Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection 2012
For the next two days, Kechara is holding the 2012 Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection (GFWP)! It commenced yesterday on January 6, 2012 (Friday). Last year’s Grand Setrap and Dzambala Puja was such a successful event, that the committee had to move this year’s event to the heart of KL’s city centre at Chin Woo Stadium!
GFWP started at 9:30am and many people showed up for the opening. Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek kindly came to officiate the opening ceremony and also in attendance were Tan Sri Dato Wira Jason Goh, Datuk Dr Lim Chee Sin, YB Khoo Soo Seang, YB Lim Kee Moi, Dato’ Ngeow Voon Yean and his wife, Datin Ngeow.
The Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection is being held for the next two days from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. I have copied and pasted the programme highlights extracted from Kechara.com below.
Do take a look at the photos that were taken today. Admission is free for all who are interested to join in the fun!
I thank our special VIP guests for attending the event. I thank the committee and volunteers. I thank the members and all those who worked hard for weeks to make this so beautiful and special. But it is not over, so go and check it out!
Tsem Rinpoche
Committee Members for 2012 Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection:
- Paul Yap (Project manager)
- Yoke Fui (Treasurer)
- May Ong (Secretary)
- Dato’ Ruby Khong
- Henry Ooi
- Julia Tan
- Irene Lim
- Shelly Tai
- Sock Wan
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Click here or on the image to download the programme booklet (PDF format).
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
- FREE precious Buddha pendants blessed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche for the first 1,000 registered participants
- Join in the Setrap Puja and the 1000-year old Serkym Offering practice to Setrap, to clear obstacles and request for protection
- Join in the Dzambala Puja to create the causes for inner and outer wealth
- Bathing and pearl offerings to Dzambala for wealth
- Delicious vegetarian food and desserts on sale by Kechara Oasis, New Age Vegetarian Restaurant available
- Kechara Gallery with beautiful exhibits and biography of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and the Kechara organization
- Stalls with many exciting items for sale ranging from groceries, food, drinks, plants, dharma books, DVDs, Buddha statues, ritual items, jewellery, thangka art…and that’s just the beginning!
- Recycling activity and help the homeless
- Lots of activities for the kids while parents attend the pujas or browse around (e.g. colouring contest)
Inviting a portrait of me into Chin Woo Stadium. A photo of the lama is invited to represent the presence of the lama there…
The GFWP committee printed out the gompa altar as a backdrop… how beautiful!
The traditional lion dance on the Chin Woo stadium’s stage. This is the special way to bring good luck to the event…
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to officiate GFWP 2012 by the VIPs!
(From left to right) Dato’ Ruby Khong, Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Jason Goh, Datuk Dr Lim Chee Sin, Henry Ooi, YB Khoo Soo Seang, Datuk May Phng, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Paul Yap, YB Lim Kee Moi, Dato’ Ngeow Voon Yean, Pastor Ngeow Voon Chin, Datin Ngeow, Yoke Fui.
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek lighting a candle to offer to the Buddhas…
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek offering more than one candle!
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek taking a tour around Kechara’s festival!
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek sticking gold leaf onto Chenrezig’s body…
Henry Ooi explaining to Tan Sri Jason Goh (left) and Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek about KWPC . KWPC or Kechara World Peace Centre is our goal to have a huge retreat centre in the mountains…
JP explaining to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek about Kechara and how it started…
Looking at my blog…computers were set up so visitors can be introduced to my blog. Thank you for the interest… very kind of everyone.
Kechara’s choir group singing beautiful mantras and songs…
VIP guests making offerings. Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Tan Sri Dato Wira Jason Goh, Datuk Dr Lim Chee Sin, YB Khoo Soo Seang, YB Lim Kee Moi, Dato’ Ngeow Voon Yean and his wife, Datin Ngeow.
(From left to right) Kechara House President Datuk May Phng, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, YB Lim Kee Moi and Kechara’s Vice President Mr Henry Ooi…
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek giving the opening speech. How kind of him…he is a very busy and influential man, yet he takes the time out to grace our occasion. I thank Dr Chua Soi Lek very much for his generosity. He has also donated RM10,000 to our event. He is very generous. Thank you so much again. I will make prayers for your wellbeing. Malaysians are very generous.
On the left is Wan San who’s playing the violin to accompany the Kechara choir.
Kelvin Tan showing his friends the lamrim text, Liberation in the Palm of Your Hands.
Pastor Yek Yee speaking about pujas, making offerings and where they originated from. She is a very sincere Buddhist Pastor.
Abby Foo and Pastor Yek Yee on the stage
The blog booth!!
The overall view of the front half of the Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection.
Many stalls selling different things… this one is selling food!
