Dharma Houses
Kechara has six Dharma houses – Vajrayogini House, Heruka House, Naropa House, Drakpa House, Tara House and Jamyang House. Their occupants are students of Kechara House, and all are full-time staff in Kechara.
Rinpoche set up the Dharma houses so that like-minded people could live together, to support each other in their spiritual practice. As he has said:
Just like when I was living in Thubten Dhargye Ling dharma centre in the USA. I rented a room in the centre with other dharma students.I loved it so much…. It is supportive and happy atmosphere to be with other dharma students. To live in the dharma and work together in the dharma. Very meaningful life. So I started the same thing here. What is better than living with a group of ppl that are working towards the same goal as you spiritually and to have them and eachother as support.
So it’s not compulsory to live in a Dharma house when you join Kechara…we just like to, because we like the people we’re in Kechara with! Living in the Dharma Houses are:
Vajrayogini House – Mitra and his wife Anita share the house with Kechara Saraswati Arts staff Nani, Kumar, Durga and Min, as well as with KB who is Rinpoche’s personal assistant.
Heruka House – Paul Yap (Head of Kechara Discovery and Kechara Saraswati Arts), David Lai (Kechara Media & Publications), Jace Chong (Kechara in Motion), Dr Hank and Monlam who is another of Rinpoche’s personal assistants.
Drakpa House – JP Thong (Head Liaison of Tsem Ladrang) lives with Jamie Khoo (from Kechara Media & Publications), Justin Cheah (from Kechara Soup Kitchen) and Wendy Ho (from the household division of the Ladrang).
Tara House – Joy Kam (Rinpoche’s personal assistant) lives with Justin Ripley and Fat Monk (both of Ladrang household division), and Wan (of Kechara Paradise).
Jamyang House – Yek Yee (Kechara Media & Publications) lives with Chia Song Peng (Kechara Paradise), JJ Chong (Ladrang’s household division), Becky Yap (Kechara Saraswati Arts) and Shin Tan (Ladrang e-Division).
My name is Jean Ai, and I live in Naropa House with Chris (from Kechara inMotion), James (Ladrang marketing, PR and gifts), Su Ming (Ladrang marketing, PR and gifts…and James’ boss!) and Beng Kooi (Ladrang E-division and my boss!).
I haven’t lived in a Dharma house for very long, just over half a year since I returned from London. At the time, I didn’t consider moving into a Dharma house – I was happy to move back home with my parents – but after talking to Beng, I began to see the benefits of living in one.
It’s a lot of fun living with the people you spend day in and day out with. You’d think it would drive you crazy but it doesn’t – like Rinpoche intended, it’s great for support, and encourages us to stop thinking of Dharmic activities as work, and to start thinking of it as a way of living. In my case, I work with Beng and I live with Beng – in the real world, Beng would be my boss but in Dharma, she is also my friend. And because we get to hang out outside of the e-Division, we end up working better together because I can see Beng’s not a monster trying to make my life difficult when we’re back in the Ladrang!!
Living in a Dharma house reminds you that actually, every single moment is a Dharma moment. How can I get annoyed at someone at work, and then come home and still be annoyed with them? It’s just easier (and less tiring!) to learn how to forgive…and then, learn how to not become annoyed at all so that in the end, I’m happy both at work and at home. So if given the chance to live in one, I’d suggest you take it!
(Wonderful write up on dharma houses by Jean Ai!! Thank you!!)
Jean Ai's altar in Naropa House.
The view from the door into Jean Ai's room in Naropa House.
The view from inside Jean Ai's room.
The door leads to a bathroom Jean Ai shares with Su Ming.
Here is a nice picture of Jean Ai. Smart, young, sweet and very sincere.
I asked intelligent Jean Ai to do this write up and describe the dharma houses so I can blog with pictures of her room. She writes very well and explained the purpose clearly….
Later we are building on our own land and we will have many apts available for dharma staff. So this is just a prelude of things to come. To get people ready for the real dharma living later.
