Gampopa

Jun 12, 2013 | Views: 2,393

Dear everyone,

I extracted this great story from The Berzin Archives. My motivation is to inspire all of you by reading the life of holy and accomplished masters. It was the first time I am reading about holy Gampopa. I hope you will read it carefully. It is easy to understand, inspiring and touching. I like it very much.

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Tsem Rinpoche

 

 Gampopa

 

How Gampopa Reached His Spiritual Attainments

Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey
oral translation by Lobsang Gyeltsen
Dharamsala, India, 1979
edited by Samaya Hart and Alexander Berzin, November 2003

Jewel Ornament of Liberation is called the combined streams of the Kadam and mahamudra traditions (bka’-phyag chu-bo gnyis-‘dres). Its author, Gampopa (sGam-po-pa bSod-nams rin-chen) (1079-1153), had many Kadampa masters who taught him the practices and views of their lineage. After Gompopa received the teachings and traditions of mahamudra from his guru, Milarepa (Mi-la Ras-pa bZhad-pa’i rdo-rje) (1040-1123), he combined the two streams of teachings into one.

In order to appreciate and study this work, we need to know a little bit about Gampopa, its author. Without a history of the author’s life, the teachings will not have as much meaning. We need to become familiar with Gampopa, and get to know Gampopa as a man who has actually lived a life as an ordinary person and who, through his practice, achieved actual spiritual attainments. These teachings are the outcome of his experience and practice of the Dharma.

 

 

 

Buddha Vajra Yogini

 

 

Prophesies

Before Milarepa received his various disciples, the Buddha-figure Vajrayogini appeared to him in a vision and prophesied that in the not too distant future he would receive a sun-like disciple, a moon-like disciple, and many other disciples who would be like the stars in the sky. The sun-like disciple turned out to be Gampopa, who is also known as the Great Doctor of Dagpo (Dvags-po lha-rje). He became one of Milarepa’s chief disciples, along with Rechungpa (Ras-chung-pa rDo-rje grags-pa) (1084-1161), and many others.

 

Milarepa

 

Gampopa was not an ordinary person. His presence in this time and universe had been prophesied in many sutras, specifically in the  White Lotus Sutra, in which there is a clear prediction of his coming, as follows:

One day, at the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha turned to his disciple Ananda and said, “Ananda, after my entrance into parinirvana, in the northern direction of this hemisphere there will be a fully ordained monk who will be known as the Bhikshu Doctor.” Gampopa was a bhikshu, an accomplished doctor who had a natural talent for medicine. “He will be someone who has gone through many previous lives of completely dedicated practice of Dharma, and who has had many spiritual teachers.”

Life as a Householder

Gampopa was born in a small village in Tibet, in the southern region of Dagpo (Dvags-po), near the border of Nepal. His father was a greatly renowned medical doctor of that village. His parents had two sons, and Gampopa was the older of the two. As a child, Gampopa was extremely clever. He learned his father’s profession and also, in turn, became a great doctor. When he was about fifteen years old, he studied many Nyingma scriptures and so had tremendous knowledge of the Nyingma tradition. He pursued many spiritual studies and when he reached the age of twenty-two, he married Chogmey (mChog-med), the daughter of a very rich family in a neighboring village. After their marriage, they had a son and daughter of their own.

After some years, his son died suddenly. Gampopa took his son’s body to the cemetery and did what had to be done according to custom of that area. When he returned home from the funeral, he found his daughter dead too. Not too long after the death of his daughter, his wife came down with many sicknesses. Gampopa, being a doctor himself, gave her all kinds of medicines, consulted other doctors and tried various pujas for her recovery, but none of them succeeded. As she grew worse and worse, they lost hope. Finally, Gampopa sat by her bed and read her a sutra in preparation for her death. But she didn’t die.

Gampopa wondered why she couldn’t die. What was keeping her from death? What was it that she could not give up in this life, a life with no hope, only the promise of continual pain and suffering? Feeling great compassion for his wife lying there so ill, Gampopa gently asked, “I have done whatever I could to heal you. I have tried many doctors, remedies and all types of prayers and rituals for your recovery, but all of them have failed. They have not been effective because of your own previous actions. The karmic forces and prayers of our former lives unite you and me. But now, although I have a great deal of affection and love for you, I must ask what is it that is actually keeping you here? Any wealth that we have in the house, any material possessions we have accumulated together, if they are holding you or if you have a great deal of attachment for any of them, I will give them all away. I’ll sell them or give them away to the monastery as an offering or will give them to the poor. I will get rid of anything that might be holding you back from dying. Whatever you wish me to do, I shall do.”

Chogmey replied, “I’m not attached to wealth or anything in the house. This is not what is holding me back. My great concern is for your future and, because of that, I cannot die. After my death, it will be easy for you to remarry and have many daughters and sons, more than we had together. I see, however, that this kind of life does not have any kind of meaning for you. That is why my concern is so great for you. If you promise me that instead of leading such a life, you will become a dedicated practitioner of the Dharma – which is the most effective and efficient way to achieve your own happiness and the happiness of all sentient beings, then I’ll be able to peacefully leave this life. Otherwise, I shall remain like this for a long time.”

“If this is the case,” said Gampopa, “then, by all means, I shall give you my word of honor that I shall become a dedicated practitioner of the Dharma and give up this way of life.”

Chogmey replied, “Although I trust you, in order to make me completely happy and assured of your pledge, please bring a witness.”

Gampopa asked his uncle to witness his vow. Standing before his beloved wife, with his uncle as witness, Gampopa made his pledge to dedicate his life to the Dharma. This made Chogmey very happy, and she said, “Even after my death, I will be looking after you.” So saying, she held his hand and, with many tears, passed away.

He prepared an elaborate funeral rite for his wife’s cremation. Out of the ashes, bones and clay, he made many votive tablets with the impressions of the statues of Enlightened Beings. The stupa he built in her honor, “The Stupa of Chogmey” (mChog-med mchod-rten), stands to this day in Tibet.

Now that Gampopa was left alone, he divided all his wealth into two equal parts. One part he sold and, with the money, made offerings to the Three Jewels and distributed alms to the poor and needy. He kept the second portion for the maintenance of his life and religious practices.

One day his uncle, who had been the witness when Gampopa gave his pledge to Chogmey, visited Gampopa, expecting him to be deep in mourning for his beloved wife. He came to give him advice, to tell him not to be worried, and to console him by explaining his situation in the light of the law of karma.

Gampopa replied that he was not at all worried. On the contrary, he was quite happy that she had died. The uncle became extremely angry at hearing this and, picking up a handful of dust, threw it in Gampopa’s face. “What do you mean?” he cried. “You could not have found a better wife, such a beautiful person!”

Surprised by the outburst, Gampopa questioned his uncle, “What sort of a witness are you? Weren’t you there when I pledged to follow Dharma practices? Weren’t you listening? At this, the uncle became very, very ashamed and said, “That is quite true. Although I’m an old man, I never remember to do Dharma practice, while you who are so young have such courage in following the spiritual path. I would be so happy if I could help you in any way.”

Becoming a Monk and Studying with Kadam Masters

One day, Gampopa packed a great store of food and clothing, deciding now to live in solitude. Without a word to either his relatives or friends, he left his hometown for the Penpo (‘Phan-po) region in search of a guru.

Soon afterwards, he met Shawa-lingpa (Sha-ba gling-pa), a compassionate teacher from the Kadam tradition and requested novice and full monk vows. He received the ordination name Sonam-rinchen (bSod-nams rin-chen). As a monk, he practiced intensively with a series of Kadampa Geshes, meditating and studying with these great masters. He often spent days without food or a drop of water, absorbed in the blissful mental and physical feeling of perfect concentration. Gampopa reached such a level of attainment of samadhi concentration that he was able to sit for seven days completely absorbed in meditation.

Thus, Gampopa already had a great deal of insight and confidence in his Dharma practice before he set out on his quest for his guru, Milarepa. He had mastered the complete Kadam teachings and had extraordinary dreams, such as that he was a tenth-level bodhisattva. He frequently dreamt that a blue yogi with a walking stick placed his right hand over his head and would sometimes spit at him. Thinking that this strange dream was an indication of a harmful spirit who was trying to cause him a great deal of interference and obstacles for his Dharma practice, he did an intense retreat on Achala (Mi-g.yo-ba), the Immovable One. Achala is a fierce-looking figure specially meditated on in the Kadam tradition to eliminate all obstacles to practice. After his retreat, however, the same dream came more often, stronger and more vivid that ever. Little did he know that this dream was a sign that he would soon be meeting his future teacher, the great yogi Milarepa.

Meeting Milarepa

The first time Gampopa heard the name of Milarepa he was circumambulating a stupa monument on the road and overheard a discussion among three beggars. One was complaining all the time about the current famine in the country and how he had not eaten for a long time. Another replied that they should be ashamed of themselves and not talk about food all the time, lest this bhikshu circumambulating the stupa should hear, which would be very embarrassing. “Besides,” he said, “we are not the only ones who do not have anything to eat. There is the great, renowned saint yogi, Milarepa, who never has any food at all and who just lives in the mountains dedicating himself completely to Dharma practice. He never complains about food. We all need to pray that we may develop the sincere wish to lead a life as simple as his.”

