Shall I teach?
Jul 20, 2014
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
When I do my ‘duty’ and teach dharma to people and the illusions of samsara, they find it hard to let go. I am accused of not letting them live their lives and have fun. They insist they cannot, will not or not ready to let go. When I don’t teach dharma, they say I am not doing my duty and they are waiting to hear the dharma. When I try to train their mind, they say I have no right to interfere in their lives and it’s too hard. When I point out what is being done wrong according to dharma, they say I am judgmental. When I mention the effects of their actions on others and their future, they say I am condemning them and I am laying a guilt trip. When I remind them of their practice they avoid me and say they have no freedom. When I push more out of great concern for them to learn dharma, apply what they have learned and transform for the better, they run, escape and curse me. They form hate groups and criticize me on social media and try to influence other students away saying I am some sort of tyrant. They claim I am harsh and they had it hard. They turn off their phones, unfriend on facebook, don’t reply emails and criticize me saying I am mean, loud, insistent, unpredictable, temperamental and difficult. Claiming dharma and what I am teaching is suffocating. That it’s cultish. A pressure cooker of sorts. My teacher told me that to teach dharma and practice these days is like white crow among the black.
So, what shall I do? As a monk, what am I supposed to teach them? Get deeper into samsara? Shall I change the Buddhist scriptures on karma, ego and mind for you so you feel better? Shall I take your side and say karma doesn’t exist. You want me to conform to you and deny my dharma learnings? Shall I agree your friends are all right that dharma is wrong? Shall I tell you Buddha, Tsongkapa, Shantideva, Nagarjuna, Chandrakirti, Panchen Lama, Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche, H.H. the Dalai Lama all wasted their lives being disciplined practitioners and their teachings are all wrong and you are right? Buddha is wrong and you are right? Shall I blatantly lie to you and tell you karma made an exception just for you? In fact, shall I disrobe and join you in all the fun and parties too?!? Shall I give you a feel good dharma that makes you feel cool for the moment and actually does nothing for you in the long run? Shall I encourage you to go drink, endless parties, have many babies, divorce, marry, travel, indulge, multiple partners, cheat, eat a lot of meat, be cruel to animals, be dishonest? Shall I just tell you the six realms and reincarnation does not exist and you should just live it up after all you only live once? Shall I also advise you to don’t be responsible, money is god, be selfish, get intoxicated and have psychedelic non-stop samsaric roller coaster ride that never stops? Forget consequences. Forget everyone you hurt. Forget about any damages. What would you like me to say?
So shall I teach dharma or don’t teach dharma? It’s not a matter if I have compassion to teach as I have been teaching for decades, but do you have enough compassion for all others and yourself to listen and apply? What shall I do as a Buddhist monk? What is my relationship with you? Why did you join the dharma or request teachings?
Tsem Rinpoche
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YES….please continue teaching us and to turn the Wheel of Dharma. I am still learning from your teachings,simple to understand.Without a Guru or a teacher , the student wont go that far or progress in knowledge to be a better person.The student will go opposite way as their wish.
Due our Guru kindness ,caring and compassion, Dharma knowledge were shared to us and Our Guru wants us to transform ,shows us the correct path to enlightenment.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.May you be healthy always and continue turning the Wheel of Dharma to benefits all sentient beings.
Without a teacher to point us the way to progress, any spiritual progress will be like swimming against the current. Samsara is not at all conducive for spiritual practice and progress, quite the opposite.
Our contaminated five aggregates are no help, the qualified teacher is like a beacon of light amidst the deep darkness that we are in. Our benchmarks and what we use to check, are usually flawed so having met a compassionate teacher might be the only chance we ever have to see things much more clearly and with clarity.
It is due to our ego, our self-cherishing mind, our wrong view and expectation that lead us to doubt what our Guru is doing. We retaliate by denying our negative habituation and shortcoming that is being exposed by our Guru, who due to his kindness wants us to transform. But because of our ego, we shut ourself, deny, run away from the truth,
Our Guru is the most compassionate teacher who use skillful means and method to help us transform and who shows us the path to enlightenment. The path is not easy, and we have no knowledge how shall we get there, on top of that we are distracted by Samsara lure that lead us away from spiritual practice. Only our Guru has the method that can guide us, to liberate us out of suffering, pushing our button to do more to transform, give us different assignment and task that help use collect merits and prepare us for something higher which benefits us and the person around. us.
We must check our motivation why we come to Dharma Centre, why are we looking for a Guru. We should not have expectation, or doubt . If we have taken refuge with our Guru, we must have strong Guru Devotion, because attainments comes from Guru Devotion and Clean Samaya we had with our Guru, which we can see in the life of the 84 Mahasiddha, who are known to have strong Guru Devotion no matter how heavy the task the Guru gave they did it whole heartedly, which lead them to receive higher practice and gain enlightenment.
It is due to our ego, our self-cherishing mind, our wrong view and expectation that lead us to doubt what our Guru is doing. We retaliate by denying our negative habituation and shortcoming that is being exposed by our Guru, who due to his kindness wants us to transform. But because of our ego, we shut ourself, deny, run away from the truth,
Our Guru is the most compassionate teacher who use skillful means and method to help us transform and who shows us the path to enlightenment. The path is not easy, and we have no knowledge how shall we get there, on top of that we are distracted by Samsara lure that lead us away from spiritual practice. Only our Guru has the method that can guide us, to liberate us out of suffering, pushing our button to do more to transform, give us different assignment and task that help use collect merits and prepare us for something higher which benefits us and the person around. us.
We must check our motivation why we come to Dharma Centre, why are we looking for a Guru. We should not have expectation, or doubt . If we have taken refuge with our Guru, we must have strong Guru Devotion, because attainments comes from Guru Devotion and Clean Samaya we had with our Guru, which we can see in the life of the 84 Mahasiddha, who are known to have strong Guru Devotion no matter how heavy the task the Guru gave they did it whole heartedly, which lead them to receive higher practice and gain enlightenment.
I wish Rinpoche good health and long life, and I humbly request Rinpoche to continue to turn the Dharma Wheel.
Thank You,
Love and Care,
Frederick Law
Without a Guru, we will not be able to learn Buddha’s Dharma which was taught 2500 years ago. We will never recognize how unstable our monkey mind is, and how our deluded mind tricks us. Without a Guru, no one will selflessly guide us to transform our mind correctly and cultivate compassion in us that is free from worldly motivations.
Dearest Rinpoche, may I humbly request to please continue to turn the wheel of Dharma. Please do not leave us here in samsara without a guide.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
We need teachers to help us progress faster. But sometimes we are lazy …
Rinpoche can see (if we let them) what we’re doing wrong, and help us correct it. Books can’t do that. Plus, we can close a book.
I would like to thank Rinpoche to gives us more dharma teaching…. Thanks form bottom of my heart…
Buddha himself left his palace (wealth and power) to look for enlightenment. It doesn’t make sense if you want Him to give you wealth and power so that you enjoy samsara more. in order words, you want him to bless you to engage in negative karma?
it’s like you sign up a course for accounting but you do not want to deal with number. you keep complaining to your teacher, this is too hard. but when the teacher offer you tuition class, you never attend. when you failed the exam, you blame the teacher not good. doesn’t make sense.
In these days, need not talk about having a guru like H.E. 25th Tsem Rinpoche, who is still teaching the pure Dharma, even to meet a guru is so difficult. To take rebirth as a human is rare, to meet the Dharma is even more rare, hence to meet a guru is like near impossible. Since we have met our guru in this life, we should always make ourselves available for the guru when comes to teaching. After listen to the teaching, apply it in our everyday lives. whatever instructions our guru gives, do not easily give up because this is to help us to improve ourselves and learned to control our body speech and mind. If we cannot accept our guru’s advice then it’s very hard for our guru to help us. we should practice with an open heart.
I would like to thank my Guru H.E. 25th Tsem Rinpoche for spending all his lives to teach. We are very blessed to have a guru like this.
We feel we lose freedom when we practise dharma because all we learn from dharma are to train our mind which is against our likes and comfort and selfishness. It is very hard to transform our mind and thus difficult to accept and take whatever the dharma offer us. But we are already suffering and have been suffering from beginningless time and we will be still doing that if we run away from dharma teachings.
Thank you Rinpoche for making the dharma available for all of us and may you live long to reach dharma to all the corners of the world.
Rinpoche is modern in his outlook and delivery of the Dharma but traditional when it comes to the essence of the Dharma. As it states in the lamrim that the teaching of any lama is all meant to address the internal and not just to sound deep and philosophical.
Some people revel in deep philosophies but when it comes to actual practice, they shy away or are not interested. Very few people who revel in deep philosophy of Buddhism or esoteric tantric practices realize that they are meant to be practice in the spirit of Buddhism. That means they are not meant for mental stimulation or to look good in knowing and understand these deep teachings.
With folded hands, Rinpoche please continue to teach. Many has benefited from Rinpoche’s teachings which is from the pure lineage that stems from Buddha Shakyamuni. Even for those who had turned against Rinpoche would have benefited. But for every one of those, I see many more gain faith and change for the better. There will always be detractors just as Buddha Shakyamuni had Devadatta, Jesus had Judas, Caesar had Brutus, etc. In order to receive the precious teachings from Rinpoche, we exhaust so much merits and need to constantly collect more. As such, we need to carry out Rinpoche’s advice/instructions, especially when its simple instruction to do more social media.
Rinpoche’s intention is to spread the dharma to everyone and with today’s internet, social media is the fastest method to spread. From one person, it spread out like an umbrella and although we may not be aware of it, the teaching/message could have helped the recipients in their lives. I had always thought that not many would come on my facebook but recently I was surprised to learn that distant people are reading the articles I shared. So never underestimate the potential that Rinpoche had the foresight of.
In writing comments of articles, we need to read and understand the article which improves our mind. To think/formulate a comment, we need to use our mind to cohesively show the state of our understanding. From the comments, others reading it may also learn a little more. I think it will also help Rinpoche to see the level of our thoughts and be able to help us grow.
Dear Rinpoche, please remain with us to teach and guide as we continue our fight against our ignorant minds. With folded hands and much love.
It’s amazing that some people choose to indulge in samsaric life than practising the dharma which is the only way to bring us out of samsara. We complain that life is tough, we suffer so much, nothing we nothing is smooth and so on but none of us have really done our part to prevent that. We are made to suffer, it is not our family’s fault and of course, not your guru’s fault. No one has the power to make us suffer except for ourselves. Most of us may not see it, whatever we suffer from now is the results of what we have done in the past, maybe not this life but our previous life. We are responsible and in control of our individual actions, therefore when our guru tries to help us, we must always be humble and take his/her advice sincerely to heart and transform. Who would spend hours and hours, years after years talking to us, trying to solve our issues and heal us? Sometimes not even our parents will do that. Therefore it is very important to be grateful and apply the teachings our guru has taught into our daily lives for we are the only ones who are able to liberate ourselves ultimately.
With Rinpoche We have the precious opportunity to learn the Dharma and practice, If we practice the method Rinpoche teaches, there is no reason why we should not be able to do the same. We cannot expect to change our mind overnight, but through patiently and consistently practicing the instructions on cherishing others, while at the same time accumulating merit, purifying. Rinpoche very right it is not easy someone to change and transform in this material wrold, where we are stuck but yet don’t want to change.. lots of time Rinpoche faces dis-pointed..
Never compromise the Dharma no matter what, not for fame, money popularity etc. eight worldly concerns, Tsem Rinpoche is the real Dharma teacher. If we want real Dharma attainments, we follow Tsem Rinpoche, not some celebrity lamas, popularity and fame have no correlation with Dharma attainmentsm even cult leader like Jim Jones was very famous and popular.
This article published in the right time for me. Many of my friends (non Kecharian )keep asking why I am so busy with my dharma work till not much time to socialize with them. I did keep myself alone and think why I should do dharma. Why I should follow instructions or task given by Guru(Tsem Rinpoche)?
