My recollection of H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche | 忆念尊贵的古鲁迪瓦仁波切

May 12, 2016 | Views: 2,766

(译文请往下阅读)

This is the sacred Dorje Shugden thangka that was in the private altar of Sokpu Rinpoche Guru Deva for decades. I had a chance to see this and pay homage. He worshipped Dorje Shugden together with Kalarupa as his primary protectors. Click on image to enlarge.

This is the sacred Dorje Shugden thangka that was in the private altar of Sokpu Rinpoche Guru Deva for decades. I had a chance to see this and pay homage. He worshipped Dorje Shugden together with Kalarupa as his primary protectors. Click on image to enlarge.

One of the lamas to have had a huge impact on my life both spiritually and on a physical level is Guru Deva Rinpoche, also known as Sogpu Rinpoche by some (‘Sogpu’ being the Tibetan word for Mongolian). Guru Deva Rinpoche was an incredible lama who lived until 100 years. He was very witty, sharp, highly accomplished and extremely generous. Although I did not get to spend a lot of time with this enlightened being who is said to be an emanation of Gyenze himself, connecting with him led to many positive developments in my life. Through Guru Deva Rinpoche’s kindness, I was able to reconnect with my birth father who later became one of my first major sponsors.

Not once did Guru Deva Rinpoche ever hint, ask or even suggest what he would be able to get in return for helping me. This grand old lama just wanted to help and benefit, and it was never with an agenda. I am forever very grateful to Guru Deva Rinpoche for the assistance he rendered to me in some of the most difficult times of my life, and for bringing to me a clarity about my parentage and background which I never had since birth.

I would like to thank Mr. Martin Chow for taking the care, time and enthusiasm to do such a good job on my recollection of this great lama which I wish to share with you below. Martin has a style of writing that is accurate, poignant and it touches the heart deeply because of his passion to share something that can benefit others.

I thank His Eminence Guru Deva Rinpoche for his great compassion, time and all he did for me. I will never forget. I wish to meet him in his future incarnation again. May we all meet this deeply compassionate lama.

Tsem Rinpoche

 


 

This is the sacred Dorje Shugden thangka that was in the private altar of Sokpu Rinpoche Guru Deva for decades. I had a chance to see this and pay homage. He worshipped Dorje Shugden together with Kalarupa as his primary protectors. Click on image to enlarge.

这是索普仁波切古鲁迪瓦私人佛桌上多年安放的神圣多杰雄登唐卡,而我有因缘瞻仰和礼敬。他主要的护法是多杰雄登和嘎拉路巴。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切是一个在我的生命中,无论是在修行或外在的层面上都形成重大影响的上师之一,有些人也称他为索普仁波切(“索普”在藏文中的意思为蒙古人)。古鲁迪瓦仁波切是一位伟大的上师,他一直活到一百岁才圆寂。他十分机智、敏锐,具高成就且极为慷慨。尽管我没能跟这位据称是金泽化身的觉悟者相处太长的时间,但跟他的相遇却为我的生命带来许多正面的成长。在古鲁迪瓦仁波切的慈悲牵引下,我终于能够与生父相遇,并让他成为我生命中最初、最主要的功德主之一。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切从不曾暗示、要求或建议我对他为我提供的协助给予任何回报。这位伟大的长者只想要帮助和给我好处,从不附带任何议程。我永远都感激古鲁迪瓦仁波切在我生命中某些最艰难的时刻所给予我的协助,也感激他让我能更清楚了解自己一出世就无缘知悉的血缘和身世。

我想在这里感谢曹铭光先生。感谢他对记录我与这名伟大上师的回忆的用心、所付出的时间和精力。我希望透过以下内容与你分享我与这名上师的回忆。他的写作风格是一贯的准确、尖锐,而且其文字更是能深深地触动人心。这乃因为他心中有着想与人分享美好事物的热忱。

最后,我感谢尊贵的古鲁迪瓦仁波切的大悲心,感谢他为我付出的时间,以及为我所做的一切。我将永远铭记于心。我希望能见到他的转世而与他再次相见。祈愿我们都能遇见这名大悲上师。

詹杜固仁波切

 

H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche
speaks about H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TsemRinpocheAboutGuruDevaRinpoche.mp4

Remembering Guru Deva Rinpoche

By Martin Chow

Spending time with H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is always a joyous time. It is a time of great learning, it is a time when Rinpoche uses a range of methods for us to show us our mind, and it is a time of bonding and character building. And all the while Rinpoche makes these occasions full of fun and laughter. Often, Rinpoche will tell us stories and when Rinpoche shares his stories, it is like a magical portal that opens up giving very close insights and an almost personal experience of places, people and situations that Rinpoche has encountered. Amongst the many stories Rinpoche has told, one of my favourite is the story of Guru Deva Rinpoche.

Sogpu Rinpoche, or Guru Deva Rinpoche

The Guru Deva Rinpoche story is a tale of extraordinary and selfless giving and generosity. It is a story of how the kindness of one great Tibetan lama changed the life of our own guru, Tsem Rinpoche. In many ways, we have Tsem Rinpoche today because Guru Deva Rinpoche contributed immensely towards Rinpoche’s journey to becoming the most important person in our life today. But there is a parallel story, which is an important narrative of the quality of the person who became our Guru. It speaks of Tsem Rinpoche’s courage, strength, gentleness, hope and kindness in the face of incredible and punishing odds, under which most people would crumble and claim valid reasons to fail and become bitter and fearful. The Guru Deva Rinpoche tale is providentially also a declaration of Tsem Rinpoche’s love and trust for the Dharma, which now illuminates so many people’s path away from samsara.

But to understand the story of Guru Deva Rinpoche you first need to know the circumstances that led to Tsem Rinpoche’s meeting with Guru Deva Rinpoche.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, when he was a young boy in Taiwan

When anyone asks Rinpoche what his earliest memories are, Rinpoche will say his earliest memories are that of him as boy nicknamed ‘Siaw Niu’ (Little Bull) walking down a lane in Taiwan – Taipei to be exact – to go for a haircut. The school Siaw Niu attended when he was a little boy had a rule that all students are to sport crew cuts and so when it was time, the couple that Siaw Niu assumed were his parents would give him just enough money and send him down the street to get a haircut. But in fact, Siaw Niu’s ‘parents’ in Taiwan were just caretakers paid to look after him. To them the young Rinpoche was merely a job and so they did just enough to get paid.

The lama so many of us know as Tsem Rinpoche and whom many in the world trust and depend on today grew up as ‘Siaw Niu’, an unwanted child who used to run around in the streets of Taipei. As a child Rinpoche had very little in terms of toys, clothes, affection and attention. Rinpoche recalls that as a toddler, he would look forward to the visit of an elderly lady who came to see him from time to time. Her name was Dechen Minh and she would bring ‘Siaw Niu’ sweets, new clothes and toys. Those visits would be the only time Rinpoche as a little boy was shown any love or affection. Rinpoche was told that Dechen Minh was his grandmother but being a child the significance of that was lost on him. Neither did Rinpoche know that Dechen Minh was in fact a Queen and therefore he himself was of Mongolian royal parentage.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche with Dechen Minh

One day Dechen Minh came and said to Rinpoche, “We are going to America.” There was no explanation why they were going and what he was to do there. Rinpoche was six years old then and being a child, he didn’t really know what America was or what to think of it. But he went along with Dechen Minh because over the many occasions she had visited him, she had been kind and shown him a lot of love, and the two of them had developed a warm and affectionate relationship. Still Rinpoche the boy was sad to leave his guardian – although they had not treated him properly (some would even say they treated him cruelly), still he had regarded them as his parents. Rinpoche was the kind of boy who appreciated every single little thing done for him and he would grow up with this uncommon attribute and be known for having a love for all beings, and with no capacity to bear hatred and grudges.

Rinpoche slept throughout the long PanAm Airlines flight and when he woke up they had arrived in this new place, America. And just like that, the life, place and people that Rinpoche had known up until that moment was over and uncertainty awaited him.

Having arrived in America, Dechen Minh took Rinpoche to a lady’s house in Philadelphia. Her name was Dewa Nimbo and she had a husband and two sons. Dechen Minh told Rinpoche that the lady was her daughter but being very young, he did not draw any conclusions about the relationship between his grandmother and Dewa Nimbo, to him. Rinpoche was in a strange new land where everything seemed strange and incomprehensible, but there would be no time to rest. The next day, a Mongolian couple came to the house and Rinpoche was told they had driven up from Howell, New Jersey. Introduced to Rinpoche as Dana and Boris Bugayeff, Rinpoche was told that the couple he had met just moments ago were his real parents and that he was to call them ‘mother’ and ‘father’.

Dewa Nimbo (left) and Dechen Minh (right)

While uncertainties and capriciousness have marked Rinpoche’s life all these years, the shock of being thrown from one set of parents to another, and from one home to another, was too much for him and he resisted saying, “No, they’re not my parents. I don’t know who they are.” But Dechen Minh was firm and insisted the boy accept his new family, and to greet his new mother and father. With no emotional connection to these people he had just met, the small boy found it very hard to just call them ‘mother’ and ‘father’. Though lost and confused and very afraid, Rinpoche obeyed anyway.

And so, just like that, Rinpoche was again packed off into a car, a huge Ford LTD, and he was driven back to New Jersey. There he was, a child amongst strangers, living with a Mongolian couple and their daughter who had suddenly become his family. ‘Siaw Niu’ was now ‘Burcha’, named after his new father Boris (‘Boris’ being the Westernized version of the Mongolian name ‘Burcha’). In a matter of days, he had gone from being a Chinese-speaking boy in Taipei to being a Mongolian child with a foreign name, whose parents were in reality strangers, speaking a language the boy could not understand. No one had asked what such upheavals would do to the mind of a child and it would appear, no one cared. From that moment, the boy Burcha Bugayeff had to live in yet another forced reality.

Rinpoche as a young boy with the Bugayeffs, Dana and Boris Bugayeff with daughter Lidshma

Once in a while, the nice lady whom Rinpoche had met in Philadelphia, Dewa Nimbo would come and visit him in Howell, New Jersey. The boy who was now known as Burcha just couldn’t figure out who she was and why she would come visit him. Also, Rinpoche’s grandmother, Dechen Minh visited him frequently. In the meantime, Dewa Nimbo told Burcha that she was his aunt and that Burcha’s grandmother Dechen Minh was his mother. It was not only painfully difficult but also extremely unnerving for the young Rinpoche to work out who his real mother was – the lady in Taipei who was his caretaker, his grandmother Dechen Minh as Dewa Nimbo had told him, or this new Mongolian lady, Dana Bugayeff whom Dechen Minh had insisted was his mother. And who was Dewa Nimbo anyway and why was it that others were so eager to claim that another was his mother, as if everyone could be his mother and yet none was confidently his mother?

Dana and Boris Bugayeff (left) with Dechen Minh (right)

To Burcha, none of that made any sense and he could not work out who his real mother was, and why Dechen Minh who was supposed to be his grandmother was not in fact related to the Bugayeffs, supposedly his real parents. If all this complexity sounds disturbing, one shudders to think how it affected the mind of a child at a time when he needed stable foundations to develop. It was all very confusing and those around the young boy continued to subject Burcha to live his life amidst lies and deception. Being a powerless child, Rinpoche had to accept what the adults told him. Although it unsettled his mind greatly Rinpoche behaved himself well and pretended that his new environment was normal. But that was not the end of the trauma as more rude shocks awaited the boy.

One day, a few years later, after Rinpoche had grown accustomed to these new surroundings and the myriad circumstances and changes that dominated his life, he was dealt another devastating blow. One day when Rinpoche was in one of his cousin, Tsagan’s house Rinpoche and the other kids were playing when he had a little argument with Tsagan. After a few childish exchanges, Tsagan in her anger blurted, “You’re only adopted and they [Dana and Boris Bugayeff] are not your family.” That shocked and hurt Rinpoche very much and his mind went blank. After having endured years of unsettling confusion and finding a place in the chaos to survive within, Rinpoche’s world was crushed again. Just when Rinpoche the boy had allowed himself to believe that the Bugayeffs were his real parents that was taken from him yet again.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s biological mother in the red sitting next to Rinpoche’s beloved cousin Gaga Toktun

The young boy who was Rinpoche was only 10 or 11 years old and it had been very difficult for him growing up being unsure all his life who his parents were and what to believe, and what aspects his life were truth and what were lies. What cousin Tsagan said shocked and hurt him, but things were becoming clear to him. Rinpoche wanted to know the truth but no one would tell him much except for a cousin he was close to and whom he loved very much, Toktun. He had constantly asked Gaga Toktun (‘Gaga’ being Mongolian for Auntie or elder cousin), “Are we really family? Who am I?” and she would tell Burcha little bits and pieces of information. She was careful in what she said because she did love the boy and wanted to protect his mind.

Finally, one day after the incident with Tsagan, Gaga Toktun finally told Rinpoche gently that Queen Dechen Minh was his grandmother and the nice lady he liked, Dewa Nimbo was in fact his mother. A lot of things began to make sense, like why Dewa Nimbo would visit him and why things were the way they were. Rinpoche had been told the truth but that did nothing to soothe the hurt knowing that his real mother didn’t want him.

Dewa Nimbo continued to visit Rinpoche and even though he already knew who she was, he had to pretend that he didn’t. There were times when Dewa Nimbo brought Rinpoche to her home in Philadelphia. Rinpoche remembers those moments very fondly and even though a lot still didn’t make sense to him, Rinpoche knew in his heart that this lady whom he was very fond of and admired was his real mother. Simply knowing that there was a person whom in Rinpoche’s eyes was beautiful, intelligent, educated and real, made Rinpoche very proud and valued for a change and that filled his heart with joy. Over time, Rinpoche got closer to Dewa Nimbo and although he knew who she truly was, he continued to greet her as ‘Auntie Dewa’. It was enough that he was able to spend precious time with her.

Dewa Nimbo, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s biological mother

In the years Rinpoche grew from a little child by the name of ‘Siaw Niu’ to become a teenager called Burcha Bugayeff, he had developed a growing passion for Buddhism and when other kids were playing with toys and make-believe heroes, Burcha was totally fascinated with the Buddha’s teachings, images of Tibetan Buddhist deities and prayers and meditations. What was uncanny about Rinpoche’s intense draw to Buddhism was that no one taught him and instilled in him that passion. Somehow Rinpoche just knew. The zeal and devotion to the Dharma seemed to be innate in Rinpoche from young and it was unquenchable even if it meant that Rinpoche was in constant risk of being beaten up and berated by his parents who had other ambitions for him. The irony was that from a young child who was uncared for, roaming the streets of Taipei, Rinpoche could now have a comfortable life and a family that would provide for all Rinpoche’s needs and yet, all he dreamed of and craved for, was the Dharma.

What was equally unexplainable was how Rinpoche had somehow found his way to live in close proximity to some of the most qualified and erudite Tibetan Buddhist lamas of the time, as if a divine plot was afoot. In the pursuit of his love the Dharma, Rinpoche suffered tremendously as his adopted parents would at times go to extreme measures to stop him from practicing the Dharma. They saw Rinpoche’s love for Buddhism as an end to the plans and purpose they had for their son. Many times in the young Rinpoche’s life he would be mercilessly beaten by his mother for engaging in any form of Dharma activities. Caught helplessly between the weight of a very tumultuous life and compounded by the way his adoptive parents would violently refuse his deep need for the Dharma, Rinpoche considered many times to end his life. In the end, Rinpoche would decide to give up the only home and the only stable family he had known after a lifetime of rejection, leaving this relative stability to find a life in Dharma. To have the Dharma, to be able to gaze at the holy images of the Buddhas, to be able to utter the holy mantras and to be able to engage in the prayers, meant more to Rinpoche than all the comforts and pleasures of the world.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s biological mother as a young girl, in a picture with a family friend and Rinpoche’s grandmother (right)

Dewa Nimbo and Rinpoche continued to stay in contact over the years and talked about many things, writing frequently to one another. Rinpoche learned that his mother was a direct student of a very great Mongolian lama by the name of Sogpu Rinpoche, also lovingly known as Guru Deva Rinpoche. Tibetans called him ‘Sogpu Rinpoche’ which means the ‘Rinpoche of the Mongols’ but like many Mongolians, Rinpoche’s mother referred to him as ‘Guru Deva’, which means ‘Teacher of the Gods’, which was a very respectful name. Rinpoche didn’t know it then but Guru Deva Rinpoche would one day play a significant hand in changing the course of his life.

Many years passed and when Rinpoche was around 21 or 22 years of age, he went to Indianapolis to attend a teaching by his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Indianapolis was also where Dewa Nimbo, Rinpoche’s real mother, lived. By then the young man known as Burcha Bugayeff had also decided to become a monk. Rinpoche called Dewa Nimbo over the telephone and asked to meet with her as he was going to go to India soon and didn’t know when he would see her again. At first Rinpoche’s mother agreed to meet but she changed her mind at the last minute, citing some urgent other engagements. Having become accustomed to disappointments, Rinpoche had no choice but to accept the situation.

But Dewa Nimbo then said something to Rinpoche that would prove to be fortuitous. She said, “You’re going to India, you’re going to Nepal and it’s quite far away and you’ll be alone but if you need any help, if you need any assistance, if you’re in trouble in any way, go contact Guru Deva Rinpoche and tell him that Dewa Nimbo said so.” Rinpoche had no idea then that her advice would impact on his life profoundly. He was just glad that his mother had said what she did because to Rinpoche, that meant that she cared for him and wanted him to be well and safe. That was the last time Rinpoche spoke with his natural mom. He went to India after that to fulfill a promise made to his root guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to become a monk.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche cutting H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s hair as indication of accepting Rinpoche’s promise to be a monk

When Burcha was 22 years old, he was ordained by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and was given the name Tenzin Zopa. The year was 1987. After that, Rinpoche made a trip to Nepal and whilst there, he decided to seek an audience with Guru Deva Rinpoche, his mother’s teacher. Arrangements were made and finally when they met, Rinpoche was pleasantly surprised to find that this great lama was extremely friendly, very good-humored and welcoming. They conversed in Mongolian which Rinpoche was already proficient in by then, having lived amongst the Kalmyk Mongolian community in Howell.

To Rinpoche, meeting Guru Deva Rinpoche was an honor because the senior lama was a very accomplished master who had the merits to study under and held the lineage of the most learned and realized grandmasters of Tibetan Buddhism at the time – Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche. Guru Deva Rinpoche had also been instrumental in the re-establishment of Lama Tsongkhapa’s lineage in India. But Rinpoche thought nothing more of that auspicious meeting and soon after, Rinpoche hurried south to India, where life as an ordinary monk awaited him in Gaden Monastery.

Gaden Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, South India

Gaden Monastery was impoverished and Rinpoche and the monks had very little to eat – very little rice, very little bread and there were some days when they didn’t even have food. On those days, Rinpoche would be content eating just flour rolled in tea. Poverty was simply a fact of life and even though Rinpoche was extremely poor, he was very happy to be there. It was a journey that began a long time ago in the heart and mind of a very young boy that ended in Gaden, the holy institution of the Second Buddha, Lama Tsongkhapa. There was nothing else Rinpoche desired and he didn’t care about the poor conditions at all. A lot of the time, the monks didn’t have electricity supply and getting water was just as difficult. Often they had to draw water from the ground with manual pumps.

