Mingyur Rinpoche leaves

Apr 20, 2014 | Views: 7,442

Dear friends,

I am not very familiar with Mingyur Rinpoche and today I came across all these letters on the internet by accident. I read through them and thought I must share these with a wider audience. The letters are very self explanatory. In this day and age to do what he has done will require a tremendous amount of imprints from previous lives, great merits, clean guru samaya, dharma knowledge, genuine commitment, understanding of the true nature of samsara, renunciation and determination. It seems Mingyur Rinpoche has all of that intact I deduce. I, sincerely from the depths of my heart, rejoice, wish him luck, offer prayers for his health and success and thank him for inspiring so many who thought it’s not possible anymore. Mingyur Rinpoche was born in 1975 that makes him 39 this year.This is hardcore practice as emulating the great masters of the past of Tibet, India, Mongolia, Nepal and Afghanistan.

We can do the traditional 3 year, 3 month and 3 day retreat called great retreat (Nenchen) engaging in our yidam practices four sessions per day intensive, ngondro (preliminary practices such as prostrations, mandala, 35 Confessional Buddhas, Guru Yoga, etc. for powerful purifications), Lam Rim, etc. It is up to us or directed by our teacher. This great retreat can be done continuously for the rest of our lives, or take breaks in between and continue again. By engaging in these retreats continuously you will see your minds transform. Transform from self-indulgence, hatred, jealousy, anger, revenge, pride, narrow mindedness, fear to generosity, love, rejoicing, compassion, patience, open mindedness and the lack of fear to benefit others spontaneously. Great retreats are very powerful but until we can engage in one, we should do short retreats. Never make excuses for the lazy mind of fear and self indulgence. Be your own best friend and open your mind to it’s true nature of love, compassion and action. Retreats help us to undo all that shackles us whether it’s greed, desire, lust or avarice. Sometimes even if we don’t understand something fully but we know it’s good, we keep at it till it’s natural. Familiarity will lead to actions being natural and consistent eventually. Like when we were kids and our parents taught us to brush our teeth, eat our greens, and wash. We didn’t like it and resisted because we cannot comprehend the benefits. But we did it and now as adults we understand their benefits. Our parents and gurus are not brainwashing us, but teaching us something we didn’t know. Retreats unravel, clear and bring us out of our negative habituations. That is the key.

Gaden Shartse’s Sharpa Choje Jetsun Lobsang Nyima has done a great retreat, then took a break. Then did another great retreat and completed. Upon completing he was called upon to take be the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He had done already six years, six months and six days. He told me he would have continued doing so if he was not summoned to be an abbot. We can do these retreats in our homes, in the monastery, in the dharma centre, in caves, or in retreat huts. The least distractions the better. We can choose to do these retreats in one place or wander different places as Mingyur Rinpoche chose. The reason for the wandering is to cut attachment to place, comfort, people, scenes, dependence and stability. In samsara nothing is stable and not cutting the attachment to this creates great sufferings and hence karma.We can say we have this commitment or that commitment to a person or thing, but the truth is, you have to separate from them and empty handed. All the energy you put towards your attachment to people and things will bring you nowhere and empty. That is why we are born alone and die going empty handed again. The sooner we realize and cut this within ourselves, the faster we progress to the goal of liberation. In liberation there is no wants and no pain anymore.

In the past during these great retreats we don’t cut our hair, nail and facial hair. We only cut after the great retreat. Even if you are an ordained sangha. These days you can cut or keep them growing. It has changed.

Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned when he was younger he would find solitary places to retreat and just chant Om Mani Peme Hung continuously. It’s haunting as I did the exact same thing throughout my childhood without being told. I would find secluded places to chant tens of thousands of this mantra while focusing on Chenresig (Avalokitesvara). One of my favorite places was at the local Mongolian temple near my home, or at Turkey Swamp Park near the lake or just in my bedroom. I would do it secretly and quietly. But I would always wish or dream to go to the mountains to meditate and retreat. I ran away twice unsuccessfully to North Jersey and New York state to enter into retreat when I was in my early teens. The only reason I have not entered into retreat until now is my teachers told me to teach and not retreat solitary. I still have hopes.

Please read the letters carefully. Read the messages from Lama Tashi carefully. Contemplate and aspire to do deeper practice.

My good wishes,

Tsem Rinpoche

 


 

source: http://learning.tergar.org/2014/01/17/new-photos-and-letter-from-mingyur-rinpoche-on-retreat/

 

New Photos and Letter from Mingyur Rinpoche on Retreat

January 17, 2014

 

Mingyur Rinpoche on Retreat January 2014. Photo Lama Tashi.

 

We received the following letters and pictures from Tashi Lama, Mingyur Rinpoche’s close friend and attendant. When they met last year, Mingyur Rinpoche had just left a strict retreat in Yolmo, a sacred area for retreat located deep in the Himalayas, and was on his way to Dolpo, another sacred area near the border of Nepal and Tibet. Mingyur Rinpoche was stopping for provisions when Lama Tashi spotted him. At the time, Rinpoche was staying in a run down hotel and had very little food or clothing. The sleeping bag and jacket that you see in these pictures were given to Rinpoche by Lama Tashi. At this point in time, we do not know where Rinpoche is or when he will be out of retreat, but judging by his letter, he is healthy and thoroughly enjoying the life of a wandering yogi!

To my dear mother, relatives, monastic community, students, and all those with whom I share a connection,

Due to the blessings of the gurus, I am in good health and not experiencing any obstacles. At present, I am wandering without any fixed location from place to place. Right now I am with Lama Tashi, whom I met unexpectedly. Lama Tashi earnestly asked to accompany me and I accepted his request. He gave me some food, clothing, and other necessities. He also relayed to me both good and bad news, which left me feeling a mixture of happiness and sadness.

Recently, Lama Tashi has been diligently practicing the foundation practices (ngondro) and main practices of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. I myself am wandering without any fixed location, staying in isolated mountain hermitages and other such places. I have experienced feelings of happiness and suffering, rising and falling like waves on the surface of the ocean. At times, food and clothing have been hard to come by and I have felt cold, hungry, and thirsty. Even when I have begged for alms, I received nothing but insults and harsh words. At other times, I have received food and clothing effortlessly, without even asking for them, and in my mind it felt as though I were enjoying the pleasures of the gods. While I have experienced both happiness and suffering, the most important thing is that a deep and heartfelt sense of certainty has arisen in the depths of my being, such that no matter what happens, I know that the true nature of these experiences, their very essence, is that of timeless awareness and vast compassion.

This natural clarity of awareness has been with us from the very beginning. It is the very essence and true nature of our minds. Day and night, it is always present. Therefore, one must maintain the flow of pure awareness to the best of one’s ability, without meditating, yet not getting lost in distraction. Great love and compassion are also innate qualities of our being. All the thoughts, destructive emotions, and suffering we encounter are, in essence, completely permeated by vast compassion. As a sign of this, we naturally wish to enjoy happiness and to be free of suffering. While all beings have great wisdom and compassion, this is not always apparent. This is simply because they have not recognized what they already have. Thus, aside from merely recognizing our own true nature, there isn’t the slightest thing to meditate on. Recognizing the importance of this, I have passed my days feeling joyful and content, wandering through the mountains and valleys and staying here and there. From my heart, I sincerely encourage all of you to practice diligently in this manner as well.

Lama Tashi has now returned to the city with this letter, along with some pictures of my retreat that he requested. I hope you enjoy them. I pray that we meet again before long, gathering together with joy and happiness to enjoy the richness of the Dharma.

Mingyur Tulku
 January 2nd, 2014

Translation by Cortland Dahl

 

Original hand-written letter from Mingyur Rinpoche. Photo: Lama Tashi.

 

Mingyur Rinpoche is currently on an extended solitary retreat in the Himalayas. In truth, no one knows exactly where he is. In the tradition of the great meditation masters of times past, he is wandering freely with no fixed plan or agenda. His only companions are an unswerving commitment to the path of awakening and a heartfelt desire to benefit others. Throughout this period, he will likely be spending his time meditating in caves and hermitages in remote places. Meanwhile, the Tergar Meditation Community continues to thrive in his absence. Tergar lamas and instructors are holding meditation workshops and retreats around the world (including online) and there are many groups and centers that continue to follow his teachings. We expect Rinpoche to return in late 2014 or early 2015.The letter above was received January 17, 2014.

 


Mingyur Rinpoche hiking in the mountains. A true wandering yogi! September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 


Mingyur Rinpoche sitting outside a retreat cave. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 


Mngyur Rinpoche sitting in a retreat cave. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 


Lama Tashi (left) and Mingyur Rinpoche (right). September 2013. Photographer unknown.

 


Mingyur Rinpoche cooking in a retreat cave. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 


Lama Tashi cooking in a retreat cave. September 2013.

 


Mingyur Rinpoche eating in retreat cave. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 


Mingyur Rinpoche with the blue sky. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi

 


Mingyur Rinpoche in the mountains. September 2013. Photo Lama Tashi.

 

 
The following letter is from Lama Tashi, Mingyur Rinpoche’s close friend and attendant.

Dear kind and loving lord of refuge Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mayum [Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche’s mother],

I hope you are both well and that your efforts to benefit the Buddha’s teachings and beings are effortlessly and perfectly accomplished just as you intend. With respect, I would now like to relate to you the following:

On June 12th, I visited [Boudhanath] stupa on some errands. Between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, I was walking around the stupa and I saw a yogi walking along, carrying two big bags. “The way that person carries himself seems familiar to me,” I thought to myself, but I wasn’t sure who it was so I didn’t give it much thought.

Not long after that, I again saw him near a store next to the stupa. He was a thin, bearded man. I felt that I had seen him before, so I glanced back, as he was walking five or ten steps behind me, and then he quickened his pace. Upon seeing him, I experienced an indescribable feeling, at which point I felt that I had to pay close attention.

As I followed him, I thought to myself, “I wonder who this is?” The way he carried himself made me feel that I had some connection with him. I hurried after him, thinking that I would ask who he was, and it was then that I realized it was Mingyur Rinpoche. I continued to chase after him, but then he got into a taxi, so I quickly caught a taxi as well. He eventually stopped near a bus stop in Balaju and entered a shoddy place called the Bedro Hotel. That is where I finally met him.

We expressed our amazement at meeting one another and had a leisurely conversation. I told him everything that had happened in his absence, inside and out, as best I could recall, and answered his questions. Rinpoche then told me a bit about his own situation. He had just finished a period of strict retreat in Yolmo and was on his way to Dolpo. He had stopped at the stupa to get some tsampa, butter, cheese, and other provisions for the journey. He then asked what I had been up to. I then begged him again and again to let me accompany him. In response, he said, “This time, you may not come to Dolpo with me, but you may join me at a later date in Sharuk.” He then ordered me to keep this news secret. The next morning, he left for Dolpo. [It appears that the rest of the letter is missing]

 


 

source: http://learning.tergar.org/2012/11/29/mingyur-rinpoche-sends-a-mid-retreat-letter/

 

Mingyur Rinpoche Sends a Mid-Retreat Letter

November 29, 2012

To my loving and compassionate mother, family, monasteries and all of my students,

Due to the blessings of all the lamas, I am in very good health and have had no obstacles. I have been practicing in a number of remote retreat places.

Mother, I want to assure you there is no need to worry about me. Please meditate, practice, and do as much retreat as you can.

I request that all those living in the monasteries be harmonious and keep pure discipline. For that reason, continually listen, reflect, and meditate, and maintain your connection to the lineage as much as you are able.

To all the students with whom I have a connection, I request you to persevere as much as possible in your practice of loving kindness and compassion, śamatha, vipaśyanā, ngöndro, etc., and especially if you have time, do as much retreat as you can regardless of how long or short it is. Don’t forget to practice every day of your life, making friends with all adversities and taking whatever happens onto the path.

Finally, as I mentioned, since my health has been good, wherever I go I practice without mishaps and my experience is flourishing, so there is no need for any of you to worry about me! From my side, I will always keep you in my heart and in my prayers. Soon we will all meet and be together again.

This was respectfully written by the one called Mingyur Tulku in the snowy land of Lapchi, the holy practice place of the great yogi Milarepa.

 

Translation by Daniela Labra

 

Original letter from Mingyur RInpoche, November, 2012.

 

Mingyur Rinpoche is currently on an extended solitary retreat in the Himalayas. In truth, no one knows exactly where he is. In the tradition of the great meditation masters of times past, he is wandering freely with no fixed plan or agenda. His only companions are an unswerving commitment to the path of awakening and a heartfelt desire to benefit others. Throughout this period, he will likely be spending his time meditating in caves and hermitages in remote places. Meanwhile, the Tergar Meditation Community continues to thrive in his absence. Tergar lamas and instructors are holding meditation workshops and retreats around the world (including online) and there are many groups and centers that continue to follow his teachings. We expect Rinpoche to return in late 2014 or early 2015.The letter above was received in November, 2012.

 

 


 

source: http://learning.tergar.org/2011/06/20/letter-from-yongey-mingyur-rinpoche-when-entering-retreat/

 

Mingyur Rinpoche’s Farewell Letter to the Tergar Community When Entering Retreat

In early June, 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya, India to begin a period of extended solitary retreat. He departed in the middle of the night without telling anyone. He did not take any money or belongings, just the clothes he was wearing. Mingyur Rinpoche wrote this letter to his students around the world shortly before he left for retreat.

 

Dear friends, students, and fellow meditators,

By the time you read this letter, I will have begun the long retreat that I announced last year. As you may know, I have felt a very strong connection with the tradition of retreat since I was a young boy growing up in the Himalayas. Even though I didn’t really know how to meditate, I would often run away from home to a cave nearby, where I would sit quietly and chant the mantra “om mani peme hung” over and over again in my mind. My love of the mountains and the simple life of a wandering meditator called to me even then.

It wasn’t until I was in my early teens that I got my first chance to do a formal retreat. Until that time, I lived at Nagi Gompa, a small hermitage on the outskirts of Kathmandu. It was there that my father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, first taught me how to meditate. After training with him for a number of years, I heard that a traditional three-year retreat was scheduled to begin at Sherab Ling, Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche’s monastery in India.

Though I was still only eleven years old, I begged my father to let me go. He was happy to see my enthusiasm, since he himself had stayed in retreat for more than twenty years over the course of his life. When we talked about the idea of me going into a strict, traditional retreat, he told me about the great yogi Milarepa and how important his example has been to generations of Tibetan Buddhist meditators.

Milarepa’s early life was filled with misery and hardship. Despite all the bad karma he created as a young man, he eventually overcame his dark past and attained complete enlightenment while living in isolated caves deep in the mountains. Once he was enlightened, Milarepa thought that there was no longer any need for him to stay in the mountains. He made up his mind to go down to more populated areas where he could directly help alleviate the suffering of others. One night, not too long after he decided to depart, Milarepa had a dream about his teacher Marpa. In the dream, Marpa encouraged him to stay in retreat, telling him that through his example he would touch the lives of countless people.

After telling me about Milarepa’s remarkable life, my father said, “Marpa’s prophesy came to pass. Even though Milarepa spent most of his life living in remote caves, millions of people have been inspired by his example over the centuries. By demonstrating the importance of practicing in retreat, he influenced the entire tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Thousands and thousands of meditators have manifested the qualities of enlightenment because of his dedication.”

A few years later, during my first three-year retreat, I had the good fortune to study with another great master, Saljey Rinpoche. In the middle of the third year, I and a few of my fellow retreatants approached Rinpoche to ask his advice. We had derived tremendous benefit from the retreat and asked him how we could help uphold this precious lineage. “Practice!” Saljey Rinpoche responded, “I’ve been in retreat almost half my life. This is a genuine way to help others. If you want to preserve the lineage, transform your minds. You won’t find the true lineage anywhere else.”

The teachings and example of both my father and Saljey Rinpoche deeply inspired me. This inspiration, coupled with my own natural desire to practice in retreat, has been a guiding light throughout my life.

When my first formal retreat ended, Saljey Rinpoche passed away and Tai Situ Rinpoche asked me to take his place as retreat master. I accepted my new role and have now been leading retreats and teaching meditation for twenty years. In particular, the last ten years I have spent a great deal of time teaching around the world. I’ve been to more than thirty countries, sharing my experience of overcoming the panic attacks I experienced as a child and passing on the teachings that my masters entrusted to me. Over the years, I’ve come to see the truth of the words of my father and Saljey Rinpoche. As they both taught me, the experience gained in retreat can be a powerful tool in helping others.

In my early years, I trained in a number of different ways. The time I spent with my father involved rigorous meditation training, but I was not in strict retreat, in the sense that I met other people and could come and go freely. My three-year retreat at Sherab Ling Monastery, on the other hand, was held in complete isolation. A small group of us lived in an enclosed compound and didn’t have any contact with the outside world until the retreat ended. These are two forms of practice, but they are not the only ways. As demonstrated by the great yogi Milarepa, there is also a tradition of wandering from place to place, staying in remote caves and sacred sites with no plans or fixed agenda, just an unswerving commitment to the path of awakening. This is the type of retreat that I will be practicing over the coming years.

This tradition isn’t very common these days. My third main teacher, the great Dzogchen yogi Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, was one of the few recent masters to practice in this way. Khen Rinpoche practiced in closed retreats when he was younger, but later he took up the life of a wandering yogi. He completely dropped his normal life and activities. Nobody knew where he was or what he was doing. He spent time meditating in isolated caves and other places where the great masters of times past, such as Milarepa and Longchenpa practiced, and at one point he even lived among the Hindu sadhus of India. His story is a perfect example of a modern, carefree yogi.

More recently, Tai Situ Rinpoche, the last of my four main teachers, talked about meditating in mountain retreats during a teaching he gave in 2009. Over four months, Rinpoche passed on the lineage of an important meditation text called The Ocean of the Definitive Meaning. This is one of the main instruction manuals used by meditators in the Kagyu lineage. I mention my teachers here because their wisdom and compassion has nurtured my desire to make retreat a focal point of my life. My father and Saljey Rinpoche encouraged and supported my first experiences in retreat, while Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Tai Situ Rinpoche inspired me to embark on the path of a wandering yogi. Like a tiny firefly in the midst of the sun’s radiance, I can never hope to compare to my precious teachers, but without their example and inspiration, I would not have followed this path.

