143 Responses to Dharma Work, Attitude & TDL | 佛法工作、态度及图登达杰林佛法中心

1. 

   Samfoonheei on Jul 21, 2020 at 3:33 pm

   Profound teachings on dharma work with a clear explanation. It is all about teaching us while doing our Dharma practice with the right attitude and motivation. Reading this post we could understand better. Being able to meet Dharma and practice the Dharma is our privilege . For us to do dharma work at a Dharma is wonderful as to benefits others. Volunteering and doing dharma work , serving others ,helping to those in need, is the most important thing in life. I am still learning a little a day .
   Thank you Rinpoche for this precise explanation in setting our motivation and right attitude to do Dharma work.

   Reply
2. 

   S.Prathap on Oct 7, 2019 at 4:43 pm

   This is such a nice and wonderful article about doing dharma work.It is a privilege to do dharma work to benefits other and do it with good attitude.
   When we do dharma works with the right attitude and motivation consistently,we will be able to purify our negative karma and collect merits.Thank you very much for sharing the import write up about benefits of doing dharma work.

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3. 

   Pastor Shin Tan on Dec 14, 2018 at 4:52 am

   1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me

   

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4. 

   JOY KAM on Oct 31, 2018 at 1:03 pm

   View
   A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…

   In the sport of correct views,
   all that is correct is just a view,
   without permanence or substance.
   As long as we hold onto views,
   our sufferings are gathered 
   to be experienced without end.

   Without the strong methods of emptiness
   and compassion, bereft of merit,
   we sink deeper without respite.
   To arise from this samsara is but
   a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
   Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
   hold your vows and fixate on liberation 
   free of new creations. Free of new experiences as 
   there are none. 

   ~ Tsem Rinpoche

   Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014

   

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5. 

   Tsa Tsa Ong on Sep 22, 2018 at 10:25 pm

   This is a very good article about doing dharma work. Through experience i know many dharma friends do not actually understand the benefits of doing dharma . Including myself when there wasn’t anyone to explain to us about it directly. Some knows but they are too lazy or perhaps have selfish motive not to do. Sometimes they make promises but in the end keeps quiet about it pretend to forget about it and not to do. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this important article about benefits of doing dharma work. ???

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6. 

   Valentina Suhendra on Jul 26, 2018 at 7:43 am

   I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.

   I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche

   https://www.tsemrinpoche.com

   

   

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7. 

   Pastor Shin Tan on Jul 20, 2018 at 9:54 am

   Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia

   

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8. 

   Meghna on Jun 23, 2018 at 2:10 pm

   It’s due to His Eminence’s hard, hard work in difficult circumstances – that we have a chance to learn and benefit from Dharma.
   It’s a blessing indeed.
   Dharma seems so simple – yet ironically it’s always the most basic of things which are often the most difficult. Understanding and acceptance the the keys, as people may understand, but they do not want to accept.
   I will support Dharma work, as well as I can. And if I ever get the chance to contribute directly, that would be the greatest blessing ever.

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9. 

   Valentina Suhendra on Oct 20, 2017 at 2:06 am

   H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.

   

   

   

   

   

   

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10. 

    MingHY on May 3, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    Dear Rinpoche, thank you for teaching us the correct way to behave when we are doing our Dharma practice within a Dharma centre. This of course, is why we are in a Dharma centre…we may not be perfect to begin with, but thank you Rinpoche for providing us with the environment in which we can practise to transform our minds, and nuture compassion, selflessness and and inner peace within ourselves.
    I agree that the best reward for sponsoring, is seeing the Dharma and Rinpoche’s work grow, because by supporting the Dharma in whatever way, is supporting the greater cause to benefit as many sentient beings as possible.

    Reply
11. 

    Samfoonheei on Apr 26, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these powerful teachings.Its a privilege
    to do Dharma work to benefits other,do it with motivation and a good attitude when engaging ourselves It will be guide line for me.When we serve others to do Dharma work together at Kechara Forest Retreat ,we will improve ourself , purify our negative karma and to benefit others too.I will be sponsoring to the healings bricks soon and i will cherish every moment in supporting KFR.

    Reply
12. 

    sonny tan on Jun 27, 2016 at 9:35 am

    Volunteering and doing dharma work is work I look upon as one of the most important aspect of my life, an opportunity many would and could not do or do not want to do as they view it as wasting their time and effort. It is definitely a rare opportunity that allowed me this chance to help me grow spiritually.
    I would not hesitate to offer myself in any task and will probably not question why I was given this task because I would see it as an elevation to fulfil my spiritual needs which unquestionably remain a monumental gap in my spiritual development.
    Working in a group requires patience, tolerance, acceptance, training and very much understanding the roles we are in. We are always very eager to push through what we have learned among the group and when suggestions are turned down one would feel hurt and ego deflated, therefore one would need to always view it as a group activity rather than an individual trip.
    Of course when in a group we are bound to face people with much temperament such as anger, jealousy, moods swing, and behavioral attitude therefore one need to always keep in check our own temperament in order to avoid clashes that ultimately serve no purpose.
    Most importantly is to always remind ourselves that ultimately we are in dharma to improve and shed away those bad habits, undesirable qualities, attitudes in us that is annoying and hopefully comes out a better person.
    It takes a lot of time to reached a level of acceptance and by doing dharma work we are trying to inculcate compassion into our lives and hopefully when we are able to rule out the thinking faculty that we are so used and let the heart rule perhaps then compassion can arise to the surface then we would eventually come to a stage where nothing else matters. When we have reached that level uppermost in our mind is helping and serving others and this is the ultimate that we hope to reached and achieved when doing dharma work or volunteering.

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    • 

      Pastor Shin Tan on Jun 27, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Dear Sonny,
      Thank you for sharing and nice to know that you have read this post. There are more interesting posts on this blog.

      Another one that I would like to recommend is “Our Neurotic Mind”. The video will answer questions of: “How and Where our NEUROTIC MIND appears, and Why it appears?” H.E. Tsem Rinpoche also spoke about Milarepa, one of Tibet’s most famous yogis and poets.

      https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/our-neurotic-mind.html

      Reply
      • 

        Sonny tan on Jun 27, 2016 at 6:07 pm

        Thank you Pastor Shin Tan, I will view the video. As always with respect

        Reply
13. 

    Jason on Mar 16, 2016 at 2:31 am

    Dharma work is about selflessness and benefit others. When we do dharma work , a good motivation must be set in our mind.. We must avoid 8 worldly dharma when we doing dharma works.The 8 worldly dharma are “getting what you want ,avoiding getting what u don’t want, wanting instant happiness, not wanting unhappiness, wanting fame,not wanting to be unknown , wanting praise and not wanting blame ”
    If avoid all these 8 worldly dharma, I am sure our dharma work will be very successful and benefit more sentient beings.
    Thanks Rinpoche for sharing .

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14. 

    Pastor Adeline on Dec 10, 2015 at 2:39 am

    佛法事業對很多人來說是個很陌生的名詞，即使是佛教徒也未必能明白這個名詞的含義。就以敝人為例，剛開始的時候，自己其實也不太明白為甚我們需要投入佛法事業。雖說現在有了多一點的理解和體會，但也不敢說自己是完全體會其中的利益。透過師父以上的教誨，初步釐清以下的重點。藉此跟大家分享：
    1）佛法事業其實是投入以佛陀教誨為基礎，以他人利益為中心，以轉化心識為主的工作。
    2）來到佛教中心的義工、功德主、職工、志工等等感恩自己有機會為他人奉獻，因為有中心，才有機會奉獻。
    3）有人的地方必然有人事問題，與其專注在他人的問題，不如專注在提升自己。
    4）佛法事業並不是一般的受薪工作，也不是謀生的機會，而是提升心靈層次的練習場。
    5）佛教中心的人理應比一般人更有慈悲、更有耐心、更會為他人考量，但那可能是我們一廂情願的想法，因為大家都是正在學習佛法、努力學佛的人，並不是已經成佛的人，所以應該專注在自己的修行，成為自己希望他人成就的樣子。

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15. 

    Choong Li Li on Jun 28, 2015 at 12:42 am

    Dear rinpoche,
    thank you for your sharing. Sometimes it is hard to express my thoughts and interest, but I deeply appreciate your work as a guru. Dharma is and should be applied everywhere regardless the place we are at. And an organization cannot run away from a mixture of good and bad as both are just a horizon away.
    I had been bothering people before but actually I want to know what is in their minds and how they can solve them. And after reading this, I think good to keep quiet sometimes and solve own self. At least a self reliance habituation can be cultivated. Thanks

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16. 

    Wan Wai Meng on Dec 29, 2014 at 2:34 am

    Success in Dharma can extend to success in all manner and activities in our lives. The principles for success in dharma is the same for all other work we choose to undertake. Attitude or our minds can really influence our results. We may not be familiar with certain work or tasks but our attitude to approach it determines thee sort of results we get in the end.

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17. 

    Li Kim on Oct 2, 2014 at 12:16 am

    This post was originally posted in 2011. About 3 years later I am reading and reflecting on the last 3 years. Dharma “work” is indeed a virtuous career to have. I have been in Kechara since May 2009 and in these years, I have seen and experienced quite a bit. Some more challenging than others. Whatever Rinpoche has written I have experienced. Nothing is easy. Life is suffering. So I should not expect anything different, in accepting that and knowing that in my Dharma career I can do my part to contribute to the solutions of suffering and life’s difficulties, it is indeed an honour. I have on occasions had the humble privilege of sponsoring towards the works of Kechara and Rinpoche. It felt really good. I believe that money when put to a good cause like spreading the dharma through supporting the works behind Kechara is my good karma and I must cherish it like a precious jewel.

    Reply
18. 

    Rena Wong on Sep 29, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for your kind sharing and explanation in setting our motivation and right attitude to do Dharma work.

    Volunteering in Dharma work has helped me to understand myself better and the many difficult situations i encounter daily be it in the centre or circular world.  We must look within ourselves for the root cause of the problem and not blame others for our unhappiness. By blaming others, we create more unhappiness to others and ourself.

    When we do Dharma work with the right attitude & motivation consistently, we will be able to purify our negative karma, collect merits and benefit others. We must always remember to have integrity, discipline, drive, commitment & honesty so that the work really becomes Dharma and something to help us to bring happiness to others & ourselves eventually.

    Once again, thank you Rinpoche and Kechara House for this beautiful centre and Rinpoche’s profound teachings to benefit all sentient beings.

    With folded hands,
    Rena

    Reply
19. 

    Jacinta Goh on Sep 27, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    I am very thankful for having this teaching, especially now as I am involved in a Dharma Group. All these words ring true to me. If I may suggest, we should guard our mind instead! If we have virtuos mind, our body and speech will be the manifestation of it. If we continue to feed our mind positively, I believe everything should settle on its own. It’s hard now but doesn’t mean that we cannot. Previously, I have a negative habituation I must say where I expect people to do this, people to be like that and things should be done like this or like that but now, I expect less and hopefully none at all. Due to expectation, we may suffer if things didn’t manifest as we wanted. In fact, I expect more from myself. Just as Rinpoche has mentioned, I am not doing anyone a favour but because I need it. By taking care of myself and taking up my own responsibilities, I will create less trouble for others. If you have children, you will know that you will always worry for your children. Likewise, a Buddha, Bodhisattva and especially your Guru will always worry for you. If we really love them, we should have created ‘zero’ trouble to them.

    Lastly, this phrase continue to resonates strongly in my mind “Dharma work is NOT WHAT OTHERS CAN GIVE YOU OR WHAT YOU CAN DEMAND, but what you give others quietly and without complaints.”

    Thank you, Rinpoche.