On 17 April 2016, Pastor Seng Piow talk really answer all the questions about this.He said Guru will give us a task which need us to handle it with the right attitude by applying dharma knowledge.Guru has higher attainment than us. He know the way to train us to become a better person and guide us to the enlighten path.
The Fifty verses on Guru Devotion must be understand and practice by us. This will enable us to have strong and unshakable affirmative to our Guru. The most important of Guru’s teaching are selflessness and emptiness. These two elements will guide us to do more dharma to benefit others.
Last but not least, I would like to thanks Rinpoche for your good and easy understanding teaching so everyone can understand it and practice it.I hope everyone (Kecharian or non Kecharian )will appreciate teachings from Guru. Guru is given us a guidelines but most important is ourself to change.
With folded hands,
Jason
Dear Rinpoche,
It is indeed difficult to teach us the dharma when we are not willing to change and transform for the better. What Rinpoche has mentioned showed exactly how people will act due to their ignorance and anger. They have chosen their laziness over transformation.
It is like they have totally just thrown dharma out of the window and ask for more when what is given is not even fulfilled. I remember Rinpoche mentioning to us once that when we are not even able to complete what is given to us now at a small scale level, we will not be able to achieve something that is bigger. However, what we see is only that. We do not see the learning steps that Rinpoche has given us to grow before we reach that bigger level.
It is sad to see as we are self deceiving and do not wish to practice and are resistant. We give all sorts of excuses to indulge in samsara, yet we claim that we would like to change. Thank you Rinpoche for not giving up on us and still teach us.
I believe it is like what Rinpoche has said before. It is because that we are now in the degenerate times, and people will see something negative to be easy to follow. Yet when we are asked to do something that is beneficial, we will be looked at funny and people do not agree with it.
Thank you
Vinnie
Indeed it is definitely hard to teach the Dharma in this day and age during the Kaliyurga time as predicted by Lord Buddha. Many people are more usually attracted to the Dharma in the beginning because people wish to have a quick fix to enlightenment! It is like wishing to have your cake and eat it too. But when they realise that they have to work hard for it, most will usually give up and give in to their comfort zones.
This is especially for those who do not like hearing the truth about themselves because when they do, that means they have to change their ways and get out of their comfort zones. And it is amazing seeing people coming to dharma, requesting for refuge with a Guru but refuses to apply the teachings from the Guru. It is like having cancer and the medication is right next to you, but you do not take the medication to get well. With this kind of mind set, it is more and more difficult for a Guru to give us higher teachings. Hence this is why Tantra is only given to those who are serious and qualified through the Guru’s observation and assessment.
Rinpoche gave us a profound teaching that the biggest obstacles that prevents us from reaching liberation from suffering, samsara, and becoming a fully enlightened Buddhas is that we need to negotiation with our Guru to keep our comfort zones. This is the biggest obstacle for our practice because everything in the practice given by our Guru is to counter this very comfort zone, hence it would defeat the purpose. Hence from here we can see who is sincere and genuine in learning and able to receive higher training and teachings. The Guru(s) is always very kind to teach and give us many different methods to counter our ego but we still have to be the ones to apply it and by applying it, we will also need merits hence we will still need to apply whatever instructions or assignments given by our Guru now, no matter how big or small it may seem to us.
I think the question is a little rhetorical in the sense Rinpoche knows exactly what he must do. So the issue is not Rinpoche questioning his abilities or motivation, but I think it’s more about what expectations we have of Rinpoche. Why do we come to a monk and a teacher, expecting him to give his approval for all the things we do that are harmful to others and destructive to our spiritual practice?
Is it fair on our teachers that 10, 20, 30, 100 of us go to him, each with our own expectations for how the teacher should teach, behave and act?
What do we expect Rinpoche to say to us when we approach him with our plans and ideas which are only going to increase our samsara? Of course our teacher is going to advise us to stop it, and try his best to prevent us from doing it.
And further on from that, if we keep going to our lama with such expectations AND we get upset when the lama doesn’t fulfil them, why should our teachers continue to remain and teach when the effect / result of the teaching is not there? Why would our teacher ‘waste’ his time in that way, when he can go somewhere else and be of benefit to sentient beings who do want to learn, practise and actualise the Dharma and transform? Because the only reason the teacher will remain is when there’s a result of the teachings – we become more kind, we become more forgiving, we become more compassionate.
I know what I am talking about isn’t very pleasant but I think it’s something all of us must contemplate. When our teacher manifests doubt, how did we contribute to it with our lack of results in our practice?
At first Dharma feels like a honeymoon. Then comes the part where we have to apply the teachings and go against our habituations and ingrained instincts which reinforces our ego and create the causes for us to go to the lower realms. And this is the part where it becomes uncomfortable and contentious because ultimately we have to choose between the truth that comes with Dharma or the delusion that we are so well rehearsed in.
It is one thing to merely impart knowledge but Rinpoche goes beyond that and often, out of kindness, and knowing what harm we are unconsciously doing to ourselves, retrains our minds and creates situations where we have to shift.
To students who see Rinpoche’s motivation it is an act of kindness but to those cannot or refuse to see that, it feels like a personal attack. The guru’s efforts is often a thankless job.
皈依上师
皈依佛
归依法
皈依僧
在佛教三大乘，小乘，大乘和金刚乘，藏传佛教属于金刚乘。在金刚乘里，如果弟子拥有足够的功德和业障足够的净化，还有最重要的是弟子与上师的三昧耶够清净，弟子的精进修持，那么在修行上得到上师的加持与指导，就容易证得更高的成就。上师在我们走向更高成就的修行道路上，是非常非常的重要！
尊贵的上师詹杜固仁波切在短短的十多年内，从身无分文直到现在成立了克切拉佛教中心，拥有13个部门，每个部门都是仁波切的用心良苦的策划，让不同的嗜好与兴趣人都有机会参与佛法事业，藉此来累积功德。还有位于彭亨文冬的克切拉禅修林，有文殊山，智慧殿，度母走道，金刚瑜伽母佛塔，财王殿等等，没有一个不是为了利益众生而建筑起来的。上师每一分每一秒都在想着如何让弟子和众生脱离轮回，走向解脱之道！
因为每个人都拥有不同的业力所牵引，拥有不同的果报要承受，仁波切用心良苦的运用不同的方法，不同的方式，以最快最直接的，让我们以最快的方式达到净化业障和累积功德效果。如身业很重的人，上师会要求他们大量的结缘佛像给他人方式，严厉责骂方式，要求做大量次数大礼拜方式等等。但是，很可悲的，很多人误解上师的用心良苦，离开了上师，还在外头宣扬上师的不是，那是多么的可悲呀！一位具格的上师，转世回来的上师，都是乘愿而来的，都是为了利益众生转世回来的。上师教导我们，给我们指示，就是要我们活的更好，应该要好好地珍惜 ！
愿上师长寿，健康，常转法轮，吉祥如意 ！
OM AH GURU KIRTI DAZA SHASEN DARA KYANDI SHIDDI HUNG HUNG
感恩合十
YEO KWAI GIN
Dear Rinpoche,
Indeed, it is not easy to teach as the one thing which is required is transform the weak points and giving up comfort zones as they don’t serve us.
We are so caught up in our habits, we know they are not beneficial yet, it is so hard to let them go.
We know what we need to do, and that we need to let go of our negative qualities to fulfil our human purpose. Rinpoche’s kindness in teaching us gives us opportunities beyond words. The holy teachings on this blog and the teachings Rinpoche, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche has given for 20 years here in Malaysia are so beneficial and plant powerful seeds in our minds.
Yet transformation needs joyous effort, patience, concentration, generosity, wisdom and ethics 24/7 and not only from 8 to 5.
So please Rinpoche don’t give up on us and teach us. We have this most precious opportunity to reach the highest goal we can achieve in our human condition.
Thank You,
Pastor Antoinette
This post really sums up what people do indeed say about Rinpoche and the Dharma. It is true that a lot of people have these kinds of thoughts or behaviours when learning the Dharma. I guess in a way it shows just how ingrained everyone is within Samara. We have the precious opportunity to learn the Dharma and practice the Dharma but we so used to our comfort zones (our usually way of operating and our samsaric wants) that we rebel against the teachings when the real act of transformation needs to take place for our spiritual journey to be successful.
I think some people come to the Dharma as a fad, but most people come to the Dharma when they are having problems, with the hope that the Dharma can provide relief or the method to solve that problem. And the Dharma is so wide in scope that it can definitely provide the answers people are looking for. But the issue is that when this problem is solved that most people continue with their normal samsaric lifestyle without taking the real Dharma teachings of mind transformation and putting it in to practice. Therefore you see a lot of people who give up their practice, come back to the Dharma time and time again when they are having problems. But this is just a temporary fix. In order to truly benefit from the Dharma we need to transform our minds, just like the mahasiddhas of the past and the current great masters are examples of.
Dear Rinpoche, please continue to teach the Dharma as that’s how my family stumble upon Kechara as well. There are so many people in the world and You can’t be pleasing everyone. Everyone have their own opinion. It’s up to the individual to believe in karma,and their own karma.
I am thankful I am given the opportunity to have Rinpoche as my Guru.
Thank you with love
Jill Yam
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for this eye opening post. It is true that when one lifestyle is affected, then one tend to become defensive. I think people in general realise that they are searching for something more in life and that is the reason they seek Dharma teachings. And yet for some when the teacher tried to teach them the Dharma and advice them to change their lifestyle, they ran away because it means going out of comfort zone. Worse still, some of these people tried to spread bad news to justify their leaving and to make them feel good about themselves.
Interestingly, these very people always come back when they are facing problems and asking for a quick fix. Of course the Guru always try his best to help. But sometimes it is too late because once karma ripened, it is impossible to undue.
A guru is like a doctor who prescribe medicine to cure various illnesses. But in the end, it is up to the patient whether s/he wants to take the medicine and get well.
Valentina
Dear Rinpoche,
Please stay long to turn the wheel of dharma in Malaysia. The platform you had created, the skillful ways you had used, the environment you had established is truly truly one of a kind. The kind that attracted me to start my spiritual journey.
This kind of environment is so rare and so precious to find and I must had used up alot of merit just to stumble upon Kechara. Please continue to stay and give us guidance.
Humbly,
Chris
Dear Rinpoche,
I am most happy to have come across Your teachings first on Youtube, then visiting Kechara during my holidays. Now I am staying and volunteering in Kechara Forest Retreat.
I received so many gifts and Rinpoche uses many skilful ways. I am most grateful.
And yes, I am slow in transforming. Dear Rinpoche, thank you for having me here in Kechara and giving me the Dharma. This is so very precious and not easy to come across. Never take anything for granted, especially Dharma. I wasted to much time before meeting You, Rinpoche.
Please continue teaching us. Please continue to turn the Wheel of Dharma.
May You have a long and healthy life.
May I be able to meet You in all my lifes and be Your student from a young age.
With folded hands
Antoinette
To me where there is no sangha there is no dharma, if there is no guru, one will have to take countless of eons to achieve enlightenment because we have no dharma teacher to teach us and we also can’t practice guru devotion as this is the fastest way we can gain attainment. Dear Rinpoche please stay for a long long time to teach us the dharma
Dear our beloved Rinpoche,
Teaching Dharma is not an easy task especially in the degeneration era. Your teaching is easy to be understand by many people like me. It’s touchful, meaningful and inspire many people including me to practice what you have taught us in book, blog or youtube. Besides that, you have introduced many ritual practices to us ,such as Tsongkhapa practice etc. It enable us to collect lots of blessing and merits whenever we engage in those practices.
If without you, many of us will lost “the bridge of dharma knowledge”. We will definitely even more ignorant and suffer in Samsara.
Every people are receiving criticism, abase etc from the others. However, if Lord Buddha stop his dharma teaching in 2500 years ago, what do you think that where will we be now? I strongly believe those our great master such as Atisha, Tsongkhapa etc were faced greater challeges in the past than those challenges that we are facing now. Thus, please be compassion and fully practice buddicitta to continue turn the wheel of dharma and continue to teach us.
