The Unwanted Widows of India

Sep 28, 2016 | Views: 2,993

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Dear friends around the world,

We are very honoured to have been given this opportunity to write on His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s blog. We wanted to get this information out to create more awareness on basic human rights that are denied to ‘minorities’ within society, such as widows. We wanted to educate others that minorities are humans too and just like us, they are worthy of respect and kindness. In particular, we wanted to highlight the works of Dr Pathak who is doing a great job in assisting people in need. We hope that more people will recognise his works and contribute in any way possible to help him accomplish such a great mission.

Thank you,
Vinnie and Beatrix

 


 

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According to some parts of the Hindu tradition, women are required to take part in the sati or suttee practice when their husband passes away. This tradition was commonly practised in ancient India and it was not until 1829 that British officials outlawed the practice within their territories. The following decades saw the introduction of similar laws by authorities in the princely states of India. In 1861, the general ban towards the sati practice for the whole of India was issued by Queen Victoria. The sati practice was banned in Nepal in the 1920s.

 

What is Sati?

Sati is the practice among some Hindu communities where recently widowed women – whether voluntarily, by use of force, or coercion – commit suicide after the death of their husbands. The most practised form of sati is when the woman burns herself to death on her husband’s funeral pyre. Other forms of sati include being buried alive with her husband’s corpse or drowning.

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The term sati is derived from the name of the goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani, who self-immolated because she was not able to stomach her father Daksha’s humiliation towards her (living) husband Shiva.

The practice of sati was found among many castes and at every social level. This included both women who were uneducated, as well as the highest-ranking and highly educated women of the time. Sati was considered the highest expression of wifely devotion to their deceased husband. The act of sati was also viewed as a way for widows to purge their sins, releasing them from the karmic circle of birth and death. It was seen as a way to salvation for the dead husband and seven generations of their offspring.

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Another factor behind the sati practice was the ownership of wealth and property. Upon her husband’s death, all possessions of the widow would be transferred to his family, leaving the widow impoverished. In fact, the alternative way that widows were supposed to live after their husbands died was that of a chaste lady. This meant leading a life of asceticism, renouncing all social activities, shaving her head, eating only boiled rice and sleeping on coarse matting (recorded by Moore, 2004). It is because of this lifestyle that many widows chose death in the past.

In 1987, the Indian Government passed the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act. As outlined in Part I, Section 2(c) sati is defined as,

The burning or burying alive of:

  • Any widow along with the body of her deceased husband or any other relative or with any article, object or thing associated with the husband or such relative; or
  • Any woman along with the body of any of her relatives, irrespective of whether such burning or burying is claimed to be voluntary on the part of the widow or the women or otherwise.

With the Prevention of Sati Act, any form of support, glorification or attempt to commit sati was made illegal. Supporting the practice of sati, which includes coercing or forcing someone to commit sati, can be punished by the death sentence or life imprisonment. For those who glorify sati, this is punishable with one to seven years in prison.

 

Why Do Widows Leave Their Families?

Shunned by society after their husbands die, widows are seen as a financial drain on their families. Hence many widows leave and end up living as the poorest of the poor not because of religious reasons, but because of tradition.

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After their husbands’ deaths, widows are not allowed to remarry no matter their age and they are not allowed to wear jewelry. They are forced to shave their heads and to wear white clothes until their death. In some areas of India, widows are allowed to keep their hair and dress in coloured saris but this is more an exception than the rule; in most communities in India, widows are not allowed to do this. Thus after the passing of their husbands, the widows no longer have the life they wished for.

Due to the constant struggle these women face, many run away to the holy city of Vrindavan, a popular Hindu pilgrimage place. Also known as the ‘City of Widows’, the widows go to Vrindavan in the hopes that death will free them from all the emotional and physical suffering they face.

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Without education or any skills that would make them employable, the widows beg for alms, or singing religious hymns and chants. Through this method, the widows can earn around USD0.15 (approx. INR10) and a hot meal. Some of the younger and more attractive women are sold into prostitution. In this City of Widows with more than 4,000 temples, no one goes hungry. Locals and pilgrims offer food and money to the widows to gain merits for their spiritual paths. They do however, have to ration the food they receive and though a lucky few have very rundown rented accommodation, most are forced to seek shelter wherever they can. Space in shelters and government-run care homes is limited, so most women are forced to sleep in the streets.

Due to the incorrect projections people have about widows, these women suffer neglect and are looked down upon for the rest of their lives. Moved by the plight of these widows, organisations have formed with the aim to uplift and improve the lives of these women. These human rights organisations play a very important role in changing the lives of widows by giving them hope to live on.

