The Train
Aug 6, 2011
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Today I am in North Malaysia, Penang to be exact to shoot some Paranormal episodes together with my blog team. After shooting we were driving around and saw very nice trishaws. Decided to rent them and go on a night ride around the city. While riding I wanted to share a story of my trip from Gaden Monastery to Dharamsala in North India with Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe.
In Gaden I lived with Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche and when he travelled, I travelled with him as his assistant and student. On this occasion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama had won the Nobel Peace Prize and we all went to Delhi and Dharamsala to congratulate His Holiness. I went together with Kensur Rinpoche and Kyabje Lati Rinpoche. On our return trip down, something happened to me on the train and Kyabje Lati Rinpoche gave me a teaching that still is strong in my mind till today. I decided to share what happened and what Kyabje Lati Rinpoche so kindly taught me. I am grateful to these great lamas for allowing me to be a part of their holy lives. Being with them taught me much and really blessed my mind. It’s very poignant because both of these great Lamas has passed on. In fact as I type this Kensur Jampa Yeshe just passed away 8 days ago and his holy body is not decomposing as he is in thukdam or clear light (death) meditation. His body is motionless, clinically dead, yet his face is getting brighter. Once he finishes his meditation, then the Monastery will have a special cremation. Kensur Rinpoche shows us that the mind is seperate from the body but connected. Once the body dies, the mind leaves the body and must take a new rebirth. If there is a mind seperate from the body, then there must be a force that propels the mind to it’s next destination whether controlled or not. This force must be karma. Kensur Rinpoche staying in thukdam so long shows us clearly the mind is seperate and controlled by a force other than our body. He really is a great master in this day and age.
Well here it is, enjoy the video below as much as I did relating the story I just mentioned above riding in a Penang trishaw:
The Train
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Malay10-Train.mp4
Much Care, Tsem Rinpoche
p/s:
Read my blog post about His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche enters Clear Light: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/his-eminence-kyabje-lati-rinpoche-enters-clear-light.html
Read my blog post about His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Jampa Yeshe enters Clear Light: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/h-e-kensur-rinpoche-jetsun-jampa-yeshe-1928-2011.html
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To me, even Rinpoche has to experience what needed to be experienced, what about us? Hence, karma is the ultimate refuge and we should train ourselves to turn any circumstances that we perceived as ‘negativities’ into a positive one. Thank you Rinpoche
Inspiring article ……sitting on a trishaw and giving teaching , sharing stories which Rinpoche encountered. Watched the video and its interesting. Rinpoche shared his unique relationship and stories with H E Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and H E Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Jampa Yeshe. Beautiful memories of Rinpoche while on the train and a lesson from there.
Turning negatives situation into positive and accept whatever comes along.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious teaching.
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
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
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
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
Dear Rinpoche,
You are great and accepted what have happened.
Hard times build determination and inner strength.
Hey Rinpoche,
Thank you for this blog. I have been out of it, and have been coming to your blog everyday for a while.
From,
Kei
Watching this teaching again is a new experience from before. The story about losing his head in the train is a very powerful teaching, I have always felt if someone has done something to damage you physically or mentally or is in the nature of harm, then the manner in which you react back to them determines the amount of karma they collect. If they steal from us and for us yes we lose something, but we can be happy or not so much affected then the karma they accrue would be much less. Anyways I remember some years back the Chinese educated people I mixed with they told me you have lost the material item, don’t lose your happiness or peace further. Made a lot of sense.
How many of us didn’t or couldn’t figure out the warning from our Guru, just like what happened to Rinpoche when Lati Rinpoche told you to be careful as you might lose your head. Unfortunately when misfortune happened to most of us, how many of us have the merits to be guided immediately by our Guru to turn negative into positive.
But thanks to this blog, many of us will somehow read a particular article that will help us to overcome a particular emotional blockage at that particular time, and helps us to move on. It happened to me when i watched this video as if it was a personal advice from Rinpoche! Was it a coincidence? I choose to think not.
