Gifts for Margaret’s family
Margaret is one of my long time students who is very devoted and has contributed to much of Kechara’s growth with her skills. She is an artist who has painted many beautiful thangkas for Kechara. She is currently busy in her tasks of overseeing renovation of Kechara Care new office and Kechara Paradise’s SS2 new outlet (we are moving to a ground floor unit), immediately after handing over the new e-Division office.
Recently, Margaret’s son Matthieu volunteered and worked very hard to help e-Division assemble many of their furniture for their new office and I thought I wanted to encourage and thank him for doing so.
What a nice young man Matthieu is for taking time to help E-division because help was needed very badly. Matthieu and his brother is so loved by Margaret, it’s nice to observe.
Tsem Rinpoche
Here are some photos of Matthieu and his gifts. The messages are sms sent to me from Margaret.
Matthieu is thrilled with all the gifts. He was speechless as I think he did not expect any of these. Monlam helped him with the Setrap pendant. He is already wearing it!Thank you Rinpoche, once again, for planting dharma seed for my son. I will always remember your advice n will follow them diligently.
With love,
Margaret n Matthieu
Dear Rinpoche,
Matthieu has set up the nice altar you just given him in his room. He loves the painted Tsongkhapa very much. And he asked me what does Tsongkhapa represent. He also said the Setrap pendant looks really ‘cool’ on him n wonder how Rinpoche know that the videos Rinpoche gave him r the ones he would like to watch.
Dave said a big ‘thank you’ to Rinpoche. Coincidentally, the vitamins that Rinpoche gave him are exactly the ones he is running out n he was planning to get more. He looked at the vitamins n smiled. Julian was sleeping so I would show him his gift tomorrow.
Rinpoche, please rest well. Your love n care for us are immeasurable n deeply felt n appreciated. I pray my boys will get closer n closer to the dharma n be beneficial to others one day.
Love,
Margaret n family
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Rinpoche has been giving gifts for many years now to inspire people along the path and to show care for them. Some people who meet Rinpoche some of them may not have even gotten a gift in many years, so one cannot tell how pervasive and vast Rinpoche’s actions has on their minds. Hence one of the key departments in the Ladrang is the gifts departments.
Matthiew is not alone in wondering how Rinpoche knew what was the videos that he wanted to watch, there are many others as well. Similarly I was surprised to get Naropa’s life story as I had been wanting to read that for a long time. I recall after meeting Rinpoche I went abroad to study, subsequently when I was in UK as I was browsing through a library, I read a book on the Naropa life story, it made an impact on my mind. Later on I was searching and wanting to read the same book for a long time, I wanted to read it for more than 10 years. One day about two years ago I got it from Rinpoche when he came back from a Nepal trip. Jedi Moment! I never mentioned it once.
Great Teachers like Rinpoche only have one wish for us: that we get rid of our delusions and gain enlightenment. For this we need the Dharma. When Rinpoche offers gifts, he actually offers an opportunity to connect with the Dharma and find the meaning of our existence. Is there better gift? I don’t think so.
That gift can be given through giving a material thing, but also by NOT giving, by words, or even by scolding (like a mother scolds her child). The gift is the gift of Dharma, it is not “a thing”.
And when we give to the Dharma, we actually receive, we are getting something!
Rinpoche is a real life Santa Claus in maroon!!!
During every dharma talk towards the end, Rinpoche always give out gifts to members and friends, planting dharma seed and cultivating the sprouting of the ‘positive seeds’ planted in their previous life.
Rinpoche not only take care of Rinpoche’s students but also their family members. Rinpoche always make sure that every one in the family is being well taken care of and always under the care and protection of the Three Jewels and Protector.
Margaret had always wanted her sons to be more involved in dharma, the best gift a mother could give to their children. She always encourages them to participate in Kechara activities to get more involved. Rinpoche had skillfully and indirectly encouraged Margaret’s family to be more involved in dharma, giving them blessing and protection as well.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
It’s a joy to behold those who start young and already have affinities with the Dharma and Rinpoche. Rarely do the younger generation relate to anything remotely religious or spiritual and even if it was the latter, perhaps it’s just some basic understanding of its dictionary meaning and hardly experiential..