You might think that while I’m on retreat we won’t be able to stay connected to each other. Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.

Three of my four teachers have long since passed away. At times, I remember what it was like being with them and hearing them teach. I remember how joyful and light they were, and how they carried themselves with such dignity and freedom. These memories make me a little sad, but when I remember what they taught me and let their wisdom fill my being, I can feel their presence anywhere and anytime. So while you and I may be apart physically over the next few years, through our practice we will always be together.

I feel a great sense of warmth and love when I think of all of you, like we’re one big family. So don’t worry, I’m not having a mid-life crisis. I’m not going on retreat because I’m sick of traveling, or sick of teaching students. In fact, it’s just the opposite. During this time our practice will bring us closer.

There are times in our lives when we focus on learning and study, and others where we take what we’ve learned and bring it deeply into our experience. These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path. It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.

To help you continue along the path, I’ve prepared many teachings over the past few years that will be delivered by my emanations. These emanations can appear magically almost anywhere and will teach you just what you need to deepen your practice. What am I talking about? Modern technology, of course! We recorded hundreds of hours of teachings on a whole range of topics, and these teachings will be made available over the coming years. Some will be used for online courses and seminars, others will be shown at Tergar centers and groups, and some will be freely available online. In some ways, my video emanations are better than the real me. You won’t have to feed them or put them up in a hotel. They will wait patiently until you’re ready for them. And most importantly, they won’t feel bad if you get bored and turn them off!

Don’t mistakenly think that your DVD player will be your new root guru. Recorded teachings can never take the place of a direct transmission from teacher to student. What I’m trying to say is that there will still be plenty of opportunities to study and practice, especially for those of you who are following the Joy of Living and Path of Liberation programs. There are also other wonderful lamas to study with, including His Holiness Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, and my teacher Tai Situ Rinpoche. My brother, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, is also an excellent teacher and has agreed to guide the Tergar community while I’m away. Finally, we have our own Tergar lamas and instructors who will lead retreats and workshops all over the world. In fact, there will be so much happening, you may not even notice I’m gone!

In parting, I would like to give you one small piece of advice to keep in your heart. You may have heard me say this before, but it is the key point of the entire path, so it bears repeating: All that we are looking for in life — all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind — is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.

Don’t forget to make space in your life to recognize the richness of your basic nature, to see the purity of your being and let its innate qualities of love, compassion, and wisdom naturally emerge. Nurture this recognition as you would a small seedling. Allow it to grow and flourish.

Many of you have generously asked how you can help support my retreat. My answer is simple: Keep this teaching at the heart of your practice. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, pause from time to time and relax your mind. You don’t have to change anything about your experience. You can let thoughts and feelings come and go freely, and leave your senses wide open. Make friends with your experience and see if you can notice the spacious awareness that is with you all the time. Everything you ever wanted is right here in this present moment of awareness.

I will keep you in my heart and in my prayers.

Yours in the Dharma,
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche 

 


 

source: http://learning.tergar.org/2010/07/08/mingyur-rinpoche-to-go-on-three-year-retreat/

 

Mingyur Rinpoche to go on Three Year Retreat

July 08, 2010

In early June, 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya, India to begin a period of extended solitary retreat. He departed in the middle of the night without telling anyone. He did not take any money or belongings, just the clothes he was wearing. Mingyur Rinpoche wrote this letter to announce his intent to go on a three year retreat in 2010.

Dear friends, students, and fellow meditators,

In the precious lineage I inherited from my teachers, the practice of retreat is taught to be an indispensable component of the spiritual journey. This tradition can be traced back through the Tibetan saint Milarepa all the way to the Buddha, who left a life a wealth and privilege to meditate alone in the forests of ancient India.

As you may know, I have had four primary spiritual mentors: my father – Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Saljey Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche. The wisdom and compassion these masters embodied was no accident, but rather the fruition of years and years of dedicated spiritual practice. My father, for example, spent decades practicing in solitude and was a tireless advocate for the practice of solitary retreat. Likewise, Saljey Rinpoche, my three-year retreat teacher, spent nearly half his life in retreat, while Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche was justly famous not only for his obvious realization, but also for the many years he spent meditating in retreat. Of my four teachers, only Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche is still alive. Like my other three teachers, Situ Rinpoche has also upheld this important tradition. At this very moment, he is on retreat for ten months in northern India. Since it is such an integral part of the lineage these teachers have passed on to me, I feel that maintaining the tradition of retreat is one my greatest responsibilities in this life.

As you may know, I was appointed to the position of retreat master when I was still in my teens, right after I finished my first three-year retreat under the guidance of Saljey Rinpoche. At the time, I had a strong desire to stay in retreat for another seven years. Though I was able to complete a few more years of retreat, my teachers soon recommended that I spend some time studying Buddhist philosophy. Following their advice, I spent the next decade studying in a shedra (monastic college), staying in retreat for a few months here and there as my schedule allowed. Though this period of study was deeply meaningful, I never lost my desire to return to retreat. I promised myself that after ten years of teaching I would complete another three year retreat. Since this year marks the end of ten years spent teaching the Dharma around the world, I have decided to begin another three-year retreat next spring.

This period will be challenging in many ways, especially for those of you who are members of the Tergar Meditation Community and have been practicing the Joy of Living and Path of Liberation (formerly known as the Mahamudra levels) over the past few years. Yet the next few years will also provide us with a valuable opportunity to integrate the teachings we’ve already received, to deepen our practice, and to reaffirm our commitment to the bodhisattva ideal. Indeed, the spiritual path contains its ebbs and flows just like the rest of life: There are times filled with study and activity, others in which we focus on quiet reflection and integration, and periods where we take what we’ve learned and bring it into the world to benefit others.

The next few years will undoubtedly see less of the rapid development that we’ve been witnessing in the Tergar community recently, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of opportunities to study and practice. For the past two years, I have given many hours of teachings straight to the video camera, which I jokingly refer to as “my best student” (it doesn’t forget anything I say!). These video teachings will be the cornerstone of Tergar’s programs in the coming years. We’ve already started running Joy of Living video retreats, in which a Tergar instructor facilitates a weeklong or weekend retreat using these videos, interspersed with periods of guided meditation and group discussion. So far, these retreats have been a great success. Since all we need to hold a Joy of Living retreat is a small group of interested people, these retreats can be offered anywhere in the world.

In addition to the Joy of Living format, for those who have received the appropriate teachings and transmissions we will also offer retreats and seminars on the foundational practices, or ngondro, on nature of mind practices like Mahamudra, and on other Path of Liberation topics. There will also be classes and retreats led by Khenpo Kunga and Acharya Lama Trinley in the West, Khenpo Gyurmé Wangchen and Lama Yati in Asia, as well as by the Tergar instructors: Cortland Dahl, Edwin Kelley, Myoshin Kelley, and Tim Olmsted (for the Western sangha) and Lama Sherab, Ani Miao Rong, and Ani Yeshé (for the Chinese sangha). In addition, many wonderful teachers have also agreed to come and teach the Tergar community, including my brother – Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Matthieu Ricard, Dr. Richie Davidson, and Daniel and Tara Goleman.

The Tergar Meditation Community will also continue to hold practice retreats over the next few years. This year we experimented with a practice retreat format (with 6-8 hours of practice per day along with 1-2 hours of teaching) at St. John’s University. This retreat was such a great success that we are hoping to offer a three or four week practice retreat every year, in addition to holding numerous seven to ten day retreats around the world. These retreats will be led by Tergar lamas and instructors and will also feature the video teachings that we’ve been busy producing the past few years. For those of you who have been following my teachings, I would highly recommend joining these retreats as your schedule permits. Not only are they a great chance to go deeply into practice and receive more teachings, they are also times for all of you to come together and practice as a community. Group practice of this nature is incredibly powerful and will ensure that our sangha grows through our connection to each other and a shared commitment to practice. Nothing will make me happier than to come out of retreat and hear that our new tradition of coming together for practice retreats has grown and flourished in my absence.

In the coming months, I’ll write more about my plans for the years ahead and all the programs that will be available to the Tergar community. I also recorded a short video in which I talk a bit more about how I came to this decision and my own thoughts about retreat. If I didn’t get a chance to see you this summer during my teaching tour, I hope that we meet again before I go on retreat. If not, I will keep you in my heart and in my prayers and will see you when I return.

Yours in the Dharma,
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

 

Mingyur Rinpoche prior to entering retreat

 


 

Links:

Avalokiteshvara, Turkey Swamp, Marc and Me: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/avalokiteshvara-turkey-swamp-marc-me.html

You haven’t seen the last of me: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/you-havent-seen-the-last-of-me.html

Tsem Rinpoche in American tantric dress: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsem-rinpoche-in-an-american-tantric-dress.html

Revisiting an extraordinary life – the Tsem Rinpoche biography group in the USA: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/video-revisiting-an-extraordinary-life-the-tsem-tulku-biography-group-in-the-usa.html

Don’t make me go: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/dont-make-me-go.html

I am who I am: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/i-am-who-i-am.html

I abhor teaching (confession of a Dharma teacher): https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/i-abhor-teaching-confessions-of-a-dharma-teacher.html

How shall I answer: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/how-shall-i-answer.html

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120 Responses to Mingyur Rinpoche leaves

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  1. Samfoonheei on Apr 25, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Mingyur Rinpoche is a Tibetan teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He possesses a rare ability to present the ancient wisdom of Tibet. Mingyur Rinpoche seemed to have everything as a well known meditation teacher and admired by developed world devotees for his interest in the scientific implications of meditation. Giving up his identity as a monk he had left for an unfixed period to become a wandering yogi. Since childhood he has a very strong longing to do a kind of wandering retreat as he loves mountains, caves, and been inspired by the great meditators of the past. It’s an inspiration, reading this article. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such an inspirational story with important message for us to ponder as well

  2. Jacinta Goh on Feb 25, 2018 at 1:53 am

    Revisiting this blogpost again. It warms my heart again to even read, hear and contemplate what great teachers/masters like Mingyur Rinpoche has done. Their practice in action definitely brings more power in changing the mind of many, especially me.

    Although I do hope and always request Rinpoche to stay healthy, live long and remain with us for a very long time but it’s from the selfish side of me to do so. Deep down, I do hope Rinpoche is able to do as what Rinpoche wishes after all these years…

    At the moment, Rinpoche’s teachings via Youtube/FB/Twitter are my best source of learning and inspirations. However, I do pray that I will be fortunate enough to get the teachings directly from Rinpoche one day, hopefully in this lifetime.

    Thank you Rinpoche

  3. Hee TS on Jan 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    謝謝仁波切分享這個強大且動人的文章!我真的很高興地了解明就仁波切的修行旅程。他最近的照片視線看来輕盈,“無憂無慮”和真正的幸福。這也是我晌往的修行法。

  4. Oya on Dec 16, 2014 at 8:09 am

    I so love reading this. Seeing Mingyur Rinpoche is such a blessing ~ Thank you H.E.Tsem Rinpoche for posting this blog.

  5. Michael Moewes on Jul 27, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    I had the great fortune to receive teachings from the most venerable Mingyur Rinpoche. All I can say is, that he is very critcial in his way of regarding the mundane part of monastic life. As well the diminuishing of the true dharma. In these degenerating times, there are very few true teachers. One is responsable for this webpage :).
    May we always be blessed by these remarkable holy beings. May they stay with us untill all seinten beings become enlightened.
    Sarva Mangalam

  6. Su Lin on Jun 29, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Even though this article is really long. I read through it and got some good info out of it. When our guru is’nt with us or around us you still have to behave and respect the way you would when he is around.

  7. May Ong on May 9, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I see many similarities in gurus like Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche. They reincarnate into this world in physical form to show us what we and our mind can achieve in live after lives. They have a purpose to achieve, which was to continue the spread dharma teachings to many. That includes building, having and managing dharma centres where seekers of spirituality can go to pursue or discover their spiritual paths, practice, with or without the presence of their guru physically. Dharma centres are needed to be managed and run independently to continue the spread of the teachings of the Buddha. Most importantly, the students of the gurus need to maintain their strong connection in dharma and their guru, to go into deeper practice, see the growth of the sangha and share commitment together.

  8. Choi Sheem on May 8, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Rinpoche, these letters are filled with so much love and care of a teacher for all his students and all who have come across him. During the time of reading this article with all the letters, I cannot stop thinking of my own teacher who is now physically very far away from me also. Although there is comfort when Mingyur Rinpoche said that even physically apart, there still exist a connection through Dharma. I wished deeply the day will not come for us here to experience not knowing where our guru is, wandering in the wilderness, or if he is in good health.
    Thank you Rinpoche for compiling all the letters written by Mingyur Rinpoche. May I be able to practice awareness to our present moment continuously and not be distracted.

  9. Lilyn Tan on May 8, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such an inspirational story on Mingyur Rinpoche. Both Tsem Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche possess the ability to present the ancient Buddha’s teachings in a fresh, humorous and engaging manner. We are so blessed and fortunate to have all the past and present great masters showing us the way to real Happiness. Most of our confusion is caused by our assumption that the causes of liberation must come from outside of ourselves. We assume by possessing this or that, or only through associating with someone or something else, that we can gain happiness. Due to our preoccupation with external concerns, we fail to look inward and really examine/observe how our own minds. It is through meditation practice,we can become more settled and relaxed amid whatever life brings us; in discover our own inner Buddha.

  10. Carmen Koo on May 7, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    As I look through the photos, the contentment elucidating from Mingyur Rinpoche’s face is priceless. He seems so at peace, so fulfilled and loving every single moment of his long retreat despite what many of us would think as difficult and tough conditions to have to experience.

    There are many similarities that I can draw from Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters to what Rinpoche has taught and imparted onto us. Further, there are so many similarities in what Mingyur Rinpoche does and wants, just like Rinpoche. From retreating and chanting mantras, to advising students, to guru devotion and always speaking about their gurus, their actions have no differences to what Buddha has taught. Reading Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters, I know who his gurus are and how much respect he has for them, just like how Rinpoche is inseparable from speaking about Zong Rinpoche, Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche.

    In the 21st century, it is rare to read about retreats like the one that Mingyur Rinpoche is doing – a wandering yogi. Shows very much the level of his practise; developing non-attachment. He even left with nothing except the clothes that were on him. Wow. I am sure many aren’t able to do that in today’s times, hence that is why Rinpoche has created and conceptualised KFR for us – to be able to practise and achieve the same (as KFR is great for doing retreats too!) through retreats in an environment we are comfortable and familiar with.

    Mingyur Rinpoche stresses on harmony between his students, on learning and practising and flourishing as a community because they will be the ones who will uphold the lineage and practices to further spread the Dharma to others when the teacher is no longer with them. Very much like what Rinpoche is teaching us here, that Kechara is us, and we are Kechara. In order for any organisation to survive, the people representing it must represent it and teach correctly, so that more and more people can join and the institution survives through time, especially in a world where things come and pass so easily today. Additionally, Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned to “make friends with all adversities, and taking whatever happens onto the path.” Like what Rinpoche has taught us before, any obstacle and challenges can be overcome if you are willing to conquer it. And when you do overcome that karma, or obstacle you progress, and you’re one step closer to your goal as a new set of karma opens. I guess in the same context, Mingyur Rinpoche is saying that yes, life is full of adversities, and to overcome them you have to make them your friends, so that you learn and know how to deal with it. And the method to deal with it is realising that it shouldn’t be seen as something negative but a guide, like a friend, who teaches you. And knowing the Dharma helps you to realise that.

    One can see the care and respect Mingyur Rinpoche has for his students, friends, center, teachers, mother as even in retreat, he writes to them and updates them. On top, he continues to give them advice on how to progress on their spiritual journey and continually prays for them. He uses the teachings he has recorded, to be an “emanation” of himself to continue to teach. It really reminds me of Rinpoche, who although is in the US, updates and advices us, because of the care and love Rinpoche has, and through all of Rinpoche’s works online, the community here in Kechara, and all around the world, can continue to learn, improve and progress on their spiritual journey. No matter where a Boddhisattva is, their care and desire to cease the suffering of others never dwindles.

    Thank you for this post Rinpoche, will read it again and again as I know there is much more depth in this post than what we see on the surface.

  11. Cynthia L on May 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    After merely engaging in a short retreat, I understand the amount of merits and qualities we need to have to do what Mingyur Rinpoche has set to do in this age and time.

    For most of us, every other day we are engaging in the great distraction instead of the great retreat. It is quite easy to think – with Rinpoche’s enlightened nature, such hardcore retreats would be a piece of cake. We cannot think this way because to do something so naturally, the journey always starts on the rocky road. Lamas like Mingyur Rinpoche shows us we can survive the rocky road and eventually land on a smoother journey. I see it in his face – the face which exude freedom. Freedom from samsara.

    I like how Mingyur Rinpoche is keeping the practice of the great masters of the past alive while on the other hand, left a great legacy of Buddhist library using modern technology.

  12. Soon Huat (Penang) on May 7, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this. I personally like the Mingyur Rinpoche’s phase “While I have experienced both happiness and suffering, the most important thing is that a deep and heartfelt sense of certainty has arisen in the depths of my being, such that no matter what happens, I know that the true nature of these experiences, their very essence, is that of timeless awareness and vast compassion.” We should have clear goals and strong persistence in our Dharma practice. There will be a lot of obstacles in our Dharma practice due to our Karma but we should not be deviated from our goal; out of samsara or go to pure land (my personal goal).

    I also like the idea of experiencing the Dharma teaching. Dharma teaching is not merely knowledge, we need to practice and experience it. Just like I can help you the pot is hot but you need to touch and experience the heat before you can understand the meaning of “hot”.

    Thank You Rinpoche. I am glad I am part of Kechara.

  13. lim tin nee on May 7, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Thank You my Guru for the timely inspirational article on Mingyur Rinpoche. There are many parallisms between Mingyur Rinpoche and our Guru. Like Mingyur Rinpoche, though Rinpoche is far away , we can feel his pervasive presence through his blog post and Dharma messages sent to us. To quote Mingyur Rinpoche ,’It is not seeing that creates a bond. It is when we have received the teachings and bring it into our experience that the unshakeable connection is formed. For Rinpoche, though his great teachers have long gone, he can feel their beings ,inspiring him to perform great impossible tasks. Can we?

