Gift from Kechara Discovery and Kechara Saraswati Arts
Today I received a lovely doll from Kechara Discovery (KD) and Kechara Saraswati Arts (KSA). They went to Pavilion mall in town for their department outing and they got me this little “magic girl” doll.
These people work very hard in their departments, and how thoughtful of them to think of me and get me a gift during their outing day together.
Magic girl doll
Card that came with the gift signed by all KD & KSA staff
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Kechara Discovery and Kechara Saraswasti Arts offered tiny litte doll and card to Rinpoche, He likes it very much that is why he has it on his blog to show that that it is not how much the doll cost but what it represents. The thoughts of the giver. Rinpoche has a stock of up a lot of toys and dolls in tne gift deparftment of his Ladrang plus other things like other gifts ranging from medication to statues.
Gurus are always so kind and compassionate that they allow us to cultivate merit by accepting gifts that we offer to them, not that they need them or want them; after all they have no attachment. I remember hearing a talk by H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche on Guru Devotion and it makes perfect sense now that giving and supporting one’s Guru is a the ultimate form of practice. Offering gifts to one’s Guru helps us to practice generosity, cut our miserliness, show appreciation and return the kindness that he had shown us. The most powerful merit can be achieved by offering to the 3 jewels of which the Guru is one. Of course, the amount of merit depends on whether our motivation is free from the 8 worldly concerns. The highest gift to our Guru is when we offer our practice, because that is what he wants most of all. However, we can’t even begin to repay the kindness of our Guru because he gave us the gift of the Dharma.
I hate that people “accuse” Tibetan Buddhism of being extravagant or “too rich” etc. If they just saw how much Rinpoche gives to his students to help them or even to bring a smile to their face, to help them connect further with Dharma, they would totally just shut up!
You see, it’s not about huge stacks of money, or gold plated blahblahs. Rinpoche appreciates the simplest but sincerest gifts, offered with the greatest love. See, this card was done quite simply, handwritten with some heartfelt illustrations and stickers – but when you read it, it’s just so filled with love and appreciation, and you know that when KSA and KD were hanging out together, they weren’t just thinking about feeding themselves or entertaining themselves; they had their eyes out for a nice gift to offer to Rinpoche.
More than anything, I believe, it is this open heart that moves beyond thinking selfishing to thinking of others first that Rinpoche “receives” as the greatest offering.
Andrew, you’re absolutely right!
EVERYTHING that is offered to Rinpoche is offered on his personal altar. Even food is offered before it is eaten.
Many of Rinpoche’s closer students know the benefits of offering, and hence they offer items that are precious to themselves or items that would be useful to Rinpoche for instance books and statues. Yet others offer candles, incense, flowers for Rinpoche to offer to the Buddhas on their behalf.
This generosity has one root cause – Rinpoche himself. His students are following his example of giving without conditions or expectations. That is what the Tsem Ladrang gift section is all about – watch this video for more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7z8eJwaT4E
Aaawwww… so sweet! Carefully wrapped with a nice card. Much thought has gone into this. And what is more incredible is that it comes from a collective effort and that it is inspiring others to be generous and kind to others too.
Not just thinking of ourselved and what we can get or what we want!
This is indeed a clear example of “it is the thought that counts!” I have been told Rinpoche does not hoard his many many gifts but does in many instances offers them up to his altar to give blessings and merits to the person/persons giving the gift and then gifts them back to others to bring even more joy to more. Like an exponential maths equation. Imagine if we can all do just that! When we receive we pass it on or give more even.
…what you can’t tell from the photo is that the head is a bobble-head! 🙂
I think it’s really sweet how they wrapped it (the box was a different colour on each side! :)) and that the card had heart stickers on it.
KD & KSA people are really creative, better yet, their creativity comes from the heart 🙂
Yes. Don’t forget that you don’t need money, either. It’s from the heart. With money, without money doesn’t matter it’s from the heart. If you give him a thousand dollars but you don’t really care about it you just want to make the biggest offering… Not smart. Someone else could offer Rinpoche a penny with a pure heart and it’s more valuable I think.
2. he is not offended to receive a “doll” as a gift, instead of a holy dharma book for example
3. Rinpoche sees the motivation and the heart behind an offering, he is not looking at the object, he is looking at the act of generosity itself.
Very kind gesture from Kechara Discovery and Kechara Saraswati Arts to Rinpoche ! Rinpoche is so generous and compassionate towards other and Rinpoche students are also very kind and giving. What an harmonious team working all together and encouraging each other to always do their best.
I really appreciate very much what Thierry said in his inspiring commnent about ~~how open minded Rinpoche must be so that his student can offer him a little doll. He also mentioned that His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is a very special person. Rinpoche sees the motivation and the heart behind an offering, he is not looking at the object, he is looking at the act of generosity itself.~~
Thank you!
It is remarkable that Rinpoche’s students think of their Teacher eventhough they are out on a day “off”, shopping, etcetera…
And how open minded must be Rinpoche so that his student can offer him with a DOLL!!! His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche must really be a special person for:
1. those under his care think of him at all times, even when they get distracted shopping away
2. he is not offended to receive a “doll” as a gift, instead of a holy dharma book for example
3. Rinpoche sees the motivation and the heart behind an offering, he is not looking at the object, he is looking at the act of generosity itself.
And by the way, I adore the little doll, it is very cute!