Madame Blavatsky: Mother of Modern Spirituality

By | Apr 11, 2018 | Views: 7,944

HPB01

(By Tsem Rinpoche and Joy Kam)

Born on 12th August 1831 in Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk), a town near the Dnieper river in Ukraine, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky is considered one of the world’s most extraordinary female spiritualists. Apart from being a controversial figure of the 19th century, she was a renowned occultist, spirit medium, and author of the most influential occult book to date — The Secret Doctrine.

“… Madame Blavatsky … stands out as the fountainhead of modern occult thought, and was either the originator and/or populariser of many of the ideas and terms which have a century later been assembled within the New Age Movement. The Theosophical Society, which she co-founded, has been the major advocate of occult philosophy in the West and the single most important avenue of Eastern teaching to the West.”

J. Gordon Melton, Jerome Clark and Aidan A. Kelly, editors, New Age Almanac, Detroit, Michigan, Gale Research Inc., 1991, p. 16.

Self-educated, Helena Blavatsky’s deep interest in esotericism began in her teenage years, and from there, it grew until she became one of the most influential thinkers of modern spirituality. She opened the doors to a new age of spiritual movements by introducing Eastern esoteric concepts to the Western world.

Blavatsky also led a very controversial life. She claimed to have embarked on a series of travels all around Europe, the Americas, and India in 1849. During these travels, she came across a group of adepts, the “Masters of the Ancient Wisdom.” They apparently sent her exploring the roof of the world, Shigatse in Tibet, where she was trained to develop psychic powers of her own. Biographers and critics have debated whether these travels were fabricated by Blavatsky or if she spent most of her time in Europe during the period she claimed this all took place. Regardless, whether it was true or false, one thing is for sure — she started a movement that dared to challenge the norms and belief systems of having only one almighty God. Through these endeavours, she gained many like-minded followers and students who contributed greatly towards the shape of spirituality today.

HPB02

In the early 1870s, Helena Blavatsky became involved in the Spiritualist movement. She defended the authenticity of the existence of Spiritualist phenomena and debated with mainstream Spiritualists that the entities she contacted were spirits of the dead. Later, in 1873, she moved to America and became friends with renowned journalist and lawyer Henry Steel Olcott, who was also interested in spirituality. It was Olcott who made her well-known as a spirit medium, and her friendship with Henry Olcott not only gave her publicity but also invited accusations that she was a fraud due to his overt promotion of her.

Together with Henry Olcott and William Quan Judge, Helena Blavatsky co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875 in New York. She then published Isis Unveiled, a book that revealed the history, scope, and development of the Occult Sciences and her Theosophical world-view. Blavatsky defined Theosophy as “the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy“, which she associated closely with the esoteric doctrines of Neoplatonism and Hermeticism. She proclaimed she was reviving an “ancient wisdom” that she believed was the reason behind the existence of various world religions. She was soon revered as “The Founding Mother of Occult in America” in the words of American author Kurt Vonnegut.

HPB03b

In 1880, Blavatsky and Olcott relocated to India and made connections with the Hindu reform movement called Arya Samaj. That year, she and Olcott also became the first Westerners to convert to Buddhism. The Theosophical Society continued to flourish in India, despite opposition from the British administration. However, the Society also experienced internal issues when Blavatsky was accused of and criticised for creating false psychic phenomena, though these accusations could not be proven either way.

Blavatsky was larger than life and very controversial indeed. She had a huge following, her supporters considered her an enlightened guru, and she was hailed as an icon – the Mother of Modern Spirituality. On the other hand, there was another group of people who rejected her and scorned her as a fraud.

Regardless, there is no doubt that her Theosophical doctrines introduced and spearheaded the spread of Buddhism and Hinduism in the West. Her doctrines also helped develop Western esoteric subjects such as Anthroposophy, Ariosophy and the New Age Movement.

 

Early Life

A painting of young Blavatsky with her mother, titled "Two Helens”

A painting of young Blavatsky with her mother, titled “Two Helens”

Helena Petrovna von Hahn was born into an aristocratic Russian-German family. She was the daughter of Colonel Peter von Hahn and Helena de Fadeyev, a well-known Russian novelist and granddaughter of the talented Princess Helena Dolgorukov, a writer and renowned botanist. Helena Petrovna was baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church immediately after she was born.

As a child, Helena moved from one place to another; due to her father’s career in the Russian Imperial Military, the family had to go wherever he was posted in the Russian Empire. This is probably one of the reasons she was so comfortable leading a nomadic lifestyle in her adulthood.

Young Helena P. Blavatsky (1850s – early 1860s)

Young Helena P. Blavatsky (1850s – early 1860s)

The oldest child in the family, Helena Petrovna had a younger brother named Sasha, who died when she was two years old. At that time, her family lived in an army township that did not have the medical facilities needed to save his life. Then in 1835, she moved with her mother to Odessa, the third most populated city in the Ukraine. It was there that her mother gave birth to her sister, Vera Petrovna. Helena’s maternal grandfather, Andrei Fadeyev, was also posted in the same city as a civil administrator for the Russian Imperial Government.

In 1836, Helena’s family relocated to Saint Petersburg. Her mother was fond of the city and this is where she began her writing career under the pseudonym “Zenaida R-va”, authoring novels and translating the works of the famous English author and poet, Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

Helena Blavatsky around 1950s

Helena Blavatsky in the 1950s

A year later, in 1837, Helena’s grandfather was assigned to be the trustee for the Kalmyk people in Central Asia. Helena and her mother accompanied him to Astrakhan, where they became friends with Tumen, a Kalmyk leader who was a Tibetan Buddhist. Kalmyks are usually practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, and this was when Helena first encountered the religion.

In 1838, Helena’s mother reunited with her husband and moved the family back to Poltava. She taught young Helena how to play the piano and arranged for her to have dance lessons. Unfortunately, Helena’s mother was not in the peak of health, and so they moved back to Odessa, where young Helena learned English from her British governess. Not long after that, the whole family relocated to Saratov, and in June 1840, she welcomed a baby brother named Leonid. After Leonid’s birth, they moved to Poland for a short period of time before returning to Odessa. This is when her mother’s health deteriorated further and in June 1842, she passed away from tuberculosis. She was only 28.

Helena Blavatsky’s mother, Helena de Fadeyev or Helena Andreyevna von Hahn (granddaughter of the talented Princess Helena Dolgorukov) who was a writer as well as a renowned botanist (1814-1842)

Helena Blavatsky’s mother, Helena de Fadeyev or Helena Andreyevna von Hahn, was the granddaughter of the talented Princess Helena Dolgorukov, a writer and renowned botanist

After her mother passed away, Helena’s maternal grandparents took in all three children. They moved to Saratov where their grandfather, Andrei, was the Governor. Richard Davenport-Hines, a historian, described young Helena as “a petted, wayward, invalid child” and a “beguiling story-teller”. There are several accounts by her relatives explaining how little Helena would socialise with children from the lower-classes, often played pranks and enjoyed reading. Although she did not go to school like other children, she was well educated and even studied French, art and music, subjects which at that time were thought to help women find suitable suitors. Helena spent her holidays in Tumen’s Kalmyk summer camp with her grandparents, where she learnt to ride horses and read rudimentary Tibetan.

Different from other children her age, Helena was an exceptional, gifted child in touch with her psychic abilities and highly sensitive to the environment. She was also acutely aware of this difference between herself and other children. A rebel at heart, she would not always listen to authority. With her intelligence, linguistic abilities, talent in the arts and music, and her fearless passion for riding half-trained horses, it was clear that she was in tune with nature, her surroundings and those whom she met. From a young age, she sensed that she had a special mission that would somehow lead her towards dedicating her life to the service of others. She also believed she was guided and protected by some higher power to fulfil this purpose.

Blavatsky during her youth

Helena during her youth

Helena claimed she discovered her great-grandfather Prince Pavel Vasilevich Dolgorukov’s personal library while living in Saratov. It was in this library that she is said to have found various books on esoteric subjects, sparking her interest which rapidly grew over the years.

Her great-grandfather, Dolgorukov, was a Freemason and belonged to the Rite of Strict Observance. Rumour has it that he had met adventurers of the occult arts such as Alessandro Cagliostro, an Italian magician with the royal courts of Europe, and the Count of St. Germain, a great philosopher.

Around this time, it is said that Helena had strange visions of meeting a “mysterious Indian man”, whom she did meet in person later in life. According to her biographers, this was the first appearance of the “Masters” in Helena’s life.