    Mingyur rinpoche has gone away to do a rigorous wandering retreat. His message to his students is,”I have helped to support the community through my teachings.The community itself is the students’ and they must support it and make it flourish.’ Likewise,all Rinpoche’s loyal and dedicated students are doing just that now in Malaysia.

    Mingyur Rinpoche too uses his skillful ways to transform the mind of his students through retreat and meditation. He uses different methods to spread his teachings worldwide like retreat centres Dvd and online program. Similarly, Rinpoche has KFR, for our retreat and his various departments to help change the mindset of his students. Above all, Rinpoche’s blog has spread his teachings to TWO million viewers.

    Both our Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche emphasize mind transformation. They want students to realize impermanence,death and the need to let go. However,our Guru has to face obstacles with his students from the beginning. Unlike Mingyur Rinpoche who is surrounded by students with a Buddhist cultural background in their upbringing ,our Rinpoche has to struggle to teach students who do not have this background. Why? We the Chinese ,for instance,come from a strong tradition where the norm is to have strong family ties. Children and grandchildren are the greatest pride to the family and they are utterly spoilt. Besides, parents have high expectations of their children to do well in their studies, to have good careers and to be happily married. Thus, ego, attachments,desire for success, for recognition and pride is habitually built in the mindstream of both adults and children. Actually our Guru has done great wonders to transform the mindsets of his students like David, B.K., S.m., and many others. However, there are some who cannot accept the change. Let us pray and hope these students will realise our Guru’s great love and care for them and that they will collect the merit to change.

  14. Albert Ratchaga on May 5, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    While reading this article, I felt so familiar reading what Mingyur Rinpoche done in his life, going to a quiet place to recite Om Mani Padme Hum, wanting to go into retreat, willing to let go everything in order to benefit others, building centers to bring ancient meditation to the modern world for modern people, this is just part of his quality that is exactly just like Tsem Rinpoche who founded Kechara to bring the Buddha’s teaching to the modern world.

    This article is really a great teaching, we have been spending our whole life chasing after our desire, feeding our ego, but at the end of our days, we are not happy and we feel bitterness. Mingyur Rinpoche spent his life working for others, but he is happy, he’s not caught up by what he has built, he does not hold on to what he has, and yet, no insecurity felt, he feel free of mind instead, he can just let it go anytime, as resulting he can just left a letter and went off overnight, just imagine if we were to leave a place, how many months we need to settle our things before we can leave? So it means how much things we are carry with us all the time, with all these baggage, do you think we can be happy?

    By looking at what Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche, this is definitely not something abnormal, because both High Lama from other places are doing exactly the same. How many more High Lamas out there are doing the same too? Seems like a way to gain happiness, so are we ready to walk this path, a path to gain eternal happiness?

  15. pat on May 5, 2014 at 9:16 am

    THank you Rinpoche for sharing.Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche teachings are similar.Always want the best for all students.This part is really meaningful…..
    ” There are times in our lives when we focus on learning and study, and others where we take what we’ve learned and bring it deeply into our experience. These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path. It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey”.
    With Guru teachings and guidance,if we follow instructions and do our dharma work and practice well…We are on the right path.
    Thank you Rinpoche.

  16. Lam on May 5, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the article of Mingyur Rinpoche. From the article I have learned about different types of retreat, and in particular the Great Retreat which lasted for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days.

    After reading the article, it gave me 2 inspirations. Firstly, it is amazing to note that Mingyur Rinpoche, with his strong compassion, instead of staying in the center comfortably, has chosen to forgo all his attachment and left for his solitary great retreat, wandering from place to place, staying in remote caves to do his retreat and meditation with the sole purpose of benefiting others. Secondly, although in his absence, his students at Tergar Meditation Community all over the world continued to thrive and grow. This has clearly showed the students’ strong faith and guru devotion to their lama.

    I feel so fortunate that although I do not meet Rinpoche in person, I still continue to receive frequent teachings, advices, concern and cares. Thank you Rinpoche.

  17. James Long on May 3, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Mingyur 仁波切的灵修闭关启发了我们致力内在的修行。更重要的,是上师、弟子的三昧耶清净关系。弟子和上师的联系,不在于是否在于身边,最重要的是心灵的修行和转化,上师弟子的关系是建立在修行上,我们越是修行,越是亲近自己的上师。感触很多。克切拉禅修林 将会是我们未来心灵的住处。

  18. Yee Mun on May 2, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing about Mingyur Rinpoche’s retrear.

    This is the first time I heard about doing retreat wanderning from place to pllace and the benefits of doing such retreat. From the photo of Mingyur Rinpoche, he look very happy and free. He is really an inspiration gor others to follow his practice. He definitely can help and benefits many people.

    Mingyur Rinpoche also make a very strong point that connection with Guru is thru the dharma practice. Many of us may not have the opportunity to work closely with Rinpoche, but if we follow his teachings and applied it in ourlife, we still very much connected to Rinpoche cos we share the same objectives, spread buddhism and to benefits others.

  19. Ericchoong on May 2, 2014 at 12:28 am

    曾经聽上師开示说过,在修行人遭受到各种无法避免的痛苦、煩惱和恐惧时,闭关禅修可以消除这些苦痛。当我读完这遍开示后,使我更加了解闭关帶來的成果和必须具足的有利條件。我们一定要有一位上師去指导我们闭关禅修,如果没有上師的指引,我们可能会在錯综複雜的修行道路上迷失。
    其实Mingyur 仁波切的作风和上師Tsem 仁波切有些像似,他们的目的都是把上師法门传承下去。一直不厭倦用心良苦去指导我们,身处現代社会环境有一位再世活佛的教导,是何等的有福气和佛缘呢。

  20. Frederick Law on Apr 30, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful post, it shows how dedicated and motivated Mingyur Rinpoche is towards retreats. Mingyur Rinpoche has sets an example not only for the Tergar community, but also an example that many of us to emulate.

    Besides the retreat, what Mingyur Rinpoche doing is also providing the Tergar community to function independently while he is away, through this it will show how well the community follows Mingyur Rinpoche instruction.

    The connection with a Lama is not necessarily when the Lama is around, but it is more how to follow our Guru advice, and instructions, and how the teaching was being manifested in our life. That is the best connection ever.

    this is the parts i like most:
    “These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path. It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.”

    The journey of Spiritual practice, is not only to learn and apply, but to make the teachings and the activity that we have benefited from able to reach more sentient being who is in need.

  21. Jill Yam on Apr 29, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    Reading the above article reminds me so much of mu Guru – Teem Rinpoche. So many similarities between both of them.
    Both loves to do retreats and stress the importance of doing retreats as well.
    For Mingyur Rinpoche he always makes sure that the people around him knows that he is healthy, safe and sound whenever he goes into a retreat so that they do not worry for him.

    And last but not least Mingyur Rinpoche mention that the best way a student can support his Guru is by practicing the Dharma and to have mind transformation. This is what Rinpoche always teaches his students in his teachings too.

  22. Uncle Lai on Apr 29, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    The story of Mingyur Rinpoche and Tergar Meditation Community is similar to Tsem Tuiku Rinpoche in Kechara House and KFR. Both elite masters purpose is to teach Dharma and the main instruction to the students is to transform the mind. It is important to have harmony and keep pure discipline. They also stress to persevere in their practice and not to give up because of differences.

    Rinpoche mentioned many times before that if we take refuge in the Guru and learn the Dharma, even when the Guru eventually leave us our state of mind remain there at the same level and calm. On the other hand if we take refuge in worldly things and when they are taken away from us we drop flat and lost.

    Everything exist in this world is impermanent. They are subject to change and decay. In another words we all have to die one day and take the next incarnation. If we want to stay connected with the Guru we have is to follow His instructions and learn the Dharma and transform our mind.

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story of Mingyur Rinpoche for us to think back of what you had taught us. Looking at the photos of Mingyur Rinpoche makes me happy. His face is so radiant, confident, peaceful, calm and always smiling

  23. terri on Apr 29, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Bless his heart. I could only do solitary retreat someplace with a spa… like the Hilton.

  24. ron wong on Apr 28, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    Through his retreat, Mingyur Rinpoche has skillfully demonstrated that the importance of retreat & how one can developed insight into our true nature which is love, compassion & wisdom. Whatever our guru teaches us, advise us & guide us we must put into practice all the time. It is through these practices that we lessen our anger, hatred, jealousy & illusive desire for our innate quality of love, compassion & wisdom to be stronger & eventually be part of us naturally.

    Practice makes perfect.

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such inspiring teaching, I will take these advise sincerely to heart & put them into practice.

  25. Penang Study Group on Apr 28, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Our discussion mainly centred around the understanding of retreat and its benefits. We agreed that a retreat is a great way to fuel our spiritual path. It helps us in many ways. It increases our awareness, self-discipline, patience, familiarity (by reinforcing virtuous habituation) , sharpen our mind and being more receptive to the weaknesses and strengths of others(especially in work). These developed qualities can then be applied in our daily life/work. On the other hand, some commented that they actually have learned to let go and take things more easily. It directly cut down ones ego/pride and attachment. In due course, it also helps us to become a vegan too.

    Last but not least, we, Penang Study Group is indeed very happy that we still have a Guru who is always here for us by imparting knowledge through online and by other means (unlike Mingyur Rinpoche that chose to do Great Retreat). We are so blessed that we have received so many teachings. From the article above, it also reminds us that this is the time for us, individually and as a group to transform ourselves for the better and to take these teachings by heart, and not only through empty words. May Rinpoche lives long and continue to turn the Dharma wheel.

  26. Cynthia Ng on Apr 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    非常敬佩Lama Tashi对上师Mingyur Rinpoche如此无微不至的照顾起居饮食,配合上师的闭关以及确保上师可以很专心的修行。看到Lama Tashi的举动让我深思有多少人在这个年代可以如此放弃自己世俗的欲望陪伴上师进行闭关。

    当我们还没有遇到上师前我们是有多么的渴望亲近一位可以教育我们2600的佛陀教诲,进行佛法修行以便达到内心转化和平静。当我们遇到后最大的问题是不能坚守誓言,我们无时无刻都在发愿,而且都很积极的,去做的时候就开始懈怠了。我们的问题就是轻易立下誓言;但是一旦立下了誓言总是动摇自己的决心,总是失去誓言。这些种种的因促使我们没有成就,不能成功。

    很多时候我们会对自己守持的誓言产生疑问或者恐惧,这些都是自己对自己信心的理解并不扎实,所以我们一定要有充足的佛法知识来支撑我们的无明。我们一定要对上师有很强的信念,以及加强我们对佛法的理解,这样我们就会逐渐的有信心。

    詹杜固仁波切和Mingyur Rinpoche的相似点都是一位坚守誓言的人。感谢詹杜固仁波切的分享,仁波切终是以身作则来教诲我们对上师有着强烈的坚守誓言,把佛法实践在修行以及生活上,让更多不朽的传奇流传下来,仁波切造就了今天的克切拉佛教中心以及克切拉禅修林的法门事业让跟多的人受益以及学习佛法。

  27. Valentina Suhendra on Apr 27, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Dear Lama
    Thank you for posting the article about Mingyur Rinpoche. It took quite awhile for me to read the article on Mingyur Rinpoche due to time constraint. I think I am very happy for Mingyur Rinpoche to be able to do what he likes and as he desires. It’s rare to find people like him – so unattached to worldly matters. He must be a truly happy person. When I do nature trekking, I often envy people whom I met who can live so simply, so peaceful and so happy.

    It’s inspiring that Mingyur Rinpoche’s center are thriving in his absence. I think Kechara should learn from this precedence. We should be able to grow the organization through the faith to our Guru. I feel that the main job of the lama is to teach or whatever s/he feels is beneficial, and he should be able to do so. The students should be able to take care of the day-to-day running of the organization without troubling the lama.

    Much love and care

    Valentina

  28. William on Apr 27, 2014 at 11:02 am

    The comparison between Migyur RInpoche and Tsem Rinpoche and Tergar Meditation Community and KFR are so glaringly similar. Not that I purposely want to compare but as i read the article, I could not help to notice the similarities as though Tsem Rinpoche is talking to us.

    The story of Mugyur Rinpoche is inspiring as he has establish what he wanted for his community and that the community will thrive without him being around. He has thought his students what is needed through his recordings and is up to his students to bring it to the world.

    What struck me the most is that his message/teaching to the students to live in the now and experience the life we have now.

    “All that we are looking for in life — all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind — is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.”

    Recognising who we are and be present in the moment is the essence of life. We do not live in the past nor the future, it is the moment we have now that is important. The present moment is that Rinpoche is not with us physically but in spirit he is always with us. Kechara is thriving is all because of Rinpoche. As Migyur Rinpoche says, it is the Dharma that connects us and as we grow further in Dharma, the connection will only get stronger. So, we should always strive to improve ourselves, learn more and practice.

    Rinpoche is not abandoning us, but is making us to make our own and stand on our own strengths. Thank you for the teaching.

  29. Jace Chong on Apr 26, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing on Mingyur Rinpoche. It’s very lovely to see Mingyur Rinpoche happy face in every picture. The feeling of happiness is so real and bright although we can’t see it physically.

    What Mingyur Rinpoche talked about is very profound, firstly on the significance of retreat. I believe so there are reasons why engaging retreat is important, and it’s an important part on the path to Enlightenment.

    I have just finished a 5 days “retreat” at Kechara Forest Retreat doing prayers on one particular enlighten being. I felt much more lighter and my view become broader. My “retreat” is not a strict one with the official rules and regulation, but I already feel that, imagine if we follow the traditional way with the sacred lineage.

    That’s why I think Rinpoche is building Kechara Forest Retreat as it’s important to provide people a good place to retreat, after they understand the benefits, they can go one step further to engage in the real, traditional retreat.

    Secondly, Mingyur Rinpoche talked about how important it is to keep the community in learning program and not leaving, make the community stronger. As a Vajrayana practitioner, I think it’s a great chance to practice when our Guru is not physically around us. This put our faith and Dharma practice to a real test. Because Dharma practice is not just about be with our Guru, it’s also about how our mind works when we have our Guru in mind.

    Thank you Rinpoche, I hope you are well in US and we miss you a lot.

  30. Uncle Eddie on Apr 26, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the three-year great retreat is a practice that has been continuing unbroken for over two thousand years. Students who have had heard teachings on the 3-year retreat over the years will view this great retreat as an opportunity to free themselves from sufferings and realise perfect Buddhahood to benefit sentient beings. Faced with such an opportunity, many will of course experience great joy. As narrated, Mingyur Rinpoche was karmically fortunate enough to have partake and completed in his first 3-year retreat a few years later after he was eleven years old when he begged his father for it. Mingyur Rinpoche has disclosed that this 3-year great retreat at that time was held at Sherabling Monastry and was held in complete isolation. As elaborated by Mingyur Rinpoche, there are two forms of practice for this great 3-year retreat, but they are not the only ways. As demonstrated by the great yogi Milarepa, there is the tradition of wandering from place to place, staying in remote caves and sacred sites with no plans or fixed agenda, just an unswerving commitment to the path of awakening. As said,this will be the manner of practice which Mingyur Rinpoche will adopt in the coming years in future.

  31. Lim Tat Ming on Apr 25, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    In this time and age it is hard to have the time and actual freedom to do as one pleases. Everyone is caught up in the daily affairs of their lives. There is simply not a moment when one is not distracted by something. In other words, everyone is busy with the meaningless of activities of samsara. Who is not busy? It is never-ending that the only time the busyness will stop is when one really decides to stop or when one is finally dead! In reality one won’t stop unless one has the good merits to realise the impermanence of life and the importance to use their precious human life to do something meaningful and spiritual like doing Buddhist retreats. It is therefore a rarity when a spiritual practitioner like Mingyur Rinpoche could find precious time to do traditional Buddhist retreats. Mingyur Rinpoche is one such living example that it is possible if we had put in the right effort to create the right causes for this to happen! And of course with the right amount of merits!

    The benefits of doing retreats cannot be stressed enough. All the past great masters like Marpa and Milerapa had demonstrated the importance of practising in retreat to deepen our understanding of Dharma until we gain complete realization of it and to accomplish full enlightenment.

    Mingyur Rinpoche is kind to advise us to be aware of and to realise the happiness, contentment and peace of mind that we are seeking for are continuously present in the moment. We need to recognise the richness of our basic nature, purity of our being and to let our inherent qualities of love, compassion and wisdom to naturally arise. And we must nurture this recognition until it become spontaneous.

    Thank You Rinpoche for sharing the inspiring account of the great yogi Mingyur Rinpoche.

  32. Michael C. on Apr 25, 2014 at 9:03 am

    ♫You don’t know what you’ve got ’till it’s gone♫?

    I fear Pastor Adeline will be haggling me kindly on the blog chat ’till I read this article & post a comment. So I read the article and Wow, glad I did. I like these sentences especially:

    “To help you continue along the path, I’ve prepared many teachings over the past few years that will be delivered by my emanations. These emanations can appear magically almost anywhere and will teach you just what you need to deepen your practice. What am I talking about? Modern technology, of course! We recorded hundreds of hours of teachings on a whole range of topics…”

    and

    “…There are times in our lives when we focus on learning and study, and others where we take what we’ve learned and bring it deeply into our experience. These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path.”

    Thanks.

  33. Nancy Loo on Apr 24, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    No doubt Rinpoche is very far away from us but he is still his usual self, very concern and cares very much for the well being of all his students. Each and every articles posted by Rinpoche in this blog will definitely followed by a profound, beneficial teaching and also a constant reminders to all his students. My understanding from this sharing about Mingyur Rinpoche is that Rinpoche urges every students of his to do retreat regardless whether it’s a small, mini or long retreat…………. . “Sometimes even if we don’t understand something fully but we know it’s good, we keep at it till it’s natural. Familiarity will lead to actions being natural and consistent eventually. ” I will pinned every words from Rinpoche’s quote in my mind and apply it in my daily routine. Really wish that I will be able to have the merit to listen to Rinpoche’s teaching in person again. Thank you Rinpoche and take care. With Folded Hands

  34. Shelly tai on Apr 24, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring letters with us. We are very fortunate to meet Rinpoche, every single message or every single piece of teaching that Rinpoche share with us is to remind us on the important of mind transformation . I personally think what Rinpoche said is very true familiarity bring consistency with this we will achieve our goal . After reading all these letters about Mingyur Rinpoche it actually catch me the most is he share with us about impermanent we come to this world alone and when died we also go alone none of our attachment can go with us we must learn how to let go I guess the only thing that go with us is our mind so do not spend all our time on the commitment that we have we should spend some time in developing our mind otherwise we will suffer even more in our future life.

