152 Responses to For those who seek spirituality

1. 

   Samfoonheei on Oct 24, 2021 at 1:22 pm

   Thank you Rinpoche for sharing what it means to be spiritual . A well explanation and easy understanding for everyone of us.
   Everyone of us came to learning Dharma at centre for a reason. To me learning , practicing Dharma is something I wanted to do since retirement. From nothing and someone like me who knew nothing , learning from scratch get to learn and practice Dharma is indeed blessing. I wanted to make use of my finally journey meaningfully. We came to this world with nothing hence we leave with nothing. Life is ironic. Time is short though yet I am glad coming into dharma….gave me a peaceful mind especially in recitation of mantras, learning to let go of things, attachments and so forth. We are fortunate to have meet Rinpoche who cares more for us than himself. That’s truly a teacher. Reading those articles in the blogs have me learn a tiny fragment of what is like to be spiritual.
   Thank you Rinpoche again with folded hands.
   Well said by Rinpoche ….There is no such thing as you are ready or not to do dharma intensely or seriously. As long as you are in samsara and enduring birth, sickness, old age and death, YOU ARE MORE THAN READY.

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2. 

   Pastor Antoinette on May 15, 2017 at 9:09 pm

   Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us what it means to be spiritual. We all have our projections and expectations and often they are one of the reasons we join the Dharma Center. But we have to remember what Rinpoche wrote:

   “But sometimes the expectations are not real. You have to take responsibility, learn the dharma and apply the solutions consistently and in time you will see things get better. There will be relief. Sometimes the problems become ‘instantly better’ because due to hearing dharma, you change your perspective towards it. Don’t hold everything fast and hard. Allow space for change because nothing is permanent and set in stone for most.”

   It is such a blessing to meet the Dharma and especially a precious teacher, Rinpoche, is most fortunate.

   I rejoice for Frederick accomplishing the water offering retreat. May many follow his example.

   Here is an article with more information on Making Water Offerings to the Buddhas

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   • 

     Pastor Antoinette on May 15, 2017 at 9:12 pm

     https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/making-water-offerings-to-the-buddhas.html

     Reply
3. 

   Julien Roth on Jul 12, 2015 at 5:57 pm

   Firstly, i would like to agree to what Rinpoche has said.

   Over the years i have been in Kechara, i have witnessed first hand of people who use the Dharma for selfish needs. They come into Dharma centres like Kechara and expect an instant effect. But from the article we know that consistency is needed to have effect. So when these people come to Dharma centres, they are very very good for a short period of time. They are dedicated for as long as their problems still arise. But then they realise and start to question why their problems have not gone, even though they are doing Dharma work. Its people who think like this who bad talk about Dharma centres and say the work done there doesn’t work. This is a very selfish way of thinking. Because individuals are too lazy and too impatient to stay in the Dharma, they do not have the benefits and they go against the Dharma.

   I have witnessed this happen to people close to me and i hope that because of this post, people now understand to appreciate the Dharma and its centres. Also i hope that people learn that in order to benefit from Dharma practices, determination and consistency is needed.

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4. 

   Hee TS on Dec 21, 2014 at 6:50 pm

   感谢仁波切这甚深及强有力的教诲，譲人时时刻刻審察起心動念，是否如法。Frederick Law 體现出绝对依止上師，服从上師给于的指示，將之贯彻達成，這也是我们該学习的好榜样。

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5. 

   Rena Wong on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:56 am

   Dear Rinpoche,

   Thank you for this profound teaching & explanation on seeking spirituality.

   It is important to understand ourselves why we wish to seek spirituality and join a Dharma centre. The aim is to help use understand ourself when faced with problems and difficult situations. We learn the Dharms and apply the practice or methods. Through consistent effort & commitment we will see improvement and have better control of our problems. We will be able to set ourself as an example and help to benefit others.

   Everyone of us have weakness and strengths. Everyone have problems, bitterness, regrets, difficulties to overcome. In the Dharma centre we should not judge. We should improve and help with good motivation to help errant people in the centre who are our objects of compassion & inspiration and not disdain. 

   We must learn & apply the Buddha’s teachings, gain hope from the doctrine of cause & effect(karma). When we learn to counter the inner war, outer wars in our life will decrease and we find peace. We will become happier, more positive in life and help more people.

   Thank you Rinpoche for your inspiration and opening Kechara House to help many beings relieve from sufferings through methods & practices ie. puja, meditations, reciting mantras, making offerings,  study the Dharma , volunteering or working as full time staff. This are time-tested and deemed effective by hundreds of masters in the last 2500 years of Buddhism.

   We are the solution and not anyone else.

   With folded hands,
   Rena

   Sent from my iPad

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6. 

   Lum Kok Luen on Oct 4, 2014 at 4:28 pm

   Dear Rinpoche,
   I thank you from the bottom of my heart for another inspiring teaching. This teaching has brought more meaning to the Kechara Volunteer Class that some of us have been attending over the last two weeks.

   1) I am truly blessed and appreciative of this teaching as it has pre-empted me to expect what to expect when we start on our Dharma journey in a center (in this case it’s Kechara)

   2) It makes me revisit my motivation and ask myself several again am I prepared for this journey of being in a Dharma center to volunteer with a clear and simple mind that I should not expect any selfish returns/ benefits. I am truly convinced now.

   3) I am prepared to be rejected, told off, ignored or even disappointed along the journey and Rinpoche’s teaching here certainly prepared me to go all the way in Dharma.

   4) I hope to be an example to my friends and family that I can be transformed through a well rounded mind transformation as prescribed by Lord Buddha 2,600 years ago – with a sincere motivation to benefit others.

   Thank you Rinpoche _/\_

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7. 

   SL Boon on Oct 3, 2014 at 12:28 am

   Thank you Rinpoche and Rejoice to Frederick! I will keep these in mind as I progress forward to my future days in Kechara.

   Boon

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8. 

   Judy Chen on Oct 1, 2014 at 5:43 pm

   Dear Rinpoche,

   Thank you for this blog post.

   By engaging or volunteering in dharma, we should always follow what our teacher, senior students have been practicing. We should not just seek a dharma centre to resolve problems.
   We should learn, practice like our teacher and senior students have done with honesty, integrity and sincerely as we are not enlightened. This will bring about improvements in our lives if let go of our ego and make effort to learn and practice dharma just like our Guru and seniors. If we set our motivation right, volunteer for engaging in dharma work, will bring merits and improvement to our live perception.

   With folded hands,
   Thank you Rinpoche

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9. 

   Toh Cheng See on Sep 27, 2014 at 11:49 pm

   Firstly , Rejoice to Frederick . Thank you Rinpoche and Frederick for sharing on the importance to listening to Guru’s advice and to carry out Guru’s instruction .

   A Dharma centre is a place for us to learn and practise Dharma for the benefits of others. The joy of being able to help others is a feeling that can be felt within our hearts. Helping others make us feel lighter and happier. Dharma centres and not to be taken as merely a source for networking to benefit oneself. It should be a place to network in order to understand , learn and practise Dharma, to help others and for us to be a better person than we were yesterday.

   If anything should go wrong it is best to take out the mirror and look at the person in the mirror that looks back at you and think on how that reflection can change in order to change the world. We can’t change others but we can change ourselves.

   Looking forward to my future days in Kechara.

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10. 

    Wan Wai Meng on Jun 24, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    From the moment we wake up all we think of is trying to either reduce our unhappiness or suffering and do our best to increase our pleasure. Being satisfied in our realm is just a reduction of our discomfort or dissatisfaction. An example would be hunger, we just can’t eat one time and we are done, and because of our suffering in the stomach we can do a lot of things usually negative to make sure this hunger satisfied. Hence to me our suffering is pervasive and continuous anywhere in samsara.

    If we truly wish not be subject to duality and one day break free completely of this never-ending dissatisfaction, Buddhism offers a method. We have found the true wish fulfilling gem, a human life with the 8 freedoms and 10 endowments. It is a wish fulfilling life as the conditions allows us to achieve whatever future we wish to have. Actually most of the time we want to achieve something or a life in order to be happy. Happiness or to feel less suffering or no suffering is the goal of us all. Perhaps instead of indirectly trying to achieve our happiness we may find more direct ways to achieve happiness within the Buddhist faith.

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11. 

    Uncle Eddie on May 3, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    The practice of making water offerings to the Buddhas is for the success of our spiritual practice. I greatly rejoice in Federick’s deligence, devotion and commiment as embodied in the completion of his water offerings. May our spiritual guide who review this excellent path and all sentient beings who practice it, all live long. Federick has displayed deep faith and determination in his search for spirituality, and today has been rewarded with a perfect master. May all his outer and inner hindrances be fully pacified, so as to ensure him to attain a higher state of existence in his future life for the benefit of all beings. Om mani padme hung!

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12. 

    Michael C. on Apr 27, 2014 at 3:21 am

    Hello. Everyone (First Pastor Adeline, then someone else, and finally Abby F)keeps posting in the Blog-chat about how good this article is so that’s what motivated me to read it. These sentences stuck out to me especially –

    “…failed promises due to laziness, don’t run or blame. Don’t avoid a place because you are ashamed. Opinions about you can change and you should make it change in front of everyone. Be a phoenix. Rise from the embers. Remember, no one but you created the problems… Once you get on the runaway train, it’s hard to come back. Karma is very strong and virulent. Before the train fully takes off and gains momentum, take up your practice and this time do it with integrity…

    …Master Tsongkapa’s practice and history…

    …Develop compassion and wage war on your inner habits that bring you down…

    …You are born alone and after death journey alone. In between get used to achieving alone…”

    I want to be like Fredrick Law!

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13. 

    Wei Theng on Apr 23, 2014 at 4:45 am

    If we truly seeking spirituality and do Dharma work, we should not be wanting things to be “our way” but instead be responsible, work hard to practice and apply Dharma in our lives, change our bad habits, cultivate good habits and find the solution within ourselves.

    Just like Rinpoche said,
    “Do not leave others to clean up your problems you created. Since you don’t give control over your life (no one should) to others prior to dharma, you have to take responsibility and apply spiritual methods with consistency, to gain control over the problems you seek solutions to. You are the solution, not anyone else. You are only learning the method from others, but you have to apply the methods over time. Over time is the secret formula here.”

    Do not blame the center, anyone or Guru for whatever things that happened. Instead, use the situation to practice Dharma and train myself to be a better person. Be responsible, be committed, be devoted, sincere, work hard, learn more Dharma and practice and apply Dharma in our lives.

    Rejoice with Federick on his practice. He is inspiring and urge me to even do more since I am full time working in Dharma now. I am grateful to have this chance to do Dharma and just keep pushing myself to do more and work harder to support Rinpoche and Kechara to spread the Dharma to others.

    Thank you Rinpoche for the precious teachings.

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14. 

    Elizabeth on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:45 am

    Cant help but notice the comments above. Do you guys get paid for working for a religious body in Malaysia. Does this apply to all the countries in Asia?

    In US & Canada, they don’t pay and we have to seek financial means ourselves. You guys are very lucky & I would said fortunate.

    In relation to the apple becoming and orange, a priest once said to me many years ago that :
    “A diamond doesn’t start out polished and shining. It once was nothing special, but with enough pressure and time, becomes spectacular”

    He said that I am the diamond and it is the priest duty in this case your teacher duty to guide you to become that diamond. I don’t think the priest wanted me to become a topaz.

    Just my thoughts.

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15. 

    Sharon Saw on Apr 22, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    I rejoice for Frederick’s diligence, commitment and devotion which is embodied in his completion of this water offering and resulted in this teaching. I agree that many people come to Dharma (or spirituality in its myriad of representations) for different reasons. Mainly it is to feel good – whether for altruistic or selfish reasons, though at our current level i think that many of us are in Dharma for selfish reasons.

    Even if it is to benefit others, we do it to feel good about it. As we progress on our spiritual journey, we encounter different problems which are at different levels of difficulty depending on our personal dispositions and karma. Some people will leave for good reasons or not (usually depending on who is looking at the situation).

    It is true that no matter what dharma centre we go to, there will be people who are less than perfect, but that is the same wherever we go, because people are less than perfect. I have always said that you can’t expect an orange to be an apple. An orange is an orange and an apple is an apple. So if someone is being nasty (whether in an office or a dharma centre), it is just the way it is. We just use that situation to develop our own patience and other positive qualities. After all, we, and the people around us, are not Buddhas yet.

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    • 

      BC on Apr 22, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Dear Sharon, I don’t fully agree with what you are saying. Apologies. I’ve been following Tsem Rinpoche’s blog quietly although I have my own teacher and center because the wisdom contained here really has helped me tremendously. But I had to comment on your comments.

      Most people do not come to dharma centers or Monasteries for the right reasons due to initial ignorance. I came to my teacher and center because I separated from my husband and I was lonely. But as I listened to the dharma and the years rolled by (5 years), I corrected my motivation. Everyone can. You don’t stay ignorant. My motivation prior was not because I was bad but simply ignorant. So we don’t have to stay in that manner forever.

      Leaving a dharma center or leaving the dharma is bad full stop. It does not matter who is looking at it. If you are talking about people who have no karma for dharma, of course they might find your reasoning as valid. If you leave the dharma center due to moving away, work or disaster which leaves you no time, that is different. Something that is out of your control, it’s different. But if you leave due to reasons of non-transformation how can that be good? We had a student who left and then sued our teacher and bath mouthed our teacher because he wanted his offerings back. He wanted our teacher to cover his mistakes and back him up and our teacher would not. He was angry and wanted revenge. We did unfortunately ended up in court and he lost the case.

      You sound like you are challenging what Tsem Rinpoche is explaining. I think you miss the point or perhaps wanting to feel better about your own situation. I am not sure, but you are missing Tsem Rinpoche’s point.

      You definitely cannot expect an orange to be an apple. But Buddha is not asking you change from an orange to be an apple. But Buddha is asking you through dharma practice to transform (Dgogchen-mahamudra) to become awakened. To find your inherent nature through practice and not be caught up in our current situation as permanent or solid. Because our true nature is enlightenment we are working towards that awakening. When you say an orange cannot be an apple that analogy does not apply because we are not apples and oranges. You make it sound like we are fixed and permanent and we are not. We are sentient beings with a muddled consciousness through practice can be transformed. The way you put it sounds like you can never transform. That is not correct as clearly stated by the Dudjom Terton texts on Dzogchen which all schools have their equivalent. If we are innately or inherently stuck, then Buddha would never teach the various methods for us to transform. Thus your analogy infers we cannot change and just leave it alone is not applicable.

      If someone is being nasty, it should not be left that way if it can be helped. Yes, we can be patient and talk to them and really try our best with them. But if their nastiness and harm continues, we have to protect the sangha, our teacher, our center and ourselves. Why have the law, courts, police force, security if that is just the way it is? If someone tries to rob you, you must stop it. We definitely have to use all adverse circumstances to develop our patience and practice, but then if we are an orange how to become an apple if we use your example. How to develop into something we are not? Again, of course we can develop. Because we are not becoming something we cannot be. Do not make greater clarity, wisdom, practice and improvements as something impossible. It is a choice. But the point is while we are developing, these persons might harm our place of practice until there is nothing left to practice. We have to use various means to stop them if not from compassion for them and us.

      I think if you don’t wish to create a spiritual change or wish to advance in your practice, that is your karma that you choose, but please don’t generalize it for everyone. Dharma centers and monasteries have their flaws but much more benefits for sure. Do reconnect with your spirituality, your teacher and the bigger picture of enlightenment.

      I am at my dharma center now for the right reasons. I have improved and many of my dharma sisters and brothers are committed. I have a long way to go and far from perfect, but I will not give up. People have left our growing center, people have attacked our teacher. People have disparaged our practice but we will continue. Our teacher is female and Western so that itself presents unique problems. If people wish to leave, then leave quietly and with appreciation for the time, teachings, love and opportunities given to them while they were at the center. They received the most precious gifts from our teacher, and so appreciate that and wish the center well. Appreciate the reasons why the center exists and the challenges the center has to face. If you cannot help, don’t harm.

      Just my thoughts and I hope I don’t offend you.

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        BC on Apr 22, 2014 at 7:40 pm

        People should not hurt or damage a center and the teacher so someone else may benefit. Leave it for others and let others decide for themselves. No one needs to influence their decisions. Just because someone does not want it, does not give them the right to demolish it so no one else may benefit. Lucky Devadatta was not successful in his mission. Connect with your spirituality, practices, meditations and your teacher. This time around, be determined to apply internally all efforts not just externally to gain results and feel the true freedom achieved. Do not be stuck with the orange and apple analogy. It does not apply. You are greater than an orange!

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      Patrik on Apr 22, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      I was wondering, do you or the people that have left take salary, gifts or material benefits from your center? Does your bills get paid by it? Do many others in your center get salary also? Or is it strictly volunteerism? If you do have salary, then the motivation should be doubled and corrected even more so because you get dharma and livelihood. Tremendous appreciation should be expressed. So during these economic hard times, be grateful to your center as it provides employment. Preserve it for others. The success rate for dharma centers is very low. We must cherish the centers and make sure they flourish. If you and others don’t get salary, you received something much more precious-DHARMA.

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      Patrik on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      Just because some people don’t appreciate the teacher and center does not give them the right to persecute it. If they are not happy, then discuss honestly and find a solution. People have the right to leave. But people also have the right to stay. So don’t create obstacles for those who stay. If they cannot find a solution after genuine attempts to resolve an issue, then leave quietly and don’t make trouble afterwards. The ferocious dharma guardians are watching. If they have helped in the past, then they exist. We can change if we choose. If we choose, and no one is to blame.

      Because in the end, no one has the right out of their ignorance to damage a center that is beneficial for others. If they don’t like the supermarket, there are others who still shop there and acquire their needs. I guess my point is don’t be vengeful and look inside ourselves to find the root of the problem.

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    • 

      Anonymous on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:31 pm

      Dear Sharon,

      1. Precisely! Because the people around you and you yourself are not Buddhas, your opinions are not reliable. That is the nature of samsara and our self made karma. Nothing surpasses dharma practice and dharma activities no matter what we justify in our minds when we are down. When our teachers give us opinions that counter ours, most likely it will benefit us. That is why we have difficulties with it because the teacher is ‘battling’ our karma against something good.

      2. And from reading Tsem Rinpoche’s background, teachers, the high esteem he is held in the monasteries and by his teachers it seems, and the decades he has put all his time into the dharma, we can rightly conclude he is not an ordinary being but a real Tulku. Someone developed spiritually from previous births. You should put your trust in the teacher Tsem Rinpoche that has been standing in front of you. How lucky there is even this blog that benefits millions just to start with.

      3. Look at our activities as compared to the teacher’s before, during and after our meeting of the dharma. This is not to mean to belittle. Our activities are always about entertaining ourselves. The teacher’s is about hard work, struggle and efforts in benefitting others although so much backlash. These actions show the state of mind of a teacher.

      May the prayer flag of your spiritual practice flutter strongly always against the winds of karma.

      All auspiciousness to you and your kin. Trashi Dhelek!

      Reply
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      Anonymous on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      Apologies, but you sound like you are countering the teachings by Rinpoche here. He is teaching the dharma on this post and you are insisting people can’t change and leave them to their imperfections as they are not Buddhas. Do you want Rinpoche to agree with you? Therefore just stop teaching the dharma because oranges cannot be apples? Because no one can change? Then that counters the whole doctrine of Siddhartha. That is the exact reason why we join dharma centres, to become better.:) Why join if we are Buddhas?

      You don’t sound like you actually rejoice. I could be wrong.:(

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    • 

      David Cheong on Apr 23, 2014 at 8:57 am

      This is an interesting comment with interesting replies and with due respect as a close student(editor of some of HE’s remarkable books too!) of Tsem Rinpoche, I don’t think you are painting the right attitude here. I am not judging but I personally have benefited from Rinpoche’s teachings and His in depth Dharma penetrates into my innermost core. Sometimes I feel disheartened and even scared for Rinpoche shows who I really am inside whether through his youtube teachings or even the books I read.

      It is essential for everyone to have a pure view of the teacher. We can opt not to listen to the Tantras which says our guru is one with Vajradhara, but look at the countless hours of Dharma talks Rinpoche gives and time and gifts…. I cannot do it myself and humble down to His advise and teachings. Even though in proximity, I am not near Rinpoche, it does not mean I do not repay his kindness by remembering his kindness and practice earnestly…

      Sorry I may be too jugdemental in my comment but these thoughts arose after reading your reply. I’m sure Rinpoche took time off his busy schedule to write such a long handbook of how to deal with our spiritual practice and THANK YOU RINPOCHE!

      DC

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    • 

      Siew Lin on Apr 24, 2014 at 1:03 am

      Dear Sharon,

      The many replies above drew my attention to your comment. I feel obliged to comment after reading yours. You’re right about all of us not being enlightened but you cannot deny the fact that we all have the potential to be one. I sense a lot of resentment in your reply and feel that you’re hiding your own situation with these incorrect way of thinking.

      I used to read your posts on Facebook and follow you to get all the exciting updates on Kechara. You wrote sincerely and convincing too. I believed all the things you’ve said and truly convinced that Kechara is a modern and lively dharma centre. It is through your sharing that I was introduced to His Eminence.

      This comment of yours lack sound grounding and was expressed in a vengeful way, I feel. It is written in a way to express your dissatisfaction and anger towards the organisation, its people and the founder. It made me wonder if you are still in Kechara.

      Leaving a dharma centre with a qualified spiritual guide like His Eminence regardless of all the good reasons one may have, it is still not ok, because by leaving means you choose to abandon the dharma, you choose to continue be ignorant, you choose to be ungrateful to your guru who has unconditionally showered you with all the dharma teachings, gifts, love and care showered throughout your time in dharma.