Blavatsky’s maternal grandfather; Andrei Mihailovich de Fadeyev (1789-1867) and grandmother Princess Helena Dolgorukov (1789-1860)

Helena’s maternal grandfather, Andrei Mihailovich de Fadeyev (1789-1867) and grandmother Princess Helena Dolgorukov (1789-1860)

Helena spent one year living with her aunt, Yekaterina Andreyevna Witte, and then she moved to Tiflis, Georgia, where she befriended Alexander Vladimirovich Golitsyn from the princely family line of the Golitsyn noble houses. He was a Russian Freemason member and he greatly encouraged her interest in the esoteric arts. It was also during this time that Helena claimed to have had paranormal experiences, such as astral traveling and more visions of the “mysterious Indian man”.

A picture depicting the great masters with Blavatsky. Blavatsky said these masters appear to her in her visions, guiding her on a spiritual mission which led to establishing the Theosophical Society.

Helena Blavatsky and the great masters. Blavatsky said these masters appeared to her in her visions, guiding her on a spiritual mission which led up to the establishment of the Theosophical Society.

 

Travelling the World

HPB11

When Helena turned 17, she agreed to a marriage with the Vice Governor of Erivan Province, Nikifor Vladimirovich Blavatsky, a man in his forties. It is said she agreed to this marriage probably because she wanted to find a way to free herself from the environment she was in.

Helena was a rebel at heart, and so it is possible she plotted her way to freedom and independence. However, she claimed she married Nikifor because she was attracted to his belief in magic, an interest she shared. Before their wedding ceremony, it is said she tried to back out several times, but eventually went ahead with it. She was married on 7th July 1849 and from then on was known as Helena Blavatsky.

After the marriage, Blavatsky moved to Sardar Palace with her husband and later attempted to run away several times. Unfortunately, her attempts were not successful. Eventually, her husband relented and gave up, allowing her to return to her family. Her family sent two escorts, a servant and a maid, to accompany her on the journey back to Odessa where her father was living. The plan was to return to Saint Petersburg together with her father. However, this did not happen as Blavatsky escaped her escorts and bribed the captain of the ship she was on to take them to Kerch. She ended up in Constantinople, and this marked the beginning of Blavatsky’s travels around the world.

Blavatsky explored Turkey, Egypt, and Greece, and her father most likely financed her travels. Unfortunately, most of her activities cannot be verified accurately, as she kept no diary nor did she travel with companions. This is why Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, a historian of esotericism, noted that these travels were based solely on “her own largely uncorroborated accounts”, which were somewhat contradictory as they were “occasionally conflicting in their chronology”.

HPB10

Blavatsky claimed that while in Constantinople, she became friends with a Hungarian opera singer named Agardi Metrovitch, whom she met while saving him from being murdered. There she also met the Countess Sofia Kiselyova and together, they went travelling around Eastern Europe, Egypt and Greece. When she was in Cairo, she met Albert Rawson, an American art student who later wrote about the Middle East at great length. Apparently, they both visited and studied under the celebrated Coptic magician, Paulos Metamon, for a while.

Blavatsky went on to Paris in 1851, where she met Victor Michal, a spiritist-magnetiser and was greatly impressed by him. From there, she travelled to England and she claimed this was when she met the “mysterious Indian man”, whom she had visions of during her childhood. He was a Hindu teacher called Master Morya. Although it is unclear how they finally met due to conflicting versions of the story, one thing that was consistently mentioned and maintained by Blavatsky was that Morya had a special mission for her, and that he insisted she travel to Tibet.

The “mysterious Indian” man, Master Morya had a special mission for Blavatsky

The “mysterious Indian man”, Master Morya, had a special mission for Blavatsky

During the autumn of 1851, Blavatsky made her way to Asia from America. She was inspired by James Fenimore Cooper’s novels and was hoping to see Native American communities in Quebec. She wanted to meet their magico-religious specialists, but an unfortunate event occurred and she was robbed during her journey. Blavatsky blamed the corrupt influence of Christian missionaries for the Native American people’s ruthless actions. Hence, she headed South instead, making her way to New Orleans, Texas, Mexico, and the Andes and finally boarding a ship to Ceylon, eventually landing in Bombay.

Based on the correspondences Blavatsky had with Master Morya, she is said to have been following instructions given by him. Blavatsky spent two years in India and also attempted several times to get into Tibet but the British administration stopped her.

There are many stories regarding her travels that no one can guarantee are 100% accurate. In one account, Blavatsky claimed that when she was on her way back to Europe, before reaching England, she survived a shipwreck close to the Cape of Good Hope in 1854. While in England, she experienced hostility because she was Russian — it was the time of the Crimean War, when Russia and Britain were in conflict. She also had to work and landed a role as a musician at the Royal Philharmonic Society.

HPB12b

Besides Europe, she also explored America, sailing through New York, where she came across Mr. Rawson whom she had befriended in Cairo. She continued on to Chicago, Salt Lake City and San Francisco. After that, she sailed back to India, passing through Japan. When she was in India, she explored the cities of Kashmir and Ladakh, and later journeyed to Burma.

Around 1856, she claimed to have made a second attempt to get into Tibet and this time, she succeeded. Blavatsky supposedly entered Tibet via Kashmir with a Tartar shaman as her companion. He was trying to get to Siberia and thought Blavatsky, being a Russian, could help him get in. Based on their stories, they ended up in Leh before getting lost and later joined a group of travelling Tartar shamans before returning to India once again. Blavatsky eventually went back to Europe through Madras and Java.

Blavatsky spent time in Germany and France before returning to her family in Pskov in 1858. Here is where she claimed to have experienced more paranormal phenomena, such as knocking and creaking sounds that followed her and furniture moving on its own in the house.

Giuseppe Garibaldi (1866) is an Italian general, politician and nationalist who personally commanded and fought in many military campaigns that led to the unification of Italy

Giuseppe Garibaldi (1866) was an Italian general, politician and nationalist who personally commanded and fought in many military campaigns that led to the unification of Italy

Two years later, in 1860, Blavatsky and her sister visited their maternal grandmother in Tiflis, where she met with Metrovitch, the Hungarian opera singer whom she had saved. In 1862, she reunited with her ex-husband Nikifor and they adopted a child, named Yuri. Unfortunately, Yuri passed away at age five, and he was buried with Metrovitch’s surname.

In 1864, Blavatsky went horse riding in Mingrelia when she fell and fractured her spine. This accident put her in a coma. As she recovered from her injury in Tiflis, she claimed to have gained full control over her psychic abilities.

After Blavatsky recovered, she continued to travel, this time to Italy, Transylvania and Serbia, where she may have studied the Kabbalah with a rabbi. Then in 1867, she visited the Balkans, Hungary and then returned to Italy, spending time in Venice, Florence and Mentana. She also claimed she was injured during the Battle of Mentana as she fought for the great Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi.

 

Journey to Tibet

In 1868, Blavatsky said she received a message from Master Morya that she should go to Constantinople to meet with him, and this was when they journeyed to Tibet together. When they were in Tibet, Master Morya’s friend and colleague, Master Koot Hoomi, opened his house located near Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse and hosted them.

Koot Hoomi (also known as Kuthumi or K.H.) is one of the Mahatmas or masters who inspired Blavatsky in establishing the Theosophical Society.

Koot Hoomi (also known as Kuthumi or K.H.) is one of the Mahatmas or masters who inspired Blavatsky to establish the Theosophical Society.

According to Blavatsky, both Morya and Koot Hoomi were Kashmiris of Punjabi descent. It is said that Koot Hoomi taught students of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in his house, but it is not clear exactly what he taught them. Koot Hoomi was fluent in both English and French and, like his friend Morya, he was also a vegetarian.

Blavatsky claimed that during her time in Tibet, she learned the ancient language of Senzar and translated several ancient scriptures from the monastery. She was not allowed to enter the monastery, so it would be logical to assume that she did the translations in Koot Hoomi’s house. She also mentioned that during this time, Master Morya and Master Koot Hoomi guided and helped her develop her psychic abilities and taught her how to control them.

The psychic abilities that Blavatsky developed were clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, de-materialisation and re-materialisation of physical objects, the ability to control another person’s consciousness, and to project one’s astral body, giving the illusion of being in two places simultaneously. Blavatsky also claimed she had to engage in a spiritual retreat from late 1868 to late 1870, while she was in Tibet. Although Blavatsky did not write about her visit to Lhasa, this was later mentioned by various sources, one of them an account by her sister.