Upon hearing Milarepa’s name, Gampopa experienced great bliss and happiness. He reported this to his teacher, who said, “I have known all along that you had a close karmic relationship with such a meditation master. Go to him and all will be successful.”

That night, Gampopa could hardly sleep. Most of the night, he offered intense prayers and wishes that he might immediately meet the great yogi Milarepa. When he finally did doze, he had a very special dream in which he heard the sound of a white conch, the loudest on earth. He reported this as well to his teacher, who said, “This is an extremely auspicious sign. You should go to find Milarepa immediately.”

Gampopa ran to where the beggars were camping and asked them if they knew Milarepa personally and if they knew where he was staying, and, if so, could they lead him to this teacher. He told them he had sixteen ounces of gold dust and would give half of it to them and half he would keep as an offering to the great guru, when he met him. The oldest beggar said he knew Milarepa and agreed to guide Gampopa to Milarepa’s cave.

The old beggar was deceitful, and, on the way, admitted that he did not know the way to the cave. He claimed that he was not well, and could not guide Gampopa any further. They had arrived at a place where there were no houses, people or animals; it was completely deserted. The beggar left and Gampopa found himself all alone. He wandered on and on for many days, without food, until finally he met a group of merchants. Gampopa asked one of them if he knew where Milarepa could be found. The merchant replied that he knew Milarepa well and that Milarepa was a great meditator and a great yogi. He told Gampopa that he switched his abode often, moving from cave to cave, and town to town, but that nowadays he was staying in this particular town and this particular cave. The man pointed toward the cave, and gave the aspiring disciple clear directions to the great yogi. Overcome by joy, Gampopa hugged the merchant in gratitude and did not let go for a long while.

It was a journey of several days and, as he was traveling without any food, he finally fell unconscious to the ground. When he revived, he thought that he had no karma to meet this great yogi and that he was going to die now for sure. So, he put his hands together and, with deepest gratitude and respect, prayed very hard that he would be able to take rebirth as a human being and that he would be born as Milarepa’s disciple.

While Gampopa was lying on the ground, waiting for death, one of the Kadampa masters saw him. Seeing that Gampopa had fallen there on the hard ground, he came over to help. He asked, “What are you doing here?” Gampopa replied, “I’m looking for the great teacher Milarepa. I’ve been traveling for many days without food and water. Now I feel that I’m going to die, and I’m so sorry that I have no karma to see this guru.” The Kadampa master went and got some water and food and then guided Gampopa to the town where Milarepa was staying.

When he reached the town, he asked many people how to meet this guru and how to receive the specific types of teachings he was looking for. Finally, he met a person who was a great master and who was a disciple of the accomplished yogi. Gampopa told him that he had a strong desire to meet this guru and to receive his teachings. The master told him that he could not see the great yogi immediately. He said that he must wait a few days and be tested before he could actually receive teachings.

A few days before, Milarepa had had a meeting with his disciples, and he told them of the coming of Gampopa. He said that he was expecting the arrival of a bhikshu doctor who, after studying with him, would receive the complete teachings and spread them in all ten directions. Milarepa told them of a dream he had had the previous night, in which the bhikshu doctor brought him an empty glass vase. Milarepa filled the vase with water, signifying that he would come with a completely open and receptive mind to receive the teachings, and Milarepa would fill the vase of his mind with the nectar of his complete teachings and insights.

Milarepa then laughed with great joy and said, “Now I’m confident that the Buddha Dharma will shine like the sun in all directions.” He then sang to those gathered around him, “The milk of the white lion is no doubt nutritious, but a person who has not tasted it does not benefit from this nutrition. You must taste for yourself – even only a drop – and then you can appreciate the nutritious effects. The same is true with my teachings. First you must develop the experience of it, the taste of it, and then it will be so nutritious.”

“There is no question of the validity and profundity of the teachings that come from the lineage of Tilopa and Naropa. But if you don’t meditate on them, then you won’t understand their profundity. Only after meditating on them and developing genuine experience can you fathom their depths. My great fatherly guru, Marpa, has brought them from India and I, the yogi, have meditated on them. I have tested the validity of these teachings and have developed the experiences accordingly.”

“The milk of a white lion must have a special container. It cannot be put in any ordinary one. If it is put in a clay pot for instance, as soon as this milk touches the pot, the pot cracks. For these vast and profound teachings of this lineage, there must be a special kind of practitioner. I refuse to teach the tradition to anyone who comes to receive my teachings who is not ready for them. I will only teach it to persons who are completely developed and suitable, who are ready for this teaching and the practice of it.”

The disciples asked Milarepa, “When is this person who you have dreamt about coming?” Milarepa answered, “He will probably reach here the day after tomorrow. He has fainted and has called for my help. I used my miraculous powers to guide him here.”

The next day, while meditating, Milarepa periodically burst into peals of laughter. Alarmed by these outbursts, a faithful patroness came to him and demanded an explanation. “What is the cause of this? Sometimes you are so serious and sometimes laughing. You must explain this behavior because people might think that you have gone mad. What is going on? You cannot be mysterious about this!”

Milarepa answered, “I’m perfectly fine. My mental state is perfectly normal and I’m not being mysterious. I see something funny happening to a disciple of mine who is coming to see me. First he fainted and now he has aches and sores all over his body, but he is courageous and he is exerting a great deal of effort to come and see me. Seeing this makes me laugh. I’m happy and at the same time I think it’s very funny.”

“He will reach this town soon, and whoever invites him into his or her home first will attain enlightenment in a short time because of his blessings. The generous host or hostess will get a great deal of insight and powers to accomplish his or her goals with great speed.”

A few days later Gampopa arrived, very weak and sick. It happened that the first door he reached was the house of the patroness who had questioned Milarepa. She was on the lookout for him, and came out immediately. She asked the seeker who he was and what he wanted. Gampopa explained the details of his journey in search of Milarepa. The patroness immediately knew that this was the disciple Milarepa had told her about. She invited him in, and made many offerings to him, remembering Milarepa’s prediction.

The lady regaled Gampopa with tales of Milarepa’s predictions. She said, “Your lama has been waiting for you; he has explained about you to all of us. He said that you fainted and that he sent you miraculous assistance, and now he’s impatiently awaiting your arrival. You can go to see him immediately and you will have a warm reception.” At this Gampopa became inflated with the praises, and thought, “Oh, I must be a very great person, my teacher has been waiting for me.” Milarepa, seeing the pride that Gampopa had developed, would not even look at him for half a month. He intentionally neglected and ignored him, and Gampopa had to find another place to stay.

At the end of two weeks, the lady led Gampopa to Milarepa’s house and asked Milarepa if he would meet with Gampopa. Milarepa agreed. When Gampopa arrived, Milarepa was sitting in the center; Rechungpa was sitting to one side of him on the same level seat, and on the other side, also on the same level, was another disciple. They were all dressed exactly alike, completely in white. They looked exactly alike, and sat in the same posture. They each had exactly the same expression on their faces. Milarepa waited to see if Gampopa knew who he was. Clever Gampopa may have noticed Rechungpa’s subtle nod, indicating that Milarepa sat in the center of the trio. Gampopa made prostrations to Milarepa, took all his offerings and stacked them up before him. He spoke of his burning desire to meet the guru, receive the teachings and attain enlightenment.

Milarepa went into meditation for a few seconds, and then reached into the pile of gold dust that Gampopa had offered, picked some up and threw it in the air. “I offer this to my guru Marpa,” he declared. All at once, the air resounded with thunder, and lightning seared the skies. There appeared a great rainbow and many other auspicious signs.

Milarepa had been drinking some chang, a strong alcoholic brew. It sat in his skull cup on the table. After a while he picked up the skull cup with the liquor in it and gave it to Gampopa, who at first hesitated because he was a fully ordained monk, with a vow of abstinence. He was embarrassed, sitting there in the presence of all the other disciples. Milarepa said, “Do not have more second thoughts. Drink what I give to you.” And so without any more hesitation he drank it all.

Then Milarepa asked him his name, and he answered that it was Sonam-rinchen, the name his Kadampa master had given him. Milarepa thought that it was a very auspicious name: Sonam means “positive force,” and Rinchen means “the great jewel.” So he was the Great Jewel of Positive Force. Milarepa lovingly repeated a verse of praise with his name included in it three times. Gampopa felt that the name he had been given was very significant and meaningful

 

 

 

Marpa

 

 

The Master Tells His Story

Milarepa then said, “First of all, I’ll tell you a bit about my life story. But before I do that, we will all make homage and prostrations to our great guru, Marpa, the source of the lineage of the tradition of practice that we all follow.” After they did their homage and prostrations, Milarepa told his story:

“In India, nowadays, the most famous mahasiddha actualized beings are Naropa and Maitripa. Marpa happens to be the great spiritual son of these two great and famous Indian mahasiddhas. And our great teacher Marpa is the holder and source of all these teachings we have been following so closely. The dakas, dakinis, and Dharma protectors make his fame known in all the directions. After hearing of Marpa’s superb reputation, no matter what difficulties I encountered, I was determined to find him. Upon meeting Marpa, I had no material offerings to make, but I made the offering of my body, speech and mind. In response to my sincere request, Marpa graciously admitted that he had effective methods for attaining enlightenment in one short lifetime, which had been transmitted to him by his great master, Naropa.”

