The Great Buddha of Kamakura

Nov 26, 2016 | Views: 2,167
The Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

(By Tsem Rinpoche)

I am writing a series of articles on various holy sites such as Mount Wutai in China, the Temple of the Tooth in the city of Kandi, Sri Lanka and several holy places in India such as Bodhgaya, Lumbini, Varanasi and Kushinagar. The objective of writing these articles is to provide information and inspire readers to visit those important religious sites which are well known places of pilgrimage.

A particular place can be considered holy when at least one of the following criteria is met:

  1. Someone had engaged in intensive meditation to generate higher insight and state of mind (e.g., love, compassion and bodhicitta) in the area and therefore infused positive energy into the place.
  2. Someone had a pure vision of a holy being (for example, a Buddha, a Mahasiddha, daka or dakini) and/or received teachings from the holy being(s) in the area. This would have imbued the place with the energy and blessings of the holy beings and/or teachings.
  3. A place where holy beings abide or where supernatural beings engaged in virtuous activities, which blessed the place with positive energies.
  4. The place was blessed or consecrated by a highly realised being who invited the enlightened beings to reside there.

When visiting places that have been blessed, visitors can feel a sense of peace, happiness, healing and well-being from the blessed energies of that environment. It can also leave a spiritual imprint or open up an existing positive imprint in the minds of visitors or pilgrims, which can help spur them on their spiritual path.

During the process of writing this article, I learnt about the sincere determination of the people who built the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan, such as the Lady Inada and the Priest Joko of Totomi. They beat all odds to fulfil Lady Inada’s promise to the late Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo of the Kamakura Shogunate. Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi faced many challenges such as natural disasters and a lack of funding but they persevered and never gave up. I am truly inspired by their effort and determination to achieve their noble goal despite many difficulties.

I hope you will find this instalment of the series on holy places enjoyable and informative. May it serve as an inspiration for you on your spiritual journey.

Tsem Rinpoche

 


 

Overview

Kamakura is located south of Tokyo, Japan

Kamakura is located south of Tokyo, Japan

Kamakura Daibutsu, or The Great Buddha of Kamakura, is a beautiful and graceful bronze statue of Buddha Amitabha, located within the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Kotoku-in Temple’s official name is Daii-san Kotoku-In Shojosen-ji. This Buddha image has survived several natural disasters including a powerful storm in 1335, an earthquake and tsunami in 1495 and the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. Nevertheless, through extensive maintenance and repair efforts, this beautiful Buddha statue is still standing today. The statue is approximately 13.35 metres tall and weighs around 121 tons.

Priest Honen, the founder of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism

Priest Honen, the founder of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism

According to the Kotoku-in temple records, the original Great Buddha of Kamakura was made of wood. It was completed in 1243 during the Kamakura Shogunate period. It took approximately ten years to build the original statue with funds raised by Inada-no-Tsubone, also known as Lady Inada and the Buddhist priest, Joko of Totomi.

Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi were the followers of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism, which was established by Priest Honen (1133 – 1212 CE). Followers of the Jodo sect focus their devotion towards the Buddha Amitabha because they believe that this Buddha will help to liberate all beings regardless of position, age or gender. According to this tradition, one needs to chant, “I take refuge in Buddha Amitabha” or “nenbutsu” in order to receive his protection and be reborn in his paradise.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura inspired Rudyard Kipling (1865 – 1936 CE), a famous English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist, to write a famous poem called ‘Buddha at Kamakura’ in 1892 following his visit to Japan in 1889-1892.

 

Buddha at Kamakura (1892)

‘And there is a Japanese idol at Kamakura’

O ye who tread the Narrow Way
By Tophet-flare to Judgement Day,
Be gentle when ‘the heathen’ pray
To Buddha at Kamakura!

To Him the Way, the Law, apart,
Whom Maya held beneath her heart,
Ananda’s Lord, the Bodhisat,
The Buddha of Kamakura.

For though He neither burns nor sees,
Nor hears ye thank your Deities,
Ye have not sinned with such as these,
His children at Kamakura,

Yet spare us still the Western joke
When joss-sticks turn to scented smoke
The little sins of little folk
That worship at Kamakura—

The grey-robed, gay-sashed butterflies
That flit beneath the Master’s eyes.
He is beyond the Mysteries
But loves them at Kamakura.

And whoso will, from Pride released,
Contemning neither creed nor priest,
May feel the Soul of all the East
About him at Kamakura.

Yea, every tale Ananda heard,
Of birth as fish or beast or bird,
While yet in lives the Master stirred,
The warm wind brings Kamakura.

Till drowsy eyelids seem to see
A-flower ’neath her golden htee
The Shwe-Dagon flare easterly
From Burma to Kamakura,

And down the loaded air there comes
The thunder of Thibetan drums,
And droned—‘Om mane padme hum’s’
A world’s-width from Kamakura.

Yet Brahmans rule Benares still,
Buddh-Gaya’s ruins pit the hill,
And beef-fed zealots threaten ill
To Buddha and Kamakura.

A tourist-show, a legend told,
A rusting bulk of bronze and gold,
So much, and scarce so much, ye hold
The meaning of Kamakura?