    Reply
20. 

    Pee Bee Chong on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing, we are grateful to have given the opportunities to do dharma work.

    Dharma work helps us to focus on benefiting others instead of ourselves. We feel happy and blessed if we can help others and seeing other happy. This happiness comes from our heart and it is so difficult to describe.

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21. 

    Hee TS on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    再次感謝仁波切提供這樣寶貴的言教，讓我們自我时刻反省及时檢查我們学佛的動機本質。仁波切是坦誠，徹底，不給不切實際的期望，一如既往。我會一次又一次地閱讀這篇文章，直到我可以把它應用到我的行持中.

    Reply
22. 

    K T GOH on Sep 24, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for the valuable teachings on Dharma work, attitude & TDL.
    We should learn Dharma and be knowledgable in Dharma so that when we are faced with obstacles then we can apply dharma remedies and Dharma methods. Practice no blame, no complaining and let go of Ego and do Dharma without Hidden Agenda. Make Dharma grow from compassion and follow our Guru, the Lineage, focused on one Path and follow our Center loyally. Then our volunteering work really becomes Dharma ultimately bring happiness to others and ourself.
    Death could come in this Minute so Transform Life into DHARMA Now.

    Reply
23. 

    Judy Chen on Sep 24, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    udy Chen
    (Tuesday, Sep 23. 2014 06:01 PM)
    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for the explanation on volunteering for Dharma work.

    As a volunteer, we should let go of our ego and serve Buddha and Kechara with no other agenda. We should serve true to our heart so that it will bring happiness and gain merits eventually.
    This will be my main motivation as a volunteer in Kechara. I hope as a volunteer I will be more patience and mindful of all my actions towards Dharma work.
    It feels good to be able to transform for Dharma.

    Thank you.
    Rinpoche

    Reply
24. 

    SL Boon on Sep 24, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche, I have just enrolled in the Volunteer program and this sets a clear motivation for me. I think I am quite ‘lucky’ because I do not need to go through the hardship to start Dharma work. Thank you Rinpoche. Thank you Kechara.

    Reply
25. 

    So Kin Hoe (Ipoh) on Sep 23, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you so much for bringing the Dharma to our country after went through a lot of difficulties when Rinpoche left New Jersey (your home town)to continuously seek and learn the Dharma in Los Angeles. Through this short video teaching of 20 minutes provided by Rinpoche, I have learnt and understand that joining the Dharma center, provide our service in the center, cleaning, washing and preparing the offering items for a puja are not doing a favor for the center but a precious opportunity to work ourselves towards Enlightenment and be free of samsara. We should treat our Dharma center as a place to practice Dharma and spread the happiness and compassion with other Dharma brothers and sisters to progress further in our spiritual path. Thank you Rinpoche for all the difficulties you have endured during your 17th age in Los Angeles because you wanted to bring Dharma to us in Malaysia. May Rinpoche gain long life and stay healthy always.

    With folded hands,
    kin hoe

    Reply
26. 

    Lum Kok Luen on Sep 23, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    As I embark on the journey as being a volunteer in Kechara House, your message really sets the right mind frame and motivation in the journey.
    My main motivation in being a volunteer is repay your kindness, bring forth further growth in my spiritual journey, learn and adapt to manage myself and others in a Dharma Center and eventually to collect merits.
    I look forward to the successful completion of this journey over the next 5 weeks and thereafter to function as a volunteer in Kechara House.

    Thank you.

    Reply
27. 

    Toh Cheng See on Sep 18, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche and Kechara for the opportunity to volunteer at Kechara’s Dharma Centre. It is a blessing indeed . After volunteering for a few weeks (KSA,Puja House) I felt that it has made me into a better person, to be someone that is more patient and not get angry so easily. I still have a long way to go but I could see the improvement in myself. Volunteering from within the heart and not expecting anything in return is a most beautiful feeling. There might be challenges ahead but together with the staffs and fellow volunteers of Kechara I am sure we can build the bridge to enlightenment .

    Reply
28. 

    susan liew on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you very much for the advice, it’s so logical and revelent for Kechara which is expanding fast. With so many volunteers and staffs, we should have a set of rules to safeguard everyone as nobody want to be cheated, hurt or used. We should do our work conscientiously and responsibly to give the centre and our Guru a good name. There must be integrity, discipline, commitment and honesty all the more when we work in a dharma centre. It defeat the purpose if we work in a dharma centre but cause more problems for everyone.

    Thank you again for the detailed explainations, this teaching really make us reflect on ourselves when we work in a dharma centre.

    With folded hands,
    Susan Liew

    Reply
29. 

    leekhee.sun@gmail.com on Apr 9, 2014 at 4:03 am

    To the kindest, precious Tsem Rinpoche, dearest guru: Thank you so much for the guidance and teachings. I am so happy and rejoice for those who have chance to do dharma work in the dharma center. So much merits and purification to be accomplished!
    I owe you so much my dear guru because of your dharma teaching that reshape my life today. So contented, peace at heart, happy and most of all – healing and mind transformation through dharma. I wish to repay your kindest whenever I could either in or outside the dharma center by applying your teachings and checking back and forth of my mind. Like recently, a rinpoche who blessed my house and complimented my altar, there another guy said, “Kechara!”. My first thoughts is you…that compliment belongs to Kechara. Still, there are long way to go in the spiritual path which I couldn’t get everything at once like the supermarket. 😀
    Currently, my dharma practice mainly at home. Trying to be a good daughter, wife, mother, friends…bla bla bla. It is not easy though, when applying dharma, it is smoother. For example, if we realized the precious human life and the happiness is through serving others, and we take away the status of ‘husband’, ‘lover’, my ‘children’ by treating them as sentient being (they could have been our mother before, so kindness).
    Because they are sentient beings, I have received every happiness (could be present/ all futures) experienced during beginningless rebirth from them. In addition I could receive liberation samsara from them and the realization of the entire path up to enlightenment from them. Therefore, they are so precious and kindest that helps to change my attitude on taking care of them, create positive mind rather than my attachment on eight wordly concern. Regardless they have made me happy or contrary act against my wishes, I should persist to continue love and taking care of them.
    In certain circumstances, if the disappointed me or I am out of control from them, I would rejoice that “How wonderful my life is beneficial and able to use my limbs looking after and bringing happiness to the sentient being”. This healthy thought helps me to void the feelings of giving up.
    If we can treat everyone as sentient being, it allows us to practice the six perfections of giving, morality, patience, perseverance, concentration and wisdom. It is great to have the right motivations all the time at anywhere and to everyone. Since we are having the same precious human body we shall enlighten each another. Thank you rinpoche for allowing me to draft down my shallow dharma knowledge. 🙂

    Reply
30. 

    Gary Foo on Apr 7, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you for the alternative views on doing dharma work. I especially liked the part “…Dharma work is something of a blessing, privilege and honour. We should never do Dharma work thinking we are doing the centre, our guru, others and Buddha a favour”
    because usually we are conditioned to think when we do any dharma work or any voluntary work for that matter we are doing the organisation a favor. A one way thingy where where only the organisation benefitted. In dharma actually we should be thankful for the opportunity to do dharma work and at same time obtain merits and go through a purification exercise..thus the person doing the dharma work should be equally appreciative as you would not find opportunities for such purification should a dharma centre not arise.

    Reply
31. 

    Vivian Ong Chwee Kooi on Apr 7, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    With folded palms, I thank you very much for the detailed explanation on how we should behave and act when doing dharma work. I will of course check myself from time to time whether my actions are correct and not hurt others. I will be very happy if I’m able to help others and see them happy. That will be my greatest achievement. Thank you Rinpoche once again. 🙂

    With Regards,
    Vivian Ong

    Reply
32. 

    wansan on Apr 7, 2014 at 1:47 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching in both video and writing form. It serves as a reminder for all of us, of the reason why we are doing Dharma work and what kind of attitude one should have. Like RInpoche said “Dharma work is something of a blessing, privilege and honour.” It is definitely a blessing for me, first of all to meet with the Dharma and now to volunteer and do Dharma work. This rare opportunity is indeed something that is so precious and something to treasure and appreciate every moment. Dharma is ultimately about giving. It’s never just about ourselves. As Rinpoche mentioned, no one forced a person to do Dharma work, we chose to do it and we should have the correct motivation and attitude when doing Dharma work. Be harmonious with everyone around as with the power and strength of everyone, more work can be done faster and easier.
    Thank you again Rinpoche for this profound teaching. I will always check on my motivation and attitude when volunteering or doing Dharma work.

    Reply
33. 

    stella on Apr 6, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    We are very fortunate to have this as our guideline at the onset of my volunteer journey especially on how to deal with our mind when it comes to people issue. There is no where else I can learn, practice, purify, and progress under the same roof. It is only possible because of Rinpoche’s compassion & kindness. I wish that all my dharma friends will cherish this rare opportunity and we can encourage each other with an open heart. _/|\_

    Thank you, Rinpoche. Wish you long life and please come back one day.

    Reply
34. 

    Tan Soon Hua on Apr 6, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    非常感谢克切拉佛教中心提供这样的机会让我与诸位能够为佛教奉献一分微不足道的绵力，同时也希望借此机缘能让自己在修学上能更加精进，服务更多的众生。才薄疏浅的我无法给予什么意见，只是想告诉大家能拥有这样的机会成为克切拉佛教中心的志工，感觉是如此美好，殊胜与期待。

    Reply
35. 

    Michelle Chua on Apr 5, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you for sharing with us your experience and profound teaching on having the correct attitude when engaging ourselves in dharma work.
    This blog post makes us check ourselves, whether we have a good motivation behind when dharma work or volunteering, our attitude towards others and so forth. As Rinpoche said dharma work is about giving. We should never have any agenda when helping others or expecting others to give us something else in return. By helping others,we are also helping ourselves in reality. From this teaching, I have a more in depth understanding about doing dharma work and volunteering and will remember it all the time.

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36. 

    PB on Apr 5, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you for the sharing. I feel privilege to have given a chance to work as a volunteer in the dharma center. As a beginner, I may not know how to transform due to limited dharma knowledge and heavy habituation. I hope staying committed and have good motivation to serve others will me give enough merit or good karma to continue doing the dharma work.

    Reply
37. 

    Choo Weng Loong on Apr 4, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for your detailed explanation on dharma work & volunteering at a dharma center , I understand a lot more after reading this . To be able to serve without an agenda and at the same time collect merits, benefit others , self reflection , training , act of giving , wow , it’s endless

    Reply
38. 

    Fong on Apr 4, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    Thank you, Rinpoche, for making it very clear what volunteering is. And, to show us the many ways we can help others & ultimately ourselves.
    Thank you, Rinpoche for your compassion in setting up the various departments/areas where we can help & enable us to grow spiritually.

    Reply
39. 

    cnyong on Apr 3, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    感恩任波切的开示。
    能够在佛法中心工作和服务是一件很殊荣的事，比较外面的地方，更需要学习忍辱心，慈悲心和智慧去面对各方面的挑战和难题，如工作上，人事上和日常家庭生活以及修正自己的负面习性。

    Reply
40. Some go all the way! | Tsem Rinpoche on Feb 19, 2014 at 5:31 am

    […] Dharma Work, attitude & TDL (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/dharma-work-attitude-tdl.html) […]

    Reply
41. 

    Pastor Han Nee on Nov 12, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this most wonderful teaching on Dharma work and our attitude towards Dharma work. Rinpoche bases this teaching on his own experience doing Dharma work in Thubten Dhargye ling in LA. Rinpoche held three jobs then , and was still able to serve the centre and his Lama, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, so well.