  35. Pastor Shin on Apr 24, 2014 at 12:28 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this very inspiring post. I rejoice that the Tergar Meditation Community continues to thrive in Mingyur Rinpoche’s absence as the many Tergar lamas and instructors hold meditation workshops and retreats around the world and online.

    There are many parallels between what was mentioned in the post about Mingyur Rinpoche and Tergar Meditation Community with Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara. I share similar sentiments with Pastor Adeline, Li Kheng, Beng Kooi and Su Ming so I will not repeat what they have already mentioned.

    It is heartening to know that in this degenerate age, pure lineages continue to thrive with devoted practitioners. With strong imprints and connection with the retreat tradition from previous lives, Mingyur Rinpoche entered strict retreat at the age of 11, became a retreat master in his teens, lead retreats/ taught meditation for twenty years and is now in retreat having received the lineage of an important meditation text over 4 months in the year 2009, maintaining the tradition of retreat as one his greatest responsibilities in this life.

    Similarly, Tsem Rinpoche is a Tulku of Gedun Nyedrak, the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery and Kentrul Thubten Lamsang, a great Buddhist scholar and teacher from Gaden. In this life, Tsem Rinpoche continues to be educated in and uphold Je Rinpoche’s lineage, currently in Malaysia, USA and online. While studying/ doing his retreats in the monastery (Rinpoche was said to live like Milarepa initially when he arrived in Gaden), Rinpoche also fulfilled many responsibilities/roles of being an assistant to Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche, running the household of his Guru, working as the monastery’s Education Project Secretary and so on. It is because of Rinpoche’s devotion to his Gurus and Gaden that Rinpoche was sent overseas to teach, which Rinpoche is still doing today. It is because of Tsem Rinpoche that many Kecharians and I have a home to learn and practice the lineage of Gaden in Kechara Forest Retreat.

    The purpose of all Dharma practice, including meditation and retreat, is to tame our minds and to realise the nature of our mind and all phenomena. From Mingyur Rinpoche’s letter, I learn that great teachers/masters are joyful and content, although they may go through worldly “happiness” and “suffering”, these do not affect them as they know the true nature of these experiences and more, their very essence. Their concern is to see Buddhadharma flourish and many more beings are showered with the blessings of the Three Jewels.

    Tsem Rinpoche has kindly explained the types of retreat, the benefits, the attitude and methods to engage in these retreats in the post above. We as students of Tsem Rinpoche must take Rinpoche’s advice to heart and do our practice well.

    Mingyur Rinpoche said, “Group practice of this nature (group retreat) is incredibly powerful and will ensure that our sangha grows through our connection to each other and a shared commitment to practice. Nothing will make me happier than to come out of retreat and hear that our new tradition of coming together for practice retreats has grown and flourished in my absence.” I am sure Tsem Rinpoche wants nothing more than for us, the students, to have a strong supportive community upholding the lineage of Gaden — to give our commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community, giving back in whatever way we can, as this is an integral part of the journey.

    I am excited as quite a few of Rinpoche’s students have started their retreats, and we are beginning to offer more group practice/ retreat programs here at Kechara Forest Retreat. Let’s work hard and make KECHARA grow to benefit many.

    These 2 links below are of Gaden Shartse previous abbot Kensur Rinpoche and Geshe Jangchub Dorje (Director of Gaden Shartse Hospital at that time of interview) sharing about Tsem Rinpoche:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiatTJqDZnA
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV2VceKscUk&feature=player_detailpage#t=223

  36. Edward Ooi on Apr 23, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    Dear Rinpoche, I have a question to ask Rinpoche. My question is that what do we focus on during our meditations? I know that we are supposed to visual the image about the Buddha but what after that? And many people even gain enlightenment just by meditating. I’ve tried to meditate before but I always ended up thinking about something else. It’s all because of my playfulness.

  37. Sofi on Apr 23, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters with us.

    “Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.”

    In our busy lives, we tend to amplify on the negative feelings that we have. Only in loss will we truly realize what we had and regret not appreciating them while we had them. Doing retreats helps us to realize and regain our appreciation. In doing so, to recover what our Buddha nature is & should be.

    As mentioned by Mingyur Rinpoche, our Guru is always with us through Dharma and our practise. Kechara is a gift from our Guru to us and it is upto us to keep and utilize this gift. Our gift back to our Guru will be the growth of Kechara through putting efforts in caring and sharing wt others. “The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.” May my wish to start my own retreat be fulfilled soon. _/\_

  38. June Tang(Khjb) on Apr 23, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    感谢仁波切分享这篇文章,从这篇文章中我了解闭关的重要和利益。 闭关的修行者在 闭关期间他们衣食住行都是簡陋的, 种种苦乐悲欣交集着但是 正是在这种极端的状态下,人的潜能才得以发挥,所以闭关修行一年往往相当于普通修行几年。

    明就仁波切的兩段教誨让我最深刻的是~

    1)你们也许会认为当我在闭关时,我们不能够彼此互相维系。当然我们这几年是无法相见,但不要忘记我们是经由佛法而连结的。并不是只要看着我们的老师,或甚至听闻他们,就足以产生灵性上的结合。唯有当我们将所领受的法教带入自身的体验中,才得以形成无可动摇的连结。我们修持的越多,我们和老师之间的连系就越稳固。

    2) 不要误认为你的DVD播放器将成为你新的根本上师,录像教学永远无法取代从老师直接传承到学生。

    P/S: 人身難得今已得,佛法難聞今已聞,上師難遇今已遇(今生有幸能遇上我们的上师詹仁波切),我们真要珍惜這一切,好好的依止上师的教导,跟随祂的脚步,真心诚意的实修佛法。 愿我们能够协助与執行上师的愿望与任务,营造更多好的因果让上师更长寿及常转法轮。

  39. KYC on Apr 23, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Bodhisattvas live their lives as an inspiration and example to others. H.E. Mingyur Rinpoche is no different. He reassures his students that although they are not able to see him, their connection is through the Dharma. He continues to relate his experiences to them through letters and gives them Dharma. He encourages them to practice to create a spiritual bond with the teacher. His method seems to be working because his centre is growing. His students do not feel that he has abandoned them. There are similarities between Mingyur Rinpoche and H.E. Tsem Rinpoche but there are also differences in the method. The guru’s motivation is to free us from samsara. Skillful means are used to help students transform their minds and modify their bahaviour. From day one, the guru’s wish is for his students to be independent. His work is accomplished when this happens.

  40. Sofi on Apr 23, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Su Ming, this passage also caught my eye. It reminds me so strongly that Rinpoche had formed Kechara solely for us and it is also upto us to keep Kechara ‘alive’ for ourselves and others to continually have a place blessed wt Dharma. The growth of Kechara is a direct reflection of our realization and our love & appreciation of Guru.

  41. Choongs on Apr 23, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    How are we to develop out inner guru if we completely rely on our Guru to regularly spoon-feed us. And what happens when our Guru leaves permanently? I think this is one lesson that we should take from the above article and also from Rinpoche’s current stay in the USA. And to help ourselves, we have to help others.

    The other lesson that I have taken from this article is that in order for us to get in touch with the spiritual heavens, we cannot but keep up with our sadhana, meditation, and do short and long retreats. It is the only way to go into deeper practice.

    Thank you Rinpoche.

  42. Jeffrey Khor on Apr 23, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    很多人在心态上把闭关当作某种心里治疗,以求让自己感觉较自在.闭关的目的不只是让我们感觉舒服或解决情绪上的问题,也是让我们直接洞悉所有念头和情绪的自性本空。
    闭关不是在折磨身体,而是在身体中创造出生命的火焰,让身心得到必要的清理。
    這正是我们修行佛法和成长的契机。
    謝謝仁波动切給予我们的分享。

  43. Poney Sim on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    谢谢仁波切的慈悲,为我们分享这篇文章。
    当我们置身在忙碌又充满压力的生活中,往往会过份强调物质上的成功和具体的回報,但人心却相对的感到愈来愈空洞和无意义。那些愿意思考生命的人也愈来愈觉察到,自己内在有股很深的饥渴,希望能找到某种让生命得到真正满足的东西。
    长时间的闭关能开展一个人的内心世界,并且心灵全然融入于修行之中。

  44. yempin on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    谢谢仁波切的慈悲与分享
    了解闭关是怎样一回事,而且在修行上必须用要做的事。
    对于城市中的修行人,大多诱惑,让我们内心深处有强大的 不满,烦恼和欲望,通过闭关,可以清除我们内在的愤怒,不满,烦恼,欲望,所有一切的不好的行为,让我们的心可以宁静
    不管生活在哪里,什么环境只要有心想要做,有坚持,相信一定会成成功

  45. jimmy tan on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this powerful article about Mingyur Rinpoche.

    Mingyur Rinpoche show himself as an example to the people by applying Buddha’s teaching in his daily life.He really show his devotion to his Guru yet and think back of myself how lucky am i that able to meet my Guru in this short lifetime .Although we said how fortune we are but if i don’t keep practice what Guru taught me then for sure my samaya will getting far one day with my Guru.So as a student i have to show my mind transformation and do more Dharma work.

    When look at how happy and peace of Mingyur Rinpoche during his retreat at the cave. I can feel also Rinpoche like it very much of having this kind of life as Rinpoche said before he like to stay in a mountain having retreat. But Rinpoche showing his compassion and kindness still stay with us for give us Dharma teaching so that many people can receive the benefit of Dharma.

    After read this article i feel actually how selfish am i that only think about myself and not willing to let go of my attachment and ego.I understand what i am suffer now is created by myself.And this is due to my ignorant and laziness.Mingyur Rinpoche having his retreat in cave .He look like have nothing but actually he are the one own everything. He have wisdom and the way of archive real happiness.

    Thanks again Rinpoche for your great sharing to us .You are always in my heart i love you .Rinpoche please take care ,eat well and drink more fresh juice as i know Rinpoche like fresh juice very much.

    with folded hand thanks Rinpoche again for the inspiring post and never give up of us.I am apologize for my English writing not good.

    Thank You
    Jimmy Tan

  46. Wei Theng on Apr 23, 2014 at 4:19 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing on the Mingyur Rinpoche’s story.
    From the post, I learned that it is very important to do retreat, be it a great retreat of three year three month and three days retreats; or if we are not able to engage into long retreat, we should also engage into shorter retreats as much as possible. Retreats will help us to have mind transformation with recognizing the true nature, to train our awareness and compassion.

    Besides, it also showed me that while our Guru/Rinpoche is not around or not near to us, it doesn’t mean we are not connected. It is the time we should take the teachings we have received and bring them into our own experience. When we practice Dharma, that’s when we are closely connected to our Guru/Rinpoche. So, the more I miss Rinpoche, the more I should work hard to practice Dharma and transform my mind. Just like what Mingyur Rinpoche said,
    “You might think that while I’m on retreat we won’t be able to stay connected to each other. Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”

    Just like Mingyur Rinpoche goes into retreat and Tergar Meditation Community still growing and bring Dharma to others, while Rinpoche is in US, we here in Kechara also need to grow Kechara, build Kechara Forest Retreat and bring Dharma to others. Mingyur Rinpoche left a lot of videos to his students before he goes into retreat, Rinpoche has also left a lot of videos and blogs teachings to us. These videos and teachings are the treasures for us to listen, learn and practice what we learned from them and share the Dharma to others and grow Kechara when Rinpoche is not near to us.

  47. Lyn Phng on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:42 am

    I had goose bumps reading this touching and inspiring post because there are indeed so many similarities between Mingyur Rinpoche and our dear Tsem Rinpoche. With only one exception, that Tsem Rinpoche still harbours hope to enter into the Great Retreat soon. And though we all wish for our Guru to return to Malaysia (simply because we want the comfort of his physical presence & proximity ), I understand now after reading this teaching that Rinpoche need not be physically here with us in order for me to continue to learn deeper, practice harder or to inspire me to transform myself into a better Dharma practitioner. And I take comfort to know now that when Rinpoche does go into Retreat (which I sincerely pray he would have his wish come true) that he can still continue to inspire and benefit not just his students but others even more.

  48. louise on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:06 am

    看着仁波切的分享, 让我更加想念仁波切。

    Mingyur Rinpoche 的故事是与仁波切非常相似的。都是从小就会念 Om Mani Padmi Hum. 闭关都是通过比较精进的、时间密集性的修行活动而达到一个提升自己觉性证量的目的,或者是说完成自己定力、智慧增长的一个过程。当然定慧增长的目的最后也是要解决烦恼,当然解决烦恼的次第不一样。大乘的方法是破无明以后慢慢剔除烦恼,烦恼就变成小事,烦恼的本质变了,所以对烦恼的剔除角度不一样了。

    当Mingyur Rinpoche 去闭关, Lama Tashi 非常的让我非常敬佩。Lama Tashi 除了把一些简单的日常用品。 从照片上看到闭关的地方是非常简陋, 闭关的地点是在山上,要照管好仁波切绝对不是一个简单的任务!

    与上师的 Guru Devotion 是非常重要的。 

  49. AdelineTan on Apr 23, 2014 at 12:01 am

    This is the first time i have read about a wandering yogi doing meditation and retreats from one sacred cave to another deep in the Himalayas with no fixed location. As i can see from this article, meditation and retreats is a must in this spiritual path to awakening. Mingyur Rinpoche also encouraged his mother Mayum to meditate, practice and do as many retreats as she can and no need to worry about him.
    In one of Mingyur Rinpoche’s parting letters, he requested his friends, students and meditators living in monasteries to live harmoniously and keep pure discipline. He is so kind to keep these people in his heart and in his prayers and with his commitment and heartfelt desire to benefit others, Tergar Meditation Community continues to thrive in His absence because those people follow His instructions and practice Guru devotion. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this enlightening post.

  50. Yvonne Yap on Apr 22, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    谢谢!仁波切分享的文章,对于现代的人是很难做到这样的闭关,在城市的人太多的诱惑,太多的顾虑,也太多的接口。

    这位仁波切,让我们知道闭关的意义与对佛法坚持不间断的去做某种事一定会成功。

  51. Chon Kong on Apr 22, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    谢谢仁波切的慈悲,为我们分享那么好的文章和教诲。通过明就仁波切文章,让我了解闭关是怎样一回事,而且在修行上必要做的事。通过短期或长期的闭关,可以清除我们内在的愤怒,远离在生活上所面对的烦恼,欲望,和一切的不好的行为,回到一个宁静的空间。通过闭关修行,可以得到证悟和了悟。当我们获得清淨的了悟、证悟之后,再去从事利他的事业时,就能成办真正清淨的利他行为。由于这种清淨的利他行为是不带烦恼和我执的,这样才能真正地利益众生。

    明就仁波切和詹仁波切的共同点是:都是一位很慈悲,用心和善巧的上师。同样通过高科技,把佛法开示,上载在多媒体,让更多人有机会听闻,利益众生。上师在软硬体上,都给了我们无微不至的安排,确保我们在修行路上,可以独立的成长,之后有能力把佛法传给更多有需要的人。

    今天不能见到上师,要和上师联接的方法是,实修上师的教诲,应用在生活上。唯有努力实践佛法教诲,与上师联接的讯号会越来越强大!

  52. Wah Ying on Apr 22, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    From this beautiful post learn about the practice of great retreat and wandering from one place to another to cut off attachment to comfort and stability, as the important tradition. From the letters and photos of Lama Tashi and Mingyur Rinpoche I know a little more about the life of wandering retreatant.

    The Farewell Letter Mingyur Rinpoche wrote to Tergar community of “…It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes” is contemplative for me, especially when Rinpoche is in US for the past few months.

    Spiritual connection with our Guru is not only physically but in the way mentioned above as well; and it will not be cut off by physical distance, but deepen by the more we applied what our Guru has taught.

    And advice from Mingyur Rinpoche on the support of community on the path of awakening, is true to big family in Kechara or any other spiritual communities in other parts of the world. A true and beautiful community will be a community with members support each other, give back whatever way we can and we grow together.

  53. So Kin Hoe (KH Ipoh) on Apr 22, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the powerful letters from Mingyur Rinpoche. These letters are written is a direct manner and easy to comprehend by the practitioners of Buddhism. I will continue to read them over and over again until they are rooted into my mind. May Mingyur Rinpoche’s great examples of retreat and His advice become the inspiration to many around the world. The joy and happiness can be observed from Mingyur Rinpoche’s face during his retreat. I am truely fortunate to have read His letter in this life time.

  54. Sharon Saw on Apr 22, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Thank you for sharing Mingyur Rinpoche’s experience with us. He is very inspirational and he looks so utterly blissed out in the photos, even though he is living on a spartan existence. Although i would imagine that for spiritually attained people such as Mingyur Rinpoche, it would not be difficult to be without material comforts. The common parallels with Tsem Rinpoche has been mentioned by other commenters – such as the attraction to meditation at an early age, having a dharma centre which he has now left for the students to run. Mingyur Rinpoche’s advice is common to all dharma students and for those who wish to pursue the dharma path.

  55. Cliff on Apr 22, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Learning about what is a great retreat is inspiring, it’s incredible being isolated from society, development, attachments, entertainment, distractions, etc. for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. It makes me wonder so many things of survival from start to finish, how do you tell when it is already 3 years, 3 months and 3 days, but at the end of it all it would be all worth it because you would see your mind transform. Your mind would be less attached to greed, desire or lusts, which are some of all the root causes of suffering. Having attachments in our lives to things and people would only bring us nowhere and create more suffering for ourselves. We can cut that attachment and go into retreat to re-evaluate our minds and transform to someone better. By liberating ourselves from no attachments we cause less pain for our body and mind. If we are able to come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing, the only thing we bring ourselves to our next lives is our minds and with that the dharma we have learnt.