My apologize to you if any of my comment is sound impolite to you rinpoche.
Thank you.
Best Regards
Boon
The teacher isn’t a good teacher if the teacher needs to consult the students in the teacher’s objective. The point is, Rinpoche knows what he is doing. Asking things like this isn’t for the Guru but for the students to contemplate on their actions. “Am I doing enough to create the causes for the Guru to stay, or for me to be near the Dharma?” It doesn’t have to be physically but in most part it’s whether we have a strong connection to the Dharma in any circumstance. The Guru acts based on the karma of the student(s) and therefore only actions that create or negate karma will answer a question like this, not words.
Thank you Rinpoche for all your generous sharing on the precious dharma. The truth is indeed a bitter pill to swallow.Every time I read your blog,I could understand the true verses of wisdom in it.
Understanding is easy .But to apply it consistently to our way of live takes a lot of commitment.As it is we are always in a dilemma to conquer our inner demons.
At least by knowing Kechara and its pastors,we get a chance to understand these demons first.Giving us a better chance to win the inner and outer battles in lives with our conscience.
We might be ignorant in many ways on how we should perceive the precious dharma and ride upon it to know our true purpose in life.
But dear Rinpoche should keep on teaching in order to benefit those who are destined to meet with the true dharma guru to set a turning point in their lives.In order to gain mind transformation in the process…….
Please keep on teaching; the world needs you; we need you, Rinpoche.
Dear Tsem Rinpoche, is it ever easy to teach to people? Do not hang your head, this path you have chosen may appear hard to you, but it enlightens a lot of individuals all over the world. You are always there for us, who are trying to live the Buddhist way and maintaining jobs, households, and so on. We read your posts, we listen to your speeches online, you are so incredibly important to us. Do not let a couple of “searching souls” question your path.
May manhood be enlightened one day, due to creative, modern teachers like you.
The Buddhadharma has survived pure & intact for 26 centuries due to the loving kindness & tireless dedication of remarkably gifted Lamas like H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
Rinpoche, of course you should teach the real Dharma. That is the only thing ultimately worth teaching. My question for you is how did you learn that you were meant to teach Dharma? How did you discover your purpose in this lifetime? How then can I learn my purpose in this lifetime?
Hope you can help. Sincerely, Eli
I am fortunate to met Rinpoche in my life..Rinpoche’s dharma teachings change my view and my life have transformed positively.Thank you Rinpoche for your great compassion and all the dharma teachings.We all need Rinpoche’s guidance…I beg Rinpoche continue to turn the dharma wheel(with folded hands)
Dear Rinpoche
I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that your teachings have changed my life a lot. First of all, is your inspiration book “Why You Make Yourself Unhappy” how this book can changed my life. It’s amazing! I sincerely want to find out more about you and in depth towards Buddhism. Along the journey finding about Rinpoche I went into YouTube learning what I want to know about Buddhism. It’s so awesome as if I am there listening to you. I decided to find out about Kechara. My first visit I bought Tara pendant, immediately the 2 box sets of Tsongkapa & Setrap prayers but never approach anyone yet for a year. Until last September, I decided to write a mail to you personally and here I am since January 2014 became a member. Of course, when I first came to Kechara I was hoping to meet you unfortunenately you have gone to US.
Kind regards
Josselynn
A story is told is of a man going to the monastery one day to learn something of the Buddha’s teaching. The first person he came upon was a monk who had taken a temporary vow of silence; when asked to say something, the monk remained silent. The questioner became furious and stomped away.
The man returned a second day and came upon a disciple of the Buddha who was famous for not only his profound personal realization but also his vast theoretical knowledge. When asked to describe some of the Buddha’s teaching, he launched into a somewhat lengthy discourse; furious, the man stomped away.
The man came back a third day, and saw yet another disciple of the Buddha, who, having heard what happened on the first and second days, was careful to say a little bit, yet not too much. Once again the man became angry: “How dare you treat such profound matters so sketchily!”
This group of disciples went off to see the Buddha and recounted the story. In response, the Buddha said “There is always blame in this world, even if you say nothing.”
Attendants: Linny, Natsumi, Andrew, Gordon and Soon Huat
Date: 27th July’14
Penang Study Group discussed the blog article, “Shall I Teach”, after today Setrap Puja. First of all, we are grateful for what Rinpoche has been tirelessly and selflessly guiding us in this delusion age regardless of all challenge Rinpoche has faced due to our delusion mind.
We agreed with Rinpoche that Dharma is teaching us to transform and transformation requires us to move out from comfort zone. Due to worldly attachment, people is reluctant to transform or fail to transform. When people fails to transform, they will turn to give the false allegation to Rinpoche in order to cover their weakness. The worst case is they will pursue others to follow them to against Rinpoche. It is very bad as this is cutting the Dharma artery of others or taking away the precious human form opportunity of attaining enlightenment from others. It is very harmful action.
Hence, Guru Devotion is most important or the most fundamental in Tibetan Buddhism. Guru is like the light tower guiding us from this delusion sea to the shore. People failed to reach the shore because they are reluctant to believe the light tower and they choose to believe their deluded mind or secular world best friends.Guru is not wrong, Dharma is not wrong but our deluded mind is wrong.
For instance attending puja is part of Dharma practice. Why? Attending puja is not just seeking blessing from Protector and deity for providing us the conducive environment for Dharma practice. It is also the activies for us to contect to all the Dharma brothers and sisters to encourage/help each other to practice Dharma. Furthermore, attending puja is one of the ways to practice the Bodhicitta. Puja is successful because of our attendance, and it will help to attract more new people to attend puja and receive Dharma teaching and finally transformed. Sometimes, we should think that attending puja is not merely for ourselves but for other sentience beings.
To conclude the discussion, Penang Puja Team would like to ask Rinpoche to remain with us and continue teaching us. We agreed to accept teaching from Rinpoche and put it into practice. We will keep the Dharma commitment to perform more Dharma related activities to grow the team and benefit others. Thank You Rinpoche for creating the blog, it is good tool to gain teaching directly from Rinpoche and get the guidance from all the Dharma sisters and brothers indirectly by reading their comments.
Finally, we sincerely ask Rinpoche to remain with us and continue teaching us Dharma.
Thank You Rinpoche. We will be with you forever and put your teaching into practice to help others.
Having a Guru is to improve ourselves, is to find the real meaning of live and don’t waste our live while we still can. When the Guru start to teach us, train us there is where we will start to know ourselves better, be it good or bad all the inner side of us will reveal. It doesn’t stop there but the training continue for us to realize ourselves what is not right, what went wrong in our attitude and thinking, from here we contemplate and learn up from our Guru and put it into practice and habituate them.
But from the point when our inner side started to reveal a lot of people unable to face it because it shows the ugly side of us and it challenge our ego, it need hard work to curb the negative thought and attitude that have been habituated for so long. When someone negative side being expose and they cannot take it or face it they tend to find someone to blame and most of the time is the Guru. Why?…because the Guru is the one make you face your own negative side! Instead of thanking the Guru showing what they need to change for good they blame him for showing the truth of themselves just because they want to cover and we don’t want to put effort to change them. How convenient and irresponsible!
If you cannot change and cannot face your own ugly mind and attitude that is find but don’t ever blame someone else because of your own selfish and ignorance thought.
The kindness of the Guru is to let us see who we really are and guide us to change for better. That is what a Guru will do and that is nothing wrong for a Guru to tell us the truth because if we are better than the Guru why we are still unhappy? Why we still complaint of our life? Why we still look/search for happiness?…If we are better than the Guru show that we have achieve liberation or happiness that is a permanent and lasting! The Guru is kind enough to show us what we need to change and also show us the method on how to change. If we can’t follow is not the Guru’s fault but is just us doesn’t want to change. There is nothing right or wrong because at the end of the day we take our own responsibility for our own act and if we don’t want to change for good, don’t want to realize the truth of life and just want to live like before we met the dharma, that is totally fine but don’t blame anyone for your own choice because you live with your own karma.
The real Guru will continue to teach, to show, to guide, to train us and keep pushing us to change ourselves for good. The Guru with great compassion will always find different method and creative way to deliver the Buddha teaching to us in order for us to able to receive and understand them. The Guru can never be wrong if you see so many people stay around him and you can see the progress of his work.
Thank you Rinpoche for your compassion, kindness, teaching, love, care and time.
Many of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s senior students have seen some students who gave up on their spiritual path after perceiving the spiritual journey as very tough and they left, which is fine. But what is not fine is that to cover their face loss they went on social media and posted unpleasant things of their ex teacher and spoke to everyone they met why they left. Of course they said their leaving was not their fault but entirely the fault of Rinpoche. I guess protecting the ego is more important than learning and practising dharma. Hence their degeneration leads to more mental anguish. It also means that their agenda was to learn some dharma and with some knowledge they could use it to impress whoever. Some said they aspired to be dharma teachers but when the going got tough, they were gone. Others did very little work but wanted their photos taken in almost every event and must have their photos taken although uninvited. Then we have some who reaffirmed their own belief that they are what they are and cannot change for the better, and when advised they can changed they gave the excuse that they are too lazy to change because a lot of efforts have to be put in for the change. There are others who are rude who did not want to reply messages because they were angry at that point of time but they got angry when others do not reply them. And the list goes on, and on.
Yet, with all these difficult people Rinpoche still cares for them and always include them in His prayers and has a place in His heart for them no matter what they have done and still doing to themselves, to others and to Rinpoche.
May everyone find peace. Om Mani Padme Hum
The truth is never easy to listen to. What Rinpoche shared in this article is simply the blatant truth on how students have reacted and responded to Dharma and how we have been treating our Guru. I am not saying this from stories others told me but from my own personal observation and interaction with Rinpoche over the last two years in Kechara. And I heard from older students this same situation has been going on and repeating for years.
This article reminds me of other recent articles Rinpoche shared on related topics about truth and seeking spirituality.
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/the-harsh-truth-with-love.html
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/truth-hurts.html
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/students-friends/for-those-who-seek-spirituality.html
Why find a teacher and go to a dharma center and then blame everything that happened in your life on the Guru and the center? It only brings question to one’s true intentions and motives. Were you forced against your will to become a student? Were you forced against your will to join a dharma center? Our actions and our decisions are our own choice, so stop blaming others.
Buddha’s teachings have been around for over 2,500 years and have millions of followers world wide. So how can millions of people be wrong and you are right? Why so angry when the Guru and dharma center doesn’t bow down to your ways. Did you look for a teacher and dharma center to learn the dharma and become a better person or for selfish gains and approval for your existing way of life?
No one can be blamed for our karma but ourselves. No one can be blamed for our actions but ourselves. I still have my many faults but I am truly grateful for meeting Tsem Rinpoche and for Kechara. Tsem Rinpoche has shown me nothing but compassion, kindness, patience and love. Do I have my rebellious moments and resistance to dharma? Yes, indeed I do. But can I blame my Guru and the center? How ridiculous is that? In fact I brought my faults and problems to my Guru and the center to teach me, help me change and become a better person.
Dear Guru,please stay on to continue turning the wheel of Dharma,to benefit us though you have met with unfathomable disappointments in some of your close students. We need you to teach the Dharma to us.
Why can’t people stay loyal? To me,parents have great responsibility in instilling respect,care and gratitude in their children so that they will grow up to be loyal and honest people. If a person can’t show respect or give unconditional love to his parents,how can he be faithful and loyal to anyone in his life?If a person is brought up to be self centered with his ego deeply entrenched ,how can he transform,care for others and not hurt others?If Buddha Shakyamuni,all giving and compassionate ,had followers who were ungrateful and damaging to him,what about our kind Guru in this degenerate time?Similarly,our Guru,like Buddha Shakyamuni, in his fearlessness and compassion,had attempted to transform the minds of some of his most difficult students but they had left him and slandered him.We in samsara,are thick with delusions.We can’t see the greatness of our Guru.Often,it may take a tragic experience,such as deaths of loved ones or old age with its impending sickness and death,to make a person realise the importance of practising pure Dharma.However,it is often too late.