    What I learn as I revisit this teaching is that doing Dharma work is a most powerful way of transforming one’s mind. As one is continually doing work where one focuses outside of us,one cannot be ego-centric. One’s work benefits others. Hence, one cannot be dwelling on one’s own mind with all its neurosis.

    Indeed, as we relinquish our self-cherishing and focus outwards on love, kindness, compassion and caring, we become more peaceful and feel lighter. That is the way to Liberation and Enlightenment , isn’t it? Hence Rinpoche is so right to say doing Dharma work is not just a way of repaying the kindness of one’s Lama,but it is the path to enlightenmentitself.

    Reply
42. 

    pema thrinley on Nov 8, 2013 at 6:51 am

    thank you for your blessings through kind words …rinpoche…..i take refuge in you….may we get to listen these always….

    Reply
43. 

    Connie Fong on Oct 6, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    Thanks Rinpoche for that teaching. Now I know exactly what dharma work should be and how our mind and attitude determines our effort to do dharma activities. Its always a blessing to learn through you because you speak very precisely to the point with such clarity that for novice like me, I get your point and also will know where my direction should be in future if I want to have more dharma realisations. Rejoice!

    Reply
44. 

    jerry_sito on Oct 4, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    感恩仁波切的教诲与开示，在师父的这个开示里，学会了很多参与佛法工作需要的东西，我非常开心的想向

    新加入佛法工作的朋友分享这个开示，因为师父的这个开示能够解答了许多我们在参与佛法工作时面对的问题与内心的疑虑

    每每我在当志工时面对一些问题时，我都会到回来看师父的这个开示，而每一次，都能解答我内心的答案

    让我学习了更谦卑的，无私的，专注的，控制自我的。

    参与佛法工作，到依循师父的这个教诲，其实就等于是修行不可分离的一部分，感恩师父成立了克切拉佛法中心

    并大爱的引领与让我们透过这一切里修行与学习，并能迈向更好的修行道路 🙂

    Reply
45. 

    WaiQueen on Aug 16, 2013 at 12:01 am

    Dear Rinpoche,

    When I started volunteering, what always came to my mind is what can I contribute, how can I put my talents/knowledge to work, how can my actions benefit the dharma center, how unreasonable people can be even when you are making an effort to volunteer. Not realizing that it is through the dharma center that I am able to generate good karma/merits, purify my bad karma and being able to at least try and put dharma into practice.
    Through this teaching and the guidance of the my Kechara dharma brothers and sisters, I begin to understand why I have to set the right motivation before beginning any dharma work and why I should always do it with a smile on my face.

    Thank you Rinpoche for such a valuable teaching.

    Reply
46. 

    Jennifer Yuen on Aug 14, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you for sharing your experience and teaching with us on having the right attitude behind Dharma work. I was astounded by your long journey away from home to practice Dharma. Your determination is most admirable. For us all who decide to take the path should learn to acquire the same quality, and not let our own worldly concerns get in the way. I would remind myself your instruction when doing dharma work, i.e. to do Dharma work with love and care, a light heart and motivation to benefit others.

    May the time we spend in doing Dharma work develops Dharma in us all!

    Reply
47. 

    Nancy ng on Aug 14, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    This Teaching debunk the myth that when we do dharma work it is for the benefit of others

    Reply
48. 

    chhewang.tamang on May 1, 2013 at 12:48 am

    budha.bon.is.nepala

    Reply
49. 

    soeurt thet on Apr 26, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    I wish success

    Reply
50. 

    Alexis@MBF on Apr 21, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Doing Dharma work is a blessing, privilege and honour. There is no better way to collect merit than to do Dharma work. Ever since I learnt from the video about the merits of Dharma work enabling us to collect merit. I actively encourage my kids to volunteer to clean their gompa before class starts. To kick start them, I would do the cleaning duties together with them.

    Although the choice to do Dharma was not given to them, and it was a “forced” in the beggining, I do feel a little bad about this but I hope that through sharing with them the benefits and nudging them on, doing Dharma work would be second nature to them in the near future.

    Thank you Rinpoche for your precious teaching and giving clarity on this subject. This teaching will serve as a constant reminder for us to transform our mind and not to create the causes for our suffering.

    With folded hands,
    Alexis

    Reply
51. 

    Lim Han Nee on Apr 19, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    Building a bridge collectively to Enlightenment is no mean feat. Doing it together with our fellow Dharma brothers and sisters from our own departments require that we work in harmony, and with commitment, integrity and with a strong sense of responsibility.

    We bring to Kechara our many problems that came from a past and a life lived with much self-focus and self-absorption. We cannot see, through all the thick obscuration that cloud our minds – that the bridge we want to build collectively – can only be built with a mind that sees others’ happiness before our own, a mind that has been transformed from self-grasping to other-cherishing, a mind that has grown into a mind of care and compassion for others.

    People come to Kechara to find solace and peace and wisdom. We in Kechara are here to serve by sharing the Dharma and providing the peace and solace and wisdom they seek. But the Dharma we share can only benefit others if the same precious Dharma received from our Guru has already transformed us or has already begun to transform us.And only a mind that has transformed to give with care and compassion will effectively give the solace and peace and wisdom that others seek.

    Thus do I see inadequacies in myself to play the role i have to play in Kechara. But I must will it or nil it rise to the occasion.

    Reply
52. 

    grace (KHJB) on Apr 19, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks for Rinpoche’s sharing. We should always remind ourself what is the right purpose to join Dharma centre and help up in the centre. What is the right attitude that we should have, i agreed that we should not bring our emotional into Dharma work, we must do it happily, we should think that how much i can help up others, from helping other, we are actually helping ourself .

    Reply
53. 

    Erickksiow on Apr 18, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Thank You Rinpoche for the teaching, this make me more clear, what should i do and i shouldn’t do, not just working at Dharma organization, we can bring along Rinpoche to work everywhere. Much appreciated Rinpoche teachings.

    Best Regards : Eric kksiow

    Reply
54. 

    Darren Kechara on Apr 18, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    A great blog post, re read again to remind on myself. Rinpoche always has his unique way to bring Dharma to everyone! Thank you again Rinpoche!

    Reply
55. 

    Elsie Toy on Apr 17, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Dear Rinpoche, Thank you very much for the teachings I remember afew years back YOU shared similar teaching and each time I view and comptemplate on it I get to understand deeper and from different angles and serving the Guru. I am lucky to meet the Dharma and yet does not have enough merit to be near the Guru. I do as much as I can for in the center where I lived. I go to the centre everyday to do to change the offereings although there are times that my mind really plays games with me. When it happens I hate it. Lucky I have a dharma brother Hee Peng to hear my mind games. Thank you for the reminder about volunteering at the Dharma centre it is truly not work and but a place for us to clear our negative karmas. I am truly thankful to the sponsors who create this opportunity for us to be able for to practice at the centre. I will continue perserve what i am doing as it serve as a ground for my practice for me to get out of samsara. Thank you very much for profound teaching and I will revisit this video and see how far I improve in practises and mind transformation. I know I failed terrible when a Dharma Brother lighted a candle of mine because there was still an expectation. I would need to improve on my management of expectation. Thank you Rinpoche for the constant reminder.

    Reply
56. 

    yenpin on Feb 18, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    佛法工作看像是一份工作，他是一份很好很有意义的工作，打从心底转化。还可以帮助自己以帮助其他人建立良好的品德。
    认我们成为更友善的人

    Reply
57. 

    Alice Tay on Feb 3, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    感恩，因为这是我第一次在Blog留言，有一点兴奋与紧张。

    一直以来，我总是相信 “人之初，性本善”。但是，人们总是到了某个阶段忘了自己的源始。其实，善根已经建于每一个人的心中，只不过要怎样维持它是谈何容易。善知识，善心，善言，善工作等等，已经让人渐渐忘记它真正的意义了。

    我们都经常会听到身边的人提到什么义工，义卖会等等。我的想法是：“哗！他们是那么的无私贡献，为什么他们可以做到，而我不能呢？”终于看到这一篇Dharma work, attitude & TDL， 启发了我，我还执于我自己。我必须作出选择，必竟我们不能同一时间拥有一切。比方说，我今天选择早上床休息，那么明天就会体力充沛，精神奕奕，做事就不会犯错了。

    如果，今天我选择从事佛法工作，我就必须放弃某些东西。因为有了施予的心，这反而让我更深一层了解佛学。然后尝试运用佛法来面对问题： 接受它，解决它，最后就是放下它。

    Reply
58. 

    Louise Lee on Jan 25, 2013 at 1:17 am

    看了这一个文章， 让我看清楚我们的自私！ 太多东西都是以自己出发！很多时，听见朋友说到那里的佛寺，拜佛！　

    拜佛是好的开始，　可是又有几个真正的在修行呢？　看了这个文章，　让我可以非常清楚的了解，　我在做什么！我是站在那里，　我所做的佛法事业，到底是什么一回事！

    在这里，让我看清自己！每天都面对不同的人，都是非常珍贵的经验！看别人， 就是在看自己！努力的改掉， 就是报答上师的方式了！

    Reply
59. 

    uncle eddie on Jan 24, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    As said, religion shouldn’t be used selfishly to further one’s career, profits, ego insecurity endeavours, and goals alone. The true goal of a religious practioner should practise to cultivate for good qualities such as compassion, tolerance, acceptance, and geniune concern for others. Every religion has a wonderful and powerful function to change our hearts and minds, if we choose to practise correctly,sincerely and honestly. It should be embraced for the spiritual quality to further enhance our minds to better serve others in our everday life. It should also be used to create peace and respect to all living beings irrespective, and to accept differences if any, leading to inner and outer peace. Dharma should be the source for all to have a better relationship with each other!

    Reply
60. 

    Sheryl KH (JB) on Jan 23, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    Dharma is precious, although it is something that does not bring us instant results, like us working and getting paid on monthly basis. We do not see this. So in this world where instant gratification is so much sought after, Dharma can easily be left behind.

    Interestingly, however, this world works in a very special way. It is special because for instance what comes fast may not necessarily be something good. For instance, inheritance of a big sum of money from older generation may not necessarily be good, especially if one does not have the skills to take good care of this instant money.

    It takes time for Dharma to take root in people, but once it has taken root, the benefits are manifolds because we have transformed our attitudes. Attitudes give rise to altitudes. The best part is, if we truly apply Dharma, from one life to another we will be with Dharma to continually learn until we gain enlightenment.

    I look upon at people who sponsor financially towards Dharma centres. They are great people, because without money many things cannot move forward. And it will be a great loss if we are unable to support the sangha for their works because without sangha we lose Dharma. I love to be able to support sangha because they are the ones who are there to preserve and strenghten Dharma 24/7. They are doing what I cannot do (right now) and so I would like to do what I can. How meritorious is it to be able to support sangha for whatever they need, from books, foods to clothing, so that they have no worries about all these basis concerns and can fully dedicate their time and efforts in Dharma.

    Thank you Rinpoche for your teachings on Dharma and its centre. This surely is an article that we come back time and again when we feel lost.

    Reply
61. 

    Felix Kong on Jan 23, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing . This inspiring me a lot , learning and doing Dharma work have so much benefit , not only good for myself but is good for everyone 🙂 i will keep remind myself about this profound teaching .

    Reply
62. So much Wisdom!!!!!! Read!!! | Tsem Rinpoche on Jan 22, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    […] source:  http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/dharma-work-attitude-tdl.html […]

    Reply
63. 

