When I first arrived in Gaden in 1987. I had very little money. I had no financial support. I need only US$50 a month to buy basic needs, some foods and items. The monastery provides one bowl of rice and a large spoon of lentils once a day at the time and sometimes (1x or 2x a week) bread in the morning…Monastery was poor too Many monks were poor… Many monks seeked sponsorship to supplement their studies. I wrote my step-parents in New Jersey to help. My father told me to give up the monk hood, return to USA, go to University, live a life he deemed would make me happy. My relatives didn’t reply much. Perhaps my parents asked them not to.. If I did what my dad said, he would buy me a car and pay for Univerity with my other needs. If I did not comply then do not write them nor my relatives begging for money or help again. He said I embarrass them in front of the relatives and community. He said I was fanatical. And earlier he said I joined a cult with cult leaders. He said he did not like what I was doing and I was going the wrong way. He wants me back. He and my mom loved me I know..but love is not doing what they want-no offense. I didn’t want to fight or argue, as how can being a monk or studying Dharma be wrong. I still wrote to him/mom on other things, but their letters became less. They disowned me..They said so. I was very hurt, but that was their choice.. I struggled for years. My weight dropped dramatically as I didn’t get much food anymore. Medical at times was a challenge also. I didn’t go for dentists or anything for nearly a decade. I am not complaining, but it was a huge struggle to pursue my dharma goals.. But I was determined to continue my Dharma no matter what. I didn’t want to ‘hurt’ my parents, but I understood, they didn’t understand what I was doing and I was not going to live their life as I know it would not be for me nor would I be happy. Finally one Buddhist nun in the US sent me US$50 a month a couple of years later..I bought rice, lentils, beans, oil, flour, vegetables, cooking pots, laundry soap, blankets, etc that I needed. My weight was better..She was a ray of hope and survival. I will never forget this nun’s kindness to me ( http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/interview-with-anila-thupten-chonyid.html and http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/the-cowshed-that-was-my-home-in-gaden.html ) My parents are passed away now and my relatives in the States say they are proud of me. But I am glad I didn’t give up. I would do it again if necessary. Nothing in this world will turn me from Dharma ever. Tsem Rinpoche
When I first arrived in Gaden in 1987. I had very little money. I had no financial support. I need only US$50 a month to buy basic needs, some foods and items. The monastery provides one bowl of rice and a large spoon of lentils once a day at the time and sometimes (1x or 2x a week) bread in the morning…Monastery was poor too Many monks were poor… Many monks seeked sponsorship to supplement their studies. I wrote my step-parents in New Jersey to help. My father told me to give up the monk hood, return to USA, go to University, live a life he deemed would make me happy. My relatives didn’t reply much. Perhaps my parents asked them not to.. If I did what my dad said, he would buy me a car and pay for Univerity with my other needs. If I did not comply then do not write them nor my relatives begging for money or help again. He said I embarrass them in front of the relatives and community. He said I was fanatical. And earlier he said I joined a cult with cult leaders. He said he did not like what I was doing and I was going the wrong way. He wants me back. He and my mom loved me I know..but love is not doing what they want-no offense. I didn’t want to fight or argue, as how can being a monk or studying Dharma be wrong. I still wrote to him/mom on other things, but their letters became less. They disowned me..They said so. I was very hurt, but that was their choice.. I struggled for years. My weight dropped dramatically as I didn’t get much food anymore. Medical at times was a challenge also. I didn’t go for dentists or anything for nearly a decade. I am not complaining, but it was a huge struggle to pursue my dharma goals.. But I was determined to continue my Dharma no matter what. I didn’t want to ‘hurt’ my parents, but I understood, they didn’t understand what I was doing and I was not going to live their life as I know it would not be for me nor would I be happy. Finally one Buddhist nun in the US sent me US$50 a month a couple of years later..I bought rice, lentils, beans, oil, flour, vegetables, cooking pots, laundry soap, blankets, etc that I needed. My weight was better..She was a ray of hope and survival. I will never forget this nun’s kindness to me ( https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/interview-with-anila-thupten-chonyid.html and https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/the-cowshed-that-was-my-home-in-gaden.html ) My parents are passed away now and my relatives in the States say they are proud of me. But I am glad I didn’t give up. I would do it again if necessary. Nothing in this world will turn me from Dharma ever. Tsem Rinpoche
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