My Reflection
As I reflect on the historical day of 21 June 2015, when 700 people gathered at Kechara Forest Retreat to meet in person the World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden, I smile with delight at how much our Kechara organisation, under the guidance of my Guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, has benefited so many people.
Photo of Dorje Shugden and my Guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche taken during the historic and auspicious trance in Wisdom Hall at Kechara Forest Retreat on 21 June 2015
About 15 years ago, I attended a series of adult experiential workshops and one of the things I learned about myself is my vision of Life, where I believe that every human being is entitled to live his/her life in excellence to create a better world. I sought all methods to make my dream come alive and eventually, due to my good fortune, I met my Rinpoche in July 2007.
I attended His Dharma teachings and I was inspired by His wisdom and ability to debate on very basic points of my perception on spirituality. He enrolled me to live my life with a much bigger scope and space.
In 2007, the premises which Kechara House operated from was a simple first-floor shop lot. During teachings, it would be filled to the brim and some of the attendees had to stand by the door.
The congregation and members of the organization were an unusual lot of people who represented almost every segment of Malaysian Chinese society. For me, it was very auspicious to listen to a Teacher who spoke so eloquently in the language that I comprehend, English.
Thinking of that day in 2007, and now, it is amazing how much has changed not just physically but also emotionally for me.
A video of my daring ‘debate’ with Rinpoche during our first meeting.
As Kechara grew, a few instances really moved me to tears of joy. One such event was when my beloved Guru sat on the throne and spoke openly of the practice of Dorje Shugden, the Protector of our time now. On that day, I felt the skies were shining for so many who had endured their sufferings in silence and I felt there is hope that their sufferings will end. It was indeed a very auspicious and emotional day for me.
For a lama and teacher like Rinpoche to have to be private about His practice and beliefs is very heart wrenching for me, as who He is and what He has can be of such benefit to all sentient beings.
Driven by great compassion to bring tremendous benefits to others, Rinpoche courageously decided to openly share Dorje Shugden’s practice with the world at large.
My Guru, H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche with the largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world at Kechara Forest Retreat
Personally, it meant so much for me to see for myself how this special person gathered the courage to serve all sentient beings, and that a Lama so highly attained is also my root guru.
I have practiced Dorje Shugden for almost 20 years without knowing who He is nor any mantra or rituals of his practice. However, upon meeting Rinpoche, I had the honour and privilege to learn about this Great Protector who had been my guide and protector for so long without ever being offended by my ignorance.
A candid moment with my beloved Guru
Interestingly the expanse of both Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden is such that I do not feel a dilution of love, attention or protection from them when this practice is openly extended to all. Instead, I was filled with pure joy that everyone now will have the opportunity to choose a way of life that is empowering.
During the period before Rinpoche officially shared Dorje Shugden’s practice to all who so choose, there were tremendous changes in the people and context of Kechara House.
As I have mentioned, apart from the expansion of the physical space, the people now in service of the Dharma have changed to a talented and younger group. This is an illustration that Buddhist practice is not just for the Retired but can be incorporated into our daily life.
I experience great joy to have been part of this growth that in many ways is aligned to my personal vision of people living in excellence to create a better world. Henceforth, may we continue to grow with the kind hands of Tsem Rinpoche leading us.
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Thank You Datuk May for sharing your experience in Kechara. From the video clip you have shared, it has been a lot of changes in Kechara since those days in 2007. Guru and the team has put a lot of effort, working day and night, to grow the organization to spread the precious Dharma to benefits us. That is how I found my spiritual home in Kechara under great care from Guru.
I particularly like Datuk May’s question in video: spirituality vs religion. It was very interesting debate and Guru was able to answer them patiently, eloquently and logically. I was thinking if I were Guru how can I answer this sharp question; I might strangle Datuk May on the spot. It showed again that Guru’s spirituality practice is beyond our imagination and is role model for us to pursue.
I would like to express my gratitude with folded hands to Rinpoche for open up Dorje Shugden practice to us so that we are able to seek help and blessing from this Powerful Protector Dorje Shugden to clear obstacles for our Dharma practice. Due to nature hardship of samsara, I do not think I will be able to survive in Dharma path without the blessing from Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden has helped me in my career, health and family in these 3 to 4 years. Thank You Rinpoche for your kindness and compassion of sharing this powerful protector with us in such sensitive time.
Dear friends,
This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become.
Tsem Rinpoche
Thank you Datuk May, yes Rinpoche was truly courageous to bring dorje shugden to the whole wide world. I feel Rinpoche could have seen that to promote Dorje Shugden practices will not be easy, as there are so many detractors and people who are looking to find fault and generally anti Dorje Shugden people. It is something that Rinpoche knew in advance, despite the obvious challenges that Rinpoche would face, it never deterred him at all. Rinpoche was most compasssionate to do what he did.
Thank you, Datuk may for sharing your thoughts. For “youngsters” like us in Kechara who has not had the merits to meet Rinpoche earlier and to attend a public teaching by Rinpoche in the earlier years, it is a treat to read about how people would flock to his teachings.