I’ve always like the spiritual community living like Findhorn in Scotland. When I read of Findhorn over three decades back, it really appealed to me. I’ve always wanted that type of environment. And I wish to create it here and I will. It will be a wonderful supportive community with many of our spiritual depts available on the premises as well as open to visitors. We will have lots of activities like flower arranging, yoga, tai chi, painting, meditation, philosophy classes, etc etc. People really need this today.
Tsem Rinpoche
(Jean Ai, thanks for such a nice write up and post)
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Thank you for this wonderful write up about communal living with the Dharma family members. It makes complete sense to get to know the people whom we work closely with both during and after working hours. It is essential to understand their thinking process and mannerism to cut down any unnecessary misunderstanding; and better still, capitalize on each others’ strength for better results. It also makes “work” less stressful. This is totally THE thing for the people who has no huge family commitments. This article also gives me a glimpse into Rinpoche’s vision of creating a community living. Fast forward 7 years, Rinpoche’s vision is manifesting as Kechara Forest Retreat! Rejoice!
It definitely looks like “fun” to live together and work together. The sense of belonging and togetherness really bring the community tighter.
Rinpoche always has his reasons to want us to do things; and when we believe, everything will work out for us.
Thank you.
Thank you Rinpoche and Jean Ai for the sharing, it will be so nice to live in the Dharma community so that everyone can share and learn together.
People who live in Dharma houses are Rinpoche’s students who share houses with their dharma brothers and sisters. To me I think its also a training house for people who work for any of the 12 Kechara Departments to live independently away from their families. The mama boys and girls will be transformed by Rinpoche’s method. Rinpoche has been staying in Dharma house in the U.S. and is now introducing it here. Some of Rinpoche’s students come from well to do families. There are 7 Dharma houses with a new addition of the recent one called Setrap House. They are Heruka House, Jamyang House, Drakpa House, Tara House and Vajrayogini House.
Most people take things for granted when they are living with their parents. This is a good way to foster relationships with both people who are related to one another and with with non-relations. It also allows one to be tolerant with others and get to understand others behaviour and also understanding there is no right or wrong way if one cultivates a ‘respect others’ way.
This is a very wonderful to see all happy Kecharian living and working together in Dharma houses.
Rinpoche started the Dharma Houses phenomenon a few years ago and Dharma Houses are where several students come together to live and stay together. Some of the reasons I could think of would be it would enable all these dharma practitioners to come together and to make a dharma community for themselves and to get along, learn responsibility, for them to be more independent from the people who have been taking care of them etc.
Doing dharma in the age of Kali Yuga age is not easy at all, so many distractions, so many things that create even more delusions for you to deal with. Hence the Dharma Houses is likened to be like ‘Safe Houses’, to help and provide support for dharma students who are headed towards the same spiritual path. It’s not like we started off with a clean slate like a newborn, we came with a ton of delusional baggage upon entering this life. When they live within Dharma houses, they can provide support for one another.
I still remember 2 ½ years ago, within a span of a year, I moved 3 different houses that year and for those who knows me well, I do not travel light! And I hate moving.
When I started working for Dharma full time in Jan 2008. I moved back to my mom’s house. Rinpoche was very encouraging and shortly after that Rinpoche suggested that I should move to one of the dharma houses, Naropa house to be precise, as there was a vacancy. And Rinpoche felt that my energy will suit the other dharma students there. At that time, I did not thought much about it but I was like ..hmmmm for Rinpoche to event suggest, it must be very beneficial in a long term. Therefore, I said yes and within a span of 3-5 days I was already staying a Naropa House with Beng Kooi, Shin, James and Chris as my housemate. Our latest addition in 2010, was my dharma sister Jean Ai. And Rinpoche was right, our energy was compatible.
On top of this, like Paris, my relationship with my mom got better. And I’m sure more good things will come out of this.
The lesson to be learnt here is to totally trust your guru as he sees the bigger picture which we can’t.
Thank u
OMG I cannot believe that I totally missed reading the comments in this blog post. This blog post is so beautiful, touching and moving! Every one of you shared your own personal story and all of them made me cry.