Many people love sticking gold leaf onto the Buddha statues… it’s a powerful offering to “beautify” a statue with the purest metal, gold.
Matt offers gold leaf unto Buddha Tsongkhapa
Visitors looking at Buddha pendants. We have a huge range of elegant and holy Buddha pendants created from Kechara. People love them very much.
Cute things on sale at the Kechara Earth Project booth!
One of the young Kecharians designing cards for those interested…
What a creative card for Chinese New Year.
Donated clothes sold at Kechara Soup Kitchen.
For those who are more fashion-inclined… there are items to suit your wants hehe
At 7pm, Lord Dzambala and Setrap puja starts. Our Kecharians are well-trained by qualified monks to perform genuine and powerful traditional pujas for the wellbeing of those who request.
The puja team leads both of these pujas…
…and for those who want to join in can definitely do so.
The latest book published by Kechara Media & Publications, The Promise, is now out for sale to the public!
Beautiful statues from Kechara Paradise are available to be invited back to your home…
A lucky dip awaits!
Chinese New Year-themed flowers…
Eight Auspicious Signs bracelet at the Kechara Discovery booth.
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek giving a press conference at our Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection 2012. He really took time out to be here for us.
Press conference
The candle offering area
Hardworking volunteers…thank you everyone!!
Shopping done!!
Our wonderful emcee lady!!
The door on the left is the main entrance.
View from the entrance door!
Buddha colouring contest – younger kids category
Young artist painting Lama Tsongkhapa with great faith!
31 kids participated in the Buddha colouring contest. The fashion designer Eric Choong, his friend Roth who is the editor of MEN’S UNO magazine, and Margaret are judging the winners.
Works of the talented Kechara kids!
Cheri tirelessly explaining Kechara World Peace Centre (KWPC) to the crowd
Kevin Tan of Kechara House Education Committee promoting the Lam Rim!
Kechara House President Datuk May Phng and Liaison Paul Yap being greeted by the auspicious lions!
Lion dance at the Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection
Bryan and Dee Dee did a great job at Kechara’s festival!
This is Gary Foo at the Ladrang booth. He and Dee Dee worked together to sell 500 worth of crystal offerings. He was very helpful and enthusiastic in volunteering, I am told.
Hardworking Michelle Tan at the Kechara festival
Wonderful people of Kechara! I love them
President of Kechara House Datuk May is giving a thank you speech. Wow. Look at the beautiful group of staff n volunteers. Everyone worked hard for this year’s successful Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection 2012. The festival has successfully completed.
So many from Kechara Soup Kitchen dept came to help at the festival. Beautiful. Here are KSK’s volunteers. Lucas, Wee Liang, Sophia, KC (Grace Husb), Melissa, Julia, Nancy (Julia’s helper), Jeremy & Andrew (Jeffrey Yee’s friends), CK Leong, Siong Woan, Karen, Veronica has been volunteering at KSK booth for the last three days. We are doing the packing now.
This is Sim May, Serena, Yashinie, and Ratna. They are four wonderful ladies helping out at our GFWP festival. I do appreciate their kindness very much and hope they are more involved with Kechara in the future. It would be good for them.
This is Yurie of Kechara e-Division. She has just joined and is our welcomed new staff in action at the Ladrang booth of the festival. She is very enthusiastic and helpful. She is from Ipoh.
Thank you Lin Mun (left) for all your help towards Dharma work. It is wonderful and I appreciate it very much, and am happy for you! Doing Dharma work helps many others and the purpose of life is helping others. I am happy to see you in this picture with lovely Judy of KMP…I have heard wonderful things about you, Ms. Lin Mun. Thank you!!
Mdm Lim Han Nee and husband at our GFWP today. Great!
Longtime friend Lee Ho and her family joining GFWP today
Dear Rinpoche, CK Siah, Phoebe and baby He Wei are at GFWP. They are very grateful for Rinpoche’s advice and KH pastors gave blessing to baby on January 1. Baby He Wei made an offering to KH today. Regards, Yoke Fui.
KSK sponsor Mr PK Cheng came to GFWP just now. He made a candle offering and had lunch there. He sponsored some of his Khind electrical products for us to raise funds.
Thanks for bringing Dharma to people David!
This is Junie and she donates a carton of canned drinks to KC Lounge on a monthly basis and volunteers quite often in KH events, and never misses KH Sunday Talk. Welcome Junie!!
Young and smart Wan Hong from the Kwan family is here in GFWP. Pictured here with Bryan (right).
The aisle towards the entrance door.
Guests are kindly given an explanation of what the festival is about…
Many people came to the GFWP today, can’t wait to see the turnout for the next two days!
Do remember to visit the blog booth!
Be sure and take a visit to this event!!!!
Don’t miss it!!!
