My bio book reviewed by The Star
I received an e-mail from Pastor Loh Seng Piow… he informed me that the second edition of my pictorial biography book, The Promise has been reviewed and featured in The Star. The Star is a national newspaper in Malaysia, and it is the most widely-read English-language daily and Sunday newspapers.
A few years back, one of my gurus insisted for me to come out with an autobiography. To be honest, I really did not want to… but since my teacher instructed, I followed through with his instructions. He had a valid basis and explanation, he told me that the autobiography would help many people…
Published by Kechara’s publishing house, Kechara Media & Publications (KMP), the second edition of the book was recently published thanks to the hard work of my students, Sharon, Paris and the group at KMP! This edition includes further details of my previous life relayed by one of my student’s from my previous life. I had some of my students go to India to interview this old monk. Unfortunately this old monk has entered clear light recently.
When I listened to the recording, a lot of information caught me by surprise… there were so many similarities between my current life and my previous life! All of the details the senior monk shared to my students were all new to me… What a wonderful opportunity for my current life student to meet my previous life student!
KMP also came out with a Chinese edition of the book along with the second edition of the English version.
I have to say that The Star review was done very well… the reviewer managed to capture the challenges I went through to get to where I am today. I have included the article written by The Star below. Please have a read and let me know what you think. Thank you…
Tsem Rinpoche
Friday July 13, 2012
Princely monk
Review by LOK CHING WEI
The Promise narrates the story of Kechara’s spiritual head; from a troubled youth to a great leader.
The Promise: A Tsem Tulku Biography
Author: Sharon Saw, Jamie Khoo & Fang C. Chang
Publisher: Kechara Media & Publications, 180 pages
BUDDHIST charity organisation Kechara has managed to establish its presence in Malaysia and develop its many programmes – ranging from education centres and animal shelters to soup kitchens and publishing and filmmaking arms – within an incredibly short time. How has it garnered so much support? Well, this book will probably answer that question, as it delves into the life of Kechara’s spiritual head, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
The Promise (the first book in a series) is about Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s life, about “the insurmountable hurdles he overcame, his stalwart search for happiness and, most of all, his unwavering devotion to fulfil a most unusual promise”.
At 17, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche made a promise to his root guru, Zong Rinpoche (1905-1984). But when his guru died, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche wondered whether he still needed to fulfil his promise. What do you say of someone who has made 100 prostrations in front of his guru’s bedroom door every night?
At 22, he followed his heart. He flew to Delhi, took his monk’s vows and went to live in his guru’s monastery in Gaden, India, in 1987. He endured difficult times in the first few years. But it was blissful when he was reunited with the reincarnation of Zong Rinpoche – a three-year-old monk who “returned” to live in Gaden. The two bonded well like old acquaintances. Seemingly, fate smiled on Tsem Tulku Rinpoche!
At 27, his two gurus asked him to go abroad to teach and raise funds. He appeared lost, but as he contemplated the task before him, he remembered friends who he hoped would stand him in good stead.
With help from Rev Khoon, a Malaysian monk he met in Bodhgaya in 1990, and the renowned Gelek Rinpoche, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche came to Malaysia. When he raised enough funds to build a hostel for visiting monks with 36 dormitory rooms, his mission was accomplished. It was a remarkable fundraiser!
Over the next few years, he travelled back and forth between Gaden and Malaysia to teach until his gurus advised him to make Malaysia his permanent base. And that was the beginning of Kechara.
Born a prince of Mongolia-Tibetan heritage, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s childhood was not a bed of roses but a rough and tumble one, as he lived with two foster families. Perhaps life would have been easier for him if his biological mum had just surrendered him to the monkhood when the lamas came for him when he was seven months old.
But she refused to give her son away, saying that if the prince was destined to be in the robes, he would find his way.
From his birthplace in Taiwan, he was sent away to the United States to live with his “real parents” (actually, foster parents). Imagine what it would have been like for this young man, who knew not his real birth story nor his real parents.
Life was full of challenges and surprises for him. He was a troubled and suicidal teen. Yet, he made friends along the way.
I found it funny to read about when the young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche crossed paths with another runaway, a woman who eloped with her boyfriend half his age. He found out that she ran away “yesterday”!
This biography features many personal photographs of Rinpoche’s life, including never before published images. The book crosses four countries, five cities, countless cultures, and is the result of years of travel and research by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s students, crossing China, Taiwan, India and the United States.
Some people say they read biographies to find out about the person’s accomplishments; whether or not the reader is inspired to tread the same path does not matter. I came away from this book with the feeling that I was close to knowing Tsem Tulku Rinpoche although I have yet to meet him.