But when the morning prayer is prayed,
Think, ere ye pass to strife and trade,
Is God in human image made
No nearer than Kamakura

Rudyard Kipling (1892)

 

History

In 1195, Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo (1147 – 1199 CE), the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate (1185 – 1333 CE), and his wife, Hojo Masako (1156 – 1225 CE) participated in the reconstruction of the Great Buddha Statue of Todaiji. Upon seeing the monumental Buddha statue, Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo developed a wish to build an equally colossal Buddha statue to promote his region, Kamakura. Unfortunately, he passed away four years later in 1199 before he had the opportunity to fulfil his ambition.

Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo

Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo

The tomb of Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo

The tomb of Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo

After Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo’s passing, one of his court ladies by the name of Inada no Tsubone (Lady Inada) made the pledge to fulfil Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo’s wishes to build a monumental Buddha statue in Kamakura. Upon obtaining authorisation from the Shogun’s widow, Hojo Masako, Lady Inada and a Buddhist Priest by the name of Joko of Totomi embarked on the project to build the Buddha Amitabha statue. Unfortunately, in terms of funding, Lady Inada did not get much support from the Shogunate because at that time, the Kamakura Shogunate was controlled by the Hojo regents. During this period in history, the Buddha Amitabha was associated with the Jodo Sect. As the regents preferred the Zen tradition, they did not give her aid in this project. In addition, the fifth Hojo Regent at the time, Hojo Tokiyori (1227 – 1263 CE), had pledged to build Kenchoji, a Zen temple. Kenchoji temple survives to this day and is considered the oldest Zen training monasteries in Japan.

Hojo Masako by Kikuchi Yosai

Hojo Masako by Kikuchi Yosai

The failure to receive donations from the Kamakura Shogunate did not cause Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi to abandon their wish to build the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Priest Joko of Totomi, at the request of Lady Inada, then embarked on a challenging fund-raising journey as a mendicant priest and was successful in gathering sufficient funds to build the statue.

Kotoku-in Temple

Kotoku-in Temple

Priest Joko of Totomi and Lady Inada strategically selected the western part of Kamakura, on Kotoku-in Temple grounds, to build the Buddha statue, thereby embracing the Jodo Sect’s belief that Buddha Amitabha resides in a western pure land. The name of this pure land is Sukhavati, or the Land of Pure Joy.

The first Great Buddha of Kamakura was made of wood, not bronze like the current day statue. Nevertheless it was still colossal as the diameter of its head was approximately 24 metres long. The construction of the first Great Buddha of Kamakura and a prayer hall were completed in 1243.

In 1247, four years after its completion, the wooden statue of the Great Buddha of Kamakura was destroyed by a powerful storm. Fortunately, in 1252, Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi managed to raise the necessary funding to construct a new Buddha Amitabha statue. Learning from past experience, Priest Joko of Totomi and Lady Inada decided to build the new Great Buddha of Kamakura using bronze instead of wood. Their decision has proven to be the correct one, as the bronze Buddha they built at that time still stands today. The artists, Hisatomo Tanji and Goro-emon, took more than twelve years to complete the project. The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s construction was fully funded by donations from the Jodo Sect’s adherents and benefactors.

Ashikaga Takauji

Ashikaga Takauji

The Great Buddha of Kamakura was initially located inside a large wooden building. However, in 1333, the Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura became a combat zone between Ashikaga Takauji’s troops and remnants of the Regent Hojo Takatoki’s troops. Originally a general under the Kamakura Shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji had become disillusioned with the leadership of the regents and sought to over throw them instead. During the events at Kotoku-in, nearly 500 of the Regent Hojo’s samurais sought refuge inside the Great Buddha of Kamakura’s wooden hall to protect themselves from a big typhoon in 1335. Unfortunately, the building collapsed and none of the samurais survived.

During his many military campaigns, Ashikaga Takauji conquered Kamakura. It was then that Regent Hojo Takatoki and his clansman committed suicide. This marked the end of the Kamakura Shogunate, and as Ashikaga Takauji took the title of shogun for himself, began the Ashikaga Shogunate period of Japanese history.

The battle between Ashikaga and Hojo troops

The battle between Ashikaga and Hojo troops

In 1495, Kamakura was hit by an earthquake which was followed by a tsunami. The newly reconstructed hall was once again destroyed. Miraculously, the statue of the Great Buddha of Kamakura remained unscathed. The government at the time did not help with the repairs, as the administration had been moved from Kamakura to Kyoto by the newly established Ashikaga Shogunate. As a result, the Great Buddha of Kamakura has been sitting in the open air ever since. It has even endured harsh weather for almost 700 years now.

Over the years the temple grounds became a place where gamblers and the destitute would live. Upon witnessing the neglect and the deterioration of the once grand statue, Priest Yuten Ken’yo (1637 – 1718 CE) from Zojoji, Tokyo, attempted to restore the statue to its former glory. He belonged to one of the seven main temples of the Jodo Sect and devised a grand plan to build a new hall to cover the statue in order to protect it from harsh weather conditions and unwelcome visitors. Unfortunately, the donations he collected in 1712 was only enough to repair the Great Buddha statue, but not enough to build a new hall. However, without his effort, the Great Buddha of Kamakura would not have been preserved to this day. To honour Priest Yuten Ken’yo and the sponsors’ contributions, four round bronze plates, in the shape of lotus petals, with the sponsors’ names carved on them, were constructed behind the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Bronze lotus petals with the names of sponsors

Bronze lotus petals with the names of sponsors

After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the base of the Great Buddha statue was damaged, but it was repaired immediately. In 1960, effort was made to reinforce the neck and the base of the statue in an attempt to toughen the statue in anticipation of another big earthquake. From January – March 2016, further maintenance and restoration work was done to preserve the statue.