Despite starvation and being poverty-stricken, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche was dedicated to his practice and learning in Gaden Monastery

With food being scarce as well, Rinpoche also lost a lot of weight and yet nothing could diminish the joy in Rinpoche’s heart. He was exactly where he had longed to be and what was more important, Rinpoche was fulfilling a promise he made to his beloved Guru, Zong Rinpoche, even though Zong Rinpoche was no longer there. If ever there was a need to ask what kind of a person, what kind of a monk was Tsem Rinpoche, the answer was there being played out for all to see. Rinpoche was and still is the kind of person who would give up everything, all comforts and leisures, and all the assurances that people desperately seek for all their lives, in order to fulfill a promise. Rinpoche was a monk whose life epitomized the Dharma even before the robes touched his skin. Why else would a man leave behind what would have been a good life to be in a monastery, starving and with no regrets?

Nevertheless, poverty was a very harsh reality and Rinpoche continued to languish under the terrible conditions. After being there for three to four years, Rinpoche was in strife and literally starving. It was around 1991 when Rinpoche remembered what his mother said to him a few years before – that should he needed any help, he was to call Guru Deva in her name. So, in desperation, Rinpoche wrote a letter to Guru Deva Rinpoche and explained his dire situation. Rinpoche requested for Guru Deva Rinpoche’s help to find a sponsor so that he could buy food and supplies, soap and other basics. It was a shot in the dark and Rinpoche had no way of knowing if Guru Deva Rinpoche would respond, if he would or could help, or if the letter would even reach Guru Deva Rinpoche. Rinpoche dared not hope too much.

But about a month later a telegram arrived for Rinpoche, which conveyed this urgent message from Guru Deva:

“Come to Nepal as soon as possible. Immediately. Come now.”

Guru Deva Rinpoche had replied but Rinpoche’s situation was so desperate than the telegram created another predicament. On the one hand, Rinpoche needed help very badly and had to explore every opportunity. Yet he didn’t even have money for the basic necessities, let alone to make his way to Nepal in response to a somewhat cryptic telegram. Lost, Rinpoche consulted his teacher, Lati Rinpoche who was the Abbot Emeritus of Gaden Shartse. Rinpoche requested Lati Rinpoche for divination because Rinpoche had to know if he should go to Nepal, which was going to take a lot of time, effort and money, which he didn’t have.

Lati Rinpoche did the divination with three dice, which returned with a firm result. Years later, Rinpoche would recount Lati Rinpoche’s fateful advice:

“Whatever your obstacle is, whatever your problem is, whatever you’re finding difficult to get to Nepal, forget about it, overcome it, borrow the money. Go to Nepal. It will be very good for you. Good news will come. Don’t miss it.”

In effect, Lati Rinpoche told Rinpoche to go to Nepal at any costs. Rinpoche trusted Lati Rinpoche; to him, the result of Lati Rinpoche’s divination was nothing short of divine clairvoyance. But still Rinpoche didn’t have the money to travel so he went to Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe, who was Rinpoche’s teacher as well as the Abbot incumbent of the monastery. Rinpoche sought from Kensur Rinpoche permission to leave the monastery and a loan of 5,000 rupees, which was a lot of money at the time. With that Rinpoche went to Nepal.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche with Kyabje Lati Rinpoche

Guru Deva Rinpoche’s residence was a three- or four-storey house just off the world famous Boudhanath Stupa. Upon arrival, Rinpoche was given a special room by Guru Deva Rinpoche’s assistant Tenzin Drakpa. It had been a few years since Rinpoche met Guru Deva Rinpoche and by that time Rinpoche’s Mongolian had degenerated considerably and his Tibetan was only slightly better. So Rinpoche related his problems to Guru Deva Rinpoche in broken Mongolian and very basic Tibetan but somehow they managed to communicate.

What Guru Deva Rinpoche said to Rinpoche moved him very much. Guru Deva Rinpoche said, “In a few days’ time, I’m going to introduce you to a sponsor. This sponsor, if you act well and behave well, will take care of all your needs, and take care of all your finances and be very good to you. And this sponsor is wealthy and he is one of my sponsors too.”

In that instant, Guru Deva Rinpoche showed himself to be the incredibly generous and selfless lama he was. It was not easy to find a sponsor and yet there was Guru Deva Rinpoche who hardly knew Rinpoche but was willing to give to Rinpoche one of his own. But that was precisely the calibre of lama Guru Deva Rinpoche was. The great three pillars of the Gelug lineage – Gaden, Sera and Drepung Monasteries – managed to re-establish themselves after the 1959 Tibetan exodus, due in no small part to Guru Deva Rinpoche’s contribution and generosity.

Guru Deva Rinpoche gave Rinpoche more information about this sponsor. His name was Lobsang Gyatso and he was a wealthy Tibetan man who also sponsored Guru Deva Rinpoche. Guru Deva Rinpoche had dispatched that urgent telegram because Mr Gyatso was coming to Nepal and Rinpoche could not miss this chance to meet him. But Guru Deva Rinpoche warned that this sponsor was not easily fooled and that Rinpoche would have to work hard impress him.

In the days that followed and whilst waiting for Mr Gyatso to arrive, Rinpoche kept company with Guru Deva Rinpoche and discovered, to Rinpoche’s delight, that this great lama was in fact very humorous. Rinpoche remembers Guru Deva Rinpoche fondly as a lama who “told [me] very interesting stories and he was very direct, very funny, extremely witty and had very funny facial expressions. After he said something he would look at you in such a way that you would just have to burst out laughing. He was so entertaining, very warm, and was just like everyone’s gentle and loving grandfather and at the same time he was a really great lama.” In the years that followed Rinpoche would recall with great affection the time he spent with this exceptional lama but as Rinpoche would soon discover, beyond the kindness and friendship and mentoring of Guru Deva Rinpoche, he would owe Guru Deva Rinpoche much more.

Mr Lobsang Gyatso (right) with His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama

Anyway, after two or three days, Mr Lobsang Gyatso arrived and on first impression, he was a regular Tibetan man of medium height, with strong features and very penetrating eyes. Guru Deva Rinpoche urged Rinpoche to spend time with Mr Gyatso and for them to become acquainted.

Mr Gyatso asked about Rinpoche’s background and who Rinpoche’s mother was. After surviving years of doubts about his parentage, the uncertainties emerged yet again to prick Rinpoche. Rinpoche answered honestly that he didn’t know. The sponsor asked Rinpoche who his father was, and Rinpoche told Mr Gyatso that he has never met his father and never known his father. Rinpoche could only say, “Honestly Mr Gyatso, I don’t even know what race I am. I don’t know if I am Chinese, Mongolian or Tibetan and I have no idea because nobody will tell me who my parents are.”

And the conversation went on like that. Then Mr Gyatso asked Rinpoche a strange question, “What if you knew who your father was, what would you do?” Rinpoche was taken aback because not only had he not thought of that question before, having accepted he would never know whom his parents truly are, but it was also not common for strangers to ask. But Rinpoche thought about the question and answered from his heart that if Rinpoche was lucky enough to ever know who his real father was, Rinpoche would visit him often, speak to him like a loving son would his father, find reasons to be proud of him and protect the relationship with his father. Mostly, Rinpoche would just love him as Rinpoche’s father. If Rinpoche’s answer was swift and eloquent, it was because that had been the great wish of a boy who grew to become a man and then a monk, and that wish had been played out in Rinpoche’s innermost thoughts for years. Mr Gyatso, in between his cigarettes, considered Rinpoche’s answer carefully and just said, “Ok” and that was that.

After that, Mr Gyatso asked what Rinpoche intended to do and Rinpoche replied, “Well, I intend to go to Gaden to study. And I want to do retreats, and I’m living with a very great lama, you know, and I have a great teacher there. My root teacher has passed away but his student, Kensur Rinpoche is my teacher, and I’m very fortunate.” Mr Gyatso further asked, “What do you want, what do you want now?” to which Rinpoche replied that he needed some sponsorship and assistance to get robes, necessities such as food and medical treatment, and money to travel to attend teachings in Dharamsala and other monasteries.

Mr Gyatso simply said, “Ok. Well, you be a good monk, you study well and I’ll send you money every month.” Hearing that was a great relief to Rinpoche and at the same time Rinpoche felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Mr Gyatso. Although he did not specify how much he was willing to sponsor Rinpoche, in Rinpoche’s mind whatever Mr Gyatso was willing to give would be a great help. Just as he was as a child, Rinpoche was thankful for every little thing that was offered to him.

Mr Lobsang Gyatso (right) with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Over the course of the next few days Rinpoche became more acquainted with Mr Gyatso and learned that he was originally from Golok in the Amdo area of Tibet. Rinpoche also learned that when Mr Gyatso was very young he had journeyed to Trehor where he lived during his adult years. Later Mr Gyatso was a monk from Drepung Monastery and served Trungsar Rinpoche as his assistant. Much later on he began travelling and subsequently disrobed, got married and had a wife, two sons and a daughter. He continued to serve Trungsar Rinpoche as his sponsor. Mr Gyatso also had a school in Taiwan that taught Tibetan language and culture, which resulted in his close relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama because the Dalai Lama wanted very much to preserve Tibetan culture.

Around the time when Guru Deva Rinpoche introduced Rinpoche to Mr Gyatso, it was nearing Losar, the Tibetan New Year and Guru Deva Rinpoche’s household was abuzz with activities and preparation. One day Mr Gyatso gave Rinpoche 5,000 rupees as a gift, which was a lot of money at that time. Rinpoche in fact needed the money but felt that he should first use the sponsorship to express his gratitude to the people he had just met and had been kind towards him. Rinpoche spent about 3,000 rupees and bought gifts for Guru Deva Rinpoche, his assistant Tenzin Drakpa and his wife, and also gifts for Mr Lobsang Gyatso. Rinpoche planned to present the gifts to them on New Year’s Day as a surprise. Incidentally while Rinpoche was in Nepal, Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche was also staying nearby so Rinpoche went to visit his teacher. Rinpoche updated Gangchen Rinpoche about exactly what had happened, and Gangchen Rinpoche was clearly very happy that Rinpoche had found a sponsor.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche with Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche

Losar came around and the first thing Rinpoche did that morning was to hurry to Gangchen Rinpoche’s house where he made prostrations and offerings. Rinpoche then returned to Guru Deva Rinpoche’s house, prepared his gifts and proceeded to Guru Deva Rinpoche’s room. There were queues of people waiting to see Guru Deva Rinpoche to receive Losar blessings. Rinpoche remembers the day very distinctively and recalled that Guru Deva Rinpoche was sitting on his throne. Opposite Guru Deva Rinpoche, with his back against the wall, was Rinpoche’s new sponsor Mr Lobsang Gyatso. Rinpoche made three prostrations to Guru Deva Rinpoche, made a mandala offering then presented the simple gifts that he had bought. Rinpoche then stood up to leave, so that Guru Deva Rinpoche could continue with meeting everyone who was queuing up. As Rinpoche was about to leave Guru Deva Rinpoche motioned Rinpoche to sit down, and indicated that he had something to tell Rinpoche.

GuruDevaPortrait

Sogpu Rinpoche, or Guru Deva Rinpoche

What Guru Deva Rinpoche said that morning had such a great impact that even more than 20 years later, Rinpoche remembers Guru Deva Rinpoche’s words almost verbatim. Guru Deva Rinpoche said, “A long time ago your father was already married, then your father met your mother in Taiwan and they were interested in each other, and they did something in the middle of the night and you were produced.” Guru Deva Rinpoche said those words very gently in Tibetan in his grandfatherly way and told Rinpoche the truth that had eluded Rinpoche all his life – Rinpoche’s father was already married when he met Dewa Nimbo, Rinpoche’s real mother and they conceived Rinpoche. Because Rinpoche’s father was already married, they could not be together and that shattered Rinpoche’s mother who left for America after giving birth to Rinpoche, leaving him behind in Taiwan. To Rinpoche’s mother, the blameless infant was a reminder of his father’s deception and Rinpoche’s very existence became a symbol of Dewa Nimbo’s shame.

Guru Deva Rinpoche told Rinpoche that Rinpoche’s parents had made a mistake which they regretted and instead of harbouring ill will, he should move on with his life. But all of that was just a precursor to what Guru Deva Rinpoche really wanted to say to Rinpoche, which was that the man seated behind Rinpoche against the wall was Rinpoche’s father!

Rinpoche turned around and there was Mr Lobsang Gyatso who a few moments ago were his sponsor and suddenly he was the father Rinpoche had not known until that moment. A barrage of thoughts rammed Rinpoche’s mind and he was immobilized in the shock.

A significant part of Rinpoche was dying to believe the news. Rinpoche had spent an entire childhood right until that moment looking for his father. Yet, another big part of Rinpoche dared not believe, after being told a few times who his parents were only to learn later that they weren’t his real parents. Those short-lived moments of deceptive joy had hurt Rinpoche tremendously and he just couldn’t bring himself to believe it. Rinpoche froze and looked at Guru Deva Rinpoche, who then said to Rinpoche, “Aren’t you going to turn around and say “Losar Tashi Delek” (Happy New Year) to your dad?”

And when Rinpoche turned around and looked at the man who was his father and saw how he was trembling uncontrollably and had tears running down his face, Rinpoche knew that the man he had known as Mr Lobsang Gyatso was his real father as those were tears of a parent for a child. Just like that, the man whose mistake had caused Rinpoche to be an unwanted child, and to be shunned as an embarrassment, and to be moved about without much regard, and forced to grow up in an abusive environment, and whose misdeed had led to countless maltreatment being inflicted upon an innocent child, was before Rinpoche. No one could have blamed Rinpoche if he had shown some anger for over 20 years of pain and yet Rinpoche just got up from his seat, went up to his father and embraced him lovingly. In Rinpoche’s mind he had found his real father after all these years of wondering and hoping and disappointments. As Rinpoche’s father hugged Rinpoche, he said to Rinpoche, “Please forgive me.” In the 20 years, a lot of emotions had welled up and now finally it was a time of release as Rinpoche’s father asked forgiveness for the years that he didn’t take care of Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s father cried and cried but he also didn’t want Rinpoche to see him in that state and after a while he gathered himself and said, “Ok, ok…you go now…”

All this happened before Guru Deva Rinpoche who looked at Rinpoche with a smile on his face and indicated that Rinpoche should leave the room now and that he would see Rinpoche later. As Rinpoche stepped out, Tenzin Drakpa’s wife asked, “Are you happy that you met your father?” Rinpoche said, “Yes” and Rinpoche was truly happy.

Mr Lobsang Gyatso with his family in Taiwan

But it was also a lot of emotions to take in for one day after a lifetime of wondering who Rinpoche’s real parents were. When Rinpoche got to his room, he was finally completely overwhelmed and Rinpoche cried. Rinpoche cried and then washed his face, and cried again and in all the time not really knowing what to think. In his heart he was overjoyed and yet Rinpoche was very afraid that someone was going to come along and take this joy and relief away and tell him that the whole thing had been a mistake or a lie. As a child, Rinpoche was told that he had one set of parents in Taiwan, and that his guardians were his parents. Then later, Rinpoche was told that they were not and he was whisked off to America where suddenly he had another set of parents, but was later yet again told that they were not his real parents. Now, after all the turbulence, finally Rinpoche knew his real father and again, became afraid someone would come along and take that away too. It is difficult to comprehend the fear and anxiety that plagued Rinpoche all his life.

Rinpoche stayed in Guru Deva Rinpoche’s house for another two or three days. In that time Rinpoche and his father talked and ate together. Rinpoche called his father ‘Pa-la’ (Tibetan for father), and Mr Gyatso showed him pictures of his other two sons and his daughter, Rinpoche’s half-brothers and sister. One of Rinpoche’s half-brothers looked exactly like Rinpoche as if they were twins. Later, when this particular brother visited Rinpoche in Gaden, everybody would say to Rinpoche “Hey, your brother’s here.”

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche with his brother, one of Mr Lobsang Gyatso’s sons, Puntsok

Finally after spending a few more precious days with his father, Rinpoche’s father told him that it was time to return to Gaden, saying, “Go back to your studies and be a good monk and don’t waste time here.” Rinpoche’s dad said that he would stay in touch with Rinpoche and that he will go to Gaden to visit, and that he will always take care of Rinpoche. Then he gave Rinpoche another 5,000 rupees, which Rinpoche was thankful for because he could now repay the loan he took from Kensur Rinpoche to travel to Nepal. It had been an eventful time but it was now time for Rinpoche to resume his studies in the monastery. Rinpoche said goodbye to Guru Deva Rinpoche and left.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (centre) and Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe (right)

A few months after that, Rinpoche was recognized to be an reincarnate lama and received a chakdak (seal of recognition) from the Oracle as well as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s approval for the Abbot, Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe to enthrone Rinpoche. As Rinpoche’s father had promised he would, he visited the monastery to see Rinpoche’s living conditions. He also sponsored the entire enthronement ceremony as per tradition – offering of tea and bread to all the monks in the monastery, a set of gifts to the monastery itself and an offering to Phukhang Khangtsen, which was the house Rinpoche belonged to in Gaden. In addition, Rinpoche received from his father enough money to build Tsem Ladrang, a new house for the newly enthroned Rinpoche, which still stands in Gaden today. From then on, Rinpoche’s father took care of his needs every month.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on the day of his enthronement, sponsored by his father Lobsang Gyatso

A few months after that, Rinpoche’s brother from Taiwan visited Rinpoche. From him, Rinpoche learned that their family had been looking for Rinpoche for many years and had finally found him. Those words meant very much to Rinpoche; for once in his life, after years of being lied to about his real parentage, those who were really his family had actually been concerned all along for his wellbeing. And to think that the joy and closure Rinpoche experienced came about because of Guru Deva Rinpoche’s kind-heartedness.

It was only because of this very kind and giving lama that a huge void in Rinpoche’s life was finally filled and Rinpoche was able to learn the truth about his parents, his roots and family. Not knowing had been very unsettling for Rinpoche growing up and for the longest time, it seemed like Rinpoche’s existence lacked legitimacy. Now that wound was finally closed. Because of a very generous lama who had sought to connect Rinpoche with Rinpoche’s father even though he did not know Rinpoche very well and was never obligated to Rinpoche in any way, Rinpoche finally had family and a sponsor and with that, Rinpoche was able to alleviate the struggles he had been facing. Throughout all his giving, Guru Deva Rinpoche never once asked for anything in return.

Tsem Rinpoche on enthronment day with Drepung Gomang Hutuktu Telopa Rinpoche of Kalmykia, who is also Tsem Rinpoche’s cousin

Reading Tsem Rinpoche’s account of his experience with Guru Deva Rinpoche, I saw how kind Guru Deva Rinpoche was, and how generous and extremely giving he was, only wanting good things to happen for others. Rinpoche’s story of Guru Deva Rinpoche also spoke clearly of his tremendous guru devotion. When Rinpoche was with this great and kind lama, Guru Deva Rinpoche would speak gently about his beloved teacher Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Guru Deva Rinpoche would immediately be in tears at the mere memory of his teacher. Guru Deva Rinpoche would always fold his hands, and his voice would become softer, and he would be very reverential whenever he uttered Trijang Rinpoche’s name.

In the years that followed, Rinpoche would learn from other eminent lamas of Guru Deva Rinpoche’s very high incarnation, his renown for being an emanation of Gyenze (the increase form of Dorje Shugden) and his unwavering devotion to Trijang Rinpoche. Rinpoche learned how Guru Deva Rinpoche had printed thousands upon thousands of rare textbooks for Gaden, Sera and Drepung, and also sponsored huge statues and gatherings for teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other great teachers. Guru Deva Rinpoche has also taken care of many poor and ordinary monks, as well as the needs of Gaden, Sera, and Drepung. In Tsem Rinpoche’s story we see a great lama in Guru Deva Rinpoche who was extremely learned and kind, and at the same time very devoted to his teacher.