 

The Importance of Human Rights Organisations

Human rights organisations play an extremely important role in society, especially for the forgotten, abandoned and disenfranchised sectors and communities. Because of their inability to speak out about the ongoing denial of their basic human rights, it is easy for society to forget about them and to somehow assume that these ‘minorities’ are worthless. It is in these situations that human rights organisations are needed to protect and assist the powerless to get back on their own two feet. One such organisation working for the welfare of India’s widows is the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.

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Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

This is a non-profit voluntary social organisation founded in 1970 by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak. It was founded on the Gandhian ideals of the emancipation of scavengers (a class of people traditionally considered in Indian society to be unclean and were used to carry human waste). This organisation has been working very hard to eliminate the social prejudice against human scavenger class.

 

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak

Name: Br. Bindeshwar Pathak

Date of Birth: April 2, 1943

Place of Birth: Rampur Baghel, District Vaishali, Bihar, India

Education:

  • M.A in Sociology
  • M.A in English
  • Ph.D. on “Liberation of Scavengers through Low Cost Sanitation”, from Patna University
  • Patna, Bihar. R.Litt on “Eradication of Scavenging and Environmental Sanitation in India- a Sociology Study”, from Patna University, Patna, Bihar.

Dr Pathak is an influential humanist and social reformer of contemporary India. His compassion has driven him to stand up for the neglected minority. A social reformer who has benefited millions of lives, Dr Pathak is an internationally-renowned expert on sanitation. He developed low-cost toilet technology, a two-pit pour flush toilet popularly known as the Sulabh Shauchalaya System. His contributions are widely known in the areas of poverty alleviation and integrated rehabilitation programme for the much needed people in India.

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Widows of Varanasi

Sulabh International has adopted hundreds of widows in Varanasi. In Varanasi, widows live scattered in private residences as well as in different Ashrams. In order to survive, many of them have to beg on the streets to support themselves. As such, Dr Pathak vowed to go out his way to help these neglected women.

Following the deaths of their husbands, widows face humiliation and degradation from their families and society which often treats widowhood as something inauspicious. Seeing the sufferings of these widows, DrPathak said that his primary concern is to change the mindset, attitude and behaviour of the people towards widows.

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“In our country, there are millions of such unfortunate women who lose their husbands untimely, and become widows. Most of them are old, infirm, disabled and have no source of livelihood. Their position becomes miserable if they have dependent children. When a widow does not have any permanent source of income or livelihood, she is driven out of her in-law’s home or even from her parental home. Many such widows can be seen begging in the streets and public places. They are termed as witches and tortured even by their own kith and kin and others. They are treated as bad and unholy women by the society”.

“Ours is a welfare State. It is the foremost duty of the State to initiate welfare measures, protect them and provide maintenance to them so that they can live with dignity and honour”.

Source: http://www.sulabhinternational.org/after-vrindavan-sulabh-adopts-widows-of-varanasi-april-28-2013/

 

How to Donate

To find out more on how to make donations, please submit your inquiries to sulabhinfo@gmail.com.

 

Contact Information

Email:

  • sulabhinfo@gmail.com
  • sulabh1@nde.vsnl.net.in
  • sulabh2@nde.vsnl.net.in
  • sulabhinfo1@gmail.com

Websites:

  • http://www.sulabhinternational.org
  • http://www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org

Address in Delhi:

Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave Palam Dabri Road, New Delhi 110045.

Phone:

+91-11-25031518 & 25031519, 25057748

 

Sources of Information:

  • http://www.sulabhinternational.org/contact/
  • http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2013/09/201391773152163100
    .html
  • http://www.sulabhinternational.org

 

For more interesting information:

 

Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:

If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team

41 Responses to The Unwanted Widows of India

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  1. Samfoonheei on Jan 25, 2021 at 4:00 pm

    The practice of sati was at its peak between the 15th and 18th centuries. Widows were forced burning alive or commit suicide after the death of their husband . Sati was a historical Hindu practice then, was banned as the practice of Sati is against human rights and revolting the feelings of human nature. Since then widows needs to be in a constant state of mourning once her husband dies, wearing in white .
    Many communities in India still shun widows and they are abandoned by their families due to superstition. It’s sad to know that those widows been treated in such a way.
    Thanks to one great humanist and social reformer of contemporary India….. Dr. Pathak who has worked to change social attitudes towards the widows . Dr. Pathak is known around the world for his wide ranging work in the sanitation field to improve public health, advance social progress, and improve human rights in India and other countries. He is also the founder of Sulabh International, an India-based social service organisation which works to promote human rights. He goes out his way to help these neglected women, trying to change the mindset, attitude and behaviour of the people towards those widows.
    Inspiring his accomplishments span the fields of sanitation technology, healthcare education for millions of people in the rural areas and slums in India.A prolific writer and speaker as well, Dr. Pathak has authored several books to date.
    Thank you Rinpoche ,Vinnie and Beatrice for this sharing.