Recent renovation work on the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Recent renovation work on the Great Buddha of Kamakura

 

About The Great Buddha of Kamakura

The back of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

The back of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

 

Measurements

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is 13.35 metres (43.8 feet) tall and weighs around 121 tons (267,000 pounds). The detailed dimensions of the statue’s features are as follows:

  • Face: 2.35 metres (7ft. 9in.) across
  • Eyes: 1 metre (3ft. 3in.) wide each
  • Mouth: 0.82 metre (2ft. 8in.) wide
  • Ears: 1.90 metres (6ft. 3in.) wide each

The circumference of the knee is 9.10 metres (29.9 ft.) and that of the thumb is 0.85 metre (2ft. 9in.).

 

Style

The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s style was heavily influenced by the Kei School. This was a popular Japanese Buddhist style of sculpture which flourished during the Kamakura Shogunate period (1192 – 1333 CE). There are also some stylised elements from the Chinese Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 CE).

 

Iconography of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura was thoughtfully built to include attributes of an enlightened being.

Byakugo

Byakugo of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Byakugo of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura possesses a byakugo, also known as an urna in Sanskrit. In stylised forms, such as paintings and statues, this is presented as a round protuberance. In actual fact this a is spiral of clockwise-curled hair located between the eyebrows. Considered auspicious, it is one of the 32 major physical attributes of an enlightened being. It symbolises the third eye, which in itself symbolises divine sight, into the past, present, and future. It is believe that the Buddha Amitabha shines light to all sentient beings from the byakugo in order to bless them.

Blue Compassionate Eyes

The eyes of the Great Buddha of Kamakura are dark blue in colour, a glimpse of which can be seen from below the eyelids. The eyelids themselves are half-closed in peaceful meditation. Referring to the 32 major marks of a Buddha’s physical body, we find that the colour of a Buddha’s eyes (both the iris and the white portions) are clear, bright and distinct. They have no red or yellow marks, but are clean and radiant. This comes about from striving tirelessly to help others overcome their suffering, having generated equanimity for all sentient beings and looking at them with nothing but compassion.

Cheeks

Traces of gold on the Great Buddha of Kamakura’s cheek

Traces of gold on the Great Buddha of Kamakura’s cheek

When it was first built, the statue was gilt with gold. Traces of gold can still be seen on the cheeks even today. According to the characteristics of a Buddha’s body, his skin gives out an illuminating golden light as a result of selflessness. Therefore his beautiful and golden skin represents his compassionate nature of never turning away those in need.

Nose

The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s straight nose

The magnificent face of the Buddha

The statue’s high and straight nose with inconspicuous nostrils follows the 80 minor marks of Buddha’s body. This represents the realisation of emptiness coupled with the mind of compassionate enlightenment, also known as bodhicitta. The Buddhas are always ready to bestow their help on others, especially in terms of purifying their minds and bodies. This is represented by their noses being clean from all impurities such as mucus.

Mouth

The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s gentle smile is reminiscent of the loving-kindness and compassion of all the Buddhas, bodhisattvas and highly realised beings. Lafcadio Hearn (1850 – 1904 CE), an international writer known for his books on Japan called the Buddha’s smile the “enchanting smile of the East.” There is also a slight moustache that is typically found in Greek sculpture.

Ears

The statue has long ears, equal in length and they are pierced. According to the 80 minor physical characteristics of a Buddha’s body, the ear represent the victory over negative and afflictive emotions. As a Buddha is always ready to help the mind streams of sentient beings, this is represented in a Buddha’s body as perfect hearing, no matter this distance.

Hands and Arms

The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s hand mudra

The Great Buddha of Kamakura’s hand mudra

The statue’s hand gesture, or mudra in Sankrit, is in the meditation position. Compared to the traditional meditation posture, this mudra is slightly different. In the traditional meditation mudra, as in the case of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni who founded Buddhism, one hand rests on top of the other with thumbs touching. This statue’s hands are different, with the backs of the figures pressed together, but the thumbs touching nonetheless. Although it looks different, it is in fact the same meditation mudra commonly found in statues and images of other Buddhas. In this stylised form, it has come to identify the Buddha Amitabha from other Buddhas in the Buddhist pantheon, and is known as ‘Jobon-josho-in’.

According to the physical characteristics of a Buddha, the fingers and toes shine with light. This light even connects each figure or toe with a web of light. This light is the result of speaking kindly to others, helping others to understand the finer points of the Dharma, being generous, and setting a good example to others by following the methods of practising the Dharma.

 

Interior of the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Inside the Great Buddha of Kamakura

Inside the Great Buddha of Kamakura

The inside of the statue clearly shows the advanced technique employed to cast it. The framework design of the Great Buddha’s interior wall was constructed in a sequence of 40 individual castings. This was followed with three variants of the ikarakuri welding method, used to attach the statues parts onto the correct plate of the statue.

 

The Kotoku-in Temple

In addition to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, there are other things at Kotoku-in Temple that are interesting to view due to their significance and historical value.