      The essence of dharma is emptiness and impermanence. By using the apple and orange analogy, you are saying that things remain the way it is. If this is true, your comment should match the person who used to be compassion about dharma and her work.

      I wish very much that you’ll read the post again and all the replies to your comment. Please contemplate all the kindness the guru has given you and others, how you’ve benefited from the dharma he gave you and transform your mind for the better.

      I wish you all the best.

      Reply
16. 

    Gim Lee on Apr 22, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    Many people who have joined dharma centre, volunteering or working, came with different motivations, in the beginnings most come to clear one’s own obstacles or for hopes of helping oneself or loved ones. Some with strong previous imprints will have higher motivations and for spiritual improvements.

    When we are involved in Dharma works and gained the benefits, we started to getting even more involved and wish to introduce to our family and friends; some may even chose to work full-time for dharma.

    However, once we are fully involved, we will have to face all kind of challenges; just like any other works that involve dealings with people, and in this case dealing with lots of people that have their own set of problems or baggage. Rinpoche mentioned before, dharma centre is like a mental hospital and the Guru is the doctor, we are the patients, all of us. So definitely we will be facing issues of differences in the way we manage or work. We are brought up differently and some from totally different cultures with totally different views.

    Then there are the inner demons to fight… working for dharma means we are working to help others and thus the issue of putting others’ benefits and comforts before us… of fighting jealousy, anger, righteousness, of fighting laziness, of getting out of our own comfort zones…

    “You have to take responsibility, learn the dharma and apply the solutions consistently and in time you will see things get better. There will be relief. Sometimes the problems become ‘instantly better’ because due to hearing dharma, you change your perspective towards it. Don’t hold everything fast and hard. Allow space for change because nothing is permanent and set in stone for most.“

    Rinpoche’s advices are always timely and right-on-the-spot. We have to take them to heart as all the advices or the ‘prescribed’ instructions are for our own benefits. And “They are time-tested and deemed effective by hundreds of masters in the last 2,500 years of Buddhism.”

    Similarly, we have to take the advices from pastors and senior students as they are advices from Rinpoche himself.

    Be kind to ourselves, cut our ego. As true spiritual seekers, we have to be truthful to ourselves. Dharma practice / spiritual practice is not to show others… it is for our own spiritual progress. Rinpoche said, when no one is watching, that is when we truly practice dharma.

    Gim Lee

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      JC on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      I like what you are saying here. Keep it up and thank you for the pujas you did for me last time. You are in the dharma centre under the guidance of a great monk Tsem Rinpoche. You are fortunate.

      When are you going to be a nun? I heard you will be?

      Reply
17. 

    Lam on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching of true spirituality and also the advice.

    A lot of people who visit the Dharma Center are not for taking up the spiritual path and learning Dharma. They only go to the centre when they face problems or obstacles and they hope that the Dharma center and the Guru will be able to solve their problems instantly.If their request is not granted, they will leave with the impression that the Guru is not good or effective.

    A Dharma center should be taken as a place to gain Dharma knowledge. The precious teachings and advice we learn from the Guru will be able to transform us to better and happier persons.

    I knew Federick Law when he first joined Kechara. I rejoice for him that he has transformed so much spiritually. He will be an inspiration and encouragement for the new Kechara members to come.

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18. 

    abby f on Apr 22, 2014 at 2:57 am

    Dear Rinpoche,

    To always let the heart and mind opened and the analogy of having a hot drinks in Antarctica or dessert stood out to me.

    I understand and agree with the analogy that Rinpoche mentioned above very much and I started to open my mind more after meeting with Rinpoche and Dharma. Basically Rinpoche is the one who open my heart to let it become wider to accept everything no matter good or bad. I very much wish to learn to accept everything, even things that make me feel horrible, angry, miserable and sad. I know I have to overcome all these, therefore I chose to seek spirituality a few years back. Even though some of the people that I know, they think I deserve better ‘career’, but to me, to overcome my self-created unhappiness is much more important than having a lot of money. Money can’t ‘buy away’ our unhappiness, money is not the real solution, nothing material is the real solution.

    But to let our heart open to embrace good and bad is the real solution. Especially the advises and suggestions from those who helped us so much in the past ie the Guru who has spent so much time, energy for us, no matter how we perceive, we must at least open up our heart to listen, not just the superficial words, but listen to their intention, to the deeper meaning of their words. Shutting down ourselves not only hurting others who really care for us, it is also hurting ourselves by us shutting down good things for ourselves. Never lie to yourself, if you do, you will hide more and more and eventually your heart is closed because you want to hide and deceive others. By doing so, you create more pain and bitterness for yourself.

    We cornered ourselves if we don’t keep an opened mind. Why would we have a closed mind? There must be something in the past that hurt us , made us unhappy and bitter so we chose to close our heart. So we are not mentally ‘healthy’, so when people give advises and suggestions, especially the advises from the Guru, why we would reject them? We might find some advises are not pleasant, but this is the root cause of your unpleasantness, that is the closed mind. If you keep an opened mind, nothing is unpleasant, nothing would be considered as bad/negative. Everything should be neutral. This is how we examine our mind.

    I especially like the keep our mind opened teachings from Rinpoche. When we open our heart, our eyes see differently! We speak and act differently. It basically changes our lives. Good or bad, beautiful or ugly, there is no need to distinguish them and label them and hold on to them. They exist just within your mind, they are not big deal, we can deal with ourselves. Keep an opened mind and always think in accord with logic, remember the kindness of others, these are the few things that Rinpoche always says and which I found very very effective for self-improvement, on the spiritually and worldly level.

    This teaching keep me moving forward, to keep my heart open more and more. There is no way but up, we have no choice but moving forward. Be kind to yourself, practice the Dharma and just move forward. The feelings we have always change, why hold on to it and go backward? Thank you Rinpoche for the timely teachings.

    Reply
19. 

    Pastor Lanse on Apr 22, 2014 at 2:49 am

    感谢仁波切一次又一次语重心长的教诲。加入克切拉至今，影响我至深的一句话，应该就是仁波切曾对某位资深弟子说的：“你最终所要面对的，就只有你自己的业，而不是身边的人与环境。”这篇文章让我又想起了这番话。

    如果我们时刻记得，一切都与自己的业有关，自己今日所承受的果，是既往种下的因，而今日的因，将造就他日的果，许多事情自然就变得坦然，也比较容易被接受。即使身边的人和环境发生许多变化，自己的心也不会出现太大的动摇。

    如果我们能明白一切的因果都是自己造就的，那么我们自然就会对自己负责任，也不会因为际遇不好而去怪罪别人。对这点，我个人的体悟是，当你开始为自己负责任，开始不再时常受他人所牵制和影响，那很自然的，你的心就会变得开阔和自由。毕竟，没有人能够将他累积的业丢到你身上，正如你也无法将自己的业丢给他人去承担一样。因果业力是很公平的。

    这个道理，适用于任何地方，任何与人和物互动的环境。我们学佛，加入某个佛教中心，开始修行，甚至成为全职佛法工作者，总免不了要跟许多人打交道，甚至共事。即便不是面对他人，也要面对内在的自己。

    在外敌和内患之间，若能除掉或减少内患，自然就多一份力量去抵抗外敌。诚如仁波切在文中所说的“一旦你开始跟自己心中的愤怒、苦涩、忧郁和自私“开战”，外在的“烽火”自然就会渐渐熄灭。”

    当然，只要稍微学习过佛法的人，应该都对这些理论不感到陌生。然而，基于过去的习性，我们在与内在抗战的过中，很多时候还是会被内心的魔鬼所诱骗，继而走了岔路，有者甚至因此而离开。这种情况往往

    是因为我们的业障太重，而功德不足所导致。仁波切鼓励我们每天都做宗喀巴大师和护法修持，鼓励我们时常进行短期闭关，就是希望我们能透过修持来净业除障，同时累积功德以为更深的修持做好准备。

    我们成天晃来晃去，无所事事，不认真看待我们的修持，是因为我们根本连修持的重要性都搞不清楚，还要仁波切一再叮咛，实在令人惭愧。我们由于看不清楚，所以不感到害怕，而师父却是因为看得太清楚，所以为我们干着急，甚至想出各种方法来奖励、鞭策、鼓励，甚至“贿赂”我们，唯一的目的就只是希望我们能更精进一些。师父很容易开心，只要我们有少许进步，即使只是跨出小小的一步，都会让师父很欣慰。我相信，只要是曾经尝试鼓励自己的亲友参与佛法活动或投入修持的朋友，都不会对这种欣慰的感觉感到陌生。，

    这次劳康凯完成了水供闭关，我衷心随喜。更重要的，是他的精进令师父欣慰，所以我们才有机会接受仁波切的这一番教诲。由此可见，我们若希望师父继续为我们传授更多的佛法，我们本身就应该更精进。精进，表示我们对法有渴求，而弟子有求，上师才会传法。

    换句话说，上师是否会常转法轮，最终取决的，还是弟子本身有没有造下这个因。

    Reply
20. 

    Ericchoong on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    感谢仁波切的开示和分享了这遍文章。读过后我心中重現许多的往事和感想，心中某处有些激动。。。使我想起和永远都忘不了当初 “境由心转” 这句上師的经典教诲，因为这样它使我有了信仰的信念，它成了我心灵上的寄托，也找到了失去了的信心，使我有

    Reply
21. 

    Ericchoong on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    感谢仁波切的开示和分享了这遍文章。读过后我心中重現许多的往事和感想，心中某处有些激动。。。使我想起和永远都忘不了当初 “境由心转” 这句上師的经典教诲，因为这样它使我有了信仰的信念，它成了我心灵上的寄托，也找到了失去了的信心，使我有

    Reply
22. 

    Penang Studying Group Comment on Apr 20, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Attendance : Soon Huat, Leonard, Swee Ching, Mr Loh Ann Leong, Jacinta & Kai Lynn

    1) Why we need dharma centre?
    To motivate , fellowship, learn from other dharma brothers and sisters, methods to face our obstacles and a place for us to help others.

    2)Is dharma a quick fix for our problems?
    No. It is a very long process.It takes time. We need to accept all the obstacles and collect merits to purify our karma. So long we are persistent, with effort and time, we can overcome all obstacles.

    3)Why people leave dharma centres?
    When some people don’t see results due to their karma. The person came to the dharma centre with the wrong motivation. More for the benefit for their own well being and not for others. Dharma centres will help us to correct our habituation. People leave when they fail to change their habits due to their delusions.

    4)Is our problems created by ourselves?
    yes. Due to our habituation. Due to our attachment to our ego and our bad habits, we are unable to leave the circle of samsara.

    Reply
23. 

    Tsa Tsa Ong on Apr 19, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    The dharma is a guideline for us to open our mind and transform ourselves to improve and be a better person.And not think like a hermit…to cut our ignorance,attachment,fear,etc..to be true and sincere to ourselves and others.

    Reply
24. 

    Pastor Adeline on Apr 19, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    A dharma centre is not for us to join and then to feel happily ever after. In the contrary, finding one marks the beginning of our spiritual practice, a journey that unfolds our darkest sides. Meeting the root guru in the dharma centre is a total bonus we can never dream of. The guru is very precious as he is one of the few people in the world who really cares about our spiritual growth and our general well-being deeply and sincerely. No one in our family even does 20% of it, really.

    His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche of Kechara House Buddhist Organisation Malaysia is one of a kind Spiritual Guide who is so rare to be found. For the past 20 odd years, he has gone from not understanding Malaysian and their culture to one who works wonders with them. His Eminence has never been defeated regardless of the challenges that came along his way; he keeps going today with the unending challenges that continue to arise.

    Due to His Eminence’s kindness in sharing the dharma that people started to learn, practice and transform. As a result, a dharma centre was founded. From there, it has expanded to Kechara Forest Retreat for His Eminence foresee the organization can benefit many more and the people in Kechara are the main force in helping His Eminence to do so.

    The dharma centre serves as a solace for many, be it the new comers, volunteers or old students. It is a place that is blessed by His Eminence for those who walk in the door or choose to be part of will gain realisation and spiritual growth if they apply what has been taught to them. The centre is a place for us to seek advice to solve our problems if we apply the advice and start healing ourselves. Whether we are new or old to the organisation, we all bring with us our emotion baggage, our lives experiences, our perceptions etc. We are in the dharma centre because we wish for something different in our lives, something meaningful and perhaps something that can give a positive impact onto other people’s lives. We know very well whatever we were doing outside cannot get us close to that, so we choose to be in a dharma centre for that to happen.

    Finding a dharma centre and meeting the guru is just the first step for a yet to come challenging path. Everything we do in the dharma centre can be totally different from how we would normally do; some people we meet in the dharma centre can be 1000 times nastier than people we meet outside, instead of looking at the difference, why not pause and see what the similarities are, look at how much they have contributed towards the growth of the organisation? If we look close enough, we will not be surprised that all of us share similar behaviours, good or bad, and we are not different after all. Everyone in the centre is trying their very best to work on transformation, to kill the enemies inside. Along the way, some decided they will continue to strive regardless, some struggle, some felt and bounce back again, some decided to leave, and all that are perfectly normal in samsara!

    If we have live our lives for the past 30 years without dharma, we formed a certain ways to do and perceive things based on the environment we live in and the people we met. When we come into a dharma centre, we will see many things and people we consider wrong and imperfect, because we were seeing them with the dissatisfactions that we have deep down inside – a projection of our deluded mind to say the least. A dharma centre though formed by a qualified spiritual guide is run by people who are learning and practicing to be qualified, people who are just like you and me, people who deserves love and kindness just like you and me. There is no need for us to judge and complain about anything from the beginning because we have not walked the path they had and they deserve all the respects for what they have achieved so far. They have followed through the guru’s instructions and have benefitted many with the time and effort they have put in.

    The guru is so kind that he put his all into the dharma centre and its expansion. He put himself into endless secular responsibilities on top of taking care of our spiritual growth. The extend he goes to taking care a student’s secular needs so that he or she can concentrate full time in dharma is really amazing and unbelievable. He can be helping us to pay for our food, lodging, clothing, transportation as well as sending us on pilgrimage trips, giving us gifts from time to time so that we can continue with our dharma practices. With some students, the guru even goes as far as spending hours to “hang out” with them, to council them, to watch out their relationship for them, so that they won’t create further obstacles for them to continue with their practices. Can you imagine how a guru can do all that for all of us, but we can’t even perform a simple task that he wanted us to? How ungrateful of us who do that!

    The dharma centre, its people and the guru do not owe us anything, but we owe them everything because due to the kindness of the Gurus and its people, we have a dharma centre to go to, a place for us to learn something more enlightening and for us to change for the better. They do not have to do all that, but they did it anyway, because they know the preciousness of the dharma and put that into practice. If we are seeking for a dharma centre, a guru, be ready that we are there to learn to be liberated from our miseries and obtain real happiness. Do not waste time in seeking fault and self indulgence. Otherwise, why seek for one in the first place?

    Reply
    • 

      Chen on Apr 22, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Dear Rev Adeline,

      What you have shared here is truly profound. You inspire me to become a nun also. Please continue to teach and become the best nun. We need more sangha.

      I wish to study in Kechara in the near future and also aspire to be a nun. Your statement here is so powerful:

      “The dharma centre, its people and the guru do not owe us anything, but we owe them everything because due to the kindness of the Gurus and its people, we have a dharma centre to go to, a place for us to learn something more enlightening and for us to change for the better. They do not have to do all that, but they did it anyway, because they know the preciousness of the dharma and put that into practice. If we are seeking for a dharma centre, a guru, be ready that we are there to learn to be liberated from our miseries and obtain real happiness. Do not waste time in seeking fault and self indulgence. Otherwise, why seek for one in the first place?”

      I can see you think and form your opinions from dharma dharma knowledge and study.
      Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

      Reply
    • 

      Chen on Apr 22, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      Dear Pastor,

      You sound grounded, firm and apply your dharma knowledge. I like what you share here with us. We can see the power of a teacher through his students. I have never met Rinpoche but by reading his famous blog, opinions by students with great wisdom like yourself and the activities of Kechara, I can conclude Kechara truly is a very beneficial dharma centre.

      I am very happy to read the comments as well as the post. Can learn from both.

      Reply
      • 

        Pastor Adeline on Apr 24, 2014 at 8:23 am

        Dear Chen,

        Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It humbles me. You are right that our Guru really teaches us dharma and Kechara is formed because Kecharians put them into practice. Please join force with us and support Rinpoche’s work to make dharma grow and benefit people like how it has benefitted you.

        Thank you for taking your time in commenting,
        Pastor Adeline

        Reply
    • 

      Freddy on Apr 22, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      This statement you wrote here REALLY helps me a lot. Due to the blessings of your teacher, you can really explain the dharma well.

      “If we have live our lives for the past 30 years without dharma, we formed a certain ways to do and perceive things based on the environment we live in and the people we met. When we come into a dharma centre, we will see many things and people we consider wrong and imperfect, because we were seeing them with the dissatisfactions that we have deep down inside – a projection of our deluded mind to say the least. A dharma centre though formed by a qualified spiritual guide is run by people who are learning and practicing to be qualified, people who are just like you and me, people who deserves love and kindness just like you and me. There is no need for us to judge and complain about anything from the beginning because we have not walked the path they had and they deserve all the respects for what they have achieved so far. They have followed through the guru’s instructions and have benefitted many with the time and effort they have put in.”

      Thank you for this. I am an open-minded Catholic that combine Buddhist practices together with my faith. We have a lot of issues at our church and this really applies to our church and probably many spiritual organizations. Some have left our church because of pride and anger and I do pray for them. My wife is a Buddhist and introduced me to this multi-faceted blogsite. I enjoy this blogsite very much and recite Om Mani Padme Hung also!

      Freddy

      Reply
      • 

        Wendy on Apr 22, 2014 at 9:20 pm

        Amen Freddy!!

        I was a Catholic and now a Buddhist. But I still respect Catholicism.

        Reply
      • 

        Pastor Adeline on Apr 24, 2014 at 8:30 am

        Thank you Freddy for being open-minded and I rejoice that you’ve a supportive wife. I’ve never thought anyone will read the comment and find anything useful in it. So thank you for letting us know. It is true that the explanation if is well done is done through the blessings of my guru without which it’ll not be shared with any impact. Please continue to learn from His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche and support his works that truly benefit others.

        With much appreciation,
        Pastor Adeline

        Reply
25. 

    Cynthia Ng on Apr 18, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    感谢仁波切的教诲，读完这篇文章顿时让我反复的省思了好久。

    是的，前行修持是我们的必修一课，有多少人可以坚持和有诚意以及认真的修持还是无知数。劳康凯在此树立了一个好榜样，此举说明了一切只要我们认真看待，认真修持，重要的是永远要对上师有强烈的依止心，上师给予的加持力量可以促使我们在修行道路上迈向圆满。

    我们大家内在都拥有一份强大的潜能，它能促使我们通过认真修持，转化进而达到解决我们的无知愚昧。我们应该要时常的慎思“内在”的我们，要反复的问自己当初到佛教道场的原因与目的，不要忘了当初的那一份热诚与诚心。问题的成与败都是掌握在我们掌心，人生的成功与失败就反射了我们的接受度与要改变的心有多强，我们就像是病人一样，上师就是我们的医生，佛教中心就像是医院一样。有了顶尖的设备与医护人员但是我们不摊开心房接受治疗，那也无法使我们痊愈。

    愿意面对与承担自己所许下的承诺，不埋怨，不放弃也不逃避，可以使我们不论在人生的旅程与修持都能迈向成功。

    Reply
26. 

    KYC on Apr 17, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    I don’t know Frederick Low very well but the few times I’ve had occasion to meet and talk to him, he struck me as a responsible and reliable person. Although he has a full time job, he still finds the time to do outcall pujas with the puja team. I think he finds meaning and purpose as a volunteer in Kechara House. Pastor Yek Yee has done a good job nurturing him.

    Students like Frederick are truly spiritual. There are not many who can do 100,000 water offerings. We should encourage more students to do retreats as part of their preliminary practices. These are essential practices at the beginner stage of the Vajrayana path. It is through these preliminary practices that we build a firm foundation for higher practices.

    Reply
27. 

    Angelshooi on Apr 17, 2014 at 4:11 am

    Thank You Rinpoche for such an enlightening articles and also thanks to Frederick for your sincerity towards Kechara Organization and your wishes to Rinpoche!

    I like Rinpoche’s compose “SHOULD BE THE LIGHT NOT ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE LIGHT!” From this phrase that I learned, always be a giver instead of receiver.

    Thank You Rinpoche for opening up Kechara House for us as your students to learn Dharma and the activities for us to involve to gain bliss and towards liberation. Thanks again Rinpoche

    Reply
28. 

    Cynthia Lee on Apr 17, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Everybody comes to a dharma centre for many different reasons. Not all motivation are pure with the wish to practice dharma sincerity and to become a better person. In fact, most people including myself comes with a baggage, bad habituation and problems which needed resolution. Whichever the reason, everyone is not free from karma. Some ripened and some not yet ripened. Hence, we are not in the right position to judge anyone of their motivation. The point is once we have met Buddha’s teachings, we try use it to correct ourselves and motivation.

    It can change and I have seen people’s motivation changed to seeking real spirituality instead of trying to “get” something. All this is possible through Rinpoche’s teachings. Rinpoche has taught and given us various spiritual solutions which can help make our current and next next next imperfect life better IF we apply the methods. Only if we ourselves do our homework, it will have guaranteed results. This alone is comforting to know and this is the last stop to one’s problems, without a doubt.

    Reply
29. 