“I spent several years there, receiving intensive teachings and practices from my master, living an unpretentious life, completely dedicated, purely motivated, filled with great courage and determination to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. I have received all of Marpa’s teachings in full. My master swore that there was nothing else that he could give me. I have filled the vase of my mind to the brim with the complete nectar of the teachings of my guru, Marpa.”

“This is what Marpa told me, it is very important advice, ‘It is now the time of the five degenerations, and especially at this time, the human life span is degenerating. It is on the decrease, not on the increase. Do not thirst for knowledge of everything. Try to understand the essence of the practice of the Dharma and try to perfect that essence. Only then will you be able to attain enlightenment in one short lifetime. Don’t try to master every field.’ “

“I, with extraordinary determination, in accordance with the teachings of my guru, Marpa, and a thorough understanding of impermanence, after harnessing the force of perseverance, have achieved and experienced many fruitful insights from these teachings. I have gained a clear recognition of the Three Kayas, the bodies of the Buddhas: a complete confidence and recognition of them through my experience, practice and meditation. I have faith in achieving these Three Kayas. And just as I have developed these insights and experiences from my practices, I am willing to give you all the teachings that I have received from my gracious guru, Marpa. You too need not take these teachings as a theory, as mere intellectual understanding of the Dharma. You must develop the actual experience of them just as I have.”

Then Milarepa said to Gampopa, “Take back your offering of gold dust, for an old man like me has no use for gold. And take back the tea that you offered – an old man like me has no pots and no kitchen to make tea in. I have no use for gold or tea; take back your entire offering. If you see yourself ready to fully entrust yourself to me, and live under my guidance and teachings, then you must live as I do. You must live a simple life and imitate my way of living and my way of practice.”

Gampopa replied, “If you do not accept my tea because you have no pots and no kitchen, then I’ll go somewhere else to make tea.” So Gampopa went to a nearby house, made the tea, and returned to his guru with his offering. Milarepa was very pleased. He called the other disciples and together they all enjoyed the delicious tea Gampopa had prepared.

Milarepa Teaches Gampopa

Milarepa inquired about the teachings and practices that Gampopa had received. Gampopa gave a complete description of all the teachers and teachings he had had, and the meditations that he had done. Milarepa remarked that all of them were excellent teachings, and that Gampopa had a complete foundation for the teaching on tummo (gtum-mo), the inner heat, a skillful method of realizing the true nature of reality as voidness.

Milarepa continued, “Although all the empowerments, teachings and blessings you have received from your previous masters are perfectly acceptable in my tradition, I must give you another initiation, just to make sure that all the others that you have received have not become invalid due to your life circumstances. I will initiate you into the practice of Vajrayogini.” Following the empowerment, Milarepa gave him all the teachings in a short period of time. Gampopa immediately immersed himself in the practices and quickly developed the experiences and insights of these teachings. Each day his insights grew and grew, just like a sprout coming out of the ground. He was fully satisfied and extremely happy with his progress.

He meditated on tummo, and each day he had a new experience. One extremely cold winter night, he was meditating completely naked in a cave to test the inner heat that he had developed. He remained warm throughout the night, but in the morning when he stopped doing the tummo practice, he froze completely. He did this meditation for a week and, at the end of the week, had visions of the five Dhyani Buddhas. When he went to his teacher to report all of his experiences and the visions, Milarepa said, “This is neither good nor bad. Make further effort to actualize it. Do not be attracted by such visions, perfect the power of the inner heat.”

Gampopa meditated intensively for three months, and at the end of this time he felt that the entire universe was spinning like a huge wheel. After feeling this for a long while, he went to Milarepa to ask his advice. His guru answered, “This is neither good nor bad. It’s a sign that the various thoughts and energies which go into the various subtle energy channels are now entering the central channel. You must make further effort and do more meditation.”

After doing more practice he had the vision that Avalokitesvara penetrated through the top of his head and dissolved and merged within him. When he asked Milarepa about this, his master said, “This is neither good nor bad. It’s an indication that your crown chakra energy-center is opening up.”

Doing the meditation, Gampopa underwent a series of internal physical changes. He felt a violent wind and a flow of hot air going up and down along his spine. When he reported this to Milarepa, he replied, “This is neither good nor bad. It’s an indication that the subtle energy channels are connecting to each other in the body. When you gain control of these subtle channels and they connect, then you experience these sensations. Now you must go back, and do more meditation.”

Another time he had a complete vision of all of the various states of the divine beings, the gods. He had a pure vision of the higher gods pouring white nectar over and initiating the gods of the lower states. Milarepa explained, “This is neither good nor bad. It’s an indication of the opening up of the chakra energy-center of the throat. The various sources and places of bliss are now developing in each of these positions of your body.”

At this point, Milarepa gave Gampopa many yogic exercises to do, mudra hand gestures and movements of the body to open up the other subtle energy-centers in the body. He told him, “Do not be too attracted to these things. Just take them as indications of your progress, but do not get distracted by them. Instead, just go along and perfect these practices.”

At this level of the meditation, it’s extremely important for the disciple to live in close contact with the guru, because the disciple must receive very specific guidance. If the disciple lives a long way away from the guru, then the guru cannot give the timely personal guidance that is crucial for the student to progress. And if the guru himself has no personal experience of what the student is going through, then this is a great problem. All the progress of the disciple is stopped at that time. Therefore, it is essential to have an extremely realized experienced guru, and to receive daily guidance for each step of meditational experience.

Gampopa’s Progress

At this stage, Gampopa was able to depend for food completely on samadhi concentration, never on ordinary food. One night, Gampopa dreamt of an eclipse of the moon and an eclipse of the sun. In Tibetan astrology it is believed that when an eclipse occurs, the sun and moon are being eaten away by a demon. He also dreamt that there were two types of beings devouring the sun and moon: one, the size of a hair from the tail of a horse, and the other, appearing to be thin strips of insects. When Gampopa went to seek Milarepa’s advice on the dream, Milarepa told him not to worry that he might be on the false track, and that it was neither good nor bad. The dream was a sign of his progress in meditation. It meant that the subtle winds from the two side energy channels were now beginning to funnel into the central channel.

Milarepa further encouraged him to continue his practice, as he recognized that these were all indications of his disciple’s achievements. When a practitioner is able to funnel the breaths and subtle energy-winds from the side channels into the central channel, the person has advanced a great deal. The subtle energy system in all sentient beings is the same. Ordinarily, sentient beings breathe predominantly through the right channel and thus have great attachment, or they breathe principally through the left channel and consequently have a great deal of anger. We rarely develop constructive thoughts, which originate in the central channel, because the channel is blocked with knots. When experienced yogis are able to breathe through the central channel, they have untied the knots. They are able to direct the breath and subtle-energies from the two side channels into the central one, thereby generating only positive intentions.

After that when Gampopa visited Milarepa, Milarepa seemed to be very pleased. But all he would say to Gampopa after he heard of each new insight or experience was, “And now after that (de-nas), now after that, now after that,” meaning that as the experiences unfolded, Gampopa must go on to the next one until he reached enlightenment. Milarepa did not dare to tell him directly of his progress, fearing that Gampopa might become prideful, which would impede his further progress on the path.

Gampopa then went to meditate in a cave for a month. At the end of his retreat, he had a complete vision of Hevajra together with the mandala and the retinue of the Hevajra Buddha-figure. As soon as he saw this, he thought that this is what the Lama meant when he said, “now after that, now after that, now after that.” This was what his practice was leading to in the end. But, the vision was followed over time with other visions of mandalas and other Buddha-figures. One day he had a vision of a form of Heruka that included the complete bone-built mandala of the deity. Milarepa cautioned him not to feel that this was a great achievement, saying that this is neither good nor bad. It’s only an indication of the opening up of the chakra center at the navel. When you fully open the navel chakra, you see everything as white, as white as bones bleached by the sun, because the energy of the white bodhichitta energy has developed fully.

He then had an experience that was not exactly a dream. He felt that he became huge, a giant. He felt that all types of sentient beings from the various states of rebirth were crawling on his limbs, his toes, and all over various parts of his body. This was an indication that he had developed a completely actualized subtle energy system. Up to that stage, he had been doing only the general meditation on tummo, the inner heat meditation. Now, he could be given instructions on the most advanced level of tummo practice.

Experiences, Dreams, and Accomplishments

It is to be noted that whenever Milarepa heard reports on the various stages of experiences of Gampopa, he always said, “It is neither good nor bad. Meditate more.” He fully explained to his disciple what his experiences meant, but never praised him. And that is how it needs to be, how a guru needs to direct his disciples. If a guru praises too much and gives too much encouragement saying things like, “This is extremely important,” or “Now you have had a great experience,” the disciple will get carried away, which will be a great obstacle. He will not improve and will become attached to his various experiences and be overcome by them.

Although his life story has been described in a few pages, Gampopa had to meditate months and months; it was not so easy to develop these experiences, it takes years of intensive meditation. At this stage, Gampopa had thirty-three special dreams successively, but as it is too much to mention each of them, only the last one of them will be detailed.