    I like the fact that even after leaving his students, his teacher(s), his family, his monastery he would still give teachings through his letters and relate them to his experiences. Every experience Mingyur Rinpoche had during his retreat he took as a practice and as a lesson to transform his mind further and with that he shared it with his students. His approach to any circumstances good or bad, happiness or suffering it is just as it is and there is no reason to react to them as their very essence is that of timeless awareness and vast compassion.

    I think it is all up to your perception to what suffering and happiness truly is, because even a person suffering the most can view it as a blessing and a practice to learn from it and transform their mind. On the other hand a person who believes he/she is truly happy may be suffering the most because of all their attachments. By doing a retreat our minds improve, our awareness also improves, with that our minds with be more focused and sharp we wouldn’t need to meditate on awareness.

    Even when in mystery of his exact location by his family, mother, monastery and students, you can see from Mingyur Rinpoche’s words in his letter that he truly cares about all of them and continuously assures them of his health and situation that at least settles their worried hearts in the beginning of every letter. Always advising them to continue with their practices, go on retreats, worry less about him, by showing a great example of himself Mingyur Rinpoche is able to inspire them that if he can do it, so can they.

    There is no such thing as a bad teacher, only bad students, those who do not listen, resist in transforming, runaway, create schism, etc. the teacher continuously cares for them regardless of their actions, sacrificing their own ego in order for you to transform. A true teacher does not need to be physically there for us in order to practice but the teachings that has been received by our teacher over the years to be brought to our own contemplation and put to practice. If we continue to believe that we need our teacher to physically be with us and not make the effort to transform, it becomes our selfish action to treat our teacher as a tool or have degenerated our teacher to a level of a ghost where when we ask, we get (but in this case not have to give anything in return).

    The true connection between a student and teacher is the spiritual bond which was made when a student accepts the dharma from their teacher. With practicing what has been taught to us with true conviction it flows with true guru devotion and in turn that strengthens the bond between our teachers. It’s wonderful to see Mingyur Rinpoche’s sincere absolute guru devotion, by following his practices and remembering every teaching that he has received from his teacher. With that Mingyur Rinpoche feels connected with his teacher despite them not physically being there.

    Mingyur Rinpoche had left everything behind, carrying nothing but his clothes, yet when you see photos of him you immediately get a sense of peace and calmness in his expression. Amazingly Mingyur Rinpoche doesn’t look malnourished or crazy, but a person who has a sharp mind, liberated and someone who has purpose. Mingyur Rinpoche is another true example of the benefits of following through with their practices and doing retreats. Even when Milarepa became enlightened with his guru’s instructions Milarepa continued his retreat which still inspired millions.

    I wish Mingyur Rinpoche the best of luck in his practices, good health and rejoice in his and Tergar Monastery’s accomplishments, and only look forward to their continued growth.

  56. June Kang on Apr 22, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    From this article I realize that how important is the Retreat for our enlightenment. Due to this, I realize that how important we must get Kechara Forest Retreat to be built as soon as possible in order lots of people can be here for retreat and have benefit from the retreat. It also remind me to take the responsibility to train ourselves and go for retreat and so we would have experience and knowledge, mind transform in order we can help people in engaging in retreat and have mind transformation and be more happy.

  57. Pastor Jean Ai on Apr 22, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    It made me extremely happy to read this post, to see that the tradition of monks leaving their comfortable environs for the life of a retreatant has been going strong since the time of Shakyamuni.

    Mingyur Rinpoche teaches through example that there is value in solitary retreats, and the result of such retreats is positive. How can I tell this? He does not have the demeanour of someone who has lost their mind from living without human interaction. Furthermore, he is not old, decrepit or someone who has done everything in life and become disillusioned, and therefore retreated from society. He is not a recluse like so many others who retreat from society because their selfishness do not allow them to form meaningful relationships with others. In fact, from his writings over the years, you can see that Mingyur Rinpoche is as sharp and warm as ever.

    What also moved me is the fact Mingyur Rinpoche made a conscious decision to cut his access to all material trappings and whatever is afforded to him due to his status as a high lama. That in itself is a very powerful statement, that a young, healthy lama who has many students, centres and sponsors has no attachments to any of it and in fact, values having nothing but his practice and the opportunity to practice it.

    Because if you look at the pictures, what does Mingyur Rinpoche carry with him? Absolutely nothing of value except for his practice. In going into retreat, in refusing to stay in any one place so as to not form any attachments there, Mingyur Rinpoche shows us modern day practitioners that all you need is your yidam. That is the only protection you need and that (like Rinpoche has taught us before) true, complete reliance on the Three Jewels is the best protection because it will give you everything you need to survive and practice the Dharma…including such a devoted attendant as Lama Tashi, who had the great merits to come across his teacher again.

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s deep wish to do retreats from a very young age also shows that our previous lives’ imprints really do come back and manifest in our current lives. Otherwise, where does a young boy learn that retreats are good, and that the lifestyle of a wandering yogi is for him? Who puts that kind of idea into a young boy’s mind?

    Our imprints will also lead us to be born in environments that either encourage or discourage our positive traits, and encourage or discourage our negative ones. So, what we did previously is what we are doing now. Therefore if we don’t like the lives we’re leading now, and they are the result of our actions in our previous lives…what are we doing to ensure we never have to suffer in this way again, in our future ones? If Mingyur Rinpoche’s story moves us, what are we doing now so that we create the causes to be practitioners like Mingyur Rinpoche in the future?

    Thank you Rinpoche for posting this powerful statement. May many more such practitioners arise in the future. I would love to see a Malaysian do the same as Mingyur Rinpoche (and so many others before him) has done.

  58. […] sending letters to students and family, but this whereabouts have been unknown. Tsem Tulku has assembled a blog about Mingyur’s retreat, with images, and letters that Mingyur Rinpoche has sent out. Click here to read the letters and […]

  59. Pastor Niral on Apr 22, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing this post with us Rinpoche. I actually had the good fortune of meeting Mingyur Rinpoche during one of the talks he gave in London, quite a number of years ago. Even then he talked about the benefits of retreat and that he wanted to do more retreats in the future.

    What is amazing is his determination to complete his wish of an extended long retreat wondering place to place. Before he left, he set up an organization, with branches and practice groups all over the world, following a step by step method of study. The organization was set up in such a manner, that even without the Lama, the organization continued to survive and thrive.

    I used to be in contact with some of Mingyur Rinpoche’s students, and when he left they did not feel that he had abandoned them, because they knew of his wish to be in retreat, and he had promised them to come back once he feels like he has been in retreat long enough.

    It is amazing that many great masters, including Tsem Rinpoche, express their wish to spend time in retreat. This just shows that spending time in retreat is very important, and beneficial for our spiritual practice.

  60. Girlie OOI on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Just like Buddha, Mingyur Rinpoche begged for alms along his journey and there were times when he was rudely treated and times when people offered food and clothings. And like Buddha, Rinpoche left everything behind him.

    In as much as Mingyur Rinpoche is similar to Buddha, so is he alike Tsem Rinpoche in these ways among which are: wish to enter into retreat, love of the mountains, setting up a physical building (centre, monastery, Buddhist organization) for His students to study and practice Dharma.

    Rinpoche mentioned about the natural clarity of awareness, that when not maintained becomes lost due to distraction. All of us possess great love and compassion but these are qualities that do not get recognized and not harnessed to its potential.

    Mingyur Rinpoche reminded his students that even though he will not be physically present, the bond/connection is through the Dharma — “It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”

    Thank You Rinpoche for this article.

  61. Datuk May on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    When I first read this article a lot of sadness came to my mind as it just so similar to what is now happening in Kechara with Rinpoche being away and contemplating of going into retreats all by Himself. The sadness comes from my attachment to the physical being of Rinpoche and definitely this is not what the article is meant to convey to me.

    I experienced my experience and let it go, and read the article again, for there is nothing which Rinpoche does that do not benefit us, his students.

    All attained Beings go into Retreats to benefit others. In the instance of Milarepa, it was to show that when we practised with vigour and rigour, it is possible to be enlightened in one life time.

    Tenzin Palmo was 12 years in a cave in the snow and the lesson for us is that a woman can do it and can be enlightened. She has now founded a nunnery to have nuns educated.

    Mingyur Rinpoche left Tergar Meditation Community so that his students will continue the centre and carry on his work. Mingyur Rinpoche is also perpetuating the tradition of retreats as taught and also practised by his Gurus.

    Tsem Rinpoche also taught that in retreat we will develop pure awareness to the ”Richness of our Basic Nature”. With this awareness we can be liberated with NO WANTS and NO Pains anymore. Retreats will purify our minds, removing the shackles that binds us to negative habituations and transform it from selfishness to selfless.

    Even though my Guru is not with me now, I will continue my practice and be connected to Him with the Dharma which He had and still continue to impart to me.

    In conclusion, I still want my Guru to be back in Malaysia and do whatever I can to have this happen as the ultimate learning is about listening to our Guru and do what He so assigns us as it is only for our benefit.

  62. Wan Wong on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Mingyur Rinpoche engages into solitary retreat as the Buddha and the high lamas have done in the past. It’s amazing that I just read those letters which written prior and during his retreat I can learned so much about him ie who is his teachers, his childhood, wishes, his practices, his community and his inspirations. Everything were mentioned and well written and made people whom does not even know him before like me, get the full and clear information.

    And the most importance, the contents are the profound teaching to his students which if we read carefully and contemplate about it we will realize the main points of to be close with the guru does not mean physically close, to act and contribute to community as it belong to us, the awareness of state of mind, keep practice and engage in retreat in the spiritual path etc which show his compassion towards his students.

    Thank you for the thoughtful of Tsem Rinpoche who blogged these letters as his leaving to retreat, his teachings also benefit students/practitioners who in other Dharma centres and other communities.

  63. Pastor Chia on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    How wonderful in this modern day, still can heard news people are still going in the close retreat like Mingyur rinpoche. It remind me about H.E Tsem Rinpoche always told us about his wishes going to close retreat. Rinpoche created Kechara forest Retreat and encourage more his student and friend from different part of the world who would like seeking the place for retreat to calm and healing their mind, transforming our mind from bad habituation to cause us suffering and to develop our truth nature in our mind. That is awareness and compassion to sentient being.

    H.E.Tsem Rinpoche has started Kechara organization and always teaching Dharma under Lama Tsongkhapa lineage with focus on Lam Rim teaching, 8 verse of mind transformation, Guru yoga and tree principle path teaching of Lama Tsongkhapa. In the early days, Rinpoche gave thousand of teaching every where he go in public and private teaching to some students and friends. His teaching has all recording now and we can find at the you tube at his blog and wedsite. His compassion pass down many his dharma teaching through the media although he is away from Malaysia at USA right now.

    As the full time staff in dharma, I have great fortune stay at dharma committee and get support in order to continue my spiritual journey. All this happen all started since I met H.E Tsem Rinpoche and Kensur Jampa Yeshe. All the teaching I received I had never forget, in fact it help me overcome many obstacle, when it over, it helping me get more experience. It important when there is problem come, never avoid it and find solution to face it. I appreciate rinpoche and friends has supported me specially in dharma committee. Is important we have to put our effect to support our committee and make it grow.
    Although rinpoche is away, he constantly remind us learning more dharma knowledge through his blog,keeping up our practice well and transforming our mind. In that way we can able to overcome our mind free from our attachment and ignorance without rinpoche here stay close with us.

    Thank you Rinpoche always caring for us in many way and sharing Mingyur Rinpoche story inspiring many of us specially those have spiritual bond from rinpoche though dharma teaching.

  64. Fiona chan on Apr 22, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    一个传承,一个觉醒,一个观照内心是对一个修行人重要。只要有一个坚定不移的承诺和觉醒的本质,光靠逻辑强行推导出来的道理,没有从现实证领悟与验证的过程与结果,就会显得很生硬死板,难以理解与运用,只会成为华而不实的抽象概念而已,这样就失去了做为修行人真理的意义。真理是要能用的,能修行,能超越,能实践,才能真正的解救,才能叫做真理,而不是没用的理论。一切理论,最终的目标,其实都是为了指导实践的。

  65. freon on Apr 22, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    In this article and from the letter, the points that I keep noticed about are
    1) Retreat
    2) Mingyur Rinpoche’s advise to his student prior his leaving

    Retreat is important for a student to pause , meditate on the teaching that a Lama gave. Not just simple as what i think earlier on, sit and that is.

    A Lama had gave his teachings to his students and is the students whom have to advance the Lama teachings to more people. Not just hoping that the Lama will keep staying and not learn, not transforms.

  66. Jennifer Yuen on Apr 22, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story on the blog.

    On top of realizing the fact that there are those who aspire to follow the path of a traditional practitioner as a wandering yogi in this modern day and age, enduring the hardship of being in the remote mountains and learning the importance of retreat for our mind transformation, we are again reminded by Rinpoche of what we must do to create a cause for having our Guru always to be near us. It is not so much of the physical distance but the practice of the teaching a student received from the Guru that creates the bond between the Guru and student. It is the sincere practices of the student that determines the strength of the bond with the Guru.

    In Mingyur Rinpoche’s farewell letter, we are also reminded that having received support and guidance from a community, and giving back in whatever way we can is an integral part of the journey! We must appreciate the kindness our Guru extended to us by practicing his teachings in our daily lives sincerely and make contribution to the spread of dharma for more to be benefited.

  67. Joy on Apr 22, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    It’s amazing there is so much similarities Migyur Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche have and what we (Kecharians) is experiencing NOW. But I am not too surprised actually.

    This article has a lot of teachings, meaning and lessons we can learn. So I’m breaking this up to 2 parts that struck and captivated me.

    PART 1:
    Reading this article has made me understand the importance of meditation and retreat which I do not engage in much yet but this article as well as “Cave in The Snow” book and post has been triggering a longing for this experience and practice on the spiritual path. I can understand how Rinpoche yearns for this. It is so unimaginable that Yogis of such still exist and they could literally detach themselves from the world and norm of society, that delusional security of a world we put ourselves in, to go in to a retreat… wondering from one place to another with no real agendas and plans except the commitment towards their retreat. AMAZING & INSPIRING!!! People today would definitely confirm this is CRAZY and we’ve got mental disorder LOL. But some how something tell me that this is what real “freedom” taste like. So many of us are so accustom to being attached to “this” life – belonging to someone, somewhere, some place, family, relationship, friends, relatives, acquisitions blab la bla, which prevents us from this freedom of practice, yet Yogis like Migyur Rinpoche shows us that it certainly can be done, it just depends on what we want to achieve in life and what choices we make – FREEDOM or ATTACHMENTS.

    You might think that while I’m on retreat we won’t be able to stay connected to each other. Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, ***but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.***

    I so love this paragraph because of so many things and one of it is it shows that real GURUs like Migyur and Tsem Rinpoche… have only one intention in their mind for their students; their spiritual journey and progress – the students’ transformation. YES it should not matter where the Guru is, like Rinpoche has always say, you don’t be “nice and kind and sweet” just in front of the Guru and to the Guru, but you should be nice-r, kind-er and sweet-er especially when the Guru is not around and to the people around you! It is not about whether the Guru is physically near or far from us that only then we practice, the Guru is very kind to allow himself to be used for us to practice “care, kindness, generosity” etc. But the truth is that the Guru is everywhere and even stronger, closer and more alive when we “practice” what has been taught, what’s been told to us, reminded us to do, to change, to transform, individually and as a group.

    I totally agreed with what David recalled… “the moment we meet the lama, he is preparing us for our eventual separation. Death and impermanence after all is always in Rinpoche’s teachings and one of the very first in the lamrim.”

    NOW DON’t GET ME WRONG… It does not mean that I don’t miss Rinpoche and want Rinpoche to be back, but it makes me understand, realsie and appreciate what Rinpoche is doing now, teaching now, allowing us (Kecharians/KFR) to experience and grow NOW, so we will survive, we will be okay, we will carry on and we will progress without having Rinpoche to always be there to babysit and cajoled us. THIS IS A PRECIOUS TEACHING. We have to GROW UP… it is as simple as our parents telling us to go find our own job and space when we’ve finished our Uni.

    Like what Migyur Rinpoche said in His letter to His students:
    Three of my four teachers have long since passed away. At times, I remember what it was like being with them and hearing them teach. I remember how joyful and light they were, and how they carried themselves with such dignity and freedom. These memories make me a little sad, but when I remember what they taught me and let their wisdom fill my being, I can feel their presence anywhere and anytime. So while you and I may be apart physically over the next few years, through our practice we will always be together.

    “It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.”

    The above para is so apt for us in Kechara and our commitment towards KFR… it’s true KFR is a community Rinpoche has made us built, but it is not for Rinpoche in reality, it is for US actually, how humble the Lama is! The community itself is ours, to support us on our spiritual path even long after Rinpoche is gone. That is why Rinpoche stresses the importance of an education institute of learning, healing and activities that will keep this legacy of ours alive. So many things have evolved and transpired as we built KFR, so many purification, BFs, so many hiccups, still so many, and we see those who have the good fortune to contribute, continue, stay, persevere, and those who don’t and fall and left. It really has been such a challenging Dharma journey as you see who are real and who are not as we climb the steep slope on this mountain.

    PART 2:

    “In parting, I would like to give you one small piece of advice to keep in your heart. You may have heard me say this before, but it is the key point of the entire path, so it bears repeating: All that we are looking for in life — all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind — is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.”

    WOW… what a piece of powerful advice. It is TRUE we forget in the midst of everything we do, we forget to pause, absorb the moment, realise and appreciate it… even the simplest task given by the Lama, can actually help us gain an attainment. But because of our negative karma, it blocks us from realising it. So we miss what we have, what we could have gained, and attained. We’re always busy doing things, sometimes no idea what we’re even busy with or some tend to dwell in our misfortune, good fortune, the ups and downs of life. I will remember this advice every time I am down and snap out of it.

    For the past two years, I have given many hours of teachings straight to the video camera, which I jokingly refer to as “my best student” (it doesn’t forget anything I say!).

