All About Rosaries

Dec 10, 2013 | Views: 7,150


(By Tsem Rinpoche)

So anyways, some people asked some questions and I am going to talk about that. Alright. Malas. Malas or rosaries. Malas or rosaries are simply, on a conventional level, counters. They help you to count a particular amount of sacred words, which we talked about last year, mantras. The powerful effect of mantras on our psychology, on our body and on our winds and on our movement, and how incredible, powerful certain mantras can be over a period of time. They really are words of power. That I can attest to myself. And in extreme cases, where we really, really concentrate, you can actually you know…I mean I am not joking, you really can stop rain with mantras. Literally, you can just stop rain. Isn’t that a great way to pick up a girl? (blows in the air) Just think about that. Isn’t that a great way to pick up a guy? Some girls. (snaps fingers) Nah it ain’t gonna work. But my point is this, the real point. In fact, that’s how Sharon was impressed. Her partner stopped the rain, but she checked the weather forecast and, “It’s going to be like that that many hours…” She said, “Let’s go out at this time, it’s gonna stop in a minute” and then Sharon is like, “Wow! You’re a fabulous bomoh! Fabulous!” So you see it can be another method to happiness.

Anyways, malas are simply counters. They help you to keep track so you can concentrate. Malas are used to concentrate and used to help you to focus and concentrate on the mantras you are doing and the meditation, because if you have to keep count of a certain mantra, then you lose count and meditating, and lose count and meditating…in the beginning it is quite hard because our mind is very dysfunctional. It’s not able to multitask in the beginning. In the beginning. So it’s like, “Where was I? Oh oh oh meditating” then you start all over again and then you say, “Forget about this meditation thing. I’m going out and having a root beer!”

So, malas are simply counters to help you remember where you are and how many you need to do. They are actually used to help you to concentrate, contrary to what some people think, that the whole focus is having a holy mala and it’s really fabulous and it’s really wonderful and that’s the spiritual practice – no, no, no, no, no. Malas are not spiritual practices in itself; it helps you to become spiritual because it helps you to focus on what you are supposed to be doing: repetitions. And so therefore, the mala is a counter. It contains 108 beads. 100 is the usual number that we count, eight is for the mistakes we have done. Sometimes we mispronounced, unintentionally. Sometimes we skipped, sometimes we missed, so the eight is to make up for that. They have other complicated explanations but I’m gonna leave it there because for our write-up we don’t need to be so complicated.

108…and the quality of the mala is according to your means. But I would recommend you to get malas that last, that are durable, that don’t break easy, and that are easy to use. You get a lapis lazuli mala because you can afford it, it’s heavy! Someone offered me one, I was like, “Ooh! Lapis lazuli! Give that to me!” because it’s got gold on it and I’m like, “Oooh gold, oooh I love it! That’s gonna help my meditation!” Boy it’s heavy! After a while, you’re like, “OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG”, I have biceps on this side from using that mala but no biceps on this side. It’s not practical at all. And you know some Chinese Mahayana people – it’s not wrong because Tibetans do that too – have huge malas, it’s that thick, and they wrap it around and it goes down to the knee, and when they’re walking, “Namo Amituofo.” Oh my god! And then they carry these malas, it’s so huge, it’s bigger than my thumb, it’s like, “OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG!” And then you got to hold the mala and go (shakes hand in pain), then like, “OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG!” By the time, you finish you got Arnold Schwarzenegger fingers! It’s so heavy, and then the biceps of course. Which is not bad but it’s only on one side so you show this arm but not that. But I don’t see the purpose of those huge malas. It’s not bad, I mean if you like it all the power to you, huge mala people great. For me I don’t like it too big, I don’t like it too heavy. I don’t like a lot of things hanging off it because Tibetans put counters on them. Which a lot of people like, but I don’t like because I find that it gets tangled.

I like it simple and easy, but good material. I’ll tell you why now. Certain practices, certain types of mantras, if you do it combined with certain materials, it helps to facilitate the results of that mantra. For example, if you put very calming, beautiful music and you go for crystal therapy and then they put the aromatherapy stuff, it does help. Crystals do help certain parts of your body. Ancient medicine or traditional medicine is all made up of components that are all natural, elements, mercury, gold, and silver. Tibetan medicine is. So it’s all elements. So crystals do help, they help, but it is in conjunction with things. So malas do help in conjunction with certain mantras. So if you recite OM MANI PADME HUNG and Chenrezig, or Kuan Yin…you know, in Tibetan we call him Chenrezig. In Tibetan, he’s a he and in Chinese, he is a she but it doesn’t really matter, he, she, you know. I think your form is in drag, but never mind. He’s still a bodhisattva inside right? Drag or whatever, who cares? Buddha is Buddha lah. So anyways, Chenrezig, when you recite the mantra, it’s very good to have crystal malas. It’s not a necessity, it’s not a must, it’s not that you have to and if you don’t, oh god you know, Kuan Yin is not going to bless you. How ridiculous.

But crystal malas are very good for Kuan Yin. And Bodhi seed malas are very good. Bodhi seed. Because Bodhi seed is originally linked to the Bodhi tree. The Bodhi tree is what Lord Buddha sat under to meditate, to become a Buddha. So Bodhi tree reminds us – it’s not necessary because it’s not the tree that Buddha sat under you know – it’s a tree that grew 50,000 miles away so it’s a Bodhi tree, big deal, but that’s not the one that Buddha sat under. But if you use a Bodhi tree mala, it kind of reminds you of your purpose to become a Buddha, and implants imprints, with that awareness, that I will be a Buddha. That I want to be a Buddha. So Bodhi seed is very good because it’s light, it’s solid, it’s nice and it’s a reminder of where Lord Buddha attained his final release. Bodhi seeds are wonderful. And pearls are very nice, they’re precious, and I’ll explain why in a few minutes. Wood, any type of wood is alright; sandalwood is beautiful, fabulous. And these days we have synthetic materials which is okay too. They don’t break, they last a long time, they’re synthetic. Even glass and all that. They didn’t have all that in Tibet. It’s not not allowed, you know you can even have pure coral, it’s up to you, it’s really up to you. Because a mala is used as a counter but in higher practices – because you’re not gonna remain at your level, you’re gonna go to higher practices – where you recite certain mantras, as you recite more and more it energizes your mala. It really does. So what happens is when you recite a lot of mantras, it energizes your mala, and the mala becomes a very powerful object, a talisman, a protection. Why do you think a lot of Chinese people hang malas inside their car? Because it comes from that reasoning, that someone blessed and holy has done prayers on it, and the energy is there.

So malas can contain very powerful energies. And when you recite mantras and after you’re finished, you blow on your mala. It becomes a protection. Why? The energy of that certain deity that you have been contacting, Kuan Yin for example, Manjushri, OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI, OM MANI PADME HUNG, it goes right in and it stays, and it energizes it, and it’s yours. Very nice. And then in higher practices, in the sutra practices, in the lower practices, in the medium practices, whatever – then malas become an object of offering. Example, for convenience sake, it can be used as a mandala offering. So what you visualize on your mala is a string of jewels, and diamonds and pearls and rubies and sapphires and amethysts, all the beautiful things you visualize and you offer. So if you actually have a few precious items on it, it’s a wonderful offering every single day to offer to the Buddhas when you’re doing your practices.

So therefore if you have some pearl malas, it’s very, very nice because it’s nice to use, it’s unique, it’s different but it’s an offering. You think, “Well if I offered it yesterday today, I can’t offer it again.” No. Yesterday was yesterday’s reality. Today it’s yours again. It’s a different reality today. So you can have beautiful pearl malas to offer up to Lord Buddha, up to Tsongkhapa when you do your meditations. And then on the highest form of practice – this is not a necessity, this is just my own little thinking – when you have malas that are of precious material, you offer it to yourself as a deity. If you visualize yourself…in the higher practices you change your reality to the Yidam, the meditational deity. Yidam is the one that holds your mind so that refers to your personal affinity deity that you meditate on to achieve enlightenment. Because you know there is 108 deities, you can’t meditate and recite their sutra and mantras every single day, you can’t. It’s just too much. It’s physically impossible no matter how enlightened you are. And it’s not necessary. If you have one, it contains the energy of all.

