They said I wouldn’t make it
I was associated with another centre which I pulled out of 12 years ago. When I left them, they said I would never make it. I would flop..hehe..I didn’t care they didn’t think I would make it or not, because I am not doing a business. I am practicing dharma. They said I was too American, too direct, too open and didn’t understand Asians. So I didn’t set out to make it but to be a genuine Buddhist …practitioner and if that made ‘enemies’ so be it. I value karma more than face.
Now 12 years down the line I am told I ‘made’ it. If I did ‘make it’, whatever that means, it just shows that I worked extremely hard and the loyal Kecharians who have been with me for years deserve the credit. Some of the people who didn’t believe I would ‘make it’ actually apologized. Sweet of them.
All I know is this, I will bring Buddha’s teachings to thousands. I can never be like HH Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama or Trijang Rinpoche because they are Buddhas. But I am going to be the best I can be and work hard.
Tsem Rinpoche
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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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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$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
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Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
Of course Rinpoche and Kechara will make it. We will all make it if we are cooperate and support each other. Rinpoche is my best and truest inspiration in life. Has given me lots more confidence to go all the way with Dharma and social media,and bring more people into dharma. I will always be around Rinpoche and support all the way to spread dharma on social media. Thank you very much Rinpoche for giving us dharma and may Rinpoche live long and healthy to spread dharma._/\_
Thank you Rinpoche for always reminding us to be persistent in our dharma work and don’t get affected by how others judge us. Everyone has their own perceptions. Importantly is our own motivation and everything we do are based on dharma. Although the path is not easy as we may face many rejection but we have to keep doing and believe in our protector.
Dear Rinpoche, your dedication and devotion to Dharma is most inspiring. Thank you for helping to wake up this old fool. <3
I am so grateful for your persistance and your devotion to the dharma. You are truly an inspiration to me an many many others.
Thank you Rinpoche for being real and for being who you are and I am so glad that Rinpoche is not the typical “monk” or “Lamas” that fits in to a box of preconceived ideas. I know I would probably not have followed Rinpoche if Rinpoche was not loud and “conservative”. I am sorry…and no offence but I am glad my Guru is cool! And the fact that Rinpoche is different from the norm is what makes Rinpoche all the more larger than life, that is what will attract those who will not normally go to temples or spiritual places.
Rinpoche really blew my mind away when I first met Rinpoche cos yeah I have never seen a “monk” so humorous and some what “b@#$%y”, and it really broke all my preconceived concepts of a quiet mindful “monk” that I’ve ever experienced. Rinpoche sure was mindful, alert, sharp, witty and to me it felt like this is definitely someone NOT “ordinary” and because of this that is why Rinpoche will make an impact!
Don’t just believe in our dreams, but take action to make it happen, make it a reality. If Rinpoche was just sitting and dreaming, we wouldn’t have Kechara today, we woudn’t have met Dharma. To repay our Guru’s kindness is to spread Dharma to others.
Without Rinpoche holding on to his guns and determination to do the dharma, many of us would not have any dharma to guide us at all. And so many people would have lived life not knowing any better. Thank you rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche,
I have never come across anyone like you. Besides being so compassionate and kind, you are highly intelligent, creative and humorous, and the best Dharma Teacher anyone could hope for.
At Kechara, you made it so easy, fun and interesting for everyone regardless of age, to learn and practise dharma. Your blog is oozing fun and knowledge, with heart-warming stories, great downloads and dharma practices.
Keep going, be strong and stay healthy. As you know, the whole of Kechara and your dharma friends throughout the world are right behind you. Do not let rumours or little gossips ruffle your feathers, or for that matter, wrinkle your robes.
All the best to you, Rinpoche.
Thank Buddha those days are over. Through Rinpoche’s perseverance and hard work, KECHARA is now one of the most successful and beautiful center in Malaysia. We Kecharians are so proud of Rinpoche for being here with us and never giving up on us. May Kechara grow in leaps and bounds and may KECHARA WORLD PEACE CENTER manifest soon!
My first time when I met Rinpoche was 1n 1992, that was 19 years ago.
Rinpoche literally “worked” throughout the day and night seeing people. One of them was my famiy. Each audiences was not for 10 mins or so. It was for hours as Rinpoche was very compassionate, Rinpoche spoke for hours in each audience to understand their problems and also gave individual dharma advice.
