Stories from a Chela – The Journey to Manjushri
The majestic statue of Manjushri atop Manjushri Hill, Kechara Forest Retreat
‘Chela’ is Sanskrit for ‘student’, particularly the student of a spiritual teacher. Stories from a Chela is a series of short posts of my personal experiences with His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche. I hope that these stories will give you a glimpse into how Tsem Rinpoche, and the unique brand of Dharma that Rinpoche embodied, have benefited me and countless others.
The Journey to Manjushri
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche was beloved for his unique presentation of Buddhist teachings. He transmitted ancient knowledge with a contemporary twist, which made for transformational experiences and lifelong lessons.
I count myself lucky that I was able to spend time with Rinpoche, serving as part of his Ladrang (personal household). When I look back at our time with Rinpoche, it seems that literally every day was a teaching in one way or another, even if we didn’t realise it at the time. Whether we considered our experiences to be positive, negative or neutral, each was suffused with the Dharma and meant to help us transform something in our lives for the better. One such experience is what I like to call ‘The Journey to Manjushri’.
Those who have visited Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) know that it is hot and humid, typical of a tropical Malaysian jungle. The scorching daytime heat is almost unbearable while nights are usually muggy, too. Respite only comes in the early morning when cooling mists blanket the lush land, a sight and sensation that has always left me feeling healed and refreshed.
Rinpoche usually worked all night and rarely rested. On rare occasions when there was a nighttime breeze, Rinpoche would have us open all the windows and doors to the private room where he worked and slept. It was on a night like this that Rinpoche decided he wanted to go on a walk around KFR.
But there was a twist. Rinpoche didn’t actually want to walk; he wanted us to exercise. Most of us in the Ladrang team at the time were also in the Writers team. We helped Rinpoche disseminate his unique brand of Dharma through live streams, YouTube videos and other methods. Almost all our waking moments were spent indoors, behind computer screens or serving Rinpoche.
Rinpoche always cared for us, especially for our health. He made sure that Ladrang provided ample food and care to all its staff and everyone else at KFR. So, instead of walking, Rinpoche decided some of the Ladrang team would push him in his wheelchair all over KFR.
Off we went. Now, KFR is not flat land, there are a lot of hills and we soon arrived at an intersection atop one of them. If we turned right, we would follow the road to the front entrance; if we went straight, we would go down a hill towards our Tara Grotto; and if we turned left, we would have to tackle the very, very steep Manjushri Hill crowned by our outdoor stone Manjushri statue.
Manjushri manifests in many forms, here is a form of Manjushri known as Dharmadhatu Vagishvara Manjushri together with Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more beautiful thangkas.
Rinpoche joked with us that we were going up the really steep hill, but opted to turn right towards KFR’s front entrance. We were only halfway there when Rinpoche asked us to stop and take a break. So, we sat down and talked for a while, after which Rinpoche said we should go back to Ladrang.
On our way back, we came to the same intersection and Rinpoche casually told us we were going up the steep hill. I chuckled softly, thinking that Rinpoche was joking again. In fact, we all thought Rinpoche was joking. But when Rinpoche didn’t say anything for a minute, we started to wonder.
I remember locking eyes with Karen who had a questioning look on her face because she knew pushing Rinpoche up the hill would be an ordeal. Then, Rinpoche simply said, “What are you all waiting for? Let’s go to see Manjushri!”
My jaw hit the floor. Manjushri Hill is very steep. People find themselves panting for breath and covered in sweat just walking up and we were going to be pushing another person in a wheelchair. Even cars have trouble going up it!
We began pushing Rinpoche’s wheelchair but started to slow down as the incline steepened. Getting up the hill was going to take a lot of strength and none of us was used to the physical exertion. Then, we figured out that if both Pastor David and I pushed the wheelchair at the same time, we could keep moving. Even then, our strength started to give halfway up and we had to stop. Rinpoche cracked a joke that we were supposed to be going up the hill and not backwards. Pastor David and I began pushing the wheelchair again and Karen and Pastor Jean Ai pushed us. It was all quite comical.
By the time we reached the top, we were utterly exhausted. Rinpoche asked us to circumambulate the Manjushri statue and made strong prayers to Manjushri for all of us. Rinpoche then proceeded to explain to us that the journey to enlightenment is difficult, like the journey we had just made.
Distracting thoughts and delusions waylay us on the road to perfection, the state of enlightenment symbolised by the Manjushri statue. Despite the difficulties we encounter on our journey of transformation, we must overcome them. The struggle to better ourselves is worth it because, once we reach the top, we become a Buddha.