Kotoku-in Temple

Kotoku-In Temple

The garden at Kotoku-in Temple

The garden at Kotoku-In Temple

 

Nio-mon Gate

The Nio–mon Gate

The Nio–mon Gate

The temple guardians at Nio-mon Gate

The temple guardians at Nio-mon Gate

Nio-mon Gate is the entrance to the temple and is graced with a pair of temple guardian, or Nio, statues. These wrathful warriors are considered to be emanations of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani, who accompanied and guarded the historical Buddha Shakyamuni from harm. The statue on the right has his mouth open as he speaks the Buddhist syllable ‘A’, while the statue on the left has his mouth closed as he has just finished speaking the syllable ‘Hung’. Together, the pair represent the birth and death of all sentient beings, as the syllable ‘A’ is the first sound in the Sanskrit Devanagari script, while the syllable ‘Hung’ is its last.

 

Cornerstones

The cornerstones on Kotoku-In Temple grounds

The cornerstones in Kotoku-in Temple grounds

Around the Great Buddha of Kamakura, there are cornerstones, which are the remains of the hall that used to enshrine the statue. Originally, there were 60 cornerstones, but today, only 56 cornerstones remain on the temple grounds. All of the cornerstones were made from a type of volcanic rock called pyroxene andesite from Nebukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Several of the cornerstones are now used as garden decorations or water basins.

 

Bronze Lotus Petals

There are four bronze lotus petals which were made during the Edo period (1603 – 1867 CE) with the names of sponsors inscribed on them. Originally, the plan was to make 32 lotus petals to honour the sponsors, but only four petals were ever completed.

 

Kangetsu-do Hall

Kangetsu-do Hall was originally part of a Korean royal palace

Kangetsu-do Hall that originally part of a Korean royal palace

The Kangetsu-do Hall is believed to have been transported from Seoul, South Korea. It was part of a Korean royal palace before being acquired by Kisei Sugino (1870 – 1939 CE), the then President of Yamaichi Goshi Kaisha (later Yamaichi Securities Co. Ltd.). Kisei Sugino donated the hall to Kotoku-in Temple in 1924. An image of Chenrezig or Kannon Bosatsu in Japanese, the Buddha of compassion, from the Edo Period is enshrined inside the hall.

 

Stone Tablets inscribed with Haiku

There are several stone tablets inscribed with poems that can be found on Kotoku-in Temple grounds:

One of the stone tables with poem inscribed on it on Kotoku-In Temple ground

One of the stone tables with a poem inscribed on it

Here in Kamakura,
The sublime Buddha is of another world,
But how like a handsome man he seems,
Adorned with the green of summer.

Akiko Yosano (1878–1942)

I face my desk
In soft autumn light
Mountains, rivers!

By Nobuko Yoshiya (1896–1973)

Great Buddha,
The soft light of winter,
Shining on you,
Moves on to the mountains.

By Tatsuko Hoshino (1903–84)

The spring rains,
Melting the Kamakura
snow huts of the north,
Soften even the word,
Kamakura.

By Kensai Iimuro (1883–1928)

How clear the chimes resound
of the temple bells.
The hills of Kamakura,
Filled with autumn winds!

By Kunen Kaneko (1876–1951)

 

Memorial Trees

Memorial trees from the royal family of Thailand

Memorial trees offered by the royal family of Thailand to commemorate their visit to Kotoku-in Temple

There are three black Japanese pine trees that stand on the left of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The trees were offered by the royal family of the Kingdom of Thailand (previously known as Siam) to commemorate their pilgrimage to Kotoku-in Temple.

Memorial Tree to Honour Crown Prince Vajiravudh’s Visit:

Before becoming King Rama VI, Crown Prince Vajiravudh embarked on a pilgrimage to Kotoku-in on 27th December 1902. It was during the visit that he planted a Japanese pine tree at one of the corners of Kotoku-in Temple. However, by September 2009 the tree had died due to damage caused by insects. The tree that visitors see today at that particular spot is a new tree planted on 3rd July 2010 by the Royal Thai Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul by order of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

A Memorial Tree by King Prajadhipok:

King Prajadhipok (Rama VII of Siam) and his royal Queen, Rambai Barni, planted a Japanese pine tree to commemorate their Buddhist pilgrimage to the Kotoku-in Temple on 9th April 1931.

A Memorial Tree by Prince Vajiralongkorn:

Prince Vajiralongkorn planted a Japanese pine tree to commemorate his pilgrimage to pay homage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura on 25th September 1987.

 

Warazori (Japanese straw sandals)

The giant Warazori, offerings from Matsuzaka Children Club of Hitachi-Ota City

The giant Warazori, offerings from Matsuzaka Children’s Club of Hitachi-Ota City

A pair of giant warazori, traditional Japanese straw sandals, is displayed on the corridor wall in front of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The warazori is 1.8 metres long, 0.9 metre wide and weighs around 45 kilo grams. The warazori was donated by the Matsuzaka Children’s Club of Hitachi-Ota City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1951, after the Japanese were defeated in World War II, as an offering to the Great Buddha of Kamakura for the speedy recovery of Japan. The children donated the warazori with a specific prayer: “the Great Buddha would don them to walk around Japan, bringing happiness to the people.” Starting from 1956, the Matsuzaka Children’s Club have donated giant warazori to Kotoku-in Temple every three years.

 

Temple Shop

The temple shop sells lucky charms, postcards, gifts and souvenirs for visitors to remember their visit to Kotoku-in Temple.

 

Commemorative Seal Service & Administrative Office

Visitors can acquire the Kotoku-in Temple’s memorial red seal, commonly known as goshuin in Japanese, from the Commemorative Seal Service and Administrative Office.