    Sure sounds like Migyur Rinpoche also have forgetful students, a sense of humour, wit and sarcasm like Tsem Rinpoche. Yes just like Rinpoche, everything has been prepared for us to learn… Just like what Tsem Rinpoche have told us many times, if you wanted to learn Lamrim, this blog is the cyber Lamrim in modern bite size articles we lay practitioners can relate to! How ingenious, how very innovative and skilful all these divine Rinpoche and all these Lamas are! Yes the camera seems far better than humans in recording everything and not frustrating our dear Guru from being incompetent students who cannot absorb the teachings! Technology does has its benefits for spreading the Dharma, I’ve learned to appreciate this and for students, we need a lot of OM AH RA PADSA NA DHI(s).

    Thank you Rinpoche for yet another Dharma teaching from the blog! All it is now is for us to apply what we’ve learned. So help us Buddha we can gain some form of positive transformation.

  68. Karen Gan on Apr 22, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
    As I read the article, I feel that the messages from Mingyur Rinpoche to his students are similar to Rinpoche’s teachings – devotion to our guru and go all the way for it, mind transformation through learning, preserve in our practice of loving, kindness, compassion and be harmonious and keep pure discipline in monasteries. These are all Rinpoche’s teachings that we should implement into our daily practice.
    Mingyur Rinpoche also mentioned that “the connection of teacher and students are through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes”. Even though Rinpoche is not here with us right now but he never stop his teaching and we should keep his teaching at the heart of our practice. We should even do more to create the merit for Rinpoche to come back.

  69. Irene Lim on Apr 22, 2014 at 11:43 am

    The bond of students and Lama is maintained by living in the teaching of the Lama. Whether the separation of the students and Lama is through retreat or death, it is only temporary if this bond is kept and cultivated. Cultivation of the minds of student is like crops in the field that need to be fertilised to produce the desired result. The fertiliser is like the catalyst in transmission of the Lama to students directly which can never be replaced by dvd/cd/video/blog/book/television just like what Mingyur Rinpoche said.

  70. Wan Wai Meng on Apr 22, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I’ve always wandered about the wandering yogis and how they go about with their practices. Milarepa was such a one whereby he was truly focused and strong determination to make it, no matter what he faced whether it was starvation, elements danger and harm from others. And he ate nettle soup till his entire body turned green. He though had the blessing of his lama and certain important message for him to open only when one was in danger. And Milarepa example of staying in retreat did indeed inspire many others, he did not do like the Mahasdiddha Birwapa who went out to save people, these are two different methods both valid and both suitable for a variety of students at different levels of their development.

    Mingyur Rinpoche has shown to us that when the time came for him to a long retreat for the further benefit of others he did not hesitate. As going on retreats is an integral part of one’s spiritual development. For him to take a path of asceticism for me is a measure of what he has done before and his level of renunciation. Being a wandering yogi is quite like the Thai Forest tradition, and some of the monks in that tradition do not live in a community, they actually find caves and meditate and sometimes they go back to the cities and towns to teach.

    Mingyur Rinpoche is showing the examples that encapsulates what Je Atisha said to his parents as they told him they could not bear to be parted with him, Je Atisha said that if his parents and he were to engage in dharma they meet again. Buddha Shakyamuni famously said, if you are physically close to me but you do not take the teachings to heart and do not practice then you are far away from me, and if you practice even though you are far away you will be close to me. That was the parting words of the Buddha.

    Can Buddha actually stay longer than 80 years, yes I believe very much so if he had wanted. But the thing is that as spiritual aspirants sometimes we get into this thing that the teacher is there and we kind of hold back or don;t go all the way. Rather viewing the situation when our lama is our around we need to push all the way, we could all be guilty of not giving it all. Ananda because he was so close to the Buddha mostly did not engage in so much practice, so when it came to the counsel of arhats to talk and speak about how to bring Buddha’s teaching forward, he was not an arhat yet unlike his peers hence in order to make the counsel of 500 enlightened arhats, who was convening through a tiny hole that one can only pass if one has magical powers. So Ananda had to meditate there and then to reach arhatship, even Ananda one who spent all the time with Buddha experiencing all the teachings had to meditate.

    The Buddha, Tsem Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche has laid it out for us the teachings and all that we need. There is still much to learn and contemplate from all that we have now. Have we mastered the Lamrim like Je Pabongka the Ocean of Bliss if not then there is still much more we can do? The rituals? Have we finished our ngondro to be ready for higher teachings. Why do we ask for new teaching and more if we have not even mastered all that has been taught?

  71. Aw on Apr 22, 2014 at 10:50 am

    I like it when mingyur rinpoche said that Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, pause from time to time and relax your mind. You don’t have to change anything about your experience. You can let thoughts and feelings come and go freely, and leave your senses wide open. Make friends with your experience and see if you can notice the spacious awareness that is with you all the time. Everything you ever wanted is right here in this present moment of awareness.

    I always follow whats my feeling tell me like if i feel happy about it , i will continue and if i don’t feel good about it , i will discontinue . The things is , i did not notice how my attachment ‘did’ to me and i thought it is what i want . I never understand how importance it is to do puja , retreat and so on until my guru show me how ignorance i am . I am fool enough to think that everything has to be logical and practical when you want result . Tsem Rinpoche always tell us to be open minded and accept new things all the times , do not be stagnant and remain as it is . think big or think wide . True enough that Rinpoche can see far and way beyond what we can . well , am started to understand a little bit more and felt different . I’m not so resistant to puja anymore and i guess it is due to the blessing from rinpoche and protector. To me , mingyur rinpoche still giving teaching after he went for retreat . As an example himself he shows that what and how we can do to let go our attachment by practice consistently and by doing retreat , we will feel and experience differently . What i understand is , consistent is the key point to what we want to achieve .

    High Lama like mingyur rinpoche and Tsem rinpoche are literally like precious gems that we should never ‘let go’ . Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this with us .

  72. Chee ks on Apr 22, 2014 at 10:49 am

    谢谢上師慈悲分享,以上文章让我比较明白闭关的重要性,至少尊贵的明珠仁波切提到他闭关的目的是要把他上師传授给他的法门继续传承下去,这是很重要的。
    佛法能够从佛陀时代一直传授到现在,各个时代的传承修行者实在是功德无量 !我们应该要很重视和尊敬所有因为要闭关修行而能够放下自己一切享乐的修行人。

  73. suet moi on Apr 22, 2014 at 8:06 am

    I read Minghur Rinpoche’s book many years back. I can not recognise him until the last photo that before enter retreat. I really admire those highly attained people can enter retreat. This is just so amazing. I believe most of us still very far far far away from that. I think we still need to a lot more such as reading, practice, puja to understand dharma and make our mind stable. I wish one day I can reach to the status to enter such incredible retreat. Thank you Rinpoche sharing this with us.

  74. Khoo on Apr 22, 2014 at 4:56 am

    Mingyur Rinpoche is a very compassionate Lama who is doing all his best to benefit others. When he had derived tremendous benefit from the retreat and also Saljey Rinpoche told him that retreat is a genuine way to help others, he do it all the way until today. This is the same when Zong Rinpoche told Tsem Rinpoche that by being a monk Tsem Rinpoche will be able to benefits many people, Rinpoche has do it all the way until today. KFR is a place Rinpoche is building to allow the city people to be able to engage in retreat. It is no surprise that before we started building KFR, Rinpoche had sent us the story of Milarepa. It is to inspire us the spirit of Guru devotion and helping others of Milarepa and KFR is the place we can focus in a retreat and transform our mind and preserve the lineage.

  75. Adrian Chow on Apr 22, 2014 at 2:09 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious teaching.
    The purpose of all the High Lamas, Tulkus and Rinpoches reincarnate over and over again it is because of ONE purpose and that ONE purpose is to continue to spin the Dharma wheel or to teach Dharma. On whether the guru is physically here with His student or not, it is not the main issue from the teachers point of view. What important is the teacher want his student continue to practice the Dharma which He had preach tirelessly and continue to function as a whole or community in order to continue the legacy which had started by the teacher or Guru.

    Gurus by right should not have worry about the day to day issues of the organisation and should only concentrate in spiritually development of his students and of course His own practices as well. This story of Migyur Rinpoche organisation is very similar to our own Kechara Organisation and i find what Mingyur Rinpoche wrote (below) very appropriate and we as a Kecharian should always remember because i believed is what Tsem Rinpoche always wanted and aspire us to be.

    “There are times in our lives when we focus on learning and study, and others where we take what we’ve learned and bring it deeply into our experience. These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path. It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.”

    I would like to wish Mingyur Rinpoche have a safe and good retreat.

    And Thank You Tsem Rinpoche for tirelessly teaching us through your emanations.

    With folded hands,
    Adrian Chow

  76. Regina De Giovanni on Apr 22, 2014 at 1:30 am

    Mingyur Rinpoche, when you meet him, is very kind and funny and relaxed. He makes a lot of jokes and makes people feel at ease.
    I am lucky to have met him in the past, I hope that you all will one day meet him too.

  77. tenzin llhamo on Apr 22, 2014 at 12:54 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such an inspiring post of Mingyur Rinpoche.

    As I read it, I only thought of what Rinpoche have been saying all these years. Practice the Dharma well, persevere, contemplate and transform, live in harmony with other Dharma brothers and sisters, take care of the centre, enter into retreat, learn and nurture people who needs it…
    Even if Rinpoche is not here in Malaysia now, doesnt mean that we should care less, do less nor run away. Instead we should continue to make the centre sustain and grow so that it will benefit more people who needs it. Due to Rinpoche’s compassion, love and care, Kechara is where it is now, spreading the Dharma and helping those in need.

    “It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.”
    -Just like Rinpoche’s vision for Kechara Forest Retreat, giving back to the community. I know for sure that it will benefit countless that will be coming to visit, do prayers, meditation, retreat, etc.

    “It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”
    -The best offering that a student can offer to the Guru is the transformation, persevere and commitment to practice with or without the Guru physically around. I miss Rinpoche very much and I will never forget Rinpoche’s advise, ever! Do Dharma all the way! This advise I hold dearly to my heart and never to forsake.

    Rinpoche please take good care.

  78. lucy yap on Apr 22, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s decision to leave is an indication of a revival of the principles laid down by the Buddha.
    There’s an interesting parallel of Mingyur Rinpoche’s story to Rinpoche’s life story too.Both have strong Guru Devotion and care for their students and for the growth of the Dharma.
    By practicing the Dharma and developing mind transformation are the best gift for our Guru.
    This is such an amazing and inspiring story,thank you Rinpoche.
    Thank you for all you have given us all these years…precious Dharma teachings,advices,love,care,Kechara and Kechara Forest Retreat
    May Rinpoche live long and be healthy always.

  79. Pastor Yek Yee on Apr 22, 2014 at 12:18 am

    I remembered that Rinpoche said retreat is the process or method of mind transformation, the ultimate goal for us to do retreat is cut down all our attachments and desires then can make our step more close in Enlightenment path.

    When I read through Mingyur Rinpoche’s articles and Rinpoche’s writing, make me contemplate more about what is spiritual journey for all of us actually.

    In samsara world, we be surrounding by all desires, attachments, and obstacles make us created more suffering than happiness. However, because we not enough merits then did not that is so silly we are. In this modern, difficult to find a person like Mingyur Rinpoche who so interest in meditation and retreat. I believed through his enjoyment which expressed in his letter, he is so happy then can meditate in a cave. Through his pictures, he tell you, I am the more happier person in the world.

    And the most important, when Mingyur Rinpoche not at his own centre, his student take care the centre very well and willing to do more. This showed the Guru devotion of the student is incredible. The real Guru devotion is no wonder your Guru here or not you still need to do your works perfectly. This really stuck my mind when I read that Mingyur Rinpoche are so devoted to Rinpoche and the organization.

    Thank you for Rinpoche sharing this article to us. It is really benefit a lots.

  80. Beatrix Ooi on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    There are a lot of similarities between Mingyur Rinpoche and Rinpoche although both Rinpoches have not met up with each other. Mingyur Rinpoche had a very strong aspiration to practise dharma and go into reatreats, just like Tsem Rinpoche when Rinpoche was a child, even until now. The only difference is Mingyur Rinpoche just left without saying where He’ll be and all of His students/family/friends could not get Him unless Rinpoche writes, whereas we know where our Guru is. But Mingyur Rinpoche stated that He will return soon, and this is something our Guru did not. We all understand clearly why our Guru is in the US, Rinpoche sure has suffered a lot, with the sudden changes of the weather and the lovely mumus here in Malaysia who Rinpoche has missed a lot. Our Guru has given up so much for us, I don’t see why we are still not getting it and taking everything seriously. I often asked myself, why are people who are not worthy( from my point of view of course) are so “worthy” of Rinpoche’s leaving while people who have been working hard are not worthy. But I know why now, that’s because the number of people who are really caring and hardworking is far behind the people who don’t do. I think that’s one of the reasons that keeps Rinpoche from coming back.

  81. nicholas on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    Indeed Mingyur Rinpoche really has the similarity with Rinpoche on meditating far from home since young. This definitely from a great imprint of previous life. It really shows that whatever spiritual practice we have done in our previous lives will definitely set a familiarity act in this life and a continuity to move further.

    What struck me the most is in Mingyur Rinpoche’s farewell letter to the Tergar Community when entering retreat saying the connection between the Guru and students is through the Dharma. It’s not by seeing the Guru and hearing from the Guru physically to create the bond.  It’s taking the teaching from our Guru into our practice created the strong connection. The more we practice consistently the stronger the connection becomes. This really strongly shown from Rinpoche too which Rinpoche up hold the promise of Rinpoche’s Guru,  Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and Rinpoche continue to practice and bring the dharma no matter how tough the situation is.

    What to make the centre grow is the student through transformation from the Guru teaching operate as the Guru not around or not because of we don’t want him but this also show how much we have learn and how much we have transform from our practice and to continue the lineage and the Guru works for life after life.

    Minggyur Rinpoche also says that even though he is separating apart from the students but the consistent practice bring them closer. This is the true dharma and samaya.

    Which ever method used by the guru it always to suit their mind, time and environment. That is thr wisdom of thr guru.

  82. jp on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    It is a great insight to Mingyur Rinpoche’s thoughts as they are very similar to Tsem Rinpoche’s. Going into retreat is THE way to gain real attainments. It only shows that regardless of whatever achievements we’ve made, one should not be attached to them because at the end of the day these outer trappings do not really matter.

    In the dharma organization, everything is set up for practitioners like us to train ourselves towards a state of mind where we can do intense retreats to gain real attainments. Handling all the complexities of managing a dharma organization where people’s minds and well being are involved and making sure that the organization is run efficiently. This is the middle path where all of us need to find. Huge amounts of transformation is needed to achieve this. Mingyur Rinpoche like Tsem Rinpoche chooses to “leave” his organization for many reasons, and they are, to name a few to inspire his students that he is not attached to their outer success at all, that everyone should go into retreat one way or another and it is still possible to go into long retreats in this modern day and age. The choice is ours.

    Thank you Rinpoche for this insightful article!

  83. Grace Leong on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    Lots of emotions popped up whilst reading this article. In many areas I felt it was Tsem Rinpoche’s words or advice to us here in Kechara.
    The most touching bit for me(and many others as I read their comments) was the fact that despite our Guru not physically by our side, we are still connected;we are together in the Dharma. This is the test period ” provided to us with a valuable opportunity to integrate the teachings we’ve already received, to deepen our practice, and to reaffirm our commitment to the bodhisattva ideal….. we take what we’ve learned and bring it into the world to benefit others”. We now have Kechara Forest Retreat, at its primary stage. all thanks to the kindness and compassion of our Guru who made us make it happen. KFR was built via the establishment of a mini community of students being guided very closely by the Guru. The purpose of KFR is to benefit many many more. Hence we have a tag line “Creating Conscious Community” in KFR.
    KFR also turned out to be the perfect place to start the practice of RETREATS. As described very vividly in Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters above, retreats are extremely powerful in removing deep negativities in us.It can undo all the shackels in us. Tsem Rinpoche has always advised us to start our retreats in small ways and then proceed to deeper ones. It may be difficult initially but as Rinpoche said “Sometimes even if we don’t understand something fully but we know it’s good, we keep at it till it’s natural. Familiarity will lead to actions being natural and consistent eventually “. Retreats will become a tool to us to benefit others. It is very clear that even in this time and age, Milarepa’s sincere and strong Guru Devotion to stay in retreat for many years have become a great inspiration and tool for current practitioners. This is of course proven by the current Mingyur Rinpoche as well as his father.
    One last point I noted is the statement made by Mingyur Rinpoche to say that ” Recorded teachings can never take the place of a direct transmission from teacher to student”. Hence dear Tsem Rinpoche, may we all please request for the perfect conditions to be made available for your swift return, so that we may continue to have direct teachings from you. May we continue to create causes for you to live long to turn the wheel of Dharma to benefit all. With folded hands.

  84. Fong on Apr 21, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Reading all the letters really made me see the parallel between Mingyur Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche. Tsem Rinpoche always teaches impermanence and that our connection is with the dharma, not the guru per se. As such, we have to strive harder to continue practicing in the physical absence of the guru as the guru is still with us in his teachings on the blog. We are lucky as everything is in place including pastors and senior students to guide us.

    Thank you, Rinpoche for all that you have done.

  85. Pastor Loh Seng Piow on Apr 21, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    Reincarnated tulkus who have lifetimes of practice before them will be attracted to do the same even at a very young age, and no matter how much worldly distractions there are before them, nothing will shake their determination towards spirituality, they will not be swayed by the worldly attractions. This event of Mingyur Rinpoche proves that such attained mind exists, although very rare nowadays. His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s situation is similar and equally inspiring, born in Taiwan and raised in the USA where materialism is encouraged to the maximum, and being alone during his younger years without the guidance of parents, Tsem Rinpoche still chose to walk the path of spirituality, simply from a promise he made to his guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche whom he only met for a few months in 1983. Both Tsem Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche’s cases proved that higher level minds exist, what is higher level mind? A mind that is trained for lifetimes over lifetimes in real Dharma practice, it has become so strong and stable, that no worldly things can sway them away from continuing spirituality despite having taken rebirth in a new body. Students who have great beings like Tsem Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche as their gurus are ery fortunate, they have before their eyes true practitioners who are capable of guiding them towards higher attainments as proven by the guru’s own example. Watch this video to be further inspired :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sov38tyFHnY

  86. sweekeong on Apr 21, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Very inspiring to hear a lama who gone in the night to go into a wandering retreat. In modern times we no longer hear any news of human beings going for long retreat. This reminds me of a past blog post on a yogini tradition that is still alive and practiced by a group of Tibetan nuns today. We can be proud of how manmade modern technology has improve the comfort of living and survival of the species but it doesn’t seem to be case when you ask anyone whether they have interest to go into retreat. In fact we are so rely on modern technology from the most basic money, electricity, pipe water, and transport that we have become very much attached to them. I just experienced a few electricity blackout with my fellow Dharma brothers and sisters and we are already affected by it. Even without going into retreat each of us modern city living humans are already very dependent and attached to the nice things in this life eg holiday trips, weekend entertainment and so on.