Tsem Ladrang in Gaden Monastery, South India

Still, in Tsem Rinpoche’s opinion no words can fully do justice to all that Guru Deva Rinpoche did in his life and which is beyond the description of mere words. For sure, Guru Deva Rinpoche was an exceptional lama and Rinpoche, like many in the world, owe a debt they feel they can never repay. Such is the magnitude and scale of assistance Guru Deva had offered them.

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the teacher of many great masters in our era, who was also the junior tutor of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

In the subsequent years, Rinpoche met Guru Deva Rinpoche again a few more times. Later, Guru Deva Rinpoche moved to Mongolia and after that, Rinpoche did not see the great lama again. Rinpoche learned that Guru Deva Rinpoche passed away at 100 years old, physically old but his mind very clear and lucid.

What is equally remarkable is how Tsem Rinpoche emerged from a childhood of torment and anguish and instead of becoming bitter and angry, took all the pain he endured and turned them into realizations of everyone’s personal pain. That in turn filled Rinpoche with a great wish to heal everyone’s misery. In a harsh world that naturally cultivates self-preservation and fosters innate distrust and defence mechanisms, Rinpoche somehow turned all his bitter experiences turned into food for his practice, as the scriptures tell us is what Bodhisattvas do. For me, I have read volumes of biographies of high lamas and I cannot recall reading similar stories where a lama has had to overcome so many obstacles and give up so incredibly much to bring the Dharma to the people. Tsem Rinpoche’s story reminds me of a phrase that is often used to describe how we are supposed to be in our Dharma walk – “Like a lotus flower that grows out of the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface, we can rise above our defilements and sufferings of life”. Tsem Rinpoche has lived his entire life and continues to, in attestation to this wise counsel as if to show everyone, it can be done.

 

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纪念古鲁迪瓦仁波切

文 / 曹铭光

在尊贵的詹杜固仁波切身边的时光总是充满了乐趣。仁波切会使用各种方式来让我们看清自己的心识,使得那不仅是一个极佳的学习机会,也是一个增进感情和进行性格重塑的时刻。 仁波切总会让这种时刻充满欢乐和笑声。 他常会跟我们分享许多故事,而当他分享自己的个人经历时,仿佛开启了一道神奇的门户,让我们能近距离观察,宛如身历其境地面对仁波切所遭遇过的人、事和境。 仁波切所讲述的众多故事中,我最喜欢的其中一个,就是关于古鲁迪瓦仁波切的故事。

索普仁波切,或称古鲁迪瓦仁波切。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切的故事是一个关于慷慨、无私付出的非一般故事。 这是一个讲述一位伟大的西藏上师如何以慈悲改变我们的上师——詹杜固仁波切的生命的故事。 我们今天有幸遇到詹杜固仁波切,让仁波切成为我们生命中最重要的一个人,古鲁迪瓦仁波切在各方面的巨大贡献功不可没。 然而,这当中还有一段故事,对描述今日作为我们上师的这个人之特质十分重要。 故事讲述了詹杜固仁波切在面对艰苛环境时所表现出来的勇气、力量、温和、希望和慈悲,而多数人若遭遇同样的处境时往往都会崩溃和为自己找寻各种失败的借口,并变得充满怨气和恐惧。 古鲁迪瓦仁波切的故事既是上天的眷顾,也显示了詹杜固仁波切对佛法的爱与信任。到了今天,仁波切这种对佛法的爱与信任已经成为引领许多人远离娑婆的指路明灯。

然而,要了解古鲁迪瓦仁波切的故事,你首先必须知道促使詹杜固仁波切与古鲁迪瓦仁波切相遇的背后原因。

年幼时的詹杜固仁波切就住在台湾。

每当有人问起仁波切他最初的记忆时,仁波切总会说他最早的记忆是当自己还是一个名叫“小牛”的小男孩时,独自走在台湾,或更确切地说是台北的一个街头前往理发时的情景。小牛就读的学校规定每一个学生都要剪平头,所以每当需要理发的时候,小牛当时所以为的父母就会给他一些刚好足够他理发的零钱,让他自己上街理发。事实上,小牛在台湾的“父母”只不过是受雇照顾他的人而已。对他们而言,年幼的仁波切不过只是一项工作,所以他们也仅只会完成雇佣范围内所需完成的工作而已。

我们今天所认识的詹杜固仁波切,这位全球许多人都信赖和依止的上师,曾经以小牛这个没人要的小男孩的身份在台北街头游荡和成长。年幼时期的仁波切没有很多玩具、衣服、爱护与关注。仁波切记得自己小时候最期待的是一位老妇人不定期的到访。这位名叫蒂倩明的妇人每次到访,必会给小牛带来糖果、新衣和玩具,而那也是年幼的仁波切唯一感受到爱与关怀的时刻。仁波切被告知这个妇人是他的外婆,但作为一名小孩,他还不明白这背后的含义。仁波切同样也不知道蒂倩明其实是一位皇后,而他自己也拥有蒙古皇室血统。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切与蒂倩明。

有一天,蒂倩明到访时告诉仁波切:“我们将到美国去。”她并没有解释他们去美国的原因,也没说明他到那里去的用意。仁波切当时只是一个六岁大的小男孩,对美国完全没概念,也无法有任何打算。然而,由于蒂倩明许多次探望他时都慈悲待他,且给他带来许多欢乐,他们之间已经建立了温馨和密切的关系,所以他也愿意听从蒂倩明的安排。尽管如此,仁波切对自己必须与监护人分开这件事感到难过。他们对他并不好,有些人甚至说他们待他的方式相当残忍,但仁波切却依然把他们当父母看待。仁波切自小就十分珍惜他人所给予的任何一点恩惠,这种特质一直陪伴着他长大,直到他成为一位大家都熟悉的博爱众生、不怀恨和不记怨的人。

蒂倩明带着仁波切乘坐泛美航空班机飞往美国。仁波切在途中睡着了,醒来时已经抵达美国这个全新的地方。就这样,他至此所熟悉的生活、地方、人物都已经成为过去,等待着他的是一个充满未知数的未来。

到了美国,蒂倩明带着仁波切来到一个位于费城的女士家里。这位名叫蒂娃宁波的女士有一位丈夫和两个孩子。蒂倩明告诉仁波切说,这位女士是她女儿,但仁波切当时由于太年幼,并无法将婆婆、蒂娃宁波和自己之间的关系联系起来。对他而言,那是一个全新的地方,一切都很陌生和难以理解,但他并没有喘一口气。第二天,来自新泽西州豪威尔市,一对名叫妲娜和波斯·布珈雅的蒙古夫妇出现了。在毫无预警的情况下,仁波切被告知这对他才认识不久的夫妇其实就是他的亲生父母,而他必须称呼他们为“爸爸”和“妈妈”。

蒂娃宁波(左)与蒂倩明(右)。

尽管这些年来仁波切的生命早已充满了随机和变数,但从一个家庭被送到另一个家庭,从一对父母换成另一对父母的打击,对仁波切而言依然是太大的冲击,他一时之间无法接受,说到:“不,他们并不是我的父母,我不知道他们是什么人。”然而,蒂倩明态度坚决,坚持要小男孩接受他的新家庭,还要他跟自己的新父母打招呼。仁波切不过是一名小男孩,他不认识这些人,对他们也没有丝毫情感,却突然必须认他们为自己的父母,而要开口称呼他们为“爸爸”和“妈妈”也让仁波切感到十分为难。他感到迷失和困惑,同时也十分害怕,但他还是顺从了。

就这样,年幼的仁波切收拾了包袱进入车里,他记得那是一辆大型福特LTD房车,接着就被送往新泽西,一个他即将被一大群陌生人围绕的地方。这个由一对蒙古夫妇和一个女儿组成的家庭,转眼就成了他的新家庭。他们为他取了一个新名字,叫布尔查·布珈雅。这名字取自其新父亲波斯·布珈雅的蒙古名(波斯为蒙古名“布尔查”的西方版本)。在几天内,“小牛”从一个原本说中文的台北小男孩,突然变成了拥有“布尔查”这个外籍名字的蒙古孩子,而他的新父母则突然换成一对说着他完全听不懂的外语的陌生人。这样的一种动荡究竟将对男孩的心理形成什么样的影响,显然不是大家关心的一件事。从那一刻开始,这位名叫布尔查·布珈雅的男孩就必须活在另一个被强加在他身上的现实之中。

儿时的仁波切与布珈雅一家——妲娜与波斯布珈雅,以及女儿莉诗玛。

仁波切在费城遇见的亲切女士蒂娃宁波偶尔会到新泽西州豪威尔市探望他。这名叫布尔查的小男孩总是搞不清楚她是什么人,又为何会探望他。仁波切的外婆蒂倩明也时常前来探望他。蒂娃宁波告诉布尔查说,自己是他的阿姨,而布尔查的外婆蒂倩明则=才是他的母亲。对年幼的仁波切来说,要找出谁才是自己的亲生母亲,不但是一件十分艰难的事,更会他感到十分不安。他的生母究竟是台湾那个照顾他的妇人,还是如同蒂娃宁波所说的是他的外婆,又抑或是蒂倩明坚称为他母亲的这一位他刚认识不久的蒙古女士妲娜·布珈雅。蒂娃宁波究竟是谁?为何每个人都很积极地说另一个人才是他的生母?在这种情况下,每一个人仿佛都有可能是他的母亲,与此同时,他却也没有一个明确的母亲。

妲娜与波斯布珈雅(左)及蒂倩明(右)。

对布尔查来说,这一切都不合理,而他也搞不清究竟谁才是他的亲生母亲。为什么原本应该是他外婆的蒂倩明,实际上却跟所谓的其亲生父母布珈雅夫妇没有任何关系?如果这当中的复杂性令人觉得困惑,我们不妨试想这究竟将对一个亟需在安稳环境下成长的孩子之心灵,具体构成什么样的影响。这一切都十分混淆,围绕在男孩身边的一切,迫使布尔查的生命充斥着谎言和欺骗。然而作为一个毫无反抗能力的小孩,仁波切只能接受成人们告诉他的一切。虽然这使得仁波切心乱如麻,他依然是个乖巧的孩子,假装自己生活在一个正常的环境里。然而,男孩所要面对的创伤远不止此,等待着他的还有更猛烈的冲击。

几年后的某一天,当仁波切已经逐渐习惯了这新环境,以及那些主导和改变其生命的各种情况和变化之后,另一场更具毁灭性的打击却在转角处等着他。那一天,仁波切跟其他孩童在他其中一位名叫察甘的表姐家里玩耍。游戏途中,仁波切跟察甘发生了一些争执,两人拌起嘴来。察甘在愤怒之下,无情地脱口说道:“你不过是个领养回来的孩子,他们(妲娜和波斯·布珈雅)并不是你的家人。”这使得仁波切极为震惊,头脑顿时一片空白。在忍受了多年的纷纷扰扰,终于在乱局中找到一个安稳的家庭后,这个突如其来的消息再一次给仁波切的生命带来重击。仁波切好不容易才开始相信布珈雅夫妇是自己的亲生父母的当儿,又再度被逼面对失去的命运。

身穿红衣者为尊贵的詹杜固仁波切的生母。旁边坐着的是仁波切的表姐卡卡杜敦。

这位后来被认证为仁波切的小男孩当时只不过是10或11岁,然而生命中的太多不确定,不知道自己的父母是谁、不知道该相信些什么、不知道自己的生命中哪一些是事实,哪一些是谎言等,导致他的成长过程变得十分辛苦。察甘表姐的话给他带来巨大的震撼,也对他的心灵造成了伤害,却也让事情变得更加清楚。仁波切想要知道事实真相,但除了一个他很喜欢的杜敦表姐外,其他人都不愿意对他透露太多。他常问卡卡杜敦(卡卡是蒙古人称呼阿姨或年长表姐的方式):“我们真的是一家人吗?我究竟是谁?”而她则会选择性地向“布尔查”透露一些消息,因为她确实很喜欢这个小男孩,也想要保护他幼小的心灵。

经过察甘表姐事件之后,杜敦表姐终于在某一天温和地向仁波切透露蒂倩明皇后是仁波切的外婆而蒂娃宁波是他亲生母亲的事实。过去让仁波切不解的谜团,如蒂娃宁波为何会探望他和事情为何会如此演变等,终于开始有了一个合理的解释。仁波切虽然知道了真相,但这并不能安抚他得知自己被亲生母亲抛弃的伤痛。

蒂娃宁波不时总会前往探望仁波切,而仁波切尽管早已知道她的真实身份,却必须当作一无所知。蒂娃宁波有时会把仁波切带到她位于费城的家里。仁波切清楚记得那些时光,虽然他依然无法为某些事找到合理的解释,但他总算知道他所喜欢和欣赏的这位女士就是自己的亲生母亲。单凭他眼中这位美丽、聪明、有学问和真实的人的存在本身,就足以让仁波切觉得骄傲和值得,并让他心中充满喜悦。日子一天天过去,仁波切与蒂娃宁波的关系也变得更加亲密。虽然仁波切知道了她的真实身份,他依然继续称呼她为“蒂娃阿姨”。能够跟亲生母亲共度一些珍贵的时光,就已让仁波切心满意足。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切之生母——蒂娃宁波。

从一个名叫小牛的小男孩长大成年少的布尔查布珈雅的那些年,仁波切对佛法的热爱与日俱增。当同年龄的孩子们还在跟玩具为伍和扮演心目中的英雄时,布尔查就已经对佛法、西藏本尊像、经文及禅修着迷。让人不解的是,仁波切对佛法的热爱仿佛是天生的,从来没有人对他灌输过这种观念或教他这么做。仁波切仿佛很自然地就知道自己要什么。他对佛法的热情和忠诚自小就根深蒂固,即便知道自己必须因此而时常遭受对他另有期待的父母的殴打和斥责,也丝毫无法动摇他追求佛法的信念。这里的矛盾点是,作为一个原本就缺乏关爱,在台北街头游荡的孩子,仁波切当时大可选择一个能满足自己一切需要的舒适家庭,但他唯一想要和渴望的,却只有佛法。

同样无法解释的是许多杰出的西藏佛教上师总会在机缘巧合下走入仁波切的生活,仿佛上天早已为此做出安排。在追求佛法的过程中,仁波切经历了许多煎熬,他的养父母有时会采取极为严苛的手段来阻止他学佛。他们认为仁波切对佛法的热爱,将会对他们为儿子制定的人生计划形成阻碍。许多时候,年幼的仁波切往往会因为参与佛法相关活动而被母亲无情地殴打。无助和不安的生活,加上养父母对他诚心学佛的心愿所进行的暴力阻止,导致仁波切曾多次想要结束自己的生命。最后,仁波切决定放弃他历尽千辛、屡遭遗弃才拥有的唯一安稳家庭,离家出走找寻佛法的新生命。对仁波切而言,哪怕只要能看着殊胜的佛像、念诵神圣的心咒和祈愿文,都远比世俗的一切舒适和欢愉来得更有意义。

詹杜固仁波切生母年幼时与家族世交合影。右边的是仁波切的外婆。

蒂娃宁波和仁波切多年来一直保持联系,彼此之间也进行了多次交流。仁波切得知母亲是一位名叫索普仁波切的伟大蒙古上师之直系弟子,某些群体亲密地称呼索普仁波切为古鲁迪瓦仁波切。西藏人则称他为索普仁波切,意思是蒙古的仁波切,而就像许多蒙古人一样,仁波切的母亲也称他为“古鲁迪瓦仁波切”,意即众神之师,这是蒙古人对他显示高度敬意的称号。仁波切当时完全没想到,这位名叫古鲁迪瓦仁波切的人将对他的生命造成如此巨大的改变。

许多年过去了,仁波切在21或22岁那年前往印第安纳波利斯参加达赖尊者的开示,那也是仁波切的生母蒂娃宁波居住的地方。那时候,这位名叫布尔查·布珈雅的年轻人已经决定出家。由于自己即将启程前往印度,也不知道何时才有机会再度与生母见面,仁波切致电蒂娃宁波要求会面。蒂娃宁波最初答应了,后来不知何故改变初衷。仁波切虽然失望,但他早已习惯面对失望,也接受了她拒绝见面的事实。

然而,蒂娃宁波接着却对仁波切说了一些后来被证实是带有预言意味的话。她说:“你即将到印度和尼泊尔去,那地方相当遥远,你将会很孤单,但若你需要任何帮助和协助,或当你面对任何问题的时候,你可以联络古鲁迪瓦仁波切,并告诉他这是蒂娃宁波的指示。”仁波切当时完全没想到她的这番话将对自己的生活造成如此深重的影响,他只是很高兴母亲会这么说,因为这意味着她关心他,希望他能安全无恙。这是仁波切最后一次跟亲生母亲对话。他随后就启程前往印度,兑现他早前对根本上师宋仁波切许下的承诺,出家为僧。

嘉杰宋仁波切为尊贵的詹杜固仁波切剪发,象征接受仁波切日后将出家为僧的承诺。

在22岁那年,布尔查在至尊第十四世达赖喇嘛面前受戒出家,法名丹增梭巴。那一年是1987年。过后,仁波切前往尼泊尔,抵达那里时,他决定联络母亲的上师古鲁迪瓦仁波切。经过了一番安排,他们终于见了面。仁波切很惊讶这位大师竟然如此和蔼可亲,而且还很幽默。他们以仁波切多年在豪威尔蒙古克尔梅克社区生活时所学习到的蒙古卡尔梅克语交谈。

对仁波切而言,遇见古鲁迪瓦仁波切是一项难得的殊荣,因为这位资深上师不仅是一位极有成就的大师,还曾经有幸在当代最伟大的西藏佛教大师如嘉杰帕绷喀仁波切、嘉杰永津赤江仁波切和嘉杰永津林仁波切座下学习并护持这个传承。此外,古鲁迪瓦仁波切对于在印度重振宗喀巴大师的传承法教上扮演着举足轻重的角色。虽然如此,仁波切除了觉得这是个殊胜的会面外,并不做他想。他不久后就动身前往甘丹寺,准备迎接出家为僧的生活。

位于南印度孟过的甘丹萨济寺。

甘丹寺物质匮乏,仁波切和其他甘丹寺僧人普遍上都面对粮食短缺的问题,他们不只是缺乏米饭、面包,在某些日子,他们甚至完全没有食物充饥。这时候,仁波切只能以一些面粉混着茶来果腹。贫穷已经是个不争的事实。然而,尽管极度贫穷,仁波切却十分快乐。他自小就期待的梦想终于实现了,漫长的旅途在他抵达第二佛宗喀巴大师的神圣学府甘丹寺时总算是抵达了终点站。仁波切再也没想要其他的,对于贫困也毫不在意。许多时候,寺院僧人们不只没有电力供应,水供也同样短缺,他们必须时常用人力把水从地下泵上来。粮食的短缺导致仁波切的身体变得瘦弱,但这并不减少仁波切心中的喜悦,因为他终于抵达了他梦寐以求的地方,而更重要的是,他履行了对挚爱上师宋仁波切的承诺,即便宋仁波切早已圆寂。如果有人问起仁波切的为人,若有人想要知道仁波切是一位什么样的僧人,答案就在这里。仁波切是那种不惜放弃一切,包括舍弃一切的舒适、放弃人们用尽一生来追求的安全感,只为了兑现承诺的人。仁波切是一位在穿上僧袍之前,就已经把佛法融入生命中的僧人。一个人还会为了什么愿意舍弃美好的生活到寺院挨饿而无怨无悔?