I am amazed at how destiny has been leading, moulding and transforming him to be a much greater compassionate being who benefits others before himself. He not only emerged unscathed from his trials and tribulations, but was also energised and considerate enough to share with others in need.
I envisioned Tsem Tulku Rinpoche casting a pebble with the setting up of Kechara and I can see the ripples of development and growing influence of the organisation. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche seems to me to be a great leader who spreads joy and happiness wherever he walks.
(Source: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=%2F2012%2F7%2F13%2Flifebookshelf%2F10952591&sec=lifebookshelf)
Preview of: The Promise (2nd edition)
Preview of: The Promise (Chinese)
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1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
realy nice book.i hope many people also happy to read our rinpoche bio book.
Thank you to The Star for the wonderful write up of Rinpoche. Rinpoche does not want to write an autobiography yet he did so because of His Guru’s instruction. Rinpoche is the best because Rinpoche leads by example. And through this, Rinpoche continue to inspire many, many more! Thank you Rinpoche!
The Promise – About the man behind Kechara, many people has been wondering what is his past, how can he work so tirelessly for others, etc. The Promise tells how someone from a very difficult childhood to a teen years which full of challenges till now a MAN that is full of compassion and kindness.
This MAN that moved so many lives, touches so many souls and inspired so many people has written this book, the purpose is not to get fame, but it is to benefit others, a MAN with 100% integrity is now in Malaysia creating a legacy so that this legacy can benefit millions and millions more people for the years to come…
I like to give out Rinpoche’s biography “The Promise” to people, especially new friends who I first meet. Because I knew if I talk too much, when they left nothing will be remember. Moreover if I give a book to them, they will read it while they are free or sometime just because of curious.
Many friends told me that “The Promise” is a good book. Yes, I totally agreed.
Mr Lok Ching Wei is a good feature writer and I believed that he read through the book before he wrote anything. As a friend who knew in Kechara can write such as nice article he really serious about his works.
Talked about Rinpoche previous student, I am so lucky that I can witnessed all this things happened. Sometime, I thought I am watching a movie…however it is a fact and real story between my Guru with his previous student. To me, really a miracle!
I went to visit Rinpoche’s student old Geshe la, he was blind because of neglected of medicine care while he fallen in sick. Although he cannot see us, Geshe la still like a normal people, happy, positive, very warm, friendly, he is the kind of elder monk when you saw him; you will like to hang around with him. I like him a lot.
Even though, when I left his room I still cannot really figured out am I in a dream or that is real fact…but I like the precious meeting…the first also the last…
Yes, this kind of perious information must add into Rinpoche’s biography”The Promise” in second edition.
Thank you Gen la, you proven me a real fact that incarnation existing in the world!!!
This book has indeed inspired a lot of people and made people understand why Rinpoche is doing so much works and projects.
I have a friend, she knew about Rinpoche from my facebook page and she ordered a Promise book from the vajrasecrets.com. Immediately the next day after reading the book, she came to visit Kechara. She realised as a real buddhist pratictioner, it is not about having a statue at home, going to a temple to burn some incense or chanting everyday. She is very interested to learn more soI recommended her to join our Dharma class on Sunday and she will bring the children to attend children Dharma class too. I also recommended her to go to Rinpoche’s blog and youtube. She really appreciates how Rinpoche has made Dharma so accessible for everyone. I am happy that another person has benefitted from Rinpoche and wanted to start their Dharma practice.
“The Promise”, a pictorial biography features many photos of Rinpoche’s life and with this biography we are able to know more about Rinpoche, to understand the obstacles and difficulties Rinpoche had to endure to pursue Dharma to benefit sentient beings. It was not an easy life for Rinpoche as a kid, but Rinpoche’s
determination to pursue what he always wanted will be an inspiration for others. It is because of his determination that we now have Kechara and I hope those inspired by his works will come forth to support Rinpoche’s vision.
This gem of a biography of Rinpoche has moved the writer of this review to comment that just by reading it, she had come close to knowing Rinpoche.
She aptly describes Rinpoche as “a great leader who spreads joy and happiness wherever he goes”.
Yes coming out of “his trials and tribulations unscathed ” is one thing, but The Promise also shows how Rinpoche has allowed his compassionate nature and his determination to pursue Dharma to benefit all beings to be the compass guiding him through all the rough terrain of his life.
The second edition’s story of Rinpoche’s previous incarnation shows how seamlessly Rinpoche had moved from his previous life to this current life spreading Dharma similarly in places where Dharma had yet to grow.
We are very fortunate that Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has made Malaysia his permanent base as advised by his Gurus, and we are so blessed to receive Rinpoche’s teaching.Many people from all over the world can also receive his teaching through this blog and many of them have flown in to Malaysia to meet H E in person to give support to his work.