When Milarepa asked his three chief disciples, Gampopa, Rechungpa and Lingrepa (Gling ras-pa) to report their dreams to him, Lingrepa reported his dream of a sunrise. He told his guru that in the dream, as soon as the sun rose from the top of the mountain, the rays concentrated on his heart and his heart became transformed into great light. Rechungpa told Milarepa that he dreamt that he crossed three towns making a great deal of noise.

Gampopa would not tell his dream to Milarepa. He just made prostrations and cried and put his head in the lama’s lap. He mourned that it was not worthwhile to tell his dream. It was such a terrible one, that it must mean that he was an extremely awful person. He was afraid that it meant he had a great deal of obstacles and pleaded with Milarepa not to make him tell it. Milarepa told Gampopa that he knew when a dream was good or bad, and to just tell him the dream.

Lingrepa’s dream, which appeared to be the best of all, made Lingrepa think he was the greatest of the three disciples, because his dream seemed full of auspicious signs. Milarepa interpreted this dream as the worst. He said it indicated that Lingrepa’s compassion was very small and that his benefit to sentient beings would be extremely limited. The rays of sun concentrating on his heart meant that he would go to the dakini Vajrayogini’s Buddha-field in this lifetime. He interpreted Rechungpa’s dream to mean that he could not attain enlightenment in one lifetime. He had to wait three more lifetimes because he had broken his promise to do something for Milarepa three times.

What seemed to be a nightmare to Gampopa was that he was in an open field with many animals, and he was going around and chopping off their heads. Gampopa was surprised when Milarepa was pleased with this apparently terrible dream. After he finished telling his master his dream, Milarepa said, “Give me your hand,” and he held it fondly. He said that he had great faith in Gampopa, and that he had lived up to his expectations. He told them that chopping off the animals’ heads meant that Gampopa would be able to liberate many sentient beings from their bondage in samsara.

Milarepa said, “Now my work for the benefit of sentient beings, my work for the preservation and propagation of the Dharma, has been completed. I have someone else who can take my place.”

Gampopa had reached the stage where he did not breathe like ordinary sentient beings any more, he inhaled and exhaled only once a day. He was experiencing a stream of continuous insights and visions of Buddhas in their true forms, including the Eight Medicine Buddhas, and the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas.

Milarepa told his student that he was now ready to receive teachings from a Sambhogakaya – one of Buddha’s body of subtle forms that only arya bodhisattvas, those with nonconceptual perception of voidness, can see. Soon, he would be able to experience a Dharmakaya – the body of an omniscient mind, which is only accessible to the enlightened.

Milarepa and Gampopa

 

 

 

A Parting of Ways

One day Milarepa said to Gampopa, “I am very old and would like to spend the rest of my life with you. But, because of the force of some previous prayers, we must be separated and you must go to the central province of U (dBus).”

Milarepa gave Gampopa a great deal of advice, warning him about pride, specifically because he had so many miraculous powers. He told him not to be overwhelmed by his knowledge of the past and future or by his extraordinary physical powers; these could become great obstacles for him. He especially advised him not to seek faults to his right or left, meaning that he should be careful not to seek out the faults of those around him. He taught him that one never knows what other people are truly like, that only they can judge themselves. There was no way that Gampopa could accurately judge them, whether their actions were for good or ill.

Milarepa then told Gampopa to go to a certain place and to establish a monastery there, explaining that there he would find all his disciples, all the people to whom he was karmically connected for furthering the Buddha Dharma. He cautioned Gampopa not to live in close contact with those who were enslaved by the three emotional poisons – attachment, anger, and closed-minded naivety – because they would infect him. He warned him also not to live around people who have a great deal of attraction and repulsion. He added that he should avoid misers, explaining that if he lived long enough with them, he would end up saving even small pieces of wood. He counseled Gampopa to have a great deal of patience and never disregard his lamas, even if he saw himself as enlightened. He was to stay clean, neat and amiable with all people. Finally, Milarepa told Gampopa to increase all the forces of his attainments by continuing to do his meditation and practices until he attained the final goal, enlightenment.

Milarepa saw Gampopa off in the same way as his guru, Marpa, had done. He made many preparations and brought food, and with his other disciples went some distance with him. Before departing from his guru, Gampopa recited many verses of praise, acknowledging his good fortune to have met Milarepa in this lifetime. He sang of how it had been his sole desire to meet him and how grateful he was not only to have been able to study according to Milarepa’s tradition, but that he had had the good karma to combine this knowledge with the teachings he had received from his Kadampa masters. Gampopa felt assured that he had made full use of his precious human life.

 

Milarepa, Marpa and Gampopa

 

 

One Last Bridge to Cross

They came to a bridge and Milarepa said; “Now you go by yourself. Take your leave of me. For auspicious reasons I will not cross the bridge.” Then he blessed Gampopa who crossed over. When he had crossed the bridge, Milarepa called him back. “Come back once more, I have a very special teaching to give you. If I do not give you this advice, to whom shall I give it?”

Gampopa asked, “Should I offer a mandala to you for this special teaching and advice?” Milarepa said an offering was not necessary. He cautioned him not to waste the advice, but to put it in the deepest recesses of his heart. Then Milarepa turned his back on Gampopa, lifted up his robe, and showed him his bare bottom. Gampopa saw that Milarepa’s bottom was all calloused, just like hardened leather.

Milarepa said, “For practice there is nothing greater that meditation – provided you know what to meditate on and how to meditate on it. I, who have gained knowledge and understanding of many different meditation methods, meditated until my bottom became as hard as leather. You need to do the same. This is your last teaching.”

He then told Gampopa that it was time for him to leave. The disciple left his master, and went to the south of Lhasa, where he established his monastery according to Milarepa’s prophesy.

Conclusion

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is the result of the experiences Gampopa developed from the teachings and meditations of Kadampa masters and Milarepa’s tradition. When he wrote this text, he was a realized being according to both traditions, and he combined the wisdom of the two schools in the text.

It is the tradition of discourses that a brief biography of the master who has written the textbook be always explained, in order that the words of the author can have a greater effect on the disciples. If you just read a book or if you just study something without knowing about the author, it is not as meaningful. I am following this tradition.

Actually, there is no difference between us and Gampopa and Milarepa. Milarepa was at first an ordinary person, filled with the negative force of all his harmful destructive deeds. But he worked hard to eliminate his disturbing emotions and delusions, and gradually developed insights and experiences. The same is true for Gampopa; he had to work very hard to reach his spiritual attainments. When they started out, they were not great enlightened beings, and it was not easy for them to meditate and develop wisdom and accomplishments. In the case of Milarepa, he was even worse than most of us, proving that there is always the possibility of attainment if we are willing to work hard. When we develop the perseverance and courage of the great masters, then we ourselves can be like Milarepa and Gampopa.

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is the product of one such great master, who, for our benefit, combined the two streams of the Kadampa and mahamudra traditions into one clear path.

 

Source: http://tinyurl.com/kjh7w7

 

 

 

 

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On a separate note:

 

 

 

This appeal notice was extracted from The Berzin Archives. The people at The Berzin Archives are doing such wonderful works and translations making dharma available to the whole world. Do give them a donation to keep it going.  This wonderful piece on Gampopa was from them. Tsem Rinpoche

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25 Responses to Gampopa

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  1. Samfoonheei on Jul 6, 2022 at 3:21 pm

    Gampopa Sonam Rinchen a Tibetan Buddhist master and was among the most famous disciples of the great Tibetan Kagyu saint Milarepa . Gampopa is credited with establishing the Kagyu path, combining Kadampa Lamrim teachings with the Mahamudra teachings he received from Milarepa. He even combined the Kadam monastic and scholastic traditions with Indian tantric practices, spreading the teachings to Tibet. He was a bhikshu, an accomplished doctor who had a natural talent for medicine as well. His Guru devotion and rapid accomplishment had been an unexpected inspired many. He had trained many of the greatest Kagyu masters of all time. He wrote a number of treatises and founded the Dagpo Kagyu school and Daklha Gampo monastery. Interesting read of a great Lama.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

  2. Jacinta on Jan 19, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Reading the biography of the great Masters such as Lord Gampopa will only instil greater faith and encouragement and not otherwise. Even if one is feeling down, one can only gain positive energy by reading it. May I remember what the great Masters have gone through in seeking Dharma and from this, may I find the little strength and courage to go on too. Besides this, thank you Rinpoche for the great examples for what Rinpoche has been through in this life too.

  3. Stella Cheang on Aug 1, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story with us, Rinpoche. I enjoy reading the spiritual journey of Gompopa. He started off as a normal person like us, who went through the motion of the mundane routine, e.g. study hard, inherit his father’s profession, married a rich wife, had children, etc. Yet, clear signs were shown to him that all the samsara enjoyable were impermanence and there was a high purpose in life. Even though by the time he met with his Guru Milarepa, Gompopa had already some realizations, he still continue to work every hard on his meditation.

    A point to note from this article: at a specific point of the meditation practice, the student must live in close proximity with his Guru in order to get very specific instructions and guidance from the Guru. It is extremely to the interest of the student to have a realized experienced Guru who is skilled to guide each meditational step.