    So Kin Hoe (KH Ipoh) on Apr 16, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for all the precious advice and sharing to benefit many of us. In this degenerate age where many sentient beings are heading to lower realms due to lack of Dharma knowledge, lack of spiritual practice or not yet meet with Dharma, we need Dharma and Buddha’s teachings rather than Dharma and Buddha’s teachings need us. We need to continuously discipline ourselves like how Federick did in his retreat after coming back from his daily work everyday. Thank you Federick for showing a great example to us and we are truly inspired by your determination and 100% devoted to the Dharma practice without fail.

    Reply
30. 

    Victor Choi on Apr 16, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for sharing such a good news from Frederick and your valuable teaching.

    We should set an example of him within ourself in daily life or in dharma work.

    I rejoice in Frederick retreat even exceeded 10% of it.

    Reply
31. 

    Choi Sheem on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Firstly, I rejoice and congratulate Frederick for his persistence and following Rinpoche’s advice and almost completing is 100000 bowls water offering. May you inspire other students with your dedication and consistencies.
    Truly, it is often many people would join or go to a dharma centre when the have some problems in life. It is a misunderstood concept that our problems can be solved by another person. And usually most of our problems are caused by ourselves.
    Ii am so relieved to learn that everyone have a potential to be a better person than they are now and can benefit other people that they come across. Thank you Rinpoche for this most valuable lesson of teaching us to change our mindset and be flexible in any situations we end up in. Truly, only we ourselves can solve our problems and not some other higher beings. We must listen and follow our Guru’s advice/instructions all the way.

    Reply
32. 

    Daisy Sun on Apr 16, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    Rejoice Frederick for your efforts and continuous practices!It’s such a real inspired example for most of us. Thank you Rinpoche for your kind teaching on how to work well in the dharma center (to cure our root problems). It is essential to to observer our self (thought, speech, actions every minute and seconds,like having a police or guardian making sure these 3 are behaving), cherish the moment! If bad situation arise, dharma would be our safe suit to be applied. There’s nothing to fear or angry some about… Most of all, rinpoche has pointed clearly and guiding us on the processes. Having faith, dedicated,determination,flexibility are the keys to success. I sincerely rejoice for those who able to work for dharma directly or indirectly. Afterall, by understanding the purpose of life and the ultimate happiness that we are yawning for is serving or helping others! Spiritual is a journey, not a trip, hope we are able to receive rinpoche teaching and blessing along the way. We love you dearly rinpoche.

    Reply
33. 

    ron wong on Apr 16, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Spirituality is about understanding & accepting Karma. The law of cause & effect. Due to all the previous actions in our lives past & present, we had accumulated the causes for us to experience their effects again later, be it good or bad. In particular the negative karma, we will have to experience the problems, obstacles & unpleasant events in our lives. Spirituality let us understands the cause of our dissatisfaction (karma) & gives us the method (Dharma) to go around it without experiencing the suffering. To me, spiritually is about mindfulness of our actions of body, speech & mind, applying care, patient, kindness to others & the environment at all time. It is not something that you can acquire but need to be practice daily, modifying our behaviors & hence experience its truth benefits of joy & peace.

    Thank you Rinpoche for reminding & sharing this inspirational effort from Frederick.

    I rejoice!

    With folded hands,
    Ron

    Reply
34. 

    Michelle Chua on Apr 16, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Dear Rinpoche,
    All of us have our own problems and we are all so called sick. In order to solve these problems, we search for a solution or a remedy and in this case our solution is by learning and practicing the dharma. Dharma is the medicine. We have to consume the medicine to become better. If we don’t practice it and just sit on it, expecting our problems to miraculously disappear, nothing would happen. The problems or difficulties we face would only worsen. We have to practice the dharma we’ve learnt and overcome our inner self. We have to walk the talk.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this profound teaching and thank you to Frederick Law too for being an inspiration. This blog post has made why we all join a dharma centre clear. I would continue to change my mind, remain silent and transform.

    Reply
35. 

    Li Kheng on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Dear Rinpoche

    Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching and for sharing the inspiring teachings of Frederick Law. This post prompted me to reflect on the purpose I joined Kechara in pursuit of the Dharma teachings and inner growth.

    I reflect that I am in the Dharma for my own progress and development. I hear myself and others say: “What about them? They are not showing good examples as Dharma students…” However, Rinpoche’s teaching in this post reminds me that I am in Dharma to practice the teachings of Lord Buddha that is compassionately imparted to me by my kind Guru, Tsem Rinpoche. I am not pursuing Dharma to reinforce my habits of judgment and justification for non-performance. It is also true that sincere practice is when we are able to uphold virtuous behavior even when dealing with people and situation we don’t like.

    I related very much to Rinpoche’s statement: “ Change your mind, remain silent and transform.” Through my journey in the Green Project at Kechara Forest Retreat, I was given a lot of opportunity to work quietly. Through the silence, I was able to hear my thoughts purely, i.e thoughts that comes from within without any external stimulation as being in nature, there is complete silence. I heard a lot and had the opportunity to see where my mind is and contemplate on where I want it to go. I noticed my inflexibility and impatience. I saw the harm of my old habits and had the opportunity in the silence to monitor and control my automatic reflection so as to re-habituate more constructive behaviors. I have a long way more to go, but I am already most grateful for this opportunity.

    Rinpoche’s illustration of our tolerance and devotion to samsaric elements like relationships that have brought us more heartache is very kind. Rinpoche is basically telling us we have got what is takes to succeed with in our lives, we just need to re-direct our commitment, devotion, effort, patience, tolerance, intelligence etc. to more constructive purposes and methods like the Dharma. After we win the inner battles against our habits, we will be able to tackle the outer obstacles better and also impact others in a positive manner. This simple yet profound statement is very empowering.

    Reply
36. 

    Jill Yam on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:03 am

    It’s just so amazing that just through an update by a sincere student that Rinpoche has given us a teaching here.
    Frederick is a shining example to all who practices what the Guru ask him to do no matter how long it takes. He is one person who will keep his promise and also very committed to his Dharma work as well.
    We must not take things for granted but to give and help others. Let’s hope that there will be more Frederick around so that our Dharma centre will continue to grow stronger.
    Let’s not look for faults in others but in ourselves.

    Reply
37. 

    Soon Huat on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:03 am

    After reading this article, whatever suffering and excuse we have made toward the Dharma practice is nothing compared to what Rinpoche has gone through to setup Kechara to benefit us. Sometimes, i do think Rinpoche is going through the same path of Buddha Shakyamuni has gone through by setting the Dharma center and sangha to benefit others.
    I am not perfect and I do have complains as well. However, I feel refresh again after meeting up the Dharma friends from Kechara, and join blog chat & puja etc. Kechara has helped to keep ourselves warm in Dharma path.
    Tsongkhapa retreat and sadhana do help to train our discipline. I am in progress of training up my persistence. I do believe it is like medicine, it takes time to see the effect but consistency is the key. I do Thank You for my Guru (Tsem Tulku Rinpoche), the pastors, senior center members and my peer Dharma friends (even some of them meet just in blog chat) for the tireless guidance and encouragement. I do hope my Guru, Tsem Tuinpoche, will come back to Malaysia soon. I do miss him even I have not yet had chance to meet up him in person but I do receive his teaching in distance and I still try to keep it and correct my wrong behavior.

    Reply
38. 

    HelenaChin on Apr 15, 2014 at 11:29 pm

    Dear Rinpoche, first of all I rejoice for Frederick. May his Dharma practice continue to grow.
    For me, spiritual practice is meant to seek for self peace and enlightenment. Before that is to have self transform and be a better person and be a good human. It’s contain good qualities of self behaviour such as being polite, responsible, being integrity and so much more. I would say its so much more to learn and practice.
    It is so true that what Rinpoche has said “You are born alone and after death journey alone. In between get used to achieving alone”. After all we ourself have to be responsible instead of blaming the world! We must also know the cycles of karma if we are practising Buddhism. Hence blame no one instead of ourself if we think that our life is sucks, I believe we created it our own.
    I have so much hard time too but when I think of who doesn’t huh??? It’s makes me realise how lucky am I to met and have so many beautiful peoples in life that loves me. Especially I have met Rinpoche and Kechara. I can see some transformation in me but I will continue to be a better person to inspired more people and bring Dharma to more people too. I want all my friends and love ones to be connected with Dharma to practice good self quality. Thank you Rinpoche for this tremendous teaching with my folded hands. Still need to read few more times to contemplate deeper hehe.
    Much love and care from Helena

    Reply
39. 

    sarahyap on Apr 15, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this profound teaching, I feel that my spiritual motivation was realigned after reading this article.

    Also thank you, Frederick for your sincere letter to Rinpoche… just a simple update to Rinpoche and it brought out a beautiful Dharma teaching for all Dharma students around the world. I rejoice that your actions has delighted our Guru, an action that follows the ’50 Stanzas of Guru Devotion’ as written by Ashagosha.

    Many times, we allow ourselves to be complacent about our spiritual growth especially when we are overwhelmed with work… But we forget that the whole reason we came into Dharma was for spiritual improvement.

    I know that some people may think that they did not search for the Dharma… but instead they were brought there by a friend, or they chance upon one of Kechara’s outlets in the shopping mall… but the very fact that we can even chance upon Dharma, such rare precious teachings is a factor for us to have great gratitude towards those that actually put in the effort to have it available for us.

    The Dharma is truly like the medicine, and our teacher is the Doctor… Some may think that they came to a Dharma Centre to seek help to cure them from certain negativities… We should not think like that, irregardless if we came with or without our ‘problems’, we stayed because deep down we know the Dharma is good for us and it is the one path that can provide us with lasting happiness through enlightenment. So, we should never think if we came with or without our problems… that is just laziness and our self deception talking with us, in fact, the very fact that we are in samsara IS A PROBLEM! So, I strongly feel with this thought in mind, I should put aside my ego and laziness, and take my spiritual medicine so that one day I too can benefit others.

    Reply
40. 

    gary foo on Apr 15, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    Thank you for the wisdom imparted and thank you also to Frederick for being an inspiration to us.
    I can relate to the part where our karma invites fault for if we were already so super holy we wouldnt be in this form with so much negativities to change for the better. Indeed when seeing things now from karma and dharma perspective we can be at peace with ourselves. example if someone had harmed us, immediately our reaction would be all profanities and thoughts of revenge..but wait a minute, what if it was us who harmed that person earlier, did I create the causes to be hurt too? with dharma we can stop ourselves from creating further negative karma.
    On the part of meeting ‘errant’ persons, its true if the person is so nasty the easiet way if we could have is hit a ‘delete’ button and he/she vanishes from earth 🙂 But life is not so simple, again perhaps we could try to understand why he or she behaves this way, maybe a bitter experience in life made them this way, think of ways to uplift the person – without dharma we wont be doing such things and we will follow the bodhisattva path when we practice compassion. I also have thank Rinpoche I now do not need to whip out a ‘spiritual machine gun or sword’ to cut the spirits into pieces should I encounter one because Rinpoche has taught they are even more suffering than us. We should perhaps recite the Heart Sutra for them and dedicate the merits. Thus Rinpoche has taught compassion to not only seen beings but unseen beings too. With folded hands.

    Reply
41. 

    wansan on Apr 15, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching. Frederick’s sincerity and consistent attitude towards his spiritual practice is definitely an inspiration, motivation and also a reminder for all of us to do the same in our spiritual path. Frederick proves to us that even though we are “busy” with our work outside, he still finds time to volunteer and does his water offering retreat everyday without fail. Water offering may seem “easy” as it appears, just by pouring the water into the bowls and offer to Buddha. Well, it’s not. I remember last year when my mum, Jill Yam, was doing her water offering retreat, she was sweating all the way but keeping focus at the same time. Retreats like this, as mentioned by Frederick, indirectly had cultivated self-discipline to him to continuously do the retreat without fail.

    As Rinpoche mentioned that a Dharma centre is not a place to seek miraculous solutions to problems we created and we don’t expect to have things turn better immediately when the problems created by us hit the roof. It is not logical. Just like when we know we are sick but we didn’t want to see the doctor and when the sickness worsen and we blame the doctor for not giving the “fastest” medicine for us to heal. Everything takes time. Sickness takes time to heal, wounds take time to heal… what more to say to resolve problems that were created through our own ignorance and negative habituation. We have to follow all the way the “medicine” given by our teacher or senior student and put into practice and examine our mind constantly.

    Another point mentioned by Rinpoche “ you should be the light and not always look for the light”. We should be the inspiration, motivation, a good example so others can “follow the light” and be inspired and motivated in their spiritual path. Rinpoche always mentions that a Dharma centre is like a hospital where everyone came here to look for “medicine” , something to heal our mind and soul and ultimately to find inner peace. We don’t judge the others nor do we comment on the others’ actions. “The dharma centre is not perfect, but nothing is” We should learn and practice the Dharma and inspire others to do the same. Saying sorry and always apologizing to others will soon not carry any weight as it doesn’t mean anything anymore. The important thing is not the “sorry” but the results that we produced after saying sorry.

    Rinpoche says “Our problems and faults will not end till you end it with the full awakening of Buddha-hood as Tsongkapa did.” We should all stop blaming others for the problems we created but do something about it. Thank You Rinpoche again for this profound teaching. Frederick is indeed an inspiration to many to practice the Dharma diligently.

    Reply
42. 

    charlie kok on Apr 15, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    Dear beloved Tsem Tulku Rinpoche,
    Thank you very much for sharing the inspiritional water offering retreat by Federick. He has a full time job, yet he spend all his free time immerse in his dharma at Kechara.
    I would also like to Thank You vey much for all your teachings, you constance remainder to seek the Buddha’s teaching which are time-tested by hundreds of Buddhist great master for the past 2,500 years. Also your constance remainder of life and death, that we are bone alone and after death – journey alone.
    You also mentioned that Karma is very strong and virulent, lets take the pratice and do it with integrity. We should all join forces with our teacher to make dharma centre a truly great centre. To the MBF centre, I would like to Thanks PJJ and Joshua, for their dedication, guidance and relentless teaching and patience.
    May I wish you, Rinpoche – excellent health, long life, please continue to turn the Dharma wheel for all of us at Kachara and MBF.
    Eevery morning I do pray for you, PJJ & Joshua, that you will have excellent health, you will be free from migraine and your tail-bone will miraculously heal.
    Thank you once again for your spiritual guidance, all your wonderful video at Youtube, for sending PJJ to start-up MBF.
    From charlie

    Reply
43. 

    Ong Moh Mei on Apr 15, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    It seems when you join a dharma centre one of the question often asked is why? What is your true motivation? Why are you here? What are you seeking?

    These questions in themselves signify that people go the dharma centers because they are looking for something. Everything we do, we do for a reason. When I was a teenager, I was very active in my church and I have a bible study teacher. He used to ask me why, why, why, why all the time. I found it extremely annoying because in most cases, I just wanted to reply “no reason, just because”.

    I grew up, travelled round the world, did lots of crazy adventurous stuffs, etc but I never escaped the “why”. I guess it’s universal so to speak. Why do I do this, why do I do that? Why do I behave in such a way? Maybe it is not the “why” that I was trying to escape from, it’s the answers to the “why”. To answer the “why”, one has to search deep inside oneself and truly confront oneself. Maybe I was afraid of the answers I would find if I truly tried to answer all the “why”s in my life. Maybe I was afraid I would not like what I may find.

    Tenzin Palmo in her video “Cave In the Snow” talked about the role one constantly played to others. The world is like a large stage and we are all actors and actresses involved in this continuous play. We played many roles – the dutiful daughter, the faithful wife, the obedient son, the good student, the rebellious teenager, the cold hearted villain, the hero, the martyr, etc. When do we play ourselves? I mean our true self? When does the act stop?

    So what is this spirituality that we are seeking? HH Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is said to have quoted “The goal to practice daily is not to be better than the other person, but better then your previous self.” Everyone comes to the dharma centre for a reason, some may not even be seeking spirituality but hopefully and inevitably that is what they will incidentally get anyway in the end. Since all who are here are seekers of something, we should not compare. There should be no expectations of others but only of oneself and what we came to seek. For me, perhaps it is time to face all the answers to the “why”, to ask myself what am I truly seeking and why am I seeking it.

    Reply
44. 

    Jeffrey Khor on Apr 15, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    一個人修行所得的所有成就全部來自於上師！沒有上師不可能有任何成就，沒有上師不可能有任何機會解脫。就好比一個病入膏肓的人，要想痊癒必須要依靠一個良醫，才能挽救生命一樣。所以想徹底解脫，必須要依止上師！
    感谢上师的教法，愿上师长寿，法体安康。

    Reply
45. 

    Li Kim on Apr 15, 2014 at 3:42 am

    When I was young I would hear my grandmother “complain” that so many people bring their problems to the temple and expect immediate solutions and relief. I never really understood why and just thought people are like that. They go to a holy place to confess and lay their problems to the Gods and then wa lay! all solved. My grandma would tell me, “If so easy to get rid of problems then everyone at peace and no more crying la. All become Buddha la.” I just thought my grandma was being bitchy (with all respect to her).

    I now understand that people are looking for a quick fix. No wonder drugs sell because all other real remedies take too long. Problems exist, pain follows, doubt builds and anger prevails. Depression is the final end. Morbid yes…but only until we accept the realities of how creative we are in creating so much suffering in our lives. I am not giving a preaching here, when I say we I totally am guilty myself.

    When I met Rinpoche, I had decided to get a divorce. I had it all planned. I had spoken to my mother. I was an unhappy person and it was all my ex-husband’s fault. Then I received my first teaching just by looking at Rinpoche’s eyes at my first ever audience in 2009. Rinpoche’s eyes were all kindness and compassion. Rinpoche always has a sense of humour and he said some funny things to me but the pain was in me anyways and it was in his eyes that I felt comfort and realisation. With time after Rinpoche assessed my mind through conversations, he told me the truth about me. I will save you the details but I can tell you the truth really hurts! Rinpoche was not telling me about my divorce but about myself.

    I went through with my divorce 2 years later after my face up with the truth of who I am and my faults. I had no right to blame anyone but only myself and then come to terms with it. My relationship with my children is amazing and there is no negative repercussions. Today, my relationship with my ex is one that is amicable, understanding and even enjoyable.

    My point: when I met Rinpoche and became a part of Kechara, i learnt that I have issues and I am imperfect. But Rinpoche also constantly reminded me of my virtues and Kechara is a place I practise being a better person. Do I still have monster traits? Yes I do but I know that there are other ways.

    Life is too short, so why waste time being right about the wrong things? I have a Guru and I am still learning. I have a dharma centre and I am practising. Thank you Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara.

    Reply
46. 

    sweekeong on Apr 15, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Very happy here good news from one of Kecharians. I have met Frederick a few times when I first came to participate in the activities here at Kechara. Later I got to know that Frederick is also one of the few people who accompany Pastor Yek Yee regularly to outcall pujas and visits. At the same time he is doing his daily water offering with the goal of achieving 100K water offering. Besides his day job he spends much time doing Dharma activities. This makes me strongly believe he has his heart set for the Dharma and the benefits Dharma can bring peace and happiness to others.

    Rinpoche has mentioned many times in the past, in his Dharma teachings, the essential, the core attitudes one must apply and start living with when one do Dharma otherwise outwardly it looks like Dharma but inwardly it doesn’t bring any sense of peace and satisfaction. The main point here is since we can actually step into a spiritual community to do something good and beneficial for ourselves and for others, if we do half heartedly the result will be so and so which is kind of wasted. Why not do it in full since we are already here? Otherwise it is a waste of our time and everybody’s time. In my own words half heartedly can get some mixture of positive and negative karma due to our motivation, why not give more to generate merits which is more valuable and positive?

    Without remembering the positive thought one would always do whatever that comes to mind. The strongest habituations will always be foremost on our mind. Without someone telling us what brings positive results and what brings negative results we would continue in our own endless habituations which bring more pains and disappointment. Friends and families have advised us many times but I am still the old me, hard to change. Then we meet our guru and he advises and reminds us repeatedly what is good and what should be abandoned. The end goal is we can become better ourselves, be responsible, and be spiritually responsible without any more reminders. The guru is doing us a favor by pointing out our weaknesses just like how our parents did when we were young, they do not expect any return but our change in attitude to become better. Normal parents want the best for their children.

    Coming back to Frederick he did the best he can while still keeping a day job and other personal commitments. These entail pushing his comfort zone of how he spends his time. As working adult we have fixed amount of time which we have no control of ie fixed time during work, and time we have control ie after work. How we spend our time we have control of benefits us in the long run, or simply wasted which bring nothing in our future. Some spend polishing their skills and learning. Some spend time enjoying themselves as the saying goes enjoying the fruits after we spend so much sweat earning a good salary. Well the truth is this is for people who are fortunate where they have healthy bodies. It doesn’t apply to people who have poor health and don’t get to work enough to earn a decent salary to live and pay medical bills. It could be we haven’t reach the time to experience unfortunate period. Fortune don’t last forever neither do misfortunate but what determines or how do we cope if we meet with misfortunate. People say experience is the best teacher but the unfortunate thing is many have experience it and live with the circumstances they are in. It is good they accept the situation but the Dharma taught us more than just accepting a situation. There is more than accepting a situation in life. Otherwise whatever happens to us we will keep accepting only but not do something or act on it in a positive way. This boils down to how much we care for ourselves and others. It is hard to do it alone. It is easier to do it in a group because the strength of many can overcome many obstacles. It is definitely a fortune we meet the Dharma but the guru is living the Dharma. It is the most precious treasure that we have a meet guru who not only live and teach Dharma but also provide a ground for us to walk the path.

    Reply
47. 

