Black Tara associated with power; Palden Lhamo: the Protectress; etc.
So many gods? Are they all not Buddhas? And if they are, then why have they not achieved nirvana? And if they exist where in the wheel of life are they? Are they in the Realm of Gods?
I was told by H.E Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, that Guru Rinpoche does still exist and is guarding some evil spirits from coming to earth? If we pray to him, or recite his mantras he can hear us.
My question here would be, if Guru Rinpoche at present is guarding the evil spirits who otherwise if set free, would make hell on earth; then in that case, who was guarding them when
Guru Rinpoche was here on Earth?
The very existence of God and their powers to help us contradicts what H.E Tsem Rinpoche preached about “What is God, what is Buddha?” vide link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n79erzOJE6k ….when problem comes we pray from the depths of our heart to remove our problems…that means a person who is pious will have no problems….instant quick fix for problems we have created…. dear God please make them go away because I am your devout follower…if God would take away the problem all the lawyers would not exist anymore….
Furthermore “The Miracles of Tsem Rinpoche (True Story 10)” the incident of Steven’s recovery, seems to be contradicting the preaching of H.E Tsem Rinpoche “What is God, what is Buddha?” If what happened to Steven was not just a coincidence, if the incident is true, that in a way Lord Setrap and Medicine Buddha did help him, then didn’t Steven just get a “quick fix” to his greatest problem of dying? Despite his previous arrogance and no faith in spirituality?
In a nut shell, philosophy of Buddhism, which is based on “Karma” does not seem to blend well with the helping and forgiving Gods, which in itself is not shown in the wheel of life, where the Demi Gods and Gods cannot influence the fate and thoughts of us human mortals.
Christianity basically has one God worshiped: Lord Jesus, thus if Buddhism has so many Gods to worship, then wouldn’t it be easier for a layman to worship and please one god, rather than get confused about so many deities in Buddhism? (Just an example considering “Gods”, although I could argue about the “Karma” philosophy not being there in Christianity).
I am sure there is a simple convincing and logical reason why so many Gods are worshiped in Buddhism, why certain mantras are recited during certain pujas to please certain Gods.
Could you kindly then remove this cloud from my mind that prevents me from accepting some of the Buddhist philosophy? Could you kindly share with me and justify the existence of Deities and their correlation with “Karma”?
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Serving the community. Tirelessly
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We have a similar text call the Heart Sutra which is recited in our centre. Rinpoche has taught the essence of this teaching as we are part of mahayana teachings.