All of you have been so selfless and tireless in serving the rest of us, and we do not even know it. Half of the time, we are expecting to be given the royal treatment and we don’t even appreciate as much as we should. I deeply apologise for my own ignorance and lack of gratitude.
What I really treasure about all of you is the strong sense of ‘family’ and community. A beautiful place does not make it a home, it is the people. Each of you have touched my life in more ways than one and made such a huge impact in the person I am becoming. I hold such high regard for each and every one of you.
I cannot thank each and every one of you enough for making such a big difference in my life, in your own special way. I can only say that your progress as a spiritual person, and Dharma friend is a testament to our Guru’s greatness.
I am so glad that Rinpoche shared your stories here. Every Kecharian should read and be totally inspired by all of you. I know I am.
I thank each and every one of you from the depth of my heart. You are all my Sangha.
May I join you all soon.
When Rinpoche asked me to move to Drakpa House 2 years ago, I was very worried that my parents would object and we’d end up having a huge fight. The few times I told my mother that I wanted to move out (this is before I met Rinpoche) because I was having too many fights with my father at home, she would tell me to stay home because they are getting old. The guilt always stopped me.
Without breaking Rinpoche’s instructions, I inched out of my parent’s house slowly. I started off by staying 1 night a week in Drakpa House, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and finally the entire week. Without my parents realising it, I finally moved in to Drakpa House. I’ve never regretted it ever since.
I noticed that my relationship with my parents improved tremendously like what Rinpoche said. We never had an arguments ever since I moved out. We actually have more decent conversations now. I guess the psychology behind it is that when we stay with our parents, they will forever treat us like kids. It’s not good for them because they will always be worried of us. It’s also not good for us because we’re always subconsciously dependent on our parents to take care of our domestic needs. As Rinpoche always say, we then become Mama’s boy and girls. Both parties must learn to let go of each other, then our relationships will improve.
Reading the comments on dharma houses bring back memories of my first experience of living away from home when I went to study in New Zealand.
At first I was filled with doubts and anxiety as the day of leaving home to go to a strange place drew nearer. My parents were happy and sad at the same time.
I was lucky to meet caring housemates in my first year and we stayed together until I graduated and returned to Malaysia. During the 3 years there, my housemates were like my family and our bond was so strong that it continued till today.
I agree that living away from home is the first step to adulthood. One learns to live with others harmoniously and take responsibilities for oneself as well as others.
Rinpoche’s dharma houses are more than the above because they are a prelude to sangha communal living at KWPC. The young people that stay in Kechara dharma houses now will be the pioneers in our Retreat Institution.
Thank you for the lovely information about the Dharma Houses. I previously thought that the Dharma Houses were just a place to stay. Now, I understand who lives there and what they do for the great Kechara Organization. Thank you to Aunty Jin Ai for the beautiful description of your Dharma House. I wish to stay in one of the few Dharma houses when I grow up so I can be closer to the Dharma Center. I think it would be better if Kechara could buy a few sets of apartment blocks for the current tenants of the Dharma Houses as it could save more money and the Dharma houses are scattered in one neighborhood so I find it difficult to tell which one is which!
Dharma houses is one of Rinpoche’s many ideas of pormoting and spreading Dharma in this 21st century. Since the inception of the fist Dharma House, we now have 6 in total.
Dharma houses are perfect for young single individuals or couples who have taken Dharma either as a career or as their spiritual journey. Once you are living in a Dharma house, you are like riding in a bullet train to enlightenment. You will work, eat and live with all your Dharma friends . You will have much less distraction from the mundane world and in this way, your Dharma realization from living and supporting each other will be greater and faster.
Rinpoche is paving way for such a Dharma community to manifest in our Kechara World Peace Centre(KWPC). Imagine among the jungle greens are our Dharma houses, we do prayers, pujas, retreats together, studying and learning together . How wonderful! We can even play hide and seek there one day!!! Dharma can be fun!!!