According to biographers, Blavatsky had been to Tashilunpo monastery, near Shigatse. There are reports saying during Blavatsky’s years of studying in Tashilunpo would have resulted in her meeting the 8th Panchen Lama Tenpai Wangchuk and getting to know him well. This information can be found in the book called "The Voice of the Silence", published by the Chinese society for Buddhism study at Peking, at the request of the 9th Panchen Lama in 1927

According to biographers, Blavatsky visited Tashi Lhunpo Monastery near Shigatse. Some reports state that Blavatsky’s years in Tashi Lhunpo would have resulted in her meeting the 8th Panchen Lama Tenpai Wangchuk and getting to know him well. This information can be found in the book called “The Voice of the Silence”, published by the Chinese Society for Buddhism Study at Peking, at the request of the 9th Panchen Lama in 1927

Many critics and biographers doubted Blavatsky’s claims regarding her travels, particularly her expedition to Tibet. However, there are also those who believed it was possible, especially as traders and pilgrims from neighbouring lands were known to have visited the country. Some biographers suggest Blavatsky could have entered Tibet since she was accompanied by Morya and could have disguised herself as an Asian. There is also an eyewitness account of seeing her in Shigatse. Furthermore, the renowned scholar D.T. Suzuki mentioned Blavatsky possessed advanced knowledge of Mahayana Buddhist subjects, which seems consistent with her claims of studying in a Tibetan monastery during her travels.

 

Establishing Theosophy

HPB16

Blavatsky travelled to Tibet to prove to the world that the esoteric phenomena enacted by Spiritualists were real, and she defended this concept fiercely, especially against scientific materialists who accused her of being a fraud. However, she was unbiased and pointed out that the entities some of the mediums were contacting might not be the spirits of the dead, as was often claimed by Spiritualists. These entities could have been mischievous elementals or “shells” left behind by the deceased.

Séances were popular at one time and Blavatsky at one time took part in these Séance but she soon realise that the answers provided by these spirits were not accurate and some were actually mischievous elementals or “shells” left behind by the dead.

Séances were popular at the time and Blavatsky participated in these. However, she soon realised that the answers provided by these spirits were not accurate and some were actually mischievous elementals or “shells” left behind by the deceased.

Next, she proceeded to Greece via the Suez Canal where she met another Master – Master Hilarion, who is considered a saint in the I AM movement. In July 1871, Blavatsky boarded the SS Eumonia to Egypt, but the ship tragically exploded en route. There were only 16 survivors and Blavatsky was one of them. When she arrived in Cairo, she met with Paulos Metamon. She also established société spirite with the help of a lady named Emma Cutting. The society advocated Spiritism, a form of Spiritualism originated by Allan Kardec. Kardec acknowledged the belief of reincarnation, which was a huge contrast from the beliefs of mainstream Spiritualists. However, after just two weeks, Blavatsky discovered that many mediums the society employed were frauds and decided to shut it down.

While in Cairo, Blavatsky also met the renowned French scholar and Egyptologist Sir Gaston Maspero and another one of her Masters, Serapis Bey, the 13th member of the Council of Adepts of the Ascension Temple, also known as Serapis Soleil (Serapis of the Sun).

After Egypt, Blavatsky went on to Syria, Palestine and Lebanon and became acquainted with members of the Druze religion. During these interesting travels, she met and became friends with writer and traveller Lidia Pashkova. Pashkova later provided independent confirmation regarding Blavatsky’s travels during this period.

Blavatsky returned to visit her family in Odessa in July 1872 before following Morya’s instructions to go to America. She arrived in New York in July 1873, and stayed in a women’s housing co-operative on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She earned a small wage from odd jobs, such as sewing and designing advertising cards. Along the way, she attracted the attention of a journalist named Anna Ballard, who interviewed her for The Sun, a New York newspaper. In the interview, Blavatsky claimed to have travelled to the mysterious Tibet, the first written source of her travels to the Land of Snows.

HPB17

By the age of 42, Blavatsky possessed unusual spiritual and occult powers. It was believed she was the most suitable instrument for the work the great Masters had planned and the best person to present it to the world. This message was “The accumulated Wisdom of the ages, tested and verified by generations of Seers…“, a belief that the main Truth was all religions, great and small, are like the many branches that stem from the parent tree. Blavatsky was given the task by the Masters to challenge the deep-rooted beliefs and dogmas of Christian Theology and the materialistic view of science during her time. In Blavatsky’s own words,

“I was sent to prove the phenomena and their reality, and to show the fallacy of the spiritualistic theory of spirits.”

Not long after Blavatsky arrived in New York, she received news that her father had passed away, leaving her a substantial inheritance that allowed her to move from poor living conditions into a luxurious hotel.

In December 1874, Blavatsky met Mikheil Betaneli, a Georgian who had become infatuated with her. He persisted in pursuing her hand in marriage and in the end, Blavatsky conceded. However, since Blavatsky had not divorced her husband from her first marriage, this was considered bigamy. Nevertheless, Blavatsky would not consummate the marriage with Betaneli, which led him to file for a divorce.

 

Establishing the Theosophical Society

Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott (1888) were the founders of the Theosophical Society

Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott were the founders of the Theosophical Society

Blavatsky was fascinated by stories of William and Horatio Eddy, also known as the Eddy brothers, two American mediums from Chittenden, Vermont. The brothers claimed to levitate and manifest psychic phenomena. Intrigued, Blavatsky visited Chittenden in October 1874, where she met the renowned journalist Henry Steel Olcott, who was the investigating reporter on the Eddys’ claims for the New York Daily Graphic newspaper.

Olcott said he was impressed with Blavatsky’s ability to manifest psychic powers, which made him write an article on her for the paper. They quickly became close friends and they even had nicknames for one another, “Jack” for Blavatsky and “Maloney” for Olcott. He promoted her, generating more attention to her claims, and persuaded the editor of the Daily Graphic to publish an interview with Blavatsky. He also talked about Blavatsky in his book, Spiritualism, People from the Other World (1875).

HPB18b

Blavatsky gave instructions to Olcott based on her own beliefs, and she also encouraged him to become vegetarian, teetotal and celibate. Sometime in January 1875, they visited the mediums Nelson and Jennie Owen, who were Spiritualists based in Philadelphia. The Owens asked to be tested by Olcott to prove they were not frauds and that the phenomena they produced were real. Olcott believed them but Blavatsky spoke up to expose them, saying some of their phenomena were fake, and failed to manifest as they claimed.

Eager to find ways and ideas to promote their beliefs, Blavatsky and Olcott published a circular letter in The Spiritual Scientist, Eldridge Gerry Brown’s Boston-based Spiritualist publication, and called themselves “Brotherhood of Luxor“, which could have been inspired by the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor. They lived together in rented apartments in New York, presumably supported and funded by Olcott who continued his work as a lawyer. Their last apartment was called Lamasery, which means a monastery of lamas. Blavatsky and Olcott also founded the Miracle Club, supposedly inspired by the Masters, in which they facilitated many lectures on esoteric subjects. From this Club, they connected with an Irish Spiritualist named William Quan Judge, who shared similar interests.

In 1875, from the Miracle Club gatherings, the Theosophical Society was born with Olcott as the Chairman, Judge as the secretary, and Helena Blavatsky as the secretary, but everyone knows that Blavatsky was actual leader and driving force behind the society.

The Theosophical Society was born in 1875 with Olcott as the Chairman, Judge as the secretary, and Blavatsky as another secretary. However, everyone knew that Blavatsky was the actual leader and driving force behind the society.

On 7th September 1875, at a Miracle Club meeting, Blavatsky, Olcott, and Judge decided to create an esoteric organisation, and Charles Sotheran suggested that it be named the ‘Theosophical Society‘. The word ‘theosophy’ derives from the Greek word ‘theos’ which means “god(s)” and ‘sophia’, meaning “wisdom”; therefore, theosophy means “god-wisdom” or “divine wisdom”. Blavatsky insisted that Theosophy was not a religion and would clarify this many times over the course of her life.

The Logo of the Theosophical Society

The Logo of the Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society was officially formed on 17th November 1875. Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was the chairman, William Quan Judge was the secretary, and Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was another secretary. However, there is no doubt that Blavatsky was the principal theoretician and leader of the group. The early members consisted of many prominent spiritualists such as Emma Hardinge Britten, C.C. Massey, Signor Bruzzesi, and William L. Alden who were, in their own right, successful members of the society.