    At the age of 39 Mingyur Rinpoche is considered young for a lama but for a working adult it is already considered midlife, settling down and retirement are likely on one’s mind. From the article I noted that Mingyur Rinpoche is actually growing, progressing, and expanding in his spiritual life. There is a lot of room for expansion and achieving more for the community he has built and cultivated. Some may think it is nice that the guru gets to do what he wishes, and some think the guru is gradually becoming out of reach due to us as students of not keeping up with our commitments for example. The guru main duty is to benefit others by teaching the Dharma. The teachings of Dharma can come in various forms such as in a formal Dharma class setting, giving duties and assignments for the disciples to complete, and living the Dharma itself. The disciples received the teachings from the guru and are therefore expected to practice and use the Dharma to transform their mind. Transforming the mind means the inner transformation will produce outer transformation in the form of results that do benefit others. Otherwise there is no point in going for teachings. Without his physical present his disciples have to rely on the Dharma teachings taught by their guru to walk the awakening path. Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned that by following their commitments they will always have a close connection to him no matter where he is. He has no attachment for his belongings and the Tegar community he has built but he loves his students very much and trust that they grow and bring the benefits of Dharma and meditation practices to many.

    Mingyur Rinpoche has his students closed at his heart, just like Tsem Rinpoche when he is here Malaysia and outside of Malaysia. If we have received help and kindness from our guru, to return and repay his kindness, obviously the direct method is to bring these teachings and practices to many others because they deserve the same teachings as much. This is on top of the mind transformation to overcome our own delusions and negative habituations. The guru can care very much for us but it is also my own self I have to take care of which is genuine concern of others’ well being.

    May Kechara Forest Retreat becomes a place for many to do longer retreats. I enjoy reading the account of Mingyur Rinpoche very much.

  87. Pastor Han Nee on Apr 21, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this lovely post on Mingyur Rinpoche.

    The singular first thought that came to mind was Mingyur Rinpoche’s deep renunciation, similar to our Guru’s. He chose to be a wandering yogi doing retreat in different places to cut his attachment to places,comfort, people, scenes, dependence and stability. “In samsara, nothing is stable and not cutting the attachment to this creates great suffering”.

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s sheer joy is palpable.His parting advice to his students and friends contains the source of this pure joy. “All that we are looking for in life – all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind – is right here in the present moment”. He further explains;” Our own very awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take time to pause and notice what we already have”.

    That is why retreats are very powerful. As Tsem Rinpoche says,”By engaging in great retreats continuously you will see your mind transform…..Retreats help us undo all that shackles us whether it’s greed, desire, lust or avarice. Familiarity will lead to actions being natural and consistent eventually.Retreats unravel , clear and bring us out of our negative habituation. That is the key”.

    In talking lovingly about the community he was leaving behind, Mingyur said they(his students) had helped shape the community. Just as their community was helped and supported by him through his teachings, our guru too has helped us shape our community – Kechara . While our Guru is away, we should seek support for our path of practice,from our community of Kechara and KFR. This is the community from which we should draw strength, even in the years ahead.This is the community which will flourish ,as we receive support and guidance from it and as we give back to it and continue to support it.Harmony and integrity are key to the flourishing of our community.

    On a personal level of practice, it is not the physical closeness to our Guru that we should seek and miss, when he is not around. It is through bringing the dharma (he has taught and continues to teach us) into our own experience,through consistency and persistence in our practice, that we will build an “unshakeable” connection with him.

    My mind must focus on what our Guru has instructed us and consistently carry this out.That is my practice.

  88. mitra on Apr 21, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Dear Rinpoche Thank you for sharing these letters with us on your blog .I rejoice to know about Mingyur Rinpoche’s retreats. i still remember what rinpoche say important to work in harmony for the growth and development of the community. Its good for everyone to do retreat.

  89. lewkwanleng on Apr 21, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    A Lama’s main purpose is to teach the Dharma not the day to day operations of a centre. When the centre is doing their job and environment is conducive, Lama will manifest and Dharma will be disseminated. If the environment is not conducive, the Lama will still use His (other) skilful means to teach the Dharma. Even if the Lama leaves a centre, this action will teach the students too.

    I find the Mingyur Rinpoche’s leaving the centre is very much similar to Kechara’s situation. In Tergar Community, Mingyur Rinpoche went into retreat, while In Kechara’s case, Rinpoche has left to USA. I miss my Guru Tsem Rinpoche, but I know just “missing my Guru” will not have Him back to the centre. To “win” back our Guru, I need to word hard, do more and most importantly have mind transformation to benefit others (instead of just about me me me..)

  90. Justin Cheah on Apr 21, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these very powerful letters. What i felt about the contents written in the letters are actually teachings by itself and whatever disseminated from the letter are exactly what Rinpoche has always been telling us.

    Tergar Community is just like our KFR and the whole Kechara Organisation. The scenario is no different from Tergar Community whereby everyone in it are responsible to practise and build strong Dharma foundation for the growth of Kechara Organisation for the benefit of everyone of us. It is very important to learn and adopt what has been learnt to practice so that we ourselves get better as a person and people get inspired by our work and this will benefit everyone who will be connected with Kechara.

    I particularly like these sentences: “You might think that while I’m on retreat we won’t be able to stay connected to each other. Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.” Even though I cannot be with Rinpoche who is currently in the US but i believe so long as i hold my practice strongly and keep doing what was kindly taught to us will be the key of ‘being close to’ Rinpoche even though the distance. The connection between a Guru and his/her students is not limited to physical proximity. On the contrary, real and deep connection between Guru and disciple is through the sincere and consistent Dharma practice of the student..

    Hopefully i will be joining one of the retreats soon. Please take care and with much love and respect.

    Thank you
    justin

  91. Han on Apr 21, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    This is such an inspiring post about Migyur Rinpoche.
    Through the letters to his friends, students, and fellow meditators made me understands how Migyur Rinpoche stay in retreat and at the same time touch the lives of countless people.

    Without physically close to the guru yet the centres and students are thriving, Migyur Rinpoche’s way of teachings remind me of our Tsem Rinpoche, genuinely and skillfully helping the students to TRANSFORM THEIR MINDS with love and compassion.

    Tsem Rinpoche advice the students to focus and be harmonious even if the Guru is not around, minds transformation is the most powerful connection between guru and students, and the best offering to our guru is to transform our minds.

    Below teachings from Migyur Rinpoche struck me the most,

    “ Don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious post, this is a clear and deep teaching full of wisdom and thoughts.

  92. abby f on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    The stories of Mingyur Rinpoche and Tenzin Palmo are different yet they shared the same message: Retreat is an essential part of our spiritual path and through deep retreat, we help ourselves and eventually others. My understanding would be: Through deep retreat, we explore and connect to ourselves, we overcome our habituation, struggle, attachment in order to complete the retreat. All the wants and dislikes we usually have in daily lives have to keep aside and this is when we can see our real nature and mind clearly, we don’t really need all the habituation, attachment, wants and dislikes to survive. Therefore all these are unnecessary elements in life, but the wants of love, compassion, peace and wisdom are ‘real’ and these are the element that all beings need in lives.

    “Everything you ever wanted is right here in this present moment of awareness.” ~Mingyur Rinpoche

    This touches my heart. Like happiness. When we envy others have happiness and we think we don’t have it, we already lose the happiness right away. Happiness and peace is within us, when I look for peace and solitude, I already have it because I know the preciousness of peace and solitude, I have plant them in my mind and I just work towards it to make them realize.

    What Mingyur Rinpoche wrote in the letters are like what Tsem Rinpoche teaches us. I can relate the compassion and patience that Mingyur Rinpoche has to my own Guru, Tsem Rinpoche. They both love retreat yet they tirelessly and patiently teaches the students, giving the students numerous teachings guide the students from time to time no matter where they are.

    The presence of the Guru itself is the foundation of all the teachings and training of mind. Without the presence of the Guru, the students would not have the chances to train their mind, to subdue their monkey mind by serving the Guru, assisting the Guru. From serving the Guru, the students learn to help others, learn to take care of others too. The students able to put the Dharma teachings into action to benefit others because of the Guru, especially effective when the Guru is around. The training itself is priceless and we cannot get it from somewhere else. The students grow instantly in different scales to different people.

    And for the students, we grab every single opportunities to learn from the Guru directly, serving him/her to train/tame our mind in order to benefit others. Like what Tsem Rinpoche always says, if we cannot serve the Guru who gives us the life-changing Dharma, then why would we serve the others? This is very logical. The tradition of Guru-disciple relationship exist for many very profound reasons.

    During the period when Mingyur Rinpoche is away for retreat, this is the time where the students go into retreat too: put all effort to make the Dharma grow within themselves and make the Dharma community grow as well. When the Guru is back from retreat, the students also come out from ‘retreat’ and become better and better. It is always the best to have the Guru with us, nothing is better than this already in life. Because nothing in life is more important than knowing our nature and live in peace with compassion. The Guru is the one who shows us the way.

  93. Angelshooi on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    Thank You Rinpoche for posting the above articles of Mingyur Rinpoche.
    What I found out the motivation of Mingyur Rinpoche and our Rinpoche are quite similar to each other.

    Mingyur Rinpoche wants His students be harmonious, keep pure discipline, do practice will uphold the lineage and the mind of transformation.
    Mingyur Rinpoche also said in His letter that very good to see all of His students come together to help form and shape the growing of Tergar Meditation Community. While Rinpoche is away Kechara Forest Retreat and Kechara Organizations all the activities are going on too.

    Both of the Lamas’s motivation for their students are the same.

    I wish Rinpoche will return to Malaysia soon like what Mingyur Rinpoche will.

    Thanks and take care Rinpoche.

  94. Oya on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I so appreciate Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters. He is so caring and tender towards his students. I feel my heart opening as i read through. i remember a fabric Thanka of Milerepa i got to be near for awhile just many years ago in the beginning of learning about Dharma and i kept wondering if i was feeling the powerful energy from this thanka or if i was imagining it. In retrospect i feel this same energy here.
    I am very moved by Lama following his heart. Om Mani Padme Hung.

  95. DR on Apr 21, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Mingyur Rinpoche seemed to have everything well set up for him as a teacher and was living comfortably with a retinue of attendants. This radical step that he has taken as a mendicant monk is unusual, especially in modern times. I am sure within the Buddhist community, this news is taken with a mixture of astonishment, awe, and inspiration. Religious mendicancy is something we read about in the past. Milarepa, Tibet’s most famous wandering yogi wandered the mountains of Tibet for half a lifetime.

    Our historical Buddha advocated that monks and nuns should maintain a life of wandering as he saw permanent residency as a form of enslavement to worldy attachments. But that was 2,600 years ago and Buddhism has evolved with times hence the establishment of big monasteries like Gaden, Sera and Drepung. To have a roof over our head, a consistent food supply, and a safe environment to meditate in is great support, which frees up a lot of energy and time that can be directed towards looking deeply into our minds. For wandering yogis, there is a huge level of uncertainty that they have to deal with on a daily basis.

    Mingyur Rinpoche had planned this retreat well in advance and did not abandon his responsibilities as a teacher. He had recorded many hours of teachings on the video camera, trained retreat instructors, fund-raised and delegated his work. It is now up to his students to ‘keep their ship afloat’.

    I read this article with mixed feelings. It could be that Mingyur Rinpoche is training and preparing his students to be able to run the organisation after he enters clear light, or the organisation was getting complacent hence the need for this ‘spiritual jolt’, or there was some element of broken samaya or even a combination of all. Highly attained beings’ actions are multi-fold with the sole motivation of benefiting others no matter how it looks outwardly. In the Tibetan tradition, there are many valid and powerful methods. Whether they choose to manifest as a householder, a hermit recluse, a wandering yogi or live in a monastic institution, spiritual realisation is still possible for them. The method they choose depends on the needs of their students…

  96. Iryne Chong on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Rinpoche has given us the instruction to do personal retreats as soon as possible. Small ones over the weekends or long ones in a way suitable to our current commitments. How kind the Guru. Mingyur Rinpoche is very skillful just like Rinpoche in encouraging students to focus and be harmonious even if the Guru is not around. I feel that we all need to progress already from our comfort zones and Rinpoche has given many instructions to do that. One is to do the retreats which is very clear instruction. I will take this instructions to heart.

  97. Julia Tan on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article about Mingyur Rinpoche. In the letter, Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned all happiness, containment and peace of mind that we are looking for is always here inside us but because we are too caught up or distracted with our daily ups and down hence too busy to see what we already have. Like what Ani Tenzin Palmo said when she was in the retreat she can see herself clearly as a person without any identity so that she can know herself better. Hence by doing retreat we will find awareness and compassion which already inside of us by nature.

    When Mingyur Rinoche was on the retreat trip, he begged for food. He sometimes received nothing but insults and harsh words form people. Sometimes people just gave him without him asking. Same thing is happening in our life everyday. Because of that our sufferings and happiness waved like an ocean because of the uncertainty of life but most important we must understand the true nature of this experience which is caused by our own karma. Mingyur Rinpoche never stop giving teachings even He’s away. Just like Rinpoche is now very far in USA but never stopped giving us teachings every moment over the blog, whatsapp, FB, Twitter and YouTube to encourage us to study and practice.

    It is very important to have harmonious among the students and keeping the pure discipline. When the Guru is away does not mean we disconnect with our guru. We must understand that the purpose of a Guru is to teach Dharma. Hence the connection of the Guru and student purely depend on how much we practice what our guru has taught and put them into all our experiences in life but nothing else. Mingyur Rinpoche also encourage His students to practice as a community because group practice is powerful. The sangha grow through the connection to each other and a share commitment to practice.

    Community is a powerful support tool for our practices. Students are the one need the practice hence is the student commitment to support and make the community grow and flourish. Since we receive support and guidance hence is logic to give back in whatever way you can.

    Understand that a Guru happiest journey is to go into retreat. Rinpoche sacrificed it but to teach in Malaysia. Rinpoche does not need anything from us because Rinpoche can just leave for retreat without anything. If the students still being selfish, lazy and do not practice, it means there’s no reason for a guru to return. To Rinpoche, nothing is happier for him to see us students’ practice grown and flourished in his absence. This is the right way to go to gain the right purpose for Rinpoche to be back.

    Thank you Rinpoche to open up our mind by sharing with us Mingyur Rinpoche’s story.

  98. KH Ng on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s message to his students and friend and to all of us is that what bonds us is the practice. When the Guru leaves it doesn’t necessarily means He is abandoning us even though from our side we think something happened that made the Guru unhappy; the Guru’s compassion is like an ocean and He never abandon us. The Guru’s leaving is a lesson in itself for those discerning and willing to work with the Guru and the teaching He has taught. We can progress with the Guru around and even when the Guru is not around if we are consistent in our practice and support each other and the community/center to build and develop, commit with consistency and make the Dharma flourish far and wide to benefit others. The key is to receive and to give back. That is the best way to request the Guru to stay.

  99. bengkooi on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    A few key aspects of this article struck me deeply. The first relates to meditation as a core practice along the path to liberation as expounded clearly by Mingyur Rinpoche. As those who have tried to meditate would know first hand, meditation in itself is not as simple as one may assume particularly in this day and age of technology and distractions. I have tried it myself and have found my focus sorely lacking to achieve a deep meditative state. Yet practice really does make perfect (eventually) and a great retreat is a goal that I aspire to, and to know that lamas such as Mingyur Rinpoche and Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche are walking the same path is deeply inspiring.

    This is also the first time I have heard about the life of a wandering yogi as an extension of meditative practice but it immediately made a lot of sense as a means to cut attachment to the intangible such as stability and expectations. Today’s forms of practice seem fraught with hidden pitfalls and comfort zones that wait to catch us unawares, especially if one is a lay person. So to adopt some of the older examples of hardcore practice as what Mingyur Rinpoche has done is valuable food for thought for those who are looking to improve their practice.

    The last letter from Mingyur Rinpoche has drawn so many parallels between the situation in the Tergar Meditation Community and the current situation within Kechara, from the slowing down of progress to the challenges faced by the students who are left behind, the opportunity to practice what has been taught, and most importantly, the compassion and omniscience of the teacher who knows best what type of skilful action is required in order to ensure students’ progress along the path to liberation, as evinced by the everlasting hope of the teacher for things to change and improve by the time they return. Nothing is done arbitrarily, and nothing is done for the personal gain or likes or dislikes of the teacher, only for the benefit of students past present and future.

    Even the video emanations of Mingyur Rinpoche are akin to the blog, social media and phone emanations of Tsem Rinpoche, giving us timely advice as and when needed.

    More so than any of the above, the statements from Mingyur Rinpoche below have affirmed some of the thoughts which I have been contemplating on since Tsem Rinpoche left for the USA.

    “It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”

    AND

    “There are times in our lives when we focus on learning and study, and others where we take what we’ve learned and bring it deeply into our experience. These are processes that each of us goes through individually, but having the support of a community can be a great help as we follow the path. It has been wonderful to see how many of you have come together in recent years to help form and shape our growing community. Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey.”

    There is no better advice for the present time, on an individual and community level.

  100. Karen Chong on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    We often said that to be able to meet a Guru and be His student is extremely fortunate because we get direct teachings and advice from the living Buddha. Hence in the beginning of all prayers in Gelug tradition, we take refuge to the Guru first. To many who doesn’t really understand the purpose of pursuing Dharma, the meaning of a Guru or Dharma centre often entails the labels of “quick-fix”, people come to Dharma centre hoping to find solutions for their self created problems and hence they are emotionally attached to a Guru/Dharma centre where they find comfort but not self-help.