    Akarshan Pradhan on Jan 22, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    I liked this portion which is more useful in daily life/workplace:
    Dharma people are generally more tolerant, forgiving, patient, kind but we should not take advantage of this. The problems you have in your romance, family, kids, husbands, wives, partners, friends, etc. were not created by your Dharma friends, so do not blame them. Do not expect them to be the object of your unhappiness with the situations you created yourself. Do not ask Dharma, your teacher, your friends to solve your problems. You must apply the Dharma and solve your problems. If you are always throwing tantrums, blaming others, complaining and making others uncomfortable, then you will make yourself unwelcome wherever you go. No one deserves to be lonely and sad. So do not create the situations to become lonely. When you do Dharma work, then do your work with a smiling face, good attitude and a disposition that make others happy to have you. That is your training. Training your mind to become something that other people will want you is the challenge worth taking.

    Reply
    • 

      tsemtulku on Jan 22, 2013 at 7:15 pm

      Dear Akarshan, So much wisdom. So simple and so penetrative. Thank you for your words which I will share with many people. I have done another blog post just based on your wisdom here. Thank you. Tsem Rinpoche

      Here: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/so-much-wisdom-read.html

      Reply
64. 

    Guat ho on Jan 17, 2013 at 12:14 am

    学习要定下承诺和学会施予。参与佛法工作受益者永远是自已。在施予同时可让自已找回为人的真相从中在学习。

    Reply
65. Attitude Determines Altitude | The Best of Me on Jan 15, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    […] Dharma work, attitude & TDL […]

    Reply
    • 

      Mark&Charmaine@MBF on Jan 18, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Dear Rinpoche,

      thank you for sharing this & reminding us once again why doing Dharma work(eg. changing offerings, cleaning centre, contributing time and effort, charity work, sponsorship etc) is essential and vital for our own spirituality and growth as a Centre. It should never be viewed as work or something mentally taxing to do. Everything including towards a guru’s devotion should be given freely without agenda and not expecting anything in return.

      People tend to use excuses as a cover up for their laziness in which Shaolin monk agrees on to. LOL. However, with your teachings and JJ guidance at MBF, he found himself changing bit by bit over the past year and is still continuing to be a better person.

      Everyone can do their own part for the spread of Dharma whether it’s in a big or small way.

      It’s our true blessings to be able to continue serving our Guru and working with fellow MBF members.

      Reply
66. 

    Ong Moh Mei on Jan 15, 2013 at 9:39 am

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for sharing this profound teaching that is applicable to everyday life.

    Working in a Dharma centre does not equate to doing Dharma work if our motivation and attitude is wrong. It is a dangerous delusion to be in because we think we are on the right path but yet we are so far from it. Dharma is never about the act itself but the motivation and attitude behind the act. This teaching is a wake up call that is much needed.

    Yes, it is us who need Dharma. Dharma doesn’t need us. Dharma centers and Gurus exist to give us an opportunity to collect good karma and merits, to purify our negative karma. We can only do ourselves favor by being in Dharma work.

    In the secular world most of us accept that it’s a dog-eat-dog world. We accept people can be nasty, bitchy, back stabbers and it’s all about watching out for number 1. But when we in a Dharma center we expect people to be caring, forgiving and nice. We expect people to be selfless and meet our needs because it is what the Dharma teaching is all about. But why don’t we look at ourselves then. Aren’t we also one of the people in the Dharma center, if we expect others to be as such then why are we not? What is the difference then?

    In many ways I have been more tolerant working outside than in Dharma. I am among those guilty of having this preconception of what the people in the Dharma center should be. Along the way, I have doubts, I have wrong motivations and definitely wrong attitudes. But I know I’m in a Dharma center because I need to be here. I have not been grateful enough in given this opportunity and yet selfishly I want Rinpoche and the Dharma center to continue tolerating me and giving me this opportunity. If so then the least I can do is understand that many others are also my shoes and they need to be here as much as I do. Then showing compassion and having the right attitude in Dharma work is like doing it to myself.

    Reply
67. 

    Lam on Jan 15, 2013 at 4:24 am

    Rinpoche has pointed out precisely the true meaning of doing Dharma work and the attitude behind Dharma work. Rinpoche’s teaching has made me understand the following:
    1) Our wrong perception of thinking that Dharma work is doing the center or someone a favor. But on the contrary, it is the other way round that the center is doing us a favor by allowing us to do Dharma work. In fact it is our blessing and honor to be able to do Dharma work at the center and to serve our Guru.
    2) We should do our Dharma work happily without complaint so as to bring happiness to others instead of causing burden to them.
    3) Work with integrity, discipline, honesty and with the sole purpose of giving and benefiting others.
    4) By doing Dharma work, it will help us to transform our mind to be more tolerant, forgiving, patient and kind with compassion. It will also help us to collect merit which will benefit us in future eventually.
    Rinpoche, I thank you very much for your precious teaching on Dharma work and attitude.

    Reply
68. 

    Ｂｒｙａｎ on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:49 am

    I think Dharma is really fun, I will get different idea or new “realization” to watch of listen to the same Tsem Rinpoche’s teaching, even though i have listen to it before.

    Ｗe will received different type of message when our mind is at different stage.

    Sometimes our monkey mind will tell us not too do good thing but concentrate on our more “important”　ｌｉｋｅ work, family, relationship and etc, and we seems happy about it. But most of the time this stage of mind will bring us nothing beside sad, angry, disappointment, unhappiness and etc. Why ? It’s because no matter how we spent time managing our daily commitment we will still lost in the end of the day and anger, sadness and other negative emotion arise.

    Ex: If we engage into a real good relationship, when one party passed away, the one left behind will need to go thru tremendous pain or sadness. And i think need not to mentioned if we enter one very bad relationship, we watch enough drama series and we know where will it lead to (committed suicide, DRAMA).

    Above example is just one of the most easy reflection for us because no matter good or bad, the end result is still negative. This of course applied to other “important” things in life.

    I’m very lucky to be in Dharma and have a chance contributing my little work towards Dharma. Meet up with Tsem Rinpoche makes me realised we can still be ourselves but ｂｙ　changing a total new mindset which bring negative emotion down or lessen. In Dharma, I have learn how to face my own negative monkey mind, when something “bad” happened to me, i don’t feel much suffer anymore (compare to before), I’m becoming more acceptive and eventually it brought happiness because I accept what happened to me.

    The even more fun thing is when we know how our mind works and we can actually shared with others. Believe me, you can’t believe that kind of happiness or fulfillment when someone feeling better after talking you. It’s more exciting when someone else is doing the same thing after they feel better.

    I could say I love Dharma now, it’s not because it brought me super natural power or I can actually fly but it’s really makes me realised what is human life all about, and how can we “use” our human body to get more internal and external “profit” from our daily “investment”.

    I thanks Rinpoche to provide us a perfect place for us to change our mind and yet learning more and more dharma that not only benefit ourselves but others too.

    Reply
69. 

    Andrew Boon on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:44 am

    What a beautiful teaching! What I was amazed with is the clarity and detail in which Rinpoche recounted Rinpoche’s experiences in TDL. I felt like I was there! The sound of the waves crashing on the beach was the perfect background touch to such an emotional and moving memory!

    With regards to our Dharma journey, it is so important that we view our Dharma “work” as NOT work because we are NOT doing Dharma a favour but just the opposite. This is so simple yet so profound!

    When we can “see” it as thus, everything becomes so much lighter and clearer because all the opportune conditions to harness our Dharma journey is there. This is so glaringly apparent in Kechara whereby the pillars of support are all there; infinite wisdom, compassion and bountiful teaching in the form of Rinpoche, the camaraderie and spiritual support of our Dharma family and the multitude of resources and facilities that is provided by the Center.

    If a lotus can flower in murky and muddy conditions, how fortunate we are to have fertile and conducive soil for our Dharma growth!

    Reply
70. 

    Jean Mei on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:38 am

    What a powerful, practical, applicable and straight forward teaching.

    Three things stand out:

    1. Dharma is a blessing. We’re in the age where what we’re doing is just a semblance of Dharma. It’s not even really Dharma but when forms and rituals representing the Dharma are embraced more than learning and realising its essence, leading to less attaining Enlightenment.

    Yet most of us put ourselves on a high horse thinking that we’re doing good work and on a pure spiritual path just by working or volunteering in a Dharma center.

    Dharma is a blessing, it is pure, it is a path full of the same potential as when Buddha Shakyamuni was alive – if we choose it to be so.

    2. Don’t expect anything in return, whether it’d be recognition, some sort of return on sponsorship, other people’s time, sympathy, money etc. Unfortunately, it’s true and I have seen that before.

    Mother Theresa’s words are really apt in this part of Rinpoche’s deep teaching above, “For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
    It was never between you and them anyway.”

    Just do it, don’t expect anything in return – after all, it’s between you, yourself and your karma.

    3. Doing Dharma work helps us to collect merits and the benefits are far reaching on many levels… Do not make it into a situation where you collect demerits, more negative karma and strengthen your negative habituations.

    I always reflect on whether what I do in Kechara brings more benefit than harm. From there, I work on reducing the harm and increasing the benefit. It’s the easiest way to keep myself from collecting less negative karma!

    I have a long way to go, the more I reflect, the more I realize that I’m taking a lot from the center and from my Guru knowingly and unknowingly. The only way to pay back is to do my work well. If not, what else is there to give. What else do we have to give?

    Reply
71. 

    Lanse on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Thanks Rinpoche for the great sharing.

    “We are not doing anyone a favour if we think we are doing them a favour…in fact, it defeats the whole purpose because of wrong thinking. ”

    I think it applies to every Dharma worker and volunteer. By working and volunteering in Dharma, it sometimes gives us a false feeling that we are helping others, we are doing others a favour. And I believe that this feeling of “superiority” perhaps is one of the reasons that motivates certain people to choose a Dharma work.

    However if we keep holding on to this mindset, our Dharma work will never really bear fruits. Not only the “recipients” did not get real benefit from it, we ourselves will not collect merit from it either. On the contrary, by doing that day by day, this type of thinking will become stronger and stronger.

    Instead of collecting merit to support our Dharma practice, we are actually doing something to increase our greed that will further obscure our mind.

    This sentence didn’t mean much to me when I first read it many months ago, but it means a lot to me now. I think one of the greatnesses of Dharma is we will always learn something new even from just a sentence that we have read over many times. This is an article that I shall read over and over again.

    Reply
72. 

    Jay Jae on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:05 am

    It is really fortunate that we exist in a time when Buddha Dharma is still very much alive in this era. In order to keep the Dharma going into the many years of the future, a lot of time, effort and dedication needs to be put into making this happen.

    Here Rinpoche is a living inspiration. Personally the one very amazing thing which I find in Rinpoche’s work for Dharma is Rinpoche’s consistency. This has enabled Rinpoche’s work t grow and benefit so many people(I think is safe to say through this blog we are reaching out to thousands?)

    Putting this in the forefront of our minds, all our excuses to not engage in Dharma simply melts away. I guess the thing which keeps me going is the fact that Rinpoche is able to bring comfort and inspiration to the many people he meets. In this way, we help one Rinpoche and Rinpoche is able to help many people out there.

    Reply
73. 

    Khoo Hou Haw on Jan 14, 2013 at 11:59 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    I thank Rinpoche again for granting my to become a fulltime dharma worker. I must always remind myself that being paid as a dharma worker is the kindness from many people, my Guru, my sponsor, the members and the people who donates. Every single second of my dharma work is their kindness towards me. Without Rinpoche and them I will not be so content in living my life and enjoying my “work”. I had met people who are difficult in the center, but thinking that they too are doing their parts in contributing to the dharma will lower my dislikeness towards them.
    Some people who donated to the center maybe because of certain condition, they do not have the chance yet to work fulltime for dharma. We as the dharma workers should be their representative to spread dharma and though that generate the more merits for them.