Thank you Rinpoche for persistently and incessantly teaching us the Dharma to benefit us despite the great pain you are suffering with a broken tail bone and severe migraine attack.My family and I are deeply indebted to you for your kindness and blessings.We are most grateful to you to be in your mandala.
With folded hands,I bow to you my Guru.
One of the most important aspects of healthy Guru-disciple relationship is that disciple (student) is inspired by the guru (teacher). Have faith in Guru that the Guru has the Buddha qualities and we should see him as a Buddha is the basis. To open up ourselves to a Guru, can be difficult to many as some may find paranoid that if they open up themselves, they will be under control of Guru. Ego is the issue here.
We always have to be clear that Guru is there to help you to transform, He cannot force you, it’s all about self realisation and you take the responsible to transfrom. It’s from within. Some students do not realize this, yet they are overdependent on their guru on everything including decisions in life. Many people have difficulties in focusing on the kindness of their mothers, or others. Unable to find the goodness and kindness in their mothers/Guru, most cannot find any goodness in themselves either. Although they are craving for love and care, their mental blocks always prevent them from recognizing and appreciating others’ kindness. No matter how much kindness they receive, they do not react in an appreciative way.
“In all lives may I never be parted
from perfect Masters and enjoy the glory of Dharma.
Perfecting realisations of the paths and stages,
may I swiftly gain the state of Vajradhara.”
Dear Rinpoche,
Thanks Rinpoche kindness for always care and teach us tirelessly and selflessly. We truly need Rinpoche teaching continuously hence many eons to come (with folded hands).
We are so fortunate to meet an authentic Guru that bring the Holy Tsongkhapa lineage to beautiful Malaysia, we need Rinpoche guide to be a better person and have a swift Dharma path.
May we always blessed by Lord Manjushri to lesser down our Ignorance, hence able to collect more Merits to let our Guru remain, stable health and continue turn the wheel of Dharma.
I humbly request Rinpoche please remain with us and continue teach the Dharma (with folded hands)
在藏传佛教里的皈依文，总共有四条，皈依上师，皈依佛，皈依法，皈依僧。比其他宗派多了第一条， 据知皈依的意思就是把生命交给上师，佛，法和僧。既然连生命都放得下，还有什么是放不下呢？上师种种的任务与训练都是出自于无量的慈悲心和智慧，学生却从自己的观点角度去看上师，这无疑是把上师给看低了，当然这不是上师的错，而是学生自己的无明所累。我们应该积极精进，尽量依照上师的教导，福慧双修，才能成就。
愿上师身体健康，常转法轮，利益更多众生。
人身難得今已得，佛法難聞今已聞，上師難遇今已遇，大家千萬要珍惜這一切！要真心的發誓：為了在今生得到解脫不惜付出任何代價！只要相信上師，相信佛法，相信自己，只要相信上師三寶的加持，自己具足信心，精進修持，在此生一定會得到真正的解脫！
Dear Rinpoche please stay with us for very long time all of us need your teaching , the spiritual journey is hard and long it is because our attachment and deluded mind that trying to trick us and make us stay away from the path therefore we need a guru to guide us and teach us without a guru we will be lost . Please be our guide for all our future life don’t give up on us stay with us and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
Dearest Rinpoche
Just like a father who, because of his unconditional love does not forsake his rebellious adolescent child,
Please do not forsake your students Rinpoche!
For some of us who had lost the way in samsara, do not know any better.
But how can your lost children ever go home if you are no longer there waiting for them?
With Full Prostrations,
Jiunn Hsiao, Tokyo.
对我而言， 身为金刚乘的佛家弟子，认定了自己的上师，并且皈依了他，就相等于说，你请这位上师在你的人生路上给予指引和提点；所以不管给你甚么样的训练方式，我们都应该以完全感恩的心去接受。有时候，上师总会为了改变我们固有的串习，不停地使用各种方式以便我们可以从中改变自己的固有观念。
当然，这样对上师的信任度非要有足够的资粮田不可，要不会因为你个人的恶业的显现或串习的顽固封锁，造成对上师产生极大的反感，并因此而离开上师的教导范围或甚到离开属于上师的中心或道场……
很多弟子离开的原因，都是因为不高兴中心的这些人物啦或那些事物啦；可是他们却似乎完全没有思考过，他们的离去或对上师、中心的怨懟实际上是因个人恶业所 造成的。一般会有这样的状况发生，通常都是个人所导致的。它不可能是因为上师或其中心成员所造成的，原因都在于自己。
因为，第一我们不该对佛陀释迦牟尼佛两千六百年以来的教诲，产生怀疑，因为如果这些教诲可以流传至今，它肯定是没有错误的。另外，金刚上师，例尊贵的詹杜固仁波切大多数都是乘愿而来，他们怎么可能存有伤害人的心呢？
所以，如果要探讨问题的根本，那就应该先从自己下手，因为那才是最根本的症结。因此当我们遇到问题时，先反省自己， 即可以了解问 题的存在。你的离开，你的情绪都是个人的业所带领。
I may not be one of those who left totally the samsaric world and pursue 100% dharma commitment. However through your teachings that I have the privilege to attend and read, maybe I am a little bit of improvement in compassion level and added some patience and be more thoughtful of others. Is that good enough, I don’t know.
To me your teaching is not about turning an F student to A star student(and when the A or B student turn AWOL), we start to doubt the progress?. There are many out there that benefitted in smaller steps from your teaching. You have made them better and kinder persons. These are the one that matters. So please continue teaching.
We all join dharma for one solely purpose which is to complete our Spritual journey throughout our life.Dear Rinpoche we really appreciated your kindness in guiding us to the correct path in our journey.furthermore ,dear Rinpoche I can assure that you have my highest devotion.
Thank you Rinpoche for all the teachings and guidance you have given to us since you have arrived in Malaysia in 1992. It is our fortune to have heard, listened, studied and practised Dharma through the kindness of Rinpoche. May all of us continue to grow in our spiritual practice and continue to share the Dharma with other people who are yet to receive Buddha’s teachings. With folded hands, I pray for Rinpoche’s long life and continue to turn the Dharma wheel.
In a Dharma organisation all types of people are welcome to join and learn the Dharma.Activities and teachings are varied and plentiful, basically as a means for us to learn to be a better person and also to collect merits whilst doing them. Often enough we seem to think we are obligated to learn or practice Dharma for the sake of the centre or for the Guru; in some instance we feel its a burden. But in fact the centre nor the Guru needs the Dharma but US.It is purely to help us FIND PEACE AND HAPPINESS.
So much effort has been put in by Rinpoche and his students to make Dharma available for ALL. Rinpoche has even prayed for “the worse or the worst” to come to him; that may he “take on all the sufferings of those in pain”. His sincerity, patience,generosity and compassion is unquestionable! His teachings are vast and profound. In this part of the world,termed a “Dharma desert” it is very difficult to come across such a wise and highly attained Guru, who clearly comes from an authentic lineage of Great Gurus. It is so hard to receive Dharma teachings. Yet many of us who have met the Guru and the Dharma do not value its preciousness, and almost seem to think nothing of it.We are so trapped in our comfort zones. How more sad can we be ?
Thank you Rinpoche for always reminding us of our weaknesses and never giving up on us. May Rinpoche please continue to turn the wheel of the Dharma to help us liberate from these delusions !
We always fool by our ignorance and we still thought we are right..We love face, love ego rather than listen to our Guru genuine ‘s teaching. We should cherish the rare chance that we able meet Dharma and Spiritual Guru who can guide us on our spiritual path.We should felt fortunate to have Rinpoche who always show care and love to everyone. ..Rinpoche, we need Rinpoche to continue turn the wheel of Dharma. ..With folded hand..
thank you Rinpoche , Thank you for your pacience with us
Dear all,
I wrote the following message in my facebook. Thought I’d post my point of view here as well.
(Part 1)
This is a very interesting article showing the resistance of people in general when they are being encouraged to kick the habits that do not serve them. And yet we all want to have eternal happiness and inner peace. What’s more interesting is that some of these people who choose to leave, turn the situation around and spread false rumours about my teacher, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and told others how inhumane he is. Really?
Well, being one of the direct assistants to Rinpoche for the last 8 years I was one of the many, unfortunate enough for them, to witness how they claimed they were “mistreated” by Rinpoche. I shall give a few examples and then, we’ll decide who is being mistreated.
Top of the list is a friend of mine who used to write for Rinpoche. She dated a member of the centre and became engrossed in her nocturnal activities every day until dawn, which I shall not elaborate here, that she would go to work in Rinpoche’s private office dead tired. Her writing and work became very sloppy as a result. Rinpoche personally gave her advice that she should not just focus only on her relationship and neglect her responsibilities. Kechara is a non profit org that serves our community and we should be more responsible because our work affects the public. She chose to further indulge in her nocturnal activities neglecting her responsibilities. Rinpoche finally put his foot down and she left.
She went around telling her parents, friends and public how she was tortured and was told not to have a relationship amongst many other allegations. She ganged up with other people who left Kechara and made false allegations of Rinpoche.
I was shocked that my friend can do this to Rinpoche after so many years of care and nurturing she received from Rinpoche. Rinpoche not only spent hundreds of hours counseling her so that she can be more filial and appreciative of her parents and to help her overcome her extremely low self-esteem, Rinpoche also helped her parents when they were having problems at home. I never imagined that she would turn around and slander Rinpoche with false accusations to cover her irresponsibilities as a result of her indulgences.
If Rinpoche was so bad like she claims, why would so many of us stay around unless we’re all masochistic? I do pray that one day, she will be truthful to herself and the people around her for her own sake. Otherwise, she’ll become bitter and lonely the older she gets coz no one likes to be around ungrateful and deceptive people.
(Part 2)
Many people think that developing one’s spirituality is about going to the temple once or twice a week to attend dharma class and prayers. Then they are good Buddhists. If it was this simple then many of us would be a Buddha or a saint by now. Notice how inspired and moved we are when we read, hear of or even meet a holy person? Well, what makes a person holy is his or her selflessness. They help others all the way no matter how inconvenienced they are. They put others’ welfare before theirs. This is the key to realising inner peace and eternal happiness that we are in search of. We can all be selfless if we choose to.
In Buddhism, we learn HOW to be selfless. We also study about the laws of cause and effect otherwise known as KARMA and how it affects us, amongst many other wisdom teachings. Because we haven’t understood how karma works, we continue our merry ways and attitude thinking that this is life and all is fine. We allow our ignorance to enhance our delusions of what’s ultimately beneficial to us.
A Buddhist teacher’s duty is to help us kick these habits and understand how they are ultimately not serving us for the better. It all sounds good and uplifting in writing until we are told to kick our bad habits. This is because we, in general, do not like changes. We like to dwell in our comfort zones. But when things do not happen the way we want, we go into a stress mode and create dramas in every possible way we can think of.
It is very common for people to leave temples, centres, schools, companies and so on because they feel the place is not right for them and so on. There is no issue with this. But leaving, then making false allegations of the organisation and encouraging others to leave as well is not acceptable. This is public defamation as Rinpoche is a public figure and Kechara, a non-profit organisation registered with the Malaysia Govt to serve the community. Any grievances can be brought to the organisation and have them resolved. However, the people who have left and are making so much false allegations are not sincere and just want to create problems. This is because they’d rather justify and cover their laziness to change for the better, by lying.
So what have they been told to change?
1. Stop creating schism and disharmony in the organisation.
2. Check your work for mistakes as it affects people’s lives.
3. For Pastors, leave your phones turned on so that you can be reached to attend to calls and messages in the middle of the night when there are emergencies that need to be attended to.
4. Stop lying.
5. Stop being deceptive.
6. Take ownership of your portfolio because it is a privilege to serve others and your portfolio affects people’s lives.
7. Don’t drink so much alcohol because it is bad for your health and is affecting your dharma work.
8. Stop lashing out at others and showing them a black face. Practise patience and nurture others with kindness and show by example.