The main objective of the Society was initially a general statement:

“…to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which govern the Universe.”

However, the founders made several revisions to express their goals more accurately, and today they are the following:

  1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour.
  2. To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science.
  3. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.
This is the commemorative plaque of Theosophical Society in Adyar, India.

This is the commemorative plaque of the founding members of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, India.

 

Isis Unveiled

In the summer of 1875, Blavatsky wrote Isis Unveiled, a book that outlined her Theosophical worldview, from the home of Hiram Corson, a Professor of English Literature at Cornell University, Ithaca. In the course of her work, she became aware of a second consciousness, which she called “the lodger who is in me” and claimed that it inspired most of her writing.

According to Olcott, Blavatsky quoted from many religious texts and scriptures that she did not have access to in Isis Unveiled. Furthermore, the topics Blavatsky wrote about are still unanswerable over a century after her passing. Thus, Isis Unveiled was an original fusion that connected contrasting ideas and concepts not brought up before in Western literature. Blavatsky’s concept was about all world religions stemming from one “Ancient Wisdom” which she connected with the Western esoteric traditions of Hermeticism and Neoplatonism, openly disagreeing with Darwinian evolution theory that mainly focused on the physical world while ignoring the spiritual realm.

Isis Unveil was Helena Blavatsky’s first book and it was huge success, selling out about 1000 books in a week

Isis Unveiled was Helena Blavatsky’s first book and it was a huge success, selling 1,000 copies in a week.

Edited by Alexander Wilder, Professor of Philosophy, and published in two volumes by J.W. Bouton in 1877, the book encountered negative criticism and bad press reviews; some even said that she had quoted around 100 books but gave no credit or acknowledgement. Yet, despite all the negative reviews, Isis Unveiled still became a huge success, selling 1,000 copies in a week. It was such a success that the publisher asked for a sequel, but Blavatsky stayed true to her mission and rejected the offer.

However, while the world witnessed the great success of Isis Unveiled, it was not the same with the Society, which became quiet and inactive towards the autumn of 1876. This occurred although new lodges were being set up all around the United States and in London, and even though new prominent members like Thomas Edison and Abner Doubleday had joined the Society. Not long after her book’s success, Blavatsky became a U.S. citizen in July 1878.

 

Connections with India

Helena Blavatsky and Hindu Theosophists in India, around 1884

Helena Blavatsky and Hindu Theosophists in India around 1884

The Theosophical Society connected with a Hindu reform movement called the Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, as members believed these two organisations shared a common spiritual worldview. Shortly thereafter, Blavatsky became unhappy living in the U.S and decided to move to India. Her good friend Olcott agreed to join her in this relocation — they auctioned off many of their possessions in preparation for the move. Olcott also secured himself a position as a U.S. trade representative to the country. They arrived in Bombay in February 1879 and were warmly greeted with celebrations, organised by Hurrychund Chintamon, an Arya Samaj member.

Blavatsky preferred associating with Indians than with the governing British elite, and kept a 15-year-old Gujarati boy, named Vallah “Babula” Bulla, as her personal attendant. Many educated Indians were impressed when they discovered that Theosophists advocated and supported Indian religions, especially during that period of colonialism, British imperialism and on-going missionary efforts to convert them to Christianity. Hence, it was no surprise that her activities were closely monitored by the British Intelligence Service as they were concerned she could be a Russian spy.

Bombay, 1881 - Standing behind Olcott (seated in the middle) is Blavatsky and Damodar Mavalankar (seated to Olcott’s left)

Bombay, 1881 – Standing behind Olcott (seated in the middle) is Blavatsky and Damodar Mavalankar (seated to Olcott’s left)

Neither Christian missionaries nor the British government were happy with the spreading of Theosophy. India’s English-language press was also critical towards the Society. However, its popularity continued to grow, with many branches mushrooming all over India. Later, Blavatsky moved into a comfortable bungalow in the elite estate of a Bombay suburb called Breach Candy. This place was more easily accessible, especially for her Western guests. Olcott also established the Buddhist Education Fund to counter the spread of Christianity in Ceylon. His objective was to create awareness, to inspire, and to encourage locals to take pride and interest in Buddhism. Initially, Blavatsky was opposed to this, saying the Masters would not approve, but Olcott went ahead and it proved to be a great success. This made Blavatsky change her mind.

The Theosophist, a monthly magazine started by Blavatsky and Olcott received huge readership

The Theosophist, the monthly magazine started by Blavatsky and Olcott, gained a huge readership

In July 1879, Blavatsky and Olcott began working on The Theosophist, a monthly magazine, and released the first issue in October of the same year. The magazine quickly gained a huge readership and its management underwent rapid change — a Theosophist, Damodar K. Mavalankar, soon took the helm. He introduced the idea that the Masters should be referred to as Mahatmas which means ‘Great Soul’ in Sanskrit.

In December, Buddhist monks invited Blavatsky and Olcott to Ceylon. During this time, Blavatsky and Olcott officially became Buddhists, and they are said to be the first people from America to do so. They took the Five Precepts in May 1880, in a ceremony at Ramayana Nikayana. As they toured the island, they were greeted with crowds fascinated to see foreigners accepting Buddhism, instead of trying to convert them to Christianity. Their message was a great boost to the self-esteem of the Sinhalese people, and with that, they were cordially invited to visit Kandy to pay homage to the Buddha’s tooth relic.

Buddhists monks with Olcott in Colombo (1883)

Buddhist monks with Olcott in Colombo, 1883

Alfred Percy Sinnett invited Blavatsky to spend time with him, during which she performed the phenomena of materialising objects, stunning his guests in the process. In one incident, she made a cup and a saucer appear from beneath the soil while they were out having a picnic. Enthralled, Sinnet wanted to contact the Masters — in his eagerness, he kept persuading Blavatsky to help him facilitate this communication, which resulted in 1,400 pages of letters supposedly authored by Morya and Koot Hoomi, known as the Mahatma Letters. The teachings in these letters were summarised by Sinnett and published in a book titled Esoteric Buddhism (1883). However, Buddhist authors such as Max Müller openly emphasised that the contents of the book were not Buddhist in nature. Blavatsky herself was also not too pleased and disliked the title, which she thought was misleading. Since its publication, the book has sparked many debates on who the author actually was; some have even said it was written by Blavatsky herself.

Having been diagnosed with Bright’s disease, Blavatsky took up an offer from the Society in Madras, hoping the weather there would be more favourable to her condition. Later, in November 1882, an estate in Adyar was purchased by the Society. It became the new headquarters and a few rooms were reserved for Blavatsky, who moved there in December. Still active, Blavatsky toured the subcontinent and also claimed that she visited her teacher’s ashram in Sikkim and Tibet for a few days around this time.

Headquarters of Theosophy Society in Adyar, Madras, 1887

The headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, Madras, 1887

Blavatsky’s health further deteriorated and she agreed to return to Britain with Olcott, who had a case on Ceylonese Buddhism to debate as well as issues regarding the Society’s London Lodge to resolve. While in London, Blavatsky connected with the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) and complied with their request to study her psychic abilities. However, she was not very impressed with them and would mockingly call them “Spookical Research Society”.

A photograph taken in London in 1888 with Blavatsky (front left) and her sister Vera Petrovna de Zhelihovsky. Standing behind them are Vera (Blavatsky's niece) with her husband Charles Johnston as well as Henry S. Olcott.

A photograph taken in London in 1888 with Blavatsky (front left) and her sister Vera Petrovna de Zhelihovsky. Standing behind them are Vera (Blavatsky’s niece) with her husband Charles Johnston as well as Henry S. Olcott.

While Blavatsky was in Europe, a conflict with Emma and Alexis Coulomb, known as the Coulomb Affair, arose at the Adyar headquarters. Emma Coulomb was accused of misappropriating funds for her own purposes. The Society’s Board of Control asked her to leave but she and her husband refused. They blackmailed the Society by producing letters they claimed were written by Blavatsky, supposedly proving that her paranormal abilities were a sham. The Society did not buy it, refused to pay, and barred them from the Society’s premises. The Coulombs then turned to the Christian College Magazine based in Madras, who published the letters and exposed Blavatsky as a fraud. The resulting scandal created international attention and the news was picked up by The Times, a London-based newspaper.

In response, Blavatsky with Theosophist Charles Webster Leadbeater went to Cairo in November 1884 in search of information on Emma Coulomb. There, they discovered the ugly truth — that Emma was a suspected extortionist and criminal. Fortunately, although the Society suffered great ‘internal’ damage from this scandal, it did not affect the Society’s or Blavatsky’s popularity, especially in India.

