Tsem Rinpoche gave a little talk after a massive shopping spree to buy items for the various departments in Kechara. This was one of the many activities initiated by Rinpoche to take care of the well-being of Kechara’s staff.

Joy has been a student of His Eminence the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche for over 15 years. Through the years, Joy has witnessed Rinpoche’s compassion and the unconventional methods he uses to benefit others. Some of the short stories she shares will tell interesting miraculous events that Rinpoche will not mention due to his humility. She hopes these stories will serve as an inspiration in your own spiritual journey.

Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Shopping With Rinpoche

“Shopping was not exactly Rinpoche’s favourite pastime.
When Rinpoche did go shopping, it was always for others, rarely for himself.”
– Karen Chong

What Karen mentioned above is true. I remember when I used to ask myself, “Why does Rinpoche love to shop?” but that question is like asking, “Why does Rinpoche care so much?” For Rinpoche, putting others first and caring for them was like breathing. It was his natural state and also his focus.

Rinpoche bought a lot of things for people, that is a fact, but it was about more than just making them happy. It was a way to connect with people and, if possible, guide them onto a good path. The items Rinpoche bought for his students and friends were always well thought out to suit that person. Those gifts could touch a person deeply. At times they were also given to heal someone and provide them with some hope and relief from their pain. But I am not going to talk about gifts here; instead, I will write about such generosity from the perspective of those of us who assisted Rinpoche.

The Tsem Ladrang (household) team, affectionately called “the slaves” by Rinpoche, served him daily which meant we also assisted Rinpoche on shopping trips. From our side, it was a mind-blowing experience to go shopping with Rinpoche because it was a whole new ball game. Shopping with Rinpoche was another method to teach us clowns about awareness, kindness and selflessness. Even if we did not understand the qualities being taught, we learnt how to be super-duper efficient at the very least!

There was a time when Rinpoche formed a small team to assist him daily. Rinpoche named our little team “The Kind Group” because we needed to be kinder and focus more on others, and Rinpoche took us under his wing to personally train us in this. One of the many things that Rinpoche loved doing was to ask us, “What shall we do for the day?” and such a question became a part of our daily routine. After Rinpoche woke up and finished his breakfast, and drank some tea, he would ask us the question. It was actually training us to think on our toes. To think creatively and thoroughly, but at the same time to be spontaneous.

One of our favourite proposed activities was to go shopping. We often suggested going to a mall or a particular shop that had many interesting items that either Rinpoche liked or would be good gifts to get for others. However, it was not just about thinking of ideas of where to shop. We also had to think of who we could get items for. We had to remember if we observed things about a particular student that might need help and let Rinpoche know. Sometimes, we also needed to remind Rinpoche that he wanted to get a gift for someone. Finally, we needed to think about the gifts themselves and if they were appropriate for the particular person in mind. It was a way to push ourselves to think in detail, which we usually do not do when it comes to others. I never thought that such a mundane activity like shopping, which I used to love doing, would require me to use my brain so much!

In addition, Rinpoche was highly susceptible to terrible skin rashes if he sweated due to humidity. Hence, going shopping was one of the ways Rinpoche was able to get out for a walk in a suitable environment. Walking around in an air-conditioned mall was one such ideal place.

If and when Rinpoche agreed to go shopping, we needed to get everything ready. From the car to Rinpoche’s cushions, shoes, and drinks, in case Rinpoche got thirsty, we prepared it all. We even had to ensure that there was enough dog food in the car, as Rinpoche liked to feed strays and bless them whenever he saw them along the road. Such preparations were another way to train us to be efficient. Shopping was never just shopping. We had to be prepared for anything.

Come rain or shine, Rinpoche was always helping others. This is a picture of when Rinpoche was on a mission to find some furniture to help facilitate work. Rinpoche is seen holding an umbrella, with a bunch of ‘clowns’ trying to give Rinpoche as much information as possible before heading into the shop. It was always best to think ahead and be as efficient as possible, so we didn’t waste Rinpoche’s time and energy.