So your lama or your teacher or your Guru, when you’re ready, you request, he will assign you an affinity deity. That one that fits your particular need, your particular mind, and your particular energy and your particular way to enlightenment. And therefore, when you have this Yidam, and then you receive the initiations, and then you have the visualizations of yourself as that deity, when you have these precious items, it’s an offering. I offer it to Chenrezig. I offer to Manjushri. And therefore, you can have precious items that are nice without attachment, without the result of attachment. And in that same meditation, you can have many precious things around you. Maybe you are someone in society. Maybe you are, and you have to keep up looks for business, for the sake of your family, whatever because the world operates on that convention. You may not. So in your mind you don’t operate on that convention but outwardly you do, but with good motivation…you know, “I’m gonna have a big fat car, I’m going to have a big fancy house, I ‘m going to have fancy jewelry, because I have to because I am in this station in life so I have to help maintain my family”, out of compassion you have those things. So in that way, when you have those things, it doesn’t create negative karma or attachment. Why? The intention is to benefit.

So malas can be used, they’re basically counters. And traditionally, you have a center, and then on this side is 21, and on this side it’s 21. Because in many practices, the mantra you recite up to 21. And then after 21 you have something bigger here if you prefer. Why? Because everything is designed not to interrupt your meditation. So when you go to 21 like that, you can feel it and then you stop. So everything is to facilitate your meditation. And so, if you are very lucky, if your lama or your Guru has some relationship with you and stuff, he’s offered you a mala, you should think it’s fabulous. Because most likely your lama, your Guru or whatever has put his energy in it, prayers, his Yidam so that when you touch that mala and do the practice, it helps to open up seeds in your mind, faster. Because someone who is spiritually advanced has the propensity to open us up faster and easier. Much faster. Or if we have a mala and it’s blessed by a person that we respect, and a person that is attained, or at least is a good person, and has good energy and prays, and then it empowers our mala. If it’s not then it’s ok also. Because everyday we bless it ourselves. We can bless, we don’t have to be a Rinpoche to bless, we all can bless. The Buddhas can work through all of us.

So, it can be of any material, certain practices require certain different types of mala, certain practices. And then certain practices require you to use your left hand or your right hand. And which finger. But generally for us, we just use any hand we like, any finger but for auspicious reasons, when we do the higher tantric practices which are very profound, if you do the mother tantras, then you use the left hand. If you do the mother tantras, you use the left hand. For peaceful activities, to require peaceful abilities, peaceful forms of powers and clairvoyance, you use your index finger. If you want to increase wealth, increase knowledge, increase harmony, you want to increase prosperity in that area, with those deities you will use the second finger. So you recite it like that with the particular mantra and meditation, it will increase. Because you have wind channels here. These wind channels activate certain things in your mind that help you go to that direction, that open up things in that direction. And then, in the mother tantras, if you want to do controlling activities, controlling weather, controlling spirits, exorcisms, stopping negativities, then you use the third finger. The third finger is the control aspect. It will gain you the power to control certain situations, to be of benefit of others. And then last but not least, is when all three methods fail, you have to use wrath or ferocity, wrathful methods. Some people you need to be wrathful. Their minds don’t move unless you’re wrathful.

So to gain that wrathful ability…wrathful is anger without anger. Isn’t that beautiful? Anger without anger. You get angry not because you’re angry; you get angry because it’s a method. So for wrathful meditations, and wrathful… you know, if you are in a very violent area like a cemetery, or near a cemetery, or a place where people have been killed and died, it’s very wrathful. And every time you meditate you see things, you feel things, you’re uncomfortable, or you feel jittery; it’s not necessary a sprit but you yourself feel…because the area is very energized with wrathful bad energy, then you use the last finger. This is wrath, this is controlling the situation around you and you do particular mantras.

If you do the father tantras, then you use the right hand. Left is permissible but you use more on the right. Left represents wisdom, which is mother tantras. Right represents father tantras, which is based on method. Both is necessary for enlightenment, both are two wings of a bird. It’s just which method you go towards. So if we’re doing for example, Vajrayogini practices, Heruka practices, Kalachakra practices, then we will concentrate on the left hand using the first index finger. And we will train ourselves to use that, and then we pull the mala towards us. This is how we use it: we keep it at heart level, concentrate, and we pull it towards us. And when you finish it, when you get to the end, maybe you have to do 1000, 500, 1, I don’t know – when you get to the end, you just continue, you just go over. This is nothing sacred or holy, it’s a marker. Some people turn it around, it’s not necessary. You just continue.

So those who are doing Yamantaka practices, Guhyasamaja practices, they will use the right hand. Those of us who are not initiated into the higher tantras at this time, you can use any hand that you like. But if you like to be initiated into one of the higher tantras and you know which one you like, or which one you have been told you are going to get, then you will start, for example Vajrayogini and Heruka is left hand; Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, right hand. Kalachakra, left hand. Mother tantra. And that’s not a big deal but you see it’s another way to help you to gain attainments faster. If you use the wrong hands, “Uh oh, no effect.” No lah. Got effect. There are plenty of villagers out there who, you know, they don’t even have fingers, they just recite the mantras. They don’t have hands, accidents, whatever, they still gain attainments. So these are just to help you. Don’t get caught up on this. And if you make it very beautiful, if you make it very attractive, it is nice too, because some people are at that level where they like nice things, so if you give them nice things they will do nice mantras. If you give them ugly things, they won’t do the mantra. I mean, there are all types of people.

So if you know some guy who is filthy, wealthy rich and he has everything around him in gold, including his toilet bowl, everything is gold, you give him a crappy little wooden mala that smells, that’s misshapen, “Here! Be a Buddhist, pray!” and he’s like “Ugh, thank you very much!” Yeah, but if you give this guy a pearl, “Ooh! I wanna recite mantras every day!” You know, at that level. As they do more and more, their minds change and after a while it doesn’t matter to them. But it attracts them at their level.

(JP asks a question)

Oh you lost the accent. Go ahead.

(answer) The significance is precious stones are acquired by you having wealth. The wealth is a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. And with blood, sweat and tears, if you have money, you can spend them on many things, but if you spend them on something to offer to a Buddha who is enlightened being, you create the causes for you to gain great wealth again.

(JP asks a question)

(answer) No, because if your motivation is to get rich as an end to itself, it’s feeding desire. Because you are already feeding desire as you are now doing that, every day. Every single day whatever you do is to get wealth. You are feeding desire every single day. But it’s better to feed your desire through an enlightened being which eventually will extinguish that. Because if you’re a really ugly nasty person, if you hang around a nice person, eventually you start to transform and change.

So like that if you’re gonna feed your desire by offering pearls and precious items on a Buddha image, what happens is this, is that every single day that Buddha image contains the item, you collect the merits every single day. And when you collect that merit, it transforms your mind. It helps you to switch your mind over to something good even initially if it is negative. And at the same time when you offer something precious, choose an enlightened being. That enlightened being has no desire for it, he has no need, and on top of that he has all that he wants. But when you offer it up to an enlightened being whose mind is free from attachments, then you create the causes for you to reach that state, because you are making an affinity with that being. And the affinity you’re making is not a cheap little glass of yogurt, it’s something really that your greedy mind would have normally have not done, but you pull yourself away from your greed to offer it to something that you feel you don’t get immediate benefit. So on many levels, it has a lot of effect. Okay? And hence in Buddhist places, they encourage that. Like in Thailand, gold on the Buddhas. Oh yes. It is meant as a counter to attachment, a counter. Okay?

