Historic Day IN KECHARA!!! Gompa Reno Begins!
As our Kechara is growing, we cannot accommodate everyone in the current *gompa. So we are enlarging the gompa. The Liaisons Council has unanimously agreed to this expansion and has assigned Liaisons to oversee this exciting project.
Where previously our gompa is divided into one and a half separate shoplots, now it will be four shoplots joined as one!! It will provide space for 600-700 people easily. That is the 1st floor. On the ground floor below the gompa will be more space for offices, admin, Kechara Care Gift Store, Kechara Discovery, etc etc. I will update the progress as time goes on this post. So you may return to this post for updates.
June 12, 2010
Today was a historic moment for Kechara House as we handed the keys from the architect, Mr Ng, to the contractor.
At 9.00am, construction work on the internal finishing began. The workers will be removing tiles, carpeting, partitions and other preparatory work on the interior of four lots to start renovations for the new gompa.
Things are moving fast in the world of Kechara as we move to the next level to accommodate more people who wish to find peace and happiness in their lives.
These four shoplots will soon be transformed into the new Kechara gompa!These four shoplots will house large holy images of Lord Tsongkapa, Vajra Yogini and Setrap. Very exciting.
Signing the contract
The first step is to inspect the location as a group, to determine the condition of the building
Open sesame!
Liaison JP Thong of Tsem Ladrang exchanges notes with Mr Ng. In the background is also Mr Ng, the main architect for this project.
Enter the workers!
Mr Ng (the architect)
Mr Ng unlocks Lot 9…
… and the group proceed to enter
The inside of Lot 9 is inspected while Jace Chong of Kechara In Motion (KIM) films today’s proceedings, which will go down in Kechara history!
Inspecting Lot No 3
The work begins! First to come down is the fake ceiling
Tsem Rinpoche
Please note: *Gompa is Tibetan for Hall for Meditations/contemplations/rituals
Update: 14 June 2010
Update: 18 June 2010
Outside
Inside
Update: 21 June 2010
Update: 25 June 2010
Update: 6 July 2010
New Gompa Updates: 15/8/10
1. This morning at 11am, a site meeting was convened at KH2 attended
by main contractor Ng, Veritas Architect project manager Helius
Liew, and Wee Liang.
The following were discussed:
– Setting up temporary site office in the new gompa building to
coordinate and resolve day to day construction problems.
Instructions given to contractor to :
a) provide 6 sets of safety helmets and shoes for visitors.
b) put up master work program, one set of drawings, white
board, site diary,worker attendance record book and detailed
progress chart for all trades.
c) produce contractor-all risk cover note for whole project by next week
after finalising main contract documentation.
d) provide cabinets for storage of samples for the works and materials
delivery records.
e) to ensure all wet works( concreting and masonry ) and roofing works
to be completed asap as any delay in these trades will make it
diffiicult for other works to come in.
– Meeting ended at 1pm.
Photos attached:
Pic NewG (a & b) Taken at 3.30am by WL
-Bare structures remaining after brickwalls demolised.
16 workers recorded on site.
Picture G (a)
Picture G (b)
Pic G ( c & d) Taken at 11 am
– Excavator mobilised on site this morning to speed up clearing and carting away of debris.
Picture G (c)
Picture G (d)
New Gompa Update: 17/8/10
1. Pic (a) & (b)
Frontal view of all 4 units no. 3-9 with partition walls,facade,cornices and roof beams 90 % removed.
14 workmen recorded on site, and one excavator busy removing and clearing debris.All demolition work and clearing of debris will be completed as scheduled by Thursday 19th Aug.
Picture (a)
2. Pic (b)
Internal staircase airwell walls at Unit 5 , demolished and cleared of debris.
Picture (b)
New Gompa Update: 18/8/10
Pic (a) Grd fl partition walls all removed. Staircases will be last to remove when all works on 1st fl are completed by tomorrow.Only one staircase will be maintained for normal access.
Black PVC water tanks seen in pic will be used by contractor to store temporary water for the works.
Pic (b) 1st fl – Cutting and removal of concrete roof beams was delayed due to rain yesterday but will be all removed by tonight.
Pic (c) &(d) Front view of all 4 units. Workers removing concrete cornices and roof beams.
Fore ground – excavator removing debris and depositing into steel bins.
New Gompa Update: 23/8/10
Pic NG4 : Steel cage reinforcement ready to be placed into footing foundation.
Pic NG5 : Excavated pits of footing foundation
Pic NG6 : Lorry load of cement sand bricks for new partition walls
New Gompa Update: 24/8/10
Pic NG7 & 8: Ready mix concrete truck arrived at 1.30 pm . Concrete being carted to footings and placed.
Pic NG9 : Workers fixing steel support brackets on gable end walls to receive roof trusses.
Pic NG 11: Steel hollow sections ( for new roof trusses ) delivered at 1pm today.
More will be arriving over next few days to be hoisted up and fixed onto the steel brackets currently being installed.
New Gompa Update: 25/8/10
NG12: Hoisting steel sections for roof support beams.
NG13: Lorry delivering cement sand bricks for partition walls
NG16: Workman hacking away staircases to be replaced by new one, double the width.
New Gompa Update: 26/8/10
NG17: Bricklayers erecting new walls
NG20,21,22: Roof trusses being made at fabrication yard at Kampar
New Gompa Update: 27/8/10
Pic 27/8/1 Cement and sand bricks lifted up at 1st fl
Pic 27/8/2 Brickwalls coming up on ground floor
Pic 27/8/5 Steel door jambs delivered
Pic 27/8/6 Contractor ng knows how to use a leveling instrument
New Gompa Update: 28/8/10
Pic 28/8/1 & 2 Erection of steel support columns for roof trusses in progress
Pic 28/8/3 A completed room awaiting plastering
Pic 28/8/5 Columns for new staircase ready to receive concrete.
