KMP’s Young Writers Blossoming!!!! Getting Bigger!!!
Here’s David and Paris(Jaime Khoo) proudly standing in front of the sensor board adverts on their great books in MPH taken yesterday!!! I told them to go take it. They are shy…and I said, don’t be shy, share, share, share!!! Hehehe
Paris has been around with me for 5 years. I recognized her sharp intelligence and GREAT WRITING immediately. She met me by interviewing me at first in our Kechara Paradise Branch in SS2.
She started coming to the dharma talks and I just let her be. But after a while many things in dharma made sense to her. She is a party girl who loves loud, obnoxious, very strange fashion when i met her. I think if she could, she’d team up with Lady Gaga because they are very similar. Her make-up and hair until recently has always been things from a Sci-fi movie. And you know what, I love it and told her to don’t change that ever!! I like strange people because they dare to be themselves and usually they are very kind people too.
Her wonderful parents Dato Khoo and Datin Jennifer very much support their daughter’s dharma career, work and activities. Why? Because they themselves are very sharp people who know that their daughter is in the right direction. What parent wouldn’t want that for their child?
Paris has been to Gaden, Bodhgaya, Nepal with me on pilgrimages with big groups and over the years I just saw this wonderful young person blossom into something even better.
She absorbs the dharma like a sponge and she always asks very good questions. After dharma talks, she is the only one with her hands up having a question. That never fails. She likes everything very clear. Good for her!
She’s easy going and very helpful. I have never had any difficulties with her really. She has joined Kechara Media & Publications full time. She always does what she says…always and I respect her for that!! And she writes her heart out. I love her writing. I wish I can write like her. Very detailed yet not tiresome to read.
Her latest book (many more to come) ‘CALL ME PARIS’ is a must for all young people especially those who wish to take their spiritual journey young. Parents should read it and gift it to their children. You must also see her video ‘Dharma Princess’ which many ppl find excellent and inspiring. Her books and videos are a must for young people trying to identify who they are and the world around them. Her book speaks in today’s language and today’s thinking. Modern, progressive, blatantly honest yet touching and deep. I mean everything I say that it is a great book. EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT!!!
I am very very very very proud of this student of mine I nicknamed Paris. She has come a long way and has a long fruitful journey ahead of her. I care about her very much and want her to have the best and yet JUST BE HERSELF. She generates so much merit from her dharma work and she dedicates to her parents always as she loves them so much. You can see it. They have such a good relationship with each other.
Fun, easy going, generous hearted Paris (Jamie Khoo) made her beloved parents, KH, KMP, and me very proud. Her book is really her..it comes from her heart…. She thought she had nothing interesting to say. Well she is WRONG!! SHE IS A VERY INTERESTING GIRL!! Her book, ‘Call Me Paris’ will entertain you and also you will learn alot.
Paris is a wonderful daughter to her parents, great co-worker in KMP and I value her as my student. She has and will benefit many in the future. I know she will!
Our Kechara Media & Publications books in MPH prominently displayed. You can see many of our titles here
David with his parents in Kechara Paradise which is one of our five retail outlets
David’s Dad (Uncle Lai) in front of MPH bookstore in 1Utama Shopping Centre. He is standing in front of the sensor cover advert of David’s book
Proud Parents with their son’s MPH Bookstore advert in the background
David has been with me for 7 years. When I met him, he was even younger and unusual. I felt he should translate from Tibetan to english as he has an incredible memory ESPECIALLY for things he likes…heheheh..near photographic memory.
He loves fun, nice branded things, good cars, PRETTY people, clubbing, socials, good reads, overseas trips, and shopping. Things David hates are: to breathe (just kidding), work, housework, timelines, making his own money, not living off his parents, consistent effort, sit at home and watch tv and not go clubbing, taking care of animals, earn your own respect and not enough sleep…heheheh…well that is probably most of us, but David is not like that anymore. He has just matured over these years. So much has he changed. Everyone in KH says so and so do I.
He is very affable, easy going, accommodating, and a very interesting conversationalist. He knows alot as he voraciously reads. He speaks perfectly in English and broken cantonese..heeheh..He is the typical young, happy, Malaysian guy who was well taken care of by his parents UNTIL HE MET ME…hehehe
I made him move into a dharma house to be independent, do his own laundry, pay his own bills, do assignments on time, stay up all night at times to finish a deadline, housework, washing his own cars, retreats on Tsongkapa or tell me stories. Not to get any financial help for his daily needs from mama but to earn it was a big issue for him in the past…and not anymore….