So when you have beautiful malas, when you have beautiful malas, nice malas, for some people it is encouraging. For some people they use it as a practice in their daily practice. It’s an offering. But it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t really, really matter what kind of mala you have. It’s basically a counter, and it’s pleasant, it’s nice, you pick the size that you like. You pick the size that you find pleasant, and you can change it. And it’s a wonderful gift to people because it’s very meaningful. It’s very beautiful. It symbolizes practice. Kuan Yin in the Tibetan tradition, four arms, in this arm holds a mala. In this arm holds a lotus, and these two arms here holds a wish-fulfilling jewel. So this arm here holding a lotus, it’s a reminder to us that by practice, Kuan Yin became enlightened. By listening to her master, Shakyamuni Buddha, she became enlightened. And she became enlightened not by listening but by applying what she heard into practice, into assimilation with her mind. So this mala that she is holding represents assimilation. So when you have a mala and you keep a mala and it’s kept well, it is also awareness of your spiritual practice, that you need to practice. When you see a mala, what do you think? You’re not gonna wrap it around yourself and go on a podium…I mean you can but that’s not what you usually associate it with. And higher beings who are very practiced in mantra, who are very practiced in meditation, their malas are very powerful. Because their energy, their motivation, and everything you want to achieve, is contained in their prayers and then it’s blessed. And some higher beings can manifest as different meditational deities. So during their meditations, they manifest as different meditational deities, it is not them holding, it is the meditational deity holding the mala and blessing it. So if those kind of beings, if they give you one of their malas it’s very blessed. Why is it blessed? It is blessed because it contains the energy of that deity which, when you touch and you use daily, it will open up that energy in you. And, if they cut their mala and they offer it, and you can get one, and you can wear it, very protective. Very, very protective.

So on a different level, malas can be used as a protection. And in some cases of high lamas, their malas are so energized, they know it, they actually use the mala to bless people. For example, in the Vajrayogini tantras and in the Heruka tantras, the mantra is very, very potent for dispelling negative spirits. Very potent for exorcising or chasing away negativities. Vajrayogini. So in Vajrayogini’s tantra, it is encouraged to have a nice mala, it’s encouraged to have a strong one and to keep one, and to blow the mantra after you are done, and then with that you can bless many people. People who are touched by this mala in the Vajrayogini tantra, actually receive an imprint of her holy blessings. What’s her holy blessings? That in future they can practice. So with Vajrayogini’s tantra, for people to even see the mala of the practitioner, and to be placed on top of the head and to be blessed, very powerful. Very, very powerful.

So the mala is a counter. It’s an ornament for the Buddhas. It’s an offering to the Buddhas. It is a reminder of spiritual practice. It is a counter to help us focus our awareness and meditation because we are at a rough, gross level. And, it can help us to attain different types of powers by activating the winds and energies in the different parts of our fingers, in the different parts of our body.

(someone asks a question)

(answer) All. All. No problem. No problem. You know, some lamas, they have to practice 100-200 deities, they can’t have 200 malas, that’s gonna be pretty heavy. Imagine going through immigration, they’re gonna say you’re a businessman selling malas. Taxed! One mala for all. Even better.

(JP asks a question)

(answer) No difference. Your preference and your hand size. If you’re 6’2”…oh! That one. Probably 21. Those are for short pratices, just to wear, anywhere you can use it. I mean sometimes it’s not practical to have a big, long one. So when you wear a little short one like what you have, you can take it off and you use it any time. Ya. And then let’s be a little bitchy. If you’re 6’2” and gorgeous and fabulous, then you have a long, big mala. If you’re not, you have a short one. Well, if you’re not and you have a long one, it’s gonna be like…you’re gonna have to be like (holds mala high in the air), “OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG”. Well? And if you’re 6’2” and gorgeous, and fabulous and beautiful and Tibetan, then you have a long one, it’s very elegant. Because if it’s a little short, you’ll be like (imitates holding a small mala)…get it? Good? Any more intelligent questions that might embarrass you? He loves it.

Yes Paris.

(Paris asks a question)

(answer) Because as I mentioned earlier, a lot of practices require you just to recite 21. And that’s the duration of the meditation that is necessary for that particular practice. Just 21. It can be 21, it can be 28, it depends on different practices. And sometimes it can depend on your wrist, because if you are 6’2” and gorgeous and fabulous, and have thick, wonderful wrists, 21 is going to be a little too tight so maybe you put 23.

I mean don’t get caught up in the numbers. That’s what is specified, but that doesn’t have to be. You have to be practical. So if you’re not 6’2” and gorgeous, maybe 21 is gonna be a little loose, you keep losing it you know. And if you go to the Indian toilet and you wipe yourself the Indian way, which is what we do in India, then your mala goes down the Indian toilet, because it’s a little too loose. So you do what is practical.

(JP asks a question)

(answer) Oh, you can get it from right here. That’s what we are doing right now. This whole thing is for write-ups. See, these are our writers. I’ve got four writers here. This is a writer. Yeah. Oh no no, you can get it anywhere else. In fact you should check several sources so you can get this information, you can check the Net. You can check the Net. You just put, you know, “the significance rosaries, Buddhist rosaries, how they’re used”, just check the Net. No problem.

(someone asks a question)

(answer) It’s not necessary. The purpose of bone malas is this: that has an energy to help us remember our mortality. That has an energy to help us visualize and feel death. And feeling death and mortality is not a depressing state. It is a happy state because it compels us to do things that bring happiness. If we know we are going to die tomorrow, there’s a lot of things we wouldn’t do today that will be harmful to others. And some of the tantric deities they use wrathful means. They use wrathful means in order to subdue others. So malas that are bone represent death and when you use these malas, it reminds you of the energy that you are tapping into to subdue others in violent places, but it’s not necessary. It’s not necessary and I don’t recommend it.

Yes.

(someone asks a question)

(answer) Katvanga. Number one, Lama Tsongkhapa’s head doesn’t tilt to the side in the normal form. He has five main emanations. One, this is Lama Tsongkhapa. Two, three, four and the last one there in the form of a mahasiddha, that’s all Lama Tsongkhapa. He has five main forms. Alright? Five main, not restricted. Each of the forms are different and they manifest differently for different purposes and needs. A deity who has the head tilted in lower tantras, the deity whose head is tilted in the lower tantras, denotes compassion, maternal love, care and extreme compassion. So what you’re doing is, it’s reminding you of the goal, and to remind you that when we reach the goal we still have to be very compassionate and kind. So a deity that is slightly tilted like that, like Tara, slightly tilted, it represents the state they have achieved, which is great compassion, which Is equivalent to maternal love, much much more. That’s one.

On Guru Rinpoche, in Guru Rinpoche’s holy case, when his head is tilted, it represents tantric achievements where he uses his tantric elements and tantric achievements to subdue. Because Guru Rinpoche was very well-known in Tibet when he first came to subdue many, many unnatural, supernatural, unhappy and very negative forces. So when he was doing that, he wasn’t just sitting like that, he had to move this way and that way; he had different rituals and different ways to do it, and different mudras and different actions and different body movements. So him doing that represents activity from compassion. In Lama Tsongkhapa’s case he is usually pictured as straight, straight meaning mental stabilization. Straight meaning by great meditation because when we meditate we won’t do like that. Sitting straight and meditating represents he’s achieved full enlightenment through practice. But it’s different for the five emanations, for example this one. This one here, he appeared on an elephant…this one and that is is the same but when he appeared on an elephant to one of his disciples, Khedrup Rinpoche, why? He was showing great compassion, great love for a student. Because Lama Tsongkhapa is a Buddha. He appears in visions to people, he’s very sensitive. There are many Lama Tsongkhapa statues in Tibet that manifest pills, or speak, or…either very heavy to move or very light, it has unusual ways of manifesting its power.