9. Walk the talk. Nothing happens if we don’t apply the teachings.
10. Be more caring to your parents.
11. Let go of your arrogance and be more humble.
12. Take good care of animals as they deserve to be loved as well.
13. Stop telling yourself you can’t when you have not tried hard enough.
14. Stop using the temple as a place to pick up people for flings. If you’re serious about having a relationship, then be sincere and truthful to the person and go ahead.
And the list continues…..
Again, I was there to witness what Rinpoche has been advising them to do all these years. Rinpoche would take them out to eat, buy them gifts, give them pocket money when they are short of it even though Rinpoche doesn’t have much money himself, and slowly counsel them so that they will kick their negative habits. Rinpoche doesn’t gain anything from spending thousands of hours and resources on them. Rinpoche is doing all of this out of compassion so that we suffer less. I wonder why they never spoke about how Rinpoche helped them unconditionally for so many years even when their friends turned a blind eye on them and some of them were in desperate situations.
I am pondering whether I should list out every person’s name here and give a detailed account of how Rinpoche has helped them unconditionally, guiding them to change for the better as their ways are damaging to themselves and people around them, and how in the end, they turn around and defame Rinpoche with more lies and deception just because they don’t want to change. Perhaps exposing them may stop them from further deception and creating more negative karma for themselves.
As the saying goes, “The truth will prevail”. “Karma will catch up whether you believe it or not”.
I thank my teacher, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for always showing me patience, kindness, selflessness and compassion. Doing good for others is extremely challenging, but the time spent is always worthwhile.
Have a great week ahead!
JP
Hi JP,
I do not have the privilege yet to meet Rinpoche or you. This month is my first anniversary of coming to Kechara and I believe strongly that I must have created the causes in my past life to lead me to Kechara last year.
Since then, the journey in absorbing and living out my life for the better has started a transformation process in me that is continuing to improve everyday.
Through Rinpoche’s teachings and also especially to all the Pastors in Kechara who have given me so much valuable advise and guidance in my journey to embrace Dharma.
I totally agree with your views and what you have commented inspires me to further strengthen my family’s journey into Dharma.
Take care!!!
Lum Kok Luen
Dear Lum Kok Luen,
Thank you for reading my comments. I hope to meet you as well in Kechara House one of these days. Do bring your friends and family members regularly to Kechara so that they can benefit from the services and facilities that our kind sponsors so generously contributed.
Rinpoche says that consistency is the key. Take care and may you be the light for others.
Best regards,
JP Thong
HI JP,
Look forward to seeing you in Kechara House.
Cheers
Lum KL
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
― Mark Twain
I like this saying very much.
What Jp has written is very true. There is always both side to the coins. And I am fortunate to see both sides of the coin.
Why do we seek a teacher if u do not want to learn or change unless we have a private agenda.
Rinpoche will always correct our wrong conduct/wrong perception. It can be as simple as respect your parents, stay loyal to your spouse, do not intoxicate yourself, be focus and alert cause u might get into a road accident, do not show your black face to others as we have to think for others first or walk the talk. Simple teachings like this sometimes can cause others to react negatively which until now I am flabbergasted.
Of course there are many more success stories to those who really took Rinpoche’s teaching to heart and change. They are happier now and those who were not close to their parents or spouses are closer. Those who has met ample of road accidents before are now more alert and those who control their black faces are now impacting more people.
Rinpoche will find all methods to get us to change our bad habituation/attitude or even lessen our desire because that who he is.
I like the saying below cause it is also very true. Cause the negative reaction when being confronted with the truth can be very scary
“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Nightingale and the Rose
I like what JP said but the missing fact by both close students of Rinpoche (JP and SM) is that they have been recipients of teachings by Rinpoche and because of that they are now much better off within themselves and externally with others.
All of us come into this lives with heavy imprints of “what do not work” and yet if we are not lucky enough to have a Teacher and the Dharma, we will leave our lives the same way we came with nothing having been achieved. Horrid shame to have wasted this precious human life.
Personally, my journey in the Dharma had been difficult not because my Guru, Tsem Rinpoche is difficult but rather my letting go had not been easy. I trusted, loved and have total believe in the Dharma and these ”good attachments” have seen me still in Kechara for the past 7years. Thank the Buddhas for my perseverance in sticking through and realise in whatever manner Rinpoche is teaching me, it is for my own good.
I have gained some form of peace and a small speck of wisdom and I thank Rinpoche for these new acquisitions, great assets to live with!!!
My personal request is, please never give up teaching poor souls like me and may I in return to Your kindness and Compassion serve the Dharma to benefit others as is Your greatest and only wish in Your Holy life.
Dear JP,
I like what you have written. Then again, I have been taught to take the truth. The truth can hurt which is why many prefer to lie in our face and worse in their own face. How much the truth hurts is perspective. The Lama is on earth to relieve our sufferings, thus the truth. So if we students have wrong perspective… oh well, face up and accept you cannot take it and do not want to take it. Do not blame. Cannot take the truth fine, live a lie fine but do not make others suffer your illnesses. Do not make allegations. Just go and make peace your way in a place you find better for you. Those who have left made that choice, move on. Find your own way to inner peace. I wish you well!
Dear Tsem,
why are you asking me/us?
The question is not, what we want you to do. Through this asking You put on us the burdon that we are becoming responsible for your life and actions. You are defiantly not ready to go and have a marriage.
And we want the Dharma, we need the Dharma, but we don’t want any burdon. Burdon makes heavy. How can we practice with a burden?
We only can practice clean and clear and with successes when we feel lightful. Please stop to put any burdon on us! We have our own things to do.
The questions are:
What would you like to do? What are you dreaming of? What makes you blissfully happy? What kind of body do you want to have? Work on this!
Do something with your body. Go jogging, yoga, make sport, whatever body movement you prefer. Don’t think so much and talk not so much. Stop thinking. Show it the world. Everyone needs a role model, wants to be blissful happy 24 hours per day, wants to have a sexy body. Show it and give the people the currage that they can do it too. With love and patience. Give them all what they need, give you complete.
only not do actions if it’s not makes you blissfully happy, if it hurts you!
Do whatever YOU like to do. You can do, whatever you want, you are free and you know it.
Important is to fulfill all your dreams. If I can help you in this, I do whatever I can.
By the way: I reflect : everything is an illusory mind, yes, and As long as I see the people not as a Buddha, there must be something wrong with my mind, isn’t it? Milarepa said right after his enlightenment : I only see Buddhas. If you like, It would be very kind of you, to say what you think about that.
By the way I think you are a very good teacher. What attracts me the most to you is: you are really really want it. Hope to see you one day in person.
Please feel free to contact me any time,
Yours,
Deki
This is my first time here but I have to reply to Deki because I think there’s a lot of wrong view in Deki’s comment. Sorry I am so forward and a little direct, but no one has corrected your wrong view and it may give people the wrong impression about Tsem RINPOCHE’s teachings.
I think to talk about illusory mind and yet not understand the true meaning behind Tsem Rinpoche’s blog post, is a bit ironic. First off, the burden IS on us as the students. Don’t you remember how Buddha Shakyamuni started teaching? Because he was requested. He turned the wheel of Dharma when he was given a reason to teach. In the same way, if students are not changing, what gives the lama any reason to teach?
The point of the post is to get us to think, and you came to the conclusion you don’t want any burden to your practice (“And we want the Dharma, we need the Dharma, but we don’t want any burdon. Burdon makes heavy. How can we practice with a burden?”).
What kind of Dharma are you practising, if you don’t take burden? Verse 7 of the 9 Attitudes of Guru Devotion says:
7. No matter how difficult or heavy the burden,
Be like a rope
— Hold the guru’s work with joy.
The verse talks about bearing burden as a Dharma practice. So why claim you are practising Dharma, when you don’t want burden? When has a lama’s instruction ever been a burden? I can only come to the conclusion that you don’t want burden because you don’t want to take responsibility for your own behaviour.
Since you have your own things to do, maybe Tsem Rinpoche SHOULD stop teaching since people have their own things to do. If you don’t want the burden to be put on you, nobody said you had to be a Dharma practitioner and nobody forced you to practise 8 Verses of Transforming the Mind. How are you practising the Dharma by asking the lama not to put any burden on you? Is that what Milarepa told Marpa? What Naropa told Tilopa?
Why blame the teacher and ask the teacher to be compassionate, when the lama is one and the students are many? At what point should the students be compassionate to the lama?
By the way Deki, please have the respect to address Tsem Rinpoche by his title and not just ‘Tsem’. I do not know Tsem Rinpoche and I have never met him personally but I have read enough of Tsem Rinpoche’s blog posts to understand the difficulties and obstacles of having a Dharma centre and having students. Quite frankly, I found your post and your telling Tsem Rinpoche what to do very rude. It shows you do not understand what Tsem Rinpoche has accomplished, done and how Tsem Rinpoche has taught and helped students for the last 20 years, nor have you bothered to learn.
When you have a Dharma centre and have to deal with thousands of students and all of their lies, deceptions and hypocrisy day in and day out for 20 years, please request then to see Tsem Rinpoche. Otherwise I really really really think that Tsem Rinpoche’s students shouldn’t grant such an audience. It’s very disappointing to see that when the lama feels this way and expresses his thoughts on the blog, that instead of offering support, people offer their advice which is without basis.
Dear Jason Khor,
You could not have said this better. THANK YOU!
Dear Jason, Well said! Bravo!
In Buddhism teachings, it is said, “Even if the Guru, from our side, has many faults and few good qualities, the disciple has to look only at the guru’s good qualities and not at the faults. The disciple then gains the benefit of all realisation of the path to enlightenment. Even if the guru has more good qualities than faults, if the disciple only looks at the faults and not at the good qualities, they will see only the faults. Take the example of a given case of the monk, Lepai Gama, who served Guru Shakyamuni Buddha for 24 years. During all the time he was constantly with the Buddha. Lepai Gamai didn’t see any good qualities of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha for 24 years, because he was only concentrating at any faults made by the buddha and not at his good qualities. He saw Lord Buddha as a liar. As mentioned in “The essence of Nectar”, until our mind is seperated from impure Karma and obscurations, even if every single buddha without exception appear directly in frontof us, we wouldn’t see them as buddha, but still only with our present ordinary view of an ordinary person! So when we see any fault in our Guru, it is the view of our impure mind. There are so many things that our mind cannot see or distinguish in a way that is opposite to reality. Our mind isn’t pure enough to see any aspect that is purer than the one we see at the moment! As said, we at our present ordinary level cant even apprehend samsaric pleasure, which is only suffering in nature, yet we regard them as pure happiness. Even our samsaric body which is suffering in nature, containing countless contaminated substances which we consider as clean and pure. As samsaric beings, we have many hallucinated views which we do not even see many aspects of its reality! Our present Guru is kind and compassionate enough to manifest in this ordinary form, which accord exactly with the level to our impure mind for us to understand and listen to his teachings! We must keep developing the devotion that sees the Guru as a Buddha, through always remembering the Guru’s kindnesses. It is said that this is the best way to ensure quick and stable development of Guru’s devotion. It is a required responsibility that none of us as students should shirk in the practice of Buddhism. Om mani padme hung.
You should continue to teach those who are willing to let go.
When a person is not willing to let go, you better let them go.
“People complain about you warning them about danger, then complain when you don’t warn them. Keep warning them, someone will listen.”
-unknown
You are doing your duty. You are doing what you are born to do, spread the truth, the dharma. Once you teach your lessons, they have to apply it. Understand it as much as possible and apply it as such. People will deny you, curse you, do whatever they can to interrupt and make you doubt your calling. That will not be forever. Keep teaching. The few who are loyal will help spread the Dharma. Many Buddhists teachers who cares are often ready to die or face persecution. The Buddha himself faced death and persecution from many of his students, but he kept teaching. You are a true teacher of the Dharma, without trying to sugar-coat it or make it into a “feel-good” message like I see teachers in the west do. Keep teaching, Rinpoche,and people will realize the truth.
