Celebration of Dashain in Kechara Forest Retreat
Kechara Forest Retreat was conceptualised to become a space where a conscious community manifests and matures. Envisioned by H.E the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, a conscious community is one that embraces the following tenets:
- Respectful of all paths so we live in harmony together.
- Values all life because we are dependent on each other.
- Embraces diversity so that we can enrich each other.
- Helps others because they are more important than ourselves.
- Upholds universal values for the betterment of society.
- Awakens the great spiritual potential, to live with passion, joy and purpose.
Abundant offerings of food, incense and flowers made to Buddha Shakyamuni image at the Nepalese Cabin where KB & Ram stay. The virtue of generosity is the first to outer and inner wealth.
In bringing forth the consciousness to embrace diversity, the Kechara Forest Retreat Team celebrated Dashain with KB and Ram on 3 October 2014. Dashain is the longest and most anticipated festival of Nepal that falls in September or October according to the lunar calendar. This 15-days celebration emphasizes on family gathering and renewal of community ties. KB and Ram left their homes back in Nepal to be a part of the big Kechara family for a few years. It is never easy to live so far away from family or friends and festive occasions are moments in which we miss home most. So, Kechara Forest Retreat got into the Dashain mood and declared this a “public holiday”.
The day started early with lots of excited preparation to cook up a feast of traditional Nepalese cuisine like bread, black chickpea dhal, green bean curry, pumpkin seed sambal. It was very sweet and heartwarming to see our colleagues welcome us in their home with a homemade sign. We believe it is the conscious effort to respect each other’s culture, tradition and individuality that formed a strong and deep meaning to the celebration. The boys greeted us in a traditional manner where KB put tilaka, which is a mix of uncooked rice grains, yoghurt and red coloring on the forehead of guests as well as a sprig of leaf at the top of our heads as a blessing. Then everyone gathered at the dining table before the meal was served.
This feast that was prepared by the boys at Kechara Forest Retreat. We can evidently see the care that was put into creating such a wholesome menu that is beautifully presented and arranged. It moves us to receive this effort!
The red tilaka is used to mark the forehead on special occasions.
Top image: A group photo with KB and Ram in front of Buddha Shakyamuni (from left to right: Gim Lee, Pam, KB, Su Ming, Ram, Sock Wan, Carmen and Karen).
Below left image: The delicious food was carefully plated for each guest.
Below right image: The tilaka made by our boys.
As festivities are truly about giving, Rinpoche arranged for a lot of gifts to be presented to the boys all the way from USA. Obviously, the boys are football fans! Kechara House’s President, Datuk May Phng, presented each boy with an Ang Pow (red packet with gift money inside; it is a Chinese custom to gift an Ang Pow at special occasions) and some candies. Pastor Henry also represented the Kechara Forest Retreat Team to present the boys with an Ang Pow while the Gift Team and Green Team presented the hosts with telephone cards for making international calls to their families.
Datuk May, Kechara House President, present each boy with an Ang Pow and a bag of candies in appreciation for their hard and sincere work.
Before the guests relished the delicious meal prepared, the first 2 portions were presented to Tsem Rinpoche and the Buddha. The gesture may seem simple but there is so much significance as it is a reflection of consciousness that they learnt and developed over the years they spent with Rinpoche and in the Dharma. The mindfulness to offer the first serving to the Guru and Buddha is a reflection of gratitude and generosity that is nurtured through the consistent show of kindness by Rinpoche. Although these young men came to Malaysia with the sole purpose of saving money for a future for their loved ones, KB and Ram “earned” a lot more in the form of sustainable personal growth that transforms into conscious actions of body, speech and mind. This is the type of impact that draws many others and us to the vision of Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara.
Tsem Rinpoche arranged for a table full of gifts to be gifted to the boys all the way from USA. Rinpoche never forgets anyone regardless of distance.
The first portion of food was specially plated as an offering to Tsem Rinpoche in appreciation to his care, generosity, kindness and patience to teach.
As we enjoyed the meal and experienced the burst of wonderful flavours of the exotic Nepalese meal, we listened to that colourful conversation of various subject matters as each of us came from such different backgrounds and soaked up the laughter shared at the dining table. A sense of gratitude and happiness arose from within us to be a part of a community like this where we become conscious of the need for acceptance, the interdependence of each living being and the benefit of living in harmony. Each of us is a conscious member of this beautiful community who have had taken the first step to live “differently”… this celebration of Dashain in Kechara Forest Retreat shows us that we are moving towards the right direction.
A feast is not just about the food but also about the sincere and grateful sharing of life, laughter and generosity.
It is worth mentioning at this point that, it is customary to sacrifice life as offering to the Gods on Dashain. However, because of the teachings by Rinpoche, the sacrifice of animals has been replaced with offering of milk and yoghurt. Not only have KB and Ram adapted their custom to be kind to fellow earthlings, they have shared their learning with family and friends back home. Traditions are precious but we are in the 21st century, adaptation to time with wisdom and compassion is necessary and beneficial.