Lama Tsongkhapa is a very easy deity to practice, very easy to tap into, very easy to hold on to, very easy to achieve, because of his nature and who he is and the combination of deities. And his mantra and the meditations are not difficult but they are very, very effective. So Lama Tsongkhapa in this form…we call these forms the Je Zikpa Nga, the five visions of Je Rinpoche, Je Tsongkhapa. In this form, when he appeared on an elephant, the elephant represents overcoming ignorance, stubbornness, narrow mindedness, and Lama Tsongkhapa’s overcome that. On a pristine white elephant. Because the elephant is not an actual animal, it is an emanation of his mind to show you his quality. And riding on a white, pristine clear elephant represents his luminous nature that he has achieved Buddhahood. And him being tilted shows you great love and compassion. “I care for you. I am appearing to you out of love. You invoked me. I appear to you out of great love, great compassion.” And in this form, his feet are down instead of the usual meditational pose telling you that although he is fully achieved, he is not stiff and hard. He is able to come to you immediately to help. So this form is very, very significant, with the head tilted. In the case of tantric deities, the head being tilted represents the type of tantras they are geared towards. Vajrayogini’s is tilted towards the left. Heruka’s tilted to the left. Kalachakra, to the left. Yamantaka, to the right. Left denotes mother tantra, focusing on clear light. Right is more on father tantra, illusory body. So in tantric deities when they tilt left and right, it symbolizes the method that they use, that you will utilize to achieve enlightenment. Both is equal, its just dependent on what you need.

So tilting of the head in iconography is very powerful symbology. Very, very powerful. And if you know what it represents, when you look at the deity you immediately know the path, you know what they are doing, what’s happening, what you’re gonna engage in, you understand very clearly. So iconography is not simply beautiful art; it is very powerful symbology towards an awakened state of mind, which reminds you and when you see it, when you see an enlightened being, a statue or a thangka or whatever, it plants imprints in your mind. It is a direct channel to them. Okay?

Now where was I. Malas. So they are counters, they can be made of precious items so that you can make offerings, and they can be of any size. They can be of any materials, and they can be used for whatever you like, and they can be switched any time. So if you want to switch malas, don’t go, “Oh god, how do I transfer the energy?” No, don’t worry about it because the energy is not really the mala, it’s you. If you’re attained, whatever you touch becomes enlightened. You can touch one toilet paper and put it on people and bless them with it, if you are really that state. Why? Because this is just all a substance, it’s earth, air, water and fire. And the blessings is carried over to someone, because they are not able to achieve direct blessing with you. So what happens is, it’s blessed. Example, we have clothes and we have relics from Lama Tsongkhapa or Buddha. Those are very blessed because it was them. You know their energies pervaded their whole body and what they wore. So it can be transferred on a tissue, it can be transferred on a toilet paper, it can be transferred on a mala. So don’t think, “Oh if I switch malas how? I need to go see a Tibetan Lama, fly to Tibet and see His Holiness blublublablabla” and then you can’t acclimatize so for three days there, you’re throwing up and you’re dizzy, just to transfer the energy of this mala to this mala and then you find out from Tsem Rnpoche that you don’t have to. And you don’t have to fly to Shangri-la, Tibet, you can just fly to PJ. Isn’t that fabulous? Just in PJ. Wonderful.

In the past people who went for teachings, they walked…Trijang Rinpoche, when he went for the Lamrim teachings, he walked for three months from his part of Tibet, on horseback and walked, the highest lama of Tibet, to central Tibet to receive teachings from his Guru. These days, when we have to drive from another part of town and there is traffic, oh god I tell you. If there was a picture of our Guru we’d be punching him. Very easy these days.

So malas on a higher level can be protection. Why? It is imbued with that practice, it is imbued with the power of that mantra. Remember what I mentioned last week without going all into it again? Mantras contain the essence of that Buddha, in the form of words. So when you chant that mantra, you are tapping into the energy of that Buddha, you are tapping into its potential. And you’re tapping into yourself connecting with that energy and becoming one with it. So words of power as I explained last week…who missed it, you can get the CD, it’s available. Pastor Loh Seng Piow has it produced. It’s very, very powerful. It should be kept clean, it should be kept well. It should be kept in a good place. Why? Because it can become dirty? No. Respecting and keeping it in a nice place is symbolic of your spiritual practice and how you treat it. And it’s great gifts. Malas. Alright? Any questions?

(someone asks a question)

(answer) Well, if the Dalai Lama says, “I want to hold your mala”, I’d give it to him. “Pleaseeee!! In fact rub it all over you!” You know, if it’s a hantu, no, no thank you because if you’re weak in energy and they touch it, if a holy being can put good energy on it, an evil being can put negative energy on it, and it can affect you if you’re weak. If you are highly practiced, you can give it to all the hantus (Malay: ghosts) and they can touch it and bring it back and when you touch it, you bless them. But if you’re like me, a clown, then hantus…evil people, when you touch it, you go, “Ughh no. “ You know, you turn into the wolf man. Because touch can affect. You know because sometimes we touch it, we feel, “Ooooh nice”; sometimes when we think (sniff), “Ooooh got smell too!” Touch does affect you. So if you’re on this kind of level like me, then I mean your friends, your parents, all that can touch it, and they can use it. It’s not a big deal. And then if worse comes to worst scenario, if somebody evil touches it, you think it’s evil you know, because you are obscured, then you take it back. You recite the mantra of your deity 21 times and you blow on it. “OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG, OM MANI PADME HUNG,” it’s okay already. You can be your own Guru. Yah. And if you don’t believe in you, you can bring an ang pau (traditional Chinese gift of money in a red packet) and come see me lah. But not the teeny little thin ang paus from OCBC. I’m talking about the big ones with dragons and it can fit a lot of things in there so when I get it I can feel how much. Don’t you hate it when you get one of those big ang paus, you open up it’s 5 dollars. Thank you very much! And some of these small ones, I’m not even gonna look at it and then a week later, you go, “Ohhhh! It’s 200 ringgit! I should have opened it last week because I needed money for petrol!” No, I’m just kidding.

(JP asks a question)

(answer) You attract spirits by reciting mantras? No, no, no. I’m not questioning you. I want to understand your question. When you recite mantras you attract spirits? And what do you think about that? Is that good or bad? Good or bad? Okay, so your question? But if they’re just there and it’s not good or bad, who cares? Why is it annoying? Then it’s bad. So it’s good or bad? Okay. If it’s bad, then you recite your mantras really loud, and you tell them to buzz off. And if you’re attained, they will buzz off; if you’re not, they’re gonna bug you more. So what you do is when you recite mantras, you generate loving compassion, and you realize they become spirits due to the force of their miserliness, stinginess, and their attachment to wealth and money and prestige, and because of that great attachment that they’ve habituated their whole life, when they die these people become spirits. Very attached. So therefore, these type of people become spirits and they’re still attached to that. So when you fight them back or when you hurt them back, they become even more vicious, if you’re not realized.

In the case of spirits for ordinary clowns like all of us, we do is, when they come to us, we immediately think about our Yidams. If our Yidam is Lama Tsongkhapa, we focus and meditate on Lama Tsongkhapa, and relax, and develop compassion towards them. Because usually, in people who are very angry, if you say, “I’m sorry”, they calm down. So in the case with spirits, the best practice for ordinary beings like us is not to generate anger or to repel them. What you do is immediately, you generate compassion. Compassion based on what? They are a spirit, and you are not. They harm, you don’t. They can’t eat or drink or have company or have love. You can. And their result resembles the cause. So if they are spirits always wanting things and they can’t get it, it must be their previous lives is extremely miserly, and they were very selfish and they were attached to their possessions. And so therefore they become spirits. They linger around places that they are attached to. It could be people, it could be a person, it could be a thing, it could be possessions. It could be revenge.

