(By Tsem Rinpoche) Nepal, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia. It is a country with a diverse tapestry of culture and religion, and Nepal has always been a popular destination known for its best value for money. Eight of the world’s ten...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 15 Comments »
Interviewing H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende of Shar Gaden Monastery about H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche Kechara was extremely honoured and privileged to host the visit of His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende, accompanied by his devoted attendant Gen Wangyal. Kensur Rinpoche, now an abbot emeritus, was the first abbot...
Posted in Great Lamas & Masters | 16 Comments »
Dear friends, It is helpful to understand the various types of minds and how people think. There are people who are ‘wired’ differently than ourselves and they can look for short term results and immediate gratification instead of long term benefit. In fact they consistently get themselves into trouble and difficulties because they always...
Posted in Current Affairs & News | 28 Comments »
Dear friends around the world, As society keeps trending more and more towards consumerism and materialism, all of us need some sort of spiritual cleansing from these ‘toxins’. Therefore Buddhism is especially important during this era because only the Dharma can bring us long lasting happiness. Nothing else in samsara will. I’m extremely happy...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice | 29 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline) Shikoku (四国, which literally means “four countries”) is the smallest among Japan’s four main islands as well as the least populous one with over 4 million people. It is located at the southwest of Honshu Island and is east of Kyushu Island. Just as its name implies, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures that refers to the former four provinces that made up this island, namely Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo. These four provinces are replaced by today’s four prefectures of Tokushima, Ko...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David) Japan, called Nihon-koku in its native Japanese, literally means the ‘State of Japan’. It is an East Asian island nation in the fringes of the Pacific Ocean, right on the eastern coast of the Asian mainland and the Korean Peninsular. To the north is the Sea of Okhotsk,...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »
It is said that on Mount Kailash, Buddha Shakyamuni miraculously manifested as Buddha Heruka Cakrasamvara in sacred union with Vajrayogini along with the accompanying 62 deities in his entourage. He did this in order to expound the Heruka tantras. The purpose of Heruka’s meditative practice is to use desire along with its accompanying attachments,...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Downloads, Great Lamas & Masters, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Prayers and Sadhanas | 10 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) The capital city of South Korea is the largest city in the country, and probably the most densely populated city in the world with over 11.8 million people in its main ‘Special City’ section alone. Considered one of East Asia’s economic and cultural hubs, Seoul will tantalise all your senses. Seoul...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 6 Comments »
Deepavali (also known as Diwali in many other countries) is a widely celebrated festival in Indian communities around the world, such as the Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and the Nepalese Newar Buddhists. It is a joyous festival of lights, where families unite on the darkest night of the year to light candles, set off fireworks,...
Posted in Malaysia | 11 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Han Nee) “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part“ ~ Traditional Marriage Vow In life, our actions and pursuits have always been aimed at...
Posted in Books & Poetry, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Guest Contributors | 7 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Adeline) Kyoto and Nara were once two of ancient Japan’s capital cities that flourished as the county’s cultural and political centres. Japan’s capital city was relocated to Tokyo in the 18th century, and has remained so until today. The two prefectures of Kyoto and Nara are parts of the...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 9 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David) Vietnam is a thin strip of land that borders with China up in the North, and Laos and Cambodia to the West. It was once a lesser-known travel destination but Vietnam has since become widely popular in recent years. In fact, Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi is consistently ranked among...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 18 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Dear friends around the world, Tukdam is a meditative state that great practitioners of Buddhism enter into when they pass away from this life in order to take a controlled rebirth. During this meditate state, the physical body does not decay or deteriorate, and the person does not emit an unpleasant...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Current Affairs & News | 12 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Located in the southernmost part of Japan is Kyushu, which literally means “Nine Provinces” in Japanese. It is Japan’s third biggest island and was the earliest centre of civilisation in Japan. It is also home to Japan’s most active volcano, Mount Aso, as well as a haven for natural hot springs....
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 14 Comments »
I’ve always been curious about how famous individuals, good or nasty or neither, are “made”. Hence when I encountered the biographies of Emperor Kangxi’s grandmother, Empress Xiaozhuang Wen, also honored as “Mother of the Qing Dynasty” by later generations, I thought to share it with readers of H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s blog. Empress...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, China 中国, Guest Contributors | 15 Comments »
In our materialistic self-centred world, we need more news like this where we are saving and helping our planet. It is spiritual to help our planet. It is human to help our planet. It is logical to help our planet. We are the only species on this earth that destroys our planet and uses...
Posted in Animals, Vegetarianism & Environment | 23 Comments »
Dear friends, I am extremely happy to know that plant-based diets are being promoted in hospitals and medical institutions for their health benefits. Such places are the foundation for patients to get healed, therefore it’s important that they also heal through the food they serve. I hope that other hospitals and medical centres will...
Posted in Animals, Vegetarianism & Environment, Current Affairs & News | 24 Comments »
Peter Szasz was born on the 27th March 1941 in Budapest, Hungary. Unfortunately, he was born into the turmoil of World War II and had to endure tremendous hardship as a young child. When his mother was pregnant with him, everybody felt sorry for the baby who would be born into the war, and...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 10 Comments »
The magnificent Jetavanaramaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage places in Sri Lanka. The stupa was built on the ground where the legendary Mahinda Maha Thero gave a seven-day discourse on Buddhism. Mahinda Maha Thero was the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and a great...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 48 Comments »
Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia. It has the biggest and most diverse archipelago in the world covering 2 million square kilometres from Asia to Australia. This tropical country is made up of over 18,000 islands, but only 6,000 are inhabited. It boasts dramatic landscapes, like Sulawesi’s magnificent coastlines with white sandy...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 9 Comments »