However, there were some sponsors and students who wanted to control Rinpoche.Some I knew and a few was my family friend which I am NOT SURPRISE. They saw Rinpoche as a money making machine, some wanted to control Rinpoche and etc. It was very sad as Rinpoche, a lama/monk had to go through all these.
Rinpoche put a stop to this and left his previous centre. Not only Rinpoche left but they (the previous centre) sponsors at that time refused to allow Rinpoche student to take Rinpoche personal belonging(Statues, thangkas and even Rinpoche’s robes) and they greedily kept the items to themselves.
And these people turned around and told Rinpoche and his students that they will NEVER make it. Sad. Well, I wonder what they have to say now?
Dear Su Ming,
It’s really sad to know that certain people can go to such extreme. Never mind that now, for KECHARA is moving to greater heights. Let’s just pray and hope that RINPOCHE will always be healthy and remain with us for a very long time.
It is sad that some people measure success with just only big number of members in a dharma centre, big buildings, big cars they and their members drive, big titles they have, etc.
But some of these people have small hearts, small kindness, never mind, compassion; small practices, small generosity, etc.
Rinpoche always wishes the best and success for every dharma centres on a global scale. But some centres run by just lay people only want their centre to do well and hope others fail. This is dharma?
Dear Rinpoche
The above article is one of the reasons I feel connected with you. In my life, I have been told so many times that I would not make it for a lot of things – championship, charity works, secular work, etc. I have been told that I am too weird, I don’t have feeling, I am selfish, I am stupid, etc. When I achieve something, they told me I am crazy, of course, I knew it. or the best they can say is “wow, that’s great.” At the end, it is me who determine I will make it or not. What other people say or their approval do not matter much. I value people for what they do and their determination to succeed.
Valentina
I am very thankful to Rinpoche that by not giving up I am on the receiving end of your wonderful and profound teachings which are being made easy for me to understand. By not giving up many others have benefited from your teachings.
Yes I remember those times. I was there. My motto in life: when someone tells me i suck and i cant make it, i turn my ‘anger’ around and use the energy to prove them wrong. When someone tells me i am so good and capable, I ride on it and get even more motivated and be even more sucessful. Either way, I WIN. And when I win, it has a positive rippling effect on others around me. It always works out for the best!
Dear Rinpoche,
You have fought off many obstacles to have Kechara House be in its current state. I think and hope Rinpoche will spread buddhism to not thousands but millions of people. Especially when KWPC comes up.
当有人说我们不可能时，有两个可能性。 第一，没自信的人会被这样的评语打沉，
放弃要做的事。第二，充满自信和知道自己想要做的是对的，将会努力的行动，以
达到目标。负面的评语有着激降法的效果，很适宜用在叛逆的人。你说我不能，我
偏要做，证明给你看我是能的。当我们成功了，我们应该感谢这些说我们不能的人。
是他们的激降法刺激我们的奋斗精神。kekeke…..
什么都阻止不了人心的志向，人心的志向是远大的。只要我们心存希望，永不言弃，
遇到再困难的事，也不放弃，反而充满斗志， 成功将在眼前，经历风雨后，将能见
彩虹！ 有志者事竟成！
也因为仁波切的坚持，才会有今天的克切拉。随喜，随喜。
I remembered Rinpoche has told a few of us that the centre he was in at that time the people there were like running a business centre, they would plan the itinerary for Rinpoche like how many teachings Rinpoche has to give in a month and when was Rinpoche supposed to give the teachings,just imagine how can the lay people control a highly attained lama,its wrong motivation! When Rinpoche left the centre they threatened to get people to beat up Rinpoche and his closed students. They also terminated Rinpoche’s teaching permit so that Ripoche can no longer stay here but somehow Rinpoche had fought all odds and difficulties to remain here with the people who are loyal and supportive of his dharma work to benefit others.Kechara is so well known here now and it will continue to grow and be known to the world soon. Who said Rinpoche wouldn’t make it, He has definitely proved them wrong!
Why that centre act such a harsh way towards Rinpoche and his closed students?Perhaps they think Rinpoche and his closed students are annoying.Anyway,it is not good/bad karma to disturb a genuine cultivators to cultivate Buddhism,Lama or Monks..People should be responsible in expressing their views in this cyber internet.they can’t just talk like there are alone in this Universe.