So with these kinds of beings, what you do, the best thing you do is this: you immediately develop compassion instead of being afraid of them. Instead of being afraid, because maybe they’re not there to harm. Maybe they are there before you. Maybe because that is where they have died. Maybe they were there for 300 years and you’re the invader, not them. So what you do is, the best method immediately, is to take refuge. Take refuge means surrender to an enlightened being and relax, come under their protection. And then, with great compassion you think about their level, and you generate compassion towards them. And you know what’s happening? Contrary to what we’re used to – “see hantu, see bomoh, see Tibetan lama, Mi-Tsung lama” – contrary to your normal belief, bless them. They are suffering. They are suffering. No spirit is having a good time. No spirit. Nobody in a war is having a good time. Nobody in a war. No spirit is having a good time. A spirit is a negative reincarnation. They have different levels and different types of sufferings and different lifespans just like us, but nevertheless, they are still suffering.

So when you see a spirit, instead of going back to your habitual thinking, “Uh oh, spirit, I’m gonna get it, I’m gonna run”, whatever, “they’re following me”, what you should do is to generate compassion and love for them, and bless them. Bless them with what? “OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG! GO AWAY! OM MANI PADME HUNG! I BLESS YOU!” No, no, no, this isn’t…you don’t do that. You’re not in a movie with Linda Blair. This is not The Exorcist. And your Father O’…O’…whatever the Irish name is, I can’t remember…and you know you’re holding your Lamrim book and you say, “By the power vested in me by the Three Jewels, OM MANI PADME HUNG! OM MANI PADME HUNG!” No, no, no. You don’t do that. Why don’t you do that? Because you’re gonna frustrate them, they’re going to get angry. Blessing comes not just by the mantras. Blessings come from your state of mind which they can perceive as they have clairvoyance. Blessing comes from your state of mind and your attitude towards them. And they will feel it. So even if you don’t have mantras, if you just generate loving compassion, metta, most cases they go away. Or most cases they don’t disturb you anymore. In most cases…turn it around. Bless them. Why do you only bless humans that you can see? Why don’t you bless non-humans who are suffering also? Even animals. Mantras are very powerful for animals. When I go running in Bandar Utama, around here you know, when I go jogging and stuff, I always see dogs. I always recite mantras at them, even when they’re barking ferociously at me. I just bark back louder, “OM MANI PADME HUNG.”

Why? Planting mantras in their minds blesses them, it helps them. Very, very much. Any type of mantras. So therefore, when we recite mantras and you attract spirits, I don’t know what mantra you’re reciting…“Om all the hantus come to me hum phet”, it must be that mantra! But what happens is when you recite the mantras, you bless them. And there are higher forms of tantra, higher forms of tantra where – he is correct – that when you do certain practices, it is specifically to attract spirits but it is assumed that you have achieved a level were you can benefit them. Directly benefit them. Subdue them, transform them and help them to not stay in their state long. There are beings like that, definitely. There is a certain tantra called Chöd. Chöd practice is very powerful and when you do that, the minute you do that, spirits will come. You’ll hear things move. If you’re accomplished, you’ll hear things move, you’ll hear, you know, strange sounds, the energy changes, because there are a lot of sprits around. And seasoned practitioners like His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, my Guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, when he did Chöd, you will hear noises at the back all the time. It was really weird. And the spirits will come and he will make offerings to them. Why? To make them happy, to give them something that no one gives them.

Because usually when spirits see us, we run, they don’t like us, or they can’t see us; they don’t get love, they don’t get affection, they don’t get anything. All they get is fear, hatred, and people using bomohs and magic to dispel them. It makes them more angry. Think from their perspective. They were you. You can be them. They have a lifespan just like you. So you have to understand the nature of the spirits. But there are certain spirits that are inherently very violent and very evil. They have been like that for hundreds of years. There are a lot of things. In those cases, you have to use more fierce means to subdue them. Why? Out of compassion, of not letting them do more negative karma to harm others, collect more negative karma, to stay in their state longer, or to take rebirth again as a spirit. So there are forceful mantras. Powerful mantras used to what? To chase them, to harm them? No, to subdue their mind in a more powerful way because they are very fierce.

The whole purpose of Buddhistic practice is to help another being. The whole practice. There is no practice that chases or scares or damages another being, human or non-human. The whole basis of Buddhistic practice is to benefit, even spirits. And if we can reach that level even spirits, we overcome our…we can be afraid, but we can still be compassionate. We can still be kind, because we can develop that kind of mind. So therefore, when the spirits come, when the spirits are there, instead of being afraid, take that as an opportunity to generate compassion. Maybe you’ll be the difference in their lives, that they stop doing harm to others. So in that way it’s very beneficial.

Change your perspective, change your motiv…look, we’ve been here for two hours, listen to all the knowledge you’ve got. Even how you view certain things that culturally you’ve been afraid of, spirits, you can change your thoughts by wisdom. By Buddha’s wisdom. This is what I mean about Dharma. You learn a lot. So instead of consistently being in fear out of ignorance, like a rope coiled in the corner of the room and it’s dark and you think there’s a snake, and everything you fear about is a snake, and you walk around the room, you run to the other side, maybe you call the fire department or you call everybody; the way you react to it, it’s a real snake because that is what you perceive. When you turn on the lights, you feel ridiculous. And if your friends are there, they are probably laughing at you.

Similarly, we have a perception about spirits and it’s only one-sided: they’re harmful, they’re bad, they’re evil and I want them out of my life. No. We shouldn’t think like that. Harmful things that come into our life are not necessarily harmful. They can transform us. They can be a cause for us to generate a stronger and better mind. And we can do that with spirits. I mean, you don’t run around…at our level, you don’t run around and say, “Come! I’m going to transform and bless you.” You’re going to have a ménage a trois of spirits, you know. The whole circus shows up and that’s it. Some of them are pretty scary. And if you’re not at the level to help them, don’t invite it. If they’re around and you have no choice, then bless them. Trust me, I don’t run around calling spirits. Yes.

(someone asks a question)

(answer) Exactly. That is why I said look at the situation. Generate loving compassion. Generate loving compassion and if they continue, then you stop them. You stop them either by your meditations, by your mantras, soliciting your Dharma protector. Or, if you are not capable, you ask your lama to exorcise. But you have to check the situation. It’s the same. Good or bad, you generate loving compassion. Good or bad. Why? A being who has reached that level cannot be harmed. Cannot be. So if someone sends a bomoh to you, there are many ways to protect yourself. That’s what I am going to go through, there’s several things like chakras and stuff that we can talk about if we have time today. I am going to talk about it. And you’re gonna learn a lot. You’re gonna learn quite a lot.

And so, what happens is, chakras, roos, protections, what they’re for, what deity, how you activate their energy, where you should wear them, where you should keep them – because you don’t have to wear them on your neck – and how to use them. I’m going to talk about chakras because I imported a lot from India and Nepal to disseminate here to help people. Because you know what? When I first arrived in Malaysia, I wasn’t really into the spirit scene. But I have seen too much in this country that it is real. Why? The arts of spirit practice and bomoh and all that stuff and magic and harm, is still alive because people still practice it. It was in the west, but they stopped doing it, so it kind off died off, their tradition but that doesn’t mean the spirits died off. Here, there is a real, real danger of bomohs. There is a real danger of magic harm. There is real…I mean there are some people who are just trying to get attention, and there are some people who are hallucinating, but you have to differentiate because there are signs to observe whether they are hallucinating, and if it’s real or not. And there are very genuine cases here and they’re not trying to get attention and they are not crazy. There are.