But even more so, the older generation must be the one to inspire and not terrify them. From where else could these young ones get their best source of spirituality from other than the ones closest to them?
I recall how my own mom made sure I read the Bible and even memorise their verses and now I carry into my life stage now, with such an imprint that scriptures are to be cherished and practiced, hence role models are so important…
Margaret has certainly been a great model for her son. Sadhu!
What Rinpoche offered is more than just a gift. Its Dharma. Rinpoche personally chosed those for every individual. Rinpoche gives it out from the heart with the intention to open up karmic imprints or to appreciate and reward for a hardwork done. It is also an act as a way to encourage them to do more.
Rinpoche would like to make Margaret happy and the best thing to make her happy, which i feel is that when Rinpoche makes her family happy as well. Her family has been very understanding of Margaret’s hectic schedules recently having to take up a few renovation projects in one go.
Kudos to Margaret!
Matthieu has grown since I last saw him. He is taller and very handsome. I remember him from the KSK days when he and his friends used to volunteer every week as part of their school project. He told me he studied French in school. I happen to know his teacher, a French lady married to a Malaysian. Matthieu and his friends were very helpful on the KSK rounds and were always willing to lend a hand. I enjoyed their company because they were always joking and made me laugh. I often send them home after the rounds. Once I asked for one of the volunteers to read the dedication prayers after our work was done and Matthieu volunteered. He read slowly, as if trying to understand the meaning of the words, in a British accent, which was quite refreshing and quite beautiful to listen to. He is very intelligent and will do well in life. I’m very happy he has made a connection with Rinpoche.
Sometimes a gift can be a life or death matter. I believe it to be quite true when I read the story about how Kien Wong escaped death after receiving a blessed Tsongkhapa pendant from Rinpoche. As Buddha pendant serves to protect and bless the wearer, it’s not surprising Kien Wong came out with just light scratches. Seeing the condition of the car, (photos here: http://www.kechara.com/support/your-say/amazing-miracles/under-setraps-protection-and-rinpoche-and-tsongkhapa/ ), you will understand what I mean.
Kechara Care is practically 24hours on call to ensure everyone’s well-being. At times, Su Ming will deliver gifts in the middle of the night or very early morning because someone urgently needs it. It could be life or death matter. However, not in every case, so don’t get worried why Rinpoche suddenly gives a protection wondering if your life is at stake.
KC is definitely doing a marvelous job by following Rinpoche’s footsteps of giving care, warmth and generosity. Such dedication. With watching, examining and merely following Rinpoche’s actions. One will not go wrong.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Sadhu! Margaret!
Rinpoche sure knows when and what to give to individuals. I can attest to that with my own experience when I first saw Him live in person!
You and your son has such great affinity and great karmic recompense to encounter Rinpoche’s Teachings and then His gifts!
Students of Rinpoche have always been touched by the gifts he gives away. I have always wondered how he always knew what we need at that moment in time. It is like he has clairvoyant power to see through each of us even in a huge hall during dharma talks.
Even our children is delighted when Rinpoche present them gifts through Su Ming. I get questions like “How does he know what I like?” I really don’t have any answer to that.
This is a practice of generosity to show care and concern to benefit others with their need in mind. Even though Rinpoche may not know us well personally, he has an uncanny loving touch for each and every one of his students.
Thank you Margeret for all your hard work, may you and the rest of your life be blessed by all your dharma work.
Great Job!!!
Rinpoche has always shows a perfect example to all his students. Beside teaching dharma, he has never forget to show us love, give gifts, buy us foods, etc. Whenever Rinpoche give a gift, he will always put in a lot of thought as how this gift will benefit the person that he is giving to, not giving just for the sake of giving. And most amazing thing is, the gift is always what we wanted or what we need. It is great for Matthieu to have a dharma seed planted into his heart with the mother’s great merits. May the spiritual path for Matthieu become clearer and obstacle to practice dharma be eliminated.
