Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Creating the Blog with Rinpoche
Lobsang Chokyi has been a student of His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche for over 20 years. Through the years, Ani Chokyi has witnessed Rinpoche’s compassion and the unconventional methods he uses to benefit others. Some of the short stories she shares will tell interesting miraculous events that Rinpoche will not mention due to his humility. She hopes these stories will serve as an inspiration in your own spiritual journey.
Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Creating the Blog with Rinpoche
Late one night, while I was working in Tsem Ladrang, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s city residence in a Kuala Lumpur suburb, Rinpoche quietly came downstairs with Pastor Seng Piow. Rinpoche came down to the office area with Pastor Seng Piow walked right into my room and inquired on what I was working on. My late husband Justin Ripley was also present at the time, and we were just about to pack up and call it a day. If my memory serves me correctly, it was around 4am, very early in the morning.
We had become accustomed to working late because we preferred working at night when everything was quiet, with less distractions. We were able to concentrate better as a result of it. So, you can say Justin and I were night owls, nocturnal creatures, whatever you want to call it. And so was Rinpoche.
It had appeared that Rinpoche came down from his room specifically to find us, which was a huge surprise to us as we didn’t expect to see him. I guess he knew we were still there after checking the CCTV. Rinpoche then went on to explain what he was trying to accomplish. Pastor Seng Piow had taken it upon himself to create a blog for Rinpoche. Rinpoche had not requested it, but Pastor Seng Piow saw it as an opportunity for Rinpoche to spread more Dharma and share more about himself to the world. Rinpoche showed us the blog and explained how he began writing a few short posts about himself and his interests. He then realised he didn’t like the appearance and how the blog looked at that time. As a result, Rinpoche requested that we make it look “nicer.” Rinpoche must have anticipated that his blog would grow in popularity and draw more visitors.
Rinpoche then started throwing out ideas and talking about what he would like the blog to look like. Rinpoche also wanted a picture of Gendun Nyedrak, his previous life, in the background. He wanted people to relate to him and have pictures to refer to. The idea was that the blog should give readers a quick overview of Rinpoche and his life, and his values and beliefs. As Rinpoche preferred intense solid colours, the chosen colour scheme was black. Then and there we were working on the blog’s aesthetics together with Rinpoche.
What an honour it was to assist Rinpoche with creating his personal blog, which would pave the way for spreading and preserving Buddhism in the modern era. Tsem Rinpoche was one of the most revolutionary Tibetan Buddhist lamas of our time. His blog has become a window into his life and teachings. We knew we were making history because everything Rinpoche did was for the benefit of future generations of sentient beings.
Rinpoche’s blog is unique in that it is not solely about him. It is about a cause that has the power to save lives, change karmas, shift perspectives, mindsets, and attitudes, and change history. It is all about showing us how to be better versions of ourselves. It is about realising our higher potential, awakening our minds from samsara’s slumber, and unlocking our human potential. It is about Lamrim or the Steps on the Path to Enlightenment. Yes, Rinpoche used to tell us that his entire blog is the Lamrim. If you are familiar with Lamrim, you will recognise the types of topics on the blog that appear to be modern, funny, and unconventional while still being profoundly related to the teachings. It is difficult to describe or explain, as you would have to be familiar with the Lamrim to understand what I am talking about.
We were making history, and I dare say we were creating the best Buddhist blog to have ever existed. With its treasure trove of Dharma resources, no other blog compares to Rinpoche’s. It is a Buddhist library in cyberspace, which is precisely what Rinpoche envisioned and which demonstrates the breadth of his vision. But at the moment in time, as we worked on the blog’s aesthetics, it was clearly beyond our comprehension; there we were, in the dead of night, creating this incredible blog that has and will continue to benefit millions, if not billions, of people. What began as a simple Buddhist monk’s personal blog has grown to over 25 million views and counting.
As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, Rinpoche arranged breakfast for us. Rinpoche ordered Indian food for us and invited anyone else who happened to be awake and nearby to join us for dinner. As the sun rose, it felt like we were all one big happy family enjoying breakfast together. But the most magical part was that we were all doing some kind of Dharma work under one big roof because of Rinpoche. What Rinpoche gave us, was true purpose and meaning in life. What a great way to usher the morning sunrise.