So there are certain mantras we can do, certain deities we can propitiate. Protective circles we can visualize, when we are alone. And chakras and mandalas, and different forms of protection we can wear. And I am going to talk about them tonight. Because we have that in our outlets. And the ones we have in our outlets are not commercial. They are made and blessed by my root Gurus, whose intention is to benefit others. Because my root Gurus, they have many sponsors, they don’t need to make money from that. But the money from the sales is to cover the expenses. The paper, the mantras, the blessings, the ceremonies and all that. It is not for profit at all. My Gurus don’t do that, I know them very well. In any case, so we have those things, and I am going to talk about it. It’s going to be very exciting because UFOs, Loch Ness monsters, spirits, chakras, magic, mantras, it’s all exciting, isn’t it? We all love that. We’re don’t want to hear about philosophy that changes our mind. We wanna learn how to be a super bomoh. How to be a super bomoh and how to be powerful, and walk around with a lot of pride and ego and (waves hand), “Try to harm me!” And then we recite a magic mantra, like one of those Thai movies and “Muhhhhmoh” and the spirits disappear. But they do have power, the chakras. And I will explain where the power comes from, on what basis, and why because you need to know. You need to know. It will be very beneficial. But, any questions on malas so I can finish off on that and go to the next subject? Any questions on malas? No right? Okay. Good.

(someone asks a question)

(answer) Well, if you’re very ill, and you have your home remedies, that’s wonderful. But if you’re very ill, it’s very good to go to a skilled physician who has practiced, who has studied, who has many years of being in their art of finding out, dictating to you what’s wrong with you. So similarly, if you go to a lama and his whole life has been dedicated towards that, wouldn’t it be more efficacious than yourself just picking? So that’s an analogy to use. At the same time, having said that, you can still pick out whoever you like and practice, because any Buddha you pick is very effective. Any Buddha. But sometimes, we need something that counters something within us that we are not aware of, so we need a particular mantra, a particular form, a particular meditation to counter that faster. Similarly, it is likened to multi-vitamins. You can take a multi-vitamin. All Buddhas are like multi-vitamins but sometimes we need an extra dose of just C if we have a flu. So let’s say that, you know, we can pray to any Buddha but we’re a little slow to learn, then Tsongkhapa will be fabulous. He will increase our memory, and there are reasons on how he increases our memory. It isn’t just chanting and it blesses and it opens. There are reasons. He opens your memory, he opens your mind, he opens your thought, and he makes your mind wider, encompassing and more accepting. And in that way it creates a lot of peace in your mind. Gives you wisdom.

So if you know all that information to pick, it is wonderful because if you pick and you do, it’s never wrong. But maybe a year, two years later, you feel, “Oh I think this one’s…I didn’t know all this information, this is more appropriate.” So what do you do, you switch allegiance? “See you later Manjushri, hello Vajrayogini”, and then you still don’t meet a Guru, and then you find out, “Oh, Chakrasamvara is more exciting, it’s very appropriate for me. Bye Vajrayogini, hello.” You know, you look like a hitchhiker. A Buddha hitchhiker. You get one ride, bye bye, get another ride, bye bye, get another…you don’t get anywhere. So it’s okay, you don’t get any disbenefit. None, none at all. Any Buddha will be fabulous when you pray. You still collect merits. You still are able to generate a good mind. You still are able to make an affinity. No problem at all. None. So don’t ever have a hang up about that. We can go to any Dharma store and buy a statue and bring it home and we can make prostrations, prayers; it’s very holy and very wonderful. No problem. And generally good for everyone. No problem. It’s a multi-vitamin. Okay? But if we’re gonna be very serious and systematic in our practice to gain results, then it’s very good to refine it. Very good. So what’s the best thing? Like finding a disease, it would be very good to go to someone who can define and refine for you. And so you practice like that so you can reach that point and you can do it. Logical isn’t it? Yeah. Okay.

Tsem Rinpoche

( I gave  a talk on rosaries/malas…and Jean Ai accurately transcribed it here. I thank her for the work. I feel this talk should help alot of people with questions related to the subject matter and more…. Tsem Rinpoche)

 

 

 

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41 Responses to All About Rosaries

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  1. samfoonheei on Dec 14, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    Malas or prayer beads or rosaries are beads originating from Buddhism that are used in meditation or prayer. Malas comes in various material such crystals, stones and metals combine to create gorgeous strings of 108 beads in Hinduism, Buddhism and yogic tradition. Malas or rosaries are simply amazing act as counters helping us or practitioners to count a particular amount of sacred words. When we concentrate on recitation of mantras its incredible beneficial for our brain. As reported mantra have known for thousands of years, having the power to sooth anxiety and create joyous feelings. It’s believed that the sound vibrations produced during mantra chanting stimulate and balance the energy centres of our body. When we recite mantras our mind releases the positive energy that decreases the negative thoughts or stress. Its is an ancient practice that calms our mind and soul. Scientific studies have found that reciting of mantras can decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms in the human body. All I can say malas are very useful in pacifying the inimical planetary influences in one’s life.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing. Good to know all about malas beads.

  2. Samfoonheei on Aug 7, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    Mala Beads have been used in Buddhist , other religions as well in prayer ceremonies and meditation for centuries. These are typically used as a tool helping us to focus and calm our mind. Traditional mala necklaces have 108 beads, which reflects a sacred number in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Malas are made of precious or semi-precious stones, wood, Bodhi seed, and so forth. They are present everywhere in Tibetan Buddhist communities all over the world. In Tibet or anywhere in pilgrimage places overall the world one could see Buddhist practitioners wrapped around wrists or dangling from fingers, accompanying the humming recitations of mantras. Interesting read with the details explanation all about it. to understand better.
    Thank you Rinpoche for wonderful sharing

  3. Julia Tan on Feb 21, 2020 at 8:23 am

    I have an amber mala with beads given by my Guru many years ago. Ever since then I wear the mala over my hand and pray everyday. I feel that the mala protects me as it contains some beads blessed by my Guru.

    When i go to places like Nepal and Shangrila in Yunnan, it’s very common to see people chanting all the time with their mala in their hands. They fill their day with mantras to collect merits. I think its amazing.

    If you are looking for a mala, you can find wide range of malas from Kechara outlet called Kechara Paradise, online from vajrasecrets.com or if you want to custom make your own mala you can also visit our Kechara Saraswati Art department in Kechara Forest Retreat Bentong.

    Get your mala blessed by the pastors or charge it with powerful mantra yourself by chanting 1000 times with whatever mantra you like before use. That will be wonderful.

  4. June Kang on Feb 19, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    念珠可让我们念诵咒语达到專注的效果,当更重要的是你要对你所念诵咒语有信心,信心会产生力量,那所念诵的经文咒语才有效果。

  5. Andrea Lai on Feb 19, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    This is an interesting article. I like crystals and I believe crystals contain certain energies which can change the aura of the environment and as well as humans. Using crystals as for mala is really beneficial, not only chanting mantras, combination of the energies from the crystals and mantras together will heal our body and mind.

  6. Pastor Henry Ooi on Feb 19, 2020 at 8:33 am

    It was a refresher to discuss this article with the regulars during our weekly blog discussions last night in Kechara Soup Kitchen office. Back in those days, together with some staff of Kechara, we used to buy ready-strung malas from a Tibetan couple in Kathmandu, Nepal. They had a variety of mala made out of different materials, even stainless steel ones that I do not see nowadays.

  7. Tek Lee on Feb 19, 2020 at 1:27 am

    I always love watching Rinpoche’s video, as there are always more than one teaching in the videos. What caught me the most in this video is, we have to have compassion for every beings, to animals even to the spirits. Yes, they were once human, and one day, we’ll become a spirit too. Just like every beings in the world, they also need love and don’t like to be mistreated. Not that we purposely go and find a spirit and give them love, but when we encounter one, we should bless them with our mantra in a compassion way, instead of chasing them away in a mean way.