再饥饿、再贫困的窘境也无阻尊贵的詹杜固仁波切在甘丹寺用心学习并实修佛法。

话虽如此,贫穷却是一个无法被漠视的残酷事实,仁波切继续在极度艰苦的情况下挣扎。在那里逗留了三到四年之后,仁波切生活极度窘迫,甚至到了必须挨饿的地步。当时是1991年,仁波切突然记起母亲几年前对他说过的话,那就是若他需要任何帮忙,可以用她的名义找古鲁迪瓦仁波切仁波切求助。无计可施之下,仁波切写了一封信给古鲁迪瓦仁波切仁波切,解释他所面对的困境,并请求古鲁迪瓦仁波切仁波切帮他找一位功德主,以便仁波切可以购买食物和肥皂之类的日用品。这只是一个没有把握的尝试,因为仁波切完全不知道古鲁迪瓦仁波切仁波切是否会回复,或是否愿意帮忙,他甚至不敢肯定这封信能否成功抵达古鲁迪瓦仁波切仁波切手中。仁波切对此不敢抱有太多的希望。

然而,一个月后仁波切却收到了来古鲁迪瓦仁波切的一封紧急电报,说:

“尽快启程前来尼泊尔。请马上动身。”

仁波切虽然终于收到了古鲁迪瓦仁波切的回复,但由于他当时的情况十分恶劣,这封电报顿时让他陷入了另一个困境。仁波切一方面亟须帮助,必须想尽办法解决问题,另一方面,他连满足基本需要的钱都没有,更别说要根据一封神秘电报的指示动身前往尼泊尔。在举棋不定之下,仁波切前往征求他的上师之一,甘丹萨济寺前住持拉谛仁波切的意见,并请求他进行占卜。仁波切迫切地想知道自己是否应该前往尼泊尔,因为那将会花费很多时间、精力和金钱,而这一切刚好就是他所缺乏的。

拉谛仁波切用三个骰子进行占卜,结果十分明确。若干年后,每当忆起这件事,仁波切依然记得拉谛仁波切当时给予他的关键性建议:

“无论你遇到什么障碍,遇到什么问题,无论你的尼泊尔之行将会遇到什么难处,都不要理会,要克服它,借钱前往尼泊尔。这将会对你很好。好消息将会出现。别错过。”

实际上,拉谛仁波切要仁波切不惜任何代价前往尼泊尔。仁波切完全信任拉谛仁波切,因为对他而言,拉谛仁波切的占卜无异于他的神通。话虽如此,仁波切还是没有远行的经费,他于是前往拜见了他的另一位上师兼当时的寺院住持堪殊强巴耶喜仁波切,请求堪殊仁波切批准他离开寺院,同时还向堪殊仁波切贷款五千卢比,这在当时可是一笔大数目。有了这一些之后,仁波切立刻动身前往尼泊尔。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切与嘉杰拉谛仁波切。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切的住所是一栋三四层高的房子,仁波切在古鲁迪瓦仁波切的助理丹增扎巴的带领下来到一个房间。由于距离上一次见古鲁迪瓦仁波切已经相隔了好几年,这时候的仁波切不但蒙古话已经明显退步,藏语的会话能力也好不了多少。但仁波切依然以不纯熟的蒙古语和简单的藏语成功地跟古鲁迪瓦仁波切进行了沟通。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切对仁波切说的一番话,让仁波切十分感动。古鲁迪瓦仁波切说:“过几天,我将会给你介绍一位功德主。如果你的态度和表现良好,这位功德主将会照顾你的所有需要并在金钱上支持你,他也会善待你。这位功德主相当富有,他也是我的功德主之一。”

那一刻,古鲁迪瓦仁波切展示了自己的无私和慷慨。找到一名功德主并不是一件容易的事,然而,对仁波切几乎一无所知的古鲁迪瓦仁波切却愿意把自己的其中一名功德主让给仁波切。这完全显示了像古鲁迪瓦仁波切这样的大师们所具备的特质和风范。西藏格鲁三大寺院--甘丹寺、色拉寺和哲蚌寺在1959年后之所以能够在国外重建,古鲁迪瓦仁波切的贡献和慷慨可谓居功不小。

后来,仁波切从古鲁迪瓦仁波切口中探悉这位功德主的背景——他名叫洛桑嘉措,是一个富有的藏人,也是古鲁迪瓦仁波切的功德主。早前古鲁迪瓦仁波切之所以给仁波切发紧急电报,是因为嘉措先生即将到尼泊尔来会见自己。虽然古鲁迪瓦仁波切已为仁波切搭桥铺路,但他还是郑重地向仁波切表示这位功德主并不会轻信他人,仁波切必须让这位功德主对自己留下深刻的印象。

接下来的几日中,在等待嘉措先生到来的当儿,仁波切都一直伴随古鲁迪瓦仁波切,更因此而意外地发现,原来这一位伟大的上师是那么的幽默风趣。在仁波切的记忆中,“古鲁迪瓦仁波切会跟我分享非常有趣的故事,他性情直爽,有话直说,说起话来也非常诙谐幽默,甚至七情上面,脸上还会出现搞怪的表情。每次他说完话后,他会看着你,而你也就会被逗得笑开来。他是如此的有趣,如此的温暖,就像每个人和蔼可亲的爷爷,但他同时也确实是一位伟大的上师”。在后来的岁月中,每当仁波切想起这位伟大上师,勾起的都是自己跟这位上师相处的温馨时光的回忆。然而,仁波切当时接下来的经历,让他清楚知道古鲁迪瓦仁波切给予他的不仅仅是仁慈、友谊和指导,他欠下的,是永不能回报的恩惠。

洛桑嘉措先生(右)与至尊十世班禅大师。

两三日后,嘉措先生终于抵达尼泊尔,而他给仁波切的第一印象是:他无异于一般的西藏男人,身高中等,但五官深邃,眼神锐利。那时候古鲁迪瓦仁波切鼓励仁波切与嘉措先生有多点的相处时间,好让他们更加熟悉彼此。

嘉措先生问起仁波切的背景,母亲是谁。面对这样的提问,仁波切多年来为自己亲生父母为何人而生起的困惑和迷失顿时浮现,更再次刺伤他的心。仁波切向嘉措先生坦诚自己不知情。接着仁波切又被问到他的父亲为何人,这时,仁波切唯有告诉嘉措先生自己未曾见过父亲,也不曾知道自己的父亲为何人,他只能说:“坦白说,嘉措先生,我甚至不知道自己的种族。我不知道自己是汉人、蒙古人或是西藏人,我一点头绪都没有,因为没人能告诉我我的父母亲是谁”。

他们之间的谈话也就以此继续进行。突然,嘉措先生向仁波切问了一道奇怪的问题:“如果你知道你的父亲是谁,你会怎么做?”仁波切大吃一惊,因为他不仅不曾想过这个问题(他早已接受自己不会得知亲生父母是谁的事实),而且这个问题还由一个陌生人来问,这不太寻常。最后仁波切还是想了想,然后由衷地说道:“如果我能有幸知道自己的亲生父亲是谁,我会经常探访他,父慈子孝地跟他说说话,会以他为荣,会守护俩人间的父子情,最重要的是,会如爱父亲那样爱他”。这些自仁波切儿时起就已经在他脑海中想像过无数次的场景、自儿时起内心深处最迫切的渴望,使他在回应时是如此的流畅和自然。期间,嘉措先生一边叼着纸烟,一边好奇地听着仁波切的回答,但他只表示自己听到了而不多语。

接着,嘉措先生问及仁波切未来的打算,仁波切说道:“我想到甘丹寺学习,我也想进行闭关。我跟一位非常伟大的上师住一起。在那里,我向一位非常伟大的上师学习。我的根本上师已经圆寂了,但他的弟子堪苏仁波切是我的上师,我非常幸运”。嘉措先生接着问:“你想要什么,现在你需要什么?”于是仁波切道出自己需要金钱资助的愿望,好让自己能购买僧袍、干粮、药物,以及到达兰萨拉及其他寺院出席佛法开示的旅费。

洛桑嘉措先生(右)与至尊第14世达赖尊者。

嘉措先生很快就答应了并说道:“好的,你要当个清净的僧人,要好好学习,每个月我都会给你寄钱”。听到嘉措先生这么说,仁波切除了如释重负,更对嘉措先生充满感恩之心,虽然嘉措先生并没有表明会资助自己多少钱,因为仁波切知道,不管他愿意资助多少,那都是雪中送炭。正如仁波切年幼时一样,无论自己得到的东西多么微小,多么不值得一提,他仍然怀抱感激的心接受一切。

接下去的几日中,仁波切与嘉措先生变得越来越熟悉了。仁波切因此得知嘉措先生的故乡就在西藏安多的“果洛”,但在年幼时便搬迁到泰和(Trehor),随后一直都住在那里。从谈话中仁波切得知嘉措先生曾是哲蚌寺的僧人,也曾侍奉创萨仁波切(Trungsar Rinpoche),但是后来由于他开始周游各地,接着也就跟着还俗、娶妻生子。他有两名儿子及一名女儿。虽然如此,他仍然透过资助金钱的方式继续侍奉创萨仁波切。除此,嘉措先生也在台湾开办了一所教导藏人语文及文化的学校。这所学校获得至尊达赖尊者的关注,除了是因为嘉措先生与达赖尊者颇为亲近,达赖尊者对这所学校的关注也源自他对保存藏人文化的渴望。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切与嘉杰刚坚仁波切。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切把仁波切引见给嘉措先生的时候,正逢藏历新年将至的日子。当时古鲁迪瓦仁波切的住处正如火如荼地为新年的来临而做准备。一天,嘉措先生赠了仁波切五千卢比,这笔钱在那个时候算得上是可观的数目。虽然仁波切确实急需这笔钱,但他还是觉得自己应该把钱用以向这位刚认识不久的善心人士,以及向一直以来对自己有恩的人表示感激。于是仁波切花了三千卢比给古鲁迪瓦仁波切、古鲁迪瓦仁波切的侍从丹增扎巴及其妻子,以及洛桑嘉措先生买礼物。仁波切早已打算在藏历新年当天给他们送上礼物,当成一个惊喜。碰巧地,仁波切身在那里的时候,嘉杰刚坚仁波切也就住在附近,于是仁波切前去拜见刚坚仁波切,并且把自己以及找到功德主的事告知刚坚仁波切。刚坚仁波切明显地为仁波切感到十分高兴。

很快地就到了藏历新年的那一天。那天早上,仁波切所做的第一件事就是赶往刚坚仁波切的住处行大礼拜及献供养。随后仁波切再返回古鲁迪瓦仁波切的住处准备即将赠送的礼物,然后走进古鲁迪瓦仁波切的房间。当时有许多人排队等待拜见古鲁迪瓦仁波切并接受他的新年加持。仁波切把这一天记得特别清楚——他回想起古鲁迪瓦仁波切就坐在法座上,而坐在古鲁迪瓦仁波切对面、倚靠着一面墙的,就是他的新功德主洛桑嘉措先生。轮到仁波切拜见古鲁迪瓦仁波切时,他向古鲁迪瓦仁波切行了三个礼拜,然后献上曼达拉供养,再把早已准备好的礼物送给古鲁迪瓦仁波切。随后就在仁波切离开之际,古鲁迪瓦仁波切使了个眼色,提示仁波切坐下,自己有话要跟仁波切说。

GuruDevaPortrait

索普仁波切,或称古鲁迪瓦仁波切。

当天早上古鲁迪瓦仁波切向仁波切所说的每一句话,都深深地震撼了仁波切——即便是二十多年后,仁波切仍然记住当时古鲁迪瓦仁波切所说的近乎每一字句。古鲁迪瓦仁波切让仁波切坐下,然后说道:“很久以前,你的父亲已经成婚了,然后你的父亲在台湾与你的母亲相遇,他俩互生情愫,然后在夜里做了一些事后就有你了”。古鲁迪瓦仁波切用藏文以长辈委婉的口吻,道出了这些几十年来把仁波切蒙在鼓里的真相。换句话说,仁波切的生父亲在遇见仁波切的生母亲蒂娃宁波时已有家室,但他们后来有了仁波切这个儿子。然而,由于仁波切的生父已有家室,他俩无法共结连理。这个真相彻底击垮仁波切的生母,于是她在生了仁波切后就将之抛下,离开台湾前去美国。在仁波切生母的眼中,这个无辜的小生命总会提醒自己,孩子的父亲是如何的不耻,而这小生命本身的存在,就象征着蒂娃宁波的羞耻。

仁波切的父母做了他们都后悔莫及的事,但是与其心怀恨意,古鲁迪瓦仁波切劝告仁波切应该往前看,继续他的人生。古鲁迪瓦仁波切刚刚跟仁波切讲述的故事,其实都是在为他真正想揭晓的真相铺路——坐在仁波切身后、倚靠着墙壁的那个男人,正是仁波切的生父!

仁波切转过身,眼前的洛桑嘉措先生几分钟前还是自己的功德主,瞬间却成了他前一分钟才知晓的父亲。仁波切的思绪突然紊乱得不知从何开始思考,他甚至吓得身体僵硬,不晓得如何反应。

仁波切多么希望这个消息是真的。整个童年时光直到自己人生的前一分钟,他都从未停止找寻自己的父亲。即便仁波切非常希望这个消息是真的,但他也对此尚存怀疑,因为过去他曾好几次被告知自己的父母为何人,可后来却发现事实并非如此。那些过去短暂且带有欺瞒的欢乐时光深深地伤害了仁波切年幼的心灵,他无法敞开心扉让自己完全相信刚刚所听到的消息。仁波切僵住并望着古鲁迪瓦仁波切,古鲁迪瓦仁波切接着说:“你不想转过身,跟你的父亲说声‘罗萨扎希德勒’吗?”

仁波切转过身,望向那个就是他父亲的男人,看着他如何不受自主地颤抖起来,泪水不听使唤地流下……仁波切知道,这个名叫洛桑嘉措的男人就是他的生父,因为那脸庞上的泪水,是父亲因孩子而流下的眼泪。仁波切眼前的这个男人因过去所犯的错,错使一个无辜的孩子成了弃子,饱受羞辱,过着漂泊的日子,甚至被逼在一个充斥暴力的家庭中长大。眼前的这个男人犯下了过错,导致这个无辜的孩子必须经受数不完的虐待。即使仁波切在那个当下为自己累积了二十多年的身心伤痛而展现出丝毫的愤怒,在场也无人能对他加以苛责。然而,仁波切从坐垫上站起,然后走向父亲,最后还把父亲拥入怀里。仁波切心中所想的,是感恩他在那么多年不断的困惑、迷茫、希望及失望后终于找到父亲。在父亲紧紧抱着仁波切的当儿,他向仁波切说:“请原谅我”。在听到父亲向自己请求原谅后,仁波切二十年来所累积的情绪涌上心头,然后在那个当下获得释放。仁波切的父亲不断地哭泣,但他也不愿意让仁波切看到他的这一面,所以他很快地就梳理好自己的情绪,接着向仁波切说:“好了,好了,现在你可以离开了……”

洛桑嘉措先生与其家人于台湾合影。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切目睹这一切的发生。他脸带笑容指示仁波切是时候离开他的房间了,随后自己会再接见仁波切。就在仁波切踏出房门的那一刻,丹增扎巴的妻子问:“看到了自己的父亲,你开心吗?”仁波切给予正面的回应,而仁波切确实为此开心。

在这么多年的寻寻觅觅之后找到自己的父亲,仁波切这一天那么一下子高潮迭起的情绪也是挺累人的。当仁波切回到自己的房间,他终于忍不住完全地释放自己的情绪而哭泣。仁波切一边不断地哭,一边不断地洗脸,那个时候,他不知道该怎么办。一方面他的内心充满喜悦,一方面他却非常害怕有人会夺走这突如其来的喜悦和释怀,告诉他一切都是搞错了,或只是一个谎言。年幼时,仁波切被告知自己的父母就在台湾,照顾他的人,就是自己的父母。随后,仁波切又被告知他们并不是自己的父母,不过一下子又被带到美国,被告知自己的父母就在美国,最后难逃再次被告知自己的亲生父母并非美国养父母的命运。如今,在经过一切动荡之后,自己终于得知亲生父亲为何人,心中难免出现担心快乐突然被夺走的恐惧。缠绕仁波切一生的恐惧和焦虑,是我们一般人所难以理解的。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切与其兄长,洛桑嘉措先生的其中一名儿子彭措。

经过这件事之后,仁波切又继续在古鲁迪瓦仁波切的家住了两三天。期间仁波切与父亲一同聊天、共餐。仁波切称父亲为“巴拉”,这乃藏语中对父亲的称呼。仁波切的父亲也给仁波切展示他另外两名儿子及一名女儿——即仁波切同父异母的兄弟姐妹——的照片。仁波切其中一名同父异母的哥哥与仁波切极为相似,就如孪生兄弟一样。后来当这名哥哥前去甘丹寺拜访仁波切时,人人都会向仁波切说:“嘿,你的哥哥到了”。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切与至尊第14世达赖尊者(中),以及堪苏仁波切强巴耶喜(右)。

在与父亲共度几天温馨、珍贵的时光之后,父亲告诉仁波切他该是时候回去甘丹寺了,说道:“回去好好学习,好好当个僧人,不要在这里虚度时间”。父亲说完后表示自己将会与仁波切保持联系,并且会到甘丹寺探望他,更会一直照顾他。他还把五千卢比交到仁波切手中,这笔钱对仁波切来说可是来得正是时候,因为仁波切能偿还自己向堪苏仁波切借来的旅费了。这段时间虽然发生许多事,但仁波切仍然必须回到寺院学习,于是他只好向古鲁迪瓦仁波切道别。

这张相片摄于尊贵的詹杜固仁波切的坐床大典当天。此典礼由其父亲洛桑嘉措赞助。

几个月后,仁波切被认证成一位转世喇嘛,并且从神谕媒那里获得转世认证书,以及至尊达赖尊者的批准,让时任住持堪苏仁波切强巴耶喜为仁波切举办坐床大典。仁波切的父亲未忘自己曾说过的话,他前去甘丹寺探望仁波切,更赞助了整个按照传统仪式进行的坐床大典——赞助全寺僧人酥油茶及面包,以及为寺院及仁波切在甘丹寺所属的布康康村各准备一套供养。除此之外,仁波切的父亲也在寺院的土地范围内给刚进行过坐床大典的仁波切买了一块地,也给了仁波切一笔钱,足以让仁波切建成“詹拉章”。直至今日,这座“詹拉章”依然还在甘丹寺内。从这一次的坐床大典起,仁波切的父亲每个月都给他寄生活费,照顾他的需要。

过了一阵子后,仁波切的哥哥从台湾到来探望自己。仁波切从哥哥的口中得知原来这么多年来,他们都一直在找寻仁波切,现在终于找到了。这些话对仁波切而言有着深远的意义。仁波切清楚知道,他所感受到的喜悦和亲情,其实都源于古鲁迪瓦仁波切的慈悲。

在坐床大典当天,詹杜固仁波切与卡尔梅克族哲蚌果芒寺的呼图克图戴罗仁波切。这名仁波切也是仁波切的表兄弟。

这名慈爱的上师替仁波切找回自己的根、找到了自己的父母,这无疑填补了仁波切心中巨大的空洞。对自己身世的一无所知致使仁波切的整段成长岁月都在不安和不确定感中度过,但现在他终于可以释怀。这名慷慨大爱的上师与仁波切非亲非故,但仁波切却从他那里找到亲情和金钱的资助,自己多年来一直面对的困扰一下子都获得解放。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切从不曾为自己的任何付出要过一次的回报。阅读詹杜固仁波切对古鲁迪瓦仁波切的回忆录让我看到古鲁迪瓦仁波切的仁慈、慷慨及大爱,他一直就这么怀抱一颗单纯希望别人好的悲心。仁波切对古鲁迪瓦仁波切的回忆录也使我们清楚看见古鲁迪瓦仁波切不动的上师依止心。每次仁波切与这名仁慈的上师在一块时,只要古鲁迪瓦仁波切提及其上师嘉杰赤江仁波切,他的语气总是柔和、恭敬;只要一忆念起上师,他眼眶就会不禁泛泪;只要把上师赤江仁波切的名字念出口,他会立即双掌合十,语气柔和,表现得十分恭敬。