    Thanks,
    Khoo

    Reply
74. 

    philyong on Jan 14, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    This post reminds me very well of my purpose I came into Dharma. I must work towards that purpose which is to do work for the benefit of others and not focus on myself.

    I have been distracted by my own deluded mind and it is time to come back to enjoy the times where I was truly and happily doing Dharma work. That is to do pure Dharma work.

    Thank you Rinpoche for constantly reminding me of my purpose here. I will focus on my Dharma work and do well!

    Reply
75. 

    David Lai on Jan 14, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    I cannot believe that I didn’t go through this teaching before. I think it is particularly relevant for a Dharma oldie like me as a reminder of having and maintaing the right motivation and attitude towards Dharma work. To me, the key word is of course motivation, the defining factor in whatever we do.

    For most people, it is easy to see where our motivation lies with the way we carry ourselves and how people perceive us to be. However, there are times when our motivation is tainted with self-interest and it’s quite disastrous because it opposes our spiritual practice. In Dharma work, we should look at it just as a job or work and think of it as a spiritual practice and humble ourselves to do whatever it takes to benefit others.

    Reply
    • 

      Jean Ai on Jan 15, 2013 at 12:24 am

      I do agree David that we need reminders to maintain the right motivation, considering how samsaric we are. I think especially for people who work closely with Rinpoche, sometimes we are in danger of forgetting how highly attained our lama is and relating to him as a friend. Our lama IS a friend but he is also so much more than just any other friend…who else will look after you with total care, from start to finish? I remember when I moved into my house, and how Rinpoche took care of me all the way, from helping me to decide on which Dharma house I’d like to stay in, all the way to helping me shop for my furniture and even telling me how to decorate my room! You know, so many people are dying to see Rinpoche and there was stupid me traipsing around IKEA with Rinpoche looking for furniture. I felt totally humbled by the experience, that my lama would help a clown set up her room just to make sure she is comfortable and without secular / mundane worries in her dharma practice.

      Reply
76. 

    Grace Leu(KHJB) on Jan 14, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for the profile sharing. It keep remind us what is the right attitude we should have towards our Guru, our friends, our family.

    Reply
77. 

    Datuk May on Jan 14, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    DO DHARMA WORK TO DEVELOP DHARMA IN YOU. I love this statement from Rinpoche’s video teaching.

    All of us want to be happy and Rinpoche’s teaching is, in order to find such true genuine happiness is to focus out in making others happy.

    I admire how Rinpoche, in order to continue His Dharma work will work 2 to 3 secular jobs so that he can do Dharma work.

    This teaching made me realise that whatever we do either in a Dharma center or in the secular our true essence and motivation is for the Dharma. In this manner, I will transform and develop the Dharma in me. While I have been in Kechara, there had been moments of tremendous lightness and joy and those were the moments, I was totally focused out to others. May I have the merits to continue to practise this way.

    Thank you, all Kecharians for giving me the privilege to be with you to serve the Dharma.

    Reply
78. 

    Sharon Saw on Jan 14, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Thank you for this post which encapsulates everything we need to know about working in the Dharma. Dharma work is actually very rare in modern times, especially in places like Malaysia and Singapore. Where can people actually have a Dharma career? Kechara is one such place, which is like a magical land, conjured up specially for our selective minds – for those of us who like prayers, they can join pujas, those who like arts, can join the arts studio, those who like film can join the production house, those who like books can join the publishing house etc.

    All the conducive conditions for Dharma work are there – the buildings are well-designed, with every comfort, just so we can do our ‘dharma work’. How fortunate we are that Rinpoche had conceptualised all this for little ignorant, attached and angry us to be our training ground to become better people.

    In this post, Rinpoche has covered all bases – from what attitude we should have when we are working in Dharma, whether with stipend or without, to how we even leave a Dharma centre. Whether we stay or go, it must be with the qualities of integrity, honesty and respect for our teacher and our Dharma colleagues.

    I think of Dharma work as the experiential Dharma. It is only in Dharma work that we get the opportunity to practice Dharma in a safe environment. We learn the theory and everyday we get to practice the 8 verses of Mind Transformation, how to not operate from the 8 worldly concerns etc. From a lifetime (lifetimes even) of habituation, it is often not fun to re-habituate ourselves for the better but it is necessary. Like bitter medicine is good for our well-being, we trust our teacher and the Dharma hence we continue. As Rinpoche has said, it is better to do Dharma unhappily than to do Samsara happily.

    Reply
79. 

    Joy on Jan 14, 2013 at 4:28 am

    We are truly very fortunate to have such a precious opportunity to be doing Dharma work. Whether we are volunteering, working full time, or being a sponsor for the Lama and Dharma… one most important thought and attitude we must always have is… HUMILITY & GRATITUDE because our Lama has created a chance through the Dharma centre for us to collect enormous amount of merits in so many ways and aspect. Otherwise we would all probably be still wasting our time and life in samsara, using up all our good “karma” and who knows end up where in the next life.

    Everything stems from the Lama, hence how kind and selfless it is that the Lama provides us with a place like Kechara to give purpose in our life. We should never think we are helping the Lama or the Dharma centre because really it is us who need it. A Dharma centre is like a “home”… outside is like samsara rain storm… when you have a centre, or when you do Dharma work, it is like being able to seek shelter from the storm outside. So we should be grateful and thankful we are able to do Dharma work, we should rejoice and cherish it by improving, lessening out bad habits that cause us and others to suffer. Everything is impermanent, the only thing permanent is the Dharma, so why not grab on to what is permanent and is real lasting?

    There are people who say you can practice Dharma anywhere, you don’t need to work in Dharma centre… yes that is true as we should practice all day in a Dharma centre or not. But the thing is being in a Dharma centre actually propels us to improve and change for the better, FASTER! The spiritual support is there to boost our transformation so we are not “alone” as we practice and go through ups and downs.

    Thank you Rinpoche for this heart advice post, thank you for caring for us and making sure we have a “home”, in this sense the Dharma! How lucky we are we have a career that leads to “Enlightenment” 😉

    Reply
80. 

    mima on Jan 14, 2013 at 4:06 am

    Thank you so much Rinpoche for this video and writing! It is so useful to have some way to look at ourselves honestly and also see others and still work together harmoniously as Dharma motivation should be be our common aim. Thank you again for this precious tesching and reminder!

    Reply
81. 

    mima on Jan 14, 2013 at 3:41 am

    Thank you so much for this very precious teaching and all your generosity and work to help us working better together,caring for others,working in the Dharma happily with a good attitude.

    Reply
82. 

    Jean Ai on Jan 14, 2013 at 3:12 am

    So Rinpoche left home, hitchhiked across the USA, sat in a bus for 2.5 hours just to commute to TDL when he first found the centre, worked three jobs AND served his lama all at the same time… What do we have to complain about? Like seriously, what DO we have to complain about? What obstacles do we have to receive Dharma teachings? Bad traffic? Hot day? Missed lunches or dinners with friends? Come on. As soon as you put that first bite of food into your mouth, you are already moving towards the end of your meal. But the benefit you receive from Dharma continues in this life and future lives. How lucky are we to do Dharma work with the eight leisures and ten endowments.

    So for people to say they do not have time to do Dharma work is a lie. It all boils down to attitude, like Rinpoche says. If you have money to eat meat, you have money to donate to an animal sanctuary; if you have time to have lunch with friends, you have time to go to a Dharma teaching once a week.

    And for those who DO have the opportunity to do Dharma work, I just want to share some things that Rinpoche has always consistently taught us in the Ladrang. They are also mentioned briefly in the video:

    (a) we need the Dharma, Dharma does not need us. So we should never work with the mindset that we are doing Dharma a favour. Likewise, we need Kechara, Kechara does not need us. So we should work hard and serve Kechara well, and keep it growing because WE need something for us to train ourselves in working for others

    (b) when we do Dharma work, of course we will have problems. But we should never bring those problems to our work. Why? We shouldn’t burden our Dharma brothers and sisters with the problems we created before we met Dharma. Why should they have to solve the mess that WE created? That is not to say they wouldn’t be interested to help us. What I mean by us not bringing our problems to work is this – those problems should not affect our work to the point our Dharma brothers and sisters have to chase and encourage us to get our work done. How are we practising compassion for others when we make our Dharma family to take time out to nag or cajole us because we are not doing our jobs?

    (c) when we have obstacles in our Dharma work and think about leaving, we should consider how we were before we met the Dharma, and how we are after we met the Dharma. Have we improved in that time? If we have, why ever think that leaving Dharma will bring you happiness? So better to change our attitude and view those obstacles as purification, than leave Dharma and continue to suffer those types of obstacles lifetime after lifetime because we never removed the cause for them

    Reply
83. 

    Martin on Jan 14, 2013 at 3:09 am

    The Dharma is such a wonderful thing and yet we may not see it if we insist on seeing with the same pair of foolish eyes. We cannot see the Dharma unless we approach it with open hearts that are sincere in wanting it. Expect Dharma to change us and not us change the Dharma. But before the Dharma can affect the necessary transformation in us, first the Guru and the Dharma must reveal our real self to us. That to many is the tough part and yet it is only as tough as our willingness for Dharma to do its work in us.

    The idea behind doing Dharma work is to be able to gain the merits and have the wisdom of Dharma do its work to help us transform away from our samsaric self that keeps us within the grasp of suffering. However, if we approach Dharma with the same old attitude and expectations, then we resist the benefits of Dharma that could have been had. It is akin to going to the best hospital with top-notch specialists when we are seriously ill, and yet refusing to co-operate with the doctors, partake in the treatments and receive the medications. After making all the efforts we fail to collect the just benefits because we refuse to change our attitude.

    If we find Dharma work to be difficult, for me, it is a sure sign to indicate how self-grasping we are. Dharma work is not designed to reinforce our delusions but to show it up so that we can deal with it. The good news is that, now the real enemy has a form that we can see. Before that, they were just shadows. And from there, effort must be employed to battle the enemy which is really own own mind. Fortunately, we need not do the battle alone and the results are truly tangible.

    The true reward in Dharma work is the realization of our own change-the realization of our potential. We experience our own transformation in such a joyful way, we see a new self emerging and see our Dharma community celebrate that change in us, as we begin to see the good we can do for others. Dharma work is such an incredible and natural “high” because the simple truth is that we can only experience real joy when there is meaning to our lives, which is to bring benefits to others as we learn to see the good in ourselves. Virtually most people who enter Dharma work at Kechara do not look back. It is not a job that we change every 2 years but something we look forward to doing lifetime after lifetime. We actually look forward to it, and that itself says a lot about Dharma.

    Reply
84. 

    James Long on Jan 14, 2013 at 2:51 am

    无可置疑，这真的是一个非常棒的开始，道出了很多我们内心里的疑问。我们毕竟不是圣人，但是也不能以此为理由而选择保留自己的旧习性，不努力改变自己。

    Reply
85. 

    nicholas on Jan 14, 2013 at 2:38 am

    Doing Dharma work is a blessing, privilege and honor. I have never change this view from the time i realize it during my volunteering period until now as a fulltimer. It’s not a favor to the centre, the Guru or the Buddha but us. It helps us to collect merits and being in the dharma centre our attitude should be different as it shows how much we learn and it portray what we have learn from our action. As we learn more we should be able to apply the dharma teaching into our life and not to push or blame our problem to others.

    There are people in dharma centre that we met that are nice and so to people that are not so. Is our expectation to judge that in Dharma centre should have all angels. Thank you Rinpoche for highlighted this point that Dharma centre is a hospital when we face these people we should help them rather than judging them and just stop there. It’s a place for us to practice.

    May we transform faster to benefits more people in order to repay Rinpoche’s kindness, care and love.