Amitufo
Dear Rinpoche,
My dharma knowledge is shallow and I am learning from your blog. Without your teachings, I would still be as ignorant as before. Your teachings in the blog have taught me about buddhism. I asked myself, If Muslims pray 5 times a day, why can;t a buddhist have their daily prayers. I was just a Vesak day buddhist and didnt know how to pray and chant mantra.
With your teachings, day by day I have learnt how to be a better buddhist.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Regards
Leonard Ooi(Penang)
Cause I wish to leave Samsara, but I keep losing.
For such a respected high lama and monk, and my only guru; to even start a teacher-student relationship needs me to have countless of positive karma or connections with Rinpoche in my previous lives to ever meet Rinpoche in this.
I am committed to my guru, to Rinpoche because Rinpoche teaches me all that is negative. True, some might hurt, some may take the fun out, but it ultimately lies in how I think and perceive the situation. If I want to have fun, I can ignore my teacher’s advice and fall deeper into samsara. Rinpoche can don’t care, but the fact Rinpoche cares with deepest compassion for me, for us, Rinpoche guide us and “scolds” us.
For many years following Rinpoche, I saw how I improve and progress spiritually. Not much, but there are improvements, and more to go. If what Rinpoche teaches is wrong, then what is right?
Thank you for accepting me as your student, Rinpoche.
Love lots, with deepest humble respect.
When my root guru told me it was time for me to begin teaching others, I went on a local forum where I knew a few Buddhists hung out. I announced that I had been given permission to teach Dharma and they were welcome to come over for lessons.
No one heeded my call, but instead, flocked to a fellow in Shreveport because he claimed he was a student of the Dalai Lama.
They could have come to me and received teachings, ( a far shorter distance to drive) for free, but instead drove 80 miles to listen to a guy who claimed to have been a student of His Holiness and pay for the privilege.
Sigh.
When Lama Jigme told me again to teach, I told him I wasn’t qualified, and nobody would listen to my teachings because of that. He accused me of being lazy and prideful and told me–firmly–to teach.
Double sigh.
I do want to follow his instructions. I do. But the few Buddhists I have encountered in my area are pretty much in name only. They are ‘roadie’ Buddhists, finding time to hang out with teachers who they claim have ‘rock star’ status. NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE TEACHER’S FAULT, but the FAULT OF THE STUDENT.
The problem is, is that the student’s just want to be around that teacher because of that very reason, so they can drop a famous name at a party, when in reality, they never once picked up a sadhana and practiced it, nor had any intention to do so.
And when their lives turn to poo, or if the teacher expects his or her students to (gasp, the horror!) ACTUALLY follow his (or her)instructions, these people are the quickest to turn against the teacher. Suddenly he or she is culty, a fraud, a killjoy, or any myriad other reasons not to follow the teachings. Word gets out on web forums and certain walls of shame. It’s even happened to His Holiness. And if people can attack Chenrezig Himself, then we are all targets.
Perhaps those roadie Buddhists just don’t have the karmic connection for Dharma, that their attachment to the guru is just that, an attachment. It’s depressing to think about, but true nonetheless.
I pray for those who may, if not find the Dharma through me, than at least through someone else. As long as they find the means to transform, it’s all good.
As for myself, when I lit a candle to Kwan Yin and asked for her help in finding me a teacher, I made up a list of qualifications that I wanted in a guru. I didn’t want ‘lama feel good’ who would tell me what I wanted to hear, I had already had enough of those during my spiritual journey to last a lifetime. I wanted Lama Tell Me the Truth. I needed Lama Tell Me Like It Is, and don’t sugar coat it. Sure, hearing the truth about my’self’ will hurt, but so did labor. I got through that, I’ll get through transformation.
The next day I had that teacher. Now Kwan Yin has led me to you as well. I am grateful. Very grateful and I WILL follow your instructions, all the way. I am so fortunate to have both you and my root guru in my life, it is my intention to follow both your guidance until the end of my days. Between the two of you, I am certain I will accomplish the path.
<3
But I still have to teach.
What does this have to do with what His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche is talking about?
You don’t have to ‘teach’ in person in your town. You can teach online, fb, tweets and all. Even if it is one person listening, the online crowd will grow if you are sincere, have knowledge and make the effort over time.
Many things you post are very mundane I’ve noticed. Nothing much on dharma. It’s about cooking dinner, raising funds, your cat, your husband, roadie Buddhists, etc. I don’t see you really sharing any knowledge on line anywhere. Why don’t you share something daily from the Lam Rim and discuss that even with one person. Or on Tara or any practice deity from any tantras?
When people ask questions, take the time to research and find the answers. Make an effort. You are very fortunate that you can write here and be here and share your ideas and ‘teaching’s if you have because this blog it seems has a huge reach. So whatever you discuss on the chat or other social medias will reach many. You are very fortunate it is all free. There is so much information on this blog too you can learn from and discuss.
I live in a part of US that has no teachers too. But it does not stop me at all.
This is not meant to criticize you but to say do something already.
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche has taught so much for so many years. He has accomplished so much. Just this blog alone with hundreds of posts shows clearly the effort, time, energy and dedication Rinpoche has put towards teaching others. Not to mention the hundreds of free youtube teachings filled with very valuable dharma we can enjoy, learn and share and how I connected to Rinpoche and here. This blog with so much information and creative ways to share dharma is just the tip of the iceberg of how much Rinpoche has done. We should emulate. I fully understand when Rinpoche shares the trials and tribulation of ungrateful students or students who do not practice the dharma.
In the dharma community I was involved in, we had one ungrateful student who sued the center for the offerings back he had given! He lost the case and had to pay the center’s legal fees too. Good lesson for him. He was unhappy with some of the policies and hard work that had to be done at the center and didn’t feel he got the recognition he ‘deserved’. So he was disgruntled. Where is the practice? So pathetic as we do dharma spiritual growth and not recognition.
We have to make an effort of monumental proportions before we can ‘complain’ how difficult it is to teach or share dharma with others. If we have done next to nothing and keep making excuses of why we cannot this and that, it is only excuses to look good. No impact means no impact. We have to put in the effort consistently and over time and then we can see people gathering to hear us even online. I hope you can do so.
I shared only what I did because I understand Lauren,you were quite rude. I posted this because I understand Rinpoche’s frustration. I do share the dharma online, but in the Rime tradition, not the Gelug. I am currently unqualified to teach in the Gelug tradition, therefore out of respect to Rinpoche and others, i do keep my conversations on the chat fairly mundane. It’s called courtesy. If you read my blog you’d know I do share the dharma. I rarely do it here. Also, if you had read the things I post on this chat, they do indeed contain a great deal of dharma. Put aside your pride and arrogance and you would see that.
Thank you WC I appreciate your words and agree.
Okay let’s start again. The earlier reply was too harsh, I tried to edit it, my mouse lost its mind and somehow the thing posted.
So let me try this again.
I was NOT writing about myself, I was using myself as an example. Big difference. The reason I did this was to put into perspective, the idea that there are people who go follow certain teachers because they have a reputation, fame, or whatever. And there is NOTHING wrong with that.
What I was saying is that if someone is going to a teacher only because they want to drop their name at a party, or go to a big temple because it’s famous and makes you look like a big shot, if you are doing these things then you are NOT there for the Dharma. You are there to make yourself look good, and to boost your ego. (the you, here is rhetorical, btw)
Could you see the difference?
You can’t reach those students because those students do not have the correct motivation to be there.
And when the teacher points out the student’s error in conduct, they get angry and start saying ugly things, usually on line.
And that is never productive.
In regards to the things I post in chat, you might be surprised at how much dharma I do impart while I am there. I do my best to integrate Dharma into everything I do, even when I’m talking about my sick cat. 😉 And yes, I do teach online, btw. Although I do prefer real time teachings, I can be found on a certain blog that I won’t mention here out of courtesy to our host ( Rinpoche) Whom you should be learning from anyway.
Sorry patriciasnodgrass but your comment just sounds like many excuses to me. Your whole post is blaming other people for why you are not a teacher yet. Blame the online forum students, the roadie Buddhists, the fact you are in an area with few Dharma people. Sure maybe they are not committed but look at each situation and what was the common factor. In everything it is you. I hope you excuse my directness because I do not know you but you are focusing a lot on tone and vocabulary, instead of content and truth. Lauren was nice enough to point something out and I hope that you take her nice post into account. If you truly want to be a teacher the best ones I have come across all can take feedback and improve. I guess it’s because being a teacher doesn’t mean you stop practising.
Patricia, Your answer does not befit that of a ‘aspiring’ dharma teacher. I was not rude or trying to be rude, I was honest. No matter how you view what I said, you should not be defensive and angry. Being so defensive and angry does not make you a qualified dharma teacher. The public is watching you and not watching me. I am not trying to be a teacher at all. I am a lifelong student. If you ever become a teacher, you should be ready for heavy public scrutiny, questioning and doubts. All great and ordinary teachers go through this.
Honestly, I can be rude if I choose. The public can be rude, but you cannot be because you are suppose to teach compassion, patience, tolerance and embody those qualities.
From a ‘PR standpoint’, you make yourself look very bad. I am your teacher, teaching you patience. You cannot go on a angry defensive rant and then turn around and apologize each time. You do that quite often from what I have been reading. You are filled with rage and anger when something unpleasant is said-that is not a mark of a teacher. If it is, then what is a teacher teaching. Control that before you ‘teach’. I wish you the best and this is not said in anger or retaliation, but you claim so many times you are to be a teacher, well start now by being patient. I am not after you or want to get you, but I saw things in what you said that needed to be addressed. I’ve done so and you can see it how you like. I am sorry you take it wrongly. Perhaps it’s a self esteem issue, but whatever it is, I meant you no harm. Look at the criticisms other great teachers receive daily and they react with compassion.
Dear Rinpoche, whatever Rinpoche Dharma teachings that Rinpoche taught or even written on the blog are not in vain, many people had benefited from Rinpoche teachings, including myself. If not for Rinpoche teachings, i would still dwell in samsara. It is because of Rinpoche and Kechara i found a spiritual home, to learn and practice Dharma, and understand cause and effect in our daily life. Because of Rinpoche, what ever obstacle i face, i understand it is because of my doing in the past, and i learn to accept and face it, then using Dharma and the resources Rinpoche had given us through this wonderful blog and Kechara to apply it.
What ever the person who are angry, they are deluded by their own perception and projection, they are even ignorant and refuse to accept the harsh truth of what Rinpoche is telling us through the truth and logic of Dharma.
I wish Rinpoche to continue to turn the wheel of Dharma, as Rinpoche teachings is easy to understand and the example Rinpoche gave is very practical for all of us to engage and practice. May we be able to receive Rinpoche teachings and blessings for us to transform our mind quickly.
We need tremendous merits to meet the dharma and a Guru. I am so fortunate to have known Rinpoche for almost twenty years and to learn and apply the dharma into my life. Thank you, Rinpoche for all your guidance all these years.
Rinpoche works selflessly and tirelessly to benefit everyone and because of that great compassion, Rinpoche uses different methods to teach to suit each individual. It is due to negative karma that some are unable to receive and accept the Teachings. Please continue to teach, Rinpoche, there are just some who chose not to face the truth but there are many whose lives were changed because of Rinpoche’s teachings and guidance. Rinpoche’s teachings have given hope to many who has lost hope.
“Sometimes you have to give up on people. Not because you don’t care, because THEY DON’T” But there are many who care and there are many out there who is eagerly waiting to learn from Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche,
Please stay. Please teach us. We need you.It is only Rinpoche with your great compassion and wisdom and your fearlessness(as you are beyond fears)who can save us from ourselves.
With unerring precision, you shine the light of your Dharma on the darkness of our ignorant minds mired in our innumerable lifetimes of negative delusions and habituations. When you teach and your Dharma cuts through and exposes all that is festering within us, the cause of suffering that may never end(if left untended) , all these delusions of cravings, hatred, fears, jealousies, we may squirm in pain. But beyond the pain, that is momentary, lies the healing and the promise of everlasting bliss and joy,true freedom from suffering that we need.