 

How to Get There

By Public Transport

From Hase Station to Kotoku-In Temple

From Hase Station to Kotoku-in Temple

Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)

  • Starting point: Kamakura – If you start your journey to Kamakura using the Enoshima Electric Railway, please exit the JR Yokosuka Line at Kamakura Station. You then get on the Enoshima Electric Railway heading to Fujisawa and exit at Hase Station. From Hase Station, you can make your way on foot to Kotoku-in Temple, which is a short walk of approximately seven minutes.
  • Starting point: Fujisawa – From Fujisawa, exit the JR Tokaido Line or Odakyu Line at Fujisawa Station before getting on the Enoshima Electric Railway to Kamakura. Exit at Hase Station and travel by foot for seven minutes to reach Kotoku-in Temple.
  • Starting point: Kamakura Station (by bus)
    Map of Kamakura Station East Exit Bus Stops

    Map of Kamakura Station East Exit Bus Stops

    For visitors wanting to travel by bus, please leave Kamakura Station by the East Exit. From there, you can either ride on the Enoshima-dentetsu Bus (referred to on the map above as bus stop number 1) or ride on the Keikyu Bus (referred to on the map above as bus stop number 6) and take the exit at the Daibutsu-mae which is only 10 minutes away from Kamakura Station.

By Private Vehicle

Map of Interchanges from and to Kamakura

Map of Interchanges from and to Kamakura

  • Direction from Asahina Interchange to Kotoku-in – If you travel by private car, after exiting at Asahina Interchange, take Prefectural Road 204 to Kamakura. Once you see the Hachimangu intersection, turn left and go down Wakamiya-oji Avenue towards Yuigahama Beach. After that, you will find yourself driving below the JR Yokosuka Line track. Please turn right at Geba intersection going to Yuigahama-odori Avenue before crossing the Enoden level. From the Enoden level, drive for about 1.5 kilometres and turn right exactly at the Hase-kannon-mae crossing. Kotoku-in Temple will be on your right side after driving on Prefectural Road 32 for 500 metres.
  • Direction from Zushi Interchange – After exiting at Zushi Interchange, continue on the Zuyo-shindo Toll Road by the Nagae and Nagisabashi crossroads on National Road 134 heading to Enoshima. Drive along the Namerigawa crossroads between National Road 134 and Wakamiya-oji Avenue for 700 metres. After that, turn right when you see a traffic light before taking another right turn at the subsequent intersection. This will take you to Enoden Hase Station and junction with Hase-kannon-mae. Kotoku-in Temple will be on your right side after driving on Prefectural Road 32 for 500 metres.
  • Direction from Tokaido by National Road 1 – If you drive from the direction of Tokyo and Yokohama, exit at National Road 1 and immediately turn left at the Fujisawa Bypass Exit crossroad. Continue to drive down Prefectural Road 30 and when you see the Fujisawa-bashi crossroad, turn left. After driving below the JR Tokaido Line, turn left at the Minami-Fujisawa crossroad. You will reach Kotoku-in Temple after continuing your journey on Prefectural Road 32 bound to Kamakura for five kilometres.

 

Japanese Tourist Visa Requirements:

  • A passport with at least six months validity during the visit to Japan.
  • Proper documentation proving the applicant’s financial ability to support the trip to Japan.
  • Providing a clear itinerary of the trip to Japan and return ticket information.
  • Some nationals are exempt from requiring a visa. However, there is a time restriction based on the applicant’s nationality: citizens of Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK can stay up to six months; where as citizens of Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the United States can stay up to three months.
  • The citizens of countries not mentioned above will have to check with the respective Japanese Embassies in their countries. Generally, after gathering appropriate documentation to obtain a Japanese tourist visa, the applicant can either apply through a registered visa office, or visit a Japanese Embassy in person.
  • Commonly, tourist visas are granted for between 15-90 days, depending on the applicant’s itinerary.
  • If an applicant has a criminal record, it may be challenging for the application to be approved.

 

The Best Time to Visit

Japan is a beautiful country with four different seasons:

  • Spring: March to May
  • Summer: May to September
  • Autumn: September to November
  • Winter: November to March

Spring is the best time to visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura due to its mild weather. In addition, visitors can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom trees around this time. Due to Kamakura’s close proximity to the ocean, it is wise not to travel at the end of summer or the beginning of autumn since the area is prone to typhoons during these periods.

Cherry blossoms in Japan

Cherry blossoms in Japan

The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Spring

The Great Buddha of Kamakura in spring

 

Visiting Kotoku-in Temple

  • Visitors who need to use a wheelchair are recommended to bring assistants to help them through the challenging grounds of the Kotoku-in Temple. The temple has only one wheelchair-friendly toilet for both males and females.
  • The only animals permitted to walk freely on the temple grounds are service dogs to assist disabled visitors. Other pets need to be caged or properly confined while inside the temple complex.
  • Smoking is strictly prohibited within the temple facility. However, there are a few designated areas for smokers nearby.
  • Visitors are strongly recommended to have their lunch at appropriate places and are required to clean up after themselves.
  • Visitors who wish to obtain pictures for marketing or business purposes need to get approval from the temple management in advance.
  • Visitors are free to take photos for personal use as they wish. However, flying drones on the temple compounds are prohibited.