New Gompa Update: 29/8/10 & 30/8/10
Pic1: lightweight concrete blocks hoisted on 2st fl
Pic2: timber door frames
Pic 3&4: erecting structural steel frame to support roof
Roof trusses will be delivered and installed tomorrow.
New Gompa Update: 31/8/10
Mr Ngeow had another short meeting with roof contractor, Veritas Project Manager Helius and Contractor Ng on safety procedures during lifting and installation and other technical points.
It’s a public holiday today, so that makes the operation safer and faster. Also checked specs of steel trusses.
Pic 1 & 2: Roof trusses delivered this morning and laid out on road about to be lifted up.
Pic 3: Installation of first end truss.
Pic 4: Roof trusses being lifted on to top of Gompa
New Gompa Update: 01/09/10
Pic 1: Walked up multi-storey carpark to take this bird eyeview of roof structure work in progress.
Pic 2: Welders preparing steel structure to concrete over old stair well opening.
Pic 3 & 4: All 5 roof trusses installed last night. Now fixing the horizontal ties or purlins to stabilize the trusses and for supporting roof deck.
New Gompa Update: 02/09/10
NG020910(1) : Concreting of main staircase in progress
NG020910(3) : Purlins installation almost completed.
New Gompa Update: 03/09/10
Front walls coming up
Rear concrete block walls nearing completion
Frontal view of work in progress. Ready mix concrete truck in foreground.
Front view of roofing works
Workmen finishing off newly concreted floor (old stair well)
New Gompa Update: 06/09/10
Roof covering 90% completed
Pic 2 & 3: A/C ducting and wiring conduit work in progress
Internal view of roof insulation and covering
New Gompa Update: 13/09/10
1. External view
2. Roof – More metal reinforcement are being installed to put in air-con duct
3. View of ground floor – continue to build more walls inside the building
4&5. M&E works in full swing after Raya break
6. Aircon and fire protection works proceeding at roof level
7: Plastering work started at ground floor with 12 men and another gang working round the block
8. Front elevation of new Gompa. Site is getting crowded with around 80 workmen on site
9. View of the front section of the 1st floor
10. View of the whole 1st floor from staircase
11. Susan and David working hard helping to transfer bricks on 1st floor
12. Back walls (facing back of E-div/KMP) are being built
13. Partitioning walls at the left side of 1st floor
14. View after coming up from staircase
New Gompa Update: 15/09/10
1. Air con ducts running everywhere.
2. Bricklayers and plasteres working night shifts (11pm)
3. Completed plastered walls at ground floor.
4. Front elevation of Gompa
New Gompa Update: 18/09/10
1. Front View
2. Plastering at 1st Floor
3. Wire man pulling wires through the conduits and casings
4. Concealed cold water piping in toilets at ground floor
5. Electrical works at gr fl admin offices
6. Scaffolding erected to start plastering at main Gompa entrance walls.
7. Plastering completed at rear wall of main gompa
New Gompa Update: 19/09/10
1. Front view
2. Plastering at gable end wall nearing completion
3. Electrical works at Multi-purpose hall
New Gompa Update: 20/09/10
1. Truckload of floor tiles being unloaded.
2. Plastering now moved to front wall 1st fl
3. A/Con installation in progress
New Gompa Update: 21/09/10
1. Ceiling support being installed at ground floor
2 & 3. Blower unit & insulated ducts installed at ground floor
New Gompa Update: 25/09/10
1. External plastering to facade walls in progress. Beautiful morning today.
2. Floor tiling about to commence at ground floor multi-function area. All floor levels were OK after I cross-checked with contractor and with the architect.
3. Screeding at 1st floor main Gompa nearing completion. Nice to see area cleared of materials for once.
4. Main Gompa entrance high walls plastering completed.
New Gompa Update: 28/09/10
New Gompa Update: 29/09/10
1. Skylight windows installed at jack roof
2. Air con ducting at rear of ground floor
3. Partition frames erected at admin/office area
New Gompa Update: 30/09/10
2. Wiring/conduit being laid at the 1st floor of the main gompa hall.
2. External facade wall plastering completed
3. Cementing joints of ceiling boards and partition panels
4. Built-ins at pre-function waiting area
2. Main Gompa floor tiling in progress
New Gompa Update: 05/10/10
1. Front view of façade wall with scaffoldings removed
2. Painting in progress at ground floor admin/office rooms
3. 1st floor main gompa tiling 90% completed and covered with plywood for protection.
4. Wall tiling to toilets at ground and 1st floor nearing completion
5. More samples (Mechanical & Engineering works) submitted to ensure compliance to specifications
New Gompa Update: 06/10/10
1. Painting to façade walls in progress
2. High ceiling work at main gompa in progress
3. Painting at ground floor admin area in progress
4. Night work at main gompa
New Gompa Update: 07/10/10
1. Rear wall of building with lots of work going on as many services terminate here.
2. Fire hose reel drums ready for installation
New Gompa Update: 08/10/10
1. Air con units kindly donated by Khind Industries delivered
2. High ceiling work and air con ducting in progress at main gompa hallway
New Gompa Update: 09/10/10
1. & 2. Kechara White House !