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
After reading the comments of those who are residents in these places, it is certainly great to know that it’s all about being in a family although coming from diverse backgrounds, all are united in spirit and in purpose and unlike the secular employment where the ugly demolition mode/’divide and conquer’ mentality goes on, here, they support, care and look out for each other, physically and spiritually. With the prime example of care and commitment set by Rinpoche Himself, it is indeed a cause for rejoicing and emulation of this closely knitted Dharma community. Sadhu!
I’ve said it before, but it just needs to be said again… I LOVE this idea. I am so happy to see that people come so close together for the Dharma. I would die to live in a place where Dharma is so easily infused into every aspect of my life.
Also, I cannot wait for KWPC to come up! I pray nightly for it’s construction and opening and hope to come and see it someday. It seems like there are so many causes being created for it every day that theres no doubt it will benefit a ton of people.
Rinpoche not only asked students to move out from their comfortable parents house to stay in Dharma house and just throw them away. Rinpoche is very kind to find out what they need and he sponsored it. In the past rinpoche has sponsored wadrobes, tables, alters, fridge, airconds etc and whatever neccessary to different students. Rinpoche has endless love and caring to everyone.
Everytime when the new Dharma house form, Rinpoche will take some students with him to shopping at the convenience store near by the house at midnite and bought a lot lot of snack, milk, biscuit etc give to them to share their house.
Some time Rinpoche will come to visit and ‘spot check’ us to make sure we stay in good condition and happy.
Rinpoche, Thank you to create a cause for us to stay together in KWPC.
I had stayed at the Jamyang House almost 3 years. Stayed at dharma house have so much significant, is like preview of sangha community stay at the monastery. When Kechara World Peace centre is up, eventually all the dharma house members will move up to KWPC building at the future. Dharma house also creating the cause indirectly to have more ordained sangha in Kechara organization.
Dharma housemates have to encourage looking after each other. We must harmony and unite together, care and help for each other. When argument start, we had to seated down patiently to dissolve our problem. Learn how to take responsibility make peace with our housemate.
chia
I had stayed at the Jamyang House almost 3 years. Stayed at dharma house have so much significant, is like preview of sangha community stay at the monastery. When Kechara World Peace centre is up, eventually all the dharma house members will move up to KWPC building at the future. Dharma house also creating the cause indirectly to have more ordained sangha in Kechara organization.
Dharma housemates have to encourage looking after each other. We must harmony and unite together, care and help for each other. When argument start, we had to seated down patiently to dissolve our problem. Learn how to take responsibility make peace with our housemate.
chia
It’s not easier, and it’s not more difficult. I think it just is what it is, and it is what you make of it (if that makes any sense!).
We still face the same issues that every group of people living together have to face. We still gotta deal with nightmare landlords, with housemates whose standards of tidiness don’t match up with ours, with confusion over paying for utility bills, with decisions about what movie we want to watch on the TV.
It all depends on how much maturity you have when you approach a situation. Issues aren’t personal until you let them become personal. So when someone asks me to clean up after myself, I stop and think – are they attacking me, or are they just asking me to clean up after myself because my mess is becoming an inconvenience?
It just means you have to practise the Six Paramitas every single day, to make sure your living environment is harmonious.
I’ve always dreamed about living in a community – like a long house – maybe I’m a hippy at heart! Living in a spiritual community would be even more special. I love Rinpoche’s idea for us to live in Dharma houses and I am looking forward to the future when Kecharians can all stay together in the same building or area. I know some people would think – wouldn’t we get bored of each other. Strangely enough, no. I don’t get bored of seeing my Dharma colleagues all day and the funny thing is that in the evenings, we’ll ask each other if we want to go out for dinner or go to the movies together! And when we’re traveling, we find that we miss each other. Guess that’s what happens when we’re family! *suddenly has Sister Sledge singing in her mind!*
When Rinpoche wanted me to move into a Dharma house more than 2 years ago, I really couldn’t understand why. I was living with my parents ten minutes away from Tsem Ladrang where I work and I didn’t see the point of finding another accommodation. My parents’ house is no five star hotel but I have lived there all my life and was very comfortable staying there. Honestly, I didn’t want to move to anywhere. However, I have come to a point where I know I had to follow what my guru says although I may not be able to understand the rational behind it. I believed Rinpoche knew better and would not ask me to do anything without a good reason. Anyways, what does Rinpoche get by making me move into a Dharma house. Now that I look back, staying in a Dharma does have positive effects. My parents has become less protective of me which was the source of many arguments in the past. They worry less for me and became less protective as they realize I can live on my own independently. It has given my parents a peace of mind knowing that. I think living in a Dharma house is one of the best things I have done for my parents. I can now see Rinpoche’s wisdom of asking me to move into a Dharma house.