    June Tang(khjb) on Apr 14, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    人生就是一场修行，这修行的路上，会有太多的负面情绪、消极因素来阻挡我们前进的脚步。我们要学着从痛苦、伤心难过、各种负面情绪当中出离出來。没有什么是永恒的，痛苦不是，所以不要太执着。快乐不是，所以不要太沉迷。 大多数人在碰到問題且需要去面對這一切時，卻想到放棄，或者以消极的心念經去消除碰到的問題。可是修行的核心不是用念經去消除，而是去面對現實，解决问题。雖然經文可以幫助消除業障，但更多還是需要親身去解決，這樣才能修行圓滿。若通過佛經去消除業障，而自己沒有醒悟，沒有意識到自己所做的錯事，那么即使業障消除，還是會再重復自己過去所犯下的錯誤。能在今生遇到我们的上师詹杜固仁波切，是我们的因缘福报，若不从基础做起，扎扎实实地修，法再好也不会受益，真正的解脱要靠自己的觉悟，自己不觉悟，谁也没有办法。有些人整天找借口忙这忙那，不肯修行，恐怕当你真想修行时，却来不及了！！！

    Reply
48. 

    susan liew on Apr 14, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for sharing Frederick’s inspiring story with us and Rinpoche’s powerful and profound teaching about people who seek spirituality. When we study, contemplate and apply Rinpoche’s teaching, we sure learn a lot and experience less suffering which are caused by our ignorance. Dharma is a powerful method to help us in facing our everyday mundane problems. I am very grateful to have come across Rinpoche’s teaching and have emerged a stronger person. Thank you Rinpoche, for bringing the precious dharma to us.

    With love,
    Susan Liew.

    Reply
49. 

    lewkwanleng on Apr 14, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    From one of Rinpoche’s youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5_b3DiWlqw, I have learnt that there is no quick fix to our problems (problems which are created by us in the first place). Religion cannot be used as a way to clear our problem by just reciting mantra or praying. We need to listen to the advice of the teacher and/or senior students and apply them all the way. Also, our perceived way is not the only way and we need to be open about other ways.

    Before I meet Rinpoche, I have heard other Buddhist teachings, but may be I didn’t hear from the correct person, it usually sound very pessimistic to me. I am really happy to hear such teachings because it taught us to be responsible, caring, self transform, etc. and apply the Dharma in our daily life.

    Also, previously when my Dharma brother and sister didn’t do their job and pass the job to me, I get very upset. I always thought, why didn’t you do what you are supposed to do? But now I also learnt that it is my practice to be patience and my Dharma work is between me and Buddha anyway, and never between me and others. LOL.

    I miss Rinpoche very much, but I know I have not done enough to “win” Rinpoche back to Malaysia yet. I will need to participate and engage with others more, speak up and lead to relief the burden of others so that we all can grow even faster.

    Reply
50. 

    cnyong on Apr 14, 2014 at 11:41 am

    起心动念，言行举止，毕竟是人世间修行/心的重要课题。遇到行为恶劣或言语粗暴的人， 难免会感觉沮丧， 懊恼和愤怒，却不该让自己平静的心起涟漪。他/她们会是一个很好的借镜，不让自己犯同样的错。接受不完美， 让自己改变心态吧！记得任波切说过， 佛法的修持是心灵的修行， 转化心灵， 令身边的人快乐， 也让自己感到快乐。 爱，宽容和同理心盖过一切。

    Reply
51. 

    Lilyn Tan on Apr 14, 2014 at 10:52 am

    Dearest Rinpoche,

    Thank you Rinpoche for spending times sharing this precious teachings. We are so fortunate and blessed to have Rinpoche to help us to work with all the challenges in our lives, the Dharma Rinpoche gave is to help us see into our nature -self and be free of mental affliction and illness, that lead us out of Suffering and Liberation.

    I rejoice for Frederick in his spiritual advancement which inspire many of us! Please continue to contribute more in Kechara 🙂

    I miss you Rinpoche.

    Reply
52. 

    Tan Soon Hua on Apr 14, 2014 at 12:09 am

    感谢Frederick，为我们志工培训班的各位同学立下了一个好榜样，提醒了我们除了无私的奉献，也别忘了在灵修上要用功精进。

    Reply
53. 

    Yvonne Yap on Apr 14, 2014 at 12:03 am

    谢谢仁波切的教诲和分享。

    很多人都会认为做佛法事业的人都是好人，不会贬低别人，不会说谎，不会恶言，不会挑拨，不会出错，这都是错误的想法，人嘛！是不会有十全十美的，但如果能比较的话，可能这个人比起以前，变好了百倍了呢？
    每个地方，每件事情，每个事务，都有我们应该遵守的规矩，更何况是佛堂？我们该在适当的地方，做适当的事。这的道理，大家都要清楚。
    我觉得我们学习佛法，首先的对象是自己，先要把自己说服，妥协，明白了，才能把好的带出去，如果做不到这一点的，就安静的继续努力，不要打扰别，也不要怪罪的别人的身上。因为我们自己能修到得，是自己的，其他人分不到。
    当我们思想和情绪有矛盾的时候，请想回原点，为何当初我们会有这样的想法和决定。

    很高兴Frederick在这次水供里，学习到“自律”，其实要把自己管好，也不是件容易的事。我要加油哦！

    Reply
    • 

      abby f on Apr 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      “当我们思想和情绪有矛盾的时候，请想回原点，为何当初我们会有这样的想法和决定。”

      谢谢Yvonne的分享。确实是这样。正所谓“莫忘初衷”。师父文中有说：我们加入佛法道场的目的不是为了改变别人，而是为自己的证悟而加入道场。这谦虚得来，也提醒我们什么才是真正重要的。：）

      Reply
54. 

    Denise Kuek on Apr 13, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Hi Rionpoche, reading this post made me recalling back another one u have posted, that is about maybe at this moment you still cant see any difference by practicing dharma and doing homework, but if you keep doing, things will change..yes, i do believe, just do it and continue without doubting is the way for the beginner like me.

    Reply
55. 

    freon on Apr 13, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    From bottom of my heart, I sincerely thanks Rinpoche for saving me by written this articles. Saving me from my mind that causes harm to myself and others.

    From this articles the points that I have pick up

    1) We joined a Spiritual teacher or Dharma Centers is to learn the methods to transforms our mind and eventually to reach the Buddhahood in us.

    2) Solutions given by Spiritual Guide or even senior student is out of their kindness to study and they have learned the Dharma and they willingly to share to me the solution generously. Thus, I should not debate or alter but to follow.

    3) We do not join in a Dharma center to be a “policeman” or “judge” because it is not necessary and not needed. I joined the Dharma center not to find faults from others, not to win from others, but to learn to tame my wild mind and reach the Bodhi seed.

    4) If we have done mistake, apologies and don’t do it again. If we keep apologies, the apologies became harmful action

    5) Don’t run from Dharma as this is the last resources before my next uncontrolled rebirth come to me

    6) As years go by, by joining a Dharma center I should have improved yearly.

    7) Our teacher loves us and has opened a dharma centre for us and the benefit of many. We should join forces with our teacher to make the dharma center a powerful institution to relieve the sufferings of others.

    8) It’s very blessed to meet a teacher who cares and imparts dharma. It’s equally important for the teacher to meet genuine students who apply effort and gain results. When a caring teacher combines forces with sincere result-oriented students, the rest is history

    9) Start the inner revolution now. The revelation is that there is a way out and it’s inside of you. Start the ‘war’ on anger, bitterness, depression, selfishness within oneself now by applying Buddha’s teachings and gaining hope from the doctrine of cause and effect (karma). If you start the inner war, outer wars in your life will decrease. You will find peace.

    10) Commitments and promises to my guru and myself- I should make it happens and consistent on it. By sincerely practice and applying the promise, will move Rinpoche’s heart. And make it worth for Dharma teacher to continue turning the Dharma Wheel.

    11) Kechara build by Rinpoche to benefits others. Thus as a student of Rinpoche, I should prepare to do more , be patient and apply the solutions in daily life. Bring Dharma to people tirelessly.

    The remedies for me to remember
    (1) Study the dharma and apply the solutions
    (2) Consistent effort
    (3) Don’t hold everything fast and hard. Allow space for change because nothing is permanent and set in stone for most.
    (4) Don’t look for solutions only my way. There are other ways so be open.
    (5) Think long-term because whatever I do in the dharma can be not only solutions for immediate problems, but for other problems that have not arisen yet.
    (6) I am the solution to the problems that I have created, therefore, gain control over the problems that I am seeking solutions for.
    (7) Apply the methods/ solutions over time.
    (8) Others opinion about me can change over the time, don’t keep on failing over and over again.
    (9) Be the light
    (10) Karma is very strong and virulent, thus don’t be on runaway train
    (11) People in dharma are not tenth level Bodhisattvas. Change your mind, remain silent and transform.
    (12) Shows gratitude to senior dharma students who nurture us

    Reply
56. 

    stella on Apr 13, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    After reading this post , I feel very motivated to be more discipline in my practice

    And thank you H.E. Rinpoche for his teaching.

    Reply
57. 

    Yee Mun on Apr 13, 2014 at 11:24 am

    我们这些凡人就是平日不燒香，臨時抱佛腳。生活安好时就只在乎自己开开心心，到了大难临头，没有办法时就求佛菩萨打救，希望有奇迹。

    My own experience of people coming to dharma center are they need help to solve their problems. If their problem are solved, they will start volunteer or serving the center. Some after problem solved, they also dissappeared. If their problems not solved, they will said the center is not good and they will find another one. When we are in good time, many will not think of practising dharma. They will said wait till I retired. When young is the time to make more money and hopefully can retire early and enjoy life. But they have forgotten that no one can be sure we still breath tomorrow or will live till the age of retirement.

    Recently, I was being offered a promotion with increase responsibility and transfer to another state. I rejected the offer cos I said my priority in life is not on career advancement any more, I want to do more on dharma work. My boss laugh at me and said it is too young for me to forgo my career advancement and concentrate on spirituality and it is a waste of talent. 有得必有失。Well, you gain something, and for sure will lose something else.

    Buddhism is about transforming ourself to be someone better, so that we can live in harmony with our family, colleagues, friends and others. Is all about our daily life. Therefore we can actually practise now, change now and no need to wait till such and such a date. Practise make perfect. Therefore, we need to do it now and not wait till the last minute. It is very fortunate of us that we have a Guru that always remind us to practise and guide us unceasingly.

    This is an article that worth reading again again. It served as a reminder to us what we should do and what we should not do. Will share this and hopefully many can benefits from reading this. Thank you Rinpoche.

    Rejoice to Frederick Law.

    Reply
58. 

    PB on Apr 12, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    Frederick sets a good example for us. We have to take responsibility, learn the dharma and apply the learning consistently. Thank you Rinpoche and all for creating and maintaining the dharma centre which brings benefit to all.

    Reply
59. 

    Girlie OOI on Apr 12, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching and thanks also go to Frederick for his water offering retreat update.

    Before joining Kechara, I was always of the opinion that members of a Dharma Centre are very perfect people, practicing the Dharma and walking the talk. Well, there are very good practitioners because they have taken the Guru’s advice to heart and transformed for the better, for themselves and for others. There are also those of us who have not transformed as much, those who are still on the “blame game”, those having drama in Dharma, and the list goes on, living out our lives in samsara.

    If we want to forsake/abandon what our Guru has taught us, why seek Him out in the first place? After all, were we not the ones who went seeking Him in the first place?

    You are born alone and after death, journey alone.

    This reminds me of a message that I received from a friend recently:

    Life is like a journey on a train …
    With its stations …
    With changes of routes …
    And with accidents!

    We board this train when we are born
    And our parents are the ones who get our ticket

    We believe they will always travel on this train with us

    However, at some station our parents will get off the train
    Leaving us alone on this journey

    As time goes by, other passengers will board the train
    Many of whom will be significant –our siblings, friends,
    Children and even the love of our life

    Many will get off during the journey
    And leave a permanent vacuum in our lives

    Many will go so unnoticed that we won’t even know when they vacated their seats and got off the train!

    This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, good-byes and farewells

    A good journey is helping, loving, having a good relationship with all co-passengers …
    And making sure that we give our best to make their journey comfortable

    The mystery of this fabulous journey is:
    We do not know at which station we ourselves are going to get off.

    So we must live in the best way – adjust, forget, forgive, and offer the best of what we have

    It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to leave our seat …
    We should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life

    Thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!

    Have a very pleasant journey of life … !!

    Reply
60. 

    Irene Lim on Apr 12, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for always showing your love and care to whoever come your way. I am always grateful to your words of advice.

    Reply
61. 

    June Kang on Apr 12, 2014 at 3:18 pm

     这篇文章我看了很多次欲無法㝍下感想，那种感觉是不舒服而后逃避。
    第一次看的感觉是師父常常在都在說这些，所以知道但不想去深思
    第二次看时是问自己当初为什么耍做佛法事业，而后发觉自己的动机是私心　太重，又不爽，又逃避不理，
    第三次我去面对那不爽的感觉，发觉我知道文章里很多是自己的毛病，知道但不想改，可是又害怕业报，所以选捀逃避，而发觉原来是不爽自己，不爽自己是懒惰，不爽自己做的不夠多，没有完全盡力去做，知道自己是如此，我接受，我现在需耍做更多去改变这不好。
    再检查自己的念头，原来抱怨是来自念头里是利益自己（虽然间简有利益他人）,比如说我只想快点把事做完，所以从不理会其他人可能没有能力，所以开始抱怨，自己的不快乐是來自 I don’t care。 开心了解这一点，我不要抱怨了，看到我抱怨请提醒，我要去关心更多人。

    第四次看时，看到我忘了無常，我们很多时候用过去的经验去看一个人，因为如此，我们很難看到一个人少许的改变，这也间接的说我们不夠慈悲去接受他人的錯误，所以看不到他人一点点的改变，所以他人离开道圽，也是关係到我们的责任。

    笫五次看时， 我才真正的掌握到佛教中心是最好修行的道场，因在外工作沒辦法去想如何將佛法实践在生活中，因很多时候是急向老板或员工交侍，做到就好，所以修行是很難更上一層楼，但我现在是向自己的业报交侍，所以，有那个道场是明白所谓业报呢？

    弟六次看时，体会到師父的慈悲和自己是多么的幸运遇到了，每个字都是都希望我们脱离悪业，希望我们能更快的转化自己，利益自己以及我们遇到的每一个人。

    感谢   Federick  所做的功德成就我们的修行。

    Reply
62. 

    pat on Apr 12, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Thank you , Rinpoche for sharing this teaching , a reminder to check ourselves again & again. It’s always inspiring to know someone who is practicing dharma well and achieving self realization .Frederick is one good example of truly practicing and applying dharma in his daily life …transformation, self-discipline,gratitude and making effort to change for the better…..Frederick was very lucky cos he met a great Teacher (Rinpoche)who guided him with advice and dharma teachings . Also thanks to the Pastors in Kechara who have been guiding him ,giving him support all the way.Everybody should make an effort to practice well ,liberate from suffering and benefitting others.

    Reply
63. 

    Wan Wong on Apr 12, 2014 at 4:31 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Frederick’s messages which reflect his sincerity in learning Dharma, devotion to Rinpoche and Kechara by volunteered in Kechara and followed Rinpoche advice to do his retreat which he has gained so much benefit as we know water offering is one of the preliminary practice which Buddhist practitioners should engage in order to prepare ourselves to higher practice. In order for one to complete the retreat, one need to be discipline, patience and effort to do it continuously which Frederick did it through the way of his retreat. The determine mind to complete his practice is inspired.

    Dharma centres are the places that bring benefits to people who seek spirituality and Kechara is one of the Dharma centre which represent it very good. Countless people have received tremendous benefits from Kechara currently and in the past through Rinpoche teaching, pujas,Dharma classes etc. With sincere/devote students, Kechara is continue growing to benefit and reach out to more people.

    Reply
64. 

    Pastor Yek Yee on Apr 12, 2014 at 12:57 am

    对我个人而言，灵修是生生世世必须持续前进的道路，它充满了挑战、警喜、意外和最崇高的收穫。 灵修就好像我们在自家的庭院种一棵树，从一小粒豆子，埋在泥巴里，经过大自然的滋养，然后慢慢地茁壮成长。。。可是在整个过程中，身为行者，必须要走出自己旧有的框框，调整自己，因为灵修这条路要一直走下去，首先个人必须要将自己训练得有自律、坚持、坚强、勇于面对自己；茁壮了内在的自己，那么在过程中遇到了棘手艰难的事情，都不会因而退缩，反而会因困难的到来，越战越勇。

    像仁波切所说的，当我们有问题，便不停地求神问卜，在找到没处可找时，才想到到佛教中心碰碰运气，可能捐了一丁点钱，便希望自己的问题马上被解决。实际上，真的可以吗？从正常逻辑的角度来看，那是不太可能说今天求明天就解决了问题，你到来这里，可以帮你的问题解决，但需要时间！试问一个困扰你几十年的问题，可以在几个小时解决吗？不可能，对不？

    从仁波切的这个帖文里，透露了劳康凯对自己修行和闭关的坚持精神，实属难得。尤其，在这个忙碌的城市里，没有多少人愿意安静下来，好好地进行灵修活动，所以愿意坚持自己修行的人，值得我们给予支持。
    皈依上师，寻找一个佛教中心，依我人来看，是为了让自己在灵修上更加精进，因自知智慧不高，请求上师给予灵修的加持和知识，使自己在这条路上走得更顺遂。这也是我个人祈求有位好上师的最大动机，因为我坚持相信，惟有上师才可以将我推向灵修的更高境界。而所有的金刚上师来到世间，只希望能够普度众生，所以当上师看到弟子劳康凯般认真看待自己的灵修活动，肯定会感到万二分的雀跃。因为上师看到了弟子为自己创造了一个良善的因，表示说他的未来会更加的好，因而为他感到随喜！

    最后，感谢仁波切的分享，这篇文章的确让我受益不少。

    Reply
65. 

    jimmy tan on Apr 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    i am so proud of you my dharma brother Frederick . I knew you since 3 years ago when i new in Kechara. You set a very good example for me as junior .And you really show your guru devotion by action .It touched my heart too when u said u missed Rinpoche especially Rinpoche have Dharma talked in Gompa. I sincerely hope Rinpoche will come Malaysia too as soon as can. I miss you too Rinpoche .

    Reply
66. 

    louise on Apr 11, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    人生总会起起落落。拥有佛法才可以让我觉得踏实， 不会做错路。 可是非常悲哀的是， 总有一些利用上师与佛友的一份善良的心， 做一些事。在克切拉4年来， 看到了许多。也因为仁波切给了我佛法知识， 让我多了一份爱心去对待每一位。

    刚来来到佛堂的目的很重要， 如果为了改变自己，了解佛陀的教诲，这些人都会比较踏实。如果另有目的， 不到三个月就会慢慢离开或者做一些奇怪的动作。仁波切非常的慈悲，非常的有耐心对待每一位。 就算是记录不好的学生，仁波切还会爱护他们。

    我们身为仁波切的学生就应该好好的思考一下。到底是。。。。。。。 坐在那里等待？ 还是主动的做多一些！

    学佛的道路是一条难行的路。我们会不停的看到自己丑陋的一面， 我们一定要坚持！

    非常开心， Fredrick 他坚持完成了他的retreat. 希望很快的你也可以再次的闭关！

    Reply
67. 

    Lim Tat Ming on Apr 11, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    There are many definitions of what spirituality mean. According to Wikipedia, “some social scientists have defined spirituality as the search for the sacred which is broadly defined as other than the ordinary and is worthy of veneration. Spirituality has evolved in modern times and it connotes a blend of humanistic psychology with mystical and esoteric traditions and eastern religions aimed at personal well-being and personal development.” Being a practicing Buddhist, I personally feel that spirituality means more than just being religious. Spirituality is an expression of our truest human potential i.e. to realize one’s mind and to eventually become a fully-enlightened Buddha.

    It is essential to find a right guru in the search of ones’ own and realization of spirituality. It says in Yonten Shigyurma, The Foundation of All Qualities as composed by Lama Tsongkhapa,

    “Well-realising that the root of the path, the foundation for every realisation,
    is to properly rely on my kind Guru, bless me to do so with great effort and devotion.”

    Having found the right guru whom we have an affinity with, we then surrender ourselves to that guru in order for him or her to guide us on our spiritual path. Right guru means the guru comes from a proven lineage that originates from Lord Buddha. Right guru means the guru is qualified to teach us the methods (Dharma) to transform our mind. To surrender to a guru does not mean we blindly follow the guru’s instructions. Instead of being subservient to our ego and bad habituation, we surrender to our guru i.e. allow our guru to train us in the most skilful way. Bear in mind, we are solely responsible for our spiritual endeavour. We must take personal responsibility for all positive or negative outcome arising from our spiritual training.

    The Buddha is likened to the specialist doctor who help us to diagnose and prescribe the medicines (Dharma) for our illness (our delusions). The sangha (spiritual community in our Dharma centre) is likened to the nurse who assist the doctor to take care of our wellbeing after the treatment. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Guru is the embodiment of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha i.e. the Three Jewels. By relying on the Guru, we receive the blessings of the Three Jewels. With the blessings we can then progress faster along the spiritual path. In other words, the Guru provides an environment conducive for us to practise Dharma. If we have complete faith in the Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and persevere in our spiritual training, we can turn all our obstacles into the path.

    Many spiritual practitioners had failed to realize the importance of knowing the purpose why they are practising Dharma and setting the correct motivation when they go to the Dharma centre to practise. Some students had become worst off than before pursuing Dharma practice! Some students had taken advantage of the kindness of the Guru and the Sangha community. One of the most detrimental effects to the growth of Dharma in a Dharma centre is the lack of harmony among the Sangha community. Without harmony there will not be growth but instead degeneration of Dharma. In other words, all these ignorant students are very much affected by the Eight Worldly Concerns, the very cause of our suffering. There is no sincere or pure practice of Dharma. We must put the Guru’s teachings (or Dharma) into practice otherwise it defeat the purpose of Dharma Practice.