3. Main gompa high ceiling at 1st floor in progress
4. & 5. Toilet basin top and wall tiling in progress at ground and 1st floor
6. An almost completed built cupboard/shelves at typical admin/office room
New Gompa Update: 11/10/10
1. Rear view of building – A/C compressors being installed
2. & 3. Plaster ceiling in progress over main staircase 1st floor
4. Speakers installed at 1st floor main gompa
5. Glass panels installed at ground floor shopfronts
New Gompa Update: 12/10/10
1. & 2. Datuk May chairing site meeting at Kechara Care
3. Final coat painting to façade wall
4. Electrical wizard !
5. Project team solving some issues relating to high aluminium ceiling installation
New Gompa Update: 13/10/10
1. Scaffoldings coming down after painting completed
2. Sanitary fittings delivered ready for installation
3. & 4. High plaster ceiling and partitions in progress at main gompa
New Gompa Update: 14/10/10
1. Firehose reels installed
2. ELCBs at main gompa hall
3. Makeover time for Lama Tsongkapa statue
4. & 5. Evening shot of new Gompa
New Gompa Update: 15/10/10
1. Night work for ceiling plasterers and electricians
2. Scaffoldings erected for high aluminium ceiling work at main prayer hall
3. WCs in a row
4. Glass panellings to main prayer hall entrance covered with plastic sheets
5. Plumbers at work
6. Lucky girl Yen Pin shaking hands with Lama Tsongkapa.
New Gompa Update: 17/10/10
1. Mini cherry picker for gompa maintainence work in future
2. Aluminium ceiling modules ready for installation
3. Plaster Ceiling work at outdoor veranda
4. Workmen checking wall for verticality and alignment with a plumb during installation of aluminium fins to facade wall.
5. Datuk dwarfed by Lama Tsongkapa in size and attainments. (Background) painters at work on main gompa walls.
New Gompa Update: 18/10/10
1. Water pumps for fire protection & cold water supply installed
2. Metal frames for highwall partition in place
3. Fire alarm control panel at ground floor
New Gompa Update: 19/10/10
1. Washbasins in toilets
2. Corridor and main entrance ceiling raised by 6 inches to give more headroom.
3. Installing gypsum boards at 1st floor AV room
4. Fixing of toilet cubicles in progress
5. Checking room by room /area by area to ensure premise is ready for handing over.
New Gompa Update: 20/10/10
1. No prizes for guessing what precious object is inside!!
2. High aluminium ceiling at main prayer hall finally in progress after facing some technical hitches.
New Gompa Update: 21/10/10
1. Platforms for statues being assembled.
2. Air Con compressors all installed at rear of building
3. Fixing of tempered glass aluminium swing doors in progress
New Gompa Update: 22/10/10
1. Workers fixing aluminium fins to façade wall
2. Tiled access ramp to main entrance at road level.
3. Kechara Signage box just arrived.
4. High aluminium ceiling nearing completion at prayer hall.
5. Water heater donated by Khind Industries at shower cubicle.
Dear All,
1.The New Gompa achieved practical completion by the dateline of 2nd Nov. set by Datuk May. This meant there will be no penalties imposed on contractors even though there are still some minor works to be completed due to design changes.
2.The defects liability period commences from this date. Contractually it allows us to start moving in articles/items from KH1 & 2, or to fix additional things which are not within the scope of the main contract.
3.The keys to the building will be handed over to KH Com once the Architect and consultants have certified that the building had been completed, tested and commissioned satisfactorily in accordance to the contract specs and design whereupon the Certificate of Practical Completion will be issued.
New Gompa Update: 2/11/10
1. Cleaners at work at foyer
2. Placing granite tops on statue platforms
3. Multi purpose room with panelling installed
4. & 5.Office /admin room furniture fully assembled.
6. BAM logo with purple color background.
7. Meditation cushions delivered.
8. Datuk accepting practical completion of project at 11.55pm on 2nd Nov to the elation of contractors and consultants.
9. The beautiful fabric panelling at rear of main prayer hall
10. Sofa at pre function area.
New Gompa Update: 3/11/10
1. Retail room at ground floor
2. Washroom at audience room.
New Gompa Update: 4/11/10
1. Lily Ng adding color and life to Setrap
2. Full complement of fire protection equipments (fire hosereel, dry powder extinguisher, alarm)
3. Glass encased lights being fixed onto platforms
4. Golden fabric panels for Lama Tsongkapa main statue.
5. Shelves for library books.
Renovation Completed Gompa Update: Feb 26, 2011
Here’s what our gompa looks like today, modern and beautiful for prayer, contemplation and learning.
————||————
GROUND FLOOR
1. The reception
2. The 6-foot Lama Tsongkhapa, previously the central image on Kechara House 1’s altar
3. Pre-function waiting area
4. Shoe room
5. The multi-function hall, a popular venue for classes, pujas, activities and meetings.
6. Rinpoche’s audience room in Kechara House
7. The pantry for both staff and volunteers
8. An admin office and the discussion room
————||————
FIRST FLOOR
1. The Sunshine Room on the first floor
2. The library cum kids room
3. Kechara House’s spectacular main prayer hall, with H.H. the Dalai Lama’s throne on the left and H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s throne in the centre
4. The main altar in the prayer hall
5. 8ft Lord Setrap
6. 12ft Lama Tsongkhapa
7. 8ft Vajrayogini
8. Puja in progess
9. The AV Room
10. View from the AV room
11. View from the translation room
12. Kechara House during the day
————||————
THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW GOMPA
1. View from the outside of the gompa
2. Arrival at the new gompa
3. Cutting the ribbons to enter
4. The guests wait patiently
5. Entering the gompa
6. Offering a khata to Lama Tsongkhapa
7. My first official Dharma talk in the new gompa, with the grand Tsongkhapa behind blessing the audience
8. Dharma talk
9. Signing the plaque to officiate the opening
10. Group dedication before leaving
11. Saying goodbye
————||————
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Wow!! There is huge transformation of the new Gompa, and it is not easy. It is good to browse back the history of Kechara, it is not easy feat to have such amazing building without the good efforts and strong dedications of the Kecharians and Tsem Rinpoche. Well hoping Kechara continues to grow and spreads the Dharma to millions to billions of people.