  4. Nancy Loo on Feb 1, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    I really admire Gampopa’s determination in search for his guru, Milerapa that even till the moment he thought that he will die of starvation, he still prayed to be reborn as a human being in order for him to meet with Milerapa .Upon finding Milerapa, Gampopa’s has followed and adhere to all Milerapa’s teachings, advice and instructions. This is indeed another example of Guru Devotion .Thank you Rinpoche .

  5. Bradley on Dec 23, 2013 at 11:47 am

    This is a wonderful life story of a real spiritual master 🙂 He truly was enlightened. I’m reading the Jewel Ornament of Liberation as we speak. It very much resembles the Lamrim of Tsongkhapa (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path, and the book Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand. Thank You Rinpoche for this biography it truly is inspiring. One question, is there a mantra for Gampopa?

  6. Julien Roth on Aug 27, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    Thank you for sharing such an interesting story with us Rinpoche. I had enjoyed reading it. I think the message in this story is to tell people that anyone is able to reach the state of Enlightment, no matter where you are.

  7. Wan Wai Meng on Jul 11, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    Gampopa story is really inspiring, the guru Milarepa was so kind to keep his students mind in check, so pride does no hinder them at all. I also recalled even amongst theravadan, they ask the meditator not to be distracted about what appears to their minds.

  8. sweekeong on Jul 5, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    This is an extraordinary story for a ordinary man. Definitely he has a lot of guru devotion which is translated into actions by following his guru instructions. Milarepa is only concerned of Gampopa progress toward enlightenment as quickly as possible and clearing his obstacles since Gampopa is destined to become to enlighten in this very life but it is still entirely dependent on himself alone. What strikes me the most is Milarepa advised Gampopa be humble about his special power, not to judge people around. While meditation Gampopa saw some signs and went to Milarepa. He told Gampopa not to judge good or bad, and to continue meditating. It caution us that we would become proud when seeing these signs and become associate and attached to it.

    However Gampopa has to part ways with Milarepa before he become enlightened and his guru gave him some more advice in order for him to stay firm on the path and not to be swayed by external influences which might degenerate his practice.

  9. Grace Leong on Jul 3, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    The stories of all these great practitioners are so inspiring on one hand, but in reality also extremely difficult to emulate ! They started off with a whole load of great karma to have met such great teachers , who not only impart all their knowledge to the students but skillfully and painstakingly keep the students close to them to ensure the success of their journey. The students have to learn up all the knowledge and spend time consistently and patiently meditating the knowledge to truly achieve the realizations , level by level . Meanwhile, they also have to get rid of all their attachments including the very basics of food and clothing. One of the hardest is to keep humble of their achievements . Once the ego is not controlled all the achievements from the meditation will be destroyed.
    Finally the fruits of all the hard labour is realized. And that’s the time to leave and spread the teachings, to benefit others !
    Thank you Rinpoche for the very inspiring sharing !

  10. Jace Chong on Jun 28, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story with us, and thanks to The Berzin Archives.

    There are much things to learn from the story. Milarepa’s love and skill to Gampopa is really profound. A Guru would carefully teach their student to be the best that they can be. And without disappoint his Guru, Gampopa made it in the end.

    I feel like crying too when Milarepa hold Gampopa’s hand and he said that he had great faith in Gampopa, and that he had lived up to his expectations. He told them that chopping off the animals’ heads meant that Gampopa would be able to liberate many sentient beings from their bondage in samsara.

    To reach enlightenment there’s no shortcut, one must go through many mind training and if we are lucky, we have a Guru to guide us through. I feel so fortunate to meet Tsem Rinpoche as my Guru. For a student that still have a long way to reach enlightenment, I make a wish to meet Tsem Rinpoche life after life.

  11. Cliff on Jun 26, 2013 at 12:33 am

    Thank you Rinpoche The Berzin Archives for this insightful biography of Gampopa and the stories that came with it. I truly enjoyed reading every word of it would have loved to read more about his other life changing dreams, each and every one of them had such an interesting comment from Milarepa. It was with such skill and wisdom that he was able to teach Gampopa to further his training and meditation without having him feel pride which would have created obstacles for himself. It was really sad but also a beautiful story in the beginning as to how Gampopa had set out his life goal to study the dharma, may his wife have taken a better rebirth closer to the dharma and his two children.

    I was really shocked to find out the meanings behind the three dreams Rechungpa, Lingrepa and Gampopa had. Being that Gampopa had been chopping all those animal’s heads off, it was a beautiful meaning behind it that Gampopa would be able to liberate many sentient beings from the bondage of samsara left me in awe as to how awesome that was. Gampopa was such a great practitioner who meditated with precise instructions from his guru Milarepa and with great guru devotion followed exactly to every instruction given. It was amazing the practices that Gampopa were able to master like self inner heat, learning to breathe through his inner channel and experiences many different auspicious dreams that finally leading him to mastering those practices were so amazing.

    I found it really funny when Milarepa and Gampopa were parting ways at the bridge and Milarepa was about to give him his last advice and then turned around and lifted his robe made me laugh for a second until reading the meaning behind it, made me develop great respect for Milarepa and that I hope Gampopa had followed his guru’s last advice which I know he did.

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this Biography of Gampopa, I truly enjoyed reading it. I hope Rinpoche is well rested and feeling better.

  12. Ethan Hoo on Jun 20, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story with us, Rinpoche. I’m in awe of the hard work and perseverance this attained master, Gampopa, and his teacher Milarepa, had to put in, in order to reach the goal of enlightenment.

  13. Sean Wang on Jun 20, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Thank you for sharing thing such an interesting story with us. It goes to show we are all capable of reaching Enlightenment despite being in Samsara. We all have to have a hardworking attitude when it comes to practicing Dharma and to trust our guru no matter how hard it seems.

  14. Shelly tai on Jun 18, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Shelly tai on 18 June at 510pm
    Dear Rinpoche thank you for sharing this inspiring story to us. I think for all of us to achieve something we need to give up something what more enlightment and not just that a lot of hard work and determination.

  15. MartinC on Jun 16, 2013 at 5:25 am

    A recurring theme throughout Gampopa’s story is how Milarepa was always very careful not to allow conceit and pride stand in his sun-disciple’s development. Milarepa himself experienced Marpa’s compassionate work to break down Milarepa’s pride and perceptions of how things ought to be, before Milarepa was ready to receive Marpa’s teachings.

    We also saw how Gampopa was a careful man, and always made sure that he had enough to sustain himself and yet in the end, he was willing to give up all the security he thought he needed, even his sense of security and instead followed Milarepa all the way, living as Milarepa did. When Gampopa made offerings to Milarepa, the great teacher took a handful of the offerings to make his own offerings to Marpa but rejected the rest. We see from there, that reverence for the Guru was the only important thing, and nothing else.

    Gampopa himself had to endure quite a bit of difficulties and none of his problems distracted him from seeking great learning from Milarepa. No one is exempted from obstacles to learning and no one is exempted from disheartening events that all but serve to command our focus and concentration. Gampopa’s story tells us that in our study and practice of Dharma we have to let our worldly life and perceptions go. We have to be extremely vigilant not to allow that little or much we have learned stoke the pride in us – a threat which is always there as we saw how careful Milarepa was, not to praise Gampopa even as his student achieved realization after realization. Fundamentally, Milarepa’s last lesson to Gampopa was that there are no short-cuts to developing one’s realization as Milarepa himself spent an entire lifetime meditating. Learning gives us knowledge but it is in meditating on knowledge that we gain precious realizations.

    The relationship and great love between the teacher and his student was palpable and throughout, we see how Gampopa does not doubt or challenge his teacher’s instructions and words, nor indeed did Gampopa break any of his promises to his teacher. Rechungpa did and see how heavy the consequence of breaking one’s promise to the Guru-each broken promise yields a damage that takes an entire lifetime to mend. And this from Rechungpa, himself a great practitioner.

    Finally, we see how efficacious Vajrayogini’s practice is, that even though Gampopa was already a significant practitioners, Milarepa still wanted an “insurance” to seal Gampopa’s potential by initiating him into Vajrayogini’s practice, the very practice that all Tsem Rinpoche’s students have been invited to gain qualification and readiness for via practicing what we have already been taught.

  16. KH Ng on Jun 14, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Dear Rinpoche, With Folded Hands, Thank You for the story of Gampopa. It is indeed inspiring and eye opening to read many insights of the stages of meditation. I take it as a blessing and a seed for us all to do the same with Rinpoche’s guidance. May we be fit vessels to be able to receive such teachings and practices.

  17. Lim Han Nee on Jun 14, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this life-story of Gampopa.

    Though Gampopa had had many past rebirths of completely dedicated practice to Dharma, yet in this lifetime, he is still a source of great inspiration to us beings of this degenerate age.

    Gampopa had lived the life of a layman (a great medical doctor), pursuing mundane pursuits,until tragic experiences , one after another, forced him to change course. First his son and then his daughter passed away. Then his wife,Chogmey, was stricken with many illnesses. However, she refused to die, even though all hopes of recovery were gone.

    When he asked his wife why she was still clinging on to life, she replied that she worried that Gampopa would remarry and have many children, which would cause him to lead a meaningless life. Thereupon, Gampopa pledged that he would devote the rest of his life to the practice of Dharma.