    Having studied Dharma, we would at the very least have understood intellectually the Law of Cause and Effect. Every negative action no matter how insignificant it is that a student had committed towards the Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, unless it is completely purified, will manifest into a negative effect. Hence be very mindful and well aware of our thoughts and actions. Always practise virtues.

    It is so rare that we have found a right guru and Dharma especially as presented by the Incomparable Lama Tsongkhapa. Without the Guru and Dharma, we would still be wandering aimlessly and meaninglessly in samara. We will continue to be suffering endlessly life after life.

    The above are some of my thoughts that arose from this blog post.

    It is essential for every new or experienced spiritual practitioner to take to heart these precious teachings from our kind and compassionate guru H. E. Tsem Rinpoche. Every instruction here is a personal advice for us. They are objects for our meditation.

    Thank You Rinpoche for these invaluable teachings.

    Congratulations to Frederick Law for your accomplishment of 100k water offerings! I rejoice in your fine example, commitment to the practice and devotion to our guru. You had truly inspired all of us.

    Reply
68. 

    Choo Weng Loong on Apr 11, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful write up reminding us what are the reasons for joining a Dharma center and how one’s behaviour & attitude should be when one seeks spiritual knowledge & practice. The phrase ” look for reasons to succeed” really strikes me as I could still remember when I first joined Kechara I’ve noticed a lot of shortcomings which I did not expect from a Dharma center , however I keep reminding myself the reason of me joining a Dharma center in the first place and that is for the Dharma and nothing else I persevered and now I found the answer to some of my earlier doubts . I got to know Kechara after inviting home a Wealth Vase from KP and I made up my mind to attend the Dharma classes with my family . Now looking back I am so pleased that I made the correct decision and rejoice that my 2 children has met the Dharma at an early age. I hope they will eventually become useful citizens & successful Dharma practitioners. Rejoice for Frederick who successfully completed 100000 water offerings . Actually met him when he came to my house for house blessing during CNY and the picture above of him doing serkym was actually taken in my house haha .

    Reply
69. 

    Vivian Ong Chwee Kooi on Apr 11, 2014 at 11:40 am

    I thank Rinpoche for the above detailed explanation and rejoice to Frederick for his great determination and achievement. I started off quite blur and have taken Refuge in the year 2012. But as time went by, and I attend weekly Setrap pujas, dharma class and started to set up my altar in a very simple manner with only water offerings, a stupa, a book and 2 tsa tsas. This is because my money was tight at that moment. Later on, a Kechara friend (Justin) gave me a Green Tara statue. I am really thankful and grateful to Justin for his lovely Green Tara statue. I started to upgrade my altar by doing more offerings by adding the sensory offerings in one row and water offering in another row. I noticed there were some improvements in my life for example in terms of money which allowed me to upgrade my altar which I am very happy that I finally did it. I also noticed good relationships with spouse,friends, etc. I started volunteering in KSK last year and I just started my volunteer training 2 weeks ago. I hope I am able to help and bring more people to the centre so that more people will know and study dharma. By doing this, eventually the sufferings and problems will be lessen and eliminated.I am really thankful and grateful to have known Rinpoche and Kechara. I am doing my best everyday to apply whatever I’ve learned from Rinpoche’s teachings.

    With Love,
    Vivian Ong

    Reply
70. 

    Fong on Apr 11, 2014 at 8:44 am

    i must admit that it took me many readings of this particular article to even get a glimpse of what Rinpoche is teaching.

    At the bottom of it, to me,is that we have to make sure that we are seeking dharma for a bigger goal than asking for divine help in everyday matters that have gone wrong. We have to accept and take responsibility for our actions – good or bad. from there, if good,how do we make it better or if bad, how do we make it right. Facing my faults seemed like facing the worst demons of my nightmare, but, thank you, Rinpoche, I know that I have to face them to get ride of the demons. If not, the bogeyman will always stay under my bed.

    we also have to be mindful of our thoughts as that is where actions or words will come from which may create more ‘problems’ for us. We are all different, so what is given and practiced by one may not be suitable for another. Just as I look at my husband, an intellectual who did well academically, I used to feel like dumbo. But at second glance there are areas where I can out perform him. So, who is better? Neither. we are just different. therefore our approach will be different and thus, walk a different path towards the same destination. So, no need to feel inferior or jealous of his perceived progress. NOW, time to find a way to coordinate and help each other!

    I also know now that I am allowed to fall. The shame will arise if I do not pick myself up, dust myself off and continue to be better.

    It is very difficult to keep all that in mind. There are days when emotions take over and I feel defeated. That is where Rinpoche’s teachings is like a net that catches me. The altar, the sadhana, all the Buddha images around the house, serves as a reminder to me to be consistent, to read and to catch myself thinking my thoughts. It’s like going to kindergarten to read and write. Reading and listening to teachings is like learning to read in kindergarten. If I do not do my writing, which is applying the dharma, the ability to read and comprehension will come slower. So, off to kindergarten I go.

    With folded hands and much gratitude
    Fong

    Reply
71. 

    Uncle Lai on Apr 11, 2014 at 12:13 am

    I join Kechara House to seek spiritual knowledge and learn the Dharma.
    I was a angrysome person. The slighest thing would blow my head off.I was also a very jealous person and impatient.

    For years I suffered under this false image not knowing how to change. It was about 10 years I met Rinpoche through my son David.

    I started attending Rinpoche Dharma talk and I found him very humourous and very knowledgeable. The Dharma talk is not less than 3 hours so he added humour is to keep us awake. Rinpoche is very clear and detail in his explaination.

    After sometime Rinpoche told me to do the prelinary practise of water offering, prostration, reciting the migsema etc. After sometime I voluntee a couple of days at Kechara House to help out.

    After a few years I was still volunteering in Kechara House and attending Rinpoche Dharma talk. In one of the Dharma talk Rinpoche hinted and pointed at my weakness. I tried to smile but could not so I looked stupid. Rinpoche saw that in me and he continued his talk.

    I went home that night unhappy and told myself not to go to Kechara House again. I got up next morning and forgot everything but the next volunteering day I was fighting myself go or not to go. Ya I won so I went to Kechara House as usual.

    Not long after that Rinpoche gave another Dharma talk and I attended. I sat further away at the back so that he wont notice me. As usual before Rinpoche start the Dharma talk he would look around and see who are the familar faces. Rinpoche spoted me and I tried to look away to avoid the eye contact. He immediately commented ‘Dont try to avoid me. I can help you. You know? At that moment I was frozen and I couldnt move. I tried to move my head to face him with difficulty, like I have a stiff neck. When I manage to face my eyes were burning trying to wink.

    After awhile Rinpoche came to mingle around the people. He came near me and I offer to shake his hand. He touched my hand and looked into my eyes like telling me, remember what I said.

    These 10 years I spent in Kechara House was a great experience. At the time of challenge I stood firm reminding myself the purpose I come to Kechara House.I am a happier person now learn how to let go an move on

    You look at the front face of Kechara House you see a big picture of Rinpoche face. It is beautiful, more beautiful then the word itself.
    It is a face of compasion, love and care for all sential beings. Rinpoche main purpose of coming here is to teach Dharma to relief us from the suffering of this samsaric world.
    Om Ma Nee Pat Mee Hum.

    Reply
72. 

    lucy yap on Apr 10, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    The path to personal development never goes in a straight line,there are many detours and it is easy to go astray or even get lost.
    The guru has been down this road before us,therefore is ready to help us to navigate the path more easily.Only from within,can we awaken.We have to take responsibility for our own actions,recognizing the interpendent and impermanent nature of things
    This is a beautiful teaching.Thank you for sharing,Rinpoche.

    Reply
73. 

    Niral Patel on Apr 10, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Rinpoche, thank you for this teaching and your spiritual advice to Frederick, I am certain he has benefited a lot from his water offering retreat. Rinpoche’s advice always gives benefit if carried out sincerely with discipline and diligence.

    When i first came to work at Kechara I was told that Dharma work is itself a “retreat” that can purify a lot of negative karma and accumulate merits. I always wondered how and why this may be and the reasons I’ve come up with, which may be entire incorrect, is somewhat linked to what Rinpoche mentions in the above blog post. Rather than coming to work or study at a Dharma centre with the same attitude as a “normal” job or lifestyle will not get you far and in this instance can even exasperate a person’s need for attention, money etc. But the real transformation occurs when one is studying the Dharma and one is able to see habitual patterns and ways of thinking when dealing with others and then transforming these to be a more compassionate and beneficial person. This way real transformation occurs both on the external level and the internal level.

    Rinpoche, thank you for all your hard work, sacrifice and heart ache in building Kechara. Thought some people over the years may have come for the wrong reasons, Kechara surely helps those who really want to transform along their spiritual path, just like Frederick, and I dare say myself as well.

    Reply
74. 

    AdelineTan on Apr 10, 2014 at 2:03 am

    After reading Frederick’s letter to Rinpoche, i can see that Frederick Law is eager to learn the dharma and has taken Rinpoche’s instructions and advice seriously,a sincere and genuine student by offering his dharma practice to Rinpoche. I can still remember some 18 years ago after my first pilgrimage tour with Rinpoche to Bodhgaya, Rinpoche had kindly set up an altar in my house for me to do 100,000 full prostration and Migtseyma recitation retreats to purify my negative karma which i have completed 10 years ago and i am still reciting Migtsema prayer and the Vajrasattva mantras every single day. Currently i am attending the sponsored pujas and help to do tormas in Puja House,also attending the Sunday dharma class in KH. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the benefits of water offering and Tsongkapa retreats.

    Reply
75. 

    Karen Chong on Apr 10, 2014 at 12:57 am

    我想，这篇开示里举的几个例子，例如人们加入佛法中心的发心及所期盼得到的成果等，正正刺中了许多人的要害。詹杜固仁波切在开示里赤裸裸地分析我们由还未遇见佛法，学习佛法，直到进入佛法中心，我们的动机，发心与行动是如何影响着我们的日常生活，包括那些缠绕着我们不放的各种烦恼与痛苦。 我们因为习性，业力与缺乏善知识而为自己制造了很多问题，带着某种自私的心态来到佛法中心寻求解脱。 有时候当我们的期待不能被满足时，我们就开始蛮怨，这并不附合逻辑。

    我向詹杜固仁波切学习佛法已三年， 这三年所学到的佛法教诲足以让我受惠一世！甚至几世！学校与家庭教育并不能给予我在这里所学到的知识，它不止是知识，而是一种毕生受用的智慧。詹杜固仁波切教导我们不止要拥有智慧，还要将之付诸于行动中，让他人受惠。利他，就是与自己心中的愤怒，苦涩，忧郁，自私等负面因素开战，从而生起慈悲心，处处为他人着想与奉献。当我们不把自己看得那么重的时侯，我们会发现我们的心会松懈很多，也能找到内在的平静。

    这一世能够有幸遇见上师是我们莫大的福报。 上师的尊贵在于他能够像佛菩萨一样慈悲，无私地爱你，照顾你，给予你人生最大的财富－智慧。智慧是内在财富，它只会增值，它不像你的路易唯登包包一样随着时间而降值。如果你还在寻找一项可靠的投资计划来保障自己的财富，那么，去寻找一位您所信赖的上师吧！您将会慢慢地发现，上师给予我们的各种教诲将让我们受益无穷。

    Reply
76. 

    Pastor Shin on Apr 10, 2014 at 12:54 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this teaching. Congratulations Frederick for completing 100,000 water offering (and doing the extra 10%).

    I sincerely rejoice for Frederick because I know it was not easy. He is busy at work, and on top of that, I know he is a regular volunteer for the monthly Animal Liberation, and assists in Puja Team. He is not so “free” although it is said he does his water offering during his “free” time.

    I got to know Frederick when he started to do water offering in the Dharma House I am staying, Jamyang House. He comes daily, diligently and after he is done, cleans up and leaves quietly. Frederick doesn’t rush through his water offering, he does the water offering carefully with focus.

    “Slow and steady wins the race”, and Frederick has shown us that despite his busy schedule, he does his very best and humbly offer his practice up to his Lama. As what Rinpoche mentioned above, we should study the Dharma and apply the solutions consistently, and Frederick has shown us a good example by completing his water offering retreat.

    Rinpoche’s teaching above is very relevant to today’s people as we are quick to judge. I find this phrase very apt – “You should be the light and not always look for the light”. I think Frederick embodies this very much, instead of waiting to be inspired, he took his spiritual path seriously and is now an inspiration for others.

    “Are there people in dharma centres that do not practice and are perhaps not ideal examples of Buddhism? Of course there are.”

    “You didn’t join the dharma centre to change the members but to enlighten yourself.”

    It is important for we ourselves to practice the Dharma, and not expect everyone else to be kind to us and cater to our needs just because it is a Dharma centre and people “should be kind to me”. In any spiritual practice, it is we ourselves who has to be kind, be the giving person, be the one who endure hardship for others in order to grow and become better than “the others” , if not why come to a Dharma centre?

    Reply
77. 

    Carmen K on Apr 9, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    I think the best question to always ask yourself is what is and was your reason in joining a Dharma Centre. If it started with a wrong motivation but later, after learning the Dharma, and your motivation changed, then you will be able to “change” with the Dharma because you start to value it. However, if your motivation and intention was wrong and remained wrong, because you could not fulfil your expectations, then when difficulties arises because you don’t want to change, eventually, you will leave.

    Your bad habits are characterized as a solid hard rock, and Dharma, the chisel. Your want, choice to change and flexibility is characterized by a hammer. How much you want to shave off the rock is up to you and the strength in which you use the hammer on the chisel (which is the Dharma). In other words, how much you apply the Dharma. Not intellectualise it, but really apply and practise it.

    Because nothing is permanent, especially your perceptions and projections, that is why when your view changes, it can make a world of difference for you, and for those around you. It takes an instance. However, if you choose to remain as a non-driven, comfort based being, then you can have the best counselor in the world, and it will not make a difference for and in you.

    I think that realising that things are not fixed is very important. And realising that you want to be out of a situation you are in and to want to succeed will lead you to beneficial outcomes eventually because you are willing to change and achieve. Everything is within your control, and everything you experience arise from what you have created. There is no one to blame for your failure, or lacklustre state, because everything is in your own hands. You make the difference for yourself. Blaming others is a easy way out, of wanting something to be fixed for you, without you putting any effort.

    Chancing upon the Dharma through Rinpoche and Kechara has been the best thing in my life because it taught me, and gave me a way, a path, to pave the road ahead of me for myself. It can be a lonely journey, but then, like what Rinpoche said, you came into this world alone, and will leave alone. I didnt know what there was and the Dharma was like a shining jewel – it offered hope from the dullness of an ordinary, samsaric, ignorant life. You can never have enough of knowledge, and the Dharma, teaches you that. The best thing is that you can continuously progress, until you reach a state of bliss where you cannot turn back and fall into the traps of life. You think that you know everything, but when you meet and learn the Dharma, you realise that what you know thus far from life is only the tip of an iceberg.

    Thank you for this post Rinpoche. I am grateful, having learnt and continue to learn from Rinpoche, and having the senior students at Kechara be my guiding light on my spiritual path. It has been the best medication for the mind – the centre of our existence.

    Love,
    Carmen

    Reply
78. 

    Edwin Tan on Apr 9, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for the wonderful teaching. Deep and concise through a simple update from Frederick.

    I like what Rinpoche wrote about:
    “The reason we find a teacher or spiritual mentor, join a dharma centre or study dharma is solely to incorporate the methods of Lord Buddha’s teachings into our mind streams.”

    I am very glad I met Rinpoche at a young age, to learn about Dharma, to have my guru to avert my negative karma and never giving up on me. I am glad I understand the cause and effect, or why I am born in this life, in my family, and why I can meet Rinpoche. I know what I must do to improve my behaviours, attitudes, towards my parents, siblings, family, friends, fellow Dharma brothers and sisters. And whatever I do, I will always think twice because of karmic reactions, as what I was told when I first met Rinpoche.

    I also liked the fact that we go to a Dharma centre to contribute, and not to ask for help or any monetary or romantic gains. If I am not able to contribute, to at least listen and gain more wisdom of the Buddha’s doctrine.

    If everyone of us go to Kechara and help and contribute, Kechara will definitely grow bigger and more solid [financially and emotional support to those that need].

    I am happy and humbled that despite all the pains Rinpoche receives from us, you still in all ways, nurture us, and give us teachings.

    Thank you Rinpoche.

    Love,
    Edwin

    Reply
79. 

    Jun Wen on Apr 9, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    I hope all is well with you and your companions in America, you are sorely missed.

    It is likened to a well meant advice from a mother to her indulgent child but the child does not understand the goodness of the advice until the child experiences setbacks and think back retrospectively “I should have listened to my mother in the first place.” I confess I am such a child and after I grew up I wished I could have done things differently but the time is lost which makes the lessons learnt and the time left even more precious.

    Thank you Rinpoche for the kind revelations, may Rinpoche be happy and may the Holy Dharma shine forever like the sun.

    Please take care,
    Jun Wen

    Reply
80. 

    Jennifer Yuen on Apr 9, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for this profound teaching. It is a good reminder to all of us why we are in a dharma centre.

    Many are attracted to dharma in the beginning because it feeds our needs at that moment in time. It makes us feel good being there. After a while, we must start taking the medicine (the dharma) prescribed by the doctor (the Guru). If not, our focused in ourselves would lead us to have negative emotions with people or happenings we come across. Rinpoche has explained it so well why the course of prescription should be taken whole heartedly and not half way in between. And if we encounter problems along the way, we should never blame others but look inwardly to check our mind and practice what we have learned.

    Rinpoche showed us by the example of Frederick Law the qualities a true dharma practitioner should have, i.e. commitment, devotion, sincerity, hard work and sincere practice of dharma. I rejoice for Frederick!

    May we all too be inspired by the example and not delay further to practice in the way that pleases our Guru!

    With folded hands,
    Jennifer Yuen

    Reply
81. 

    Su Ming on Apr 9, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    It is a wonderful what Rinpoche wrote to Federick.

    This is what often others talk about. Their failed expectation when they join Dharma or even when they are in Dharma for years. And normally, the expectation comes because they want a quick fix and also when other Dharma members do not behave in accordance to what we want them to behave. If everyone was perfect then the person who complain or have that expectation should also be perfect. If they put it this way. Why have that type of expectation on others when u don’t walk the talk.

    I like what Rinpoche said in this article/letter. YOUR KARMA INVITES FAULT. It is so true cause if u really think about all the struggle/obstacles/problems we had is due to our own action. Of course u will admit this if u are truly honest with yourself but will blame on others if u do not want to take responsibilities. I am now 36 yrs old but if I reflect back at my previous action, I realised I have self created the problems I have today. It was nobody’s fault. This is just this life, what about my previous life faults. It will never end if we blame others.

    So I decided NOT to blame and just take my own action into my own hands. Believe me, it is very refreshing when u do not blame others and easier to handle cause u are only handling urself and most importantly, ur own mind.

    Reply
82. 

    Han on Apr 9, 2014 at 4:17 am

    感谢仁波切这篇特具意义的佛法教诲，随喜劳康凯圆满水供闭关！

    将佛法融入生活必需靠实践，就如仁波切的教诲说道：
    “佛教道场不是个让你找寻奇迹般的解决方法的地方，因为你所面对的种种问题，都源自你错误行为中的无明或执念。你不能做尽坏事、大难临头了，才急急赶到某个道场，求个马上解决难题的“万灵丹”
    仁波切历年来的佛法教诲让我认识了修行佛法真正意义是利益他人，无时无刻要观照我们的心识，要培养一颗感恩的心！

    初初接触佛法纯粹是为了让自己将心安定，克服工作压力等，在过程中体验了佛法修行的挑战，每当遇见不开心的人，事，物时是实践佛法的最佳时机，毕竟佛法给予的不是问题的答案而是在面对种种问题时的应对及如何接受挑战。仁波切的佛法教诲让我体会真正的开心是利益他人，唯有抱着利益他人的心才可将自己心中的愤怒、苦涩、忧郁和自私“消灭”。。。

    Reply
83. 

    Kelvin on Apr 9, 2014 at 2:11 am

    Hi Rinpoche, thanks for sharing Federick’s retreat and it is an inspiration for all. I met your teachings while browsing through youtube and it has benefitted me tremendously. I also have to thank Pastor JJ, Joshua and members of MBF to enable me to practice the dharma with them. Have learnt a lot from them and learning more each time we meet.

    There are always obstacles or unforeseen circumstances during the spiritual journey, the important thing is not to give up and move on from it. Learn from it and share the experience with other dharma friends so they can apply or get inspiration out of it. After all, changes come from within oneself and emerging stronger and overcome from it would benefit others besides oneself.

    Thank you Rinpoche for bringing the dharma to us and I wish that Rinpoche will live on and continuously benefit the numberless sentient beings.

    Reply
84. 

    Wah Ying on Apr 9, 2014 at 1:29 am

    Dear Rinpoche,

    This is a great reminder from Rinpoche. It come timely for me and I believe it will always a good reminder whenever I read and read again this post. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Frederick Law’s letter and giving this teaching to us.

    The first teaching stood out for me is get rid of the thinking mode of holding thing fast and hard. It tells me being not open and not flexible in seeing things and getting solutions, had me lead myself to a narrow end, and seeing less possibilities and more negativity. And, from there start seeing only bad sides of one thing and forget about the positivity and opportunities it might have.