 

Opening Hours and Fees

The Kotoku-in Temple is open from 8 am to 5:30 pm every day. The entrance fee is ¥200 for general admission and ¥150 for students between 6 and 12 years old. Prices are cheaper if you come in a group of 30 people or more. The general fee for a large group of visitors is ¥170 per person. A large group of students, aged 13-18, are eligible to pay an entrance fee of ¥150 per person, while a large group of students aged 6-12 will be charged ¥100 per child.

Certain visitors are exempt from paying an entrance fee, these include:

  • Disabled visitors with a certificate of physical disability.
  • Teachers supervising a group of students.
  • Children under six years old.

If you wish to see the interior of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, you can visit between 8 am to 4:30 pm and pay an additional entrance fee of ¥20.

 

What to wear when visiting Kotoku-in or other temples in Japan

There is no specific dress code when visiting temples in Japan including Kotoku-in unless you are attending a formal event. However, visitors are be required to take off their shoes before entering the temple building. Generally, since it is an active temple visitors should dress modestly.

 

Where to stay when visiting Kamakura

Kamakura is 30 minutes from central Yokohama and approximately one hour from Tokyo. Visitors can opt to stay at either of these two cities where there are more options for accommodation. If you choose to stay at Kamakura, there are several places that you can consider as mentioned below. However, we suggest that visitors find accommodation that is suitable for their specific needs.

Kamakura Prince Hotel

Address: 1-2-18 Shichirigahama Higashi, Kamakura 248-0025, Kanagawa Prefecture
Average Price: US$210/night
Phone: +81 3-4510-0626
Website: http://www.princehotels.com/kamakura/

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kamakura Ofuna

Address: 1-26-5 Ofuna, Kamakura 247-0056, Kanagawa Prefecture
Average Price: US$88/night
Phone: +81-467-42-2031
Website: https://fresa-inn.jp/eng/ofuna/

Kamakura Guesthouse

Address: 273-3 Tokiwa, Kamakura 248-0022, Kanagawa Prefecture
Average Price: $65/night
Phone: +81-467-67-6078
Website: http://www.kamakura-guesthouse.com/

 

What to do in Kamakura

Other than visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple, visitors can also visit the following places in Kamakura:

  • Kamakura Hase-dera Temple – You can visit the temple’s observation trail to view more than 40 types of hydrangea flowers.
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine – Other than being one of the known landmarks in Kamakura, it is famous for its cherry blossoms during spring time.
  • Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine – There is sacred water in this shrine that is believed to be able to multiply coins. People like to wash their coins using the sacred water and use them as good luck charms.
  • Hokokuji Temple – This temple is famous for its beautiful bamboo grove.
  • Inamuragsaki Onsen – At this onsen or hot-spring, visitors can immerse themselves in hydrogen carbonate spring water which is believed help make the skin beautiful.
Hase-dera temple

Hase-dera Temple

Pathway towards the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine

Pathway towards the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku shrine

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine

Bamboo grove at Hokokuji temple

Bamboo grove at Hokokuji Temple

Inamuragsaki Onsen

Inamuragsaki Onsen

Sources:

  • http://www.buffaloah.com/a/virtual/jap/kamak_buddha/buddha.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dtoku-in
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amit%C4%81bha
  • http://www.kamakuratoday.com/e/sightseeing/daibutsu.html
  • http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/about/about.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dtoku-in
  • http://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/lam-rim/refuge/the-32-major-marks-of-a-buddha-s-physical-body
  • http://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/lam-rim/refuge/the-80-minor-marks-of-a-buddha-s-physical-body
  • http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/about/grounds_info.html
  • http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/visit/access_car.html
  • http://www.worldtravelguide.net/japan/passport-visa
  • http://www.tokico.biz/four_seasons/
  • http://www.danielmcbane.com/travel-guides/east-asia/japan/kamakura/
  • http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/visit/visit.html

For more interesting information:

 

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17 Responses to The Great Buddha of Kamakura

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  1. S.Prathap on Feb 17, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    Very informative and inspiring story of the Great Buddha of Kamakura.Great to know of the history of this Great Buddha.From what i saw and understand it is a beautiful place to pay visit.
    It is one of the most iconic Buddha statues in the world.All it took were 2 people, Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi to build this magnificent Buddha that withstood the test of time.Thank you very much for sharing this nice article.

  2. Tsa Tsa Ong on Oct 21, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Very beautiful looking at the pictures above. Very informative and inspiring story of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. I enjoyed reading the wonderful history of this great Buddha of Kamakura. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this beautiful article ???

  3. Samfoonheei on Oct 30, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    Heard so much of this amazing Great Buddha of Kamakura, Japan. Which is one of Japan’s most fascinating historical landmarks. The enormous bronze statue is a represents of Amida Buddha in Kamakura City. Kamakura is known for its beautiful relaxed atmosphere and serenity. Kamakura city itself has many historically significant Buddhist temples and beautiful Shinto shrines. It seem that most of them are over 1,200 years old. The great Buddha is one of those historical statue seated in lotus position with hands forming a gesture of meditation. This statues had gone through a number of renovations due to earthquakes, tsunami and so forth..
    Ever year the beauty of this place has attracted many thousands of tourist . I have not been there but looking through those beautiful pictures and reading the history of it paints a thousands of words.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

  4. wan wai meng on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:30 am

    Kamakura Buddha statue is iconic and one can’t help but associate Japan with it. Japan is not Japan if the Kamakura statue is not there. The Shogun who initiated the aspiration to build the Kamakura statue, obviously has seeds of the dharma in him.