位于南印度甘丹寺的詹拉章。

后来,仁波切从其他伟大上师那里得知古鲁迪瓦仁波切的崇高转世身份,以及他对赤江仁波切坚定的依止心。除此,仁波切也得知古鲁迪瓦仁波切的各种善行,例如他如何为甘丹、色拉及哲蚌寺助印数以千计的珍贵课本;他如何为至尊达赖尊者及其他伟大上师捐助大佛像及赞助上师们的公开开示;他又如何在同时照顾无数的贫困人士及僧众,连带照顾甘丹、色拉及哲蚌寺的各种需要。从中我们看到古鲁迪瓦仁波切是何等伟大、无我的上师,他不仅非常博学,还非常仁慈,以及对上师有无比的依止心。

嘉杰赤江仁波切是20世纪的伟大上师,是上师中的上师,更是至尊第14世达赖尊者的副经师。

然而,在詹杜固仁波切的心中,古鲁迪瓦仁波切一生所作出的贡献根本没有任何适合的字眼足以形容一切。他的建树和付出远远超出言语所能形容的范围,而仁波切就像这个世界其他曾受过古鲁迪瓦仁波切恩惠的人一样,将他给过的仁慈永远铭记于心。

在那次跟古鲁迪瓦仁波切告别的几年后,仁波切还是拜见了古鲁迪瓦仁波切好几次。自古鲁迪瓦仁波切后来搬迁到蒙古后,仁波切也就再也没有见到这位慈爱的上师。随后仁波切听闻古鲁迪瓦仁波切在百岁那年圆寂。纵使已达百岁高龄,古鲁迪瓦仁波切的神志极其清醒、意识极度清晰。

同样让我赞叹的是詹杜固仁波切如何从充满阴影、煎熬及伤痛的童年走出来。那些悲痛并没有使仁波切变成苦涩及愤怒的人,他反而还担起了自己所有的苦楚,让这些苦化作对人间疾苦的领悟,直接与间接地帮助自己达成抚平每个人伤痛的心愿。生于这个残酷的世界,人难免不自觉地产生自我保护、对人不信任及筑起心墙、将人拒于千里之外的心理。然而,仁波切的内心却有柔软的坚韧,将所有痛苦的经历用作成就菩萨之道的“养分”。对我而言,我阅读过不少高僧的生平传记,但我没办法记得还有哪一位上师也经历同等的磨难,甚至做出如此多的牺牲,为的就是将佛法带给人们。詹杜固仁波切的生平故事让我记起了一段修行的忠言:像纯洁的莲花一样出淤泥而不染。我们清净的本性必定也能不受生命中的各种烦恼及痛苦所染污。詹杜固仁波切的一生就是这个智慧教诲活生生的一个例子。仁波切的经历仿佛是在告诉世人,慈悲并非遥不可及,反而近在咫尺,因为它就处于我们心中。

 

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Biography | 生平

Guru Deva Rinpoche is an emanation of one of the 84 Mahasiddhas. In order to benefit countless mother sentient beings, Rinpoche took rebirth in 1909 in Ordos, a city which has many temples in the Hanchen area.

Guru Deva Rinpoche

Since young, Rinpoche was enthroned as a Hutugtu (“Incarnate Saint of the first rank”). At the age of 7, Rinpoche started to give Dharma teachings. Up till the age of 20, Rinpoche studied the Tripitaka (three baskets) and Trisiksa (threefold training) in Ordos, after which Rinpoche travelled to Tibet and studied in Drepung Gomang Monastic University. Under the tutelage of great masters like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, Kyabje Khangser Ripoche, and others, Rinpoche mastered the Sutras and Tantras, and adhere to his teachers’ advice to benefit sentient beings throughout his life.

When the Dalai Lama emigrated with the Sangha and lay Tibetans to the land where Lord Buddha was born, Rinpoche helped to rebuild the refugees’ accommodations, the three Great Monastic Universities of Sera, Drepung and Gaden, as well as other monasteries. For example, in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, Rinpoche established the first Gelug monastery Gaden Chopel Ling (later renamed Samtenling) near the holy stupa of Boudhanath, which together with Gaden Jamgonling near the holy stupa of Swayambhu, enhance each other’s glory.

Guru Deva Rinpoche with His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama

When Buddhism was going through revival in Mongolia, Guru Deva Rinpoche generously helped many Mongolian poor and homeless. In 1991, Rinpoche rebuilt the largest monastery in Mongolia, Amarbayasgalant, (Amarbayasgalant Khiid, built in the year 1727 or the 5th year of Chinese Emperor Yongzheng’s reign, known as “Monastery of Tranquil Felicity” in Chinese), re-establishing the ordained community, scripture learning or education, rainy season retreat and so on. This very important monastery of the pure Gelugpa lineage was built as the final resting place for Zanabazar (1635–1723), the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, or spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. This became the seat of the subsequent Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. Located 137 miles to the northwest of Mongolia’s capital Ulan Bator, the main hall contains the statue of Guru Deva Rinpoche. During the opening ceremony of the monastery in 1992, Bakula Rinpoche and the President of Mongolia also came for the ceremony. In 1996, the monastery was selected as one of the world heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Dozens of monks visits Ulan Bator monthly to receive teachings from Rinpoche. In 1936, the number of monks in the monastery totalled more than two thousand.

A life-size statue of Guru Deva Rinpoche in the main temple of Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Mongolia

Guru Deva Rinpoche compiled as well as printed many scriptures throughout his life, and until today, many of the commentaries or writing quoted the books or scriptures that Guru Deva Rinpoche published. The scripture room of Amarbayasgalant Monastery contained not only the Tibetan-Mongolian Kangyur, it also has the Chinese Kangyur. Guru Deva Rinpoche also established the Tsongkhapa Buddhist Society in Taiwan in 1990 where 5 resident monks from Sera Monastery are based to promote Buddhadharma. Guru Deva Rinpoche’s disciples in Taiwan also donated to the rebuilding of Amarbayasgalant and various other monasteries. Guru Deva Rinpoche’s contribution towards the Buddhadharma garnered much respect from the Mongolians, Tibetans, and Indians as Rinpoche’s work benefitted the seven classes of disciples.

 

生平

古鲁迪瓦仁波切乃印度八十四大成就者之一所化身,为利益无量如母有情,于1909年转世于现今漠南具众多寺庙的伊克昭盟鄂尔多斯(Ordos)汗千(Hanchen)地区。

幼时坐床继任呼图克图化身尊名,7岁即讲经说法,20岁时前于鄂尔多斯研习三藏,修证三学。后入雪域圣地哲绷寺果芒扎仓,并于近代帕绷卡祖师,经师赤江仁波切,林仁波切,康萨仁波切等座下精进研读经续广大法海,此后一生谨遵上师们教诲修证利众。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切于蒙古庆宁寺

后来至尊达赖尊者与僧俗移居至释尊出生地,仁波切协助重建避难住所,三大寺与众多寺院。譬如在尼泊尔首都加德满都的佛教圣地大白塔(BoudhaNath,台湾旅游业称四眼大塔)旁首建尼泊尔第一间格鲁派寺庙-甘丹却林寺,1959年改成桑殿林寺(SamtenLing),与自生寺(Swayambhu,台湾旅游业称猴子塔) 的色贡寺相辉映。

当蒙古国佛教重振之初,仁波切便帮助众多蒙古穷人与流浪汉,1991年更重建蒙古国最大的寺庙阿玛尔巴雅斯噶兰特寺(Amarbayasgalant Khiid,建于雍正 5年,公元1727年建,汉称庆宁寺),安立僧团,学经,结夏等;此重要清净格鲁派教法寺庙,当年主要是建立做为第一世哲布尊丹巴呼图克图(Rje Btsun Dam Pa)的陵寝,此后为历代哲布尊仁波切的驻锡圣地,其位于蒙古国首都乌兰巴托的西北方 137英里,大殿中供有古鲁迪瓦仁波切等身像,当1992年寺庙开光之时,巴古拉仁波切与蒙古国总统皆亲自莅临。1996年此寺获选为联合国世界文化遗产(UNESCO)。寺内数十位僧众每月分批前往乌兰巴托向仁波切请法,1936年时僧众超过二千人。

古鲁迪瓦仁波切深受蒙藏印地区人民的爱戴

仁波切一生大力收集并印刷藏文经书,至今许多论文引用他所出版之众多书籍。庆宁寺的藏经阁中除了藏蒙大藏经,更包含汉文大藏经。仁波切亦于1990年在台湾创立宗喀巴佛学会,遍竖清净法幢,学会由五位色拉寺僧人常驻宏法。同时台湾弟子捐款重建包括庆宁寺在内许多寺院。古鲁迪瓦仁波切于蒙藏印等各地区广大安立七众,宏扬教证佛法事业,为许多蒙藏印人民所共赞叹。

 

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Amarbayasgalant Monastery | 庆宁寺

Amarbayasgalant monastery is dedicated to Zanabazar’s main tutelary deity, Maitreya. Unlike Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is an ensemble of temple halls of different styles, Amarbayasgalant shows great stylistic unity. The overriding style is Chinese, with some Mongol and Tibetan influence. The monastery resembles Yongzheng’s own palace Yonghegong in Beijing (converted by his son the QianAmarbayasgalant Monastery (Mongolian: Амарбаясгалант хийд Amurbayasqulangtu keyid) or the “Monastery of Tranquil Felicity”, is one of the three largest Buddhist monastic centers in Mongolia.

The monastery complex is located in the Iven Valley near the Selenge River, at the foot of Mount Büren-Khaan in Baruunbüren sum (district) of Selenge Province in northern Mongolia. The nearest town is Erdenet which is about 60 km to the southwest.

Amarbayasgalant Monastery was established and funded by order of Manchu Yongzheng Emperor (and completed under his successor the Qianlong Emperor) to serve as a final resting place for Zanabazar (1635–1723), the first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, or spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism for the Khalkha in Outer Mongolia and a spiritual mentor to both emperors’ ancestor, the Kangxi Emperor.[2] Tradition holds that while searching for an appropriate site to build the monastery, the exploratory group came across two young boys, Amur and Bayasqulangtu, playing on the steppe. They were inspired to build the monastery on that very spot and to name it after the two children, Amur-Bayasqulangtu. More likely, the location was chosen because it stood at the place where the lama’s traveling Da Khuree (his mobile monastery and prime residence) was encamped at the moment of the his death. Construction took place between 1727 and 1736 and Zanabazar’s remains were transferred there in 1779.

Originally consisting of over 40 temples, the monastery was laid out in a symmetrical pattern, with the main buildings succeeding one another along a North-South axis, while the secondary buildings are laid out on parallel sides.

Amarbayasgalant was one of the very few monasteries to have partly escaped destruction during the Stalinist purges of 1937, after which only the buildings of the central section remained. Many of the monks were executed by the country’s Communist regime and the monastery’s artifacts, including thangkas, statues, and manuscripts were looted.

All cultural elements including pastureland, location, settings, sacred sites and temples within the Monastery, burial sites and graves are an entirely authentic testimony to the Buddhist religious and sacred associations of the proposed property. Amarbayasgalant Monastery is the most authentic of the Buddhist monasteries that have been preserved in Mongolia after the 1930s political upheavals. Although, it has been damaged during these political victimization of national and religious culture, 28 temples were survived and protected by the State since 1944. The work of measuring and restoring this monastery began in 1972 with funds provided by UNESCO and private sources. The restorations of the Temple were performed with Monastery’s original materials and design archive photos.

 

庆宁寺

庆宁寺(蒙古语:Амарбаясгалантхийд Amurbayasqulangtu keyid)阿玛尔巴雅斯嘎朗寺或“宁静幸福寺”是蒙古三大寺院的佛教中心之一。寺庙群位于色愣格河附近的伊芬谷, 蒙古北部色楞格省巴伦布兰苏木区布艾仑- 思汗山的脚下。最近的城镇是额尔登特, 大约西南60公里。

庆宁寺在满清雍正皇帝的资助下建立(在乾隆皇帝的期间完成),作为第一哲布尊丹巴呼图克图,札那巴札尔(1635至1723年)的最后安息之地。哲布尊丹巴呼图克图为外蒙古喀尔喀族的和藏传佛教精神领袖,并为这两个皇帝的祖先康熙皇帝的国师。根据历史,在寻找合适的场地建寺院时,探索组遇见在草原上嬉戏的两个年轻男孩,阿穆尔和巴雅斯胡郎图。他们因而得到启发,在当地建寺院,并以两个男孩的名字命名,阿穆尔-巴雅斯胡郎图。更有可能的解释是,选择该地点是因为该地点为札那巴札尔圆寂时,他的达库伦(Da Khuree,即“帐部、居所”)的所在地。建设在1727和1736年之间进行,而札那巴札尔的遗体于1779年被转移到该处。

庆宁寺主要的本尊是札那巴札尔的本尊,弥勒佛。和额尔德尼召(寺院)不同风格的殿堂相比,庆宁寺的风格比较统一。寺院主要为中国建筑风格,也融入一些蒙藏的凤格。寺院的格式就像雍正帝在北京的宫殿雍和宫(他的儿子乾隆皇帝后来把雍和宫转换成佛教寺院)一样。最初由超过四十多间寺庙所组成,该寺院是一个对称图案的设置,该寺主要的建筑物沿南北轴建立,而辅助的建筑物在两旁平行。

庆宁寺的部分寺院是少数逃脱1937年斯大林“大清洗”的寺院,该寺主要建筑在洗劫过后幸存下来。许多僧侣被共产党政权处死,寺院的文物,其中包括唐卡、佛像、手稿等被洗劫一空。有幸的是,一些法器以及唐卡被僧众隐藏起来,以防止遭没收。

寺院所有的文化元素,包括草原、位置、设置、圣地、寺院内的寺庙、墓地和墓穴是对佛教文化以及与当地圣地关联的证明。庆宁寺是30年代政治动荡之后被保存的蒙古佛教寺院中最正统的寺院。虽然寺院在政治迫害过程中遭到破坏,28座寺庙幸免于难, 自1944年以来,受到国家的保护。修复工程始于1972年,由联合国教科文组织和私人提供的资助资金下进行。寺院的修复采用寺院的原有材料和依照存档照片的原图设计进行。

 

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23 Responses to My recollection of H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche | 忆念尊贵的古鲁迪瓦仁波切

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  1. Samfoonheei on Apr 30, 2021 at 3:42 pm

    Great memories of Rinpoche meeting with Guru Deva Rinpoche a very learned and qualified Lama,that has changed Rinpoche life. He is considered to be the reincarnation of one of the 84 great Mahasiddhas of ancient India. He studied under many great masters as such like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang, and so forth. We have Tsem Rinpoche today all because of Guru Deva Rinpoche who had contributed towards Rinpoche’s spiritual journey. The journey was tough for Rinpoche , having gone through and had travelled from America to India. Having remained and continued to languish under the terrible conditions in India till he travelled to Nepal and meeting Guru Deva Rinpoche. Everything changed from then on. Interesting read .
    Thank you Rinpoche and Martin Chow for this sharing.

  2. Yee Yin on Sep 27, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    Rinpoche’s whole life is a teaching itself. For anyone who has grown up in the environment and experiences Rinpoche had gone through, no one can still be so forgiving like Rinpoche. But because Rinpoche choose to forgive and not having the poor-me thinking, he was able to live his life happily and at the same time influenced people positively with his attitude towards life.

    Rinpoche was always grateful, he always put others before himself. For example, when he received the 5000 rupees from his father, the first thing he did was to buy gifts for people, not to spend on himself. Even though his father did not fulfill his responsibility of a father, Rinpoche did not hold a grudge in him but he was very thankful he met with his father. Rinpoche had every right to be angry with the father and to make his father feel bad but Rinpoche did not. Instead, Rinpoche choose to forgive and made the whole situation a very pleasant experience.

    Rinpoche did not just talk about Dharma but he applied it in his life. He walked the talk, he showed us that it is possible to forgive, to let go of the anger and move on. He showed us how our behaviour and reaction to a situation can make it a pleasant experience for everyone. Thank you Rinpoche for showing us that it is possible to be happy!

  3. Lester Lim on Sep 27, 2019 at 8:49 am

    Thank you Martin for writing and sharing this very moving narrative between Rinpoche and his lama. As students, we take this as a manifestation from Rinpoche to teach us lessons on the Dharma and about life at large. May Rinpoche incarnation be found soon!

  4. Pastor Shin Tan on May 17, 2019 at 10:03 am

    The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. I hope many Mongolians will print out this image and place in their houses to create an affinity with Dorje Shugden for greater blessings. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz

    The powerful Mongolian nation has a long history and connection with Manjushri Dorje Shugden, as expressed in the life of Venerable Choijin Lama, a State Oracle of Mongolia who took trance of Dorje Shugden among other Dharma Protectors. Read more about Choijin Lama: https://bit.ly/2GCyOUZ

    Mongolian Dorje Shugden 2

  5. Pastor Shin Tan on Mar 5, 2019 at 9:20 am

    1997 in Malaysia. Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche.

    Gangchen Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche

  6. Samfoonheei on Dec 13, 2018 at 11:50 am

    Beautiful account of Rinpoche’s meeting with Guru Deva Rinpoche that has changed his life. Life in Gaden Shartse Monastery is not a bed of roses, Rinpoche had little to eat an living next to a cow shed. Meeting and reunited with his father whom had later became one of Rinpoche first major sponsors. Guru Deva indeed played an important role in Rinpoche’s life. Guru Deva Rinpoche is considered by many in the Tibetan and Mongolian community to be the emanation of Gyenze. His great masters were none other than – Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche. Following his teachers’ advice , Guru Deva had benefited countless sentient beings throughout his life . He had also been instrumental in the re-establishment of Lama Tsongkhapa’s lineage in India and towards the Buddhadharma in Mongolia, Tibet and even Taiwan. All because of Guru Deva Rinpoche ,we have Rinpoche here in Malaysia, as Guru Deva Rinpoche has contributed towards Rinpoche’s spiritual journey.
    Interesting read of Rinpoche biography and Rinpoche spiritual journey.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful sharing of a GREAT lama. Thanks to Martin Chow too.

  7. Chrissa on May 2, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    Powerful life story! Inspiring & motivating!May you live long your Eminence Tsem Rinpoche ? thanks to you and all the living masters , we have hope to become better human beings ?

  8. paul yap on Jan 3, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    The story of how H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche helps young Tsem Rinpoche to reunite with his birth father is very touching. For someone who is completely strange and never met before, H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche will go out all his way to help young Tsem Rinpoche, this shows the quality of an attained master. I have saw the same quality on H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, who does the same. From buying water pumps for the poor villagers near Gaden Monastery, offering his ladrang to Kensur Rinpoche, coming to Malaysia alone gives teaching raising funds for Gaden Monastery, and stay in Malaysia more than 30 years, far away from his family, friends and Gurus, Tsem Rinpoche has been giving all his life and his best to others, teaching the dharma and helping others. That’s the same quality he has, just like Guru Deva Rinpoche.