    I realize that whenever we are determine to define things or circumstances in front of us as “bad encounters”, it will without fail become bad and may be the worst thing could ever happen in our life. Since I could see or make neutral thing or not so bad things become the worst thing in the world, from the other aspect of it, I could also turn it or view it as neutral or good things or opportunity I might ever have. And make the best out of it.

    The second teaching for me is only fight against the inner war of our negativities, by applying Buddha and Rinpoche’s teachings. When we could conquer the enemies within, we will see no outer enemy. The way to “conquer” the world is by conquering oneself.

    And save some of the doubts that are time proven can save so much of our time and instead the effort on doing more meaningful things is a reminder I will keep in mind.

    Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching and Frederick Law for your letter and I could have opportunity to hear this teaching. I rejoice for you Frederick, gambateh.

    Thank you, Rinpoche. May Rinpoche and USA team rest well.

    With folded hands,
    Wah Ying

    Reply
85. 

    Wan Wai Meng on Apr 9, 2014 at 12:36 am

    Dharma is precious because it is not something that helps us temporarily, it helps us to overcome suffering for countless lifetimes and leads us towards enlightenment. Which is one reason why the lamas are on the thrones, because they carry the buddha dharma in them.

    Buddhistic thoughts or buddhism accepts people who to its doors via three levels of motivation the most basic of which is the motivation to have better rebirths, followed by the wish to be liberated and the most altruistic of all which is the wish to be enlightened for the sake of all sentient beings. Though Buddhism doors are open for us, and perhaps when we first entered it is not even close to any of these three motivations , we should work to develop such motivations. It is hoped that when the teachings, sadhana or all the buddhist attributes help us to solve our problems and issues, we should develop some form of gratitude and appreciation towards the buddhist ideal. The buddhist ideal demands that we continuously improve and be better people and keep improving our lives and the lives of others around us.

    If we are in dharma and working for a dharma organisation, not having the correct motivation will make it very stressful and not make us progress at all. If everyone is working towards one goal and one motivation and we are the black sheep or divergent from that then every encounter with others within the same organisation will be like meeting with something that burns and hurts us. How long can we stay on the organisation?

    I rejoice in all that Frederick has achieved and I do hope to see more of him and his dharma works within Kechara in the near future. I am glad he stuck through it and finished his retreat.

    Reply
86. 

    Wong Suet Moi on Apr 9, 2014 at 12:23 am

    当我第一次讀这一遍文章时深深的觸动了我的思维，我好感动仁皮切語意深長的娓娓道出我们应該以何許心態進入道场。我们应該以学习佛法为重点而進入道场，把佛法螎合自我从而提升自己，这是我们应該有的方向。其实無論在那里，有人的地方就会有是非，这包括任何一个道场。往往我们進入一个道场总是認为这个道场应该完美無瑕的，没有鬥爭，没有不公，沒有白臉和黑臉，处处和顏悦色，事與願違，总会讓我裹足不前，今天終於讓我茅舍盾开。在道场里面，我们应该抱着非常正面的態度去看每一个人和每一件事, 凡事总有我们学习的空间，好的吸取，壞的做为借鏡，时时警惕自己千勿模㧍。还有切記万万不能互相指责，挑剔師兄師姐的弱点和道场的不足，要知道大家都在学习中，凡事应把我執放下，把自我放小，確定自己進入道场的方向，清晰的朝着这个方向前進，再把目标放大再放大，相信如此一切会有意義的多。

    最后感謝仁波切的教導，遇见您是我的福氣，希望您安康。

    Reply
87. 

    Adrian Chow on Apr 9, 2014 at 12:22 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for tirelessly giving us powerful teaching even though Rinpoche is not physically here in Malaysia and yet still care for us tirelessly, this will never change. I believed Rinpoche taught us well as i can see most of the people who is involve in Kechara be it part time or full time have great respect for Rinpoche and the Dharma and they really wanted to strive and transform themselves to be better. Some will change immediately and some might take a longer period of time to realize due to our own habituation. We all have ups and down but at least knowing some Dharma it could help us in the long run and change how we look at things maybe not immediately but eventually.

    I thank you Mr. Frederick’s commitment and the discipline towards his practice on Dharma, it is really inspiring and definitely will influence many into practicing and strive to be better. 110,000 water offerings is not easy but you choose not to think of the effort but instead have focused your mind into achieving the goal. May your practice continue to be fruitful! Thank you.

    With folded hands,
    Thank you Rinpoche

    Reply
88. 

    William on Apr 9, 2014 at 12:22 am

    Dharma is definitely not a bed of roses and there are no quick fixes in Dharma. This is the reality which people refuse to accept and go on thinking that by just chanting and saying a prayer will solve our problems. There is no magic wand that with a swipe will make your wishes come true. I have been in Dharma and Kechara for not that long and the journey has been quite exhilarating where my thoughts are being challenged everyday. My habits are being magnified simply because i know a little bit more about karma. However, it also made me understand more on why things happen, whether it is bad or good, and it will not last. Rinpoche has always taught us that we should always focus on others and give to them, whether to give our time, efforts or a present that will make their life better. That in turn will make our lives worthwhile.

    In any situation, people can choose to look at it in a positively or a negatively. It is all about perspective. if we find faults, there will always something that you are unhappy with. But there is also more to be happy about, why not focus on that and grow from there. I choose this option most of the time. And over time, it has been easier and easier.

    There are many people who are shining examples of practitioners of Dharma and follows Rinpoche’s advice in Kechara. They should be the ones we look up to and be inspired with. They are the people who work hard for others and put their emotions before those who are in need. Here in Kechara, we have all the opportunity to practice this and all through the kindness of our Guru.

    Thank you RInpoche for this post as it serves as a reminder to me on why am I in Dharma.

    Reply
89. 

    tenzin llhamo on Apr 8, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Dearest Rinpoche,

    Thank you for such wonderful teachings!

    It is so very true! Everything arose from my own karma. And because of Rinpoche’s teachings, I learned to forgive, let go and move on in many stages of my life.
    The moment I met Rinpoche on TV, I just felt attracted and wanting to know more. As time passed, I am so Blessed to be in Kechara. To be able to learn from my Dharma brothers and sisters for all of them inspire me to check myself in different ways and be better!
    Kechara have grown so much since I joined in 2008. So many here and around the world have benefitted and inspired because of His compassion and love for us by giving us teachings online, a Dharma center, a beautiful blog filled with the most precious teachings that money cant buy. And now with Kechara Forest Retreat, many many more will continue to benefit.
    Because of Rinpoche, I have learned so many things that I never thought I could do. To be able to care, love, forgive, apologise, kind, compassionate, let go, learn, unlearn, relearn, etc. All the good qualities that Rinpoche taught for me to better myself.
    I check myself everyday and remind myself what Rinpoche said to me – Go for Dharma all the way!
    It is the BEST and MOST precious remedy ever that I can receive. And I never let go of that advice.
    Although Rinpoche is not here with us now in Malaysia, that doesnt mean that I can slack in my practice. I continue to do my very best, transform and create the causes for Rinpoche to come back to Malaysia. Rinpoche please take good care. May Rinpoche and all of us in Kechara continue to grow to benefit countless beings. May all of us be Enlightened.

    Thank you Frederick for inspiring us with your love and perseverance. Nothing is impossible.

    Much love, Pamela

    Reply
90. 

    Chon Kong on Apr 8, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    敬爱的仁波切，
    谢谢您宝贵的教法，看了心里很激动！ 从中获益良多，更唤醒我自己，不能有任何理由和借口，去推迟学习佛法和修行。 劳康凯是我学习的榜样。谢谢他的用心和付出，他的坚持修行感动了您，才会有这次的教诲。回想三年前接触佛法，不是偶然，而是需要！我和太太需要它，因为我们面对了一个不能解决的问题。很感恩当时愿意协助我们的克切拉佛教中心师姐师兄们，带我们进入这个大家庭，然后成为您的学生。了解到最殊胜的供养于上师，是自我转化。只有在修行上精进，才是最好的回报。虽然懂，但在行动上往往缓慢了很多！太过依赖同修给予帮助，而忘了自己其实可以胜任，甚至去承担责任。就如您所说：不要等到光明的到来，让自己成为那道光！读了您的文章，心理面很激动。感受到您为了弟子的佛法修行，花了太多心思和付出，但都不求回报。我深感悔疚！因为自知让您失望了。
    修法态度要坚持，不能因为外在的影响而逃避面对。我紧记在心。我往后要多与同修互相扶持，营造更多正能量，持续性参与法会和弹修，更精进的学法。谢谢上师的教诲，愿您身体安康，长转法轮。

    Chon Kong敬上

    Reply
91. 

    yenpin on Apr 8, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    人生有许多无奈，在修行的路上，障碍重重，当我们面对问题，却选择逃避，选择抱怨。给自己制造了、愤怒、苦涩、忧郁等等问题，受困于痛苦之中。
    在网上看到这个句子说的一点都没错“佛法无边，业障更无边。
    如果不能改变事实，那就改变自己的心态，在失望、灰心的时候，自己仍然能够建立起希望和信心，把打扰你快乐的东西甩掉，修好自己的心，振作起来，给自己拥有改变的机会。不去计较。与一颗感恩的心去接生活中的一切。
    劳康凯正，拥有一个好榜样，不管工作多累，都坚持做好功课遵守承诺。从心出发认真的修行。随喜。
    感恩上师的用心良苦，把佛法带给我们。

    Reply
92. 

    Pastor Chia on Apr 8, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Is very important to have our clear view to have dharma centre and why are you here for.It will remind yourself we are not come in the dharma centre to creating more problem for our emotion up and down and learn from dharma teaching to overcome our problem.

    Guru always very kind shown us our weak point to help us to overcome our ego, attachment not to let us fall too much our self cherishing mind. Seeing more and more hard working volunteer and like Frederick ,learning up dharma brought back a lot of memory when i was first join in Kechara.
    Now Kechara organization has grown so much and having nice retreat centre. All the hard work and dedication for all the student and sponsorship not let it be wasted. What we have learn from Kechara, we can sharing our knowledge for many people who need help. Create harmony and spiritual in ourself and sharing for others.

    Reply
93. 

    Wendy Loh on Apr 8, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this profound teaching and reminder to all of us. Many thanks to Frederick for creating the cause so that Rinpoche could give this teaching to benefit a lot of people. 🙂

    Every second of the day, we are presented with many choices. As Rinpoche explained above, be vigilant of what we are choosing because our actions, speech and thoughts will bring about the results that we must endure, be it positive or negative. And being stuck for the moment in this faulty or desire realms, we are in an orchard that has plenty of soil for bad fruits. When these negative fruits greet us, then, it is time to apply the Dharma and practice our virtues. It may not be easy at first because our deluded minds will probably win or maybe even the first 20 times. But being under the mandala of the Guru like Rinpoche’s and being part of a center like Kechara, we are offered guidance, care and love by our teacher and the senior students to progress and to ultimately transform our minds. Therefore, we must appreciate this opportunity to sincerely practice and be grateful to the sponsors, students, volunteers, staffs and our Teacher for building and maintaining the Dharma center.

    By being steadfast, diligent and unyielding in our practice, we are creating the causes for positive fruits to grow in our orchard. Other then being a source of inspiration to many, we also attract more people to Dharma and sponsors to further develop our temple to benefit even more people. So, when we hold this in our hearts when we practice, when we do our Dharma work, when we speak to others, when we are with our family and friends or even while taking public transport, we are essentially exuding and radiating positive Dharmic energies and we become the embodiment of our Teacher’s teachings. This unspoken “chi” will magnetize others into checking out our practice because they too want to be happy, calm, peaceful, loving and caring like us.

    Thus what Rinpoche spoke of here is the truth and it has been passed on for generations since the era of Buddha Shakyamuni.

    Thank you again, Rinpoche for this invaluable teaching that I will put into practice.

    With folded hands and much love,
    Wendy

    Reply
94. 

    Poney Sim on Apr 8, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    在这个世界上，凡事不可能一帆风顺，事事如意，总会有烦恼忧愁和不顺心的事时常困绕着我们，事少苦少，言少祸少，食少病少，欲少忧少，“随缘自适，烦恼自然慢慢远去”。
    虽然生活很多时候让人痛苦，甚至残酷，或许有时也曾会让人绝望沮丧，人的一生好比走路，会遇到很多岔路口，每到一个路口都面临一次选择，而每次选择无不影响着未来。每一个人都会遇到这样那样的困难和挫折，是舍，是得？是放弃，是坚持？生活对人生最大的考验不仅是“得”，也有“失”，即放弃。哪些需要放弃，哪些永不放弃？此时此刻，需要坚持和勇气。
    人生之修行在于感恩。感恩上师，感恩生活，感恩家人，感恩朋友，感恩大自然，每天，我们都应以一颗感动的心去承接生活中的一切，因为我们毫无残缺的活着！
    让我们一起踏入修行之路，一条通往人类内心最深远处的道路。而在这条道路的尽头，我们就可以找到一种智慧，这种智慧能够让我们了解到生命的真谛，使我们的生命达成充满了喜悦的圆满状态。
    感谢上师的教法，愿上师长寿，法体安康。

    Reply
95. 

    Shelly tai on Apr 8, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring teaching. When I first came to Kechara my motivation is more to help myself to resolved m y own problem but as time go my motivation is different because dharma have make me realise that we do not focus on on our own problem we should look out and help others by helping others our own problem will resolved because we are less selfish as day go we are more willing to do more for others. I rejoice for Frederick pratice and may he continue to do more for Kechara.

    Reply
96. 

    Pastor Han Nee on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful, all-encompassing teaching.

    Thank you Frederick for creating the cause for all of us to receive this teaching.

    First of all, Rinpoche’s teaching has made me examine carefully the reason why we seek a teacher and a Dharma centre, and why we are studying the Dharma. Yes, the reason lies in our spiritual goal, which is to attain enlightenment. To attain this goal, we have to study the methods that Lord Buddha taught, methods he himself used to attain enlightenment – methods which have been successfully tested over 2600 years by hundreds of great masters. So we find a teacher and center and study the Dharma to realize this goal.

    We did not find a guru and a center to get quick fixes or short term solutions for our never-ending problems. First of all our problems are self-created out of ignorance, attachment and aversion.In samsara problems are endless. Samsara, after all, is in the nature of suffering and problems. So we find a guru and centre to study the dharma and find long term solutions.

    As we had created our problems through our mind of delusions and through karma, then it is only logical that we turn to the Guru to guide us in the use of the time-tested methods of Lord Buddha, which we apply to our mindstream, to train and transform it.However, these methods- such as change of view or perception, restraining from negative habits, overcoming selfish attitudes and fears,and practice of compassion – are long term methods and require persistent and patient effort, and consistency.

    “You have to understand karma, your habituations, why your actions bring certain results, and study dharma and apply solutions taught by Lord Buddha. If you don’t want to make consistent effort and hence your problems are not solved,you don’t blame blame the teacher, the sangha, members,or the centre itself”.

    Once, we have found our guru , we must develop strong and unshakeable faith and trust in him, and commit to go all the way in the practices and instructions he gives us to lead us to enlightenment.”Your teacher loves you and has opened a Dharma centre for you and for the benefit of many. You should join forces with your teacher to make the Dharma centre a powerful institution to relieve the suffering of others…Don’t be patient with samsara but be loyal to your teacher too”.

    Lord Buddha’s teachings contain a strong joyous element of hope. Buddha Shakyamuni discovered and revealed a revolutionary truth : “We are not permanently fixed in suffering; there is a way out, it is inside you”.Nothing is permanent. As Rinpoche says,” Don’t hold everything as fast and hard. Allow space for change”. Change comes when we study the Dharma and listen to our Guru’s advice. Then, with the wisdom of Dharma, our perspective will change “and our problems may not be problems after all”.

    As this is samsara, created from our karma, nothing is perfect. Not even a monastery like Gaden Monastery in India, let alone a Dharma centre. So we should not look for perfection in our Dharma centre, but,like Rinpoche with Gaden Monastery, look for and focus on the good qualities in our centre. Focus on the fine example of senior students in their practice of Dharma and Guru Devotion.

    We have to begin with ourselves. We must not bend to our ego and want things done our way. We must instead be open to all the methods and ways that our Guru and senior experienced students show us. Our Guru is undeniably the perfect spiritual guide, whom our merits have brought us to encounter. Senior students know much more because they have experienced it much longer.”Look for the reasons to succeed and not to fail”.

    Reply
97. 

    Jace Chong on Apr 8, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    看完了这篇博文之后很感动。只有真正打从内心的修行与转化，才能真正让上师感到开心。也很感谢詹杜固仁波切，一位真正的上师，不求回报为身在苦海的我们孜孜不倦。
    上师存在的唯一目的，就是利益众生，利益其弟子，以佛陀殊胜的教诲去除痛苦的根源。这过程对上师与弟子来说一点都不简单，上师的恨铁不成钢；弟子的惰性和愚痴往往令这段修行路变得更加崎岖。
    劳康凯正是一位不屈不饶的弟子，在修行路上披荆斩棘，把上师给的修行功课不折不扣地做好，这是我要学习的好榜样。
    在这篇博文里，仁波切述说了坚持的珍贵。愿我多多向上学习，一日为佛法，终生为佛法。

    Reply
98. 

    Chee ks on Apr 8, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    “你的业力招来错失。你就存活在不完美的世界里，你的来世将被各种问题和错失围绕着，而这些问题和错失将无止境地缠绕你，直到你像宗喀巴大师那样达致圆满证悟为止，你方能跟它们做个了结。”

    谢谢尊贵的上師给予我们宝贵的教法，以上这一段敎法让我感触良多，猶记得在“掌中解脱”中所说每个人都是病人，这些心病都是由贪，嗔，痴，三毒所导致的各种心病，借以洐生出各种负面的情绪如妒忌心，骄慢心，愤怒心，懒惰，自私，自我太強而产生了自己不知觉的巨大心灵痛苦。遇到不如意的事情，往往怪罪於外在的人、事、物，缺乏自身反省检讨，是不是自己所造成的前因后果。

    來到克切拉之前，我也是一个面对嚴重财务冋题的人，以债养债的过日子，因为生意跌到谷底，感觉很痛苦，心里总是觉得辜负了太太与孩子们。有一天晚上，遇见尊贵的詹仁波切上師说法，上師说不论好事或圷事总会过去的，不用去执着，好的事情发生或不好的事情发生都是过去所造的因。听了上師这一席话，心里感觉舒服多了，感觉上来对了地方，这里有我想要改变命运的秘方，於是就问资深的佛友有什么可以做的 ？第一个就见到了郭月谊讲法師，从此就加入志工的工作，也担负起一点佛法工作的责任。郭讲法師知道我的状况后，给了我一些方法去改善困境，上師说得对，改变需要时间，我也相信这一点，畢竟一分耕耘、一分收获。

    至少现在不用每个月入不缚出，生意也好了，人缘也好了，心情也好了，更加积极了，总之就是往好的发展，当然有时还会有收入不夠还债的状况，但是我相信上師，郭讲法師，事情总是会有结束的一天 ！（可能我做的不夠多，所以时间会长一些，哈哈哈）
    我由衷从心里表达我对Federick Law 的敬意，很佩服他敢于面对自己的冋题，去解决它，他对上師依止心的坚定，也是我学习的模范，今天的Federick，可以从他身上感受到他的慈悲心多了，笑容多了，更加和蔼可亲了。

    祝愿他修行精进，天天快乐。

    Reply
99. 

    Sharon Ong on Apr 8, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    I have always wanted to join a Dharma centre namely to learn about the Dharma and perhaps do something more meaningful with my life. My intention to learn the Dharma earlier on was more on an academic and intellectual level, to understand more about Buddhism. Little that I know what finding and learning the Dharma in Kechara is so much more. I discovered that Dharma is not just teachings from the Awakened One but it is in essence the true meaning for our existence.

    Although there is no one widely agreed definition for the word “spirituality” but I found that here in Kechara. To me, spirituality is not just about knowing the rituals, meditations and the Lamrin. To paraphrase Rinpoche’s words of wisdom, spirituality is the 23 hours off the meditation cushion. I truly am grateful for Rinpoche’s vision to start Kechara and your boundless compassion and strength make Kechara to what it is today (and more to come!) despite the odds and challenges. With folded hands and love in my heart, I prostrate at your feet.

    Reply
100. 

     Karen Gan on Apr 8, 2014 at 12:32 pm

     The most important thing of learning Dharma is to transform our mind, implement it into our daily life to become a better person and help and care for others. Joining a Dharma centre, we should continue spreading our guru’s teachings by listening and doing what our guru tells us.

     Rinpoche’s compassion and love to teach us Buddha Dharma, and his effort of building Dharma centres is to benefit us, therefore we must do our best and go all the way.

     After joining Kechara Forest Retreat as a full time staff and being nurtured by senior students of Rinpoche, I’ve realised that doing Dharma is practising what I’m learning. Also my daughter Victoria will grow up in a Dharma environment. I will go all the way to continue learning and practising Dharma.

     Reply
101. 

     Julia Tan on Apr 8, 2014 at 12:04 pm

     Thank you Rinpoche for the profound teachings. I was recalling the whole night what was my intention when I first join Kechara. It was not for Dharma nor searching for enlightenment but solely for myself. Something that had been disturbing me and I don’t know how to react and I was srucked. It was Rinpoche’s teachings that made me understand what is life, what is karma, how human mind functioning, about myself and about how we all interdependent on each other. I am ashamed that I didn’t jump into Dharma from the start due to my personal attachment and the problems that I dwelled into for years hence a lot of time wasted. I am very blessed and grateful that Rinpoche and many senior Dharma brothers and sisters that has been bearing with all my bad attitude patiently for years.