    Japan in the feudal age was ruled either by the Emperors or the Shoguns, Shogun ruled via their military power, and Japan then was always thrown into civil wars, and constant warfare dominated the political scene in Japan. For a shogun to have aspirations to build a statue is certainly rare.

  5. Echeah on Dec 26, 2016 at 12:39 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for the most comprehensive travelogue on the Kamakura Buddha. I was there last December and must say the place and the Kamakura Buddha are beautiful and serene, definitely a must-visit for anyone going to Japan. You can line up and navigate a very narrow staircase into the interior of the Buddha’s body. It is also not far from Tokyo and easily accessible. Along the road walking towards the temple from the train station are quaint old shops on both sides of the road, lovely atmosphere, still fresh in memory.

  6. Choong on Dec 7, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    The spirituality of Buddhism is strongly ingrained in Japanese society. The reason for this is during the Kamakura period, Buddhism became for the first time, a religion of the masses.

    Here is an excerpt from “A BRIEF HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN JAPAN” regarding this development:

    THE KAMAKURA PERIOD (A.D. 1192–1333)

    Changes of the Kamakura Period

    Buddhism was confined to the privileged classes of court nobles, monks, scholars, and artisans who had enough time to master the complicated philosophy and rituals of Buddhism. It was in the Kamakura period that a drastic change took place in the field of religion; Buddhism became for the first time the religion of the masses.

    The old court eventually fell to a new military government which brought about the Kamakura period (1192–1333). The increasing discord and chaos of the times led to disillusionment and a call for the revival of faith. It was during these troubled time that Honen (1133–1212), Shinran (1173–1262), Eisai (1141–1215), Dogen (1200–1253), Nichiren (1222–1282), and other Buddhist leaders appeared and expounded their teachings of salvation for all.

    Source:
    PART I: A BRIEF HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN JAPAN
    http://www.buddhanet.net/nippon/nippon_partI.html

  7. Pastor Han Nee on Dec 1, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for this great article on The Great Buddha of Kamakura.

    The most stirring aspect of this article is the sincere determination of the people who built the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan, especially the Lady Inada and the Priest Joko of Totomi. Despite tough challenges, they beat all odds to fulfil Lady Inada’s promise to the late Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo of the Kamakura Shogunate, who had expressed a wish (before he passed away) to build an equally colossal Buddha statue as the Great Buddha Statue of Todaiji, to promote his region Kamakura.

    The Buddha of Kamakura is the Buddha Amitabha. Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi faced many challenges such as natural disasters and a lack of funding but they persevered and never gave up. The main challenge in terms of funding was that the Kamakura Shogunate was controlled by the Hojo regents, whereas during this period in history, the Buddha Amitabha was associated with the Jodo Sect. There was little support of funds from the regents , as the Kamakura Shogunate were followers of the Hojo Sect of Buddhism. Lady Inada and the Priest Joko of Totomi who built the statue were followers of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism , who focus their devotion towards the Buddha Amitabha.

    At first the statue was made of wood. It took ten years to raise the funds to build it. Priest Joko of Totomi, at the request of Lady Inada, had to go on a challenging fund-raising journey as a mendicant priest and only then were they successful in gathering sufficient funds to build the statue. Unfortunately, in 1247, four years after its completion, the wooden statue of the Great Buddha of Kamakura was destroyed by a powerful storm. Undaunted, Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi went on to raise the necessary funds to construct a new Buddha Amitabha statue.

    Fortunately, this time they decided to build the new Great Buddha of Kamakura using bronze instead of wood. Their decision has proven to be the correct one, as the bronze Buddha they built at that time still stands today, despite inclement weather, storms and typhoons hitting the area. It even survived an earthquake and a Tsunami. Of course, this has to be attributed to the blessings of the colossal outdoor Lord Amitabha. Efforts to build a hall over the statue to protect it against harsh weather and undesirable visitors (like vagrants and gamblers, who had previously desecrated the temple grounds) proved unsuccessful.

    Nevertheless, enough funds were collected to restore the statue itself to its former glory! For this, the efforts of Priest Yuten Ken’yo (1637 – 1718 CE) from Zojoji, Tokyo, are to be lauded.

    The maintenance and repair of the great statue have been carried out unfailingly until today. The Great Buddha of Kamakura is 13.35 metres (43.8 feet) tall and weighs around 121 tons (267,000 pounds)!
    Anyone who has a chance to visit this wonderful colossus of a statue, will undoubtedly want to reflect on the fact that without the gallant efforts of people like Lady Inada, Priest Joko of Totomi and Priest Yuten Ken’yo of Zojoji, the great Buddha of Kamakura might not be still standing – tall and seemingly ‘invincible’ to the forces of time and weather.

  8. Samfoonheei on Nov 29, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Very beautiful …..looking at the pictures above.Very informative and inspiring story of the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
    Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi were the followers of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism,with their determination they embarked on a challenging fund-raising journey to build this Great Buddha of Kamakura.Great to know of the history of this Great Buddha.From what i saw and understand it is a beautiful place to visit.Good sharing.
    Thank you

  9. Bradley Kassian on Nov 29, 2016 at 1:25 am

    The Kamakura Buddha is famous around the world. I’ve seen pictures of this buddha many times. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the background regarding this Buddha & holy site.

  10. Fong on Nov 28, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    A comprehensive and inspiring article of the Kamakura BUddha of Japan. This Buddha is so very iconic and people immediately identify it with Japan.