    Gampopa kept his word. He became ordained as a monk, and pursued the study and practice of Dharma. He mastered meditation and the complete Kadam teachings under great Kadam masters.Then he went in search of Milarepa as a teacher. The story of the teacher -student relationship between Milarepa and Gampopa is a beautiful one.

    When he had received much teaching from Milarepa, he was asked to leave and set up a monastery on his own. The last teaching from Milarepa was that of the importance of meditation – Milarepa showed Gampopa his bared back which had been calloused and hardened, like leather, by years of sitting in meditation.

    Yes, in this degenerate age, having a precious Guru and Dharma are the most important things of all for us.

  18. Louise Lee on Jun 14, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Gampopa 因为亲人的去世让他明白一切无常, 不要执著现在拥有的东西。 也因为太太的承诺让他遇见了上师!

    看着他面临死亡也不后退的勇往前进的只想拜见让我非常地敬佩!

    在学习中也面对了许多的考验,因为他对上师的信心, 看的出他的三昧耶是非常纯洁。

    从这一片文章里,其实让我想起詹仁波切, 因为仁波切对宋仁波切的承诺, 无论多么的困难,仁波切还是例行的诺言!

    让我作为学生的觉得内疚, 常常一位持了一点的小苦就会感觉不好!所以我们必须向各位伟大的上师学习!

    谢谢仁波切。

  19. jill Yam on Jun 14, 2013 at 10:47 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for the wonderful sharing of this teachings.
    It makes me realize that if we really have faith in our guru and preserver in any thing we set out to do, we will actually make it in the end. And we must not let our ego or pride gets in the way.

  20. Sofi on Jun 14, 2013 at 6:59 am

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting story. As with Milarepa, Gampopa too suffered in his journey in finding his Guru. However, unlike Milarepa with Marpa, Gampopa came to Milarepa as ” an empty glass vase”…a completely open and receptive mind to receive the teachings. As such, unlike Milarepa who had to accomplish many, many tasks set by his Guru, Marpa, to clear his heavy karma and preconcieved thinking, Gampopa was immediately given teachings and instructions to begin his journey to further attainments. In fully submitting to Milarepa, Gampopa was able to attain as much as Milarepa was able to teach him. Here is the best example of how a Guru/Student samaya should be emulated by us. Gampopa thoroughly followed Milarepa’s every instructions with complete trust and Milarepa was skillful in his guidance, careful to never praise Gampopa on his achievements, which may impede Gampopa’s progress due to ego arising.
    It is so fascinating to read about Gampopa’s visions/experiences at each stage of his meditation. From this, we can see how important meditation is to achieving self-realization (for readjustment of our wind-channels to its true nature). Milarepa showed the importance by his leathery bottom. Even after parting, Gampopa showed his Guru devotion by continually following Milarepa’s advice/teachings, until he himself became attained. May I too have the merits to have his experiences and attainments, under the guidance of Rinpoche.
    One thing that strikes me the most is what Marpa had said to Milarepa…Do not thirst for knowledge of everything. Understanding and perfecting the essence of the practice of the Dharma will enable one to attain enlightenment in one short lifetime. Nowadays, I know or hear of many who try to learn every practises that they come across but in doing so, looses their focus and getting more uncertain. So what Marpa adviced for this degenerate age was a very direct path..the essence of dharma, which I would take to be Rinpoche’s teachings and the Lamrim, a search within one’s own mind.
    I think in this age, we are more like Milarepa, coming into dharma with lot’s of hang-ups which Rinpoche need to breakdown before he actually will be able to confer real practise to us. If we had come to Rinpoche as Gampopa did, all ready with open mind and totally surrendering oneself to the Guru to be taught, then Rinpoche would not have to set so many tasks for us to achieve or be wrathful with us.
    With this story, I now understand better why Rinpoche is always advising us read up on the life stories of attained masters, as they inspire us and shows attainments is only dependent on what we are willing to give up and how much effort we want to put in. As well as how important the role of meditation plays in gaining deeper insight and realization. Of course the Guru/Student relationship is important as only the Guru has the knowledge of what and how to guide us, as well as, monitoring our progress.
    Thank you again, Rinpoche.

  21. Patrick on Jun 13, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    For most people here Rinpoche shared a teaching. For me it was not the content but the sharing itself that was the teaching. When I saw this here I had to go through a lot of emotions but now I´m just laughing. Thank you Rinpoche. I got the hint and will continue doing what I do and try to reduce my expectations.

  22. Desmond on Jun 13, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Indeed a very thoughtful sharing from you Rinpoche. Yes in Kagyu tradition, most of the practices were referred to Lord Gampopa and as Rinpoche mentioned Gampopa is one of the most promising disciple of Milarepa. From Guru Marpa, to Milarepa and Lord Gampopa all form the basis of Kagyu School tradition practices. It is the foundation where the 1st Karmapa was created and till today the H.H 17th Karmapa would still teach basis from Milarepa and Gampopa. It still very valuable and inspiring to many. Thank you Rinpoche so much for taking such effort in sharing out this piece of great story.

  23. hecelus tan on Jun 12, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    I have been reading about the Milarepa life story, It’s so inspiring and special. I think is the blessing of Milarepa and the guru. Recently Rinpoche you posted Milarepa’s disciple – Gampopa’s story. How blessed it was. I felt that every compassionate qualified Mahayana gurus will always guide all his disciples by pushing their buttons. All these gurus are extremely severe to all his qualified disciples. Like Marpa out of great compassion he let Milarepa does all the unpleasant tasks and finally Milarepa gets badly hurt on his body and also felt sad. Finally Milarepa realizes that Marpa does all these to him just because out of great compassion want to purify all his heaviest negative Karma especially killing others with curses in a very short time. So that is why Milarepa is able to gain full enlightenment in one lifetime. All these great masters had shown us how important guru devotion is. Like great Yogi Sangye Yeshe said: ” Without the guru, there is no Buddha.” And not only that, one thing I found it very interesting was all these great masters’ main Yidam were Vajrayogini. I think that is why Rinpoche dedicated Dharma centre to Vajrayogini and named it as Kechara. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing us such inspiring great story. With folded hands, Hecelus Tan. I also learnt that motivation is the most important in Dharma practice. Our actions are virtuous or non- virtuous depend on our own motivation. Most of us know about it but it is no easy to really 100% put it into actual practice. But I will train myself to do it! Thank you!

  24. kenny wong on Jun 12, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    dear Rinpoche,

    thank you for sharing such a rare story with us.. the moral of the story is even if we are a normal person with all the fixtures and trappings of our samsaric life. It is still possible to be able to reach and gain attainments provided we are ready to “WORK DAMN HARD” and have the fortitude to meet a “real” guru… there is still hope for everyone who is willing to “try”…

    I really enjoyed the article.. with folded hands… thank you.

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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

SUNDAY

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

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Concept: Tsem Rinpoche
Technical: Lew Kwan Leng, Justin Ripley, Yong Swee Keong
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I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!

