(By Tsem Rinpoche and Stella Cheang) The veneration of relics is an ancient custom that plays an important role in major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Shamanism. For example, sites that house holy relics in Christianity are major pilgrimage destinations because it is believed that these relics are a benediction to the...
Posted in Asia, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Travel | 8 Comments »
Pilgrimage has always been a prominent aspect of organised religion. It is common for devotees of all major religions to participate in pilgrimages as an expression of deep faith, from the Muslim Haj to Catholic pilgrimages to the Vatican. Similarly, Buddhists believe that by going on pilgrimage to power places where the Buddha or...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 15 Comments »
Nageshvaraja (By Tsem Rinpoche) Nageshvaraja is also sometimes called Nagaraja. His name literally means ‘Tathagatha King of the Nagas’, known as ‘Luwang Gyalpo’ in Tibetan. He is also one of the 35 Confessional Buddhas as listed within the Mahayana Sutra of the Three Superior Heaps that we prostrate to in order to purify heavy...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Malaysia | 26 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David) The great Lopon Sonam Tsemo (1142-1182 CE) was the 2nd of the five founding fathers of the Sakya tradition and the 9th in Naropa’s lineage of Vajrayogini practice. He was the eldest of the three great sons of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, the 1st founding father of the Sakya...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Great Lamas & Masters, Vajra Yogini | 50 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Why Go on Pilgrimage? One foot in front of the other, time after time, over hours, over days, over weeks. From the narrow glacial passes of the mighty Himalayas to the arid lands of Saudi Arabia and Israel, and from the foothills of France to towering peaks in China, the pilgrim...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 11 Comments »
Tsarchen Losal Gyatso (1502 – 1566 CE) was a famous master and the founder of the Tsarpa lineage of the Sakya tradition centred at Dar Drangmoche Monastery in the central Tsang province of Tibet. The great Tsarchen Losal Gyatso is the 21st lineage holder of the Vajrayogini tantric tradition stemming from the Mahasiddha Naropa...
Posted in Books & Poetry, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Vajra Yogini | 62 Comments »
(译文请往下阅读) I was 18 years old when this was taken back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Here I am in this photo with my most precious root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He has profoundly changed my life for the better forever. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him, love him, miss him and yearn for his presence and teachings. I meditate on him in my heart every single day. He was everything that a high Tibetan lama is said to be and more. From the moment I heard his name before meeting him from a friend who had met him alr...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Great Lamas & Masters, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, བོད་ཡིག, 中文 | 15 Comments »
Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941) was an illustrious man of many talents. A prolific writer, poet, songwriter, playwright, actor, and painter, he revolutionised Indian art and literature, and was also a pioneer of the Bengal Renaissance Movement. Rabindranath’s works have influenced numerous writers, artists, painters, activists, humanitarian workers, social workers, the poor and the...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Books & Poetry, Celebrities & People, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 26 Comments »
Wonderful Rime (non-sectarian) images of the Enlightened Beings for you to download and print in high-resolution for absolutely free! I realise that it can sometimes be difficult to find good quality, iconographically correct images of the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, especially in places where Dharma is not strong, or in remote areas. Therefore, I...
Posted in Downloads, Gallery | 18 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Kazi Dawa Samdup (1868 – 1922) was one of the earliest translators of Tibetan Buddhist texts into the English language, and a pioneer who introduced Tibetan Buddhism to the west. During his lifetime, he had served as the interpreter to kings, lamas, politicians, and explorers such as His Holiness the 13th...
Posted in Asia, Celebrities & People, Explorers | 7 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Korea’s first and only Special Autonomous Province, Jeju Island, or Jejudo in Korean, is known as the “Island of the Gods”, formerly called Cheju Island. Located on the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait, it is the largest volcanic island off the peninsula with a population of over...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 10 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) The Kansai region is often considered as the historical and cultural heart of Japan. It was the centre of politics, culture, and economy before the capital city was transferred to Tokyo in the 17th century. As a result of its unique history, many historical sites in Kansai are considered as UNESCO...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Lochen Chönyi Zangmo, better known as Jetsun Lochen Rinpoche (1865 – 1951), was an attained female practitioner of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. She was believed to be the incarnation of Machig Labdrön, an 11th century Tibetan Buddhist tantric practitioner. Lochen Rinpoche was born amidst auspicious signs, and...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Great Lamas & Masters, Inspiration & Worthy Words | 24 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Karen Chong) 五台山位于中国山西省,因五峰耸立,上平坦如台而闻名。人们普遍相信这是智慧佛文殊菩萨在人间的道场,相传每一座山峰皆住着文殊菩萨的其中一个化身。
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel, 中文 | 5 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) 当前往受到加持的圣地朝圣,游客们会因环境的正能量而感到平静、快乐、治愈和安宁。这还可以在游客或朝圣者的心中留下印记或开启心中某个正面的印记,成为修行路上激励他们的动力。
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, China, China 中国, Travel, 中文 | 6 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi) Bhutan, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is the smallest state located within the Himalaya mountain range. It is located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered by China and India. Within the South Asia region, after the Maldives, Bhutan is the second least populous nation, with no more...
Posted in Asia, Travel | 15 Comments »
Interviewing H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende of Shar Gaden Monastery about H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche Kechara was extremely honoured and privileged to host the visit of His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende, accompanied by his devoted attendant Gen Wangyal. Kensur Rinpoche, now an abbot emeritus, was the first abbot...
Posted in Great Lamas & Masters | 16 Comments »
The magnificent Jetavanaramaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage places in Sri Lanka. The stupa was built on the ground where the legendary Mahinda Maha Thero gave a seven-day discourse on Buddhism. Mahinda Maha Thero was the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and a great...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 48 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Significance to Buddhist Sarnath is considered a sacred place to the Buddhists for being the place where Gautama Buddha first taught seven weeks after achieving enlightenment in the 6th century BC. This first teaching is known in Sanskrit as Dharmacakrapravartana Sutra, Turning the Wheel of Dharma Sutra. The main topic is...
Posted in Asia, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Travel | 10 Comments »
In the heart of Indochina lies Laos, a tropical country that was once known as the realm of a million elephants. Today Laos or Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao P.D.R.) boasts a wealth of natural wonders and unchartered rivers, surrounded by mountains and lush green landscapes, making it one of the leading countries for...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 8 Comments »