Why dorsemon, why can’t we share how the old center used unlawful methods to threaten Rinpoche and students?
We did not mention the center’s name but the high-handed manner they treat a recognised high lama.
Wrong doings should be exposed!
We were told by old students how one of the old cente leaders proudly announced that he’ll hire tugs to beat Rinpoche if he doesn’t want to follow their plans (to be their cash-cow of course).
The was proof that he did carry out his threat when Rinpoche left the center. Alas, Rinpoche has no bad karma and will never be harmed.
This is a lesson to all, Dharma is not for us to make worldly gains for ourselves… If you’re a Buddhist, please remember the Law of Karma – no one is above this Law!
To sum up, its a long journey full of many uncertainties. Rinpoche had really been very persistent and the love for Dharma couple with the correct motivation to benefit sentiment beings had really move beyond all obstacle and today, Kechara is standing tall as one of the most established and successful Dharma center in Malaysia. A lesson that I had learn here is, no matter how hard or dark the road in front, if we are sincere and pure in the heart and set the correct motivation, eventually, we will be able to shown to the correct doors. As the saying goes, “When one door closes, another door will be open for us”. Thank You Rinpoche, because if you are not persistent, I would have no chance to benefits from your teaching today.
Dear Rinpoche,
Life is full of ups and downs, especially doing Dharma work. A work that not much people will support. They all believes that we are all losers but what i think is they are a loser, they afraid to face themselves and the facts. Well I am very happy and thankful that i met Kechara and Rinpoche (Thanks to Louise that brought me to Kechara). I have the faith in Rinpoche and Kechara. I have the faith in what i am doing.
I thank you with my folded hand that Rinpoche did not give us up and believe in all of us.
I thank the people that always be with Rinpoche from the very beginning.
THANK YOU!!!
From Tanya Liddiatt on fb:If a person brings compassion, kindness and wisdom to the world then they have and will always “make it”. “I value karma more than face”, I think that’s a brilliant expression!. It takes guts to carry on your path when others around you are against you.
I wasn’t there from Day 1 but I have spoken often to some who were. Rinpoche went through very tough times before, and perhaps even more taxing emotionally than the lean years in the monasteries. Rinpoche came to Malaysia as a young albeit high Lama and wanted so much to teach and to give dharma to the people and instead he was abused and treated very badly.
We often forget that although Rinpoche is a Buddha, he is in a human form and is also prone to pain and hurt and with very few people to go to.
For me, I don’t know the Dalai Lama personally, or the Panchen Lama or Trijang Rinpoche. It would have been an honor and blessing to have known them personally. But they are not here.
Instead I have the great fortune to have known personally Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, who is here despite so many difficulties, whom I see with my eyes how he never stops working for the benefit of everyone, how he never stop caring even when we are more burden than asset. And how, more than anything else, Rinpoche wants us to transform. I wish everyone could see with their own eyes how Rinpoche would give 4-5 hour teachings, on his feet, even when he is ill and in pain.
If I may be so bold, it would take a lot of merits for us to meet a mere man with Tsem Rinpoche’s character and mind. He is the best person who could ever meet. To find that he is actually a Buddha who calls you by name and regards you as a friend and spends his entire life improving yours…I don’t know what to say.
Thank you Rinpoche for giving up so much and for putting up with so much and asking for nothing for your own in return.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for Rinpoche’s consistent passion for the Dharma without which we would not have a way to work towards being the best that we can be… and of course work hard! Rinpoche’s perseverance and indefatigable drive to spread the Dharma to benefit others throughout the years – no matter what the obstacles – is always inspirational and humbling. Thank you for staying with us and giving us the priceless opportunity to contribute towards fulfilling Rinpoche’s vision – may all of Rinpoche’s wishes be fulfilled smoothly and swiftly!
With folded hands,
Sharon
That is so humble sharing from Rinpoche. Result can prove someone wrong, Rinpoche has prove many people wrong. On other hand, Rinpoche already benefit many people.
Dear Rinpoche,
I believe Kechara is the best dharma centre .Kwpc will implement soon and benefit all people around world . And rinpoche are the world best guru in my heart . Million thanks for your teaching .