     Understand that problem does not go away because it was already set due to my own karma. Same goes to everyone, my mother, my children, my partner etc. whatever sadness and happiness that I have with them is the karma we shared together. Hence I do not want to dwell into it more to create further crisis and I do not want to attach more to create bitterness. When I die, nothing I bring along but karma.

     Kechara Forest Retreat is built for the purpose of creating more happiness to all sentient being. When we leave we leave with peace and happiness behind and we bring merits along with us. What is important to me is KFR and Rinpoche now. Rinpoche brought us Dharma and had helped us in our lives and now is time for us to help others and to extend to love to others.

     Reply
102. 

     Albert Ratchaga on Apr 8, 2014 at 11:31 am

     Thank you Rinpoche for posting this teaching, it makes so much sense when reading this article and it is a great reminder to us. Many of us always thought that Buddha is the almighty god, who will take away our suffering and difficulties just in a blink of eye, and if he doesn’t, he is not good, he is not compassion, he is fake, Buddha does not exist, he does not suit us, he is not effective, and a lot more scolding that anyone can think of.

     I too used to think like that in early days, especially when I’m going into exams, I always will hold the jolt stick and ask for good score, then when I got it with my request, I’ll offer a dozen of jolt stick and that’s it. It became that the Buddha is supposed to help us. Even though the problems are created by ourselves, but because we are just normal human being, we made mistake, so the Buddha will have the responsibilities to settle it for us, just like how parents solve the problems of their children.

     Being in a Dharma center is not being in a magical place which we came here to seek for immediate solution, a Dharma center is a place for us to participate in the healing activities, which takes time for us to heal, it’s just like when our leg is broke due to accident, after treatment, doctor ask us to do a series of physiotherapy, but we wanted it to heal immediately, tomorrow and refuses to follow the doctor’s instruction, then we blame the doctor is not doing his job, the doctor is not good and we go to another hospital but get the same result again, when we keep hoping everywhere to seek for immediate comfort, we couldn’t and we will end up being sick and the longer it stays, the harder to heal in future, because it’ll became permanent on our body. Likewise, our mind also the same, the longer we keep with our negative mindset, the bitter we’ll be when we get old, no remedies if we do not apply it, there is no magic in this world, we need to apply it step by step, being it just a baby step, we shouldn’t stop.

     A Dharma teacher is not here to comfort us when we are doing wrong, he know where we heading, he know how badly we will ended in our life, so he will try whatever way to stop us from going there, he want to correct us from our wrong action, to turn in around, to make it better, so in future we will reap the good seed we sow. This does not make him a bad person, because his intention is not to hurt, not to bring us down, but to pushes us up further. Fake friend will comfort you in whatever way and trying to use you, whether you are in good condition or bad condition, it does not matter to them, they just want something from you, but a real friend will say harsh words to us, will scream at us or even slap us very hard when it’s needed, at that point of moment, we may take them as an enemy, but after that moment passed, we will be thankful to them because when we are at the border of going into wrong direction, they are the one who bring us back. Well, what do they get by doing so? They may get nothing or maybe they’ll become our ‘enemy’ for the whole life, they may get heartbreak by doing these, but they don’t mind, because their intention is not for themselves, it is for ourselves. So our spiritual teacher is definitely one of the real friends that we should treasure and not pushes him away. Overall, what our guru get from this? It is us who get all the benefit.

     The Dharma is there and it has proven for 2500 years, many people who follow the path and become better, when I’m in the same path, but it brought me nowhere, then I should think why? Not blaming on the path, not blaming on other people, not blaming on Dharma or even my guru, it is not anyone’s fault, it is mine, because a method that worked for everyone, but why not me? Am I the special one that needed another better path? Answer is definitely no, when the path does not work properly for me, then I have to ask myself why I am here? What’s my intention when I come here? If my main motivation is not right in the first place, then who else to be blame? Obviously… Myself.

     Reply
103. 

     Fiona chan on Apr 8, 2014 at 10:50 am

     我们的【态度】决定一切强调了态度在人生中的重大作用，态度影响我们内外的因素，从信念、目标、、学习与思考、习惯。通过【态度】决定一切，可以认清自我，正视增强自信，提高自己的生存境界和生命质量，最终掌控自己的人生和命运。
     态度是世上最神奇的力量，左右着我们的思维和判断，控制着我们的情感与行动。一个人的生活状态、人生方向完全受控于其生存态度的牵引。用什么样的态度对待生活，就有什么样的生活现实。积极的态度可以使我们到达人生的顶峰，态度影响我们的事业、生活、人际关系等，决定我们的人生成败。
     謝謝仁波切這個強大的教學。

     Reply
104. 

     Cliff on Apr 8, 2014 at 9:01 am

     There is a majority that has the mind-set that giving an ang pow to a temple or a monk is enough as being a Buddhist or when you visit a temple. Only coming to Dharma Centres or Temples for a quick remedy to their problems using monetary rewards to find a solution, quick and easy is not what Buddhism and Dharma is about. We cannot look at Monks or Dharma teachers as if they are witch doctors granting your wishes and all you have to do is give money in return. A true Dharma teacher would want to see change in you, a transformation that is beneficial for your mind, those around you and society.

     We cannot expect to have caused so much harm to others and yourself and then think by praying or accepting god your sins and problems would be washed away immediately, it doesn’t make sense. The remedies that you receive from Dharma, does not fix the problem but allows you to gain a clearer state of mind to the problem that allows you to think of how to overcome it through hard work and action. By having the mind-set that by donating an ang pow to a temple and receiving a teaching or a blessing to remove your problems is just pure laziness that is not what learning Dharma is about. If we always go to teacher for blessings or solutions and not put in the effort to follow instructions it’s pointless because your intentions were initially just to use them.

     Dharma teachers and senior students offer their help to solve your problems and unhappiness; if you’re going to them to seek help means you already know they possess more wisdom than you. Buddhism/Dharma has already proven effective thousands of years and shown miraculous results but that doesn’t mean everyone can be enlightened overnight when joining a Dharma centre, it requires effort to learn and transform our minds and remove our habituations and after many lifetimes eventually reach enlightenment. But for now instead of seeking quick solutions take the time to learn the dharma, contemplate and transform.

     Our Dharma teacher’s main intention is to help us be free from suffering from the causes we have created through ignorance, by coming to a dharma centre to create schism, be uncooperative, lie and give excuses it defeats the purpose of saying you’ll listen to your Dharma teacher. If we are suffering so much yet not follow our Dharma teacher’s instructions, it would only lead us to more suffering because what initially caused your suffering was from our own habituations which we never took the effort to stop.
     The person we should be criticising and analysing most is ourselves, by learning the dharma and improving ourselves it would allow us to point out our faults and habits and learn from it to not continue it anymore. By blaming others it would only incite more anger in us and those around you, it creates disharmony externally and internally which means more suffering for us.

     Reply
105. 

     Valentina Suhendra on Apr 8, 2014 at 8:52 am

     Dear Lama

     Reading about Fredrick email updates really reminded me of how I started when I first met you. You assigned me to do prostration retreat. I know how he feels coming back from work exhausted and yet still do his retreat.

     I thank you for the advice you have given above. I did not know why I join Kechara in the first place. I think the sole reason must be you because I live in other country. I was not immune to wanting fame or being recognized for what I do. For the first few years it was very important. It was frustrating for me that I did not see you much for the first few years. But I think, recognition and fame does not matter much for me anymore. It is really between me and my practice and devotion to you. It is the words of honor that I say when I take refuge with you that matter the most.

     The Dharma Center and the people in it as you say is not perfect but some people really rise up and do their parts despite all obstacles. I truly respect them.

     Thank you for enduring so much challenges and obstacles to bring Dharma to others.

     Much love and care

     Valentina

     Reply
106. 

     Pastor Loh Seng Piow on Apr 8, 2014 at 8:29 am

     This is a great and kind reminder by Rinpoche. Rinpoche always teaches very practical aspects of spirituality, the real-life spirituality. Many people have a very idealistic of views of Dharma centers, and they expect Dharma centers to solve all their problems, and when that did not happen, they blamed the guru, the dharma brothers and sisters, they blame the protector, the buddha, they say the Dharma is not effective, and they left. Here, Rinpoche, again, compassionately reminds us the correct motivation and attitude to attend a Dharma center, in a gist, it is not to take, to get things, to get people, to get business, to get lovers, to get money…not all these personal gain, on the contrary, we attend a Dharma center to give, to help, to learn, to do real and sincere practice like Frederick Law. I have personally experienced many cases where people come to Dharma center with very “sincere” and almost fanatical attitude, they joined a lot of pujas, attended a lot of Dharma talks, then after a while, they started to complain, about people not doing things the ways they thought should be done, and they started to talk bad things, create schism, and eventually left. Rinpoche mentioned many times before, a Dharma center is like a hospital, do not expect everyone to be perfectly fine, in fact they are ill, that is why they come to Dharma center to be healed in the first place! So, instead of finding faults in the hospital, blaming why everyone is sick (isn’t it why this is a hospital?), one should consult the doctor, apply the medications, cooperate with the nurses, and help fellow patients! Only then will the hospital fulfill its very purpose of healing the sick. Please watch these amazing 16-part videos of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings on guru-disciple relationship, and the proper attitude to have in a Dharma center, amazing and precious Dharma talk you won’t find anywhere else: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/gurus-for-hire-enlightenment-for-sale.html

     Reply
107. 

     David Lai on Apr 8, 2014 at 7:16 am

     Dear Rinpoche, this is a beautiful offering of practice from Frederick and I rejoice. I have read Rinpoche’s message above and I relate to what Rinpoche is saying because I have observed everything that Rinpoche wrote in there. People often come with misguided ideas of what they can take from the Dharma. This is normal in society as people are out to get something all the time.

     However, in the Dharma, people don’t realize how much they stand to ‘receive’ from the Dharma if they had a sincere motivation instead. The Dharma can potentially be much more and undo so much negativity and pain for the practitioner. I have learnt this along my own path and relationship with Rinpoche/Dharma. I have learnt to give instead of just opening my hands to receive. This is a huge step for me and not something I am used to but a learning process for me. But I can already feel the immense rewards it has for me. I am sure it would be others too especially those who have preconceived ideas of ‘taking’ if only they learn how to change that.

     Reply
     • 

       Patrik on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:13 pm

       David,

       I do enjoy your blog.

       Your statement here is very powerful. Your perseverance will be rewarded in the end.

       “However, in the Dharma, people don’t realize how much they stand to ‘receive’ from the Dharma if they had a sincere motivation instead. The Dharma can potentially be much more and undo so much negativity and pain for the practitioner. I have learnt this along my own path and relationship with Rinpoche/Dharma. I have learnt to give instead of just opening my hands to receive. This is a huge step for me and not something I am used to but a learning process for me. But I can already feel the immense rewards it has for me. I am sure it would be others too especially those who have preconceived ideas of ‘taking’ if only they learn how to change that.”

       Reply
108. 

     jp on Apr 8, 2014 at 7:15 am

     Dear Rinpoche,

     Thank you for sharing with us the Federick’s letter to Rinpoche and reminding us on our motivation of joining a dharma centre, having a guru,and what practising the dharma entails. Federick is one of the many examples that if we put out heart and soul to our whatever we want to do, it can be accomplished.

     There are 2 things that Rinpoche wrote that stood out for me.

     1. “You are born alone and after death journey alone. In between get used to achieving alone.”

     When I was very down a few years ago, I realised that I have 2 choices. Either I dwell in my “poor me” state and expect others to come and talk to me or stand up and do something about my situation. No one came to talk to me nor help me resolve my situation. I realised that I was alone in my journey after all. Many people have come and gone in my life. No matter how I’d like to grasp on to people and situations, they will never be with me permanently. It was a very rude awakening that I needed and a powerful one for my self cherishing mind.

     As the saying goes which I learned from a corporate training many years ago, ” If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” No more looking outwards for help and certain situations to arise before I get the work done and aspirations fulfilled. I just get started and keep going until it’s accomplished. A lot of effort is needed along the way. So no pain, no gain. No pep talks and reminders were needed. With and sometimes without the team, I just kept going. Many times I did things alone. But I never felt lonely. Now that I think back, it’s because I was always focusing out. Most of the stress and mental sufferings melt away as a result. Focusing out is what Rinpoche used to tell me about and I experienced the results of it.

     2. “Start the inner revolution now. The revelation is that there is a way out and it’s inside of you. Start the ‘war’ on anger, bitterness, depression, selfishness within oneself now by applying Buddha’s teachings and gaining hope from the doctrine of cause and effect (karma). If you start the inner war, outer wars in your life will decrease. You will find peace.”

     This 2nd teaching stood out for me. Most of us fight a losing battle internally because we don’t have the knowledge, deeper understanding and skills to counter our anger, bitterness, depression and selfishness. Having an attained teacher like Rinpoche helps tremendously because not only does Rinpoche give us the knowledge and methods to fight the inner war, Rinpoche also puts us to a test to expedite our learning process and help us identify our egos better.

     I have always understood intellectually that all unhappiness, anger, bitterness and depression come from us. But when reality sets in, one just begins to react automatically. When this happens, the comprehension of teachings is being put to a test. Breaking out of this automatic mode takes a lot of effort and constant contemplation of the teachings. After awhile the automatic mode disappears.

     It’s really so true that how I feel is ultimately not caused by people or situations. No one or situations are to be blamed for how I feel because I can always choose how to react to these external factors. Rinpoche told me many times I have to change my projections of others as the projections are empty of existence.

     With dharma knowledge, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The knowledge has proven track records that if we study and practice them wholeheartedly, we will be able to achieve greater things in life beyond our self limiting belief system and attain Enlightenment. As Rinpoche always taught us, the perceived “self” doesn’t exist and never did. So why put so much energy holding on to it?

     Thank you Rinpoche for this profound article because it is a reminder for us all to always learn and practise the dharma with a sincere motivation. This is the light at the end of the gloomy tunnel. Being in denial and choosing otherwise, only leads us to more suffering.

     Reply
109. 

     Patsy on Apr 8, 2014 at 6:20 am

     Frederick is a shining example of a true dharma practitioner. He showed us the correct motivation of dharma practice. Even though he hardly had any contact with Rinpoche yet he followed Rinpoche’s advices without hesitation.

     Real dharma practice is transformation of the mind and that is the best offerings we can offer to our Guru. Our Guru is so kind to guide us on our spiritual path and if we seriously want to transform we should apply the teachings into our daily lives. We may not change overnight due to our habituation but we must never give up, put in extra effort and keep trying. Never put the blame on others when negative emotions arise but apply the methods that we received from our Guru. Once we accept a Guru we should follow his advice and hold our commitments well. By having good samaya we will be able to see the results of our practice.

     Frederick, I rejoice in your trust in Rinpoche and may your spiritual practice be an inspiring for others.

     Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this teachings

     Reply
110. 

     Leonard Chia on Apr 8, 2014 at 5:26 am

     When i have finished reading Rinpoche’s post above and begin to scroll down to this comment box, I notice these 2 post by Rinpoche in “What I am writing now” 4 months ago appear beside my comment box !!

     1) When your teacher wishes something for you, you should do your all to fulfill it, as it is within your karmic capacity to do so otherwise the teacher would never say so. After your teacher has passed, all that is left is a memory and memories. Let those memories not be empty, happy or sad but fulfilling by accomplishing something to benefit many sentient beings. This will be beneficial to the memory of your late and most wonderful compassionate teacher. This would be a wonderful offering. Start now and immediately! -Tsem Rinpoche

     2) “His Holiness Song Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we came up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness.” -His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.

     I am sure Frederick have realized these way before me and I normally will “slow down” on my practice once I am up against obstacles but now, I know ,I should double up my efforts once I am up against obstacles.

     Thank you Fredrick for initiated Rinpoche to write the above post and Thank You Rinpoche for the above teaching, otherwise , I will still be the same as before.

     With Folded Hands.
     Leonard Chia.

     Reply
111. 

     Aw on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:52 am

     It is so true that our life should not be just obtain financial benefit,look for relationship ,find praise , etc.. when i join the dharma centre , i have my own perspective that what a dharma centre should be , what my teacher, dharma brothers and sisters should be. After many years in dharma centre i learned and yet i still haven’t change much and found the inner peace due to lack of knowledge because i want to do it in my way .

     My karma is so strong that cause the fuel of my bad habit but at the mean time i know i shouldn’t be hiding , run away and give up just like that as it doesn’t help at all. Time is short and i can’t keep create problems to myself and others, especially to my teacher who spent lots of time giving advise to me . We are all spoilt in the way that it’s all given to us free and generously by our guru . All of us including the big fat lier me should have pay back the kindness of our guru by now who been teaching us with love and care for so many years tirelessly .

     Yes i have to open to solution and not look for it only my way . For years i’ve been checking myself constantly whether i have improve or not but i keep forgetting what i’m really searching for which is happiness and that can be achieve by serving others and develop compassion.

     Frederick Law show a very good example on how consistent he is by respect the commitment given by Rinpoche . I rejoice for Frederick who have completed 100 thousand water offering and still continue to do so . Frederick really inspire me a lot . Consistency is the key principle that lead to success if the solution been given by our teacher. I sincerely thank Rinpoche for sharing Frederick’s update of his water offering retreat and also Rinpoche teaching.

     Reply
112. 

     Pastor Jean Ai on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:30 am

     The irony of this statement blew me away “obtain financial benefits, borrow money from members, get more business contacts, find a romantic partner, a place that listens to our excuses for failure, to seek unending attention, to endure our endless tantrums, or to find praise.”

     Those are the very actions and motivations that got us into trouble in the first place, and led to our suffering. The point of the Dharma teacher and the centre is to stop us from committing all of the actions that created our suffering. So why come to the teacher and centre being motivated to gain those results and WANT to find excuses, seek attention, throw tantrums, etc., when those acts created our suffering in the first place?

     And once you have accepted your teacher, why doubt what advice he / she gives you? If you trust them enough to diagnose your problem, why not trust them enough to give you the best solution? It’s like going to the doctor and saying, “Well I know better than you how to treat my illness.” Do you really? Did you study medicine for years in order to make that diagnosis, or did you spend 15 mins searching for something on WebMD? Concerted, consistent effort in study and practice is how our teachers developed the ability to help us; concerted, consistent effort in our practice is how WE can develop the ability to help ourselves. Consistent effort is the direct opposite to blaming other people, because consistent effort means we are taking responsibility for our own actions.

     Blaming other people on the other hand, puts the responsibility for our sufferings and problems on an external, impermanent factor that we cannot control. Since we cannot control it, it means we will never be certain if the problem is fixed. And since we cannot be certain if the problem is fixed, we will never be certain if our suffering is over permanently. So where’s the attraction in blaming?

     That is why the whole “accept me and you are saved” spiel never worked with me. I don’t think that when you commit sin, forgiveness alone is enough to ensure you are saved. Forgiveness can be a beautiful thing when done right, and when the repentance is real and true, and accompanied by a genuine wish never to commit the negative act again. However, that’s not how EVERYONE who believes it will practice it; for most, it’s like a “get out of jail free” card. Because where are the changes in the mind and attitude that are necessary for the sin to never be committed again? It seems illogical to me that 40 years, for example, of bad habits can be wiped out overnight without any real effort towards our practice.

     What this post also highlighted for me is the importance of good friends. In a Dharma centre, all kinds of people will be in attendance. Is our own practice strong enough for us to (a) ensure our minds are stable against people who come to the centre with less-than-pure motivation? (2) support those people who come to the centre with motivations stained by the eight worldly concerns?

     And if it isn’t, why not? What are we doing about changing ourselves to ensure we gain the most out of our spiritual practice? And what Dharma are we practicing when we don’t improve ourselves for the sake of others? “The sake of others” being two-fold meaning we improve ourselves so we can support ‘weaker’ minds, and we improve ourselves so we don’t influence ‘weaker’ minds in the wrong way.

     Lots to think about in Rinpoche’s post, which I’ll revisit over and over again.

     Reply
113. 

     nicholas on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:23 am

     The right attitude and correct view is important when we learn and practice dharma because most of the times what make us give up are those behaviors that we carried from our habituation. Those mentioned by Rinpoche on the above are the entire right attitude we need to cultivate not only for our Dharma practice in fact for some of us we have been practicing it but just for different cause which mainly to achieve samsara pleasure.

     Frederick is one of the good examples that show us the right way and attitude to learn and practice Dharma by take up the advice and work it out all the way. Is just like what mentioned before if we found that we are sick and we want to heal by seeing a doctor and we have to follow through the doctor advice and prescription. This is logic and which most of us understand clearly. What could be wrong along the way is only us when we are lazy, selective……and we just want to find easy way out and start to act as our own doctor. I believe we can be our own doctor when we learn up and practice dharma consistently and showing the consistent results. If we are not there yet is better to learn from the Guru that have shown the positive changed/results on so many people.

     At this modern time the dharma value is important for us to steer our samsaric mind and behavior. At this degenerate time our attachment and wrong view on our needs is just getting bigger and bigger. Meeting the dharma and the Guru is extremely rare. If we don’t grab the opportunity to learn and practice especially when we met the great Guru it will waste our life.

     Thank you Rinpoche for creating the platform such as Kechara to benefits so many people and is also our responsibility to make it grow and move along with Rinpoche’s mission reach more and more people for their benefits and eventually our own.

     Reply
114. 

     Ruby Khong on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:12 am

     Although what Rinpoche wrote is in relation to a dharma centre, it also applies to other aspects of our lives, either in our work place or home. That is the profound wisdom of dharma as it transcends all aspects. It is universal TRUTH, not just Buddhism.