Today the Theosophical Society, located along the Adyar River is one of the popular attractions in the city of Chennai. The campus consists of a Hindu Temple, Jain Temple, a Church and a Buddhist Temple. The library has a rich collection of sacred book and manuscripts on all major faiths. The campus of Theosophical Society is also well known for its huge 200-year-old Banyan tree which can provide shelter to 3000 people all at once.

Today, the Theosophical Society, located along the Adyar River, is one of the popular attractions in the city of Chennai. The campus consists of a Hindu temple, a Jain temple, a Christian church and a Buddhist temple. The library has a rich collection of sacred books and manuscripts on all major faiths. The campus of the Theosophical Society is also well known for its huge 200-year-old Banyan tree.

 

The Final Years

Madame Blavatsky in London (1887)

Madame Blavatsky in London, 1887

1885 was an eventful year. Having returned to Europe due to deteriorating health, Blavatsky resumed writing her book The Secret Doctrine, living off a pension provided by the Theosophical Society in Naples, Italy.

She moved to Würzburg, Bavaria, where she was visited by her good friend, Countess Constance Wachtmeister, a Swedish Theosophist who “loyally and lovingly helped in the great work”. But then disaster struck — Richard Hodgson from the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) reported that Blavatsky and her alleged spiritual phenomena were fake and that she was a Russian spy.

This did not sit well with members of the Society. Blavatsky was denounced by some followers while others quit the organisation in the fallout. For the sake of the Society, Olcott stopped Blavatsky from taking legal action against her accusers. At the same time, many Theosophists criticised Hodgson and stated that his methodologies were only set out to disprove and attack Blavatsky. However, it was only in 1886 that the SPR accepted this and retracted the findings of the report.

Despite the tension created by Hodgson’s report, the growth of the Theosophical Society was unstoppable and towards the end of Blavatsky’s life, there were 121 lodges with charters around the world, mostly located in India, Burma and Ceylon. Although she had to move around in a wheelchair, she started a small ink-producing business and moved to Belgium. At this time, she received complaints from dissatisfied members of the London Lodge who claimed Sinnett neglected the propagation of Theosophy in exchange for gathering support from the upper-class.

A controversial magazine was published by Blavatsky to discuss philosophical ideas

Blavatsky published ‘Lucifer’, a controversial magazine, to discuss philosophical ideas

In 1887, ‘Lucifer’, a controversial magazine, was born and Blavatsky directed its focus on the discussion of philosophical ideas. In 1888, Blavatsky started a special section of the Society for which admittance was only available to those who passed her tests. She nurtured and called them the “True Theosophists” — members of the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society who would focus on the system’s philosophy. Blavatsky moved to London, staying with Theosophist Mabel Collins in Upper Norwood, and later in Holland Park with Bertram Keightley and his nephew Archibald Keightley, where she held lodge meetings on Thursday nights, establishing the Blavatsky Lodge to rival Sinnett’s.

Her work, The Secret Doctrine was published by her own Theosophical Publishing Company in two volumes, months apart. She claimed it was a commentary on the Book of Dzyan, which Buddhologist David Reigle appeared to agree with, stating it was part of the Tantra section of the Tibetan Buddhist canon. Many Buddhist scholars refuted Reigle’s claim and denied the existence of the Book of Dzyan, saying it was mere fiction, a creation of Blavatsky’s in which she promoted her concept of how the universe, planets and humans came about.

In 1889, she received a visit from Mohandas Gandhi, who became an associate member of the lodge two years later, declaring the close connection between Theosophy and Hinduism. Blavatsky also spoke about the soul and the afterlife — Annie Besant, a social reformer who reviewed books for the Pall Mall Gazette, was so impressed that she joined the Theosophists. Soon, Blavatsky moved into Besant’s large home at 19 Avenue Road in St. John’s Wood, which became the new European headquarters of the Theosophical Society.

Blavatsky writing at her desk

Blavatsky writing at her desk

Blavatsky authored many books there such as The Key to Theosophy, which was a book of questions and answers. The Voice of Silence was a devotional text based on The Book of the Golden Precepts, which Blavatsky claimed was based on another ancient text.

For the rest of Blavatsky’s living years, she had to bear with accusations of being a fraud. In 1890, there was even an article published in a U.S. newspaper, The Sun, with information from Elliott Coues, an ex-member of the Society. The paper later retracted their accusations when Blavatsky sued them for libel.

In 1892, Blavatsky contracted the influenza virus due to the epidemic in Britain and she passed away on 8th May 1891 in the Society’s European headquarters. The date was declared “White Lotus Day” by Theosophists.

London 1890, Blavatsky is seen here with theosophist James Pryse (left) and G.R.S. Mead

London 1890: Blavatsky is seen here with Theosophist James Pryse (left) and G.R.S. Mead

 

Theosophical Belief and Movement

A painting of Blavatsky by the famous artist Nicholas Roerich

A painting of Blavatsky by the famous artist Nicholas Roerich. Click to enlarge.

Helena Blavatsky was responsible for establishing the doctrinal basis of the Theosophical Society and for the emergence of the Theosophical movement. Theosophy dismissed the Christian idea of a “God” which Blavatsky described to be “a bundle of contradictions and a logical impossibility”. Blavatsky believed and emphasised that an “ancient wisdom religion” existed and this wisdom was also known to many great philosophers of the world such as Plato, the Hindu sages and other wise men of the past. She believed all the existing world religions could trace their sources to this ancient wisdom.

Blavatsky also claimed she obtained her Theosophical teachings from various adepts around the world. In addition, she believed the Theosophical movement marked the revival and spreading of this ancient wisdom-religion and that it would eventually eclipse all existing world religions. A pantheist who promoted the idea of mystical, monotheistic and immanentist cosmology, Blavatsky believed in the:

“…universal Divine Principle, the root of All, from which all proceeds, and within which all shall be absorbed at the end of the great cycle of being.”

Blavatsky has also said that each particle in the universe is infused with a spark of the divine:

“Lower Orders emanated from higher ones, before becoming increasingly dense and being absorbed back into the Divine Principle. This cosmology exhibited commonalities with the scientific discoveries of geology and biological evolution, both of which had been revealed by scientific enquiry during the 19th century.”

Bevir, Mark (1994). “The West Turns Eastward: Madame Blavatsky and the Transformation of the Occult Tradition”. Journal of the American Academy of Religion.

In The Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky stated that absolute nothingness existed at the beginning of time, and this essence was separated into Seven Rays, which then created the universe using an energy, called Fohat. The earth underwent seven rounds of creation, where different living beings were created in each round. She also advocated the idea of seven root races:

  1. The first root race lived on a continent named “Imperishable Sacred Land” and was created from pure spirit.
  2. The second root race lived in the land near the North Pole and is known as the Hyperboreans. This race was also created from pure spirit.
  3. The third root race lived on the continent of Lemuria, the present-day Rapa-Nui and Australia.
  4. The fourth root race lived on Atlantis and consisted of higher beings, who descended to the planet. They had psychic powers, physical bodies, and advanced technology.
  5. The fifth root race were the Aryans, who existed around the world when she wrote her book The Secret Doctrine.
  6. The sixth root race would replace the fifth, which will be marked by Maitreya’s arrival.
  7. The seventh root race would eventually replace the sixth root race.

HPB32

In addition, Blavatsky believed humans consisted of three separate parts: the physical body, the astral fluid body, and a divine spark.

Although Blavatsky was initially sceptical of the concept of reincarnation as stated in her book Isis Unveiled, she later changed her mind. This change was reflected in her book, The Secret Doctrine, where she stated karma governed the law of incarnation, and the final purpose of humanity is the soul’s emancipation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

When she lived in New York City, Blavatsky claimed herself to be a Buddhist, although her form of Buddhism was unique. She believed the Buddha:

“…had sought to return to the teachings of the Vedas, and that Buddhism therefore represented a more accurate survival of ancient Brahmanism than modern Hinduism.”

Bevir, Mark (1994). “The West Turns Eastward: Madame Blavatsky and the Transformation of the Occult Tradition”. Journal of the American Academy of Religion.

An American journalist, co-founder and the first president of the Theosophical Society, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, helped in the shape and design of the Buddhist flag. He felt that its long streaming shape was somewhat inconvenient and not practical to be used, hence modified the size and shape to be like national flags.