Rinpoche led a short pilgrimage to have audience with Manjushri and generate strong aspirational prayers for enlightenment
We finished with Rinpoche making aspirational prayers for us that we achieve the state of Manjushri (full enlightenment) and a completion dedication. Then, Rinpoche simply said, “And once you are enlightened, you come back to Samsara to help everyone else! Let’s go back down.”
The journey down the hill was just as physically demanding. We had to keep a firm grasp on the wheelchair because if we had let go, Rinpoche would have rolled uncontrollably down the hill! Rinpoche joked with us on the way back to Ladrang, happy that we had made such strong prayers to Manjushri.
This twilight lesson embodies Rinpoche’s motivations in all that he did. Rinpoche did not just ask people to better themselves, Rinpoche did it himself tirelessly, day and night without proper rest and with no expectations of gratitude. But he was happy with Kechara’s work because of how we benefit others in their spiritual journey towards perfection.
Rinpoche used uncanny methods of teaching in experiential ways and this was definitely one of them. The physical exertion of the journey, coupled with the powerful teaching never to give up on the spiritual path of transformation is something that I will never forget. It has been seared into my mind, and I am thankful to Rinpoche for the powerful and inspirational experience.
For more interesting information:
- Stories from a Chela – Daimajin and Wrathful Deities
- Stories from a Chela – Real Worship
- Stories from a Chela – The Roadside Seller
- Stories from a Chela – Blessing the Animal Realm
- Stories from a Chela – Real Transformation
- Stories from a Chela – Za Rahula and Strange Habits
- Stories from a Chela – Spiritual Nourishment for All
- Stories from a Chela – The Lama that Builds
- Stories from a Chela – The Teaching in the Tea
- Stories from a Chela – Incense Offering That Saves Lives
- Stories from a Chela – Supernatural Protection
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Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for sharing this hilarious and yet profound teachings on the journey of transformation to enlightenment!🙏😍☸️👍💜
“The journey to enlightenment is difficult” like the arduous climb up to Manjushri at the top of a steep slope of Manjushri Hill . However, as the ‘entourage of four’ helped Rinpoche up all the way up to Manjushri’s shrine, Rinpoche explained (when they had reached the shrine) how well worth it this arduous journey to Enlightenment is. How well worth it to transform our minds from its gross state of being mired in distractions and delusions (that will lead us only to suffering) to the state of perfection called Enlightenment.
Then, like a true Bodhisattva warrior, after achieving Buddhahood, Rinpoche explained(as he told them to go down back to the Ladrang), “… once you are enlightened, you come back to Samsara to help everyone else! ”
How powerful this experiential teaching by Rinpoche is, especially when it is embodied in the spirit of joyful and determined effort of Pastor Niral and Pastor David when they were pushing Rinpoche in his wheel-chair up to Manjushri!
Thank you Pastor Niral for this wonderful sharing of a powerful teaching of our compassionate Rinpoche in this heartwarming story!
Yes…..Manjushri Hill is very steep. Going up hill is difficult for some people. They may find themselves panting for breath if they have not been up before. That was just walking up and not say pushing another person in a wheelchair…. Hrr I can imaging , I will be sweating then. We have experienced before even our car got trouble going up there.
There must be a reason when Rinpoche asked they to do it…..as explained later it’s a lesson and teachings after all . The journey to enlightenment is difficult. No journey is easy , we have to learn the hard way to achieve what we want. We have to strive no matter how hard things get, no matter how troublesome we feel. No matter how tough things get, we have to continue and keep trying. Or else like the wheel chair will go backwards if we give up .
Whatever difficulties we encounter along the journey of transformation we must strive to improve, overcome them which is worth doing.
Thank you Pastor Niral for this wonderful sharing and teachings.
What a short story that warms my heart!
Hopefully I’ll remember that whenever I go up Manjushri Hill. The road to Enlightenment is difficult but worth the journey. What could be better than a transforming journey with one’s Guru!
There’s also another way of practicing this that I’ve learnt from Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Lama Zopa Rinpoche said that whenever we are walking down the stairs, remember that we are going down to samsara to help others. Then, whenever we are walking up the stairs, remember that we are bringing many sentient beings out off the samsara. That’s the Bodhisattva path to Enlightenment. It’s practical in that way too. Also, this will reinforce our daily awareness.
Thanks Pastor for sharing