  2. Yee Yin on Oct 4, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    In many cultures, women are considered lower than men. They don’t have as much opportunity as the men. For example, in poor countries or in the older times, women do not get the chance to go to school to receive the education. They have to stay at home to help with the chores. When they have reached their puberty, their parents would marry her with a man they pick so they don’t have to spend money to support the daughter anymore. When a woman is married into a family, she is expected to take care of the household, the in-laws, the husband and give birth to children.

    In India, there was this tradition when the husband dies, the widow had to kill herself either by burning herself to death or she would be buried together with the husband, this was practiced until 1861. Today, the widow in India is still looked down by the society, they are not allowed to remarry, to wear jewelry and they are forced to shave their heads and to wear white clothes until their death. Most of them will run away from their home, end up poor, alone and unwanted because the society does not accept them. This is how widows are being discriminated in the Indian society.

    Luckily Dr. Pathak, a very kind soul in India has set up a Non-profit organisation to help the widows. He has seen how much sufferings these widows are going through and he wants to make a change. Apart from helping the widows directly by giving them the shelters, Dr. Pathak said it is more important to change how to society perceive and treat the widows. This culture value definitely has to change, women are just the same as the men, why should women endure such treatments and take the shame when their husbands die?

  3. Lin Mun on Jun 29, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    It is shocking that there were such cruel tradition existed. I sincerely hope that Sati is no longer practise and even think that this tradition is necessary. I don’t understand a human and more so family members in this case would abandon a widow and even agree for the widow to kill themselves. Don’t they feel pity and have feelings for the poor widow who lost her husband. Such a huge discrimination against female. The wrong perception of people has created so much sufferings on the widows. Thankfully, there are people like Dr Pathak who stands up to help the poor ladies. Hopefully more will stand up to highlight and create awareness about such negative tradition and welfare organisations to help the ladies.

  4. Anne Ong on Feb 26, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrice for the sharing on The Unwanted Widows of India.This is the first time ,a lot of us get to know the origin on the practice of Sati.We need to create more awareness on this discrimination so that widows in India do not have to suffer like this. Just because it is a tradition that was accepted in society, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be changed. Creating sufferings onto others is wrong on all levels and must be stopped. Life is precious and should not be wasted just like that just because their husbands died.

  5. Jacinta Goh on Dec 31, 2016 at 12:07 am

    A shocking news to me. How come they are being discriminated in such a way where death is probably the only solution for them? Uneducated and not being exposed to the outer world are partly responsible for this. Imagine the untimely death of their husband? We will not be able to understand their feelings well at that time. I believe they will be praying for their husband’s health most of the time. Furthermore, if they are poverty-stricken, abused, facing environmental issues and etc, it will definitely affect their minds greatly. The most we can do is to social media this, but we will not be able to totally rid off the worries and problems that they are having. *in deep thought.

    Thank you Rinpoche, Vinnie and Beatrix.

  6. Wan Wai Meng on Dec 11, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    This is truly a revelation for me, reading this article. No one should be subject to such a thing, when they just lost their husbands.

    One of the reasons why I love the blog so much is that it is a blog that is trying to raise awareness of social inequality and even bring about social change. Social change for any benefit for the blog or the contributors, but for the betterment of society at large.

  7. Lowkhjb on Oct 28, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    Thank you Beatrice and Vinnie for the sharing on The Unwanted Widows of India.This is the first time ,a lot of us get to know the origin on the practice of Sati.

    Some deemed it as a spiritual practice for selfish reason.The main culprit ,which started all these was “GREED and IGNORANCE”.We are glad that these practice is outlawed .But we sympathize for those who are still caught up by the web of false tradition and ignorance as female gender in India are not well educated.

    We certainly hope the Government of India would focus on educating their population to bring them out of poverty.Both physically and spiritually.One without the other would only lead to ignorance .

  8. Justin Cheah on Oct 22, 2016 at 2:18 am

    Thank you Beatrice and Vinnie for the article. I am glad such “cultural practice” is no longer encouraged and there are laws protecting the vulnerable widows in modern times like this. Life is precious and should not be wasted just like that just because their husbands died. It makes me wonder if similar punishing ordeal will happen to the widowers. I assume it won’t happen to widowers because there is a discrimination for ladies and laws those days tend to favours men. Nevertheless this article is worth a read and learn from. Thank you

  9. Vivian Ong on Oct 22, 2016 at 1:37 am

    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for the informative article. I really didn’t know that there still got people who practice Sati. This is a very inhuman practice. Everyone deserved their rights to live. Those who force the widows to commit sati will have very bad karma. Even the widows who commit sati involuntary will also have bad ending as they will end up in the hungry ghost realm. Many thanks to Dr Pathak for saving the lives of the widows. May more be saved and may the widows will get back on their feet to become a better and positive person.