  9. Marek on Dec 20, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Has Guru Deva Rinpoche/Sokpu Rinpoche’s incarnation been found? Any body looking for him? It is said Guru Deva Rinpoche had a son – his biological son or an adopted son?

  10. Wan Wai Meng on Sep 30, 2016 at 3:45 am

    It couldn’t have been an easy thing fro Rinpoche, to experience not knowing his parents or even have any sense of belonging. For me our family is kind of kind some framework to my existence and my identity when I was young. Though ultimately there is nothing secure in samsara not even when one has family and friends, still it provides some feelings of security despite it being a thought that draws its roots in ignorance. So I for one, would not have survived if I had to grow up similar to Rinpoche’s circumstances. It shows the strength of character that Rinpoche had and a a resilience he had despite so much hardships.

    First time I head about Guru Deva I heard that he was responsible to for setting up the Three Pillars of Gelug Order – Gaden Sera And Drepung in India once again, and his devotion towards Trijang Rinpoche is unquestionable. Without his deed of setting buddhism again in India, the Gelug tradition could be in somewhat disarray now, so Guru Deva Rinpoche contribution is tremendous to preserve the Gelug tradition.

  11. Anne Ong on Aug 25, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Great write up! Beautifully written and very clear cut. Rinpoche’s life has been bittersweet.From his unhappy childhood days to his fortunate relationship with Guru Deva Rinpoche.And Rinpoche’a emotional meeting with his long lost father for the 1st time,introduced by Guru Deva made me want to run for the tissue paper.
    Martin,you’re a great writer who can collaborate very weil with such a great Lama like Tsem Rinpoche.2 golden needles in the haystack.:) (Y)

  12. June Kang on Jun 19, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    当讲述詹杜固仁波切和他的生父之间的第一次会晤,是一个很感人的时刻,也感觉到痛心仁波切在二十多年里因不知生父是谁所受的身心伤痛。

    让我赞叹的是詹杜固仁波切将这二十多年里所受的苦楚转化为菩萨之道,直接与间接地帮助千千万万苦难的人。即使仁波切出家后住在甘丹萨济寺的贫困生活,吃得很少,他都坚持下来了,仁波切本身就是一个慈悲的显现。

    感谢仁波切介绍古鲁迪瓦仁波切,尤其他的上师依止心。文章里说到

    “只要古鲁迪瓦仁波切提及其上师嘉杰赤江仁波切,他的语气总是柔和、恭敬;只要一忆念起上师,他眼眶就会不禁泛泪;只要把上师赤江仁波切的名字念出口,他会立即双合十,语气柔和,表现得十分恭敬”

    这种上师依止心是很值得我们去学习。

    感谢 Martin 的分享!

  13. Fong on Jun 3, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Thanks, Martin for sharing this account of Rinpoche’s meeting with Guru Deva Rinpoche. Rinpoche always show by example that with determination one can overcome all kinds of odds in life. He showed that one can walk away from hardship and hurt without being bitter or be the lesser for it.

    From his experiences on the road across America, he started Kechara Soup Kitchen. As Rinpoche always said, he knows what it is to be hungry so he does not wish anyone to have to go through that. A little help when there is no one around will always raise a person’s moral and for that time, ease his mind.

    From his experience of sleeping out in the open, he helped raised funds for Phukang Kangtsen so that the monks can have a proper place of rest without fear of snake bites. To today, Rinpoche is making sure that committed students are taken care of.

    From his experience with Guru Deva Rinpoche, he is always looking out with care for all his students even though a lot of times, they are unaware of it so that they may be able to practice without too much distraction.

    But, Rinpoche is more than these things. He has shown the way for us to walk and and a goal to work for beyond this life. For that, I am ever so grateful.

  14. Wylfred Ng on May 25, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    谢谢仁波切的分享, 也谢谢曹铭光把仁波切与尊贵的古鲁迪瓦仁波切渊源写下。

    仁波切从小就不知道自己的身世, 也在不同的地方成长,而且也曾经吃过苦。 不过仁波切没有因为这样的身世而影响他在佛法上的修持, 我们也因而有机会遇到仁波切, 向仁波切学习佛法。

    仁波切通过他的母亲认识尊贵的古鲁迪瓦仁波切, 然后通过古鲁迪瓦仁波切与父亲相认, 就好像冥冥中注定仁波切会与自己的父亲相认。

    最令人感动的就是仁波切通过古鲁迪瓦仁波切与自己的父亲洛桑嘉措相认的一刻, 那么多年仁波切都没有见过的父亲就在他的眼前。

    谢谢仁波切的分享, 让我们知道仁波切与弟子的渊源, 且一直让我们知道忆念上师对我们的恩德的重要性。 宗喀巴大师圆寂后向弟子克主杰以身骑白象形象示现,并说: 忆念上师可净化往昔所造恶业, 复积广大福德资粮。

    谢谢仁波切一直都以身教教导我们佛法, 谢谢。

  15. Li Kheng on May 25, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    Thank you Martin for this beautiful post. It is written with the heart as I have read Rinpoche biography several times but none from such a personal angle. The pain and suffering from having no sense of belonging to nobody in the world can be most treacherous for a little child and a young man. I cannot imagine being put in a similar position.

    This does truly reflect on the character of Rinpoche; love overpowers all else. HIs tragic beginnings fueled Rinpoche to be even more kind, tolerant, generous and humble instead of fearful and defensive.

    It is also magical to have beings like Deva Rinpoche amongst men in samsara. They are truly light the dispel darkness.

    Again thank you for this authentic, personal and beautiful illustration of Ripoche’s life and his relationship with Deva Rinpeche.

  16. Pastor Loh Seng Piow on May 14, 2016 at 8:11 am

    H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has recounted many times the story of how Guru Deva Rinpoche arranged a meeting between Tsem Rinpoche and his birth father for the first time in their lives in Nepal. It was a touching moment. At that Tsem Rinpoche had been living in poverty in Gaden Shartse Monastery which he persevered, eating very little and living next to a cow shed. Soon after the meeting, Tsem Rinpoche’s father sponsored his first ladrang, that’s how Tsem Rinpoche could have a modest standard of living after that. In this, Guru Deva Rinpoche truly manifested his role Gyenze, meeting him helped Tsem Rinpoche escaped from poverty and gained sustenance for living.

  17. CindyH on May 14, 2016 at 2:06 am

    Thank you to Rinpoche and Martin for sharing such a personal story which afforded a glimpse into the trials and tribulations that Rinpoche went through. It is humbling to read the steps that Rinpoche has taken to transcend his adversities which I feel in actuality are lessons on how to apply Dharma in real life. To name but a few of such lessons; how to deal with insecurities, how to overcome our perception/ fixation on how things should be, Guru devotion, kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, selflessness etc.

    Of all such lessons, a couple of lessons which I find particularly significant for me now;

    • Instead of just reacting to the mixed emotions (both the unpleasant and the good ones), which arose under the circumstances, Rinpoche demonstrated for a better alternative to be taken instead. To recognise such feelings for what it is and make a conscious decision to turn them into positive driving force.

    • That you will not go wrong by following your Guru’s instructions/teachings no matter how extremely hard or impossible the situation appears to be.

  18. Joy Kam on May 13, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    Thank you for a very moving account of Rinpoche’s past and how Guru Deva played such an important role in our Guru’s life.

    I find it truly amazing how all these great Lamas just know what to do at the exact perfect time to help… I guess this is why they are ‘enlightened’ beings and we are not!

    This story tells us of how great, kind and generous Guru Deva is towards anyone who seeks His help, even if you do not personally know him.

    I can’t imagine the streams of emotions that went through Rinpoche’s mind when Rinpoche was introduced to his father by Guru Deva. It must have jolted many mixed emotions but what’s more important is that Rinpoche followed through his Guru’s instructions to forgive, accept and move on. I think that is the crucial learning lesson here we must check in with. It also shows that when you trust and have faith, somehow everything will fall into its place at the perfect time.

    Indeed we need to thank Guru Deva very much for helping our Guru connect with His real life father. It is because of Guru Deva we have Rinpoche with us today and because of Guru Deva, our Rinpoche became one of the world’s most influential Lama in the cyber world!

  19. Pastor Elena Khong Jean Ai on May 13, 2016 at 11:42 am

    From this and other stories Rinpoche has told to us about his life, I get the sense that Dorje Shugden was looking after Rinpoche throughout his life, even before Rinpoche received sogtae because even in the darkest moments, something always ALWAYS appeared to assist Rinpoche and it continues even to this day.

    Well, if you’re not religious or spiritual, you will come to think that Rinpoche’s life is full of serendipitous moments where help comes to Rinpoche over and over again at the most difficult yet opportune moments.

    If you know the teachings on merits and imprints, you will see Rinpoche’s life as an example of the power of practice. That if in your previous lives you practise strongly, conducive conditions will arise in this life to propel you towards Dharma practice and the influence of the imprints will be so great, you develop an unquenchable thirst for Dharma regardless of the obstacles. And in the most difficult of moments, the accumulation of merits in previous lives will make sure you never be totally destitute, without hope of assistance.

    When we pray “may we come under your care from now until we develop bodhicitta”, there is the prayer manifested in Rinpoche’s life for all to see. Even though Rinpoche has already developed bodhicitta, there was still compassion, care and protection of the lineage lamas and Dharma Protector when Rinpoche was most vulnerable. Because WHY did Rinpoche’s mum say that about Guru Deva Rinpoche, when she could’ve just wished Rinpoche well? Why did she plant that thought in Rinpoche’s mind? Why did Guru Deva Rinpoche just happen to have Lobsang Gyatso as a sponsor? If any of those moments had never taken place, Rinpoche’s story may be very different today.

    Thank you Martin for writing up this incredible story, and for a touching looking into another period of Rinpoche’s life.

  20. Pastor David Lai on May 13, 2016 at 3:06 am

    This has got to be one of the most poignant aspects of Rinpoche’s life and the retelling by Rinpoche never fail to put me on the edge of my seat in terms of emotions and tears. I think Martin did a splendid job of retelling it with the right amount of feeling, explanation and atmosphere to convey that raw feeling and nuance.

    I feel at the edge because Rinpoche tells it in such a way that makes you feel what it is like to not know who your true parents are and that sudden moment that you are sitting in the same room with your real father. The surprise, the sudden joy and how everything was just swept and taken completely from you. Without meaning to be, Rinpoche’s life is one big epic story of emotional pain, great obstacles, spiritual journey and one that shifts from diverse cultural backdrops of Taiwan, the United States, India and finally Malaysia.

    It is what makes for a powerful and riveting story in itself but the best comes from triumph of Rinpoche’s spiritual inclination, devotion to teacher and his great wish to benefit others. It is basically a story of selflessness and giving to others.

  21. freon on May 12, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for sharing this story with us. Many of the missing piece in Rinpoche’s biodata is now understand.

    Rinpoche have gone through many hardship to bring dharma to benefit more people. Even until today, Rinpoche still facing some problems, but , Rinpoche never stopped the love to sentient beings. The nitemare that Rinpoche’s had did not stopped Rinpoche to bring love to people around Rinpoche by bringing dharma to them.

    H.E Guru Deva Rinpoche was a very generous person. He have helps so many people to overcome their difficulty in dharma. It is really great to know that H.E Guru Deva Rinpoche is the emanation of Gyenze. This got me to think that, Dorje Shugden will helps people who want to be in dharma to overcome their difficulties. We are lucky to have helps from Dorje Shugden to practice dharma in this kind of degenerate age.

    Thank you Rinpoche

    With folded hand,
    Freon

  22. Pastor Niral Patel on May 12, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    Thank you to Rinpoche and Martin for sharing this powerful story with us. Every time i think what Rinpoche went through as a child and the difficult earlier years in the monastery, i realise my own experiences were indeed very fortunate. This experience shared with us is however a testament to the enlightened quality of compassion, as embodied in Guru Deva Rinpoche.

    I have had the great honour to hear about Rinpoche’s life experiences from Rinpoche directly, and I must say that what is recounted here is but the tip of the iceberg of what Rinpoche has gone through. Through these experiences, Rinpoche teaches us how to act, behave and overcome our limiting perceptions of how things should be. As Martin rightly says in his comment, the life of Rinpoche is very unique amongst reincarnated lamas, who are found at a young age and immersed in conducive conditions for the practice of the Dharma. Here is just another example of this fact.

    Guru Deva himself is a testament to what any Dharma practitioner should be and act like, from creating harmony within families to upholding and supporting the holy Sangha and Dharma through his various works. He has helped the monastic community and Dharma in general a lot. He is a very good example of what a pracitioners should be. Once again, thank you for sharing this with all of us.

  23. Martin on May 12, 2016 at 3:58 am

    It was both a great honor and privilege to be involved in this post. Whilst this story was told by Tsem Rinpoche to honor Guru Deva Rinpoche and to remember the elder Rinpoche’s kindness, it is also an undevised chronicle, albeit an all too brief one, of the suffering Tsem Rinpoche endured in his passage to becoming our Guru.

    I said ‘brief’ because to hear the full account of what Rinpoche went through, would fill the listener with incredulity, amazement and deep sadness, as the human heart is want to be when it hears things that are displeasing. And yet suddenly when you realize how in his life Rinpoche has always treated each height of misery as yet another flight of steps to ascend to Rinpoche’s purpose in life, then it is as if all that hardship was embraced happily, as a teaching to us.

    We do not have a Guru who was found early, recognized and enthroned as a tulku and then was taken good care of. We have a Guru who hails from the slummiest of conditions and yet was not stained by slum. And it is right here that we should recall what Dharmarakshita taught in the Wheel Of Sharp Weapons, which tells us of the peacock that eats poisonous plants and yet flourishes. The peacock of course is an analogy to a Bodhisattva, who takes adverse circumstances of cyclic existence and transforms it into the path to enlightenment. No where else have I seen a more apt paragon of Dharmarakshita’s story.

    With much gratitude to my Guru, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche who taught me much with this story.

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  • Brent
    Tuesday, Mar 26. 2024 04:47 PM
    Living with my wife, whose world is meticulously painted with the hues of OCD, is a journey that intertwines the essence of love with the complexities of the human mind. Her relentless pursuit of cleanliness and order, transforming even the most negligible corner into a testament of organization, often dances on the fine line between admiration and frustration. The sight of her steering clear from trash bins as if they were labyrinths of chaos, serves as a poignant reminder of the battles she fights within. Yet, it’s through these very battles that I’ve learned the profound language of patience and the unspoken strength of support. Therapy, in its gentle embrace, has been a beacon of light for her, guiding her through the stormy seas of OCD. It has not only offered her solace but has also unveiled the strength of her spirit, teaching us both the beauty of resilience. As she journeys through the pathways of healing, I stand by her, a testament to the power of love and the enduring promise of hope. Together, we navigate the complexities of her world, discovering that within the challenges lie opportunities for growth, understanding, and an unbreakable bond. https://www.mindfullyaliveonline.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:31 PM
    Venerable Ajahn Chah was a Thai Buddhist teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. Well respected and loved as a man of great wisdom, he was also instrumental in establishing Theravada Buddhism in the West. Interesting life story, how he chose to leave the settled monastic life and became a wandering ascetic. Walking across Thailand, lived in forests, caves and cremation grounds while learning from the meditation monks of the Forest of various monasteries. He wandered through the countryside in quest of quiet and secluded places for developing meditation. He even lived in tiger and cobra infested jungles, using reflections on death to penetrate to the true meaning of life. After years of wandering, Venerable Ajahn Chah established a monastery where he taught simple, practice-based form of meditation, and attracted a numerous of students including western foreigners. He was one of the greatest Dhamma teachers of the modern era. His wise teachings have continued to guide thousands of people along the path of Dharma. Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition gradually spread across all over the world. Several of Ajahn Chah’s Western students have since established monasteries throughout the world. Just in Thailand itself, there are more than 300 branch monasteries in Ajahn Chah’s tradition. Ven erable Ajahn Chah used his ill health as a teaching point, emphasizing that it was a living example of the impermanence of all things and reminded people to endeavour to find a true refuge within themselves. The legacy of Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings and legacy continues into the modern age.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/venerable-ajahn-chah-the-forest-monk.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:30 PM
    Wonderful blog written on the practice of Kalarupa for us to understand better. As an emanation of Manjushri, Kalarupa’s practice helps us to destroy ignorance and to develop wisdom overcoming our anger and suffering . Awesome Kalarupa manifested in multiple forms to help sentient beings who personifies enlightenment by the conquest of anger. Kalarupa also regard as one of the three main Dharma protectors of the Gelugpa is extremely fierce and ugly, and tames all kinds of spiritual ugliness. The fierceness of his iconography teaches us to remind ourselves that all the causes and effects of anger arising from ignorance are dreadful and distorted.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antionette for this detailed sharing,

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/kalarupa.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:27 PM
    Nepal is a very spiritual country, having a huge Dorje Shugden mural in Kathmandu, is indeed a big achievement for Kechara. Located on Charkhal Road in Dilli Bazaar, the mural can be found midway between our two Dorje Shugden chapels which are in Putalisadak and Chabahil. It is also very close to one of Kathmandu’s largest shopping malls. Many locals , tourist will be able to connect them to a powerful deity that is so closely associated with their culture. Well the mural not only beautiful but also full of symbolism and everyone merely by seeing it is blessed. Thanks to those talented artists and generous sponsors making it a success.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/travel/spectacular-dorje-shugden-mural-in-kathmandu-nepal.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:24 PM
    All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Letting go helps us to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. A reminder for us all to go of attachment and meditating on impermanence and emptiness. We are to relinquish the domination of our ego and its habits to transform ourselves. A great reminder not to waste our previous life.
    Quoted Ceasing to do evil, Cultivating the good, Purifying the heart .
    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such a meaningful teachings with folded hands.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/pointing-the-staff-at-the-old-man.html
  • james belich
    Friday, Mar 8. 2024 09:43 PM
    Winning the lottery was part of my dreams, I tried so hard to win big but all to no avail, until I came across Dr Lucas online who made my dreams come through and made me win 10 million dollars. I was a logistics manager who lives in Lancaster, S.C. and works about an hour’s drive away, in Charlotte, N.C., I stopped at a store to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket during my lunch break, because Dr Lucas gave me all the assurance that the numbers are not going to fail after I did all he asked me to do. Dr lucas is a powerful Dr that is on a mission to eradicate poverty from people’s lives and i have confirmed that by winning $10 million with the numbers he provided for me, it is my promise to tell the world about my experience with Dr Lucas and that’s what I’m doing now, you can win the lottery fast with the help of Dr Lucas he is tested and trusted Email: Drlucasspelltemple@gmail. com or WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567 he will help you.
  • james belich
    Friday, Mar 8. 2024 09:42 PM
    Winning the lottery was part of my dreams, I tried so hard to win big but all to no avail, until I came across Dr Lucas online who made my dreams come through and made me win 10 million dollars. I was a logistics manager who lives in Lancaster, S.C. and works about an hour’s drive away, in Charlotte, N.C., I stopped at a store to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket during my lunch break, because Dr Lucas gave me all the assurance that the numbers are not going to fail after I did all he asked me to do. Dr lucas is a powerful Dr that is on a mission to eradicate poverty from people’s lives and i have confirmed that by winning $10 million with the numbers he provided for me, it is my promise to tell the world about my experience with Dr Lucas and that’s what I’m doing now, you can win the lottery fast with the help of Dr Lucas he is tested and trusted Email: Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567 he will help you.
  • lee
    Thursday, Mar 7. 2024 07:06 PM
    We are members of the Buddhist Temple in Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur and we have been issued membership by the president (DATUK YIP KUM FOOK), we are very sad because we are the foundation of this Temple

    Now we can know who is always messing with people, and he always cheats money and women, he even uses Buddhism to find money.