_/\_ _/\_ _/\_ thank you Rinpoche. 🙂
Great works and inspiration to all. Rinpoche as the name imply ‘ The Precious One’ should spread Buddhas teaching far and wide to every corner of this world so that living beings will keep remind themselves this world is not just worldly but transcendental to the ultimate reality.Nirvana.Everything what we see,feel and hear are false until we obtain perfect bright enlightenment only then we should be able to trust our mind or the mind of the Enlightened One.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this wonderful sharing on what you have went through for us to gain the Dharma. Not many of would be able to take all this slander without reacting in total rage. Rinpoche’s patience is impressive and inspirational. Betrayal by close ones are the most difficult to go through and Rinpoche has consistently gone through it again and again. We are truly fortunate to have met a real practitioner and a master. Thank you for the teachings every step of the way up.
The Guru who helps in getting one liberated cannot be equated in importance to formal learning of Divinity. The guru in practice provides the required guidance leading the disciples to the ultimate goal of the enlightenment. The guru and the disciples are inseperable in a committed way. Nothing can be achieved without the guru’s grace. Of course, if the disciple submits himself to the guru,his latent characteristic attitude is bound to unfold. Acquisition of successes of the disciples through the guru is not guru’s profession, but the inspiration of HIS heart. Spiritual life based on such a universal(non-sectarian) and sweet relationship between the guru and the disciples can certainly help to harmonious the diverse faiths in today’s troubled World! As Ted Turner of Turner Broadcasting once said – “All my life people have said that I wasn’t going to make it…you can never quit. Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
Dear Rinpoche,
Whatever anyone did or will say about Rinpoche in an adverse manner, will only be a bad reflection of the person who said so and will say so, as she/he is unable to recognise the sincerity and genuineness by which Rinpoche lives his life in the propagation of PURE DHARMA to benefit others.
Kechara will grow from Rinpoche’s planting seeds of purity and kindness in existing Kecharians and the structure of the Organisation. This is not a prophesy but rather a natural process of Karma, cause and effect.
Thank you Rinpoche for creating this wonderful platform for me to improve as a human being.
Which center was it?
Just you watch, KECHARA will grow! Kechara will be one of the great Dharma centers in the world and then everyone will want to be part of Kechara.
Unfortunately,this is how the world works. No matter how much knowledge or how good of a person you are, if you’re not popular no one will respect you, but there are exceptions.
I really respect and admire those people who stayed with Rinpoche through thick and thin. With their sincere commitment and hard work, Kechara is now greatly respected by the masses.
With your pure samaya, Rinpoche is able to carry out His works well and able to reach out to so many sentient beings.
THANK YOU ALL who have been with Rinpoche since Day 1!
We took some time to discuss the book, The Promise by Rinpoche (you can get the book from here http://vajrasecrets.com/the-promise-a-tsem-tulku-biography.html) a few weeks ago. Initially most of us were not aware there was so much to learn from this book about Rinpoche’s life story and journey in dharma.
We finished discussion on this book after 10 days. We all came to a conclusion that Rinpoche had never ever given up on dharma since the day he was born. Monks asked for him to go into the monastery but was refused. Then he went through very tough childhood and hardship to find his way back into dharma and met great Teachers and then Ganden to finally fulfill his wish to be a ordained monk.
Rinpoche’s journey in dharma showed great imprints from previous lives effort to only want to benefit others even though he has to sacrifice whatever he has. It was never about his own needs.
Rinpoche has never given up on us. When others told him to give up and would not make it, they did not realize the potential Rinpoche had then, now and future. We are the ones that gave him up.
Good morning Rinpoche,
I remembered you told a few of us this story. Those people who wanted to use you to run the dharma center as they wanted it. They wanted you to be their “puppet” teacher…..what a thought they could have! How could a highly attained lama be their students’ puppet? I wonder if they ever considered you as their teacher or just as a figure head to make money for their center. I also remember you told us that if you did not do what they wanted you to do, they would threaten and blackmail you. It was really a shame I must say.
On the other hand, we here at Kechara have to thank them tremendously, if not for them, you would not have set up Kechara and now with all the different depts in full blossomm, making spirituality a life style and a way of life in this modern age!
Dear Guru,
With holded hand, i thank you for not giving us up. Wish Kechara grow more and more to benefit more minds.