Wei’s Donation to KAS
Wei on a recent holiday back to Malaysia
15 year old Wei lives in London and he likes football, loves TV and video games, and isn’t that keen on school…sounds familiar boys? Hehe He naturally doesn’t say very much, and once he has his mind made up, it’s very hard to shift.
When Wei recently decided to donate to Kechara Animal Sanctuary (KAS), he told his parents, Lily and Keng Nam Tan, and they knew it was for real. Lily and Keng Nam are close students of mine who are based in London. They run a study group there, and fly back once or twice every year to attend teachings, Kechara events or just to volunteer.
When discussing about how much he would like to contribute, he said all of his ang pau money! These ang pau (red packet with money, traditionally given to those who are married to the unmarried during Chinese New Year) were collected on his holiday back to Kuala Lumpur. He said that he’d like to donate all RM800, or approximately £200!
For a 15 year old (or anyone for that matter!), that money could go a long way. Wei said that the money came from his kind grandparents. He was inspired by his parents, because he saw them making donations, and he wanted to do the same..
When he received the money from his grandparents, he realised that he doesn’t really need anything, and there isn’t anything he really wants. So he thought why not he donate it to someone who needs it more than him. Since he loves animals, Wei decided to donate to KAS or Kechara Animal Sanctuary. When he was asked why he didn’t donate it to somewhere else, Wei said it is because animals suffer too. Wei doesn’t believe animals are lower than humans, and he will help them because they need help. He also said that when humans need help, he will also try to help, especially if the human will later go on to help hundreds of other lives…hehe he said it is more ‘value for money’!
I’m glad that Wei’s parents’ giving nature has rubbed off on him. They are very kind that they give him an example of how to live a dharma life, so that he can start to practise generosity while he is young. It is very important that our children learn dharma now so that when they are older, they have the right attitude and right way of thinking, and knowing how to choose between right and wrong. That is the best way for us to take care of our children, by giving them the skills to take care of themselves. And what’s the best bit? Once they learn that, WE can relax because we don’t need to worry about them anymore.
Animals and their welfare and getting rid of animal suffering is a cause that is very close to my heart. I will get a piece of land so that the animals have somewhere to stay that is safe and comfortable, and where they are not abused. I also wish to teach children and their parents how to care for animals, and have a nurture and education centre on the land so the kids have somewhere good to go on their holidays, and learn to help others.
I’m very very very happy to hear Wei has made this donation to KAS. I wish and hope that Wei will do more as he grows older, as it will really help him in the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
With his older brother Shen, mother Lily and father Keng Nam, and his grandmother
Wei and his cousins and brother (Shen who is at university, and has been previously helped by Setrap)
The Tan family at their home in England. Lily and Keng Nam often have dharma sharing sessions in their back garden which you can see here…
The Tan family chapel with wonderful Vajrayogini, the Queen of the Dakinis
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Wei is a truly happy boy, he doesn’t really need anything and there isn’t anything he really wants to be happy. That’s true happiness.
Wei’s words is so powerful and he has a mind as a influencer. I’m inspired when he said when humans need help, he will also try to help, especially if the human will later go on to help hundreds of other lives… this is more ‘value for money’. A heart of gold.
Rejoice to Wei for donating out his ang pow money for the animals.
In my 15 years old, i was still a stupid young boy, haha.
I saw Wei before at Kechara Forest Retreat but do not have chance to talk to him.
Hope that he will be doing well in his study and his dharma practice.
I feel happy for those who start practicing dharma in their young age.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
What an inspiring story. If we all could be so mindful and loving at this young age…What a wonderful world it would be. Learning many lessons from young people, lately. May he and his dear family recieve many blessings and may the animals benefit greatly from his generous heart and intentions.
Wei is such a sweet boy. I have 2 kids too about his age. Parents have very big responsibilities on our children’s behavior. What direction they will take when they grown up, mostly depends on what they seen in their parents. It is a good way if we parents indulge ourselves into Dharma practice and having a more Dharma ways of life. I believe the children will some how follow and get involve in it too. especially our children are mostly growing up in the big cities that are full of distractions and harmful influences. I hope to meet Wei in KL soon.
Beside those official learning from schools, kids learn a lot through observations. The role of parents is hence extremely important as what the parents do will be mimicked by their kids. Thus, every moment is a teaching/learning moment. Actions speak louder than words.
It is really very nice that Wei was willing to give up all his ang pao for KAS. Even adults may not choose to do that, not to mention kids. RM 800 can mean quite a lot for a young kids. So many things can be bought with this money and yet Wei decided to give them all out. Very nice giving spirit!
Kids who are caring are beautiful….beautiful from their hearts. If they have the hearts to care for others, they will usually be those who cant bear to see the sufferings in others, animals and/or humans.
I wish Wei the best in everything in his life. May he continue to keep this kind heart.
Wow! Donations of Rm800/- comes all the way from Wei who is resident in UK. And he is only 15 years old and is practicing non attachments automatically. It comes from all his Chinese New Year Ang Pows he had received from his grandmother and relatives when he came back to Malaysia for reunion with his relatives. According to the write up about him he does not like to study but play footballs which is not very good traits. But on the other hand he has made up for his bad qualities by his Generosity and Compassion in his donation to KAS. Most children will ignorantly not part wih their Ang Pows they have collected. If there is harmony in a family thats when parents will be the examples of good qualities for the kids to follow.
What an noble character trapped in a 15year old body. To be ale to come to the conclusion that he doesn’t need anything and there isn’t anything he really wants, other than to benefit others. What a huge potential!
Thank you Wei Tan.