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott helped to shape the design of the Buddhist flag. He felt that a long streaming shape was somewhat inconvenient and impractical, hence he modified its size and shape to be similar to national flags.

The Theosophical movement owed its popularity to the charismatic Blavatsky’s leadership and perseverance. Her belief sparked interest in spiritualism and her philosophy appealed to women because it provided them the opportunity to take on spiritual leadership that was equal to men.

Theosophical teachings borrow many concepts and beliefs from Buddhism and, as a result of this, Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott were amongst the pioneering Westerners who became Buddhist during that time.

Henry Steel Olcott even helped designed the Buddhist flag that is still in use today. In fact, Tibetan Buddhism became popular in the West because of great Theosophist authors like Evans-Wentz and Alexandra David-Neel.

Blavatsky would often compare Theosophy to Mahayana Buddhism and in her book, The Key to Theosophy she wrote,

“But the schools of the Northern Buddhist Church … teach all that is now called Theosophical doctrines, because they form part of the knowledge of the initiates…”

In 1891, by the time of Blavatsky’s passing, the Theosophical community had grown to 100,000 and her writings had been published in various Asian and European languages.

The Theosophical Society in America today is located in Wheaton, Illinois on a beautiful 42 acre campus. The grounds are open to the public and it comprises of the headquarters building, where classes, lectures, and workshops are being held. There is also a huge library and the Quest Bookshop. On the campus is also a beautiful pond, tree groves, gardens, and a labyrinth.

The Theosophical Society in America today is located in Wheaton, Illinois on a beautiful 42-acre campus. The grounds are open to the public and it comprises of the headquarter building, where classes, lectures, and workshops are held. There is also a huge library and the Quest Bookshop. Also on campus are tree groves, gardens, a beautiful pond and a labyrinth.

HPB32g

HPB32h

HPB32i

 

VIDEO: A Documentary on Madame Helena Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society and scholar of ancient wisdom and literature

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

 

Selected Books by Helena Blavatsky

HPB33

Isis Unveiled (1877). Click on image to download the PDF version.

HPB34

The Secret Doctrine (1888). Click on image to download the PDF version.

HPB35

The Key to Theosophy (1889). Click on image to download the PDF version.

HPB36

The Voice of Silence (1889). Click on image to download the PDF version.

The texts above were sourced from legitimate book-hosting services offering these texts for free download. They are made available here for purely educational, non-commercial purposes.

 

Selected Quotes

HPB32a

HPB32c

HPB32b

 

Sources:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Blavatsky
  • http://blavatskyarchives.com/longseal.htm
  • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Helena-Blavatsky
  • https://tssydney.org
  • http://fromparent2child.blogspot.my/2013/11/founder-of-novgorod-russias-geneology.html
  • http://www.theosophycardiff.care4free.net/Blavatsky%20Chronology.htm
  • http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v1/outline_prior_public.htm
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_flag
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_Theosophy

 

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

Joy Kam
Follow her

About Joy Kam

The day Joy met His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche changed her life forever. Joining Kechara full time in 2004 as an administrator, Joy's current portfolio includes painting, restoring and beautifying Buddha statues. As a writer in Kechara, Joy is also one of the blog chat moderators on tsemrinpoche.com.

An aspiring nun (sangha-to-be), Joy looks forward to promote the sacred lineage of Je Tsongkhapa through modern platforms and social media.
Joy Kam
Follow her

13 Responses to Madame Blavatsky: Mother of Modern Spirituality

DISCLAIMER IN RELATION TO COMMENTS OR POSTS GIVEN BY THIRD PARTIES BELOW

Kindly note that the comments or posts given by third parties in the comment section below do not represent the views of the owner and/or host of this Blog, save for responses specifically given by the owner and/or host. All other comments or posts or any other opinions, discussions or views given below under the comment section do not represent our views and should not be regarded as such. We reserve the right to remove any comments/views which we may find offensive but due to the volume of such comments, the non removal and/or non detection of any such comments/views does not mean that we condone the same.

We do hope that the participants of any comments, posts, opinions, discussions or views below will act responsibly and do not engage nor make any statements which are defamatory in nature or which may incite and contempt or ridicule of any party, individual or their beliefs or to contravene any laws.

  1. Anna Schag on Apr 17, 2023 at 8:54 pm

    Danke für die Zusammenfassung, ich habe mir einige Fotos runtergeladen. Ich befasse mich schon sehr lange mit Theosophie / esoterischen Buddhismus u. a. Herzliche Grüße aus Berlin.
    Thank you for the summary, I have downloaded some photos. I have been involved with theosophy / esoteric Buddhism etc. for a very long time. Best regards from Berlin.

  2. Brandon Lamont Cooper on Jan 16, 2021 at 4:40 am

    I love Helena Blavatsky… Thank you for everything Madam…

    20200929_143316-COLLAGE

  3. Brandon Lamont Cooper on Jan 16, 2021 at 4:39 am

    I love Helena Blavatsky…

  4. Samfoonheei on Aug 17, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was a controversial Russian occultist, philosopher, and author. She was one of the world’s most extraordinary female spiritualists at that time. She led a very controversial life travelling to many countries . With her unusual psychic abilities she soon co-founded the Theosophical Society. It professed to expound the esoteric tradition of Buddhism and making known the ancient religions, philosophies, and sciences. She had many followers and students who has since contributed greatly towards the shape of spirituality today. Interesting read biography of this lady.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Joy Kam for this sharing.

  5. Andrew on Nov 19, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    tashi delek

  6. Andrew on Nov 19, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    wow and then after this came jiddhu Krishnamurti. he dismantled the theosophical society and left a 30 million dollar fund in the krishna merti fund. jhidus message was clear. complete the investigation. do it now

  7. Joy Kam on Jul 26, 2018 at 5:21 am

    Listening to the chanting of sacred words, melodies, mantras, sutras and prayers has a very powerful healing effect on our outer and inner environments. It clears the chakras, spiritual toxins, the paths where our ‘chi’ travels within our bodies for health as well as for clearing the mind. It is soothing and relaxing but at the same time invigorates us with positive energy. The sacred sounds invite positive beings to inhabit our environment, expels negative beings and brings the sound of growth to the land, animals, water and plants. Sacred chants bless all living beings on our land as well as inanimate objects. Do download and play while in traffic to relax, when you are about to sleep, during meditation, during stress or just anytime. Great to play for animals and children. Share with friends the blessing of a full Dorje Shugden puja performed at Kechara Forest Retreat by our puja department for the benefit of others. Tsem Rinpoche

    Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbzgskLKxT8&t=5821s

    • Andrew on Nov 19, 2018 at 7:29 pm

      very cool. how is paris and Titula going?

  8. wan wai meng on Jun 2, 2018 at 2:51 am

    Madame Blavatsky has through her investigation and travels has exposed Buddhism to people in the West. Through interacting with Madame Blavatsky and her organization the West understands much more about Buddhism and what it stands for.

    I think her work allowed her to help women also to explore spiritual paths and careers. She was so dogged, she found a way to get into Tibet despite all the problems and difficulties of entering into Tibet. Many have thought of her as a spy and a fake, yet she persevered.

    • wan wai meng on Jun 2, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      Madame Blavatsky, was certainly an unconventional figure of her time, unconventional as a woman and unconventional also a a truth seekers of her time. She was probably one of the first few spiritual travellers on top of that she also protected traditional spiritual beliefs from the encroachment Christian missionaries work at Sri Lanka and India.

  9. Anne Ong on Apr 26, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Very interesting story about Madame Blavatsky: Mother of Modern Spirituality “From a young age, she sensed that she had a special mission that would somehow lead her towards dedicating her life to the service of others. She also believed she was guided and protected by some higher power to fulfil this purpose.” .Thank you Rinpoche and Joy for such an inspiring story. ???

  10. Samfoonheei on Apr 13, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was a Russian occultist, philosopher, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society. Although she died more than a century ago, her name still turns up in serious discussions about “ancient wisdom,”. She has travelled extensively throughout Asia and Europe as she claimed. Somehow she was the first to introduce knowledge of eastern religions to the West including the ideas of karma and reincarnation. She even revealed that all major religions are acquired from one original religious philosophy. As claimed she has possessed extraordinary psychic powers. She has an interesting life story of up and down yet she has left a legacy with many written articles and ideas been promoted by several foundations and websites till today. That her esoteric spiritual knowledge is consistent with new science which is considered to be the first instance. She was named Mother of Modern spirituality.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Joy Kam for this interesting sharing.