When out with Rinpoche, one person always led us to where we were going. This was pretty stressful, especially if we did not know the way. That is why it was best to find out as much as possible before arriving at the mall. We also needed to be alert and mindful as Rinpoche might want to stop at certain shops or make a detour if we led the way. Sometimes, Rinpoche purposely changed directions to see how alert we were. And we needed to move very fast when shopping with Rinpoche; at 6ft 3in, Rinpoche was very tall so one of Rinpoche’s steps was at least three of mine when walking alongside him!

Rinpoche was also extremely fast at picking things out when shopping. Rinpoche would pick out the items in one shop and then move on to the next shop if we had several places to go. In the meantime, someone (usually Pastor Seng Piow) handled payment at the first shop. This meant we needed to be alert and fast to take the items from Rinpoche once he picked them out; since 90% of the items Rinpoche bought were usually for other people, at the same time we also had to check the items thoroughly to ensure there were no defects or they were not damaged, and get them ready at the cashier. Hence teamwork was vital to get things done efficiently and cohesively.

I remember one incident when Rinpoche bought a bunch of items for a student because she was not doing so well at the time. Rinpoche spent a couple of hundred ringgit on groceries for the lady and her family and had us deliver them to her house that very night after we finished shopping. She was surprised and moved by Rinpoche’s kind gesture. Who would buy groceries and deliver them to your doorstep in the middle of the night?

Rinpoche, Pastor Lanse, Bryan Ho, myself and Abby. We had just finished a quick shopping trip for items to be distributed to some students.

When on such shopping excursions, we did not just follow along. We tried to anticipate where Rinpoche wanted to go next and if it was getting close to mealtime, we would also have to propose somewhere to go. This meant having to find out if the restaurant was open, if it served vegetarian food, if it was air-conditioned, and if had a quiet corner that we could all fit in. This was usually a challenge since we would finish shopping quite late most of the time, when most places would be closed, thus leaving us with minimal choices.

And so teamwork became vital again, because it meant we had to crack our heads and make calls to various restaurants all around the city. We also had to be quick as well, because Rinpoche had gastritis and had to eat on time. So all of us always tried to have in our heads a list of places to go to, ready for when Rinpoche asked for suggestions.

All in all, it was fun and exciting to go shopping with Rinpoche, though it could be stressful if one were not used to being fast, alert, and being able to think on our feet. We also had to think out of the box because the whole shopping exercise was about making another person happy.

It is true that Rinpoche did not like shopping. When done for ourselves, it can be frivolous but Rinpoche always did it for others, to show his care and help someone. Giving was second nature to Rinpoche, and shopping was just another method that Rinpoche used, an extension of his altruism. Nothing Rinpoche did was ever for himself or his own pleasure.

As for the Ladrang team? It was all about training us to focus out. Let’s face it – when we usually go shopping, we are typically focused on ourselves and what we want to buy. How many of us go out shopping for others without an agenda?

How many of us would spend thousands on others? Or take the time to think thoroughly about a person’s character, likes, and dislikes? Or have the intuition to know what the person actually needs at that point in their life? And know the perfect gift for them?

When we shop, it is 90% for ourselves. But Rinpoche transformed this strong act of self-cherishing into an act of compassion. Indirectly, without us even realising it, Rinpoche was planting the seeds of Bodhicitta in our minds. He pushed us to think about another person in detail when we usually only think about ourselves.

For more interesting information:

• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Tsem Rinpoche, My Protector
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Looking for That Switch!
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Taboo Words
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Cooking For Rinpoche
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Vajra Yogini or Anger?
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – The Assignment
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Change Karma
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Creating The Causes
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Buddha Images and Imprints
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Food and Dharma
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Spreading Dharma in Jonker Street
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – What’s the New News?
• Rinpoche Through My Eyes – Mission Impossible

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