    With folded palms,
    Vivian

  10. shelly tai on Oct 21, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for this write up. Is frustrating how can such a discrimination can happen during the era now no doubt there is law that again this Sati tradition but the general society will not so easy change their mind set so the organisation like Sulabh International need to create more awareness among the India people because education is important to understand all these widows suffering and pain without education people will follow blindly what is normally practice by general public .

  11. Adeline Tan on Oct 12, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    The practice of ‘sati’ in India among the Hindu communities is very cruel and inhumane. The discrimination against the widows is so unfair they are not witches or inauspicious as the people claimed in their tradition. Hopefully with the help of Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak non-profit voluntary social organisation known as Sulabh International social service organisation can help eradicate the sufferings of the widows in India through education. Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for highlighting the plight of these poor widows, may this horrible tradition soon be abolished completely.

  12. JP on Oct 11, 2016 at 10:48 pm

    It is very heartbreaking to learn of this tradition of discriminating widows. I’m so glad that there is an act abolishing this tradition. Access to food is a basic human right and regardless of gender, this should not be compromised.

    We need to create more awareness on this discrimination so that widows in India do not have to suffer like this. Just because it is a tradition that was accepted in society, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be changed. Creating sufferings onto others is wrong on all levels and must be stopped.

  13. Jutika Lam on Oct 10, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    There are many traditions around the world that are different, cruel and is sometimes like this one, aimed at putting a gender down.

    Though the intended purpose behind this tradition may have been a better one, the manulupation and lack of awarness and education towards this has lead people to get the wrong idea and shun widows instead. It has also lead people to take advantage of widows and their rightful wealth.

    Human rights organisations such as the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation are indeed very important to speak out as one voice for people who share the same problem. The Sulabh International Social Service Organisation is doing a great job at spreading awarness to change people’s prespictives on the poor.

    Thank you Beatrix and Vinnie for writing this article.

  14. Colin Tan on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    It’s so sad to know this discrimination against the widows in India in this era. It’s unbelievably ridiculous that they were treated unfairly not because of their deeds, but purely because of their husbands’ death, which is totally beyond their control. These widows have to face all kinds of humiliation from their family as well as from the society. The inhumane treatment like forcing them to shave their heads, not allow to remarry, kicked out from home, restrain them from living a normal lifestyle, is definitely a contempt to them & totally unacceptable.

    The untrue belief about them the inauspicious ladies is deeply ingrained in India culture and this probably needs ages to re-educate the society to uproot this belief. We are glad that the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation has started programs to support the widows, to create awareness in the society to change people’s mindset & beliefs. Hopefully there will be more donations & contribution from different parts of the world to help the organization to reach out to more widows & to create the right perception for this minority group. Widows deserve the right to live with dignity and honor like any other human beings on earth.

  15. Paul Yap on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    In the 21st Century where human have made exploration into Mars and Jupiter, its sad that some old uncivilised culture like Sati still existed in the old society of India. This part of society is still very closed minded, unexposed, not educated and sadly without any dharma knowledge. I just can’t imagine the mother is required to choose burning herself alive or to leave the family stay alone in the poverty. How could her children have the heart to see the suffering of their own mother? I’m so glad this practice is now ban by India law. Someone like Dr Bindeshwar Pathak is really a Hero to India and humanity. He is like a walking bodhisattva who works hard tirelessly in lifting the sufferings of all sentient being. I hope all the discrimination against female, widows, caste, ethnic, skin colours, religious etc will be ended soon, may all of us lives in peace and harmony and have all the right conditions for us to grow and practice the dharma.

  16. Wah Ying on Oct 10, 2016 at 12:03 am

    We have so many discrimination towards minority and the tradition of sati is another example. Even in 80s, there are still cases of widow tried to burn herself alive in India after the ban on Sati tradition took place. The status of women have to improve and welfare of widows after the death of their husbands have to have guaranteed, only inhuman tradition of such can be eradicated from the particular societies in India and Nepal.

    To leave to poverty, to live without dignity and to be viewed as bad luck and unholy beings until you die – with all these cruel, uncivilised and inhuman treatment, a widow would rather burn herself…therefore to say those widows burning themselves or committed suicide volunteerly is totally twisted the truth and fact of what happen. Who would willingly end their life in this tragic ways by burning themselves alive or being buried alive, just because they lost their partner? The stigma of Hindu society about widow especially and woman in general needs to change, only then the future of current living widows/woman can be changed.

    It’s glad there are people like Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and many others who put in their effort to help the widows and trying to educate the society, to create the awareness and change the situation. Hope many who see this article can spread the knowledge about the cruel and inhuman facts about the Sati tradition and create awareness to many more in order to eradicate it completely.

  17. Joy Kam on Oct 6, 2016 at 2:16 am

    Gender discrimination has been around for centuries and the worst is always seen in a the cultures of the old, where male superiority seems to dominate. The male chauvinistic attitude is more prevalent in these ancient Asian cultures and is practised and expected in their society more than the western ones. I never ever understood this and could never accept it coming from a very liberal upbringing. So when I first heard of such traditions, I thought how ridiculous and to be born in such cultures.