“The Promise” is a great book with many photos which made it is easier to relate each stage of Rinpoche’s life. The front cover picture is so calming. The obstacles and hurdles Rinpoche had to encounter to become a monk was not easy. I feel so blessed and grateful that Rinpoche choses Malaysia to teach the Dharma. And now we have KFR. All due to Rinpoche’s compassion for our welfare.
I feel so grateful to learn and to be under such a great lama like Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Through the autobiography book, one can really know all the hardships that our Rinpoche have to undergo till this very day all for the sake of benefiting more sentient beings. Looking through the journey, i ask myself whether could i do what Rinpoche have done throughout the years and i am still contemplating on that.
Thank you Rinpoche for being here with us and for us to save us from samsara
Great review by Lok Ching Wei! Thanks so much The Star for featuring this review.
From the review, hopefully more people will get to know about Rinpoche, who he is, where he comes from, his story and inspired by him.
With this, I also hope that more people will support Rinpoche and his work such as Kechara Forest Retreat and later KWPC that will bring tremendous benefits to all in Malaysia and the world. Let’s work together to bring happiness to more people and all beings!
Note: a copy of The Promise can be sent to your doorstep via http://vajrasecrets.com/books/english-books/the-promise-a-tsem-tulku-biography.html
KMP put so much effort in the “Promise”, we really appreciate their effort. Even the chinese “Promise” can let more people to get know the details bio of Rinpoche. The publicity help to promote and able to let all Malaysian connected to our Guru. Rejoice…
We are extremely fortunate to have H.E. Tsem Rinpoche as our teacher. Our path does not cross accidently, we must have been his students from former lives who made prayers to be with him again this life and future lives. We are certainly honoured and privileged to be have a genuinely sincere and compassionate high lama guiding us today.
It was a wonderful experience to do research for Rinpoche’s biography. Everyone we spoke to confirmed how consistent Rinpoche’s character was from a young age – his love for the Dharma, his kindness and care. I am glad that Lok Ching Wei understood where Rinpoche is coming from through The Promise and hope that many people will read this inspirational biography, which has lovely photographs. Incidentally, for those of you who like ebooks, The Promise is also available for ipads! https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/promise-tsem-rinpoche-biography/id545435861?mt=11
From what I’ve experienced in the past: There was a interviewer who asked me to talk about myself, I found that it is not easy at all. But now we have pictorial biography of Rinpoche for all the readers to read all the inspiring and touching stories, and of course to know Rinpoche better!
Thank you Rinpoche for Your sharing! From Your story, we know that everyone can make a difference in his/her life no matter how bad the situation is. We don’t blame others but we take on the responsibility to pursue what we want in life! That’s the spirit we should have nowadays.
It is good to know that The Promise has been able to tell Rinpoche’s life story well. The writer Lok Ching Wei said that she was close to knowing Rinpoche after reading the book! We hope more people will get to read the book as it is about one man’s commitment to his Guru and his vision which is enough to bring Kechara to what it is today. These principles apply to us in our daily lives and much more.
They say that the teachings of the Buddha came forth because other Bodhisattvas emanated to ask the right questions so the Buddha would teach. Hence, Rinpoche’s bio came forth because Rinpoche’s Gurus requested Rinpoche to come out with it. Tsem Rinpoche himself doesn’t think much for his own life story.
In fact, he was afraid that people would find it uninspiring because being a Rinpoche, he should have less problems. However, people today need a Lama who had it tough because they show an example of resilience and tenacity for the Dharma. People need a story they can relate to.
This book The Promise shows us how a lama have lived his life like any other normal human being, like us in this present world but managed to rise from all the difficulties and obstacles in life that we face daily by many of us.
However the result from these difficulties brought about a different result from anyone of us. Tsem Rinpoche was able to build Kechara and lead the organization to world standards. That takes a lot of hard work, effort, discipline, perseverance, patience, integrity, love, wisdom, compassion and the motive to benefit many – all are true reflection of the teachings in the Lamrim. Rinpoche live the life of the Lamrim and more. We can learn a lot about dharma through the life of Tsem Rinpoche himself. Thank you with folded hands, Rinpoche for being with us.
There are still some people out there who still do not know Rinpoche. Through this Biography people have much easier access to getting to know better about Rinpoche and Kechara through simply flipping through these pages. How convenient?
There is alot of information contained within this Biography. I feel that this review has written it well. A gem can never be known if it is not uncovered. Publicity helps to generate the awareness needed just like the wind that blow away the sands on top of the gem.
I like especially the last two paragraphs written by the reviewer. They succinctly captures how I feel and I cannot agree more with the last line – ‘…Rinpoche seems to me a great leader who spreads joy and happiness wherever he walks.’ It is so true about the happiness part.