Tsem Rinpoche

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The Unknown

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

Photos On The Go

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

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

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


Ask the Pastors

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

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

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

  • March 29, 2024 09:59
    Anonymous asked: 1: how can cleaning be turned into meditation? 2: in Chinese tradition, when someone passes away, there are these blankets with like Buddhas' names on it, Buddhist symbols, etc. What happens when they are cremated, what should we do so it isn't disrespectful to burn the cover/blanket? Thank you ♡
    pastor answered: Dear Anonymous, Thank you for your questions. In regards to your first question, here is a part of Tsem Rinpoche's teaching (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/how-to-purify-your-karma-in-kechara-forest-retreat.html): "As I have shared before, during the Buddha’s time, he had a student who was not very intelligent, an old monk. And when this old monk memorised the first word, when he got to the second word, he forgot the first word. When he went back to the first word, he forgot the second word. And he’d yo-yo back and forth like that. And he was very frustrated so he asked the Buddha what he could do because he was having such a hard time memorising and understanding the Dharma due to his very, very, very, poor memory. And so the Buddha said, “Visualise a temple, the shoes of the monks, the floor, the surrounding area, the garden, the trees and all that as your mind. And all the leaves that have fallen as your karma, and your kleshas, your obstructions, your obstacles. Think of all the dirt, think of all the dust, as your kleshas and your obstructions and your negative karma, and every day clean it. And recite this DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG. Remove my defilements, remove its leftovers. Remove my defilements, remove the leftovers, the stains.. So, to recite that every day carefully and to visualise it carefully and do that.” So when you are cleaning, you visualise that you are cleaning the defilements from your mind, you can recite "DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG, DÜ PUNG DRI MA PUNG." or "Remove my defilements, remove its leftovers." Or you can recite mantras of purification such as Vajrasattva. In regards to your second question: from the Tibetan Buddhist viewpoints you would not burn mantras or images of or associated with the Three Jewels. However, the specific mantras on the blanket, may be for this specific purpose. We wouldn't be able to give you a definitive answers as we would need to know the specific mantras, prayers, images on the blanket. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 28, 2024 05:40
    Jason asked: Continuing from the previous answer, how do we liberate ourselves from samsara if it’s impossible to not create further karma while existing in samsara? If we create karma just be existing, that means that we will keep reincarnating over and over again so it seems like we’re stuck in the cycle
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, You've asked a very interesting follow-up question. Generally speaking, yes if you are in samsara, then you are always creating more karma. That's why the goal of Buddhists is to be liberated from samsara. The Buddha and other enlightened beings achieved this and the practice of Dharma itself is geared towards achieving this. I'll try to explain it here, hopefully I can do so in such a short space. So, normally there is no way out of samsara, but when you practice the Dharma there is. Remember in my previous reply to you, I mentioned that there are differing levels of severity of karma? Some are heavier, some lighter, etc. When practising the Dharma, you reduce the amount of karma that you produce. When you have less effects of karma, due to less negative karma itself, you can focus more on the spiritual practices that lead to liberation. I'll take the examples of the Refuge vows. There are 10 of them, split into three categories related to the body, speech and mind. First is the body, which includes to abstain form killing, as killing creates negative karma. The in the speech section, it includes to abstain from lying. This is harder to do. What is easier - to abstain from killing another human being, or lying to another person. The easier one is not to kill. Hence, you train yourself in this manner, working from those actions that are easiest to avoid, working up to those that are harder. For example in the mind section, one of the vows is not to covet something that another person has. But this is harder to do than either not lying or not killing. In other words, in our spiritual practice, we reduce the karma that we create though the actions of our body, speech and mind. Since we have less karma, we suffer less. And then finally, we are get to really subtle levels of karma, which are like residue in our mindstreams. But it's still there. In order to get out of samsara, you need to realise what we call emptiness (which is way to complicated to talk about here). In other words, the very path of the Dharma is to reduce the karma we create, starting with the easiest and working up to the hardest, which is where it becomes the easiest to understand emptiness. This who journey is a process, that's why teachings such as the Lamrim are indesipensible as it shows us the actual way to practice. Normally, we are stuck in Samsara. But when we practice the Dharma and ultimately realise emptiness (there are many, many steps in between) we are able to get out of samsara completely. This may sound confusing, which is why in Buddhism study, understand and practice is very important. We have Dharma classes available, where you can learn and find out more: https://www.kechara.com/learn/dharma-classes/ I hope this helps.
  • March 27, 2024 06:10
    Jason asked: People-especially family put certain expectations on us and when we refuse, it causes them a lot of stress and anger and we make them suffer…. my family wants me to marry and have kids but I don’t want to be tied down to Samsara any further and just explaining that I want to shave my head drives my mom crazy and she starts speaking to me in a very loud and forceful manner saying that she doesn’t care what I have to say and that she knows better than me so she will do whatever it takes make me have a family even if she ends up becoming a villain in my eyes because it’s for my own good so that I won’t be alone and lonely when I’m old. When we say no to people, especially to people who care about us and want the best for us, do we accumulate negative karma from causing them emotional turmoil and pain
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, Thank you for your question. In essence, any action that causes another person harm or suffering whether physical or emotional generates negative karma. But karma is complicated and not as simple as we usually think about it. There are differences in level of severity of karma created, some can be very light and some can be heavy. These are due to the variables when creating karma, such as motivation, the actions, your feelings after it, etc. This can all be found in teachings that talk about karma, especially the Lamrim teachings. In Buddhism we teach that we need to avoid the creation of negative karma for sure. But simply by being stuck in samsara, there is actually no way out of creating karma. That is why Buddhists seek to be free from samsara altogether. Only when we are free from samsara, are we free from the creation of karma. In relation to your situation, if you are young and rely on your parents, for now you should try not to do things that are create division or disharmony within the family environment. That itself if the practice of the Dharma. Then later, when you are independent you can make more of an informed choice about what you want to do. Even in your current situation, you can practice the Dharma, it is not necessary to become a monk or nun to progress on your spiritual path. Dharma can be practiced in any environment, and actually practising towards our family is the best. When we transform our minds and our behvariours and they see just how beneficial this transformation is, this is the best way to show them that Dharma is good. This was a piece of advice that Tsem Rinpoche used to tell people in family situations all the time. I hope this helps you.
  • March 26, 2024 02:28
    Rojal Poudel asked: How can I meet my guru? Does one need a guru for initiation for tantra and other stuff on the path to enlightenment? Does one need a guru to attain enlightenment?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Thank you for your question. In regards to meeting your guru, there are many different ways. These days you can meet your guru online as well. For example, many people did not meet Tsem Rinpoche personally, but they consider him to be there guru. You may find this article interesting: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-guru-protocol-a-guide-to-knowing-who-your-guru-is.html In regards to tantra, yes, one definitely needs a qualified guru to bestow initiation and teach us the path of practice once you have initiation. In regards to our tradition, it is also considered necessary to have a guru to attain full enlightenment. Hope this helps. The article lined above will definitely help to answer some of your questions on a deeper level. Thank you.
  • March 25, 2024 10:35
    Rojal Poudel asked: How can you deepen your spiritual progress while sleeping? I heard some people can go to pure lands and get teachings directly from Buddha’s, Bodhisattva’s, and Dharma Protecters. Are these possible from Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Thank you for your questions. It's always nice to see you here wanting to learn more. Yes it is definitely possible to deepen your practice in your sleep. This is done during practice of Highest Yoga Tantra, after receiving initiation and progressed along generation stage practice. This would obviously include everything before receiving such iniation such as having a basis and grounding in the Three Principle Aspects of the Path and the Lamrim teachings. In this practice you are able to use sleep to engage in meditation. This would need you to be able to lucid dream before hand. The ability to lucid dream itself can be developed a number of ways, but the most common is single-pointed mediation concentration during waking life. This is also known as Shamatha meditation. But in this case, the object of your meditation should be a mental one, rather than a physical one. The best would be a visualisation of the Buddha. All of this is outlined in the Lamrim teachings in the section on developing concentration. In terms of Astral Travel, yes it is definitely possible, and again there are different methods to go about this. Again this should be done only after having received the appropriate intiations and teachings from your guru. However, there are quite a few dangers involved with this. As Tsem Rinpoche mentioned before, the two main ones is that your consciousness is not able to return to your body and two that a spirit can take possession of your body if your protection is not strong and you have not invoked a Dharma protector to help with protection aspects. Another thing about astral travel, is that even if learn how to do it, it is not necessary that you can actually visit pure lands or receive teachings, etc. This is because, to do this, would require a lot of merit. So there are many things and practices to develop merit before you should engage in it. Often times, people who claim that they have received teachings or visited purelands, actually haven't though they may think that they did. It could simply be a projection of one's mind and in some serious cases perhaps even due to spirits mascarading. If you would like to learn lucid dreaming, please look into the teachings of single-pointed concentration normally. The ability of lucid dreaming comes naturally for those who progress in their shamatha meditation. As for astral travel practices, I would advise not to engage in such practices unless you receive the appropriate initiations, teachings from and under the strict supervision of a qualified guru. Hope this helps.
  • March 24, 2024 01:17
    Dirji asked: How can I see my kaytsa
    pastor answered: Dear Dirji, We are sorry, but we do not understand your question. Perhaps because you asked using the english phoenetics of the word. If possible, please post again using either the English translation of the word or using the Tibetan script, so that we can help you properly. Thank you.
  • March 23, 2024 12:11
    Marc asked: What is the direct translation of Tsem Rinpoche’s name mantra? Thank you 🙏🏽
    pastor answered: Dear Marc, Thank you for your question. You can find a translation of the meaning of Tsem Rinpoche's name mantra on Kechara's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=683136630510067. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 22, 2024 20:27
    Rojal Poudel asked: I am about to leave everything behind. I am tired of this life where I do the same thing everyday. I see everything but dharma as an illusion. I want to attain some sort of realization so that I can benefit other sentient beings. I am very inspired by the story of Milarepa, who gave up everything to learn dharma. Even the Buddha gave up comfort and luxury in search for this supreme truth. I also want to follow the Please tell me what I should do.