  8. pammie yap on Feb 19, 2020 at 1:14 am

    I love malas before I knew what it’s for. I love the bright colors and various sizes. It was attractive and it can also be used as wrist jewelry. When I joined kechara, my first mala was lapis lazuli. Absolutely love the colors. Then as years passed, I began to like lighter ones especially during retreats. Rinpoche gave many explanations that are easy to understand especially for beginners who would like to know more. I learned a lot from reading it as well!

  9. Justin Cheah on Feb 19, 2020 at 12:30 am

    For me, the best thing I capture from this post will be rosary being rosary, its still the practice which is what really matters regardless of what you use as a medium to basically count your mantras on.

  10. Vivian Ong on Feb 19, 2020 at 12:06 am

    What I learn from this article is that different fingers that we use to count our mala has different meanings and meant for different purposes. I also learnt that offering Dharma items like mala, statues and Dharma books to people will help the other person with their spiritual practice. We on the other hand, the giver can practice kindness and also generosity. This is to counter miserliness. I also get to learn why certain deities tilt their head left and some on the right and same goes for which side of the hand that we are using to hold our mala when we’re reciting mantras. This is indeed a very informative article/video given by our beloved Guru.

  11. Samfoonheei on Jan 15, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Very define explanation about Rosaries or malas. Malas or prayer beads are ancient tools for reciting prayers and mantras during devotion and meditation rituals. Malas are ubiquitous in Tibetan Buddhist communities all over the world, wrapped around wrists or dangling from fingers. I am glad I found these beautiful article which give me a better understanding of it. Before this I only knew it acted as counter and the extra 8 malas for the mistakes, mispronounced, and for whatever we have missed.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai for sharing with us.

  12. yin ping on Jun 22, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    My very first volunteer work at Kechara was making mala. Louise Lee always sourced the perfect materials for mala making. She supervised us during making mala and she always encourage us to come out with ideas using different materials with different colour combinations. She told us that beautiful mala is a way to attract more people to learn dharma and appreciate dharma. This is the reason Kechara Paradise always has variety choices of mala design to choose from.

    From my understanding, mala acts as counters that helps to count a particular amount of mantras while we are concentrating. It can be used as mandala offerings too. Mala alone is just a counter whereas mantra is scared words which is very powerful. When combine together, we can concentrate doing our mantras repetitively, and activating the winds which helps our spiritual practice.

    Thanks to Rinpoche’s teaching. I have wider and deeper understanding the significant of mala and mantras.

  13. Jason on Dec 10, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Thanks Rinpoche. I’m new in KECHARA organization. Before I join KECHARA I did visit others Buddhist organization but I didn’t know the real meaning of mala or rosaries. At first I only know mala as a counter. After I read above articles I know more about mala which can be a protection from bad soporific . For 108 beads I thought is purposely make for auspicious number 108. Now I know the number 8 is for replace our mispronounce or Miscounted on recite mantra. Thanks again to Rinpoche.

    • Pastor David Lai on Dec 11, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Hey Jason,
      The 108 beads also represent the 108 volumes of the Buddha’s texts in the Kangyur collection. Kangyur is the collection of all the teachings that the Buddha personally spoke about as well. This includes all the texts on Sutra, Tantras, Vinaya (monastic vows) and various other texts as well. Just thought I let you know to further your understanding about the auspicious number of 108…

      • Jason on Dec 11, 2015 at 7:36 pm

        Thanks so much Pastor David for giving extra knowledge on rosaries.

  14. Li Kheng on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    Really appreciate Rinpoche’s very practical teachings. We see malas, use them and have them…but what significance do they have in spiritual practice?

    From this post, I learn what a mala is for and also how they can transform into potent holy items that can protect, bless and heal when we use them properly and well.

    Sometimes we pursue “high” teachings but fail to see that it is in teachings like this that we apply in our daily practice that can truly empower and fuel our spiritual growth.

  15. Tek Lee on May 22, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Thank you very much Rinpoche for the teaching about Mala. I love my Mala even more after watching the video. I like the part when talking about spirit. In fact, I just asked my wife who’s been doing Sadhana and Puja for a year the same question a day before I watched the video. After watching it, I shared it with my group of friends who just started to go puja with me 🙂 Thank you Rinpoche! 🙂

  16. Yee Mun on May 21, 2014 at 12:19 am

    I have been using a mala for a few years, but other than being a counter, I really don’t know more about it. After watching Rinpoche’s teaching on video, it gave me better understanding about mala. I really enjoy rinpoche’s teaching. Thank you rinpoche.

  17. Tsa Tsa Ong on May 18, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    I love this very informative post on rosary/mala. i’m able to learn more on how to use the mala in many different methods and it’s benefits.i’m now teaching mum how to chant with her new lotus mala bought from KP. I sincerely wish Rinpoche will more interesting posts. Thank you Rinpoche

  18. So Kin Hoe (Ipoh) on May 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with a lot of teachings about malas and mantras. From this article, I have learnt we need to show compassion and love to the spirits rather than chasing them away with fierce and violence. By understanding more about all spirits are suffering no matter what, we should show more care towards them and hope these spirits will repent to stop from harming others. Eventually they can take a higher rebirth and encounter less suffering.

  19. Wan Wai Meng on Dec 25, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    Mantras as Rinpoche said is Buddha’s speech, that was perfected over 3 aeon. And it is useful that the various different can trigger the 4 actions of the Buddha, peaceful, increasing, controlling and wrathful. Many people would be benefitted by this talk and get the benefit to learn about the powers and blessings of mantras.

  20. Girlie OOI on Dec 20, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    At the retail outlets, we receive many walk-ins who bring their Malas to re-string. Some of them asked why the divider-beads are placed at 21 whereas others are not.
    This teaching answers it all.

  21. Uncle Eddie on Dec 14, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    The power of mantras are really “Words of Power”. You can really stop the rain as Rinpoche said! Whatsover,malas are simply counters to help you keep track to focus and concentrate on the mantras you’re doing or meditating. Malas are not spiritual practices itself, it is only a counter. It contains 108 beads, with 100 as the usual number and eight are the mistakes made or done. They should be simple and easy according to Rinpoche’s liking, but must be of good material. Crystal malas are very good for Kuanyin pusa’s chantings. Generally, bodiseeds are very good, as Lord Buddha sat under a boditree to meditate to become a Buddha. Its light and solid too, and a reminder of where Lord Buddha attained his final released….. When you recite a lot of mantras and blow on your mala,it energises your mala, therefor the mala can become a powerful object, talisman or protection which can contan very powerful energies! It can also serve as a mandala offering, where you can visualise it as a string of jewels, diamonds, sapphire or precious and beautiful things you wish to offer. In conclusion, at the end of the day, if properly used and treated with great respect, a mala can used as a weapon for spiritual protection!

  22. Sean Wang on Dec 11, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful information about rosaries and thank you to Jean Ai for transcribing the entire teaching. Rosaries are a very important subject in Buddhism as rosaries are used to keep track and keep focus of the mantras you are reciting.

  23. Wylfred Ng on Dec 11, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.

    When the first time i come to Kechara, i do not know what is Mala and what is it for. Just feel weird that everyone including youngster also have one during puja.

    Through learning now Mala is one of my essential thing to bring anywhere i go.

  24. wansan on Sep 30, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche foe giving a talk regarding the mala. It is very informative and useful. I have learned a lot about mala now besides it’s basic function which is a counter to our mantras. And also thank you to Jean Ai who has transcribed this video.

  25. Colleen Kincaid Smith on Sep 30, 2013 at 1:21 am

    I learned so much … I am such a beginner … so much to learn … thank you

  26. Han Nee on Nov 19, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this great teaching on The Mala, and thank you Jean Ai for doing such a wonderful job with the transcript.

    The mala is so beneficial. It is a counter and trains one’s mind in concentration. In higher practices, the more one recites certain mantras, the more it energizes one’s mala. The Mala becomes a very powerful object of protection. Hence, because malas contain powerful energies, after completing a mala of recitation, blow on the mala.