     I think most issues arise when we start projecting our non acceptance of ourselves onto our partner/friend/colleague/dharma student and call him/her the one to blame from our victim stance. And, because spiritual seekers usually go through a long transition period of healing and changing, they usually have more conflict in their lives than they might think.

     Some points that we can keep in mind is if you are bothered by something your dharma friend has done or said, take responsibility for your feelings by speaking up as soon as you can. Look closely at your feelings and see how much of your emotion is being triggered by the experience in the present, or if it’s an old story unwinding its tape again. Chances are, it’s a combination of both. You need to speak up gently but firmly and tell the other what is going on inside of you so that they know who you really are and where you are at in the moment.

     Another common issue I have seen in my years in the dharma scene is someone using subtle insults couched in spiritual sounding terms. They are the ones with dry intellectual knowledge that never translate the knowledge into practice. They use jargons that are so ‘deep’ to spiritually attack you. Little do they know that the power of words combined with anger or dishonesty will set them up for unpleasant consequences later, and the sooner they come clean about it the better for all involved.

     The commitment to always taking responsibility for one’s own feelings and reactions, and acknowledging and apologizing to the other for the times when we haven’t done so is critical to maintaining good relationships with others who are also committed to staying conscious.It is also good for our own spiritual practice. The fact is, we are still human, and we can still hurt each other on an emotional level. And, we do hurt! We feel the entire range of human emotion, just like everyone else. Of course, we all understand that on a spiritual level there is no hurt, and that all experiences serve.

     I have only met Frederick on two occasions at Kepong Metropolitan Park when he led the motivational prayers during animal liberation event. It was during his earlier days when he joined Kechara. It is very refreshing to know that he has since progressed in his spiritual path and I rejoice for him. May Kechara continue to benefit and be the sanctuary for more ‘Fredericks’ to come.

     Reply
115. 

     Grace Leong on Apr 8, 2014 at 1:17 am

     Meeting the 3 Jewels, learning the Dharma and taking refuge with my precious Guru have been the main subjects in my life for the last few years. People closest to me have commented “there’s nothing wrong with you, don’t get obsessed with trying to change “. Fortunately I never believed that. In my short spiritual journey I have come to realize some of my worst qualities. The source of my problems are within more then without, and I am trying very hard to overcome them, just so that those around me who has to tolerate them have better days. Rinpoche taught me that . Dharma is about transforming and improving oneself to make life easier for those around us. It does not necessary need to be complicated or mega projects, but just creating joy and peace daily in small ways to those we meet. When this teaching becomes a habit, all that we undertake, both small and large projects become easier. Because we place others as the focus and not ourselves. When we consistently mindfully do the right thing, the right results will manifest. In the short term, the results may not be as we expect but who is to say our expectations are accurate.

     I rejoice to see the positive transformation in Frederick. There are many such heroes and heroines in Kechara who are great inspirations to my spiritual journey. I rejoice for them.
     I will continue my practice to the best of my ability and truly hope to be able to create causes for Rinpoche to continue to turn the wheel of Dharma for the benefit of all. Thank you Rinpoche for making me contemplate hard on my practice and showing me all the methods to achieve an enlightened mind.

     Reply
116. 

     henry ooi on Apr 8, 2014 at 12:31 am

     This article brings back memories of how I met Rinpoche some 17 years ago. There was no Kechara then nor were there premises where we could invite Rinpoche to give a dharma talk. Back then there were only around ten of us who were regulars to Dato’ Ruby Khong’s house for our weekly puja. Some of us, the old timers, are still here in Kechara while others have moved on. Being a small group we did not have many issues of what Rinpoche writes here of expectations of going to a dharma centre. After Kechara was founded more people joined and naturally more than before of the said issues were experienced. And now we are building Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) to cater for and to benefit even more people hence many more issues are expected. What could make KFR successful would be what the present people in Kechara would do to receive new people and how to be of benefit to them. But to do that means we have to think of them and focus on them and not think and focus on ourselves like what Rinpoche says. Then Rinpoche’s motivation for Kechara to be of service to the public would be realized through dharma teachings and education leading to dharma practices. I would say this is also spirituality.

     Reply
117. 

     Paul Yap on Apr 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm

     Rinpoche has basically listed out the right attitude to have as a practicing student in a Buddhist organization. “You didn’t join the dharma centre to change the members but to enlighten yourself”. I found this phase is particularly useful for me as I saw how critical I am since I started my dharma journey many many years ago, this teaching has reminded me always that the person who I should be criticizing the most is myself, the reason I study and work in a dharma center is because I want to improve myself, and not otherwise. If I only know how to complaining about others, how would that help in my dharma practice? Am I trying to find a place to get more recognition and look good? And where would that lead me? I have been thinking a lot of what Rinpoche has taught us in this article the last few years, the thinking process has made my mind very clear that I myself need to walk the talk, and lead by examples. If we requires others to be perfect, then we our self has to be perfect (and of course that won’t happen to me in this lifetime). So instead of complaining and blaming others for what we don’t like, I decided to find my own way creating success and making it happen, and that creates more happiness for me and the people surrounding me.

     Reply
118. 

     Paul Yap on Apr 7, 2014 at 11:54 pm

     Rinpoche has basically listed out the right attitude to have as a practicing student in a Buddhist organization. “You didn’t join the dharma centre to change the members but to enlighten yourself”. I found this phase is particularly useful for me as I saw how critical I am since I started my dharma journey many many years ago, this teaching has reminded me always that the person who I should be criticizing the most is myself, the reason I study and work in a dharma center is because I want to improve myself, and not otherwise. If I only know how to complaining about others, how would that help in my dharma practice? Am I trying to find a place to get more recognition and look good? And where would that lead me? I have been thinking a lot of what Rinpoche has taught us in this article the last few years, the thinking process has made my mind very clear that I myself need to walk the talk, and lead by examples. If we requires others to be perfect, then we our self has to be perfect (and of course that wont happen to me in this life time). So instead of complaining and blaming others for what we don’t like, I decided to find my own way creating success and making it happen, and that creates more happiness for me and the people surrounding me.

     Reply
119. 

     Choongs on Apr 7, 2014 at 11:44 pm

     Thank you Rinpoche. You have asked us to read, contemplate and practise the 27 Verses On Mind Training by the founder of our Gelug lineage Je Tsongkhapa every day and I did. This teaching is a gentle reminder to me. Time to incorporate it into my Sadhana.

     https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/27-rules-to-real-happiness.html

     Reply
120. 

     Lyn Phng on Apr 7, 2014 at 11:31 pm

     Thank you for this teaching Rinpoche. And for all the efforts of your kind sincere genuine students/Kecharians who help run the Centre to consistently encourages us lay members to read your blog and learn. I am grateful for that. Yes the Dharma centre is not a perfect place. There will be faults and “errant” people around all the time, but who are we to judge and complain? The teaching that struck me most was to “see these ‘errant’ students not as objects of disdain but of compassion and inspiration. That we have an opportunity to transform ourselves as an example to uplift and inspire others in the centre and not use them as excuses to fail.” This teaching is very deep for me. In turn I have also witnessed within Kechara the combined forces of a caring Guru and sincere result-oriented students to build Kechara to what it is today. And together with students like Frederick Law, the future does seem very bright for Kechara.

     Reply
121. 

     mitra on Apr 7, 2014 at 10:49 pm

     Frederick law a good example.we have to fallow Rinpoche advices. thanks Rinpoche for the powerful teaching through this post.

     Reply
122. 

     Fong on Apr 7, 2014 at 9:46 pm

     Having the patience to wait for results after studying and applying the dharma without mundane agenda is very important. Being able to be humble & listen to others especially the seniors, what more the Guru, be open to change, to focus outwards on others sounded like very difficult tasks to me. But as the days passed, I find that I just have to take that first small step. And, I have. Rinpoche is very compassionate in pushing us to help ourselves.

     That small step means helping others or even the dharma centre. The side effect of all this outward focus is that we understand more about ourselves, and in this way able to overcome our inner demons like anger, selfishness and fear. It also teaches us to express our gratitude to the people around us and especially our teacher in more ways than one. I have never been able to express my thanks as I am always unsure and needing to “do the right thing”. But, as Rinpoche always teach, there is not right or wrong, no black or white – just a matter of perspective. As such I am slowly learning to convey my thanks and gratitude.

     Thank you, Rinpoche for this teaching.

     Reply
123. 

     Andrew James Boon on Apr 7, 2014 at 9:20 pm

     It is truly profound how an honest sharing from a sincere student can give rise to such a profound teaching on our spiritual journey.

     The teaching impacts each and every one of us in a different way, in the way it touches us individually on many multifaceted levels coming from our own experiences.

     For me personally, the seduction of samsara does indeed sometimes veil my spiritual journey to the point where I do lose sight of where I should go or sometimes even doubt the road I am on!

     However, what keeps me in check is reminding myself of THE truths which cannot be denied. The Patience of my Guru, The Generosity of my Guru. The Compassion of my Guru. The Unconditional Love of my Guru.

     The thing is, these are the very qualities we all seek in our daily interactions with people around us but for some of us, when these pure qualities manifest in our Guru right in front of us, we shun away, we question or we deny it and continue to “look” for these elusive qualities within samsara.

     Why this is so, could perhaps be a combination of many factors… factors of which our own Guru and even senior students are ever willing to point out… so my point is, we should always keep an open mind and “listen” to these pointers and not lose sight of the goal we all have no matter how varied.

     And at the end of the day, what is important for me is where I am within my journey, my progress as to who I am and where I am going and not letting my own insecurities and my negativeness get in the way of who I can be!

     Thank you Rinpoche for constantly making us see ourselves in the reflection that is your teachings!

     Reply
124. 

     KH Ng on Apr 7, 2014 at 7:03 pm

     Dear Rinpoche,

     It is true that there are many imperfections in society and similarly in the Dharma Center. I have personally witnessed it myself. I am sure I am one of them as well and am grateful that others are tolerant with me when I “drop the baton” sometimes. I guess this is proof that we are all in samsara. It is true that many expect people in the Dharma Centers to be “tenth ground Boddhisattvas” ie perfect while we ourselves are not perfect. We expect instant results to our problems and expects others to solve the problems we created ourselves for us..which is illogical. The Dharma is the solutions and the Dharma never once promised instant solutions for our problems. The Dharma are to be applied with consistency and patience and things will change for the better for this life and the future ones; for others and for ourselves.

     I am grateful that I found a Guru who has been kind to me and others and I have been able to learn and practice the Dharma the best I can even though there are constant internal battles with my inner demons and delusions but I think the Dharma is winning by a very slim margin for now and hope the Dharma can conquer the demons in a landslide win this life. While I am winning, I leverage the condition to work hard for the Dharma, the center and others and that Rinpoche’s reminders to look are the good and do something for the negative side of things and people. If we can do that we can somehow convince others to do the same because we have some credibility and others have some belief in what we say, then it is a step in the positive direction and one more person we helped to practice the Dharma, which is the only and complete solution from samsara and sufferings.

     I wish Rinpoche stay healthy and I really miss you here in KL. I will do the best to continue to create the cause for Rinpoche’s return and long life!

     With love and care!
     KH Ng

     Reply
125. 

     Joshua on Apr 7, 2014 at 6:50 pm

     Rinpoche has given us a realistic account of the real spiritual practice. Irregardless of whether the teacher is away or near to you, spiritual practice depends very much on our own effort. The Buddhas are unable to “magic wand” all sentient beings to get attainments instantly…but if He is able to do that, He would have done so long ago. Also, Rinpoche gave examples of people coming to centres or places of worship and wanting ‘unrealistic expectations’ from the Buddha which i personally thinks that it is very true due to lack of understanding of Dharma (Karma). So its important to share Dharma with them to correct their views on their traditional/culture beliefs. Thank you Rinpoche for spending the time to write this blog for thousands of readers to benefit from.

     Reply
126. 

     Iryne Chong on Apr 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm

     Dear Rinpoche, I find inspiration in this blog about us not coming to the Dharma center to get others to help us with our hangups and expect our problems to be solved by others. Instead, we should be the light to help others. For me, I do find some who are like you described; with their hangups; but there are many senior students who are very good examples of good Dharma practitioners. I take these good students to be examples and I am fortunate enough that they have been kind to me and guides me. I do not know the Dharma very well but have been attending Sunday Classes to learn more. I will always fulfill Rinpoche’s instruction for me to work in KSA. It is hard work but I enjoy it very much and find lots of fulfillment that our work can help others and I always try to do my best.
     I hope Rinpoche will come back soon as we all miss Rinpoche.

     With Folded Hands!
     Iryne.

     Reply
127. 

     Casteven Lim (KH JB) on Apr 6, 2014 at 9:56 pm

     Rejoice Frederick and thanks Rinpoche for the powerful teaching through this post.

     Frederick do show us his faith to Rinpoche hence follow Rinpoche advices without Doubts and show his consistent practice with updates. This is the Best offering to Guru. Instead of that, he use his free time to volunteer in Kechara House is truly inspire others.

     Thanks Rinpoche with foleded hands once again that keeping on remind us through the teaching above.

     “When you blame, begrudge and seek vengeance against your teacher, dharma centre or fellow students, it shows that you have degenerated. Why? Wherever you go, you will meet the same circumstances. “But it shouldn’t be like that in dharma,” you may counter and you are right. But people in dharma are not tenth level Bodhisattvas! They are just like you and me, and maybe even worse prior to dharma. Change your mind, remain silent and transform. There were things I found should be changed or ‘wrong’ in Gaden Monastery when I first joined in 1987. But I found many things right also as time went on. I saw the illustrious masters Gaden Monastery in South India produced and realized the system in Gaden is not perfect but still very good. So I focused on the good points of Gaden Monastery and have grown to respect it very much. Enough that I don’t have to always find fault. There will be fault everywhere. Your karma invites fault. You live in a faulty realm. Your future lives will be surrounded by many problems and faults, and it will not end till you end it with the full awakening of Buddha-hood as Tsongkapa did. Buddha Shakyamuni started an incredible inner revolution and revelation. We are not permanently fixed in suffering, there is a way out. Start the inner revolution now. The revelation is that there is a way out and it’s inside of you. Start the ‘war’ on anger, bitterness, depression, selfishness within oneself now by applying Buddha’s teachings and gaining hope from the doctrine of cause and effect (karma). If you start the inner war, outer wars in your life will decrease. You will find peace.”

     Karma never end, no matter we already get improvement from practices we should continue and bring Dharma and Rinpoche teaching to more others.

     Reply
128. 

     mima on Apr 6, 2014 at 7:44 pm

     Sinee I meet Rinpoche on youtube my life changed. Thank you so much for SP’s wonderful work offering us these incredible precious Dharma talks from Rinpoche since many years ago!

     Reply
129. 

     Grace Leu(KHJB) on Apr 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm

     Thanks for Rinpoche’s sharing. Frederick set a good example to us even though he was full time working, with determination he able to complete the 100000 water offering, just have faith and do it! we are the creator for all the difficulty we facing now, only ourself can help us by mind transform, let go our ego and laziness.

     Reply
130. 

     Frederick Law on Apr 5, 2014 at 12:42 am

     Dear Rinpoche,

     With heart-felt appreciation and folded hand, thank you for such a wonderful teaching which i never expect from my simple update.

     Yet from Rinpoche teaching, it is what myself had gone through for the past 3 year since i join Kechara, and started my Water Offering Retreat. If not for Rinpoche and Kechara, i would not dare think where i am now, and it is because of this affinity i have, i am able to engage in Dharma practice and understand more about Buddhism which i never would have thought 4 to 6 years back.

     In Rinpoche teaching it is important to let go of our ego and face our Karma and obstacles, Dharma is the remedy, Rinpoche is the Doctor that pin-point our mistakes or our problems, yet to fully recover from this our problem, we should first let go of our ego, and trust in the Doctor, which is Rinpoche, because Rinpoche sees the problem that is within us, which we could not on the surface level.

     I will take heed of Rinpoche advices and continue with my practice and also the following Tsongkhapa Retreat. With folded hand, i Thank You Rinpoche for this precious gift. May Rinpoche come home to Malaysia soon to continue to turn the Dharma Wheel, many of us here misses Rinpoche Dharma Teaching in Gompa, and we would love to listen to Rinpoche Dharma Teaching in Wisdom Hall in KFR.

     Thank You,
     With Love and Care,

     Frederick Law

     Reply
     • 

       Joy on Apr 8, 2014 at 3:37 am

       Firstly I would like to thank you Frederick for showing us that with sincere practice, there is results and like what Rinpoche said there will be “relief” if we apply the teachings!
       Your sincerity and practice will inspire many.

       Rinpoche’s teachings here reminds me of the teachings Rinpoche gave many years back when there was only KH1, and we had a 3 days marathon teaching in Damekhang House then in BU: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/gurus-for-hire-enlightenment-for-sale.html

       The one thing we must remember and this teaching by Rinpoche is what made become a “Buddhist”, join Kechara and continue on the Dharma path in Kechara…

       “Opinions about you can change and you should make it change in front of everyone. Be a phoenix. Rise from the embers. Remember, no one but you created the problems. No one can further aggravate your problems unless you did not train your mind.”

       One thing is for sure, Rinpoche’s teachings are real life experiences, real remedies, sometimes harsh but truthful because no one else dares to care for us this much to point out of faults and issues so we face them and fix them. If we do not face them now, then wherever we go we take it with us and it will manifest time and again. There is no “running” or “escaping” it because it is in you and in me.

       From the time I first met, right up till now, Rinpoche’s motivation for us to do Dharma is mind transformation and no other offerings is higher than this. And when a student practices the teacher’s teachings that He has so kindly bestowed, adviced, remind, and patiently find creative ways to expound, we as students really need to take it in, contemplate and practice it. We may not change over night, as yes we’re not all Bodhisattvas, and all perfect, but no matter how many time we fall, most importantly is to get up and keep going and trying. If we quit, it is actually quitting ourselves and giving in on the very thing we fear most – “failure” and when we do this, there is no one really to blame but ourselves. And self-pity does not serve us because how long do we intend to stay in the black hole when there is light up there and we just gotta make the effort to climb out of that hole?

       False pride and false ego we all have, that is true, yes Dharma centres everywhere around the words have Pastors, Monk, Nuns, Students that do not fit the “perfect” idea concept of our projections, there will always be people like this cos this is samsara I’ve learnt. No point looking at them, cos if we start, it will never end because it is limitless. Better to change our perspective, so we can progress our “spiritual” path and focus on the “POSITIVES”, the people who inspires us, those who are doing good. Those who are not, I’ve concluded if I cannot talk to them because I’m not qualified, or because they just don’t have the karma to listen or because they just won’t listen, then karma teacher will naturally deal with them in time and this does happened.

       Those who entered the Dharma with the wrong motivations can change, those who fall can get up, those who say they cannot can become can… this I have seen throughout many years of Rinpoche teaching and patiently using skilful means to guide the students. Unfortunately for those who ran and quit or hide, that just shows they choose continuous pain and suffering as oppose to pain and suffering of the surgery now and heal to become better.

       Thank you Rinpoche for these wonderful teachings that I will consistently apply and share with others!

       Reply
131. 

     Datuk May on Apr 4, 2014 at 2:09 pm

     Thank you Rinpoche for this powerful teaching and Frederick for making this happen for all of us. Reading this made me reflect on how often, although I rejoice for all the Kecharians whose prayers for help from our Protector, Lord Setrap are immediately granted, I always wondered why it is so difficult for me to overcome my obstacles. Initially I was disappointed and with more teachings from Rinpoche during the past 5 years, I realised that it is not about Lord Setrap not wanting to help me but rather my Karma is such that it will take longer and probably will be helped in ways I do not see it as help. The reason being that I am so fixed in how things should be.

     I have learnt the knowledge that the Dharma teaches us the method and maybe I have not been practising properly and so going through my life smoothly is slow in achieving.

     Nonetheless, from my experience as taught by my kind Guru, Rinpoche, keep at it and even when ”things” are not improving as perceived by my mind, I am better in all aspects of living. I have learnt to accept that life can only be better by focusing on making Kechara better for all who walk through our doors.

     This post enhances so much my belief in the Dharma and Rinpoche’s teachings, and may we as Kecharians keep on being aligned to Rinpoche’s vision and mission and make Kechara, the place of refuge and heaven on earth.

     Reply
132. 

     sockwan on Apr 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm

     When we volunteer in a spiritual center, it is more than helping others, doing good for others. It has a deeper meaning, through helping others, we learn about our mind, then we transform for the betterment of ourselves. It is only by learning our mind, only we can have transformation.

     Since we are all not enlightened yet, we bound to have shortcomings, weaknesses, negative qualities. When we decide to walk on the path of spiritual practice, we are declaring a war with our inner enemy. There will be struggle, there will be moments we feel bad about ourselves. Then with the Dharma knowledge we have learned, we put that in practice to pull ourselves together to overcome the inner and outer challenge.

     There is no quick fix for the problems we have, no one can solve our problems. We have the solutions to all our problem, if we apply Dharma CONSISTENTLY, ultimately we will see the results.

     Reply
133. 

     May Ong on Apr 4, 2014 at 12:18 pm

     We have known Frederick when he first came to Kechara, like everyone else who were new to Kechara and spirituality. Just like what Tsem Rinpoche had written above, we are the ones who has to decide the path for which we walk on. If we have decided the path to follow, follow it with our hearts, to test the methods out and to experience and see the results. Whatever outcome the results were, there is bound to be improvements in our lives, from dharma which was given, after effort has been put into it.

     All those live teachings from Tsem Rinpoche in Kechara gompa were very precious to many of us and we missed them alot.

     I thank Frederick for his sincere letter to Rinpoche and that his practice continues to be fruitful.

     Reply