I like the part where Datuk May is so open and say that Dorje Shugden is compassionate as “this Great Protector who had been my guide and protector for so long without ever being offended by my ignorance.”
Thank you, again for this sharing.
As a reflection on how we became members of Kechara’s Organisation, which was due to the inspiration of Tsem Rinpoche’s wisdom teachings on Spirituality according to Datuk May article, was correct. As our Rinpoche has also mentioned, “In the years before Kechara, the members’ world was a wasteland of materialism and spiritual materialism. All the years before Dharma have been good and successful only in a mundane sense. Nevertheless they are empty and meaningless!” Whatever wisdom we have gained comes from our engaging in the Dharma and learning the the Buddhas’ teachings with deep unwavering concentration and absolute faith, in which the Buddha has shown us how and proven it to every living being who practices it sincerely! Yes,without a tinge of doubt, all Rinpoche’s Dharma teachings were filled to the brim with hardly any standing space, from its first beginning at Kechara and outside too, until its shocking, unbelievable and undemocratic Ban of its powerful Protector, Dorje Shugden. Even though at some point of time, the Dalai Lama has informed that we can practice, rampant discriminations continously keep the Dorje Shugden Ban alive, through many undemoncractic actions and unfair means instituted by the Tibetan Leadership! Irrespective and whatsoever, our compassionate Rinpoche always shared whatever facts and information he has received on the Dorje Shugden’s issue, especially on why he cannot give up or abandon the Dorje Shugden practice even in the face of so much pressures! Our Tsem Rinpoch is said to be a very insightful Lama and always speaks honestly from his heart. Like Datuk May said, “We have great joy to be a part of this growth, henceforth, may we continue to growth with the kind hands of Tsem Rinpoche leading us through to happiness, peacefulness and Love. Thank you so much Rinpoche, for the kind caring and sharing. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
Thank you Datuk May for writing and sharing your article with us. Our kind and caring Guru, Tsem Rinpoche has given us the best protection and effective methods to clear our obstacles in spiritual practice and growth through the practice of Dorje Shugden, who is the emanation of Buddha Manjushri. There is no one has not received any benefits from Dorje Shugden after attending the puja, retreat, daily sadhana or even sponsoring Dorje Shugden’s puja. Based on my self-research, there are many positive outcomes after engaging with Dorje Shugden’s practice such as eliminating the inner negativity such as laziness, selfish mind and attachments so that one can focus more on Dharma practice, and also relieve our stress, tensions and unsettled feelings that can provide us the peace of mind as well as reducing our worries when we face with any life obstacle. Hence, Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being who only benefit and lead us out of samsara heading towards achieving higher attainments and enlightenment ultimately.
Thank you with folded hands,
kin hoe
Thank you Datuk May for sharing your reflection. Kechara has certainly changed a great deal since I first stepped into KH1 Gompa. Physically we have extended a great deal, and more exciting projects are in the pipeline too!
Spiritually we have had the precious opportunity to have access to Rinpoche’s pure teachings through this wonderful blog, as well as dorjeshugden.org, whereby there’s information on all one needs to know about Kechara’s powerful Protector Dorje Shugden. These 2 blogs alone have had over 10.7million views from 50 different countries !These results shows us the wisdom and compassion of Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden in bringing the Buddha Dharma to many people all over the world !! In these times people are so distracted in their lives, obstacles are plenty and delusions are causing so much mental and other physical sufferings. To have the opportunity to meet the Dharma and learn the Dharma, and use it in our lives is so precious – better then all wish granting jewels !
Datuk May,
I was at Wisdom Hall on that very auspicious day that nearly 700 people gather to witness the trace of our World Peace Protector of our time, Dorje Shugden.
Reflecting back since 2015 until now, Kechara and its members have grown so much. Your point of the younger generation being more involved in Kechara is so true. The Puja team consists of many talented and solidly devoted members. Not forgetting many, many members working behind the scenes to run Kechara under the leadership of HE 25th Tsem Rinpoche.
Thank you Datuk May for this wonderful but concise article.
Lum Kok Luen
Looking at those days as compared to now, it has changed tremendously. Although I only know Dharmapala Dorje Shugden as of late, but I can see the huge differences on how His practice has benefited so many, including myself. Thanks to Datuk May for this reflection
Dear Datuk May,
I understand how you feel about Rinpoche, and I totally agree with you. Rinpoche is like a golden needle in the haystack. Rinpoche fits into almost every role,and whatever Rinpoche does, he does it with perfection! Rinpoche is also kind, caring, protective and the list goes on. Although I haven’t got the merits to meet Rinpoche yet, but I know he is always watching over me. Whenever Rinpoche makes contact with me through Pastors and Wai Meng, I will feel emotionally touched. I feel truly blessed to have a guru like Rinpoche. In my humble opinion, Rinpoche is the best guru on earth. I pray that Rinpoche live long and healthy to spread dharma and Dorje Shugden practice far and wide. I hope that i have the merits to be with Rinpoche in my future lives and continue with my dharma work for Rinpoche. Thank you, Datuk May for your wonderful sharing again.??
Dear Anne,
As long as you hold Rinpoche in your heart as your Guru, you will always be looked after and protected by Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden.
Take care,
Datuk May