    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing that make us understand the true meaning of doing and sponsoring dharma work.

    Reply
86. 

    Joe Ang on Jan 14, 2013 at 12:06 am

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video and have the teaching posted up on blog. I think it answers a lot of questions of many people regarding Dharma practice, Dharma work and how a Dharma centre should operate.

    Often times we would wonder, how come certain members from a Dharma centre is not nice, unkind or just plain mean. After watching this video and reading Rinpoche’s teaching, it reminded me that everyone have their own problems and nobody is perfect. We just gotta be a little more compassion, patient and learn to practice kindness towards those who may have hurt our feelings and are not acting nice. After all, we are all in a Dharma centre to improve and become better. If everyone is naturally nice and compassionate, then there won’t be need for Dharma centres. The world is perfect and everyone is at peace with each other and there will be no problems. That would be an ideal world to live in. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

    As for doing Dharma work, I am very fortunate to understand from Rinpoche’s teachings that we are actually doing nobody but ourselves a favour. The Dharma does not need us. We need the Dharma. We need it to improve many aspects of our lives. As we learn to apply true Dharma in our lives, we see many things change for the better. In my instance, I became much closer to my parents and family members. As we learn to be kind towards others, sincerely care about the well being of others, then we will see that things will start to change for the better. This is not magic or anything. It is because once we have decided to change and treat others how we would like to be treated, naturally others will respond to us the same way.

    Thank you Rinpoche for your unwavering care and love towards us.

    Love,
    Joe

    Reply
87. 

    sarahyap on Jan 13, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    It’s really nice to read this post again, gives much meaning and makes me contemplate further on being in Dharma.

    I believe, it all boils down to caring for others. When we care for others, we will never burden them… we will always have integrity, honesty etc… because we will never want to hurt others. In that way, we develop ourselves spiritually, to be a person that focus out rather than on ourselves. We become more selfless, and in return for all the care we show, we can pull another person’s spiritual practice up and bring others into Dharma by inspiring them with kindness and care.

    Coming to a Dharma center, one does not have to be perfect. We all have our personal problems and neurotic mind… but what shows our sincerity is when we do not bring it with us to burden others. The Dharma center is there for us to help others, not have others help you! It is not a place where you expect to be served, because the whole reason for being in Dharma is to serve others.

    I’m glad to have met the Dharma. Life have more meaning when it’s not just about ourselves… helping and caring for other people that have no particular relation to you, truly is a joy to live for.

    Reply
88. 

    KYC on Jan 13, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    Thank you, Rinpoche, for explaining what a Dharma centre is like. It is like a hospital and many do benefit from learning dharma and doing Dharma work and become happier people. But there are also people who come to a centre with an agenda or they really have no where else to go. We do our best to help them out of concern for their well being. After all we are all stuck in samsara and we should be kind to each other and help each other to gain liberation.

    Reply
89. 

    jennifer on Jan 13, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you so much for a very wise and profound teaching.

    I realize after reading the teaching, that i am guilty of so many of the horrible actions that Rinpoche has pointed out, and i feel totally embarrass and disgusted at myself . However, i also feel so blessed that we have the love, care , guidance and concern of Rinpoche, who truly wishes for us to transform and be better people and to incorporate the Teachings of Lord Buddha fully into our lives to benefit all sentient beings, including ourselves.

    We create our own delusions , our own sufferings and then go into denial mode and turn the anger outwards – blaming everyone and everything outside of ourselves – to relieve the pain (that we created ourselves) so we hope to ‘feel better’. We will never feel better in this manner, then we get more angry and that negative emotion turns into more anger and more blame and we go around ‘ convincing ‘ ourselves that the whole wide world OWES us big time. We just get so self absorbed that we don’t realize how much suffering we are causing to all the people around us , people who sincerely loves and cares for us.

    Eversince i met Rinpoche and followed the teachings of Buddha, i worked hard to be a better person and i know i still have a long long way to go. I am so very grateful to Rinpoche for Rinpoche’s patience, Compassion and Loving Kindness in teaching us and reminding us constantly how to be a good Buddhist and a better human being.

    Thank you , once again Rinpoche for being in our lives.

    Reply
90. 

    hecelus tan on Jan 13, 2013 at 11:08 am

    dear His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
    I am not sure whether Rinpoche already received the letter from myself recently.That letter is about after I was graduated from high school.I will go for Buddhist philosophy in Dong Zeng Temple and become a monk at Fo Guang Shan monastery.I promised Rinpoche that I will back to Kechara House and be the servant of Rinpoche. I already swore to Buddhas & Bodhisattvas from the 10 directions that I will be and I want to be a qualified monk in future.I want to serve Rinpoche and also Buddha Shakyamuni by making opportunities for Dharma getting flourish. I also do the preliminary practices every day even though I was “busy”. Thank you Rinpoche for your Great Blessing by sending me a golden Manjushri Tsa-tsa.
    With folded hands,Hecelus.

    Reply
91. 

    Han on Jan 13, 2013 at 6:55 am

    ＂从事佛法工作帮助我们累积功德，这份工作带来的益处可以散播到多个层面。不要让自己在从事佛法工作时累积负面的功德及更多的恶业，并强化你负面的习性。你必须打从心底转化自己来从事佛法工作，好让你的心血成为真的佛法，否则你的工作就会跟任何一个娑婆世界的工作一样。＂

    经常思考以上这番话，从事佛法事业但在心识上没有转化而一味的为做而做，的确和娑婆世界的工作没有分别，甚至会影响他人对佛法事业的定义或怀疑，严重的话导致他人对佛法产生误解。

    佛法工作背后的态度是非常重要及不可漠视的，这也是我个人经常警惕的。
    谢谢仁波切这珍贵的开示教诲，获益良多。

    Reply
92. 

    Albert Ratchaga on Jun 24, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    In fact, many people take contribution to a Dharma centre as doing the Dharma centre a favour, the perception of giving in Malaysia is very much like give then take, it must be something that can take back then only they can give. that’s why when go ask for donation and nothing to give back, it is not easy to get donation.

    When we enter into a Dharma Centre, we must be very clear of why are we here, what do we want from a spiritual practice, spiritual practice is suppose to generate generosity and learn to let go, so if our mind cannot let go the label ‘how to repay to us’, spiritual practice will be a very difficult path to walk.

    Reply
93. 

    skyong on Sep 22, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    I am happy to have the opportunity to able to help this Dharma center. 🙂 This article reminded me of my initial motivation. 🙂 😀

    Reply
94. 

    monlam on Sep 11, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,thank you so much for this post.
    This is especially relevant in Kechara. This is very nice to so many people can listen to the teaching and learn more Dharma.

    Reply
95. 

    yek yee on Aug 29, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    When you feel lost in your dharma work, please listen to this video again. This video will give you another new and fresh energy to motive you going forward. I will always remind myself while I feel lost or degenerate I will read the article and listen to the video, is is help, I knew it.

    Thank you Rinpoche, burning in the hot sun and sand give us such great teaching!!

    Reply
96. 

    Jayce on Aug 18, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    Frankly i love this teaching, Rinpoche…=)
    Thankyou Rinpoche to shows us a clear way to go and always shows us the right path to follow. Thankyou Rinpoche for your kindness to all of us as a student.

    I feel that doing Dharma work is actually lots harder than I thought it was. I do get affected…frustrated…depress…give up. But, everyday i can see there is people who step in the big door of kechara, they are even more and more depress, and they need us to lend a hand while we are at the front line. And they need Rinpoche teachings…

    Eventually,I hold with a principle from Rinpoche’s talk, Do not expect others to change , WE CHANGE…

    Do not focus on Memories, pain, discomfort, hatred, unkindness, bias..etc. But, fill it with compassions and improve to be a better person. Because, nothing is permanent.

    Start planting the Dharma seeds….

    Memmories, lonelyness, pain, distraction, discomfort, stress, noise and damage, hatred, unkindness, wrong perceptions..

    Reply
97. 

    Nicholas on Aug 18, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    This is one of a great teaching on the attitude doing dharma.
    It’s so clear & easy to understand.

    I agree with this “Dharma work is something of a blessing, privilege and honour”. It has been one of the reason why I join full time.

    I have a wrong view initially when I did voluntary work in KSK (way back in 2008/9). I used to think that I’m helping someone or doing some one a favor. As I volunteer more and more and I learn the essence of the work and my view changes when I start to change and feel grateful for giving this opportunity.

    Problem encountered are always from ourselves…no one to blame. We need to use the knowledge we learn in dharma to overcome the problem. I think is how we can check ourselves whether we have improve and learned.

    I’m so grateful to be able to do dharma work. Thanks for Rinpoche’s blessing, my wife who supported me so much & all the dharma family that help me so much.

    Thank you

    Reply
98. 

    Cynthia Ng on Aug 18, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Dearest Rinpoche,

    This is a valuable teaching for me. This remind me all the time for my own behavior.
    I should transform, apply Dharma to solve my problems and not to burden everyone around us.
    I have a great opportunity to be a part of Kecharians to work in Dharma, purify negative karma and collecting merits for it. So that i will accept, transform and benefit others.

    Thanks a lot to Blog team for all your hard work.

    Reply
99. 

    Cynthia Lee on Aug 16, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    My understanding of Rinpoche’s teaching with dharma work is that the real difference is what we are working towards achieving. My personal struggle is that it’s easy for me to forget my goals and motivation especially if our skills were applied before during the times when our goals were non-spiritual. My thoughts on this is that we should apply our skills and experiences in helping the organization in areas required from the skills we’ve acquired previously, understanding and knowledge in structure, workflow, etc so that the organization can run smoothly and more effectively hence able to grow and reach out to more people. I agree with Rinpoche that there will always be problematic people or people we just can’t get along with well. I do get affected, angry, frustrated and many other points Rinpoche has pointed out. In the secular world, I would have done what most people will do by quitting and giving up. In a dharma organization, we should resolve our differences by giving in and not giving up.

    I shall remember the most important mantra Rinpoche taught which is let go, let go, let go and be ready for change.

    Reply
100. 

     lewkwanleng on Aug 16, 2011 at 5:32 pm

     What hit me the most are “Dharma work is NOT WHAT OTHERS CAN GIVE YOU OR WHAT YOU CAN DEMAND, but what you give others quietly and without complaints……dharma work is about giving” and “Doing something about what we don’t like in ourselves is Dharma”

     Doing Dharma work is actually a lot harder than I thought it was. At times I asked myself should I give up and just go back to my “normal” life. But on the other hand, I have a tiny inner voice that tell me I should benefit others than just fulfilling my own cravings.

     Thus far, Dharma is the best tool I can use to benefit others, and I don’t want to give it up, and I pray I have the aspiration to do this until the end of my life…

     I am going to put, “Don’t ask what Dharma can do for me, but what can I do for Dharma” on my wall.. 🙂

     Reply
101. 

     Elena on Aug 16, 2011 at 5:30 pm

     “You must apply the Dharma and solve your problems. If you are always throwing tantrums, blaming others, complaining and making others uncomfortable, then you will make yourself unwelcome wherever you go. No one deserves to be lonely and sad. So do not create the situations to become lonely. When you do Dharma work, then do your work with a smiling face, good attitude and a disposition that make others happy to have you. That is your training. Training your mind to become something that other people will want you is the challenge worth taking.”

     I like the phrase above because I think it is all of Rinpoche’s teachings summarised into a few short words – that we need to take responsibility for our behaviour and our actions, and for our mind transformation. We also need to take responsibility for the growth and success of Rinpoche’s teachings, our departments and Kechara.