    I am so glad to see that there is someone who cares enough – Dr. Pathak and it is amazing what a hero he is to all these widowers. He truly is a kind selfless soul, maybe he is a Bodhisattva helping these women! It is really heart warming to know that these ladies are not left to die in such miseries, though I am sure there are some who did.

    This story also reminded me of how Lord Buddha got rid of the caste system in India as well. And in the beginning it was also furiously rejected, until I guess when Kind Ashoka became Buddhist and change the rulings. https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/emperor-ashoka-the-great.html

    Thank you Vinnie & Bea for highlighting these woman’s plight and condition of a society with still very narrow ways which I hope we can all help in spreading this injustice through education and more exposure of such horrible gender discrimination.

  18. Albert on Oct 5, 2016 at 9:01 am

    While reading this article, it reminded me that the olden days in China, when the king emperor died, all their wives are to be buried alive to accompany their husband, so that the king will not be lonely when they go to ‘another place’.

    It is very sad that woman are treated like that, since olden days, and now still happened in some conservative families, woman are not treated well, because they cannot carry on their family name, when their daughter get married, she became someone else’s wife and their kids will follow that someone’s name, so when they know their wife gave birth to a daughter, they will be extremely disappointed.

    In this case, thanks to the compassionate group of people who set up Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, with the existence of this group,at least the woman’s welfare are more secured. Man and woman should be treated the same, cause we are all the same, we are all human.

  19. Julia Tan on Oct 5, 2016 at 8:46 am

    I have heard about this practice long time ago. I am glad and relieved it was banned by law now. Very sad to see people acted out of ignorance by the name of God to harm and even to kill for logical reasons. Simply because women are weak and easier to be bullied and blamed. It was an easy way to cut off their responsibility to take care of the widows. Again, the root was the ignorance of human without Dharma.

    Those who were lucky, adopbted and being take care by Sulabh International Social Service Organisation found by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. I hope to see more activist for this course will arise to improve the lives of widows in India. I think to help not only the widows but women to gain a better lives by learning some living skills to survive is important.

  20. Jace Chong on Oct 5, 2016 at 2:51 am

    Thanks Rinpoche, Vinnie, Beatrix and the blog team for sharing this article. It’s the first time I heard about the practice of Sati, it’s inhumane and illogic. How come a living being lose her value to live when her husband pass away? The passing away of the husbands is not something in control by anyone, why do the widows need to suffer from the impermanent phenomena?

    Dr Pathak is like a Gandhi to the unwanted widows who speak up and educate people on the wrong view. May the gender discrimination in all over the world be reduced and people respect other person as a same human being.

    Thank you.

  21. Pastor Chia on Oct 5, 2016 at 1:21 am

    This widows article in India has alert many cases of women are still abuse as victim ,treated unfair manner causing many women suffering in this modern world. Different religion believe and tradition also causing many women get abuse .

    I am glad to know about Dr, Pathak has setup Sulabh International organisation at Vanarasi to protect millions of unfortunate women who lose their husbands untimely, and become widows. Most of them are old, infirm, disabled and have no source of livelihood. With the organisation help, those widows able to received support again , not treated badly neglected them from the society. I ready hope more organisation can setup at future to protect human right especially to protect women free from the abuse cases.

  22. June Kang on Oct 5, 2016 at 12:43 am

    Very sad that at that time the society just accepts the idea of sati . Sati is demeaning to a woman because it implies that the woman’s life has meaning only when associated with a man. And most properly the practice is to benefit the minority greedy and selfish peoples who wanted to hoard property that the property will back to the families and not the widows.

    That is why religious such like Buddhism play an important role to the society. For Buddhism, committed suicide is considered killing and very bad Karma. If peoples have been educated with Buddhism, “sati” will not happen.

  23. Eric kksiow on Oct 5, 2016 at 12:24 am

    First of all i would like to Thanks to the writers for this article, i was shock after reading this, these Hindu widows, the poorest of the poor, are shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition.

    My point : In the year of 2016, why men and women can’t equal? Everyone should be treated fairly in the world. We are all human.

  24. Pastor Henry Ooi on Oct 5, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Suicide in the name of honour may be deemed a waste of a precious human life to most people. But to those widows in India, more in the past, it was seemed as the only way out of the misery of being abused, heckled, disowned, kicked out from their family home, treated as pariahs and as an extra mouth to be fed (worse if they have young children). Most women at that time were less educated and easily coerced to end their lives. It is sad to see human lives gone to waste. However, with education and modernisation, this traditional practice is dying off, paving the way for human rights for women in India.