It is out of ignorance and mired in our confusion and delusion, that we refuse to let go and surrender to the great loving care of the greatest and most compassionate being , our Lama. If we have full trust and guru devotion, we will surrender ourselves totally to our guru, who is Buddha Shakyamuni, Lama Tsongkhapa, Manjushri and Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani, Setrap and all of the Three Jewels.Who is even closer and loves us more than all the Buddhas, because he is here for us, through all the pain and suffering he has endured for us. He is the only Savior, his is the only unerring method to take us out of pain and suffering to total peace.
My eyes well up with tears of gratitude for my most precious guru, the kindest of beings of all times. He is there for an unworthy being like me. What did I do to deserve my guru?
Thank you Rinpoche from the bottom of my heart.
We would like Rinpoche to continue teaching us dharma so that we can transform to benefit others.
We always pray that Rinpoche will stay healthy and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
We sincerely apologies if we haven’t able to transform our mind as we should have. We are grateful to Rinpoche’s kindness and compassion. Some students haven’t able to accept or practicing Dharma because of their ignorance. Please stay on and continue to teach Dharma because there are still many people who are very keen and enthusiastic to learn Dharma from Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche
Dearest Rinpoche,
My wife & I are very new to Buddhism and we want you to know that we APPRECIATE AND LOVE EVERY SINGLE TEACHING THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN AND CONTINUE TO GIVE.
In our 40+ years in this samsaric life, we have not even realized that we are suffering and that there is a CURE for this. This is until we found you as our only Guru. I strongly believe that in our past lives, seeds must have been planted for us to come to Kechara and to learn from you.
You have been a very dedicated teacher and with your endless compassion, more will realize and seek refuge in the Buddha & Dharma.
My response to your post is very simple – I am not so wise in putting beautiful words intertwined with all Buddhist concepts, but there is one thing I know and that is the very reason that you are on this path in Kechara is due to our collective karmic causes. There is no need to alter the course as it will bring unhappiness. I have learned this the hard way and experienced it over the last few months.
We all love you and your teachings – please continue your wonderful and unique teachings. Om Mani Padme Hum.
Without a teacher it is impossible to proceed far on the spiritual path.Not a single enlightened soul will ever deny the necessity of a teacher.Those who do so are nourishing their egos in the darkness of their ignorance because to accept a teacher,the ruthless killer of ego,is contrary to their self- conceited ideas.
Without a teacher,all philosophy,knowledge and mantras are fruitless.
May Rinpoche continue to teach and benefit oceans of sentient beings.
Dharma is like pill; It is reality, and so it is hard to be swallowed by some. Facts, however, remain there even if we chose not to face them. It is always good to face the truth upfront and to apply remedies even if it will be painful.
Having the opportunity to meet Dharma and to have the care of a compassionate spiritual guide is like finding precious gem in a dessert. So rare and so it shouldnt be let go. It requires much merits to meet Dharma and yet even more merits to keep them. However, to leave Dharma and to accuse the spiritual guide just because one finds it hard is not right.
There are people who embrace Dharma on one hand and with another group of people who deny Dharma. Dear Rinpoche, please do not stop teaching just because of the latter group because it will be such a pity for many more who will benefit from your teachings and cares.
This is painful to be hurt by those who you have loved so much. In this kind of situation, I would chose to stay with those who are willing to stay in the same ship as me so that we can all journey together.
It is never easy for a dharma teacher to teach real dharma. Many like to listen to dharma to feel good but not interested in applying it. When problem arises, they will seek help from the dharma teacher and expect the advice to be something they like, i.e. that supports their indulgence, attachment and what not. In a way, they do not want a solution. Strange.
When the solution involve looking within, letting go, do more practices, many will look at the dharma teacher with disbelieve. Clearly, they want the dharma teacher to support their way that is obviously not working. Otherwise, why would they seek help in the first place?
Dharma consist of the truth and correct methods that solve all our problems. The dharma teacher has been studying and applying it due to the kindness of his/her Guru(s), as well as all the lineage masters. The dharma teacher has attainments based on that and happily shares it with us selflessly.
There is no need for us to question or even doubt the methods as they have been around since the Buddha’s time. Many had applied and are now attained. If we do not like the method, please understand that it is being given after careful considerations that it will suits our mind and can definitely solve our problem, if we follow the instructions all the way. No doctor will give us sweets when we need bitter medicines in order to cure.
The dharma teacher does not gain anything from sharing all these with us. The least we can do is to be grateful, apply it and be a better person by improving our situation. Do not blame him if we did not follow his instruction through. Otherwise, it will be like us jumping off the surgery theater in the process of an operation and blame the doctor when we bleed to death.
Pastor Adeline, thank you for sharing your view on this matter. Some people just have to learn and appreciate the value of Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings the hard way. I shared Rinpoche’s teachings with my 2 friends who have never met Rinpoche before. One of them told me that she learned so much just via me sharing the time I spent with Rinpoche for the last few years. She congratulated me for having such a real and compassionate guru who is so hard to find in this degenerate time. The other friend told me that, “well..Rinpoche has to move on because there are many other people who deserve and waiting for a good lama like Rinpoche…”
The reason for a Rinpoche to reincarnate back is to teach. Dharma can only be real. There’s no way but up. Many lamas chose to teach only to those who can accept the teachings because they do not want to waste their time. Tsem Rinpoche is very compassionate because He sees all sentient beings are equal, Tsem Rinpoche willing to teach no matter who you are, how you may have a wrong perception of Him or even hate Him. Tsem Rinpoche continue to teach according to your problems and your karma so that you can wake up soonest one day to cut off your own sufferings. By listening to a lama’s advice you will be able to turn down a life threatened danger that coming your way.
We need to have lots of merits to meet a lama like Tsem Rinpoche. May we always have the blessings of Tsem Rinpoche to understand the teachings and gain realizations. May we never be parted from our precious guru, Tsem Rinpoche.
Thank you, Julia, and apologies for a reply that is 2 years late since you last commented.
It takes a lot of merits for us to meet with a qualified lama, one who is well learned and exhibits the dharma spontaneously; someone who sees through delusions and works directly with the nature of our mind, to bring out the goodness in us. He or she does not judge us for our delusions, but happily love and genuinely care for who we really are. Therefore, a qualified lama is one who will not let go of anyone regardless how he or she is being treated because they see the buddha nature in the subject they are working with.
We are lucky, I am lucky, that we are so fortunate to have met with such a highly attained lama, who works 24 hours every day just to make sure someone is benefitted from the dharma, to be liberated from sufferings, to open up from their wrong perceptions, to transform for the better. His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche does exactly this and more! He really put his needs, his dream, his “comfort”, his wishes, etc. aside just to help someone, even if it is just for ONE person. He does that regardless, whether he or she is a student, a friend, a stranger, an “enemy”, animals, seen or unseen beings. To Rinpoche, everyone is equal and they all deserves happiness. Rinpoche does his best so that everyone has true freedom, freedom for self-deceptive illusions. A truly free person is one who is not bound by attachment, specifically inner attachment.
Rinpoche does a lot of works behind the scene to help and to care for others quietly because he has no ego and self-interest. He can be seen doing prayers, getting a group of people to organise light offerings, to fly overseas to meet people; to teach, to cook, to share, to give, to help, to feed, etc. every single moment of his day for someone who is in a dire situation, in need or for a bigger picture we are too short sighted to see. There’s no one moment that he does what he did for himself. The priority is others always.
Rinpoche seldom rest for that is a sign of the realisation of impermanence, emptiness, and death; a sign of one who truly functions from bodhicitta. He reminds us always how time is short and we should not waste our precious human life for meaningless samsara pleasures but to focus on mind transformation. He is a perfect example of what he preaches, a walking and living dharma so precious you can hardly find.
In a time where materialism is a priority, people are brought up thinking that life is about everything we desire, dharma becomes foreign and difficult to digest. It is not because Rinpoche has said anything offensive, he merely shares the truth that has long forgotten the hurts because we are too egoistic to see how deluded we are. The discomfort of knowing the truth made them turn away from dharma, disparage Rinpoche, the Three Jewels, taking refuge in one’s own laziness and ignorance.
A truthful, sincere and genuine lama does not like us to stay ignorant, for it is much easier for us to keep it that way and he does not need to think of creative ways to challenge our ignorance so life is wonderful for everyone. Rinpoche is truthful, sincere, genuine, kind, compassionate and full of wisdom, he wants us to enjoy what we deserve and be who we really are, so we are independent of our delusion and advanced without having to stick to the vicious cycle of suffering.
Of course, Rinpoche should continue to teach, because he has everything it takes to teach. He is more than qualified, but the question though is: whether we deserve him; do we show with the actions of our body, speech and mind that we do. The ball is in our hands, we decide whether Rinpoche continues to teach and whether we have what it takes to support Rinpoche’s stay in this life with us.
Hello Rinpoche, this is the first time I am writing here and I thank you for all your nice teachings. I also wanna thanks all the people helping you like for example writing all your words in English here, which sometimes I need to understand perfectly well the videos. ^^
I am wondering why you wrote this article. It seems at first that it is for you to express some of the problems you meet. But in another way, I think you are wise enough, and that you write this to call out people and try to get their point of view on such situation. Anyway, this is interesting for us to realize that your situation isn’t always smooth with the people you try to help, even at your level.
Sorry for writing so long. I hope that within the many evidences for you or wrong things in my words, you will find at least one sentence that will be useful for you. ^^
It is an evidence for those who understand with enough clarity who you are and what you are teaching, that without a doubt you must continue. No teacher can have only great students from the start able to follow him in the most accurate way. Some will leave peacefully, some with troubles, some will stay, and some will stand out of the crowd in the best way. Those success make you enough happy isn’t it?
Like all those of your kind, you wanna be able to help the most, and success with everyone. But unfortunately, that’s not possible. But maybe you face some troubles too often with which you don’t know yet how to react to solve them.
Even I am French, I love learning with you in English. Your way of teaching is easy to grasp, we learn a lot fast. You teach in a modern way, you make good jokes which make us feel very natural and happy listening to you, without feeling a gap, a distance between you and us.
Nowadays, people are so much cut from genuine teaching, fighting to protect what they have and “try to survive” in this world where we feel a lot of aggression from everyone and everything, for good or wrong reasons. We are lost and we fear anything new, like if it was a potential danger before we even take time to check.
And when you have never met a good teacher before, you cannot see out his many qualities at first sight.
Not telling, that being so often trying to protect us, we even maybe feel more strongly and fear anything that is trying to break or pass through this armor.
First, we are often on the defensive side. Second, people dislike or even hate when you push where it hurts, even if it is good for them. They are not ready to accept it cos their lack of understanding of their and your own situation.
Like a doctor who touch where it hurts to check and evaluate the problem, the patient will sometimes get angry toward this professional who is hurting him. Couldn’t he use another way to check than press where it hurts? He is a doctor after all! I’ve also need time myself to understand how true and useful the Buddhist teachings are, and forget my wrong views to accept it plenty. And still I was open minded, it has need time, help from a friend and a deep will to find true teachings. So many people want to find a quick, all made solution that will fit exactly what they wanna hear and don’t need to face themselves or change anything in their life. A little like take a chemical pill to cure ourselves that in fact often stop the pain but doesn’t cure the source of the problem.
This is a first step to face those difficulties of acceptance and realize who is really a good guru and how worth are really his teachings. It belongs to people if they are really true in their search for a better life, that with time they will keep searching, face their own problems and stop denying you, thinking that the problem comes not from them but only from you.
It’s way easier to reject our problems on you, to use you as an excuse, than accept to face them.
Maybe there could be a different way to start with those people, to make them get out of their bubble, to see blessings in your teachings. I don’t know how much you can do on your side to help those people to start in a smoother way, to give them time to go step by step. Facing too directly the reality is too harsh for some of them. But maybe also you got nothing to change and the trouble just come from them, because they are not ready, and it would better find another person, less authentic till they realize their mistake. If you want to appreciate a racing car, maybe you’d better start to drive a broken one, what a pity when they got the chance to meet someone like you.