As many have admiringly said, episodes of happenings related by Rinpoche are indeed always been so different, unusual and invigorating, especially the story telling part of any description, which made reading so exciting and listening more at a stand-still! It sure does attract listeners and readers to the Blog, like what it has done! Thank you Rinpoche for the Sharing and caring.
Dear Rinpoche, I’ve visited your house in India before. But from the outside not inside and I can see that Rinpoche’s house have being taken good care by a few students of Rinpoche. I wonder what did the robber do to Rinpoche’s bag after that?
Dear Rinpoche,
I have an additional question. My question is what happens after a person attained enlightenment?
谢谢仁波切的分享, 在世俗里，当我们失去一样东西时，我们会很颓丧，失望或厌恨，种种的负面情绪都会表露出来。把整个世界看得很黑暗。但在佛法观点里，失去了我们就要放下，放下执着。把负面转化为正能量， 把失去的当作是我们的亏欠，业障或障碍。这都是佛法的智慧，加持和开示。但有多少人能做到呢？
Thank you Rinpoche.I love this post. I love the story of Rinpoche on the train ride.
It would have been catastrophic for most people to have encountered this experience – having your bag, with 600 rupees in it, which you badly needed, stolen from you. It was Lati Rinpoche, one of the two Gurus of Rinpoche who was travelling with him on the same train from Delhi to Hubli,who had actually warned Rinpoche about this happening earlier. When it did happen , Lati Rinpoche laughed non-stop. However, when he stopped laughing, he gave Rinpoche a most profound teaching and advice about letting go and about praying for the one who had stolen his bag and money. Rinpoche was able to rise above his ‘pain’ of losing the money,and to see that the needs of the man, who had stolen his money, outweigh his own.
As he prayed for him, he visualized his Heruka, Vajrayogini and Yamantaka(which had been in the same bag that was stolen from him) blessing his family and him.
This is indeed a very touching story about learning to let go in the midst of adversity.
你难于想像，一个简单的火车上皮包被偷的故事，可以蕴藏许多值得学习和未来实践在我们日常生活中的教诲。
从仁波切讲述自己皮包被偷了上师笑到飙眼泪，他无论如何都不敢生气，让我们学习弟子对上师的尊敬。
我从这个故事感受到的是，一位真正的上师的慈悲，从开始到结束都表现了无比的慈悲与智慧：
＊事情还没有发生前，他会给你预警。
＊事情发生了，告诉你如何从中”获益“，在心情和实际上如何去应对或把”坏事“转变成”好事”。即便是不开心的遭遇，他教导你放下——甚至把焦点从自己的损失转移到他人的获益，并祈祷那个小偷从自己的失去里获益。
感谢仁波切的分享。但愿仁波切身体健康、快乐。
Thank you for sharing your interesting experience and thank you to Seng Piow for doing the editing work on the video. Rinpoche does so much for others even when not in Malaysia. His love and care envelops the entire universe.
very cool and good.
I like the way Rinpoche had used a simple ride through the streets of Penang to give a simple but inspiring teaching – To let go. To take the positive out of the negative.
Thank you Rinpoche for your innovative way.
Hello dear Guru Tsem Rinpoche,
i am looking your video the train. it is not so easy because there are things like go to work etc, that need a lot of time. so i give my best to look all your videos and so on. at the moment my nervs are overload.i don´t know why. but in my brain there is a lot of energy who don´t get out i feel. 🙂 it is crazy, i know. it is like 220 Volt but i am only made for 12 Volt 🙂 i want everything an i want it now. that is my problem since i am litle boy 🙂
Why do you say the manjushri mantra to the animals? i thought it would be better the om mani padme hum? i often spoke the om mani padme hum in ears of my dog before he died.