It has been awhile when I decided to go back to this article. It is indeed very amazing to see how Kechara has grown over the years.
I remember KH 1 was opened in May 2004. Just 3 years later KH 2 opened to cater for the increase of activity and departments opened.More people come ro Kechara and the departments also grow. This lead to the opening of ‘The New Gompa’ as it stands with 4 shoplots. I see this as the beginning of the growth of Kechara. More people is joining Kechara and much more will be coming in.
This message is not to promote but to invite all who read this website and to those who had been to kechara and left to come back and see the growing of Kechara House
Some thoughts from the side of the teacher and karma:
Why teach the dharma when no one wishes to transform or sincerely tries. You only offend them, make them angry, and because they can’t face themselves, become hateful of you. They even run away.. These days, one of the best ways to make enemies, is to teach others dharma or tell them what needs to change… So teaching less dharma is better during these times…transformation creates the causes for more dharma. Every time you break your promise, or give up or just run from what you are suppose to do adds to the drop teachings becoming less….Making excuses creates the causes for dharma teachings to lessen and then to stop….
The most disheartening sight for any teacher is to see a student not change after years of teachings, hundreds of repititions of the same advice although the teacher cares so much..teachers must be compassionate towards students but not to the extent of allowing them to harm others/themselves….students must be kind to teachers too..it goes both ways… Excuses and justifications for the same mistakes arising from pure laziness and selfishness. Not caring about burdening others. This all creates such powerful karma for the teacher to go away, pass way or just remain silent. It creates karma for yourself to become harder, lazier and even more closed up…remember results resemble causes…. For projects not to take off or filled with zillions of obstacles arise from this type of karma also… If the karma is so strong, then even if the teacher wants to help, your karma or collective karma will somehow stop it. The degeneration of Buddhism will arise from ‘practitioners who don’t practice…this will create the main causes for the demise of Shakyamuni’s teachings…You may think you are happy and free because your teacher stopped pointing things out to you, but the so called happiness and freedom is temporary…karma catches up and the teacher with tears in their eyes watch you experience the effects of your karma…the teacher stopped speaking to you or stopped teaching because your karma to recieve it is not supportive…dangerous…never let it go that far…never…but if it has…then it has….
Not wanting to listen to one’s teacher you say you are committed to is a sign that you have broken many promises, samayas, practices and trust. The karma that arises is any good advice given to you cannot be heard, understood or followed. Good advice might even make you angry. The sight of your teacher might make you unhappy. The sight of something that creates happiness or dharma might make you uncomfortable or run. Why? The karma to recieve good, is not enough. For example, when someone due to drinking has lied so much, cheated or hurt so many family members over and over, there is this very strong karma collected and bursting to open. The karma returns and makes him not hear advice nor want to follow giving up drinking. He/She may know the harm and understand, but cannot stop. Or run away from loved ones who truly care…the loved ones watch with tears and apprehension as they drink themselves to oblivion or worse… The karma to harm is too strong. The karma controls the person already….A tiger needs to kill due to it being born in that state as it’s karma has opened…opened to make more negative karma in that state..
We must repair…must repair the karma. No matter how bad, samsara has so many worse states you cannot even imagine. Negative karma leads to more negative karma, it does not stand still…Do not be limited..do not let laziness and selfishness rule anymore. Remember commitment, stability and consistency are the keys to anything…repair as no one can hurt you or punish you, only your deeds returning…for some it is truly too late..for some it only seems that way…whatever the cases, try……
It’s different for everyone and every teacher though…Tsem Rinpoche
I misread the title and thought it said “Gompa Radio Begins”. Have you thought about making a Radio Station? What kind of music and programmes would you put there? Probably Madonna, anyway? I’m partial to a bit of RuPaul, myself. And there could be Dharma songs, teachings, interviews, celebrity interviews, book readings, guided meditations, Agony Aunt/Uncle to answer your dilemmas, competitions, prizes, etc. And you could broadcast to the world via the internet. “Kechara World Peace Radio – KWPR, Broadcasting to the World – and the Universe!”
[…] 就像今天早上，当我看见丽丽贴上关于新佛殿及宗喀巴大师的照片时，心底有股“冲动”……。我不晓得如何解释，但是我很骄傲。今天，我就在早课中观想向诸佛菩萨及你礼拜—突然间，眼泪不禁流下脸颊。虽然我对佛法仍一知半解，也不晓得自己是不是正确地进行祈祷及仪轨，但是我把自己完全交托给度母。 […]
[…] interviewDharma HousesA Tsongkhapa Garden for RachelKSJC studying Vajra Yogini via Rinpoche's BlogHistoric Day IN KECHARA!!! Gompa Reno Begins!Tsem Ladrang E-Division Grows!!!Statues for our new Gompa!!!Surprise visit to Amcorp […]
June 12, 2010 was said to be the historical moment when new Kechara gompa keys were handed to Mr. Ng the contractor for renovation works to begin. The new gompa will be a four in one Shoplot and the first floor area will be made into a gompa space, big enough to provide for 600-700 people easily. Whereas old gompa could only provide about 200 over participants and anything over and above this limitation would spill over to the kitchen area. Our new gompa ground floor was planned to house admin.office, kechara gift shop, kechara Discovery etc. As at date of comment, work concerning all necessary works seem smoothly done without hitches, due to Pujas as instructed by guru performed for obstacles free implementation. The opening of our new gompa will certainly form another new landmark for Kechara expansion to benefit the many more spiritually thirsty people for solace, protection and refuge.