     In Rinpoche’s words there, there is also the teaching of karma, and cause and effect – that if we keep blaming others (the cause), then we will become lonely (the effect). I remember Rinpoche teaching before that if we really believed in karma, then we will become responsible and our actions will automatically become Dharmic…

     …which means that we should make our lives examples of Dharma, because that is the only way we will attract support.. People do not like to see us tired, hear us complaining, or get an unpleasant feeling when they think about us. We need to make sure that our body, speech and mind is practising the Dharma so that we get what we want – support, help and not to die a lonely death.

     The phrase above I found particularly relevant to me in these last few weeks because I could see it happening to myself. It’s a sad, lonely and horrible place to be – it is not the physical loneliness that is the worst bit, but the mental loneliness that is the most demotivating. It led me to realise that no matter how much time people waste talking to me, counselling me or cajoling me, if *I* do not want to get out of my situation, then no one can help me. And it is no one’s fault but my own that I continue to feel as bad as I do.

     This was an extremely uncomfortable teaching to hear and read because it addressed all of the internal justifications I was making up to try and excuse my horrible behaviour, which was leading me to nowhere fast. Thank you for the teaching Rinpoche, because it came at an especially apt time for me.

     With folded hands,
     Jean Ai

     Reply
102. 

     Carmen Koo on Aug 16, 2011 at 5:29 pm

     Sorry, this part just popped into my head..

     And I think the best choice I have made in my life is actually to do Dharma work, because I now assess my own reactions/actions and attitudes to how I would react before and now, and I see the true sense in what Rinpoche teaches and how Dharma benefits us, even when the work we do is to benefit others. We ourselves are the ones who ultimately benefit the most from what we do.

     Thank you
     Carmen

     Reply
103. 

     Carmen Koo on Aug 16, 2011 at 5:24 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     The amount of perseverence from Rinpoche’s side just wanting to do Dharma work is incredible. There was no centre for Rinpoche, there was no support for Rinpoche, there was nothing but Rinpoche’s sincere motivation to do, to serve the Dharma, for the sake of others, the motivation, and attitude is what we should take as our guiding.

     We are so lucky to have the Dharma brought to us, to have Rinpoche as our guru, to have a centre, but yet we don’t cherish it, we instead focus on all the negatives but not look at the bigger picture. We talk but we don’t do. We procrastinate and stay complacent and nothing progresses, as if we have all the time in the world when, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. When we loose things, that is the only time we learn to cherish.

     Anyways, I agree that with Rinpoche’s teaching above, but what struck the most is that we should not think that wroking in the Dharma, means that someone owes something back to us. No one owes us anything, but ourselves. We should take pride, feel honoured in being able to serve and help others, and we should never seek anything in return. When we acutally have that motivation, then we can really go all the way with what we do.

     The Dharma teaches us so much, but do we really apply the Dharma in our surroundings. How is it that when we learn the Dharma, we act the opposite. how is it that we are in a Dharmic environment, but don’t have the correct attitude, transformation that is due to the conditions and surroundings we are in.

     Thank you for the powerful teaching Rinpoche. I will keep coming abck to this post, when my mind sways,and will keep Rinpoche’s teaching at heart. I will use this teaching as my fundamental root, to contribute and make our department grow.

     With humblest gratitude,
     Carmen K

     Reply
104. 

     Wan Wai Meng on Aug 16, 2011 at 5:18 pm

     Among the three jewels the dharma is that which helps us to transform the most. When I first encountered the 8 worldly concerns i thought anything not dharma is contained there. However looking through what rinpoche shared there is so much more understanding and depth to what it means to do dharma. Hence big difference between intellectualising and realisation in this case.

     Doing dharma work does kept me very busy for the past year or so, though in quieter times when I reflect one does become stronger when one applies the dharma in their lives, thats how I feel so far. So Dharma work is good work , wholesome work, besides getting to support oneself and family we get to do many diverse, good , exciting things on the spiritual journey.

     Reply
105. 

     Sock Wan on Aug 14, 2011 at 8:46 pm

     Dearest Rinpoche,
     What you have written in your blog, makes me feel so lucky that I am given the opportunity to work in a Dharma center. In the past, I always thought I am doing people a favour for working for them, it didn’t really occur to me that others are actually giving me the opportunities to do so. After working in a Dharma center for almost 6 months, I am now more appreciative of the things people are giving me.

     I have also learnt to accept criticism. Criticism is not nice to hear, but it is for us to improve ourselves to be a better person. People give us criticism because they care for us, I will always be thankful to them.

     I have received kindness from the people in the center, I will repay them by transforming myself and helping others to be a better person.

     I wish Rinpoche well.

     With love,
     Sock Wan

     Reply
106. 

     Chin Fei on Aug 14, 2011 at 12:25 am

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Thank you Rinpoche for imparting such valuable teaching to us. This post is indeed an “awakening” post that in fact working for dharma is no different with working in samsara. The only difference is we are PAID to work for dharma and collect merits to purify negative karma.. How fortunate we are and we really shouldn’t treat dharma work as work.

     Therefore, what we can repay to the kindness of our guru is transform ourselves to be a better person. Be committed, push our limits, come out from the comfort zone and do more. Work harmoniously with our co workers, put in effort and make things happen! To be a better person is not hard, by willing to transform our mind and attitudes and get rid of bad habituations is already a big leap.

     Blog team- I know it’s been tiring, lack of sleep etc, but without you guys, we are not able to read all these precious posts and get benefited. You are the hero! Great job and keep it up 🙂

     much love,
     Chong Chin Fei

     Reply
107. 

     Hisse Galama on Aug 11, 2011 at 4:38 am

     Salutations to everyone. Dear Tsem Gaden MountainTree Rinpoche, Thank you for helping me overcome being shy

     did you also see the movie “Stranded” ? From Gonzalo Aryon (2007, documentary- saw on a dvd- it’s about planecrash in Andes in 1972).
     Very interesting karma – that people have to share. And when they do. Extreme neccesity and succesfully, together bringing it to turning point; Just like your personal experiance. (That braught you to Maleisia).
     That creates so strong brotherhood.. and still, all and everything, we have to let go and relativise in this world. It helpes me a lot realizing always that I’m not the only one. I don’t know, perhaps you come accros that movie also one day. Or you have seen it and remember, O yep.

     Graceful on the beach and alive heee. Please loose a litle bit weight. I don’t want to worry about you. You started to remind me of my dead father lately. You know, a man healthy goodbalanced body, starting to eat more then necessary. As a Teacher you don’t have to eat everything also, litteral.

     After the funaral. From here on a personal experiance that I like to share with all of you:

     Memmories, lonelyness, pain, distraction, discomfort, stress, noise and damage, hatred, unkindness, wrong perceptions..you name it, it was all bothering, and lack of focus the fight against a body that wants to live like a machine, but does not know it has to serve the mind, which is also a machine, took over, and I began to carry weight on my body, as never exposed earlyer in my life. What kind of lazyness had I been eating?, What kind of people had I met? Finally I began to focus again, and in a few days , perhaps a few weeks, the surplus of weight was gone, the body back to natural. Balanced. Much more comfortable. Much more easy to breathe.

     Dear Tsem Tulku Rinpoche from Tibet unto Taiwan unto North America unto India Nepal and Maleisia.. a litle poem

     O, India
     Land of Poetry Wisdom and Truth
     Enlighten my soul
     Heart for Eternity
     That warmth will always glow

     Thank you. May You be happy (Tasi Delek)

     Reply
     • 

       Hisse Galama on Aug 11, 2011 at 11:01 pm

       How can I help you with rescueing the bears, please?

       Reply
108. 

     lucy yap on Aug 10, 2011 at 11:50 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,
     Through Rinpoche’s precious teachings and compassion,it open our minds to realised our mistakes and improve ourselves.Kechara through Rinpoche gives us the opportunity to do dharma work and make life more meaningful!Ww are so fortunate.We have to realise that dharma work is unlike any oyher work in Samsara and if we do not put our heart and soul to our work,practise,we will not be able to see positive transformation.Thank you,Rinpoche for being with us and from the bottom of my heart I am truly grateful to all who continuously and sincerely stay by Rinpoche’s side to bring dharma to others.Thank you to the blog team for assisting Rinpoche and the lovely pictures.

     Reply
109. 

     Uncle Eddie on Aug 10, 2011 at 5:22 pm

     Whatever collects the most extensive merits, whatever becomes the most powerful purification is what brings higher realisations to transform the mind. Whatever brings the greatest benefits to sentient beings, is the most powerful practice. Of course, it being understood, nothing is easy. From the many stories written in books, it is said that realisation, the benefits to the mind, dont just come from retreats, sitting in meditation, from study or prayers. Of course nothing also comes the easy way – like study, working for the centre, retreats and especially dealing with people from within and without!! What ever the success factor is, of course, there is no easy going way, as what was always been mentioned and reiterated in the teachings. As said in the Lamrin, the two most essential things to have is of course – a good heart and an unquestionable good Guru Devotion attitude. Of course devotion to one virtuous-friend is the key thing and takes top prority over the two. When the guru is pleased with you, you’re doing whatever the guru wishes or asks you to do -retreats, helping out other sentient beings, anything that pleases the guru; thats a good sign of good stringent purification. that’s why the mind becomes soft and if such practices continue and can be followed up, one can actually and easily achieve realisation of transforming the MIND. It is thus said that those are the signs of receiving the good blessings of the Guru. Thank you, Rinpoche once again for your invaluable teachings.

     Reply
110. 

     terri on Aug 10, 2011 at 4:23 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,
     You make me cry. I have suffered so much abuse from people who aren’t benefiting from the medicine.-at another place in north california. But still, in my place of worship there are 1 or 2 people I want to be there for, and the pujas I really love them. And I tried, I went back to pray. But I was uncomfortable. My friend asked me to help her with a transcript. And usually I can do them so quickly. But as I was transcribing I had all of these memories and emotions. And I just started to have a block in the work. And I would push myself and then stop. And then on television there has been a very big story in the USA about Warren Jeffs. And a lot of things talked about on the news-it happened to me and others at this place. So then I feel I can’t continue. If I assist them, am I helping the Dharma or helping to destroy the Dharma. Because it has all the pretty accouterments of a Dharma Wayplace, but people’s hearts are not transformed. And I fear if I help them with their marketing efforts then I am pretending to protect and uphold the Dharma, when in reality I am helping them destroy it. It’s so sad. I don’t know what to do. I was so happy, and now I realize it’s all not real. Your students are so lucky to have you. You are so kind and so wise and so real. There are so many who aren’t real. I am going to try to push myself to keep the commitment to my friend, and yet keep a safe distance. And then once my commitment is done just let go. It’s hard. I love walking into that hall and doing the prayers. I love the sounds, and the words to the prayers. But I almost lost my life, and as another Rinpoche told me, “you can’t practice if you’re dead.” I dunno. Sorry I talk too much; I was just worrying so much about this and saw your post on my feed reader. Maybe I am just a stupid whiny good for nothing drama queen. I don’t know.

     Reply
     • 

       Ann on Aug 12, 2011 at 3:42 am

       Dear, dear one, you must take care of yourself. That ‘other Rinpoche’ was right. You cant practice if you are dead or even if just so upset/confused.
       i dont know what happened to you. And I dont want to sound patronizing. but please please pray to the fully enlightened BUDDHAS. They hear you. they will without a doubt help you get clear. or steer clear. whichever is needed.
       Do you have a friend to talk to? I want to help. I hope Tsem rinpoche responds to you –

       Reply
111. 

     may ong on Aug 10, 2011 at 4:04 pm

     Dear Rinpoche

     I am happy you shared with us your thoughts on dharma work, it consequence if we do not do it well and otherwise. Your teaching on how not to cut off our ties to practice dharma if we decide not to continue to be involved in dharma work helped.