it ws an alaska malamute like an husky you know. a very very proud ladydog with a good aura. not barking, evertime a good bodyposition and very very nice to other dogs. but always proud.after she died i go to doctor and get her in car to bring to garden. after all i had to cry so i go to my altar and i begin to pray and makes my head to legs of buddha. i don´t know the word for doing….but then it comes a very clear warm feeling. and i heard my dog whisper: heyy….everthing ok…everything ok….and a very nice silent and warm heartfeeling begin to start in me. i think really she was a bodhisattva 🙂
i have to laugh because the old man behind you. and you are right. in front of camera you are very good loking. black is your colour :)and i like your mala on left hand. i spend my free time with your blog. but don´t be angry that my time is often to short.it is a joke you won´t be angry, isn´t it? ^^
one day i have enough time and enough money. then i would like to visit you and your kechara people. i saw the german volunters.i don´t know what is a volunter but i saw they are german. and nice smile. 🙂 i do what you said: be a good person and help others.i think it will be good. the resaults like the….you know what i mean.if i get rebirth i should take a body in uk 🙂 perhaps my english get better then….but it would be tricky if you are rebirth in germany ;o)) whatever…my dearest guru. i will fire on a light for thsogkapa on my altar and will pray. om ara patsana di. The bird will get very very clever with this mantra :o) in love ….
ps: you are a lucky man guru. belive me. you are a very lucky man.i have to ride my bike alone 🙂
Dear Marten,
Any mantras for animals is ok. I recite Manjushri mantras to them because I pray they will come back as teachers of the Dharma and Dharma scholars. For Dharma to grow further we need teachers. Thank you. Tsem Rinpoche
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this teaching. It felt as if we were on the trishaw as well, riding down the streets of Penang and listening to Rinpoche’s teaching.
It touched me alot how Rinpoche followed the advice of Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, meditated and made a sincere prayer for the thief in addition to realising the compassion from Lati Rinpoche and turning an adverse condition around, and even feeling happy about it. In any circumstances, due to ignorance, one would feel bitter and furious, they would question and blame, but from a simple switch in the mind and thinking, it can bring peace and happiness. Such a powerful message. The guru devotion is strong also, in the way Rinpoche treats Lati Rinpoche and Kensur Rinpoche… I have such a long way to go and so much more to learn.
Thank you to the cameraman (I’m guessing it is Ang Lee aka Seng Piow) for having such steady hands in holding the camera whilst on the move, as well as to the entire team with Rinpoche for bringing this teaching to us.
Sending my love over to Rinpoche and the entire group in ‘the land of a thousand golden smiles’. Everyone is very much missed.
Take care & rest well, Rinpoche.
Much love,
Carmen.
Thank you Rinpoche for all the teachings, the messages, the emails, the SMSes… Rinpoche is supposed to be on a “break” and fun travelling but is working ever harder. Many thanks and love from all of us to the blog team and the “travelling entourage” for looking after Rinpoche and making it possible for Rinpoche to do all these wonderful blog posts and teachings while away from home base.
The videos and photos have been absolutely stunning. Thank you.
We miss you back at home and sending you loads of love and happy travel wishes.
Thank you Rinpoche for the amazing Dharma talk and thank you Seng Piow/Justin for uploading it online 🙂 without you guys i dont think we will be able to watch videos of Rinpoche
Dharma on the go ! I love it ! Couldn’t take my eyes of it. Dharma on the move. It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this.
It’s like one of those discovery channels, 30 minute clips . Except it’s entirely beneficial .
Thank you so much Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche,
Your beautiful story and your chosen method of storytelling opened my heart this morning as I listened to it.