If people are not ready to face themselves at first, which will make them reject you or your teachings, then maybe there should be a kind of pre-teaching (maybe not from you this time ?) to explain in details people the common mistakes of people at first. Let them hear examples, give them time to think about it, without fearing of anyone being able to know their own weaknesses. Also let them able to have the time to realize their situation without a mask, and that they can with you find the necessary help to make it fine.
You cannot change your way of teaching for all the people with who this works very well. For those with who you get no good result, then maybe you can find a solution or just let someone else start with them until they will be ready for you.
But in a global way, you do fundamentally “your job” in a right way, and you are not responsible for the people who aren’t able to progress well facing the Dharma. Realizing the reality of the benefits of the teaching before applying it seriously is also not easy.
Also there are fake gurus, and most people not being able to see who is real or not, always doubt of what they hear because they can know you’re a real one.
Another part of the problem is that they probably don’t understand Buddhism well enough. They need to read book that explain what Buddhism is, try to pass through the first step by themselves or at least help them afterwards being able to understand your words better.
I have been through this process, even my best friend was Buddhist, and helped me almost everyday, I’ve need several months to be clear about how well the Dharma can help us and that leave behind us all our bad habits, lifestyle was the best thing at final even if at first it can sometimes seems crazy, not worth, unacceptable.
So I think reading books about what is Buddhism is really important. Buddhism is really complex to grasp when you are a beginner. That is probably the main reason why you face problems with some people : what you tell them is just like poison in their ears, when you give them in reality nectar. They never saw blue vegetables or fruits in nature, so as they don’t know you, if you ask them to try one, they won’t accept it and run away thinking you’re mad or a liar. But if a scientific book explains that blue fruit can in fact exist and that is the best thing for health, as long as you accept to taste it without any concept, then maybe they will try.
I also think that all the people with who you succeed, should maybe do something to explain other what you have done for them and how much they feel more happy. But not something like classical comment because they won’t trust in it if they don’t trust in you.
Writing their own personal story, instead of a simple comment, to express through which steps they have been, which trouble they have face even toward you. It could help to see such writing if we don’t feel an influence from your side like you choose who can display or not and just accept good polished words. We can feel when something write without any external influence.
Also a FAQ about typical problems or wrong views people can meet at first could be helpful : they sometimes need enlightenments to start fine.
Many possibilities to try to help better some people with who typical way doesn’t work out.
Don’t need to change anything about yourself when it’s already right, but try to find a new way or solution for some people is a good idea. After all, the source of those troubles comes from our side, not yours. Too many of us won’t have empathy to try to see how you feel on your side, like when we were at school and never care about the teacher feelings.
Many people search in Buddhism a solution to their problems, without knowing what is Buddhism, what is really a Buddha, what is the Dharma. It can only make the situation not easy for part of people when they face teachings.
Please continue to teach the Dharma with pleasure, being yourself. ^^
This is such a great sharing. You really focused on what Rinpoche is talking about. I really learned from your post.
That’s what make bodhisattvahood the thoughest career of all. Persistence and endurance of compassion become prominent, just like parents that tirelessly nurture their children, I spplicate you Rinpovhe la, to spread the dharma far and wide, to keep on teaching us regardless what we react to you in return, because our ignornce can only be purified through Triple Gem’s commpassion, which is embodied in your heart and manifested through your actions. Lamala kyap shu chee o!
I cried each time i read your book or watched your teachings. Why because whatever you said tho it hurts to the core. Everyword you said it out directly to me they are the “right thing”. It hit my deluded mind directly.Tho i have not met you in person, but just by reading or listening to your teachings have changed me at least 1%.
What i’m saying is, the devotion of the past great sages have towards their guru is incomparable. I as a new practitioner, find it hard to even maintain a daily sadhana.For a guru (who has a cracked tailbone) to even gather the strength to sit in front of the laptop to think what to write today, takes a lot of effort. Yet we as students what else we want?
Deep down within me, i’m grateful to meet such a wonderful “cyber guru”. (With folded hands) Rinpoche, Please stay on. Please continue to teach.
People drift away from truth because they cannot face themselves with truth. They deny themselves of truth and become enemies of themselves; they become haters of truth. The teacher is just their mirror of truth they cannot accept. This is the ego we have to overcome as students if we are sincere to become a better person and have swift spiritual progress. The teacher is only here to teach out of compassion and love to ensure students have sustainable and everlasting happiness. What can the teacher profit from by being our mirrors but only our horrid neurosis and monstrous reactions that no one dares to tread on and lessons money cannot buy.
We have to know we are most fortunate to have a teacher like Tsem Rinpoche in this degenerate age to guide us in our spiritual journey. The mere ability to receive teaching from him means we have generated enough merits from either our past or current life. Why waste this precious opportunity that is so rare to find? Besides this is our precious human body with the 8 fortunate endowments we rarely find.
I sincerely pray and wish every students whether present or potential, to contemplate deeply what I have to say here. Do not miss the boat.
May Rinpoche continue to turn the wheel of Dharma to benefit many beings. Please forgive us for we are ignorants and possess very little merits.
Until we attain enlightenment may we never be separated from you. Live forever – TSEM RINPOCHE!
Renunciation, Preciousness of Human Body, Guru Devotion, Bodhicitta, Karma and etc etc are all very common words used especially in Buddhism. I too, most often than not, found myself trapped in these words only. If ones really have read carefully and contemplated, from my point of view should be very ashamed. Renunciation alone is very hard, what’s more to request!
Because honestly speaking, I can’t even do what the Sages or other Holy Beings have done. Imagine that we can’t even commit to our daily sadhana, what’s more four sessions of Guru Yoga daily, commitments, vows or even to serve our Guru? Surrender, for me is to please my Guru and to use this body to do what Guru tells me to do. Summary, put the ‘I’ to the best used before expiry for the benefit of all sentient being, but who can?
But, does this mean I don’t want Guru to teach? Nope. In fact, I would like to plead to Rinpoche, please continue to teach. There are people out there who are ready and thirst for it, especially the Sanghas-to-be and the Pastors. Rinpoche, please stay and teach.
Tsem Rinpoche, just to share my thoughts as an observer who is still very new in my buddhism path. Personally, I do think that you are indeed a rather unconventional Buddhism teacher who I have yet to come across so far, in fact rather unique.
After reading your post above, it appears to me that you are a committed teacher who really hope to see his students grow and progress. I think as human we tend to get disappointed, sometimes with or without us realizing it when our expectation (conscious/unconscious) is not met by some people out there who we cared so much but don’t reciprocate. In the end we may just feel like giving up but a story that someone told me changed my perception on that, have you hear about the story of the starfish? Basically the moral of the story is that it doesn’t matter that we are unable to save all the starfish after all our effort, at least we saved one, we made a difference to that one starfish who we managed to save which means a lot to it. In other words, some people may not appreciate your kind intention and effort and turned away, but I’m sure many people out there, some May or may not be your students who treasure and appreciate you a lot. For me, I have yet to find my official teacher, still observing, learning and practicing the Buddha teachings from some teachers out there through their books, writings etc and you are one of them, though initially with some resistance and reserved judgements.
In response to your question if you shall teach, definitely yes! You have made a difference to many out there and countless to come if you continue to teach. Be that as it may, in the end it’s of course your discretion which is much respected though will definitely be a great sense of loss to many dharma students out there.
Thank you Rinpoche. May you be well and blessed always.
Dear Tsem Rinpoche,
Most of us do not understand Buddhism and spiritual practices deep enough. Most of us will find it very difficult to give up the worldly pleasures, attachments and cravings.
For years I’ve been looking around to find a place to teach me Buddhism. I’m glad I’ve found Kechara and your teachings are simple, direct and unconventional for this modern age.
We may be have hesitations on dharma teachings and practices but the realisation will be there if we continue the practices.
We should not be too judgmental if we want to transform our spiritual ignorance.
Your teachings will help many who are still seeking to learn dharma and gain better understanding on spiritual attainments.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Der brother to me happens the same in Belgium. I had a car accident in 2007 and they showed me not caring about being a budhist nun(munk) and asked if we had children and were married. They way of living they take for the right one. If i teach ..ech tell them they are wrong i’m a non-respectfull person a lier etc. Going on holiday and raping young girls in china etc may be. They may everything. I must wait for my money during 14 years now. Every paper of doctors they tuyrn otherwise. So…teaching..yes i continue tellling for the ones who want to change. I take soon another way far from them and i leave their karma to themselves. My teacher said i have so much power that they are afraid of me. So they are afraid of you! That is all. Continue!!!! You are very wellcome!
The spiritual guru is not the ordinary guide or mentor or coach as we found in the secular world. When we have developed a samaya with our spiritual guru, the guru has the responsibility of making sure we create the right causes for our future lives’ happiness. If the students’ refuse to listen to the advice of the spiritual guru, it is not the spiritual guru’s faults. Students cannot be manipulative of the kindness and compassion of their spiritual guru who is kinder than all the Buddhas in the ten directions. When the students broke their samayas with their spiritual guru for not keeping promises, the spiritual guru will always absorb the students’ negative karma due to their kindnesses. This is manifested as the spiritual guru’s physical illnesses. No secular guide, mentor or coach will ever do that for his students! The spiritual guru really care for the well-being of his students. Furthermore, the spiritual guru is not being paid to care for us! The spiritual guru willingly provide this “FREE” service for his students out of his compassion. And yet the spiritual guru has to suffer the ‘abuse’ from his students! It is a lose-win situation for the guru! What more do the students want from their spiritual guru?
If students cannot respect the functions of the spiritual guru, then why in the outset the students wanted to enter into the sacred guru/disciple relationship? Students must fulfill their responsibilities and commitments in a sacred guru/disciple relationship too. If students cannot uphold the sacred guru/disciple relationship, then how do the students expect to achieve spiritual attainment from practising the instructions from the spiritual guru? The sad reality is the students’ refusal to practise not because the spiritual guru does not want to teach!
Lama Tsongkhapa states that the foundation of all good qualities is derived from complete reliance on the spiritual guru. If students have no sincere and pure reliance, then there will be no spiritual attainments! In the final analysis, it is the students, not the spiritual guru who determine the students’ future happiness.
Due to Rinpoche’s stainless devotion and promises made to Rinpoche’s gurus and Rinpoche’s kindness and compassion, we are able to continue to receive teachings and guidance from Rinpoche. Also Rinpoche had to forgo Rinpoche’s personal spiritual aspiration of doing long retreats. For this i cannot express my gratitude enough for Rinpoche.
Through the blessing of Rinpoche, may all of us quickly transform our minds so that we can accomplish spiritual attainments.
“I teach suffering, its origin, cessation and path. That’s all I teach”, the Buddha said this around 2500 years ago.
We are subject to our attachments and cravings, but the satisfaction and pleasures from these are temporary, yet we choose to indulge in them to blackout the reality of the suffering we do not wish to face. Even when we are not suffering physically due to the fragility of our human body, we are unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
Through the years I am in KECHARA, I see Rinpoche work tirelessly and selflessly, not just teaching, but personally physically assist others – hospital or funeral parlour visits in the middle of the night, stopping everything skipping meals to do prayers for someone who asked for help via the social media although Rinpoche had not slept the whole day/ night, out buying groceries for the departments or Dharma Houses, hours of counselling or meetings for the betterment of one individual’s spiritual path, recording video for the blog despite suffering from migraine and many more.
Some people who encounter the teachings (Dharma)may find it pessimistic. But in reality, Dharma is neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic. Buddha’s teachings do not just tell you about suffering; rather they tell us what we can do about it. It’s like when a doctor tells you about your illness, the doctor does not just tell you your disease but also the treatments/ solutions. The question is, are we willing to go through the painful chemotherapy, the root canal, the open heart surgery, to face our reality and do something for our good health and not avoid check ups/doctors/ hospitals in contentment of fake good health.
Please continue to teach Rinpoche. There are those who choose to not face the truth, but there are those who do and will.