Rinpoche working on a blog post whilst Pastor Seng Piow assisted with the uploading of the post. This picture was taken in Rinpoche’s Ladrang (residence) at the time, which Rinpoche nicknamed the “Haven”.
Looking back and thinking about how it all started seems so surreal. I am glad we did not leave the Ladrang too early that night. We were there to be called upon and given the rare opportunity to assist in developing Rinpoche’s blog. To think that it all began with Pastor Seng Piow, a devout disciple who only wanted his Guru to spread Buddhism to as many people as possible. And that the blog started with Rinpoche, a single person who did all the writing, and how it has grown so big until it now has millions of viewerships. It is all pretty mind-blowing. Rinpoche used to tell us to imagine, just through our keyboard, we could be benefiting millions of people, perhaps even saving someone’s life.
Now, we have a whole team of writers producing articles based on Rinpoche’s teachings and what he advocated. It is humbling, and I am grateful for the many late nights we put in to stay up or be on standby for our Guru. When someone tells me how one of the blog posts helped them or how it changed their lives, giving them hope or a new perspective on life, I am overjoyed, grateful, and encouraged. It makes all the long hours and sleepless nights spent working on the posts with Rinpoche worthwhile.
With that, I would like to express my gratitude to Pastor Seng Piow for starting the blog, as well as Rinpoche for turning it into a hub of Buddhist knowledge. It is a place where we can expand our minds, learn more Dharma, and hopefully come to some realisations.
For more interesting information:
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Transforming the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – No Offering Too Small
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Social Media to Enlightenment?
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Eating Out with Rinpoche
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Tsem Rinpoche, My Protector
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Looking for That Switch!
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Taboo Words
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Cooking For Rinpoche
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Vajra Yogini or Anger?
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – The Assignment
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Change Karma
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Creating The Causes
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Buddha Images and Imprints
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Food and Dharma
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Spreading Dharma in Jonker Street
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – What’s the New News?
- Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Mission Impossible
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Dear Ani Chokyi,
Eternal gratitude for having Rinpoche, Pastor Seng Piow, Anila (and Justin), and those who have helped develop Rinpoche’s blog. High five * One of the coolest blogs ever!
I don’t think there will be other homo sapiens who are as skilled and enthusiastic as you all, who are madly in love with creating a Buddhist blog. Many kecharians have learned to stay up late I think. 😅
I’ve been reading this blog, at least for a decade now. I’ve seen how it has grown and changed over the years and is still – changing. One of the best features that I like the most is the chat box. Live chat box! That’s where I had the chance to chat ‘a little’ with Rinpoche when He decided to ‘surprise’ us with His grand appearance now and then. The live quizzes in America are still stuck in my mind too! That was one of the most intense moments for many Kecharians. Hehe…
Till now we have been having our blog chat weekly, and that’s awesome! A little space for us to meet up virtually and gain more Dharma.
Besides gaining knowledge about Buddhism and especially Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche’s blog has supported me in many ways, especially when life gets tough, having to face so many obstacles and disappointments, and coping with some unpredicted events too, such as the ongoing pandemic Covid 19. Yes, Rinpoche’s entire blog is like a Lamrim, can’t agree more.
I hope Anila will stay healthy, wealthy *spiritually & long life. Please continue your path as you will not only inspire me but many others and those in the future too.
Thank you Ani Lobsang Chokyi for this wonderful sharing how Tsem Rinpoche blog came in. Yes its was this blog that catches my eyes and the rest is history. I have Rinpoche to thank for how reading, learning and practicing Buddhism have changed my life forever. From zero knowledge it click into my life . Its such a amazing blog filled with wonderful Dharma knowledge where everyone could start off finding the true purpose and meaning in life.
Thank you Rinpoche, Ani Lobsang Chokyi ,Pastor Seng Piow, and all the writers.
It really is the best blog in the world. Thanking the whole team and Rinpoche for this wonderful gift 💝