  25. Li kheng on Oct 4, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    Suffering is endless for those living in samsara. It is very, very sad to hear about these widows – helpless and labelled outcasts solely on the untimely death of their husbands. It is most frightening to have our future carved in stone because of what happens to another person…what more a husband over whom these women have little control over (i.e. the masculine oriented culture of India).

    I rejoice that these outcasted women found refuge in spiritual communities that are conscious and “inconvenience” themselves to protect the helpless and uphold the values that make us innately humane.

    One thing I notice quite clearly is that the solace, haven, sanctuary and refuge for all people who suffer greatly is spirituality, be it Buddhism or other holy faiths. On this basis, I request all modern people of this day and age to reflect and observe before losing confidence in the purity of faith and spirit. As Buddha always said, compassion must be practiced with wisdom. I understand that to be “sustainable kindness”.

    Thank you Beatrix and Vinnie for this eye opening article.

  26. Mingwen on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    Purely selfishness and ego within human are the causes for every type sufferings we are experiencing.

    We should help each other out from our sufferings. For instance, those widows in India, little people care about what they are facing around them, hence, people outside their country should stand up for them and pull them up, or else their sufferings will go round and round and never end.

  27. Moh Mei on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    Historically many cultures are patriarchy based and unfortunately still very much so today perhaps just more subtle. Women were viewed as subjects of men and has no individual values. It is ironic that men would supposedly love their wives and daughters on one hand and on the other hand are the cause of the patriarchy system that devalued, discriminated, abused and humiliated the female gender.

    One could say it the karma of the female gender or it’s one’s karma to be born female. Then again karma doesn’t mean predestined fate.

    Time has changed many things in this world but unfortunately it doesn’t always include people. It is shocking to find that in some parts of the world, society are still struggling with these types of serious gender issues.

  28. Pastor Antoinette on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    It is very sad to see how families treat the wife of a husband who passed away. I cannot imagine the pain they have to go through, not only they lose their husband but on top their life or sold for prostritution… if they are “lucky”, they loose their home and all status. It is heartwrenching to see what happens to them after a life spend for the family and children.

    It is a relief to see that Dr Pathak is taking care of them but how many widows are there in a country like India. It is like a drop on a hot stone.

    Thank you Vinnie for creating awareness!

  29. pammie yap on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    I personally find it quite cruel that the widows have to endure the act after their husband’s passing. Although it is part of their culture but I believe that are other ways they can be treated. And the other part that I find cruel is that even if they choose to live, they still have to suffer other conditions. What I can’t tolerate is that some are even forced into prostitution.
    In modern times like this, nobody should endure such cruelty no matter what the culture is. We need to move forward with time and be equal to all human beings.
    I am happy that the government and human rights groups are helping these women. All government should look after the welfare of their people’s welfare and not let any of them be subject to human cruelty.

  30. nicholas on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    It’s really painful to see this type situation happened to the widows. They have lost their beloved husband and being treated in such a way. No one should discriminated and as a human being we should help each other especially those who needed help.

    At this modern world everyone have their right to live and do what they thing is right as long as they don’t hurt anyone. At this era we are responsible for our action and no one should control us for our life. These widows had done nothing wrong but just loosing their husband and they have their right to continue their life just like normal human beings.

    We are glad that to have Dr Bindeshwar to give a big hand helping them and we need to nurture more people to understand what is human rights especially the younger generation to understand the old tradition that discriminate human rights is wrong. Compassion should be the main teaching and practice for all human kind in the world to create a better place to live.

  31. Echeah on Oct 3, 2016 at 2:42 am

    It is sad that in some primitive societies, women’s sole reason for existence is a lifetime of servitude to their husbands. Their husbands define them. After the husband has died, these women are reduced to nothing, no social standing, redundant. It’s easy to understand why they feel they are better off dead without their husbands. It is no wonder that female infanticide is still rampant in some parts of India as girls are often seen as liabilities and not fit to live.

    With Dr. Pathak’s compassionate work, hopefully people can become free from the shackles of these old, so deeply ingrained traditions that discriminate, marginalize and victimise women. Then more lives can be saved and widows’ rights can be restored. Those very people who mistreat or abuse women seem to be blind to the fact that they would not even exist if it had not been for their mothers who gave birth to them.

  32. Julien Roth on Oct 2, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for sharing this information with us in such a well-written blog post. Its good that news such as this is spread around the internet for people to see as more money can be donated to help and people are aware that such actions are wrong.

    As I read the article, the thing that shocked me the most was the ritual of Sati. I never knew about this ritual until this post. It is terrifying how widows would take their own lives just because their husbands have passed away. That doesn’t make sense to me. I am sure that there must have been a spiritual or racial reason behind it, but from my modern day perspective I strongly believe this is wrong, and sexist.