This is such a large scale project, I am floored. My mind is already imagining the vast holy space which it will be inside… soo big. I mean… look back 5 years, 10 years at Kechara’s buildings–to this. Watching Kechara grow from overseas is so fascinating but I wish I could jump on a plane and live in Malaysia at this point, even if I had to be homeless, to be closer to the action.
[…] the dharma..even if it means traveling to different states! He does this all while overseeing the new gompa renovation! He’s a very hardworking […]
I love what Thierry said, Be a ‘Helper’ instead of being a ‘Helpee.’ Kechara has many buildings and like I commented on KSK, the new Gompa is just another building. We need people to run such buildings to serve their purposes.
A few years ago I visited Lhasa, Tibet and with it, Potala Palace and monasteries. The buildings are great but they are cold, devoid of human warmth. Most buildings are left to be just for tourists’ attraction.
Well, Kechara’s buildings should not be like these ’empty’ buildings. Kechara is about dharma, one of the practices of dharma is to give and benefit others.
If you like what we are doing, come on board the Kechara Cruise, the cruise to happiness. Like what Su_zan said, you may give your time, effort, ideas, participation in any of Kechara’s depts. If you are one who prefers not to get physical for now, donate your RM1.00 🙂
I’d like to thank the kind sponsors for their generosity in offering the new KH Gompa to benefit many more people. The growth of a Dharma centre is the result of causes created. Many people are coming to Kechara House to seek spiritual guidance. There are plans for further growth by building Menara Kechara and the Kechara World Peace Centre. With the Lama’s blessings and the students’ transformation, all these will be realised. We must remember that there is no outer growth without inner growth. With the right motivation, that is, to benefit others, all our goals will be achieved. As Tsem Rinpoche said, by developing the inner KWPC, the outer KWPC will manifest. I’m looking forward to helping in the new Gompa, participating in the pujas and retreats and serving others.
My office (Kechara Discovery) is located right opposite the New Kechara Gompa. I can see the workers working on the renovation 24hours non-stop. I really cant wait to see the New Gompa completely built up and all of us sitting inside together with the rest of 700 peoples!
Kechara has grown leaps and bounds from the time I came into Kechara to attend a teaching by Rinpoche at the new KH1 then (Year 2004). At that time it was our first Gompa. Look at what we have now….our upcoming new Gompa connecting 4 shoplots, a few doors away from our present KH2. Both our KH1 and KH2 are now not able to accommodate the number of visitors and devotees. Practically, our seams are bursting each time we have teachings or events. It will be interesting for all who wishes to know us more to come and check us out and see it with your own eyes.
Just cannot wait for the new Gompa to be ready! Exciting!
I am very excited to be a part of Kechara, for the simple reason that the commited kecharians are commited not to build big buildings, but to transform their minds, to become HELPERS instead of HELPEES.
Buildings are wonderful because they are the physical manifestation of this commitment to better themselves.
Unless enlightened, we all operate from a mind set of a HELPEE, we take, we abuse, we wait for others to come with solutions to OUR problems.
THE solution to our problems is to solve OTHERS problems
And to become HELPERS!
this new Gompa, and KWPC only makes sense if it is run by helpers.
I am fortunate enough to be involved directly in the renovation work of the gompa, and I am witness that a number of kecharians are working very hard at becoming helpers, and Datuk May, who is in charge of the renovation is one of them, she has no hidden agenda and her motivation is to help others with a remarkable devotion to Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
I rejoyce at the good work of Datuk May.
To a better future NOW!
I hope everyone that comes to this blog but never visited Kechara to take action NOW! Its high time we get involve in Dharma , contribute anything you can , do not missed this once in a lifetime golden opportunity. Its very rare we get all the right conditions to practice especially now everything set up nicely for us.
Kechara started with a small group of Tsem Rinpoche’s students in Dharma sharing and pujas in Rinpoche’s student Ruby’s house in Sri Hartamas. There were only a handful oif us. We will have a small supper party after the dharma meeting with supper cooked by Ruby’s household an d somewtimes pot luck brought by students. Then when KPSS2 started people in Dharma sharing and pujas started to increase. Then the venue was change to SS2 where Rinpoche would of and on give teachings and dharma talks and meetings inthe cramp room. KH1 came into the picture on Wesak Day in 2004.For three years we were in KH1 it was ok but by 2007 it was packed again. When Rinpoche comes to give teachings the crowd was so packed that people had to sit inthe pantry. KH1 has to expand and the activities devided. So another 2 shoplots were purchased and renovated accross the road. Twelve departments sprung up and have to look for more places to house these depts. Since KH1 and KH2 are separated and more people are coming in for pujas it was tnen decided a new 4 shoplots Gompa be purchased and renovated to
house KH! and KH2. Next will come Menara Kechara which will incorporated to house all the twelve departments under one roof which will be the stepping stone to KWPC.
I meant Keng not Kheng! Ooops
I love what Kheng said about a Kechara village… Kechara Jaya!!! Nice ring to it! But let us not forget that the real purpose of these external structures are to give us a sense of community and a place to congregate and do our retreats, etc.
It also gives us all an opportunity to collect merits and to contribute as a Dharma soceity through pure example.