    Also, need to be careful with his brother-in-law (Simon Low Kok Meng) because he is a spy (CID) for DATUK YIP KUM FOOK and we will write some letters to AGONG SULTAN IBRAHIM IBN ALMARHUM SULTAN ISKANDAR as soon as possible.

    From Jesmond Yap, Kepong Baru…Kuala Lumpur
  • Phoenix the Shaman Elder
    Thursday, Mar 7. 2024 01:40 AM
    The matriarchal cultures of the grandmothers have specific symbolism of animism shamanism, such as the horse, especially the blue horse, and the deer. These are two main symbols of a shaman woman and you can find them in many cultural folk lore, especially the Russian, Slavic, Siberian, Nordic, Finland, and Norway. It’s nice to see the Matriarchal Shaman Animism diety represented in Chinese.
  • Samfoonheei
    Monday, Mar 4. 2024 06:59 PM
    An inspiring act of a selfless Lama feeding strays whether its night or day. Truly an example for us all to feed those lonely strays . Yes I do agree compassion starts with feeding strays. Reading this blog again to refresh myself to do more. Strays animals generally lead a life of poor welfare on the street. Feeding strays is a compassionate act.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Anila for this sharing.


    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/rinpoche-through-my-eyes-compassion-starts-with-feeding-strays
  • Samfoonheei
    Monday, Mar 4. 2024 06:56 PM
    nteresting revisit this blog again as truly inspiring reading over and over again . There’s so many inspiring nuns and female practitioner coming from different back ground, leading a more spiritual life. They are practitioners dedicated their life to religious observance and their path is illuminated by the light of compassion. Going against all odds to become one. Their devotion radiates like a thousand stars in the night sky. Here at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong Pahang we too have inspiring practitioners .
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/inspiring-nuns-and-female-practitioners.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Monday, Mar 4. 2024 06:55 PM
    H E Tsem Rinpoche’s Sungbum project aim to preserve the teachings and practices that have been passed from teacher to disciple in an unbroken line beginning with Lama Tsongkhapa himself . History has taught us the importance of preserving Buddha’s stainless teachings. Its important to preserve and safeguard the Buddhist tradition for future generations.
    Tsem Rinpoche is a clear and effective teacher where his stories and teachings are endlessly entertaining and inspiring. The preservation is very much needed. We are so fortunate given a chance to be involved in such a meritorious project .
    Thank you.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/the-tsem-rinpoche-sungbum-project.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Monday, Mar 4. 2024 06:55 PM
    Demons are disembodied spirits, supernatural being or spirit and unseen beings. We know they do exist and I believe they do. They have no physical form to them whatsoever. Demons do definitely exist. They are intelligent beings who are evil malicious spirits and are all dangerous entities. Valak is not to be summoned capriciously by anyone as they are dangerous beings when we invoke them having to face a heavy consequence. There are spiritual practices that we can ask for help a ritual of the wrathful Manjushri in the form of Trakze. Having a doing the practice daily without fail, consistently, as this Trakze practice has been proven to be efficacious to break the hold the Valak and other spirits. All thanks to our Guru bringing this practice to Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong Malaysia.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing for us to understand better.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/science-mysteries/valak-the-conjuring-2-demon.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Monday, Mar 4. 2024 06:53 PM
    Wow ,reading all these powerful quotes had me realised much better of giving even I have little. May H E Tsem Rinpoche’s sincere advice to reach the far shore of liberation to everyone reading this blog. The most truly generous people are those who give silently without asking any in return. There is no exercise better than reaching and lifting people up. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. Well creating and lighting for others we naturally light our own way. Helping others especially those unfortunate ones, make us feel more positive about our own circumstances.
    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing all these powerful quotes.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/the-power-of-giving-18-quotes-from-tsem-rinpoche.html
  • Aarati Bhatt
    Wednesday, Feb 28. 2024 12:47 AM
    I have tried mine and my friend’s horoscope and it results same in both of our case, and not just that I have tried this on various friends and this horoscope is showing same for maximum date of birth, I think this is a bug.

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

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I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!

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The Unknown

The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche

Photos On The Go

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According to legend, Shambhala is a place where wisdom and love reign, and there is no crime. Doesn\'t this sound like the kind of place all of us would love to live in? https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=204874
4 years ago
According to legend, Shambhala is a place where wisdom and love reign, and there is no crime. Doesn't this sound like the kind of place all of us would love to live in? https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=204874
108 candles and sang (incense) offered at our Wish-Fulfilling Grotto, invoking Dorje Shugden\'s blessings for friends, sponsors and supporters, wonderful!
4 years ago
108 candles and sang (incense) offered at our Wish-Fulfilling Grotto, invoking Dorje Shugden's blessings for friends, sponsors and supporters, wonderful!
Dharmapalas are not exclusive to Tibetan culture and their practice is widespread throughout the Buddhist world - https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=193645
4 years ago
Dharmapalas are not exclusive to Tibetan culture and their practice is widespread throughout the Buddhist world - https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=193645
One of our adorable Kechara Forest Retreat\'s doggies, Tara, happy and safe, and enjoying herself in front of Wisdom Hall which has been decorated for Chinese New Year
4 years ago
One of our adorable Kechara Forest Retreat's doggies, Tara, happy and safe, and enjoying herself in front of Wisdom Hall which has been decorated for Chinese New Year
Fragrant organic Thai basil harvested from our very own Kechara Forest Retreat farm!
4 years ago
Fragrant organic Thai basil harvested from our very own Kechara Forest Retreat farm!
On behalf of our Puja House team, Pastor Tat Ming receives food and drinks from Rinpoche. Rinpoche wanted to make sure the hardworking Puja House team are always taken care of.
4 years ago
On behalf of our Puja House team, Pastor Tat Ming receives food and drinks from Rinpoche. Rinpoche wanted to make sure the hardworking Puja House team are always taken care of.
By the time I heard about Luang Phor Thong, he was already very old, in his late 80s. When I heard about him, I immediately wanted to go and pay my respects to him. - http://bit.ly/LuangPhorThong
4 years ago
By the time I heard about Luang Phor Thong, he was already very old, in his late 80s. When I heard about him, I immediately wanted to go and pay my respects to him. - http://bit.ly/LuangPhorThong
It\'s very nice to see volunteers helping maintain holy sites in Kechara Forest Retreat, it\'s very good for them. Cleaning Buddha statues is a very powerful and effective way of purifying body karma.
4 years ago
It's very nice to see volunteers helping maintain holy sites in Kechara Forest Retreat, it's very good for them. Cleaning Buddha statues is a very powerful and effective way of purifying body karma.
Kechara Forest Retreat is preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. This is our holy Vajra Yogini stupa which is now surrounded by beautiful lanterns organised by our students.
4 years ago
Kechara Forest Retreat is preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. This is our holy Vajra Yogini stupa which is now surrounded by beautiful lanterns organised by our students.
One of the most recent harvests from our Kechara Forest Retreat land. It was grown free of chemicals and pesticides, wonderful!
4 years ago
One of the most recent harvests from our Kechara Forest Retreat land. It was grown free of chemicals and pesticides, wonderful!
Third picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
Third picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal. Height: 33ft (10m)
Second picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
Second picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal. Height: 33ft (10m)
First picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
5 years ago
First picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal. Height: 33ft (10m)
The first title published by Kechara Comics is Karuna Finds A Way. It tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Karuna and Adam who had what some would call the dream life. Everything was going great for them until one day when reality came knocking on their door. Caught in a surprise swindle, this loving family who never harmed anyone found themselves out of luck and down on their fortune. Determined to save her family, Karuna goes all out to find a solution. See what she does- https://bit.ly/2LSKuWo
5 years ago
The first title published by Kechara Comics is Karuna Finds A Way. It tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Karuna and Adam who had what some would call the dream life. Everything was going great for them until one day when reality came knocking on their door. Caught in a surprise swindle, this loving family who never harmed anyone found themselves out of luck and down on their fortune. Determined to save her family, Karuna goes all out to find a solution. See what she does- https://bit.ly/2LSKuWo
Very powerful story! Tibetan Resistance group Chushi Gangdruk reveals how Dalai Lama escaped in 1959- https://bit.ly/2S9VMGX
5 years ago
Very powerful story! Tibetan Resistance group Chushi Gangdruk reveals how Dalai Lama escaped in 1959- https://bit.ly/2S9VMGX
At Kechara Forest Retreat land we have nice fresh spinach growing free of chemicals and pesticides. Yes!
5 years ago
At Kechara Forest Retreat land we have nice fresh spinach growing free of chemicals and pesticides. Yes!
See beautiful pictures of Manjushri Guest House here- https://bit.ly/2WGo0ti
5 years ago
See beautiful pictures of Manjushri Guest House here- https://bit.ly/2WGo0ti
Beginner’s Introduction to Dorje Shugden~Very good overview https://bit.ly/2QQNfYv
5 years ago
Beginner’s Introduction to Dorje Shugden~Very good overview https://bit.ly/2QQNfYv
Fresh eggplants grown on Kechara Forest Retreat\'s land here in Malaysia
5 years ago
Fresh eggplants grown on Kechara Forest Retreat's land here in Malaysia
Most Venerable Uppalavanna – The Chief Female Disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni - She exhibited many supernatural abilities gained from meditation and proved to the world females and males are equal in spirituality- https://bit.ly/31d9Rat
5 years ago
Most Venerable Uppalavanna – The Chief Female Disciple of Buddha Shakyamuni - She exhibited many supernatural abilities gained from meditation and proved to the world females and males are equal in spirituality- https://bit.ly/31d9Rat
Thailand’s ‘Renegade’ Yet Powerful Buddhist Nuns~ https://bit.ly/2Z1C02m
5 years ago
Thailand’s ‘Renegade’ Yet Powerful Buddhist Nuns~ https://bit.ly/2Z1C02m
Mahapajapati Gotami – the first Buddhist nun ordained by Lord Buddha- https://bit.ly/2IjD8ru
5 years ago
Mahapajapati Gotami – the first Buddhist nun ordained by Lord Buddha- https://bit.ly/2IjD8ru
The Largest Buddha Shakyamuni in Russia | 俄罗斯最大的释迦牟尼佛画像- https://bit.ly/2Wpclni
5 years ago
The Largest Buddha Shakyamuni in Russia | 俄罗斯最大的释迦牟尼佛画像- https://bit.ly/2Wpclni
Sacred Vajra Yogini
5 years ago
Sacred Vajra Yogini
Dorje Shugden works & archives - a labour of commitment - https://bit.ly/30Tp2p8
5 years ago
Dorje Shugden works & archives - a labour of commitment - https://bit.ly/30Tp2p8
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha.
5 years ago
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha.
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha. She was his step-mother and aunt. Buddha\'s mother had passed away at his birth so he was raised by Gotami.
5 years ago
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha. She was his step-mother and aunt. Buddha's mother had passed away at his birth so he was raised by Gotami.
Another nun disciple of Lord Buddha\'s. She had achieved great spiritual abilities and high attainments. She would be a proper object of refuge. This image of the eminent bhikkhuni (nun) disciple of the Buddha, Uppalavanna Theri.
5 years ago
Another nun disciple of Lord Buddha's. She had achieved great spiritual abilities and high attainments. She would be a proper object of refuge. This image of the eminent bhikkhuni (nun) disciple of the Buddha, Uppalavanna Theri.
Wandering Ascetic Painting by Nirdesha Munasinghe
5 years ago
Wandering Ascetic Painting by Nirdesha Munasinghe
High Sri Lankan monks visit Kechara to bless our land, temple, Buddha and Dorje Shugden images. They were very kind-see pictures- https://bit.ly/2HQie2M
5 years ago
High Sri Lankan monks visit Kechara to bless our land, temple, Buddha and Dorje Shugden images. They were very kind-see pictures- https://bit.ly/2HQie2M
This is pretty amazing!

First Sri Lankan Buddhist temple opened in Dubai!!!
5 years ago
This is pretty amazing! First Sri Lankan Buddhist temple opened in Dubai!!!
My Dharma boy (left) and Oser girl loves to laze around on the veranda in the mornings. They enjoy all the trees, grass and relaxing under the hot sun. Sunbathing is a favorite daily activity. I care about these two doggies of mine very much and I enjoy seeing them happy. They are with me always. Tsem Rinpoche

Always be kind to animals and eat vegetarian- https://bit.ly/2Psp8h2
5 years ago
My Dharma boy (left) and Oser girl loves to laze around on the veranda in the mornings. They enjoy all the trees, grass and relaxing under the hot sun. Sunbathing is a favorite daily activity. I care about these two doggies of mine very much and I enjoy seeing them happy. They are with me always. Tsem Rinpoche Always be kind to animals and eat vegetarian- https://bit.ly/2Psp8h2
After you left me Mumu, I was alone. I have no family or kin. You were my family. I can\'t stop thinking of you and I can\'t forget you. My bond and connection with you is so strong. I wish you were by my side. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
After you left me Mumu, I was alone. I have no family or kin. You were my family. I can't stop thinking of you and I can't forget you. My bond and connection with you is so strong. I wish you were by my side. Tsem Rinpoche
This story is a life-changer. Learn about the incredible Forest Man of India | 印度“森林之子”- https://bit.ly/2Eh4vRS
5 years ago
This story is a life-changer. Learn about the incredible Forest Man of India | 印度“森林之子”- https://bit.ly/2Eh4vRS
Part 2-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
Part 2-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
Part 1-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
Part 1-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
The Mystical land of Shambhala is finally ready for everyone to feast their eyes and be blessed. A beautiful post with information, art work, history, spirituality and a beautiful book composed by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Rinpoche. ~ https://bit.ly/309MHBi
5 years ago
The Mystical land of Shambhala is finally ready for everyone to feast their eyes and be blessed. A beautiful post with information, art work, history, spirituality and a beautiful book composed by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Rinpoche. ~ https://bit.ly/309MHBi
Beautiful pictures of the huge Buddha in Longkou Nanshan- https://bit.ly/2LsBxVb
5 years ago
Beautiful pictures of the huge Buddha in Longkou Nanshan- https://bit.ly/2LsBxVb
The reason-Very interesting thought- https://bit.ly/2V7VT5r
5 years ago
The reason-Very interesting thought- https://bit.ly/2V7VT5r
NEW Bigfoot cafe in Malaysia! Food is delicious!- https://bit.ly/2VxdGau
5 years ago
NEW Bigfoot cafe in Malaysia! Food is delicious!- https://bit.ly/2VxdGau
DON\'T MISS THIS!~How brave Bonnie survived by living with a herd of deer~ https://bit.ly/2Lre2eY
5 years ago
DON'T MISS THIS!~How brave Bonnie survived by living with a herd of deer~ https://bit.ly/2Lre2eY
Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%! Very interesting, find out more- https://bit.ly/2V1sJFh
5 years ago
Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%! Very interesting, find out more- https://bit.ly/2V1sJFh
You can download this beautiful Egyptian style Dorje Shugden Free- https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
You can download this beautiful Egyptian style Dorje Shugden Free- https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
Beautiful high file for print of Lord Manjushri. May you be blessed- https://bit.ly/2V8mwZe
5 years ago
Beautiful high file for print of Lord Manjushri. May you be blessed- https://bit.ly/2V8mwZe
Mongolian (Oymiakon) Shaman in Siberia, Russia. That is his real outfit he wears. Very unique. TR
5 years ago
Mongolian (Oymiakon) Shaman in Siberia, Russia. That is his real outfit he wears. Very unique. TR
Find one of the most beautiful temples in the world in Nara, Japan. It is the 1,267 year old Todai-ji temple that houses a 15 meter Buddha Vairocana statue who is a cosmic and timeless Buddha. Emperor Shomu who sponsored this beautiful temple eventually abdicated and ordained as a Buddhist monk. Very interesting history and story. One of the places everyone should visit- https://bit.ly/2VgsHhK
5 years ago
Find one of the most beautiful temples in the world in Nara, Japan. It is the 1,267 year old Todai-ji temple that houses a 15 meter Buddha Vairocana statue who is a cosmic and timeless Buddha. Emperor Shomu who sponsored this beautiful temple eventually abdicated and ordained as a Buddhist monk. Very interesting history and story. One of the places everyone should visit- https://bit.ly/2VgsHhK
Manjusri Kumara (bodhisattva of wisdom), India, Pala dynesty, 9th century, stone, Honolulu Academy of Arts
5 years ago
Manjusri Kumara (bodhisattva of wisdom), India, Pala dynesty, 9th century, stone, Honolulu Academy of Arts
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    5 years ago
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ASK A PASTOR


Ask the Pastors

A section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors.

Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.

Scroll down and click on "View All Questions" to view archived questions.