Margeret is Rinpoche’s long time student; she has been under dharma’s service for many years already. From what I understand about her, she is practicing dharma full heartedly, whenever or whatever Rinpoche ask her to do, she will do it, regardless of how difficult the task is, she just never step back, she will always give her 100% commitment into it. Painting Buddha’s image, handling renovation project from various departments, conducting performance rehearsal, etc, etc. she will always show good result.
Now she is in charge of new outlet’s renovation in SS2 http://www.kechara.com/shopping/news/an-update-on-kpss2/
That night it really took my son, Matthieu by surprise. I agree with Su Ming, David, Joy and Chia that every gift that Rinpoche choses for a paticular person is always thought throughly through. Yoke Fui is so right and I can’t agree more that I too have never seen a lama who has given so many gifts away as our Rinpoche. The main reason why Rinpoche likes to give gifts away is that he would like to plant as many Dharma seeds as possible in people’s mind, since no one would dislike gifts of any sort. When the right conditions arises, the dharma imprint of the person will open up.
More often , Rinpoche will receive a lot of different kinds of offerings to him. From books, flowers, food to statues, paintings and even cars. Making offerings to one’s lama enables you to accumulate tremendous amount of merits. That’s why it is extremely beneficial for lay people like us to continulusly make offerings to Rinoche. It is also the best way to practise one of the 6 parameters, generosity. And one’s lama is the best object to practise generosity.
In all my life ,I have never met a person that gives away as many gifts as Rinpoche.
In KH whenever Rinpoche comes to give a teaching, we have to prepare 3 to 4 tables for Su Ming to lay out all the gifts which Rinpoche will give away at the end of the session.
Rinpoche is very aware of every single person in the hall, sometimes could be a couple of hundred people but no one will be neglected by him. Before he gives out each item, he will think of the receipient and bless the gift.
Thus receiving a gift from Rinpoche is very special because it’s not only a mere material item but often the gift will bring you protection and blessing.
Dearest Margaret, I am very glad to see you and Matthieu’s photos posted on Rinpoche’s blog! Oh my god, Matthieu has grown up to a young handsome guy.
I rejoice for you sister, one of your wishes is that 1 day, may your kids join Dharma! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, THAT MATTHIEU HAS STARTED TO INVOLVE IN HELPING ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT IN KECHARA. MAY HIS SPIRITUAL PATH BEGAN NOW…
THANKS TO RINPOCHE’S GIFTS TO MARGARET AND FAMILY.
KECHARA CARE, LIAISON SU MING HAS DONE A GREAT JOB, ALWAYS PROVIDING CARE, FOOD AND COUNTLESS GIFTS HAVE GIVEN OUT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.
ALL THESE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF COMPASSION AND KINDNESS OF OUR LAMA, H. E. TSEM TULKU RINPOCHE. HIS LOVE FOR ALL SENTIENT BEINGS IS IMMEASURABLE. MAY RINPOCHE LIVE LONG AND MAY ALL HIS DHARMA WORKS CONTINUE TO SPREAD INTO ALL DIRECTIONS.
Love,angel
I have received many gifts from Rinpoche, some dharma related while others are not – vitamins, food, comforter to name but a few. One evening, Wan-1 and I had just finished an assignment so we dropped in to our I-Utama outlet to pass a set of windshield wipers to Albert. We went to a nearby shop to buy bedsheet and pillowcase for a colleague. I chanced upon a set of comforter with bedsheet + pillowcase + bolster cover and I quickly bought it as my old ones were running dull and worn out. It was as if on cue when Su Ming called me the next day to say she has a gift from Rinpoche to me. I asked her if it had an expiry date (read : if it’s food, then I would have to go collect soon); she said it was a comforter set. I was like, what?! Rinpoche had gone shopping very recently and the Santa Claus in him was at work. Rinpoche’s gifts to us are not only what we want but more so because of what we need.