I do not think for one moment it is a waste of money! How can something that benefits many in the long run be a waste! Sure one can argue that if the motivation not right it can indeed be wrong. Hence it is up to each and everyone of us to make sure that any manifestation, be it Menara Kechara, Kechara Jaya or the ultimate KWPC is with that sincere motivation. As Rinpoche always tells us, THE DHARMA DOES NOT NEED US, WE NEED THE DHARMA.
Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara House do everything with the motivation to benefit of all sentient beings. This is especially so for the expansion plans because these plans are not only aimed to benefit existing Kechara members but also the many more member who will be fortunate enough to receiving the blessings of pure Dharma.
In growth, buildings are buildings. They are hollow and cold. What give great structures life and legacy is what they contain and emit. Ganden was built about 600 years ago to uphold the complete doctrine of Lama Tsongkapa so that it will exist today to benefit sentient beings. Ganden is viewed with high esteem because it exist for this big cause.
The new Kechara Gompa is build for this very reason, to continue the flourish of Lama Tsongkapa’s doctrine. In time to come, KWPC will be built with the same purpose.
Malaysia and Malaysians are very blessed because Dharma is flourishing in our previously Dharma barren land. We must take this moment to enter the Dharma now as “If not now, When?”
It is extremely happy I have this opportunity grow up with Kechara Organization. From one shoplot, then two separate shoplot, now it is four shoplot are combined togather for renovation. That is great and happy improvement under our lovely Guru H.E.Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s guidance.
Every day I walk by to kmp’s office, i will happily take a look, what is the diferent compared yesterday, which wall already damaged? I was enjoyed to see the different day by day, even though some time you cannot find out which door or which wall has throw out.
When the New Gompa come out, i believe everyone will screaming with joyful and happily. i believe more people will be attract, more event will be conduct, more good thing will be happening every day, any time.
Then, the most important is Dharma or Lama Tsongkhapa teaching will be spreading far and wide. Rejoice!!
Now, I recalled again Rinpoche’s advices: do our part very well, be a real dharma practitioner, then everyone of us, no matter who we are, rich, poor, smart or not, still can benefit a lot of people!!!
Let’s us work on it.
*Jumping with joy!*
I’m so glad the new Gompa is coming up =)
Not only will it look super impressive, but it will be able to house 700 people when Rinpoche give talks; which is a great reason to be joyous as more people will receive the Dharma and transform their lives positively just like how many Kecharians did.
The Gompa being materialized is the hallmark of Kechara’s effort and sincerity in reaching out to benefit as many people as they can. I have not seen the renovation, hopefully i can get a peek on Sunday =)
Congratulations to Kechara!!!
When I first went to Rinpoche’s Dharma teaching in KH1 in July 2007, I was pleasantly surprised that the center was spacious and clean and kindly air conditioned. When I joined Kechara as a Liaison by end 2008, I began to realise that the center had shrunk not in space but was over flowing with people. It was so crowded that there was no walking space among the people.
We had a great inner growth and with that inner growth, we need more space for our external growth.
This new Gompa is to serve our new and in coming members and public who are seeking spiritual advancement in their lives.
We at Kechara house will have the great fortune to welcome more and more people to our new place of worship – our New Gompa.
Almost everyday I will see our new Gompa renovation progress. The sound of the contractors drilling walls, hacking walls, banging of hammers, all shows that we are 1 step closer towards progress of Kechara’s new gompa.
Last few months KMP had been surrounded by so much drilling and hacking and we almost went haywire in it. We were surrounded left and right and eventually after the banging went off. E-division became our neighbour. We are so happy to see Beng Kooi, Shin, Wai Meng and the rest of E-team to be our neighbours.
But this time, the sound of the renovation is more like the sound of excitement because this time, we are making our own Gompa right behind. I will always peek at the progress from the back of KMP office and always thinking when it will be completed and how it will look. But no matter what, I am sure our new Gompa will be a blast! With Kechara Care up as well, SunwayMas will be the talk of the town. Move over babes! Kechara Gompa is here! 😀
Soon this area in Sunwaymas will have to be called Kechara Village – a spiritual one stop shop. There will no longer be a need for visitors to move from one area of PJ to the other for their very needs will be sourced into one place. I remember back in 2003/4 when Kechara was scouting for a suitable place (now better known as KH1) and I cannot believe that in such a short space of time the centre has grown so much. This is truly an indication of the sincerity of Kechara to spread the words of the Conqueror and there is no doubt that this is a sign that Buddha Dharma which is the’ vaccine’ to counter ‘viral’ degeneration will flourish in the Southern Continent!
Tsem Rinpoche students said Kechara House will grow by 30% in 2010 and thereon year after year until we need another new gompa in Menara Kechara and KWPC. What is a dream for him then? No, it was not. The Liaisons, staff, members and volunteers all came together to make it happen. This year is Kechara’s 10th Anniversary on 15th December 2010 and it is our wish to celebrate it grandly in the new gompa.
This 10th Anniversary Kechara celebration would be to celebrate Tsem Rinpoche’s tireless days and nights he had worked so hard at. It is for his students who had benefited from living the Buddhist way as part of their lives. It is for their family who made sacrifices for the manifestation of the new gompa to benefit others.
I would like to thank Tsem Rinpoche for being a Buddha, a visionary, selfless, kind and generous to his students, friends, members, donors for bringing Kechara to Malaysia for us to benefit from the true teachings of Buddhism. You have truly touched our hearts.
Therefore, if there are sponsors or volunteers who would like to contribute to Kechara and see KWPC manifest, please do get in touch with the Liaisons to offer your help or contacts. We need you.
From 2 outlets to 4 outlets. What else can i say… WOW! If this is not a telling sign of Kechara is growing… what else is. Will definitely benefit LOTS of people. Especially spiritual seekers among us that are waiting for the right time to join Kechara.