  • March 28, 2024 05:40
    Jason asked: Continuing from the previous answer, how do we liberate ourselves from samsara if it’s impossible to not create further karma while existing in samsara? If we create karma just be existing, that means that we will keep reincarnating over and over again so it seems like we’re stuck in the cycle
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, You've asked a very interesting follow-up question. Generally speaking, yes if you are in samsara, then you are always creating more karma. That's why the goal of Buddhists is to be liberated from samsara. The Buddha and other enlightened beings achieved this and the practice of Dharma itself is geared towards achieving this. I'll try to explain it here, hopefully I can do so in such a short space. So, normally there is no way out of samsara, but when you practice the Dharma there is. Remember in my previous reply to you, I mentioned that there are differing levels of severity of karma? Some are heavier, some lighter, etc. When practising the Dharma, you reduce the amount of karma that you produce. When you have less effects of karma, due to less negative karma itself, you can focus more on the spiritual practices that lead to liberation. I'll take the examples of the Refuge vows. There are 10 of them, split into three categories related to the body, speech and mind. First is the body, which includes to abstain form killing, as killing creates negative karma. The in the speech section, it includes to abstain from lying. This is harder to do. What is easier - to abstain from killing another human being, or lying to another person. The easier one is not to kill. Hence, you train yourself in this manner, working from those actions that are easiest to avoid, working up to those that are harder. For example in the mind section, one of the vows is not to covet something that another person has. But this is harder to do than either not lying or not killing. In other words, in our spiritual practice, we reduce the karma that we create though the actions of our body, speech and mind. Since we have less karma, we suffer less. And then finally, we are get to really subtle levels of karma, which are like residue in our mindstreams. But it's still there. In order to get out of samsara, you need to realise what we call emptiness (which is way to complicated to talk about here). In other words, the very path of the Dharma is to reduce the karma we create, starting with the easiest and working up to the hardest, which is where it becomes the easiest to understand emptiness. This who journey is a process, that's why teachings such as the Lamrim are indesipensible as it shows us the actual way to practice. Normally, we are stuck in Samsara. But when we practice the Dharma and ultimately realise emptiness (there are many, many steps in between) we are able to get out of samsara completely. This may sound confusing, which is why in Buddhism study, understand and practice is very important. We have Dharma classes available, where you can learn and find out more: https://www.kechara.com/learn/dharma-classes/ I hope this helps.
  • March 27, 2024 06:10
    Jason asked: People-especially family put certain expectations on us and when we refuse, it causes them a lot of stress and anger and we make them suffer…. my family wants me to marry and have kids but I don’t want to be tied down to Samsara any further and just explaining that I want to shave my head drives my mom crazy and she starts speaking to me in a very loud and forceful manner saying that she doesn’t care what I have to say and that she knows better than me so she will do whatever it takes make me have a family even if she ends up becoming a villain in my eyes because it’s for my own good so that I won’t be alone and lonely when I’m old. When we say no to people, especially to people who care about us and want the best for us, do we accumulate negative karma from causing them emotional turmoil and pain
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, Thank you for your question. In essence, any action that causes another person harm or suffering whether physical or emotional generates negative karma. But karma is complicated and not as simple as we usually think about it. There are differences in level of severity of karma created, some can be very light and some can be heavy. These are due to the variables when creating karma, such as motivation, the actions, your feelings after it, etc. This can all be found in teachings that talk about karma, especially the Lamrim teachings. In Buddhism we teach that we need to avoid the creation of negative karma for sure. But simply by being stuck in samsara, there is actually no way out of creating karma. That is why Buddhists seek to be free from samsara altogether. Only when we are free from samsara, are we free from the creation of karma. In relation to your situation, if you are young and rely on your parents, for now you should try not to do things that are create division or disharmony within the family environment. That itself if the practice of the Dharma. Then later, when you are independent you can make more of an informed choice about what you want to do. Even in your current situation, you can practice the Dharma, it is not necessary to become a monk or nun to progress on your spiritual path. Dharma can be practiced in any environment, and actually practising towards our family is the best. When we transform our minds and our behvariours and they see just how beneficial this transformation is, this is the best way to show them that Dharma is good. This was a piece of advice that Tsem Rinpoche used to tell people in family situations all the time. I hope this helps you.
  • March 26, 2024 02:28
    Rojal Poudel asked: How can I meet my guru? Does one need a guru for initiation for tantra and other stuff on the path to enlightenment? Does one need a guru to attain enlightenment?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Thank you for your question. In regards to meeting your guru, there are many different ways. These days you can meet your guru online as well. For example, many people did not meet Tsem Rinpoche personally, but they consider him to be there guru. You may find this article interesting: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-guru-protocol-a-guide-to-knowing-who-your-guru-is.html In regards to tantra, yes, one definitely needs a qualified guru to bestow initiation and teach us the path of practice once you have initiation. In regards to our tradition, it is also considered necessary to have a guru to attain full enlightenment. Hope this helps. The article lined above will definitely help to answer some of your questions on a deeper level. Thank you.
  • March 25, 2024 10:35
    Rojal Poudel asked: How can you deepen your spiritual progress while sleeping? I heard some people can go to pure lands and get teachings directly from Buddha’s, Bodhisattva’s, and Dharma Protecters. Are these possible from Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Thank you for your questions. It's always nice to see you here wanting to learn more. Yes it is definitely possible to deepen your practice in your sleep. This is done during practice of Highest Yoga Tantra, after receiving initiation and progressed along generation stage practice. This would obviously include everything before receiving such iniation such as having a basis and grounding in the Three Principle Aspects of the Path and the Lamrim teachings. In this practice you are able to use sleep to engage in meditation. This would need you to be able to lucid dream before hand. The ability to lucid dream itself can be developed a number of ways, but the most common is single-pointed mediation concentration during waking life. This is also known as Shamatha meditation. But in this case, the object of your meditation should be a mental one, rather than a physical one. The best would be a visualisation of the Buddha. All of this is outlined in the Lamrim teachings in the section on developing concentration. In terms of Astral Travel, yes it is definitely possible, and again there are different methods to go about this. Again this should be done only after having received the appropriate intiations and teachings from your guru. However, there are quite a few dangers involved with this. As Tsem Rinpoche mentioned before, the two main ones is that your consciousness is not able to return to your body and two that a spirit can take possession of your body if your protection is not strong and you have not invoked a Dharma protector to help with protection aspects. Another thing about astral travel, is that even if learn how to do it, it is not necessary that you can actually visit pure lands or receive teachings, etc. This is because, to do this, would require a lot of merit. So there are many things and practices to develop merit before you should engage in it. Often times, people who claim that they have received teachings or visited purelands, actually haven't though they may think that they did. It could simply be a projection of one's mind and in some serious cases perhaps even due to spirits mascarading. If you would like to learn lucid dreaming, please look into the teachings of single-pointed concentration normally. The ability of lucid dreaming comes naturally for those who progress in their shamatha meditation. As for astral travel practices, I would advise not to engage in such practices unless you receive the appropriate initiations, teachings from and under the strict supervision of a qualified guru. Hope this helps.
  • March 24, 2024 01:17
    Dirji asked: How can I see my kaytsa
    pastor answered: Dear Dirji, We are sorry, but we do not understand your question. Perhaps because you asked using the english phoenetics of the word. If possible, please post again using either the English translation of the word or using the Tibetan script, so that we can help you properly. Thank you.
  • March 23, 2024 12:11
    Marc asked: What is the direct translation of Tsem Rinpoche’s name mantra? Thank you 🙏🏽
    pastor answered: Dear Marc, Thank you for your question. You can find a translation of the meaning of Tsem Rinpoche's name mantra on Kechara's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=683136630510067. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 22, 2024 20:27
    Rojal Poudel asked: I am about to leave everything behind. I am tired of this life where I do the same thing everyday. I see everything but dharma as an illusion. I want to attain some sort of realization so that I can benefit other sentient beings. I am very inspired by the story of Milarepa, who gave up everything to learn dharma. Even the Buddha gave up comfort and luxury in search for this supreme truth. I also want to follow the Please tell me what I should do.
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, We can understand that you feel this way, and seeing the illusion of life should definitely motivate us to want to achieve something more spiritual. In the past when people asked Tsem Rinpoche the same question, he used to tell people a couple of things: > The first is that there are two methods to deal with our spiritual path. The first is to physically renounce everything and go into the wilderness, like Buddha Shakyamuni and Milarepa did. To cut yourself from everyone and everything and meditate continuously for years until you achieve realisation. But this is very hard to do in our day and age. We still need to have contact with people, there are the necessities of life to think about. Rinpoche said we need to think about things from a practice angle also. It takes a very great level of practitioner with an immense store of merit to be able to do this successfully. > The second method is to keep living within our a community and use them as a support for the transformation of the mind and spiritual progress. For example, that it why we have monasteries and nunneries, or Dharma centres and organisations to help with spiritual practice. This method is more measured, but you can still gain the same results. This is the more practical method. Especially according to the Mahayana path of practice, Bodhisattvas need to practice certain qualities in our minds and we progress towards enlightenment. Such qualities include the Six Perfections, but if we are not around others, how do we practice them? In order to practice generosity, we need others to be generous towards. In order to practice patience, we need others to be patient towards. In order to practice morality and ethics, we need to be in situations to be able to practice our vows. Enlightened beings like Buddha and Milarepa were able to do all of this in their minds during meditation but as mentioned before they were already high level pracitioners with immense merit. For example, Buddha Shakyamuni had three countless aeons of consistent practice life time after life time until his achieved enlightenment. > Another thing that Rinpoche shared, that while understanding the drawbacks of life and the benefits of becoming enlightened, a lot of the time what happens these days is that it is mixed up with emotion due to the challenges of life. People are looking for an escape, but not an escape from samsara into enlightenment, but simple an escape from their current problems. The need for escape, known as renunciation in Buddhism, is not to simply escape samsara, but developed in a certain way through contemplation and meditation. When we have such feelings, we should analyse them to see if they are in accord with the teachings and the methods of developing true renunciation. Many people also have a unrealistic way of thinking about physical renunciation and the spiritual path in general. Most people think it is easy, but it is not, is difficult because we need to deal with our minds, our emotions, our traumas, etc, from countless lives. If we don't have a firm foundation in Dharma practice and transformation before we attempt something like Buddha Shakyamuni or Milarepa, we will give up after a while because we find it too hard. And perhaps give up spiritual practice because the path did not actually match our expectations. So the key is to be as realistic as possible about our spiritual path. So our advice, rather than give up everything, as you may have family or other responsibilities, is to use your current situation to transform your mind, to practice the teachings right now in life, so that you can start progressing along the spiritual life. The best way to do this is to practice the Lamrim teachings, which give you a firm roadmap of how and what to practice in a sequential manner. Giving up everything is not necessary to make real progress on the spiritual path, as outlined in the Lamrim, but sustained and consistent practice is the key. Then use the situations in your life to actualise that transformation. We hope this helps.
  • March 21, 2024 00:44
    Jason asked: I listened to Tsem Rinpoche’s dharma talk and was inspired to be patient and kind towards other. For a while I felt like my mind had transformed and I started being more proactive in helping others and making sure to complete my responsibilities as perfectly as I can to not burden others and taking the initiative to help people that I see are struggling with their work but recently I have been feeling like I’m actually harming others instead of helping them by being kind because I feel like I’m enabling their bad behavior and rude attitude, especially one person in particular that I have to work with. No matter how much I help and show kindness, they don’t seem to change…and now I feel like a pushover for smiling and helping them even though they don’t show any appreciation or respect for it and instead take advantage of me and push even more of their responsibilities on me. I’ve been having thoughts that my kindness and patience has just become a cover for fear of confrontation now. What should I do? I feel like I’m gonna lose control and lash out even though I try to focus my mind on how the people around me must be struggling
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, Thank you for your question. We are very happy to hear that Tsem Rinpoche's Dharma talks have inspired you, especially to practice patience and kindness towards others. Please do keep it up, the benefits of both qualities are immense and are central to spiritual transformation. We should always try our best to practice both patience and kindness, but sometimes practising it in the way we think may not be the best option. For example, in the case that you mentioned, it is not having the right effect on your own mind and also you are enabling your co-worker to exhibit negative behaviours as well. In this case, actually practising kindness would not be to become a pushover, taking more responsibilities, etc. This isn't beneficial for your or the co-worker. So here, practising kindness would actually be not to allow the person to do such things, but it should be practised with patience and not out of emotion. So you would do this in a very skilfful manner. The best would be to have a talk with your co-worker in a very calm manner and explain how you are feeling and how they are making you feel in the work environment, and try to sort out the situation before it progresses. Especially since you are having such thoughts of anger and the posibility of lashing out. Practicing kindness and patience is not at all become a push over or allowing others to skip out on their responsibilities, etc. We really hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 20, 2024 14:49
    Sok asked: Hello respected pastors. Is Kusha grass same as Durva grass? How to obtain kusha grass?
    pastor answered: Dear Sok, Kusha grass and Durva grass are two different types of grass, they are not the same. Kusha grass is also known as halfa grass, big cordgrass, or salt reed-grass. Its scientific name is Desmostachya Bipinnata. In shape, each blade of grass is long and straight. Durva grass is also known as bermuda grass. Its scientific name is Cynodon Dactylon. In shape, each blade looks segmented and has smaller leaves sprouting from it. You can google the scientific name to see the difference between the two. Generally, they can be bought at Indian religious stores if there are any nearby where you live. Alternatively, if you live in Asia, you can buy a traditional grass broom, which you can substitue for the Kusha grass. It is a close relative of Kusha grass and the lamas have said that it can be used as substitue if you cannot find the actual grass. I hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 19, 2024 20:56
    Bhavisha asked: How to know wheather specific LOCAL deity is enlighten or not?
    pastor answered: Dear Bhavisha, Local deities are not enlightened. They are sentient beings who look after or take care of a specific area. There are different names for these types of beings, such as local deities, Land God, Landowner deities, etc. They belong to the God Realm, but as other beings in the god realm, they are not enlightened. Hope this helps.
  • March 18, 2024 09:57
    Rojal Poudel asked: What comes after attaining samatha or calm abiding meditation?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Nice to see you back here! Shamatha is a tool, basically through this meditation you develop single pointed concentration. But after developing that, you use it to engage in Vipashyana meditation, otherwise known as Special Insight. Different traditions have different version of Special Insight. In our tradition, we use this type of meditation to analyse what we call "emptiness." The teachings on the emptiness are the actual teaching that leads to enlightenment. All other teachings or practices help to prepare your mind to be able to do this. Shamatha comes in, because the topic of emptiness is so deep, that we need single-pointed concentration to analyse it. If we don't have this type of concentration, we will not be able to understand emptiness. Hence, shamatha and vipashyana meditation are used in tandem to achieve enlightenment. This may seem a little abstract. The Lamrim teachings go into this in a lot of detail. They can be found in the chapters dealing with the Concentration and Wisdom as part of the Six Perfections in the Great Scope sections of the Lamrim. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 17, 2024 23:16
    Jonathan Tan asked: Hi Dear Pastor, I am curious if H.E 25th Tsem Rinpoche had any heart disciples (son/daughter) Is there a difference between heart and root disciples?
    pastor answered: Dear Jonathan, Thank you for your question. There is no one heart disciple of Tsem Rinpoche. This usually refers to specific person who carries on the teachings and practices of a particular teacher. Tsem Rinpoche wanted something different for Kechara, hence we carry on his teachings and practices as a group, rather than one specific person. Rinpoche trained his students, who are either Sangha, Pastors or senior students in various ways of continuing his teachings, especially through the work that they do. In this way, we continue Rinpoche's teachings as a group rather than any one heart disciple. Hope that this helps. Thank you.
  • March 16, 2024 01:18
    Sirius asked: Hi dear pastors, I'd like to get recomendations on how to improve my actual sadhana. My morning starts by taking refuge and making offerings to the three jewls, followed by Lama Tsongkhapa's Guru Yoga. After this I usually study Lam Rim, and other Dharma Texts. During the afternoon I meditate for a about an hour or so, and somedays I do the Dorje Shugden sadhana given by Rinpoche. Finally at night I finish my day by doing Vajrasattva meditation and confession to the 35 Buddhas. What else can I do to improve my sadhana? What practices would you recomend me to do? Do you have recomendations on texts I could read? I would like to add that I live in Argentina, and I do not have any buddhist temple near sadly, so I cannot go there to practice, learm or collab. I would appreciate advice on this. Thank you in advance.
    pastor answered: Dear Sirius, Thank you for your question. In terms of practice, you are doing a lot. We are very happy to read that you are doing all these beneficial practices. They will be very beneficial for you. What you are doing is very good already, the only thing that I would say is to make the Dorje Shugden sadhana consistent as well as the others. If you are doing the short Diamond Path sadhana, it includes the Vajrasatta meditations, so you don't have to do it separately. We just have some points to help you improve your practice: > First is whenever you do any of the practices, is it vital to make sure you take refuge, generate bodhicitta and practice the four immeasurables before each session. And then at the end of the session, make sure to dedicate. This seals the merit generated from your practice. This is very important as if we don't have the correct motivation at the beginning and dedicate it at the end, since the merit is not sealed, the positive potential is destroyed when we have disturbing emotions, especially anger. > The second is to be consistent in your practices and do them daily. If you cannot be consistent with the practices you are doing at the moment, then reduce what you are doing to make it simple, for example just the Diamond Path (which includes Tsongkhapa's Guru Yoga anyway). Then once you are consistent daily, later you can slow add in other practices and become consistent with them. > The third is to keep revising the teachings on these practices, understand the motivation, deepen your visualisations, etc. > In regards to your meditation, if you are doing breathing or concentration meditation, again, revise the teachings again and again to make your practice stronger and understand where you are on your meditational path. > You can also spend some time every day, maybe five or ten minutes contemplating the Lamrim teachings step by step. This itself is extremely transformational and will propel you along the spiritual path. In regards to what else to study or read, here is a very good article: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/books-that-are-a-must-read.html If you consider Tsem Rinpoche to be your spiritual teacher, there are thousands of hours of teachings on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoTg0Wc5q3Gnz8ej3ETCdMQ You can watch and re-watch them to deepen your understanding and practice. I hope all of this helps.
  • March 14, 2024 05:53
    Alby asked: Hi, I was just wondering if spirits or ghost can possess Buddha statues and haunt the owner of the statue? I heard that before inviting a statue of the Buddha into your house, it has to be blessed by monks first. Is this a necessary requirement?
    pastor answered: Dear Alby, The physical form representations of the Buddhas, including statues, are very special as each form of a Buddha represents not only the path to enlightenment, but the state of enlightenment itself. In fact, even just seeing a Buddha image plants imprints in our minds that will open when the conditions are right, to help us further along our spiritual path. So they are powerful and protective in and of themselves, as long as they have been created according to correct iconography. This last point is very important. That being said, images or statues are just pieces of metal or clay, etc. When statues are consecrated, they actually become the embodiement of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). That's why making offerings and doing any virtuous activity (even cleaning them) generates merit for your spiritual journey. As embodiments of the Three Jewels there is no way that they can be possessed by spirits that haunt the owner of the statue. Traditionally, statues are made to be hollow and then filled with certain mantras and holy items, then consecrated. Following the traditional method will be the most effective to bless your statue properly. If your statue is hollow, at Kechara we offer a service to fill your statue properly with the correct mantras, etc. The service is part of Kechara Saraswati Arts. You can find out more here: https://www.kechara.com/services/buddhist-art/ We also have DIY kits available if you cannot send your statue in and would like to do it yourself: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/mantra-rolls-complete [Please note these mantras are inserted into specific parts of the statue, you can contact Vajrasecrets through the website to get more information on how to fill the statue yourself] https://www.vajrasecrets.com/mantra-rolls-anywhere [These mantras can be inserted anywhere within the statue] If you cannot do any of these, then at the very least, you should insert something into the statue so that it is not completely hollow. This can be a piece of paper with the mantra OM AH HUM written on it (either Tibetan or English is fine). Then roll this up and place in the statue. Otherwise you can use a pearl or semi-precious stone, etc. While statues themselves have protective power, when they are left empty there is a certain type of spirit that come to reside inside a statue as it is completely hollow. It's a spirit that likes hollow places. However, this type of spirit is not usually malicious or harmful. But that is one of the reasons a statue is never left hollow. Once the filling is done, the traditional ceremonies of consecration known as Soongdrup Puja (to bless the insertion items) and the Rabney Puja (to fully consecrate the statues) are performed, which we also offer https://www.vajrasecrets.com/rabney-soongdrup-consecration-puja-fund For those who cannot have the pujas done for whatever reason, you can actually bless the statues yourself. A comprehensive guide and the prayers necessary for doing this are available here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/how-to-bless-buddha-images-yourself.html Given all of this, yes there is a type of spirit that can inhabit statues, but only if they are completely empty and not consecrated (whether by a monk, lay practitioner, yourself, it doesn't matter). But this type of spirit cannot haunt the person, etc, in that sense. It simply resides in the statue. The reason why statues are blessed or consecrated is so that they embody the Three Jewels, they become immense objects of merit making and protection from spirits, negativity, etc. So, if you do have a statue or are thinking of an inviting a statue, the best would be to have it filled and consecrated properly. However, even if you cannot, you can do the blessing yourself. There is no need to worry about a statue being haunted if not consecrated by a monk before you invite it or bring home. In fact, if you have a personal practice, at the end of your practice you can dissolve your visualisation into the statue, to bless it. This actually makes your statue much more powerful than consecration alone. You basically bless your statue through your own daily practice. I hope this information helps. Thank you.
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CHAT PICTURES

Rejoice to the volunteers (also kind sponsors) who cleaned the Gyenze Chapel and made abundant offerings to Gyenze. ~ Alice
yesterday
Rejoice to the volunteers (also kind sponsors) who cleaned the Gyenze Chapel and made abundant offerings to Gyenze. ~ Alice
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
yesterday
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
yesterday
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
Our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ 23/3/2024 . William, as the umze is seen here burning incense powder as we are about to recite the Sangsol Prayer to Dorje Shugden composed by Ganden Serkong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 days ago
Our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ 23/3/2024 . William, as the umze is seen here burning incense powder as we are about to recite the Sangsol Prayer to Dorje Shugden composed by Ganden Serkong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
2 months ago
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
3 months ago
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
3 months ago
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/\_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed.  Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
4 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
4 months ago
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
6 months ago
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
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Dorje Shugden
Click to watch my talk about Dorje Shugden....