  11. Pastor Han Nee on Apr 11, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche and Joy for this interesting article on Madame Blavatsky – Mother of Modern Spirituality.

    The following are some of the qualities and achievements of Madam Blavatsky that impress me deeply. One of the world’s most extraordinary spiritualists, she was the creator and popularizer of many of the ideas and terms which shaped the New Age Movement. She founded the Theosophical Society and through it, engendered a new world view of spirituality and philosophy. It also became the avenue via which the Eastern religions ,like Buddhism and Hinduism, were introduced to the West.She was fearless in confronting conventional beliefs and challenged them , such as the belief in One God.

    She visited Tibet,in her travels around the world to absorb spirituality from diverse viewpoints. The visit to Tibet was the result of advice by a group of adepts, the “Masters of the Ancient Wisdom”.

    She sums up her path of spirituality, which is quite akin to the Buddhist path,in the definition of the Holy Science as follows:
    The spiritual path is an upward movement, where we pass through stages where we mistake “shadows for realities”. “The upward progress of the Ego is a series of progressive awakenings”. However, only when we have reached “the absolute consciousness and blended our own with it, shall we be free from the delusions produced by Mayo (illusion)”.

    In her concept of modern spirituality which has influenced spiritual thinking of this age, she has included occultism and the esoteric. She was also a spirit medium. Such is the extraordinary woman whom the world credits to have influenced greatly and helped to shape spirituality in the 21st century!

Leave a Reply

Maximum file size: 15MB each
Allowed file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png

 

Maximum file size: 50MB
Allowed file type: mp4
Maximum file size: 15MB each
Allowed file types: pdf, docx

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Blog Chat

BLOG CHAT

Dear blog friends,

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

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

Tsem Rinpoche


SCHEDULED CHAT SESSIONS / 聊天室时间表

(除了每个月的第一个星期五)
SUNDAY
8 - 9PM (GMT +8)
4 - 5AM (PST)

UPCOMING TOPICS FOR MARCH / 三月份讨论主题

Please come and join in the chat for a fun time and support. See you all there.


Blog Chat Etiquette

These are some simple guidelines to make the blog chat room a positive, enjoyable and enlightening experience for everyone. Please note that as this is a chat room, we chat! Do not flood the chat room, or post without interacting with others.

EXPAND
Be friendly

Remember that these are real people you are chatting with. They may have different opinions to you and come from different cultures. Treat them as you would face to face, and respect their opinions, and they will treat you the same.

Be Patient

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

Be Relevant

This is the blog of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. Please respect this space. We request that all participants here are respectful of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and his organisation, Kechara.

Be polite

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

Please be advised that anyone who contravenes these guidelines may be banned from the chatroom. Banning is at the complete discretion of the administrator of this blog. Should anyone wish to make an appeal or complaint about the behaviour of someone in the chatroom, please copy paste the relevant chat in an email to us at care@kechara.com and state the date and time of the respective conversation.

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

KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES

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

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

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

Noticeboard

Name: Email:
For:  
Mail will not be published
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Mar 15. 2024 07:31 PM
    Venerable Ajahn Chah was a Thai Buddhist teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. Well respected and loved as a man of great wisdom, he was also instrumental in establishing Theravada Buddhism in the West. Interesting life story, how he chose to leave the settled monastic life and became a wandering ascetic. Walking across Thailand, lived in forests, caves and cremation grounds while learning from the meditation monks of the Forest of various monasteries. He wandered through the countryside in quest of quiet and secluded places for developing meditation. He even lived in tiger and cobra infested jungles, using reflections on death to penetrate to the true meaning of life. After years of wandering, Venerable Ajahn Chah established a monastery where he taught simple, practice-based form of meditation, and attracted a numerous of students including western foreigners. He was one of the greatest Dhamma teachers of the modern era. His wise teachings have continued to guide thousands of people along the path of Dharma. Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition gradually spread across all over the world. Several of Ajahn Chah’s Western students have since established monasteries throughout the world. Just in Thailand itself, there are more than 300 branch monasteries in Ajahn Chah’s tradition. Ven erable Ajahn Chah used his ill health as a teaching point, emphasizing that it was a living example of the impermanence of all things and reminded people to endeavour to find a true refuge within themselves. The legacy of Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings and legacy continues into the modern age.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/the-power-of-giving-18-quotes-from-tsem-rinpoche.html
  • Aarati Bhatt
    Wednesday, Feb 28. 2024 12:47 AM
    I have tried mine and my friend’s horoscope and it results same in both of our case, and not just that I have tried this on various friends and this horoscope is showing same for maximum date of birth, I think this is a bug.
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Jan 4. 2024 04:11 PM
    Lama Tsongkhapa was an influential Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher and tantric yogi, whose activities led to the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism . Lama Tsongkhapa was hailed as the second Buddha by contemporary Buddhist masters of his time. Famous for reviving Buddhism in Tibet and revered for elevating the Dharma to all its present glory. Hence having a 12 ft Lama Tsongkhapa Statue at new Kechara Gompa (Prayer Hall) is indeed a blessing. Its truly beautiful. Merely by looking at it is a blessing .
    Thank you Rinpoche and team effort making it possible.

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

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

Messages from Rinpoche

Scroll down within the box to view more messages from Rinpoche. Click on the images to enlarge. Click on 'older messages' to view archived messages. Use 'prev' and 'next' links to navigate between pages

Use this URL to link to this section directly: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/#messages-from-rinpoche

Previous Live Videos

MORE VIDEOS

Shugdenpas Speaking Up Across The Globe

From Europe Shugden Association:


MORE VIDEOS

From Tibetan Public Talk:


MORE VIDEOS

CREDITS

Concept: Tsem Rinpoche
Technical: Lew Kwan Leng, Justin Ripley, Yong Swee Keong
Design: Justin Ripley, Cynthia Lee
Content: Tsem Rinpoche, Justin Ripley, Pastor Shin Tan, Sarah Yap
Admin: Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Beng Kooi

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

Tsem Rinpoche

Total views today
2,836
Total views up to date
26,041,536
Facebook Fans Youtube Views Blog Views
Animal Care Fund
  Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch

The Unknown

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

Photos On The Go

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

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

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

Videos On The Go

Please click on the images to watch video
  • Pig puts his toys away
    4 years ago
    Pig puts his toys away
    Animals are so intelligent. They can feel happiness, joy, pain, sorrow, just like humans. Always show kindness to them. Always show kindness to everyone.
  • Always be kind to animals-They deserve to live just like us.
    5 years ago
    Always be kind to animals-They deserve to live just like us.
    Whales and dolphins playing with each other in the Pacific sea. Nature is truly incredible!
  • Bodha stupa July 2019-
    5 years ago
    Bodha stupa July 2019-
    Rainy period
  • Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
    5 years ago
    Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
  • Your Next Meal!
    5 years ago
    Your Next Meal!
    Yummy? Tasty? Behind the scenes of the meat on your plates. Meat is a killing industry.
  • This is Daw
    5 years ago
    This is Daw
    This is what they do to get meat on tables, and to produce belts and jackets. Think twice before your next purchase.
  • Don’t Take My Mummy Away!
    5 years ago
    Don’t Take My Mummy Away!
    Look at the poor baby chasing after the mother. Why do we do that to them? It's time to seriously think about our choices in life and how they affect others. Be kind. Don't break up families.
  • They do this every day!
    5 years ago
    They do this every day!
    This is how they are being treated every day of their lives. Please do something to stop the brutality. Listen to their cries for help!
  • What happened at Fair Oaks Farm?
    5 years ago
    What happened at Fair Oaks Farm?
    The largest undercover dairy investigation of all time. See what they found out at Fair Oaks Farm.
  • She’s going to spend her whole life here without being able to move correctly. Like a machine. They are the slaves of the people and are viewed as a product. It’s immoral. Billions of terrestrial animals die annually. Billions. You can’t even imagine it. And all that because people don’t want to give up meat, even though there are so many alternatives. ~ Gabriel Azimov
    5 years ago
    She’s going to spend her whole life here without being able to move correctly. Like a machine. They are the slaves of the people and are viewed as a product. It’s immoral. Billions of terrestrial animals die annually. Billions. You can’t even imagine it. And all that because people don’t want to give up meat, even though there are so many alternatives. ~ Gabriel Azimov
  • Our Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir speaks so well, logically and regarding our country’s collaboration with China for growth. It is refreshing to listen to Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. He said our country can look to China for many more things such as technology and so on. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    Our Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir speaks so well, logically and regarding our country’s collaboration with China for growth. It is refreshing to listen to Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. He said our country can look to China for many more things such as technology and so on. Tsem Rinpoche
  • This is the first time His Holiness Dalai Lama mentions he had some very serious illness. Very worrying. This video is captured April 2019.
    5 years ago
    This is the first time His Holiness Dalai Lama mentions he had some very serious illness. Very worrying. This video is captured April 2019.
  • Beautiful Monastery in Hong Kong
    5 years ago
    Beautiful Monastery in Hong Kong
  • This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
  • Join Tsem Rinpoche in prayer for H.H. Dalai Lama’s long life~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYy7JcveikU&feature=youtu.be
    5 years ago
    Join Tsem Rinpoche in prayer for H.H. Dalai Lama’s long life~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYy7JcveikU&feature=youtu.be
  • These people going on pilgrimage to a holy mountain and prostrating out of devotion and for pilgrimage in Tibet. Such determination for spiritual practice. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    These people going on pilgrimage to a holy mountain and prostrating out of devotion and for pilgrimage in Tibet. Such determination for spiritual practice. Tsem Rinpoche
  • Beautiful new casing in Kechara for Vajra Yogini. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    Beautiful new casing in Kechara for Vajra Yogini. Tsem Rinpoche
  • Get ready to laugh real hard. This is Kechara’s version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!” We have some real talents in this video clip.
    5 years ago
    Get ready to laugh real hard. This is Kechara’s version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!” We have some real talents in this video clip.
  • Recitation of Dorje Dermo‘s mantra or the Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws. This powerful mantra is meant to destroy all obstacles that come in our way. Beneficial to play this mantra in our environments.
    5 years ago
    Recitation of Dorje Dermo‘s mantra or the Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws. This powerful mantra is meant to destroy all obstacles that come in our way. Beneficial to play this mantra in our environments.
  • Beautiful
    5 years ago
    Beautiful
    Beautiful sacred Severed Head Vajra Yogini from Tsem Rinpoche's personal shrine.
  • My little monster cute babies Dharma and Oser. Take a look and get a cute attack for the day! Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    My little monster cute babies Dharma and Oser. Take a look and get a cute attack for the day! Tsem Rinpoche
  • Plse watch this short video and see how all sentient beings are capable of tenderness and love. We should never hurt animals nor should we eat them. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    Plse watch this short video and see how all sentient beings are capable of tenderness and love. We should never hurt animals nor should we eat them. Tsem Rinpoche
  • Cruelty of some people have no limits and it’s heartbreaking. Being kind cost nothing. Tsem Rinpoche
    5 years ago
    Cruelty of some people have no limits and it’s heartbreaking. Being kind cost nothing. Tsem Rinpoche
  • SUPER ADORABLE and must see
    5 years ago
    SUPER ADORABLE and must see
    Tsem Rinpoche's dog Oser girl enjoying her snack in her play pen.
  • Cute!
    5 years ago
    Cute!
    Oser girl loves the balcony so much. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTcoWpKJm2c
  • Uncle Wong
    5 years ago
    Uncle Wong
    We were told by Uncle Wong he is very faithful toward Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden has extended help to him on several occasions and now Uncle Wong comes daily to make incense offerings to Dorje Shugden. He is grateful towards the help he was given.
  • Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnauzer Dharma boy fights Robot sphere from Arkonide!
    5 years ago
    Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnauzer Dharma boy fights Robot sphere from Arkonide!
  • Cute baby owl found and rescued
    5 years ago
    Cute baby owl found and rescued
    We rescued a lost baby owl in Kechara Forest Retreat.
  • Nice cups from Kechara!!
    5 years ago
    Nice cups from Kechara!!
    Dorje Shugden people's lives matter!
  • Enjoy a peaceful morning at Kechara Forest Retreat
    5 years ago
    Enjoy a peaceful morning at Kechara Forest Retreat
    Chirping birds and other forest animals create a joyful melody at the Vajrayogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat (Bentong, Malaysia).
  • This topic is so hot in many circles right now.
    6 years ago
    This topic is so hot in many circles right now.
    This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.
  • Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.
    6 years ago
    Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.
  • BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.
    6 years ago
    BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.
  • Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.
    6 years ago
    Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.
  • Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?
    6 years ago
    Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?
  • Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche
    6 years ago
    Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche
  • This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...
    6 years ago
    This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...
    she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔
  • Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.
    6 years ago
    Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.
  • Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.
    6 years ago
    Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.
  • Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant  Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem
    6 years ago
    Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem
  • Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!
    6 years ago
    Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!
  • Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche
    6 years ago
    Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche
  • What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.
    6 years ago
    What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.
    Sick animals are more profitable... farms calculate how close to death they can keep animals without killing them. That's the business model. How quickly they can be made to grow, how tightly they can be packed, how much or how little can they eat, how sick they can get without dying... We live in a world in which it's conventional to treat an animal like a block of wood. ~ Jonathan Safran Foer
  • This video went viral and it's a must watch!!
    6 years ago
    This video went viral and it's a must watch!!
  • SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.
    6 years ago
    SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.
    This happens daily in slaughterhouse so you can get your pork and Bak ku teh. Stop eating meat.

ASK A PASTOR


Ask the Pastors

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

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

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

View All Questions

CHAT PICTURES

And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
2 days ago
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 days ago
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
6 days ago
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
7 days ago
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
7 days ago
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
7 days ago
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
7 days ago
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
1 month ago
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
1 month ago
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
1 month ago
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
1 month ago
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
1 month ago
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
1 month ago
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
2 months ago
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
3 months ago
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
3 months ago
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/\_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed.  Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
3 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
4 months ago
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Pic: Rinpoche Swift Return puja ~ 21/10/23 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
#Backtoback A few months back, Kechara Penang Study Group started to have two pujas consecutively on Saturday. Dorje Shugden puja @3pm and thereafter Rinpoche Swift Return puja. This can only be achieved due to the committed members from Penang. A big round of applause...... Pic : DS puja on 21/10/2023 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
5 months ago
More pictures of the day! Kechara Penang Chapel & public blessings 3rd Oct 2023 by Jacinta.
Some pictures of the public blessings taken right after the puja was completed by the monks. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 3rd Oct 2023.
5 months ago
Some pictures of the public blessings taken right after the puja was completed by the monks. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 3rd Oct 2023.
3rd Oct 2023, Tibetan monks came to Kechara Penang for chapel & public blessing, in conjunction with the arrival of H. E Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue. Thanks to Pastor Henry & Pastor Seng Piow, who guided us throughout the event. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
3rd Oct 2023, Tibetan monks came to Kechara Penang for chapel & public blessing, in conjunction with the arrival of H. E Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue. Thanks to Pastor Henry & Pastor Seng Piow, who guided us throughout the event. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue is here! 3rd Oct 2023. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Tsem Rinpoche's holy statue is here! 3rd Oct 2023. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
29th Sept 2023. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden puja adjourned at 4.30pm with 9 attendees. Thereafter, a Rinpoche Swift Return puja was completed too. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
5 months ago
29th Sept 2023. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden puja adjourned at 4.30pm with 9 attendees. Thereafter, a Rinpoche Swift Return puja was completed too. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
The Promise
  These books will change your life
  Support Blog Team
Lamps For Life
  Robe Offerings
  Vajrayogini Stupa Fund
  Dana Offerings
  Soup Kitchen Project
 
Zong Rinpoche

Archives

YOUR FEEDBACK

Live Visitors Counter
Page Views By Country
United States 6,560,748
Malaysia 4,932,712
India 2,510,845
Singapore 936,141
United Kingdom 915,882
Nepal 913,387
Bhutan 864,803
Canada 797,322
Australia 619,377
Philippines 555,278
Indonesia 451,828
Germany 370,298
France 312,722
Brazil 251,023
Vietnam 226,545
Thailand 217,772
Taiwan 206,933
Italy 175,641
Spain 160,953
Netherlands 156,804
Mongolia 147,273
Portugal 138,190
South Africa 138,017
Türkiye 132,302
Sri Lanka 128,762
United Arab Emirates 121,726
Japan 119,012
Russia 114,691
Hong Kong 114,218
China 107,718
Romania 104,740
Mexico 97,736
New Zealand 93,880
Switzerland 88,746
Myanmar (Burma) 88,535
Pakistan 82,184
Sweden 78,121
South Korea 75,124
Cambodia 70,770
Total Pageviews: 26,041,536

Login

Dorje Shugden
Click to watch my talk about Dorje Shugden....