rinpoche advised me to move into a Dharma house about 3 years back. being the spoilt little princess brat that i was (and you can read all about the diva antics in my book), I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first – but but but, who will do my laundry? and do you mean I’ll have to clean my own room? you mean now i have to save money and pay rent?!
It has been the most rewarding thing I’ve done since coming back to KL after school/university. For me, in particular, (spoilt rich bitch that I was), moving into a Dharma house was a lesson in independence, responsibility and humility. it was a precious lesson to learn and once that I’ve really treasured.
the moment I moved into a Dharma house, my commitment and involvement in my practice also became stronger. Just being in an environment where everyone else is doing the same thing as you, on the same path towards something higher and better is drive enough to make you want to do more for your spiritual practice.
the funny thing is that I hardly see my housemates (I’m in Drakpa House) because we are all so busy running around doing things, involved in activities, running departments…It’s quite funny actually – we joke about how we see each other around the centre more than at home!
But what I have found most supportive and wonderful about being in a house like this is that you know there is always this young, dynamic Dharma family behind you. There have been many moments when I’ve felt down, for example, or stuck in a rut or frustrated about a particular situation – it’s nice to just run into JP’s room, flop down on his bed and chat for hours about different things – life, dharma, ups, downs, the fun things and new news of the organisation, Dharma gossip!
It is nice that sometimes, as I’m pottering around in the living room doing work, one of the others will come back and talk about what they’ve been up to in their department. It is such an embracing experience to always be surrounded and live with people who you know are totally dedicated to making the lives of others better – very enriching, uplifting and encouraging, pushing you towards a good direction.
Everything that rinpoche advised me about moving to a Dharma house has turned out exactly true. Another most important thing that rinpoche told me is that conversely, by moving out, my relationship with my parents would get better. Now, my relationship with them is better than ever and i am closer to them than ever before. Instead of being dependent on them, or even getting irritated by them by living in the same house with them, I have learnt to appreciate time with them so much more; their minds are more relaxed now knowing that I’m okay, independent and happy; and our relationship has become less like parent-child and more like true friends.
So, by moving out, what I’ve actually gained now is TWO close families – my blood one and my Dharma one. Thank you Rinpoche for making this possible, and helping us to create this cause to be a real Sangha, in all senses.
Well, coming from one of the Dharma Houses, it really feels like home whenever we get back together. We talk, joke and humor ourselves with each other making the environment more of a resting and chilling out place for people to be in after our day’s work in our respective departments.
For Jamyang House, we have a monthly outing together with all our housemates whereby we go for a dinner, movie, karaoke session or even come over to Ladrang for a meal and chat.
It is awesomely fun when we get to care for another person besides our family as we learn how to extend our care and help in times of need. Many times when I fall sick, my sister Shin, Yek Yee or Becky would take me to the clinic to have me treated.
Rest assured Rinpoche’s way of training and nurturing us works.
Recently, Jean Ai moved into her new room in Naropa House, I helped her to move in and she’s cute, bubbly and friendly. Look at her new room which I took pictures of when the workers were fixing up furnitures for her room
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=236856&id=591631211
cheers
JJ
BLISS HAS A NEW HOME. The modern sangha is young, hip, fun and uber cool. They stay together in their own Dharma Houses, support and nurture each other. What a beautiful way to live and work. Dharma House is a platform that unites, nurtures and enriches.
Living with one’s boss…I shudder at that thought… LOL
That is so nice! It is good everyone gets along. Is it easier than running a large monastery where everyone lives close together?
Very inspiring to see how you live and work all together. Beautiful altar!