Press Coverage
Zhong Guo Bao 中国报
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Nan Yang Shang Bao 南洋商报
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Guang Ming Ri Bao 光明日报
Click image to enlarge or here to view: http://www.guangming.com.my/node/123301?tid=3
Sin Chew Daily Mail 星洲日报
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Kwong Wan Yit Poh 光华日报
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What a delightful blogpost down memory lane! Although I’ve not known Kechara at that time, from looking from these pictures, I’m sure it has benefitted many. It’s a way to promote Kechara too. Hooray to many who have put effort in this.
This is certainly a blast from the past, hope we can do such spiritual festivals again in the future, many people came to meet Kechara and Tsem Rinpoche for the very first time in their lives. It was a beneficial event to reach out to Malaysians.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this article. From this article, I can have a glimpse of flashback into Kechara’s History and glory. It is very exciting to know that we did big events in such scale in 2012. If only I had knew back then, I would had joined the exciting experience.
From the pictures, I had recognized some of the members who are still with Kechara and how they had looked different. Impermanence is around us everyday and yet we still failed to recognized it. Our ego is so huge that it completely blocks out the truth and keep us in the pink dream of “Me Me Me and I will live forever”. We have to live in present and not future tense anymore.
Humbly,
Chris
Really a lot of work went into the planning and execution of this event and Liaison Paul worked non stop to make it happen for all Kecharians and all departments. Events to the public are always great learning experiences to see how well we cater and serve the public so experiences gain through GFWP is invaluable to know what the public wants.
What a fantastic event for Kechara to hold every year! It gives so many people a chance to meet the Buddhadharma. They come for blessings of wealth and protection, but realise there is something more so they stay back.
Congratulations to the fantastic organising team especially Paul. Every year he works so hard to make the event bigger and better. His drive to bring the Dharma to others really embodies what Rinpoche and Kechara are really about.
Every year, the committee of Grand Festival of Wealth and Protection always bring surprise to us. This year the committee decided to bring this grand festival to the heart of KL, where will be much more convenience for the public to touch by the blessing of 3 jewels.
Even-though the title for this event called WEALTH AND PROTECTION FESTIVAL, but what people can get from here is much more than that. Whoever came in to our event, or just a a glance on our flyer will plant a seed/imprint of Buddha enlighten mind in them. For whoever make any offering, even speech offering like : “WAH, this Buddha look gorgeous” will collect a lot of merit, that can bring all of us to the true freedom one day in the future.
I thanks all the committee members to always bring benefits to others.
The 2012 Kechara Grand Festival of Wealth & Protection event had just over. Many of our volunteers still very excited and talked about this event.I heard from many new volunteers, they learnt a lot from this grand event. Some of them told me, they more understand what Rinpoche direction and how can Kechara benefit many.
Rinpoche always advised us learn more Dharma knowledge and then applied in daily life. I think involve in dharma activities is a good way let’s ourselves realize how much we had learn and understand. Some of them even told me they want to do more!
Fantastic!!!
Thanks for the sharing of the event Rinpoche. I am not able to be there, and the pics are always better than a thousand word. I can felt the tremendous hardwork and time put in ny the Kecharian to make this a sucessful event.
Yes Margaret, Paul and the committee member had been working very hard daily to organize the whole events. Everyone enjoy the events so much. Not only for new visitors to know about Kechara, but for all Kecharian to know, gather, bonding with each other during the 3 days event. It is really a “One Kechara” event.
So nice to see our own Kecharian conducting traditional puja according to our lineage with ritual, set up, Mudra, chanting…
Just like what Datuk May mentioned during the last day of the event, since we can organize this why not Tsongkhapa Day? Looking forward to Wesak and Tsongkhapa Day at the end of the year.
Can’t believe the GFWP is over. The past few days have gone by so fast, packing, setting up, meeting so many people at the event and then the tornedo speed tear down……..all at the blink of an eye.
Everyone worked so hard, we had lots of fun while spreading Lord Setrap and Dzambala to the public. The kecharians got closer together.
Thank you Paul for your leadership,his left hand man Nicholas and the organising committee who have been working tirelessly for the event.
May the merits we Kecharians created be dedicated to the swift manifestation of KWPC!
i have been a very useful and a useless person at the same time. Useful as in i am good at ordering people around and using people to achieve goals. Useless as I do not do for others. After involving in GFWP, i feel I am well used; bringing benefits to others. The experience is an eye opener and absolutely uplifting. Tiring but loving every moment of it!
Looks really grand and beautiful, as is the Kechara trademark. And all for a good purpose and to bless so many. Everything Kechara touches is of the finest quality and with great motivation and purpose. Heartfelt Congratulations go to Kechara and especially the Organizing Committee. And wow, see how Kechara has grown so big.