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, We can understand that you feel this way, and seeing the illusion of life should definitely motivate us to want to achieve something more spiritual. In the past when people asked Tsem Rinpoche the same question, he used to tell people a couple of things: > The first is that there are two methods to deal with our spiritual path. The first is to physically renounce everything and go into the wilderness, like Buddha Shakyamuni and Milarepa did. To cut yourself from everyone and everything and meditate continuously for years until you achieve realisation. But this is very hard to do in our day and age. We still need to have contact with people, there are the necessities of life to think about. Rinpoche said we need to think about things from a practice angle also. It takes a very great level of practitioner with an immense store of merit to be able to do this successfully. > The second method is to keep living within our a community and use them as a support for the transformation of the mind and spiritual progress. For example, that it why we have monasteries and nunneries, or Dharma centres and organisations to help with spiritual practice. This method is more measured, but you can still gain the same results. This is the more practical method. Especially according to the Mahayana path of practice, Bodhisattvas need to practice certain qualities in our minds and we progress towards enlightenment. Such qualities include the Six Perfections, but if we are not around others, how do we practice them? In order to practice generosity, we need others to be generous towards. In order to practice patience, we need others to be patient towards. In order to practice morality and ethics, we need to be in situations to be able to practice our vows. Enlightened beings like Buddha and Milarepa were able to do all of this in their minds during meditation but as mentioned before they were already high level pracitioners with immense merit. For example, Buddha Shakyamuni had three countless aeons of consistent practice life time after life time until his achieved enlightenment. > Another thing that Rinpoche shared, that while understanding the drawbacks of life and the benefits of becoming enlightened, a lot of the time what happens these days is that it is mixed up with emotion due to the challenges of life. People are looking for an escape, but not an escape from samsara into enlightenment, but simple an escape from their current problems. The need for escape, known as renunciation in Buddhism, is not to simply escape samsara, but developed in a certain way through contemplation and meditation. When we have such feelings, we should analyse them to see if they are in accord with the teachings and the methods of developing true renunciation. Many people also have a unrealistic way of thinking about physical renunciation and the spiritual path in general. Most people think it is easy, but it is not, is difficult because we need to deal with our minds, our emotions, our traumas, etc, from countless lives. If we don't have a firm foundation in Dharma practice and transformation before we attempt something like Buddha Shakyamuni or Milarepa, we will give up after a while because we find it too hard. And perhaps give up spiritual practice because the path did not actually match our expectations. So the key is to be as realistic as possible about our spiritual path. So our advice, rather than give up everything, as you may have family or other responsibilities, is to use your current situation to transform your mind, to practice the teachings right now in life, so that you can start progressing along the spiritual life. The best way to do this is to practice the Lamrim teachings, which give you a firm roadmap of how and what to practice in a sequential manner. Giving up everything is not necessary to make real progress on the spiritual path, as outlined in the Lamrim, but sustained and consistent practice is the key. Then use the situations in your life to actualise that transformation. We hope this helps.
  • March 21, 2024 00:44
    Jason asked: I listened to Tsem Rinpoche’s dharma talk and was inspired to be patient and kind towards other. For a while I felt like my mind had transformed and I started being more proactive in helping others and making sure to complete my responsibilities as perfectly as I can to not burden others and taking the initiative to help people that I see are struggling with their work but recently I have been feeling like I’m actually harming others instead of helping them by being kind because I feel like I’m enabling their bad behavior and rude attitude, especially one person in particular that I have to work with. No matter how much I help and show kindness, they don’t seem to change…and now I feel like a pushover for smiling and helping them even though they don’t show any appreciation or respect for it and instead take advantage of me and push even more of their responsibilities on me. I’ve been having thoughts that my kindness and patience has just become a cover for fear of confrontation now. What should I do? I feel like I’m gonna lose control and lash out even though I try to focus my mind on how the people around me must be struggling
    pastor answered: Dear Jason, Thank you for your question. We are very happy to hear that Tsem Rinpoche's Dharma talks have inspired you, especially to practice patience and kindness towards others. Please do keep it up, the benefits of both qualities are immense and are central to spiritual transformation. We should always try our best to practice both patience and kindness, but sometimes practising it in the way we think may not be the best option. For example, in the case that you mentioned, it is not having the right effect on your own mind and also you are enabling your co-worker to exhibit negative behaviours as well. In this case, actually practising kindness would not be to become a pushover, taking more responsibilities, etc. This isn't beneficial for your or the co-worker. So here, practising kindness would actually be not to allow the person to do such things, but it should be practised with patience and not out of emotion. So you would do this in a very skilfful manner. The best would be to have a talk with your co-worker in a very calm manner and explain how you are feeling and how they are making you feel in the work environment, and try to sort out the situation before it progresses. Especially since you are having such thoughts of anger and the posibility of lashing out. Practicing kindness and patience is not at all become a push over or allowing others to skip out on their responsibilities, etc. We really hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 20, 2024 14:49
    Sok asked: Hello respected pastors. Is Kusha grass same as Durva grass? How to obtain kusha grass?
    pastor answered: Dear Sok, Kusha grass and Durva grass are two different types of grass, they are not the same. Kusha grass is also known as halfa grass, big cordgrass, or salt reed-grass. Its scientific name is Desmostachya Bipinnata. In shape, each blade of grass is long and straight. Durva grass is also known as bermuda grass. Its scientific name is Cynodon Dactylon. In shape, each blade looks segmented and has smaller leaves sprouting from it. You can google the scientific name to see the difference between the two. Generally, they can be bought at Indian religious stores if there are any nearby where you live. Alternatively, if you live in Asia, you can buy a traditional grass broom, which you can substitue for the Kusha grass. It is a close relative of Kusha grass and the lamas have said that it can be used as substitue if you cannot find the actual grass. I hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 19, 2024 20:56
    Bhavisha asked: How to know wheather specific LOCAL deity is enlighten or not?
    pastor answered: Dear Bhavisha, Local deities are not enlightened. They are sentient beings who look after or take care of a specific area. There are different names for these types of beings, such as local deities, Land God, Landowner deities, etc. They belong to the God Realm, but as other beings in the god realm, they are not enlightened. Hope this helps.
  • March 18, 2024 09:57
    Rojal Poudel asked: What comes after attaining samatha or calm abiding meditation?
    pastor answered: Dear Rojal, Nice to see you back here! Shamatha is a tool, basically through this meditation you develop single pointed concentration. But after developing that, you use it to engage in Vipashyana meditation, otherwise known as Special Insight. Different traditions have different version of Special Insight. In our tradition, we use this type of meditation to analyse what we call "emptiness." The teachings on the emptiness are the actual teaching that leads to enlightenment. All other teachings or practices help to prepare your mind to be able to do this. Shamatha comes in, because the topic of emptiness is so deep, that we need single-pointed concentration to analyse it. If we don't have this type of concentration, we will not be able to understand emptiness. Hence, shamatha and vipashyana meditation are used in tandem to achieve enlightenment. This may seem a little abstract. The Lamrim teachings go into this in a lot of detail. They can be found in the chapters dealing with the Concentration and Wisdom as part of the Six Perfections in the Great Scope sections of the Lamrim. Hope this helps. Thank you.
  • March 17, 2024 23:16
    Jonathan Tan asked: Hi Dear Pastor, I am curious if H.E 25th Tsem Rinpoche had any heart disciples (son/daughter) Is there a difference between heart and root disciples?
    pastor answered: Dear Jonathan, Thank you for your question. There is no one heart disciple of Tsem Rinpoche. This usually refers to specific person who carries on the teachings and practices of a particular teacher. Tsem Rinpoche wanted something different for Kechara, hence we carry on his teachings and practices as a group, rather than one specific person. Rinpoche trained his students, who are either Sangha, Pastors or senior students in various ways of continuing his teachings, especially through the work that they do. In this way, we continue Rinpoche's teachings as a group rather than any one heart disciple. Hope that this helps. Thank you.
  • March 16, 2024 01:18
    Sirius asked: Hi dear pastors, I'd like to get recomendations on how to improve my actual sadhana. My morning starts by taking refuge and making offerings to the three jewls, followed by Lama Tsongkhapa's Guru Yoga. After this I usually study Lam Rim, and other Dharma Texts. During the afternoon I meditate for a about an hour or so, and somedays I do the Dorje Shugden sadhana given by Rinpoche. Finally at night I finish my day by doing Vajrasattva meditation and confession to the 35 Buddhas. What else can I do to improve my sadhana? What practices would you recomend me to do? Do you have recomendations on texts I could read? I would like to add that I live in Argentina, and I do not have any buddhist temple near sadly, so I cannot go there to practice, learm or collab. I would appreciate advice on this. Thank you in advance.
    pastor answered: Dear Sirius, Thank you for your question. In terms of practice, you are doing a lot. We are very happy to read that you are doing all these beneficial practices. They will be very beneficial for you. What you are doing is very good already, the only thing that I would say is to make the Dorje Shugden sadhana consistent as well as the others. If you are doing the short Diamond Path sadhana, it includes the Vajrasatta meditations, so you don't have to do it separately. We just have some points to help you improve your practice: > First is whenever you do any of the practices, is it vital to make sure you take refuge, generate bodhicitta and practice the four immeasurables before each session. And then at the end of the session, make sure to dedicate. This seals the merit generated from your practice. This is very important as if we don't have the correct motivation at the beginning and dedicate it at the end, since the merit is not sealed, the positive potential is destroyed when we have disturbing emotions, especially anger. > The second is to be consistent in your practices and do them daily. If you cannot be consistent with the practices you are doing at the moment, then reduce what you are doing to make it simple, for example just the Diamond Path (which includes Tsongkhapa's Guru Yoga anyway). Then once you are consistent daily, later you can slow add in other practices and become consistent with them. > The third is to keep revising the teachings on these practices, understand the motivation, deepen your visualisations, etc. > In regards to your meditation, if you are doing breathing or concentration meditation, again, revise the teachings again and again to make your practice stronger and understand where you are on your meditational path. > You can also spend some time every day, maybe five or ten minutes contemplating the Lamrim teachings step by step. This itself is extremely transformational and will propel you along the spiritual path. In regards to what else to study or read, here is a very good article: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/books-that-are-a-must-read.html If you consider Tsem Rinpoche to be your spiritual teacher, there are thousands of hours of teachings on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoTg0Wc5q3Gnz8ej3ETCdMQ You can watch and re-watch them to deepen your understanding and practice. I hope all of this helps.
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CHAT PICTURES

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