    It is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of the Lady Inada and the Buddhist priest, Joko of Totomi. They continued building the Buddha image despite the lack of funds. And, in later years, this statue was restored after it was damaged by natural disasters.

    Thank you for such a comprehensive article that should one decided to visit this holy site at the spur of the moment, we can from the history written here to the information on accommodations.

  11. Jason on Nov 28, 2016 at 3:31 am

    This is really a magnificent grand Buddha statue. I did google to know more about this statue. It also named as Daibutsu Buddha which means Great Buddha.

    Lady Inada , Buddhist priest Joko of Totomi and Priest Yuten Ken’yo have strong determination to build up and maintain Daibutsu Buddha for future generation. I salute to them.

    This article post in the right time to me because I will visit Tokyo soon. I wish I can pay homage to this Great Buddha with my family.

    Thanks Valentina sharing this article. It is very informative especially you did provide information on accommodation and transportation access to Kamakura.

    Jason

    • Valentina Suhendra on Nov 28, 2016 at 10:37 pm

      Dear Jason

      Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad that the information in the article is useful to you. Do have a fruitful trip to Japan and I hope that you will enjoy the benefits of visiting holy sites when paying homage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

      Valentina

  12. Ron Wong on Nov 27, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    Very interesting article. It is inspiring to read about how the struggle & perseverance of Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi spiritual journey in building the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Having been completely rebuilt & refurbished several times, how amazingly the spirit of the statue has survived so many natural disaster & calamity over the last 700 years. Looking at & reading the details of the Buddha’s iconography give a sense of peace to the mind, now I know the distinct hand mudra of Buddha Amitabha the next time I see one.

    I regret that I didn’t visit the site while I was in Tokyo many years back. Will look forward to paying homage to this magnificent Buddha the next time when I am there again.

  13. Tan Soon Huat on Nov 27, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    Thank You Rinpoche and Valentina for the great inspiring articleu. There are a lot of beautiful pictures attached with the article which make us understand it better.
    I was from Pure Land sect, I have special feeling to Buddha Amitabha. I wish one day the Buddha statue will be moved to the hall again to protect it from the harshed weather. The body will be pained by full gold so that it can attract more people to pay homage to Him and inspired more people to Dharma path.
    We should learn the persistency and spiritual of Priest Joko of Totomi and Lady Inada when we are building Kechara Forest Retreat. There is always challenge in Dharma path, we need the persistency and stronng Guru Devotion to overcome the challenge and make our Lama’s dream come true to spread Dharma wide and far to benefit more sentient beings.

    • Valentina Suhendra on Nov 28, 2016 at 10:34 pm

      Dear Tan Soon Huat

      Thank you for your comment. I agree with you the persistency of Priest Joko of Totomi and Lady Inada was very inspiring. It helps us to not be disheartened and move on when we are faced with obstacles and try to find an alternative way when plan A does not work.

      I hope that one day very soon, your wishes that the Great Buddha of Kamakura will be restored to its former glory will come true 🙂

      Valentina

      • Tan Soon Huat on Dec 3, 2016 at 1:01 pm

        Thank You Valentina for your kind reply. It might take us a few hours to read and learn from article but it took Rinpoche a few days even a few weeks to compose such a meaningful article for us to learn and improve ourselves in Dharma learning. Thank You with folded hands

  14. Pastor David Lai on Nov 27, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Great article Valentina. The pictures of the Kamakura Buddha are beautiful and the story of its story poignant. All it took were 2 people, Lady Inada and Priest Joko of Totomi to build this magnificent Buddha that withstood the test of time. It is one of the most iconic Buddha statues in the world and perhaps more so than the larger statue in Todaiji.

    It does make me want to visit Kamakura to pay homage to this Buddha one day and visit the other magnificent Buddhist shrines and temples around Japan. For some strange reason, I recall having dreamt of visiting Japan and its not like a big and monumental task but its the only dream I can recall of actually travelling to a foreign country. I rather visit Japan than the Americas and its really not that far. Anyway, thank you Valentina for this wonderful article that inspired wanderlust.

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  • Brent
    Tuesday, Mar 26. 2024 04:47 PM
    Living with my wife, whose world is meticulously painted with the hues of OCD, is a journey that intertwines the essence of love with the complexities of the human mind. Her relentless pursuit of cleanliness and order, transforming even the most negligible corner into a testament of organization, often dances on the fine line between admiration and frustration. The sight of her steering clear from trash bins as if they were labyrinths of chaos, serves as a poignant reminder of the battles she fights within. Yet, it’s through these very battles that I’ve learned the profound language of patience and the unspoken strength of support. Therapy, in its gentle embrace, has been a beacon of light for her, guiding her through the stormy seas of OCD. It has not only offered her solace but has also unveiled the strength of her spirit, teaching us both the beauty of resilience. As she journeys through the pathways of healing, I stand by her, a testament to the power of love and the enduring promise of hope. Together, we navigate the complexities of her world, discovering that within the challenges lie opportunities for growth, understanding, and an unbreakable bond. https://www.mindfullyaliveonline.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:31 PM
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    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/venerable-ajahn-chah-the-forest-monk.html
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    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:30 PM
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    Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antionette for this detailed sharing,

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

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

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  Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch

The Unknown

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

Photos On The Go

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

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

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

ASK A PASTOR


Ask the Pastors

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

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

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

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

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