  33. Pastor Han Nee on Oct 1, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Dr Pathak is to be specially commended for his compassion, for only a person with great compassion can actually see the depths of misery of the disenfranchised widows, their humiliation and their degradation by society and their own people. To see and to be moved by them to do something to alleviate their suffering.

  34. Pastor Han Nee on Sep 30, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    Prejudice against the female gender is bad enough in many parts of the world. But nowhere is it as bad as in India where the most hapless victims of social and cultural prejudice are widows. Tradition and culture have placed a very strong stigma on Indian widows. Although Sati has been outlawed/banned , yet widows are still ostracised by their families and the community. They are left impoverished and almost all end up begging for food. Being helpless, as most are unskilled and uneducated and have not found the voice to speak up, they are among the most neglected minority groups.

    Fortunately for this most abused minority group, human rights organisations like the Sulabh International Social Service Organization founded by a highly influential humanist and social reformer Dr Pathak, are now working very hard for these poor unwanted widows. They have adopted hundreds of these widows in Varanasi, for instance.

    Seeing that these widows are the victims of gross social prejudice(society views them as unclean and they are shunned and treated like social lepers), Dr Pathak’s primary concern is to change the mindset, attitude and behaviour of the people towards widows.

    It is hoped that Dr Pathak will make a significant headway in this direction.

  35. sonny tan on Sep 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for this revealing article, it is pretty sad to know that inequality still exists in India. I know that caste system is a well-accepted phenomenon but to cast aside women and put them away when they are no more of use is pretty hard for anyone to accept.
    Women, men, animals are all God’s creation but why segregate and dehumanize women and categorize them as ‘has been’ deprived them of basic human rights is something the Indian government has to urgently addressed soon. Perhaps it requires intervention by more developed nation through education and dialogue on such degrading acts of human.
    It would be a very long haul before we can see some little changes for it is not easy at all to change a system that has been happening for so long, perhaps by educating their young ones now and hopefully it can snowballed into a reality in the not too distant future. I hope that if substantial efforts are being enforced and regulations are introduced to make the Indians see that we are all equal in the eyes of God perhaps one day it can turn into an accepted reality.

  36. Samfoonheei on Sep 30, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Sad…very sad..feel sorry for those widows in India.How can they did these to those widow who are not at fort loosing their husband.Even though it was a tradition practice which they called it Sati or sattee in ancient India.However it was ban during the British rule yet they did continue practicing it.Those unfortunate widows are treated as bad and unholy women by the society. And there’s one kind, caring man Dr Pathak and other human organization are trying to change the mindset ,attitude and behavior of the people towards widow Seeing the sufferings of these widows, Dr Pathak try to create and to bring the awareness on basic human rights and .improve the lives of these women.
    Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for this article.

  37. Stella Cheang on Sep 30, 2016 at 11:47 am

    In the mind of many people, India, among a few other counties, is notorious for gender bias discrimination. In fact, from the many reports in recent years of gang rape cases and child marriages, I personally believe that India, and a few other countries, enshrine sexism on top of genderism. Therefore, the tradition of sati nuanced as disturbing but not surprising. Even though Queen Victoria had declared illegal to practice sati, it had not stopped for the last 2 centuries. It is hard to stomach that before 1987 (most of us were already born then) that many widows had to burn themselves alive to accompany the death of their maybe not so beloved husband. And should they chose not to die, they were given a life of harsh asceticism, which is actually stripping them off their identity and degrade them as public property. It should be the shame of mankind to have such practice. Thank you Vinnie and Beatrix for this article.

  38. Uncle Eddie on Sep 29, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    These are truly horrible and terrible things that happened in the World, in the name of human tradition and cultural belief, both to humans as well as animals. The happening of the practice of “sati or suttee” in many parts of ancient India, many in the outside World today may not have any knowledge or have even heard of such happening! “Sati or suttee” is described as a practice commonly happened amongst Hindu community, where recent widowed women, by forced or coercion commit sucide after death of husband by burning oneself at the husband’s funeral pyre, or buried alive or by drowning! Such was needed to be practised as a wifely-devotion act, seen as a way to savage the dead husband, and seven generations of their off-spring. It was said that the practice of “sati” was found amongst many castes and every social levels, including the highly educated and uneducated women of modern times. A great many heartfelt thanks to the various organisations and individuals, especially to Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, for their great efforts to help out! Dr. Pathak’s primary concern is to change the mindset, attitude and behaviour of the people towards the widows. Dr. Pathak is a highly influential humanist and social reformer of contemporary India.
    Ultimately, humanity is one and this small planet is our only home. It is believed that at every level of society – familial, tribal, national and international – the key to a happier and more successful World is the growth of Compassion. We don’t need to be an ideologist, all that is necessary is for us to develop our Good Human Qualities to maintain it! Om Mani Padme Hung.