Thank you,
Phng Li Kheng and Julia Tan
For more interesting information:
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- Fresh and Healthy Home Grown Vegetables
- 2D1N Photography Meditation Programme is Back!
- RM2 Feeds A Hungry Bird
- Jalan Chamang Clean Up – Happy Malaysia Day!
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Happy Dashain celebration to everyone. For some of us so fortunate to celebrate special days with our family and loved one but for those who are working in foreign country and faraway from family and friends, it may not be the same. So glad that KFR team have this celebration with Nepalis colleague. It is the integration, respect, tolerance and care that bring the whole team together. Thank you Rinpoche for always reminding us to care for others.
Wow…..Dashain is the grandest, longest and most auspicious festival in Nepal which lasts for 15 days. And is celebrated throughout the country declared as a national holiday. Similar to our Chinese New Year been celebrated throughout the 15 days. On this most anticipated festival, all the government offices, educational institutes and organizations remain closed in order to celebrate it together with their family and friends. Dasain has also emphasized the importance of family reunion. Hence for KB and Ram, leaving home behind , staying in Malaysia having this celebration spent with friends at Kechara Forest Retreat is simply wonderful. Its interesting to know how it was celebrated and some knowledge of it. In fact it is the first time coming across this celebration. As living in a multinational and cultural country Malaysia we have a number celebrations which we could enjoy.
Thank you for Phng Li Kheng and Julia Tan for this sharing.
Malaysia is a country with lots of different cultures. We have the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians, the Ibans, the Bidayus and many other tribes. With the recent influx of Nepalese workers, we now have the privilege of adding Nepalese culture to Malaysia.
Rinpoche has said many times that, given a choice, people would not want to leave their home to a foreign/alien land to work. The anxiety is just too much, but many of them have no choice because of the difficulties in their home land. As such, we must always be kind to them.
Thank you Li Kheng and Julia for sharing this article. I find that the Dashain celebration is quite interesting. The food that the KB and Ram cooked also looks delicious. It is always interesting to learn about other people’s culture. I am happy for KB and Ram as they have a good and caring Dharma family here in Kechara Forest Retreat who never treat them like strangers but care for them. We are all so blessed to have care for one another.
With folded palms,
Vivian
The food that the Nepali guys prepare are delicious. I am happy to hear that this Dashain is wholly vegetarian based. The first time I went to Nepal, Rinpoche gave us a teaching on how it is important to be kind to nepali workers in Malaysia, as no one want to leave their country and families just to make some money. That time when I heard that it felt almost like a wake up call, as I never heard anyone in Malaysia who would put care towards foreign workers.
For those working far away from home, homesickness is more intensely experienced over festive times and it is great that Kecharians from different background gathered as a family to celebrate such a significant festival together. This actually goes beyond being just a heart-warming event but is also a testament of the Guru’s teachings. It is obvious that the conduct of the students in this instance (from being considerate towards fellow Kecharians, to adopting change out of kindness towards animals etc) are driven by compassion and to a certain extent reflect the qualities of the Guru. It really is inspirational to see such embodiment of our Guru teachings in action.
How wonderful to see such a happy celebration of Dashain in Kechara Forest Retreat. Being a important festival in Nepal, I am sure that the Nepali boys who came to Malaysia to work must miss celebrating with their family. It is the kindness of our Guru to be always aware of their comfort and as such, the Kecharians helping them celebrate are very kind to make this day as special as possible for the Nepali boys. The food looks fantastically yummy and everyone looks like they had fun. Thank you for sharing this wonderful event with us.
Respectful of all paths so we live in harmony together.
Values all life because we are dependent on each other.
Embraces diversity so that we can enrich each other.
Helps others because they are more important than ourselves.
Upholds universal values for the betterment of society.
Awakens the great spiritual potential, to live with passion, joy and purpose.
Celebrating Dashain in Kechara Forest Retreat embodies the above tenets. The Nepali get to celebrate their important days with joy and the rest of their new family in Malaysia.
Due to Rinpoche’s kindness all these are happening and everyone in Kechara Forest Retreat is living the dharma of kindness, love and harmony which is ever so beautiful.
Thank you, Li Kheng and Julia for this sharing on Dashain in Kechara Forest Retreat.
It is very heartwarming to see celebration of festivals by people of different color and faith. The Nepalese colleagues left their home behind for a few years to work hard and support their family. It is certainly not easy to be away from family and home. Hence it is very admirable for Kechara to host a feast during the beautiful Dashain Festival in Kechara Forest Retreat. The sincerity of all the participants at this celebration shines through beautifully as seen from the photos.
Thank you Rinpoche, Li Kheng and Julia for sharing.
Humbly,
Stella Cheang