    A physical Guru is there to bring out our inner guru, our Buddha nature, an essence to lead us to happiness eventually, which much personal effort, work and even pain is involved in the process. Like what Mingyur Rinpoche has said, the natural clarity of awareness has been with us from the very beginning. The solution to get rid of all the distractions/delusions/ignorance while seeking spirituality, is to put Buddha teachings into action.

    Tsem Rinpoche has once wrote this on the book :” We want to be efficient and beneficial, and we want to make our Dharma centers run well. This applies to every centre in the world. The only way we can do this is to understand the phenomenon of Dharma centers, the functions of Dharma centers, the people who are there and what we are supposed to do.”

  101. Ong Moh Mei on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:24 am

    What struck me the most about this article is Mingyur Rinpoche’s Farewell Letter to the Tergar Community When Entering Retreat.

    Mingyur Rinpoche talked about the spiritual bond with one’s teacher is not by just seeing one another and staying in touch. Its by practising what the teacher has taught that the unshakable bond is established and will continue to grow as we practice.

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s parting advice leaves much to contemplate. “All that we are looking for in life — all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind — is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.

    Don’t forget to make space in your life to recognize the richness of your basic nature, to see the purity of your being and let its innate qualities of love, compassion, and wisdom naturally emerge. Nurture this recognition as you would a small seedling. Allow it to grow and flourish.”

    What does it mean that our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good? This reminds me of the title of one of Kechara Media Publication book “The Living Buddha Within”. The battle of “good” and “evil” is only within the confine of our own mind. Perhaps we cannot really learn goodness as oppose to actually realizing that the purity and goodness is already inside us, our true nature.

    • Pastor Shin on Apr 23, 2014 at 6:23 pm

      Dear Pastor Moh Mei,
      I would like to share what I read before (although I may not have understood the whole depth and methods of doing so) about what you mentioned above.

      In an ordinary being this fundamentally pure and good awareness is called Buddha nature. When Buddhahood is realised, this clarity is called the Dharmakaya. On the path to Buddhahood, Buddha nature is the gradual realisation of all the good qualities and the gradual elimination of all the bad qualities. This is why there in an emphasis of studying and meditating on the true nature of phenomena and on the nature of the mind.

  102. Patsy on Apr 21, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this article. I rejoice to know about Mingyur Rinpoche’s retreats and from his pictures he exudes so much radiance, happiness and contentment.

    As Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned, his going into retreats does not mean that he has lost connection with his students. In fact, if we focus, learn and practice what our Guru taught us, our spiritual bond with our Guru will be stronger and closer. Our Guru may not be physically near us but he is always in our heart. If we wanted so badly for our Guru to physically be with us we must create the causes and conditions for that to happen by following his instructions diligently and consistently.

    Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned “Nothing will make me happier than to come out of retreat and hear that our new tradition of coming together for practice retreats has grown and flourished in my absence.” Even though Mingyur Rinpoche is away from his students, his center has grown and flourished in his absence. This shows that his students took full responsibilities to maintain the center with great care and devotion.

    I sincerely hope that Rinpoche’s wish of going into retreat will come true. This does not mean that we do not want Rinpoche to be with us. We definitely do and hope that when Rinpoche is out of retreat; our center will grow and flourish during Rinpoche’s absence. This is the time that all of Rinpoche’s students must integrate the teachings we have received from Rinpoche, contemplate and deepen our practice and be committed to create a more conducive
    environment for Rinpoche to come back to teach after the retreat to benefit even more people.

  103. Pastor Jay Jae on Apr 21, 2014 at 7:47 am

    I’ve heard about Migyur Rinpoche many years ago. It is indeed very inspiring what Migyur Rinpoche is doing and his story kinda reminds me how highly advanced hermit monks of Gaden would move from one cave to another to avoid people from coming to him due to his fame and attainments.

    I like what Migyur Rinpoche said about his “emanations”(videos) being able to fill his students with alot of knowledge and teachings but also advised that these videos cannot replace the teacher.

    Every emanation body(tulku) with the wish to benefit would manifest teachings in their own way which suits their students. Migyur Rinpoche here is another example which is similar to Rinpoche. Rinpoche not only benefited his students but made sure Gaden and the monks do well too!

    Migyur Rinpoche’s entering into retreat in such a manner serves as inspiration to many just like Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. Even though during these degenerate times when Buddha’s sun of the teachings is setting it is still possible to go into retreat and reap some attainments.

    I like what Migyur Rinpoche *said about the support of the community for the practitioner as it is the support we need from a group of people including the Lama for our spiritual path to grow. That’s one of the reasons why TR asked some of us to move into Dharma houses many years back. KFR is a result from that.

  104. Bradley K. on Apr 21, 2014 at 5:55 am

    Such an inspiration! I rejoice for him, and his virtuous activities!

  105. David Lai on Apr 21, 2014 at 3:09 am

    I don’t really know why but I am quite moved by Mingyur Rinpoche’s unwavering wish to be in retreat. It is just so similar to Rinpoche on many levels and I am sure that would be Rinpoche’s foremost thoughts always.

    I find the idea of being in retreat an incredibly attractive notion for a lover of distractions such as myself. Anyway, I like what Su Ming had said about practicing independently of the lama. I recall Rinpoche used to tell us that the moment we meet the lama, he is preparing us for our eventual separation. Death and impermanence after all is always in Rinpoche’s teachings and one of the very first in the lamrim.

    I find interesting that many great lamas such as Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche and Tenzin Palmo always have a renunciate wish. Rinpoche like these great beings are indeed a great role model, such a rare example that goes against the tide of materialism and modern day distractions of everyday life. I think Rinpoche’s renunciate thoughts and wishes express a radical view of what to cherish, practice and instil in our minds as we tread down the path of our lives.

  106. Edwin Tan on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:54 am

    Dear Rinpoche,

    I have read the blog and understood what Rinpoche is trying to teach us. I also understand Rinpoche’s thought on wanting to do retreats.

    I have also read Pastor Adeline’s and Li Kheng’s comments on the article. While I am not as articulate as them, the essence of the article is reflected in their comments.

    Although Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned:
    “Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”

    I feel it will be better to actually see my guru and form the connection with my guru deeper by following Rinpoche’s teachings.

    Thank you.

  107. sockwan on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us the story of Mingyur Rinpoche. There are a few things which are very similar to KFR.

    Mingyur Rinpoche has created the community called Tergar Community while we have our KFR. He mentioned the community really is about us, not one person. Our Lama has created the community for us, it is us who are responsible to make this community alive by practising Dharma and take on the responsibility to maintain it. Mingyur Rinpoche says it is very important to work in harmony for the growth and development of the community. This, Rinpoche has told us many time also. We have to learn to be selfless, not to be bound by our ego. We are not here (KFR community) to prove to others our existence, we are here to prove to ourselves that we can control our mind and we are becoming a better person everyday. Students must ensure the community carries on and grows, this will also create the cause for the Guru to come back to teach. After all, what is there to teach when the students do not even practice whatever the Guru has taught?

    I particularly like this paragraph “You might think that while I’m on retreat we won’t be able to stay connected to each other. Of course, we won’t be able to see each other for a few years, but don’t forget that our connection is through the Dharma. It isn’t simply seeing our teachers, or even hearing them, that creates a spiritual bond. It’s when we take the teachings we’ve received and bring them into our own experience that an unshakeable connection is formed. The more we practice, the stronger the bond with our teacher becomes.”. Even though our Lama might be away, one day he will leave us but it does not mean our Lama has left us. He will never leave us, as long as we keep our samaya clean, we practice what our Lama told us, we are already building a close connection with him. If we do not practice what our Lama has been teaching us, even physical closeness does not mean any thing at all.

  108. Sean Wang on Apr 21, 2014 at 1:16 am

    It is amazing to see how much devotion to the Dharma is shown by Mingyur Rinpoche. He is true to his practice to utilize 3 years of his life for the betterment of his practice and to be able to benefit others. This letter is so inspirational and I hope the sphere of influence would inspire many others to take retreats like this.

    I like how he is so close to his teachers, even though they may not be physically near him. It shows that he is willing to transform his mind and benefit others regardless of the physical presence of a guru. It shows that his guru devotion extends the physical bounds but shows its fruition spiritually.

  109. Pastor Henry Ooi on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:58 am

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s meditational retreats give inspiration to others who aspire the same as him. Mingyur Rinpoche yearning for retreats started at a young age, similar to Tsem Rinpoche. Mingyur Rinpoche has Tergar Meditation Community, Tsem Rinpoche has Kechara. And within Kechara, there is Kechara forest retreat, the meditational retreat home of Tsem Rinpoche.

  110. Li Kheng on Apr 20, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,

    Thank you for the insightful post about the different types of retreat as well as the significance of retreat in relation to spiritual progress. There were a few points that stood out to me.

    I read very clearly from Mingyur Rinpoche’s letters that the connection between a Guru and his/her students is not limited to physical proximity. On the contrary, real and deep connection between Guru and disciple is through the sincere and consistent Dharma practice of the student. Mingyur Rinpoche described how he would miss his teachers but how he can immediately feel them close again by “letting their wisdom fill our being”.

    Another impressional point Mingyur Rinpoche shared was that the community of the centre he built is meant for the students and belongs to the students. Like all Dharma masters, Mingyur Rinpoche created Tergar Meditation Community as a haven for students to practice what they learnt so that they can reflect and gain realisations. The Gurus do not need a centre or any other tangible asset as their are already highly attained.

    Mingyur Rinpoche’s parting advise in his farewell letter was very powerful: all that we are searching for is right in front of us. We just need to let the “mud” settle to see with clarity. I reflect on this statement with a discussion i once had with a Dharma sister: that Dharma practice is NOT about gaining something but it is all about letting go. As we let go, we have the relaxed vision to see with clarity and realise we have what it takes to be happy from the very start, i.e the Buddha nature within us.

    Lastly, Mingyur Rinpoche mentioned in the last paragraph of his farewell letter that the best way a student can support a teacher is by practicing the Dharma and developing mind transformation. Rinpoche often mention this in Rinpoche’s teachings: the best offering any student can give the Guru is mind transformation.

    I thank Rinpoche again for this inspiring post.

  111. Pastor Adeline on Apr 20, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this powerful and moving article! I truly rejoice to learn about Mingyur Rinpoche’s solitary retreat. The sight of his recent pictures bring lightness, ‘carefreeness’ and true happiness.

    The situation of Tergar Meditation Community is similar to that of Kechara House. The instructions that Mingyur Rinpoche gave to his students are also similar to what Rinpoche has given us – mind transformation is the only way to continue be connected with the guru; the students are responsible to help form and shape the growing organisation that belong to the students.

    The guru’s instructions are what we should be carrying out in order for us to generate the merits for us to continue and strengthen the affinity with the guru. Being connected with the guru doesn’t really means to be close or near to him physically, but to be connected to him in the nature state of the mind spiritually. Our daily sadhana, weekend retreat, dharma work are the methods we use to achieve that.

    I’m not saying that we do not want or need our guru to be near us, but we have to understand that the closeness is not a matter of distance physically. We can be around our guru, but not connecting with him internally by ignoring his instructions and not putting efforts in transforming ourselves.

    The guru being away physically is itself a great teaching for us to learn to be independent so that we are capable of safeguarding all his hardwork and preserve the teachings’ lineage continuously. In this way, even if he has passed into clear light in this life, he has something to come back to quickly, he knows that the tools and the students are ready for him to continue his bodhisattva deeds without obstacles. This is the way that we keep our affinity with our guru life after life by carrying out his work that serves his purpose.

    The sole purpose of the guru existence is to benefit others. If the students do not carry out his instructions and transform, he will see no reason for him to be back and continue with his work in this manner. The guru is enlightened, he knows many other ways to benefit beings. What we have now is just one of the many ways he can use. He is kind enough to guide us in this way because it best suits our mind bearing in mind that it might not be the guru’s desirable way.

    The students are responsible to create the desirable environment for the guru to continue his great deeds. The organisation, its properties, the people all came together because of the guru’s kindness in setting it up in the beginning, but the students shouldn’t be relying on the guru to continue doing that as it has never been the guru’s purpose to build and upkeep them. The guru can wonder and go into retreats, he can live in any conditions and still doing his practice happily. He is not attached to materials and does not need a permanent place to live in, but he is most happy to be in an environment that provides permanent happiness for others.

    If we want our guru to be back, we are responsible to create that suitable conditions for him to come back to. It is time for us to show results and stop procrastinating because the karma is dying off quickly. Do something so that we will not regret later!

    • Casteven Lim (KH JB) on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:52 am

      I m extremely agree with Pastor Adeline comments.

      To me i feel that this article is the powerful teaching for us to contemplate and relate what is happening to our Guru and us. When i read this article twice, those words become the images in between Rinpoche and Kecharians, is seem like a Rinpoche having an audience with us.

      Most of us will know the important of Guru Devotion, however we got no a proper SOP to mention what we need to do but personally i feel that we should (**pls advice if i m not correct);

      1. Do more social media
      – such as twitter, FB, read and comment Rinpoche blog to share out Rinpoche teaching hence trying to get sponsors to help in all Rinpoche projects

      2. Do Pujas / retreats ,sadhana
      – attend pujas, do retreats according to Rinpoche advice may help us to gather the positive energy to keep our Guru Samaya hence to go futher and carry on our Dharma practice

      3. Help to raise fund
      – instead fund is the important part to make a center to sustain, we may help to raise fund not only by our own pocket money but maybe we can help to do sponsor puja in Puja House, or encourage others to donate ect

      We should show our Transformation in Action NOW, we should do A LITTLE BIT more to show transformation in action. If the 3 category as above is giving marks then we should know how much we actually do, how much we had transformed hence how much our offering to Guru.

      Recently we are approaching more JB members and friends do more in the 3 category above, hopefully they also can collect some Merits to make Rinpoche continue to turn the wheel of Dharma. And for those are in JB already do some parts in the category we encourage them to do a little bit more to show the real Transformation in Action.

      “One Cannot But Many Can”

      Thanks Rinpoche for this extreme touch and powerful teaching to us, its truly make my eye wet when reading hence the image of Rinpoche is in an audience with us keep on appear in my mind.

      Wish Rinpoche stable health, long life and continue turn the wheel of Dharma (with folded hands)

  112. Anni Soo on Apr 20, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    Thanks rinpoche for sharing such powerful articles !!

    All the highly attained lama, tulku and rinpoche reincarnate back the main purposes is to benefit beings by spreading dharma or themselves be a live idol dharma to inspire others to dharma. No matter what happen the dharma must be maintain well and pass down the lineage by generation to another generation, because the real dharma we practicing shouldn’t stop.

    While i’m typing this couldn’t control my tear, Tsem Rinpoche teaching us no matter what happen this dharma journey have to be continued. Miss you very much Rinpoche !!

  113. Vivacela on Apr 20, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Years back,I watched mingyur rinpoche’s talk on YouTube about joy of living. He inspired me that there’s nothing that is impossible. He explained how he overcome his anxiety attack by meditating. The essence was not the meditation, It was how to accept and to face it rather than to runaway.

    Thank you for sharing these letters with us on your blog Rinpoche. I will contemplate well on this.

  114. Su Ming on Apr 20, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    Wow. I read this article twice as I wanted to absorb the words carefully and in detail. What I like about this is what Mingyur Rinpoche wrote below as what Rinpoche himself has always taught us that if we want our centre to grow & flourish, we need to operate & BEHAVE as if as the guru is no longer with us.

    Over the last 6 mths with Rinpoche in America and us in Malaysia, I have been operating in that manner. Don’t get me wrong as I miss Rinpoche terribly as much as most of us back in Malaysia but I strongly believed that the “MISS” can only be justify by the results we bring or create.

    And I remember a teaching Rinpoche gave many months ago about the merits we need to meet a guru and even more merits is needed to have the guru closely. I choose to change my karma to be able to have the merits to have Rinpoche close to us. It is a conscious choice and everyday we can generate merits for that.

    From the article above :
    “Though I’ve helped support the community through my teachings, the community itself is yours. It is there to support you on the path of awakening, and it will be your commitment and support that will allow for the flourishing of the community in years to come. Receiving support and guidance from the community, and giving back in whatever way we can, is an integral part of the journey”

  115. pema thrinley on Apr 20, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    so enriching piece of letter but be measured its influence that its gonna have all over the three worlds … wish you good health and clear path ahead Dear Mingyur Rinpoche….

    thank you so much Rinpiche so sharing it. i will hold these teachings in my heart…

    • Oya on Apr 21, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Yes, so “enriching”… concise

  116. ines afonso on Apr 20, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    se lo ve tan feliz !! gracias por compartir.

    • Andrew Hibberd at Maroochy River on May 7, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      we are so lucky to see things even if it on a desk top if we are wise and open our eyes we will recognise them when they walk in front of us , so many of them and such little recognition,

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Blog Chat

BLOG CHAT

Dear blog friends,

I’ve created this section for all of you to share your opinions, thoughts and feelings about whatever interests you.

Everyone has a different perspective, so this section is for you.

Tsem Rinpoche


SCHEDULED CHAT SESSIONS / 聊天室时间表

(除了每个月的第一个星期五)
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UPCOMING TOPICS FOR MARCH / 三月份讨论主题

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Give the room a chance to answer you. Patience is a virtue. And if after awhile, people don't respond, perhaps they don't know the answer or they did not see your question. Do ask again or address someone directly. Do not be offended if people do not or are unable to respond to you.

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Avoid the use of language or attitudes which may be offensive to others. If someone is disrespectful to you, ignore them instead of arguing with them.

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Please let this be a conducive space for discussions, both light and profound.

KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES

Here is the latest news and pictorial updates, as it happens, of our upcoming forest retreat project.

The Kechara Forest Retreat is a unique holistic retreat centre focused on the total wellness of body, mind and spirit. This is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration in a natural forest environment. At Kechara Forest Retreat, we are committed to give back to society through instilling the next generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion.

For more information, please read here (english), here (chinese), or the official site: retreat.kechara.com.

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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

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

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

Tsem Rinpoche

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The Unknown

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

Photos On The Go

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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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
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