Thank you a million times,
Adrienne
I like dharma talks to be fresh, different, unusual and if I can, non traditional. I am glad you like it. TR
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this video. It is good to see Rinpoche taking in the sights of Penang by riding a trishaw, and at the same time, so kind of Rinpoche to impart some Dharma teachings to us. Regardless of the situation, there is always a valuable lesson we can learn from it. Rinpoche shared such a unique relationship with Lati Rinpoche that when he laughed at Rinpoche and asked Rinpoche to pray that the money stolen will benefit the thief, Rinpoche just did exactly as was told. Rinpoche has many times taught us how to let go of any unfavorable situation that may arise in our lives. And tonight Rinpoche has reminded us again of the same thing and to accept the given situation. However, to generate the kind of thinking such as ‘may it benefit the thief’, wow, this is a very selfless act! Listening to Rinpoche again, yes, the thief must have needed the money really badly to risk himself and having to steal to get it. Maybe it is for his hungry children or for his sick parents? Yes, I have to get myself to thinking like that whenever a situation such as this arise. Once again, thank you Rinpoche!
Dear Rinpoche,
I have heard this story before, but listening it again really give me a refresher on letting go and have the aspiration for the benefit for others in all situations.
by the way, I thought it is REALLY cute to give teachings on trishaw 🙂
Dear rhinpoche,
This video is very inspirational, and it send me to great thinking in my daily life. Your true life account on the train really impress me.
Turn anger & frustration into compassion and benefit others.
Destroy the thoughts of “ME” and think of others. Once its not about Me & ME, i believe everything will be good & peaceful. Open my heart.
Thankyou for your short video.
Om ah hum ho.
Rgds
Raymond cheong
Oh,there was an article on this blog previously about this story…you added more details here. Good idea using the trisaw! Nice!
Wow! Such an amazing story Rinpoche. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful teaching with us. You are a good storyteller. I can only imagine how wonderful it was to be with two great lamas and serving them. You are truly blessed. Whenever there is a visiting teacher I always try to serve in the household. I learn so much being around these great teachers, watching them in their day-to-day activities. Seeing how living Buddhas live. Thank you so much for all you do.
First of all I love this teaching on letting go and having compassion, I try to remember it when the situation comes around.
Second I can’t agree more with Victoria when she says: ‘You are on to something the way you teach’. I have some of your dvd’s (from Ketchara) and I follow you on facebook and this blog and every time it affects me listening to your teachings, your way of teaching is different. Clear and to the point and very much of this time. First I thought: this is a way to reach the young people and maybe not so much for me, but I know this is total not true 🙂 🙂 Thank you Rinpoche for teaching the way you do.
thank you for this nice story.
Thank you so much for a timely message Rinpoche… Just today, due to budget cuts and layoffs, I was bumped out of my full-time position down to a part time position by another person of higher seniority at the county library system I work at. At first, I felt a bit of anger that someone just bumped me out of my position, but after watching your video, I know I must pray that my previous position will benefit that person and their family, and that I must let go and deal with adversity and difficulties with compassion and mindfulness, just as you have learned from Kyabje Lati Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche… Its times like these that I feel you care for me even though you are on the other side of the world.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for your story.
Victoria Rainone
Hello Rinpoche, just today His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in D.C. and the beginning of his teaching he incorporated a lot of words dedicated to changing and making more modern the way we teach Buddhism. He said the horns, and basically pomp was outdated and I think You are on to something the way you teach. Like it or not, You are an amazing teacher and I never fail to see my big, giant ego after two minutes of You! Thank You Rinpoche!
(From Victoria Rainone who posted this on Facebook- I like what she relates His Holiness is saying about methods today)
Dear Rinpoche, Kyabje Lati Rinpoche laughing at you, and you not knowing what to think of his happy laughter, and maybe expecting consolation, that is such a tender moment! Thanks so much for sharing this memory and for sharing the precious teaching that you received! I think it is a teaching to let go but also a teaching to have a noble mind, two things to take to heart and remember always. I think that out of your prayers and your kind heart, not only the thief benefited at that time, but anyone who watches the video can benefit now and in the future!
I really love whenever you tell of your gurus and I really enjoyed this video very much!! Thank You!!!
Thank you very much for this story and excellent teaching.
Thank you Seng Piow for editing also. Very appreciated.