I have been very tough at times with him to the point of making him very angry, pissed and wanting to run for it. But David never ran. He never ran. It speaks volumes about him. Others ran. But he didn’t …I guess deep down inside David does have resilience and he knows a good thing when he stumbles upon it..
He has always been respectful of me and very much helpful once he found out who I am..cos when I met him, I was not in robes or revealed what I do…I was just his friend..hehehe. Over the years I have grown to respect him, and also in some ways admire him. Admire him for what? All the tough training I have given him. And he stuck with it. I did it because I know no one else can or would be able to make him grow….he wouldn’t allow it..he is private…but I got to know him and vice versa where trust developed. I have some karma with him I feel and it is my duty to serve,help and enroll David to a life he deserves. A life filled with real friends, purpose, benefiting others, getting closer with his beloved parents, doing works that build his self-esteem, to inspire other young people and to use his wonderful blessed life for fun, happiness and spirituality. And that is what David is doing. I have no right to ‘train’ him, but when he took refuge with me, I resolved to go all the way with him and to make him the best person he can be and he cooperated. Good for him. He allowed me to be a part of his life, growth and spirituality.
Over the years I ‘ve had ppl who ran, come back and some don’t. My gurus warned me and said it is ok and that IT HAPPENS TO THEM too..wow. So for those who are away, I think of them, don’t forget them and hope all can be in the past and we move on. Most of them are welcome to come back, but I would like to see a genuine change. I haven’t any anger or malice towards them at all, on the contrary I worry about them and have pujas done for them from time to time. What needs to be forgiven, I have forgiven. My dharma practice is based on forgiveness. I wish them to do dharma before it is too late. Time goes by so fast and we have to use it for something beneficial. I wish them well and to do real dharma work.
Anyways, I saw a person inside of David that has a huge potential to do work that can touch many people’s lives. I know that David had an easy life and being an only child got whatever he wanted and hence didn’t have much discipline when I first met him. Not having discipline doesn’t mean he is incapable. It just means no one has challenged him to bring him to his potential. I did that and he allowed it. It worked out well. David is a shining example to many young people who have had easy lives cushioned by their parents. Their parents loved them and gave them what they wanted but in the process, the kids went unchallenged and sometimes have it too easy. It is ok to have it easy when you were a cute little kid but not a fully grown adult. Adult who had it easy when they were kids will have it very hard as adults. People don’t view them as small kids anymore and they have to grow up. Growing is not painful if you take one step at a time. Really.
David has come out with wonderful books as he works hard in KMP dept of Kechara House and his latest,’There’s No Way But up’ speaks of his journey with me. Many people who have read it cannot put it down and changed their perspectives also. It resonates for many people, because David’s journey is a journey of a young, well loved boy who went on a spiritual discovery that changed his life for the best forever. I am thumbs up for him. I will continue to care, guide and watch over David like a dharma protector because just like Paris, he will do alot more. He has surrendered to the Three Jewels and more importantly surrendered to who he really is, a kind person who finds happiness in serving others through dharma. Nothing in David’s book will not move and inspire many. Try it…
David in the black shirt doing his reading from his wonderful insightful book. His dad sitting in red shirt on the right. David’s Dad, Uncle Lai is a very devoted member of Kechara House
KMP writer David signing his books. Many requests. Even his relatives joined in to support and were impressed with David’s reading. Everyone enjoyed the reading today very much I was told
The President of Kechara House Datuk May Phng (right) speaking with the proud mother of KMP writer David Lai (left-holding drink) at Kechara Paradise Bangsar Outlet where the book reading was held
Jamie Khoo’s proud mom standing in front of the MPH sensor panel advertising her writer daughter. Who wouldn’t be proud!!
Our Kechara Media & Publications books (KMP) in major bookstores now due to the very hard work of our KMP team, Liaison councils, volunteers
David’s book is heartwarming and has many great photos. He has great recall and writes in a way that is fresh, candid yet it touches the reader in such a way that it becomes helpful in our own journey. Many people said David’s book has helped them. Wonderful!