People are becoming more familiar with the name “Kechara” now compared to maybe,… 5 years back. All these i’m sure would not have been accomplished without the spiritual guidance of Rinpoche and of course the committee members who are overseeing these assignment and all other sisters and brothers of Kechara. 😉
After a few events we had in KH1 we really can see that it’s time to get a bigger place. Rinpoche and his teaching is getting popular now. More and more people are coming.Rinpoche and their students have done so much and so well. The crowd is the result. Everyone acknowledge. We have created the cause for a bigger Gompa. 12 Jun 2010 mark the history of the start of our new Gompa renovation. This is another beginning after a success. Kecharian will move further and do more for others benefit. KWPC is our aim! We need to prepare ourselves from now and everything should be in place when we are at KWPC. Thanks to Rinpoche for not giving up on us and continuously guide us and love us.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tireless effort and skillfulness is paying off, Rinpoche had come such a long way. Still remember those were the days that Rinpoche had to travel around in order to give a Dharma talk, with the same motivation and endless energy same as today.
It’s truly amazing how Kechara have grown so much in such a short period of time and a BIG thank you to all the Liaisons and Kecharians behind it. Kechara is still growing like a balloon being attached to the water tab. That particular balloon right now is like our KH1 & KH2, we needed a bigger balloon, and guess what…with the blessing of our protector…The New Kechara Gompa MANIFESTED!!! How wonderful…With this new Gompa am sure it’ll will bring and inspire more Kecharian & Kecharian to be practice and to do more Dharma work especially now more and more Hip and Young people joining full-time to work for Kechara/Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche and all the people who turned this into REALITY!!!
Kechara House is moving forward with much greater height now. This arises as Rinpoche devotion to his Guru is very strong and also other then that at this time Rinpoche have many dedicated Liaisons that is willing to take anything and everything in their own hand much better now and working tirelessly to benefit more of others. With the growth of Kechara also means that people are learning, transforming or have benefited like what Cynthia had say.
The Guru can do so much with a pair of hands but if he has more assistance then the work he can do will be much more and can grow bigger.
You may not be a full time staff or a member of Kechara. As long as you are a person who want to benefit people. You can come into the department that you have an interest and speak to the person in charge or the Liaison in the particular department and find out how you can help them. We need people as well as funds. Without funds we were not able to go anywhere that fast. One does not need to wait for completion only start to help out, as much greater help is needed from the ground (which is the beginning)
People always say that out center talks about funds, donation, sponsor that leads to $$ hence they are drive away because also of lack of merits and they have the concept that we are only out to look for money. Most or our perceptions is anything related to Buddhism should be free alto we are rich or things are affordable to us. I remember one particular incident that the customer who came to our Yearly Puja and say that why must you charge for things as it should be free, why this, why that.. Then I did some explanation and yet he cant accept and harping on free… finally I joke with him and say to him nicely that if he is willing to sponsor, we would not mind at all to give away for free which can benefit him and us. Well, he kind of stare back and smile and quietly with no black face excuse him self to look around as I was called. He came like about 12pm and stay up to 8pm before he left. He bought pendants from KD and his wife went and make donation I was told. He didn’t release his name to me alto I ask him a few time.
Over the years, most of the time when Rinpoche purchase items from the outlet for his gift section, pujas and item to his guru he will tell us that he does not want a discount. Not that he is rich, or he has a sponsor or anything is because he wants to support the outlets to benefit more people. As outlets are one of the inlets of many people who have know us over these few years and now with many more department coming up, more funds and help are needed. If one is having difficulty or do not have the means to donate then your donation can be like your skills and time too. It does not always need to be MONEY my friends….
For Kechara House there is consistent fund raising as we need funds to run the premise (the current and the new) and other activity (when we have activity we also need to spend money on setup… so at this time nothing is free unless we get great sponsor), since we cant get there yet we can do our bit. All of us have benefit from Kechara House one way or another. We go for pujas, classes, dharma talk and other activity in Kechara House.. right? I’m not saying that you should donate a big lump sum of money every time lah…
But by contributing RM 1.00 is still something that can help to sustain. No amount is too small. Well let’s look generally on how we can support the Kechara Organization in a long term….
I did some simple break down… hehe…
If you can spend a meal daily at cheapest RM 5.00 X 3 meals a day X 30 Days = Total we use RM450 for food. If one month you sponsor RM 10 is only 0.11 cent taken away from each of your meal. But by you sponsoring the RM 10 you can benefit a lot of people. When I attend church with my husband he normally would give like RM 10 to RM 20 to donate when they come for collection during each mass and some parents would pass their kids RM 1 or 2 to place in the bag. That will create future generation to have a habit of sponsoring good causes. A very good example is Sean (Sharon’s son) now sponsoring from his own pocket money to KMP and some pujas that he attend which is really good.
Oh my god… I better stop here… to long winded already… hehe..
I feel like every time I read a post about Kechara and its many (are you up to 13? 14, now? However many, haha) departments, I am inspired beyond belief. I am going to inquire with my local dharma center about making a space for doing solitary retreats, etc soon, since I want to do small retreats for the center and I think it would inspire people to push themselves to the next level. I am going to inquire with my lama to see what is the best thing to do to create the causes for growth of Dharma in the area. I am just rejoicing over and over at the prospect of Kechara growing so much and I hope 24/7 that something can be produced here that will benefit people as effectively as Kechara benefits people.
Seeing the progress of the new prayer hall is such a tremendous thing for me. I remember watching videos on youtube of Rinpoche saying that if you create the causes, it will come. I rejoice in all of the amazing causes you all have created in order to create this wonderful space.