    Furthermore, malas, made of pearls and other precious stones, can be used as objects of daily offering to the Buddhas, such as a mandala offering. Offerings to Buddhas who are free of attachments, will create the cause for one to achieve the same state of Enlightenment. Malas that are well-kept will also create awareness of a spiritual practice. Malas from highly realized beings( who, in meditation, become the deities themselves)are very powerful when they are blessed by these beings.

    Malas, as protection from evil spirits, become both instruments of protection and objects of compassion. When we pray using these malas, they not only protect us but, with the compassionate energy, these malas also bestow the blessings of the Buddha deity whose mantra we chant, helping to subdue the violent minds of these spirits.

  27. Sheryl KH (JB) on Aug 14, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for your teaching on rosaries and Jean Ai for the transcript that you have done.

    Although as Rinpoche has said, there are a lot more about rosaries than what has been taught here, but at the very least, I now have a basic understand which I can help explaining to people if you would like to know more about rosaries.

    I like it also when Rinpoche talked about spirits and how/what we should do when we are in the situation. Frankly, to generate compassion likely is not the first thought that comes to my mind, but I will try to do so. What I usually do nowadays is that I will chant Setrap’s mantra when I feel unsafe. I hope this does not make those spirits angry??

    Rosaries for me at the surface level is a reminder of spiritual practices. It is a helpful item to remind me that beside our realistic world, we have spirituality that we should touch on on daily basis.

  28. julia Tan on Jul 19, 2012 at 12:43 am

    I remember 5 years ago, the first time I joined Setrap Puja, I went to KP Lot 10 (already moved to Sunway Pyramid now) and bought a very nice rose quartz blessed mala. A year later I gave this mala to my ex-mother in law as her birthday present. I like to buy malas and give away to my friends and family. The mala I am using right now is made of Amber bead with jade dividers. Kechara Paradise (Shops that sell prayers and altar items)

  29. DR on Jun 18, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    I just want to share this with everyone as i have just experienced this last night. I was on my flight back from Jakarta to KL after having signed the deeds for Yayasan Kechara Indonesia.

    As always, I would recite mantras on board so as to fully utilise flying time. There were 12 of us in the cabin and I was the only outsider as the other 11 seats were filled up by one Muslim family.

    The gentleman next to me also took out his muslim rosary (i was told that theirs has 100 beads instead of our 108)and was doing his prayers. It was so beautiful; practitioners of two religion, sitting side by side, each with their own mala doing their individual prayers. A sight to behold. World peace in the pipeline???

  30. pat on Jun 18, 2012 at 5:05 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious knowledge..I’ve been stringing and restringing hundreds of malas and didn’t realise the benefits and meaning behind it.The best part of all is that after chanting every powerful mantras we can bless it by blowing on our mala ……and use it to protect or heal someone who is in desperate situations… eg.sickness,black magic…..

  31. DR on Apr 10, 2012 at 11:57 am

    This is so fabulous. So much knowledge to be absorbed in one teaching. It is just on one subject matter; mala. And Rinpoche can teach so comprehensively. Thank you!

    Thank you Jean Ai for the effort and care put into transcribing. I can almost hear Rinpoche’s voice coming out of the words. 🙂

  32. Wan Wai Meng on Feb 24, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Loved this talk about malas and form this talk one can see how versatile a teacher Rinpoche is. And I have learnt a lot from the use of the malas and how to get most effective through the use of our malas. Thank you Jean Ai for transcribing also.

  33. Jay Jae on Feb 8, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Jean Ai’s transcribing skills is Amazing, reading the entire post was like a magic carpet ride back into time when Rinpoche was giving talks and teachings in Dame Khang.

    I remembered the mala which Rinpoche had given me together with a bag. I still have it with me and wouldn’t replace it with another even if u gave me a million bucks because it is so holy! 😛

  34. Victor on Feb 7, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Dear Rinpoche:
    Thanks for the teaching. Personally I love rosaries as it reminds me to chant mantra every where i go and effectively stabilizing my mind while chanting mantra. I usually choose rosaries as gift to my friends who are yet to start learning dharma but show great interest in Buddhism. After reading this blog, I think I’m choosing the right gift to new and potential dharma friends 🙂
    Thanks again for your tirelessly and endless teaching. Hope you are well and happy always.
    With love, VP

  35. Adeline on Feb 6, 2012 at 12:48 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for giving such a detail talk on Rosaries/Malas.They are not just simply counters,they help you to keep track on your counts so that you can concentrate on the mantras you are reciting and the meditation,they also have the power to protect you from evil forces trying to harm you, if you have lots and lots of mantras in your malas.

  36. Wendy Loh on Feb 3, 2012 at 3:13 am

    Thank you, Rinpoche. I watched the video a month ago and it dawned on me how much I didn’t know about malas and chanting despite having owned my first mala about 10 years ago. This transcript is going to add on to my understanding, definitely. Thank you, Jean Ai for the hard work.

    Sincerely,
    Wendy 🙂

  37. Margaretlee on Feb 2, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for posting up this teaching on rosaries. It actually reminds me of the many questions that I had had when I first started chanting mantra. I will forward this to one of my friends who have just started chanting Migtzema and Setrap mantra.

    And thank you Jean Ai for transcribing it, when I read it, it really looks like a script ready for screen play!

  38. lewkwanleng on Feb 2, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Jean Ai, thank you so much for your effort to transcribe the video. Your focus, careful, and meticulous effort in transcribing the video will benefit many people. Not only you will benefit the people who understands English, now with the transcript, it can be translated into other languages to benefit more people.

    I truly rejoice!

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  • 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.
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Jan 4. 2024 04:11 PM
    Lama Tsongkhapa was an influential Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher and tantric yogi, whose activities led to the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism . Lama Tsongkhapa was hailed as the second Buddha by contemporary Buddhist masters of his time. Famous for reviving Buddhism in Tibet and revered for elevating the Dharma to all its present glory. Hence having a 12 ft Lama Tsongkhapa Statue at new Kechara Gompa (Prayer Hall) is indeed a blessing. Its truly beautiful. Merely by looking at it is a blessing .
    Thank you Rinpoche and team effort making it possible.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/10-ft-tsongkapa-here.html

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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

Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.
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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    Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
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    This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
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    5 years ago
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    5 years ago
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Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.

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CHAT PICTURES

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 days 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 days 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.
6 days 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.
7 days 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
7 days 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
7 days 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
7 days 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.
1 month 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
1 month 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.
1 month 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.
1 month 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)
1 month 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)
1 month 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)
1 month 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)
1 month 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.
2 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.
2 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.
3 months ago
3 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.
4 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.
5 months ago
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
Some pictures of the public blessings taken right after the puja was completed by the monks. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 3rd Oct 2023.
5 months ago
Some pictures of the public blessings taken right after the puja was completed by the monks. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 3rd Oct 2023.
3rd Oct 2023, Tibetan monks came to Kechara Penang for chapel & public blessing, in conjunction with the arrival of H. E Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue. Thanks to Pastor Henry & Pastor Seng Piow, who guided us throughout the event. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
3rd Oct 2023, Tibetan monks came to Kechara Penang for chapel & public blessing, in conjunction with the arrival of H. E Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue. Thanks to Pastor Henry & Pastor Seng Piow, who guided us throughout the event. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue is here! 3rd Oct 2023. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue is here! 3rd Oct 2023. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
29th Sept 2023. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden puja adjourned at 4.30pm with 9 attendees. Thereafter, a Rinpoche Swift Return puja was completed too. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
29th Sept 2023. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden puja adjourned at 4.30pm with 9 attendees. Thereafter, a Rinpoche Swift Return puja was completed too. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
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Dorje Shugden
Click to watch my talk about Dorje Shugden....