     You revealed the methods, results and solution to counter negative actions we create ourselves in any holy working environment to save ourselves from ending up being lonely and depressed later.

     Our own happiness lies in our own actions and that is taking responsibility for ourselves to be happy. This is a good reminder of what we need to reflect on and take action to change.

     Thank you again.

     Reply
112. 

     judy lam on Aug 10, 2011 at 12:45 am

     Dear Rinpoche:
     This video and teaching on our attitudes in doing Dharma work is very clear and useful for us to do a reality check on ourselves. Rinpoche says that “if you have the merits to do Dharma work, then your attitude must adjust with it.” How profound! If we realize how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to serve Dharma, we should be very grateful and do it happily in a responsible manner. It is very easy to want to do things our way, and give not much thought about how we treat people in our busy daily lives. We must be mindful of what we do or say so that we will not bring harm to others or to hurt them by the words we use. It is not easy to admit our flaws and to make that change in us. The only way is to be honest about it and remind ourselves from time to time that we need to make that change in us. Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful teaching.

     Reply
113. 

     patsy on Aug 9, 2011 at 11:53 pm

     Dear Rinpoche, Thank you for sharing this precious teachings with us no matter where you are.

     What Rinpoche mentioned is so true. We should never do Dharma work thinking we are doing the centre, our guru, others and Buddha a favour. In fact we should think how fortunate we are to have the merits to do dharma work. This teaching is so honest, open and frank and I think it will not be offensive to others.

     May Rinpoche and team have a great and fruitful trip up North.

     Reply
114. 

     Valentina Suhendra on Aug 9, 2011 at 11:20 pm

     Dear Rinpoche

     Thank you for this valuable advice. I will try my best to apply them. Some of these lessons above particularly about working with others and personal expectations, I had to learn them painfully through past experiences. However, these experiences make me appreciate your teaching even more knowing how true they were.

     Much care

     Valentina

     Reply
115. 

     ST on Aug 9, 2011 at 8:50 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Perhaps one way to address the major issues you have identified is to reinforce the need for HODs to manage by example, showing others what is the acceptable work conduct and work values as espoused by yourself in creating the work culture for the Kechara community for others to follow. At the same time, develop an internal IT system whereby each personnel in Kechara can periodicaly receive anonymous feedback from colleagues on areas for improvement. This HR system had worked effectively in my experience in bringing about the desired work culture which is so important in getting the job done.

     Reply
     • 

       Ann on Aug 12, 2011 at 3:22 am

       ooh ST i am an outsider, so apologize if i dont know you-all & the situation – but i dont think this Dharma work is a business like a worldly business. we need to try to see the differences and act accordingly. I think Rinpoches analogy to a hospital might be more apt! Maybe the office is the Intensive Care Unit!

       Reply
116. 

     Adelyn Lim on Aug 9, 2011 at 6:53 pm

     Thank you Rinpoche,this teaching gives me a lot of food for thought and I shall re examine myself, my faults and try to better myself.

     Reply
117. 

     henry ooi on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     This picture is well shot, so are those taken as well.

     The explanation and teaching here are so clear and meaningful and help me to think and do more.

     I wish you and the team a good and resourceful trip at your next destination.

     Reply
118. 

     Han Siew Fong on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:42 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Thank you for the precious teachings!
     I will always remind myself how fortunate to be in dharma.

     Blog team – Great work and keep it up!

     Regards,
     Han

     Reply
119. 

     benji on Aug 9, 2011 at 4:07 pm

     i believe every ‘Dharma-worker’, regardless of whichever institution he/she is serving now or any aspiring ‘Dharma-worker must take this teaching from Rinpochela to heart. In fact, it would be great if Rinpochela’s teaching on this subject could be published or made a DVD. Thank you, “kam-sia che-che” Rinpochela!

     Reply
120. 

     Paris on Aug 9, 2011 at 4:01 pm

     I love this teaching Rinpoche, thank you. Every line applies to me, every moment of the day. It is a big contemplation and practice just to think for example, how we are not doing anyone a favour, but how everyone in the Dharma centre and the centre itself does us a favour. It is the 8 verses at work, seeing ourselves as lowest of all.

     This teachings also reminds me very much of the teachings Rinpoche gave for Gurus for Hire (http://www.kechara.com/publications/publications/tsem-tulku-series/gurus-for-hire-enlightenment-for-sale/)
     Always relevant, always important, always applicable.

     Thank you for elaborating on such an important, central part of our daily practice, work, speak and thoughts.

     Have wonderful travels up north Rinpoche and the whole team.
     Love love love xxx

     Reply
     • 

       Paris on Jan 14, 2013 at 5:32 am

       Am reading this again about a year after it was first posted. As always, Rinpoche’s teachings bounce back at me in a different way, each time I read it.

       This time, I am most struck by how different our approach is when we are in Dharma. While outside in secular jobs we are there really only to take or get something from our work, the predominant attitude within the Dharma is to give. Our ‘work’, and everything we do within a spiritual center, is focused on giving – of our time, effort, love, practice, dedication to others.

       I think very few of us realise how much we actually take, albeit perhaps unknowingly and unintentionally. Perhaps we equate ‘taking’ with only material things, but it could also mean taking others’ time, energy, emotions – we may not be materialistic and come in wanting wealth and things, but we can end up being demanding of people’s time, attention, emotions. That’s perhaps a less overt form of taking and we don’t think we’re really affecting anyone negatively, but it does mean that the time that someone spends talking to us could very well have been spent on an activity that would bring far more benefit to many more people. In this way, our taking becomes harmful and we impose our problems in a place where we should actually be striving to relieve problems.

       I think perhaps, more than ever in a spiritual center, an important question to ask ourselves is “what feeling do I leave people with?” After spending time with us, do we leave people feeling more fulfilled, more peaceful, happier, lighter, more inspired? Or they just feel more drained, anxious, angry, frustrated? This is something Rinpoche has also taught us and while the exercise is a simple one, it’s a very big and significant gauge of how we are really working, practice and living within a spiritual environment – and whether we view it as a truly spiritual place for growing, or as just another job.

       Reply
       • 

         Li Kim on Jan 15, 2013 at 5:27 pm

         Jamie,
         I really appreciate what you have shared here about “taking” and what we perceive as not taking is actually taking but in a different form and context. When you say that taking need not be materialistic but more taking up or taking for granted people’s time, effort, care and love, it makes a lot of sense. Each and everyone of us is guilty of that. I can say for myself that I am an attention seeker and this is taking.

         In my journey with Kechara since May 2009, I have been put through many challenges which I would have never imagine I could be put through. And I do not mean this negatively although during the process of growing in the challenges I really doubted I could ever pass. But I did and I am still here and guess what? I am more resilient, kinder, more patient, caring and giving. Do I still have flaws like laziness??? Of course I do. But I know I do and I know it does not serve me so I move on and not indulge in the me I do not like.

         Dharma work is gratifying and I sleep well after a day of dharma in my life. This is reward for me and I like it.

         Reply
121. 

     Josh Akers on Aug 9, 2011 at 2:15 pm

     Thank you for taking the time to speak on this, and everything else… Message recieved. –Josh Akers

     Reply
122. 

     mayy on Aug 9, 2011 at 1:23 pm

     Thank you so much, Rinpoche..for your kind and continuous invaluable teachings no matter where you are.

     We are very fortunate to have Rinpoche always caring for everyone no matter who we are and one should not even take our Guru, friends and members, colleagues, love ones or even dharma centre (in this case, Kechara) for granted. Will always mindful and practise. Likewise to share with others.

     Thank you once again.

     With love…mayy

     Reply
123. 

     ST on Aug 9, 2011 at 12:02 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     What you have just written could well be adopted as (1) one of many training modules in Kechara’s orientation class curriculum for helping to transform people’s attitudes into actual virtuous habit and behavior at work (2) used as a ‘standard’ measure of Kecharian’s periodic work performance review(3) ‘Our Values as Kecharians’ if someone can summarise it into point form and posted on all vantage points in the workplace.
     I mean why let your thoughts phase into oblivion as a blog when it should be used as an axiom in the daily waking hours of all Kecharians?

     Reply
     • 

       Ann on Aug 12, 2011 at 3:14 am

       oohh please be careful not to bureaucratize dharma. please dont make a fascist regime. learning and dharma have to come from within – not imposed by outer rules.

       Reply
124. 

     Lim KSJC on Aug 9, 2011 at 11:08 am

     Thanks Rinpoche for the inspiring teaching, we are rejoyce to have a checklist to let us can keep on to check where or the status we r now… And what we must do for the next… Thanks our derest Guru…

     Reply
125. 

     su_zan on Aug 9, 2011 at 10:36 am

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Thank you so much for this post. Clearing my mind of things and also showing the way of a true practice and this post have also answer a few of my question that i have and worried for years. I have printed this post to be re read again and again.

     Reply
126. 

     joey wong on Aug 9, 2011 at 9:50 am

     Dear Rinpoche, thank you again for providing such valuable tools for us to check our minds when we are in Dharma. Rinpoche is frank, thorough and does not give unrealistic expectations as always. I will read this post again and again until i remember its essence and until i can apply it to my views.

     Reply
127. 

     yoke fui on Aug 9, 2011 at 9:29 am

     Dear Rinpoche,
     Thank you so much for the valuable teachings.

     This is especially relevant in Kechara when so many of us have the good fortune to engage in dharma work with and without stipends.

     How true – we are not doing Kechara a favour, it’s Kechara(Rinpoche) that’s doing us the favour !

     Thank you , Blog Team for your hard work and all the rare shots of our Guru
     out on the beach. I like all of them.

     Take care guys on your new adventure !

     With love & prayers,
     Yoke Fui

     Reply
128. 

     Mercedes on Aug 9, 2011 at 9:10 am

     thank you very meaningful teaching!!

     Reply
129. 

     Joyce Hobby on Aug 9, 2011 at 6:20 am

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Thank you for this wonderful gift of sharing your wisdom via writing and video. It truly is of benefit.

     – Joyce

     Reply
130. 

     abby on Aug 9, 2011 at 4:31 am

     ok…this is really inspiring,thank you Rinpoche. I thank Rinpoche for showing anyone of us a clear way to go. We ourselves are always the one to fool ourselves.things bcome harder and more confusing. i would say this is a very profound teaching. I will remember it from time to time.

     Reply
     • 

       tsemtulku on Aug 9, 2011 at 4:33 am

       Dear Abby, do read again, I have added some more thoughts just a few minutes ago…rest well. TR

       Reply
       • 

         abby F on Jan 14, 2013 at 12:39 pm

         Dear Rinpoche, after 1 year plus being in Kechara, and I read back thia article again, I understand more why all the qualities that Rinpoche mentioned we should have as a Dharma ‘worker’ are so important.

         All our works, no matter big or small, are meant to relief other’s pain and bitterness, or maybe just to let others feel comfortable and happy. Therefore it is important to adjust our attitute. People may come to a Dharma centre to seek hope and care, if we’re not able to give hope and care, then we are failed. People may come to us to get teachings, if we as a member of the Dharma centre unable to share with them, then we are failed. The sponsors may come and sponsor and expect us to ‘repay’ their kindness, if we unable to take care of this or nurture them with Dharma teachings, then we are failed too.

         The Dharma centre is not owned by the Guru only. We have to bear the responsibility too. Because here is the place where we get teachings and benefits. Here’s the place that we grow and become a better person. Here’s the place where we learn and get attainments. So do other people. We must create such environment.

         To sustain the centre, our attitude is the key. Thank you Rinpoche for your kind sharing.

         Reply