Rinpoche’s act of giving reminds me to be practice giving as well, for it is through giving that we receive.
Many people said Rinpoche is like the Santa claus. Wherever he goes, he always gives out a lot of gift for people. I remember my first met with rinpoche, a part of his luggage, he have 40 curtains of photocopy dharma book and deity book to give away when people came to visited him to seek for advice. He always prepare image ready for people to pray. Rinpoche childhood time already making chakra to give away for his childhood friends until now, he never stop give away gift to others. Rinpoche consistently give away gift to people because to open people spiritual part to practice dharma. Whatever gift he received from people in one hand, he will give away from another hand to other people without any material attachment. His generosity which I want to learn to benefit others.
Regards,
Chia
Every single gift given by Rinpoche has touched someone’s heart and like what Su Ming said connecting them to “spirituality”. Some gifts open karmic imprints of the past.
The gift is not just a simple gift, they are always handpicked by Rinpoche himself and sometimes Rinpoche also make special prayers and wishes for the receiver. Timing is also very important as it determines everything, how the person thinks, feels, and perceives at that very moment. Sometimes Rinpoche suddenly wants to give gifts to somebody and we all have to scramble around to look for sorts of items to beautify and present the gift. Yes, presentation creates a huge impact. But what is most impactful is that it is through Rinpoche’s kind generous and skillful means of giving gifts to people that has brought so many in to Dharma and change people’s lives.
Yeah, I agree with Su Ming and David. Kechara Care is gonna be a vital department for the newbies. This is where their spiritual journey starts… It takes many people to get together to make this possible in order to reach out to many people and nurture them about Dharma…
This shows how much effort each person and Rinpoche put into in order to be able to make people happy… From gifts choosing to care, we all know it is no easy job but with dharma and a sincere heart, Kechara Care is on its way to opening its door soon!
I am sure many are very happy for its opening as it will bring in many and many will get benefited…
I like what Su Ming wrote regarding gift giving as a method used by Rinpoche to spread the Dharma. I am not sure if people are aware that Su Ming is the Ladrang Liaison in charge of the gift section within the ladrang. She is also the head of the amazing Kechara Care department.
Kechara Care is a vital department setup with the sole purpose of attracting and maintaining new people in the Dharma. This is massive work that is supposed to be done by everyone within Kechara House. However, having a department with this sole purpose of nurturing people allows the organisation to expand and reach out even further. Such gift-giving will be the norm and would form much of the work of Kechara Care.
There are many ways to bring spirituality to people and one of the methods Rinpoche uses is via gifts. By giving out gifts especially dharma related gifts, not only will it bring them joy but it was also plant dharma seed in them. In this instance, these gifts has indirectly strengthen Margaret and Mattheui relationship and has also impacted him towards dharma which his mother has very high regards of.
In Rinpoche’s Ladrang, there is a huge section dedicated to the gift department. Some items are donated and some are personally bought and chosen by Rinpoche. Most items are chosen personally for each individual by Rinpoche. Majority of Rinpoche’s close students have seen how each individual are touched by Rinpoche gifts and how the gifts have impacted and benefitted them. Do check out the letters received from many individuals from all around the world at the webpage below.
http://tsemtulku.com/category/friends/featured-letters/
Margaret is somebody we can look up to as a senior dharma sister at kechara.
Margaret is a beautiful, creative soul! A unique artist in all sense, her works of art and projects undertaken – takes flight on wings of love, dedication and faith!
I am thankful to have such a a Dharma sister in our midst, one who inspires many with her energy, accomplishments and commitment!
Thoughtful beautiful gifts for a thoughtful beautiful family – how wonderful!
This is such a beautiful gift and it is so kind and generous from Rinpoche!
This is such a precious gift! Rinpoche is so generous and kind, always!