  39. Pastor David Lai on Sep 28, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    I find this article heart wrenching and sad to see that these women live the life of a pariah just because their husbands had passed on. It’s horrible but not unusual that a human being would be treated in this manner. We have come such a long way in our attitude towards women in many countries but there are many more countries that continue to uphold such conveniently prejudiced and archaic views against women.

    It’s not surprising that these women are largely from rural areas where traditional values are still retained. I think poverty has a hand to play in the attitude towards women as for many other social issues. The women is usually the easiest scapegoat and victim. In many cases, education is the way out of poverty and the education of women could do a lot to uplift these women towards sustaining their livelihood.

    I think these women would struck a chord in you especially if you are a woman. Even when I am not a woman but I can feel for these poor women and luckily there are these organizations that help these women self-sustain and get back on their feet. It’s good that more people know about them and what they go through. I think t’s through exposure and education that will bring down such harmful social practices and prejudice.

  40. Fong on Sep 28, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    Thank you, Vinnie for another informative article. The practice of sati has not been heard for a long time but nonetheless still haunting. It is sad that India, a land of the greatest religions and spirituality still has some very archaic attitudes towards women.

    Thanks to the various organizations and individuals who make the effort to try and educate the general public about human rights, though it is so very new a concept to them.

    It is sad to read of the widows of Varanasi but at the same time heart-warming to read also of the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation and Dr Bindeshwar Pathak advocating human rights.

    We do have to think of the love and care these women have given their families. It is only right that they be taken care of by their children in gratitude for the sacrifices of their mother though the father is no longer, especially when the father is gone.

    The families should learn to practice generosity to their very own kin, these widows who have lost thir husbands and not see them as a drain on their resources. These widows in their time had done so much for their families and can still contribute to the families in many ways even when their husbands are no longer around. A woman should not be defined by her husband. It’s so great that the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation and Dr Bindeshwar pathak are doing something to educate about human rights.

    • Valentina Suhendra on Sep 29, 2016 at 4:05 am

      Dear Fong

      Thank you for your comment on this article. This is an interesting article indeed. I was shock myself at how women’s life and value is defined by the fragile existence of her husband and that is the reason when their husband passed away, they are being asked to die with their husband or became an outcast. This is the violation of the most basic human rights.

      Fortunately, we have people like Dr. Bideshwar Patak who is passionate about helping these widows. But I think we should not only praising and admiring Dr. Patak, we should help him in bringing awareness about this dire issue.

      I sincerely hope that this custom will be changed very soon.

      Valentina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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The Unknown

The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
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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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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 29, 2024 09:59
    Anonymous asked: 1: how can cleaning be turned into meditation? 2: in Chinese tradition, when someone passes away, there are these blankets with like Buddhas' names on it, Buddhist symbols, etc. What happens when they are cremated, what should we do so it isn't disrespectful to burn the cover/blanket? Thank you ♡
    pastor answered: Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your questions. In regards to your first question, here is a part of Tsem Rinpoche's teaching (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/how-to-purify-your-karma-in-kechara-forest-retreat.html): "As I have shared before, during the Buddha’s time, he had a student who was not very intelligent, an old monk. And when this old monk memorised the first word, when he got to the second word, he forgot the first word. When he went back to the first word, he forgot the second word. And he’d yo-yo back and forth like that. And he was very frustrated so he asked the Buddha what he could do because he was having such a hard time memorising and understanding the Dharma due to his very, very, very, poor memory. And so the Buddha said, “Visualise a temple, the shoes of the monks, the floor, the surrounding area, the garden, the trees and all that as your mind. And all the leaves that have fallen as your karma, and your kleshas, your obstructions, your obstacles. Think of all the dirt, think of all the dust, as your kleshas and your obstructions and your negative karma, and every day clean it. And recite this DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG. Remove my defilements, remove its leftovers. Remove my defilements, remove the leftovers, the stains.. So, to recite that every day carefully and to visualise it carefully and do that.” So when you are cleaning, you visualise that you are cleaning the defilements from your mind, you can recite "DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG." or "Remove my defilements, remove its leftovers." Or you can recite mantras of purification such as Vajrasattva. In regards to your second question: from the Tibetan Buddhist viewpoints you would not burn mantras or images of or associated with the Three Jewels. However, the specific mantras on the blanket, may be for this specific purpose. We wouldn't be able to give you a definitive answers as we would need to know the specific mantras, prayers, images on the blanket. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • 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.
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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
2 days 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
2 days ago
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
2 days 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.
4 days ago
Our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ 23/3/2024 . William, as the umze is seen here burning incense powder as we are about to recite the Sangsol Prayer to Dorje Shugden composed by Ganden Serkong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
2 weeks ago
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
2 months ago
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
3 months ago
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
3 months ago
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/\_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed.  Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
4 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
4 months ago
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
6 months ago
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
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Dorje Shugden
Click to watch my talk about Dorje Shugden....