Tyler
WOW! For the past two years I’ve been in Kechara, it has really grown tremendously I dare say. All the new and familiar faces I see nowadays are countless, really. Not only that, people who have not been to our centre know we exist because we have a Kechara Soup Kitchen(http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/) helping the homeless and needy, a Fine Dine Vegetarian Restaurant (http://www.kechara.com/dining/), an animal sanctuary (http://www.kechara.com/animal-sanctuary/)and many more appeared in the major newspapers and national television.
I can still remember Rinpoche joking about Kechara House being too small to accommodate us that we literally have to climb up the wall for more spaces so we need a bigger space. Rinpoche also said that he wish to buy the whole row of shophouses and name the street Jalan Kechara. Haha… That was just a few months ago and now…TADA! The renovation has started. INCREDIBLE!
Susan Lim is right about the new Gompa being a reflection of our inner growth. I’m very excited about the new Gompa because I’ll be in charge of the new library there. The Kechara House Dharma Library will be located on the mezzanine floor. On one side of the library, there will be glass windows overlooking the main prayer hall. At present, the library in KH2 has about 300 books. It is my plan to expand the library by increasing the number of titles to at least 2000 and to include a media library and a section for teenagers and children. There will be tables and chairs for users as well as computers and DVD players for those who use the media library. The library in KWPC will be even bigger because it has to support the teaching and learning of Dharma.
One thing’s for sure, we definitely need the space. Even with smaller events like the current Setrap retreat, the gompa in KH1 is already full of cross-legged people sitting wall to wall. And the weekly Setrap puja crowd has overflowed the Setrap chapel and is now conquering Buddha Oasis week by week.
The opening of the new gompa will be a landmark event in 2010, Kechara’s 10th anniversary but everything is impermanent and it is a karmic stepping stone that will lead us all the way to kechara world peace centre.
A bigger building, a nicer space, more facilities – that doesnt turn my head at all. But it will serve the many more people who will find their way to kechara for solace, protection, help and refuge.
I like it how Kechara seems to expand very quickly but it’s actually in progressive stage. It’s not suddenly from a super small shop lot to a super big building. The building grows as the people grow. As you see the building get bigger, it shows that people are transforming, changing and becoming better. This is exactly Rinpoche’s wishes and will always be. Not bigger buildings for show.
Everybody is very excited. I am excited because it was really getting too cramped. Sometimes people with less merits gets a bit turned off no proper seating space. Then gone with their Dharma practice. Again, conditions are made conducive to encourage people’s spiritual practice. How kind of Kechara to do so … but yet many wrong views stating why Kechara need to spend more money on a bigger space. Why not give the poor some say. Cos don’t they get it? Money is only a temporary solution. Dharma gives the ultimate solution to happiness!
I love how battered a place looks before it’s renovated: when you look back on the photos from the completed project, it fills you with a wonderful sense of achievement, and how much work and effort the whole team has put in towards reaching the end goal.
How great it must feel to know that you’re involved in work that will go on to serving so many for such a long time.
This is a real, tangible example of how the folks at Kechara come together to work together, offering their various skills, abilities and talents to collectively produce a result that has an amazing purpose behind it.
Kind regards,
Sandy
Sure is a good lesson in impermanence and, at the same time, growth!
KMP had used to be in Lot 5 so it was with a little sadness (but also excitement) that we moved out in early May for the new gompa to start. We had only just moved in 1 1/2 years ago – which only goes to show just how very quickly we are growing in the Kechara mandala. It wasn’t too long ago either that we had just built KH2 because KH1 was getting too small. Now, BOTH KH1 AND KH2 are too small and we need more space!
This feels like a time in history when Lama Tsongkhapa’s own followers were getting too numerous that they had to build Gaden. here’s to the first step of recreating a 21st Century Gaden right here, right now.
By first, let’s carry on with the drilling and dismantling – we can hear it now from our new temporary KMP office just one block behind!
Good to note too that this isn’t just the only expansion happening in the Sunwaymas area – we also have renovations going on for Kechara Care, e-division has moved in, KMP, KSK, KD and KWPC both have offices in the vicinity… and we’re still expanding! It’s starting to feel like a collegiate community around that area 🙂 🙂
A big tree arises from a small seed.
So it is on the day we handed the premises of our future New Gompa to the contractor to start renovation work to the four shoplots.
The first phase is mainly demolition work which involves breaking down partitions,false ceilings, removal of electrical wiring & conduits, air conditions,glass panels,carpets, hacking off floor tiles and screed and whatever that is not part of the renovation plans.
The first phase went without a hitch and without incident, thanks to the pujas that Rinpoche instructed to do for its smooth implementation. The works were completed and handed over back to Kechara on 6th July one week ahead of schedule.
This small step, small seed, will grow and grow to become big KWPC.
We’re just busting at the seams each time we have public teachings and group retreats. We’re almost sitting on each other’s laps already! 🙂 Growth in Kechara House has been tremendous, in leaps and bounds and it’s not just the buildings as reflected in the manifestation of thirteen departments. But people are sincere to learn, not to show off how much they know but really to transform and find happiness.
What I wish to point out is, the new gompa is certainly a reflection of outer growth and I do believe inner growth in all the students as well. Much work, effort, numerous meetings, overseeing the projects, checking on contractor’s, working with interior designers etc needs to be invested before a beautiful new gompa manifests. Not everybody have experience in the technical aspects of building a new gompa, but each and everyone of us can support in our own ways.
This is the next step to KWPC!! LOVE LOVE !! Rinpoche, can i book my KWPC retreat room first ???
Good job