Paris is herself, real and genuine throughout the whole book. She doesn’t have to compromise who she is because there’s nothing wrong with her! Great book written in a way it’s hard to put down ONCE YOU START READING..She matures as you turn the pages in ways you never thought that a modern party girl can within her special spiritual journey. A must read for kids, adults, young adults and people wondering about the ‘laundry’ after the initial spiritual high.
Our wonderful adverts on the sensor panels will be at the following MPH bookstores this whole month of April 2010 at the following Shopping Mall Centres throughout Malaysia:
One Utama, Midvalley, Subang Parade, Sunway Pyramid, The Curve, BB Plaza, Alpha Angle Wangsa Maju, Kinta City Ipoh, Gurney Plaza Penang, Jb City Square.
Tsem Rinpoche
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This was a good read. I’ve learned from this a lot. 🙂
I am re-reading this and I noticed I had not posted a comment here before. I guess times have passed and past success does not necessarily translates to future successes if one stays stagnant. Nonetheless, it was interesting to be have been there and like what Paris had said, I wouldn’t have this success if it wasn’t for Tsem Rinpoche advising, cajoling and throwing a mighty bf at me with regards to my book.
Parts of what I have received from Rinpoche had been weaved into the story that has become my book. I am glad that as people reading the book has gotten to know Rinpoche even more and at times, in intimate details as I explained everything I remembered in my book. It does not have exact dates but I do remember what exactly occurred to me all the time. From time to time, I still give out this book to people with the hopes that it will inspire people to look into spirituality the way I did and to get an understanding of Rinpoche.
Wonderful! Good reading…
[…] […]
Both Paris and David write very well, absorbs Dharma like a sponge, looks good, have a head start as they are young. On top of that, they work very hard, put in the time…actually all their time and effort…
Rinpoche spent countless hours with both David and Jamie to engage on a deeper level and to groom them up. Both these individuals actively shares Dharma not only through their writings but also in Manjushri class, through the Kechara Paradise outlets, etc..Do get to know them by reading their bio. They poured their hearts into writing these books. It really is worth your time. You will not only know them better but also, an insight into an intimate guru-student relationship.
“Call Me Paris” and There’s No Way But Up” http://www.kechara.com/publications/publications/biography-series/
Hello!
I tried taking a photo next to the electric-barcode-detector thingy, but that silly security guard wouldn’t let me!
I really like the two photos of Mr Lai with his son’s advertisement and Datin Khoo with her daughters! 🙂 They look so proud that they’re kid’s faces (books) are on the front line of the bookstore! Who wouldn’t be! Out of all the books that could be advertised, e.g. Warren Buffet…Bill Gates…it’s Jamie Khoo and David Lai’s!
I think it’s so funky how it looks like a typical “young writers” book, but it’s actually filled with a lot of Dharma knowledge that helps the young reader of today. My friends have read it and said that it’s really easy read, easy to digest and the message comes across well. The both of you are such great writers 🙂
Both David and Paris are an example to the young generation that they can marry dharma and fun. Both are students of Rinpoche who have taken Rinpoche’s advice to heart and see where they are! A shining example of guru devotion. Both sets of parents ought to proud of their children’s accomplishment and rightly so. David and Paris are now Kechara’s very own stars, having been interviewed on both television and radio. Rinpoche’s guidance and the ability to push the correct buttons have ensured that both Jamie and David are on the correct path. Thank you Rinpoche for your endless love and care for everyone.
Paris and David are the darling icons of KMP. Actually, come to think of it, they are just darlings, full stop! Both of them have grown up a lot, and blossomed into the very people they are today. Yes, Rinpoche spent hundreds and hundreds of hours counselling them, cajoling them, helping them, nurturing them, and etc. However, without them being the willing, ready and eager students, nothing can materialize as well. Hence, it is also due to their faith in their Guru and in trusting that their Guru will lead them to a much better place, to a higher version of themselves.
There are many students who have the so-called merits to meet with their Gurus, and even spend a great deal of time with their Guru, but in the end, they still fall or run away and leave. This is because all progress is not dependent on the Guru but on ourselves. We are the ones who need to put in the real effort and work at our own issues consistently until we improve. The Guru can only perscribe an antidote, but we still won’t be well or get better if we do not take the medicine – however bitter it may taste.
Many people give up or refuse to learn or just follow instructions. Hence, how any progress even come about. Paris and David are proofs, beyond any doubt, that when we surrender to our Gurus, we become the diamonds and not the un-polished crude wannabe.
Rinpoche has groomed Paris and David to become beneficial to themselves and others. It certainly requires skill, wisdom, effort and time, not an easy job though. It clearly shows how patient and compassionate Rinpoche is. I really rejoice for both Paris and David to reach this level. For them to be able to meet Rinpoche and do Dharma must also be due to their own merits they have collected in their previous lives. Paris and David are young and I pray they will be our hope to carry on our dharma work and goals in Kechara World Peace Centre in the future.
Paris and David’s books are available in all Kechara Paradise outlets. Visit: http://www.kechara.com/kp
Paris, you have done Rinpoche and Kechara House proud by your choice to commit 100% to the Dharma. Just by being the person you are today, you show the world what Tsem Rinpoche stands for, what the teachings Rinpoche painstakingly impart can do for young people. I believe that your presence in Kechara prompted other students to bring their kids into Dharma because they want their kids to be like you. You are a role modal for the generation below you as well as those above.
Through the publication of your book, I trust you can see the first manifestation of what you are capable of doing and the difference you can make. I pray for you that your journey will continue smoothly and your beauty and shine will blind the world with Dharma goodness.
With much respect.
Ps: I love this nickname Rinpoche has for you, it is quite befitting. Only addition is: you give this name greater substance through the work you have done. Bravo and hats off to you, Paris!!!
I will say, with my hand firmly on my heart, that I would NEVER have been able to receive even a modicum of this success without Rinpoche’s continuous, deep and kind belief in my, the countless hours he has spent advising and encouraging me, and talking me out of my own self-created insecurities and neurosis. If not for Rinpoche, I would still be rewriting press releases about mascara and preparing advertorials about hair cream.
I am standing there next to my own image and my own book, but it is almost embarrassing because it shouldn’t be a celebration of “me”; it should be a celebration of all that Rinpoche does for us, his unending compassion and love. The fact that I am there is not because of me but all that Rinpoche has done for me to get there. I am sure David would feel the same way.
It is strange really how things have turned out – that two insecure, worried, fearful, immature, irresponsible, self-indulgent individuals have been nurtured to now be most often in the limelight, a face of the very organisation and teacher who has spent literally HUNDREDS OF HOURS loving us and pushing us in the right direction.
I would say by this experience that if two neurotic, insecure, silly people like David and I could get this far, it is only testament to how much Rinpoche believed in our potential, identified it, brought it out and made it grow. And all for what? It certainly wasn’t for himself; it was all for our own benefit, confidence and development. This is how much he cares, for every single one of us – be it by books, soup kitchens, artwork, or even cleaning the temple floors.
David and Paris’ development into strong, powerful, committed young people is true testament to Rinpoche’s skilful means and never giving up on Rinpoche’s students. I have literally seen these two young people blossom before my eyes over the past few years. I am so proud to work with them and look forward to seeing them soar!
David & Jamie are the most HAPPENING & INTERESTING YOUNG authors I’ve ever met.
It’s rare to see people who’s very comfortable to go clubbing and also to go to a “temple”. They have already published their books about their lives & spiritual journey at their young age while most young people are just wasting their time away looking for fun.
I’m very happy to have true friends like them who are real great models of what young Asian leaders should be. MORE BOOKS PLEASEEEEEEE….
It ia truly an inspiring event and David and Jamie did everyone proud. And Rinpoche is just a great person to be with. His compassion knows no bounds.
I agree, as I watched it, I said to myself David has a bright future with H.E. Rinpoche…..Hopefully one day distance won’t be an issue. I hope to help bring H.E. Rinpoche to the masses in the US…..technologically or otherwise…I hope to teach Dharma at a H.E. Rinpoche designated Dharma Center in the United States…….
Dear Rinpoche,
The event was a blast! The place was full of people all eagerly awaiting for the event to start. David is so calm and talking so well even though he did mentioned that his hand was shaking…but we did not realise that at all. Overall, it was a real blast!! 😀
Many of the books were sold and autographed by David. Some even bought Jamie’s book and got her to autographed it as well.
I can’t wait to do the book launch for this “KMP TWINS” at the end of this month and also Jamie’s book reading next month…I’m sure it will be so much fun just like what happened today… 😀
Love,
Allan
The event last night was great. I watched the whole thing live via the internet. David was excellent, despite being a little nervous.
it was very good to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.
I had fun and felt at times that I was sitting in the crowd with the others. The whole night was neat to watch.