Finally, a section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors. Just post your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.
Note: This section of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s blog is meant for Dharma questions or questions related to Kechara and our lineage. If the question is not relevant or out of our scope, we will respectfully request you to seek an answer on a more relevant platform. Before posting your question, we would also like to suggest that you look through some of the older posts (or do a search on this blog) before you post a question as your question may have been already answered in an older post.
Browse through previous question submissions and learn from the Pastors’ answers. Click on the different page numbers or arrow buttons to view older questions.
Question asked bykevin
hi pastor, I've been very problematic lately and depressed. My plans seem to be always out of place. I read from an article that some problems are caused by negative karma from the previous and present life. I want to know if there is anything that I can do to drain my negative karma. Im very wary now on my actions to others so not to add to my existing karma. Can you suggest a mantra which I can recite and reflect on everyday to help alleviate my problems and drain my negative karma. Thank you very much. Bless you.
Reply by pastor
Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your question. Yes, according to Buddhist thought everything we go through in life is caused by karma. This can be either good or bad, so difficulties we face in life are indeed due to our karma. Now, one thing about karma that people often forget is that it can be purified. There are many methods within Tibetan Buddhism that are used for the purification of karma. In fact all practices necessarily involve the purification of negative karma and the generation of merit.
The most effective of these are known as purification practices, which have the specific benefits of helping us to purify negative karma which leads to all kinds of problems within in our lives. These include Vajrasattva practice, which can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html and the practice of the 35 Confessional Buddhas, which can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html. You can read more about these practices by clicking on the respective links. These are two very powerful methods of purifying negative karma and have been relied upon by countless practitioners and masters to progress on the spiritual path. They are two very extremely effective methods used within Tibetan Buddhism.
Since you are going through many problems, however, you can engage in the practice of a Dharma protector who can help alleviate the obstacles you are facing and at the same provide conditions that are suitable for you. One such Dharma protector is Dorje Shugden, you can read more about his practice here, and his daily prayers here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden. The website also has a lot of information about the practice and how it can benefit you in daily life. While it may seem daunting that you have negative karma, you should not be disheartened because negative karma can be overcome by purifying it.
What you said is right, you should be wary of creating more negative karma. In fact that is one of the main points a Buddhist lives by, which is not creating more negative karma. People often wonder why Buddhists take vows and precepts, this is actually to stop the accumulation of negative karma. For example a Buddhist takes the vow not to kill, this obviously stops the Buddhist from creating the negative karma of killing because they consciously remember that they should not kill in whatever situation they are in. So it is very good that are checking your actions to make sure that you do not add to the negative karma. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byNepal
I've noticed that in Nepal, Shugden and his retinue are forms of the worldly protector Za Rahula, or that's what the lamas and sadhanas say. Wouldn't that make Shugden dangerous or wouldn't that make Manjushri a worldly deity or one that is dangerous?
Reply by pastor
Dear Nepal,
Thank you for your question. Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri, that is what the high lamas and masters have taught and explained using Buddhist logic. Dorje Shugden as an enlightened being has been practiced by all major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and was first practiced within the holy Sakya tradition.
Similarly, Manjushri is an enlightened being. In fact all Tibetan Buddhist schools and Vajrayana traditions, including those in Nepal, say that Manjushri is an enlightened being, the Buddha of wisdom.
Therefore to equate Dorje Shugden as a form of Za Rahula would logically mean that Manjushri is not a Buddha. This cannot be since hundreds of thousands of holy masters have relied on Manjushri and gained enlightenment through such beliefs and practices associated with Manjushri. Since from a logical perspective this cannot be the case, and Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri, it is safe to say that Dorje Shugden is not a form of Za Rahula.
You can read more about Dorje Shugden, his history, lineage of practice and benefits here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byLing
does eating the five pungent roots it onion, garlic and the like decrease the effectiveness of mantra and sadhana. Does acting meat do that as well….
Reply by pastor
Dear Ling,
Thank you for your question. From a tantric Buddhist perspective our mind rides on the psychic winds within our bodies. Therefore if the psychic winds in our body are agitated our minds will be agitated, if our psychic winds are blocked, we will also have blockages in our minds. Therefore to have a clear mind, which is necessary for the higher meditational practices to be successful, the psychic winds in our body must flow freely.
For the ordinary level practitioner who does not have control over the psychic winds in the body, practitioners will engage in psychical actions or refrain from physical actions in order to give them more control over these psychic energies. One such way is to carefully control one’s diet and this will obviously involve the pungent foods that you have mentioned. Certain foods affect the psychic winds in different ways. When eaten raw these roots affect the psychic winds in a certain way which makes a person’s mind more prone to anger, and when eaten cooked they affect the mind in a way which can increase one’s desire. In fact, when we are affected too much by an emotion it can have a reverse affect. If we have too much anger for example, the psychic winds can become blocked, and this can lead to a propensity of developing illness. Both of these emotions are hindrances to meditational practices because they can distract from whatever you are concentrating on during the meditation.
In the Chinese Mahayana tradition and when in strict retreat within Tibetan Buddhism, these foods are avoided for these reasons. Also, when practicing the lower tantras, they are also avoided because a practitioner usually does not have sufficient control of the psychic winds in the body. In Highest Yoga Tantra practices, however, it is not a must to avoid these foods because it is during these practices that you develop great control of the psychic winds within the body.
For the everyday practitioner when engaged in sadhana and mantra practice, if you have a serious meditational practice then you can avoid these foods. It is a choice that you should make yourself, and not a must if you are not in retreat. In Kechara, when we engage in retreats we do avoid eating these foods, as well as other foods commonly referred to as ‘black foods’. I hope this explanation helps.
Thank you.
Question asked bywan sek choon
Dear Pastor,
Why do we still need to hold memorial prayers such as Jangchub our deceased loved ones after years of their passing? Tibetan Buddhism explained that normally a deceased person will take rebirth after 49 days after their passing,
And some hard core buddhists say we do not burn things offerings as what the Taoists do, but we Tibetan buddhist also have fire puja right ?
Thank you for your time and effort in reading and answering the above.
Reply by pastor
Dear Wan Sek Choon,
Thank you for your question. You have asked a very intelligent question which means you think about things carefully, which is very good. The Buddha taught that we must not follow a religious path blindly but examine the things we practice.
Within Buddhism we do not pray to our deceased loved ones because we only pray to and take refuge in the Buddhas who are free from samsara. This is one of the major points in keeping our Buddhist refuge. You are correct that we can hold memorial services/ceremonies for the deceased. However, unlike some other religions we do not pray to the deceased during these rituals. Rather we make offerings and prayers to the Buddhas to generate spiritual merits that are dedicated to our loves ones in which ever form they may have taken rebirth in. Buddhists believe in karma, in essence if you do good actions then good things will happen to you, and if you do bad actions, bad things will happen to you. But there is also merit, which is necessary to gain enlightenment and cannot be used up like karma is. Merit is generated when we make offerings and prayer to the enlightened Buddhas.
You are correct that 49 days after a person’s passing away, they would have taken rebirth in one of the six realms of existence. As such they are still under the influence of karma and can benefit from spiritual merit. So when we hold these ceremonies and services for the deceased they benefit not because we pray to them, but because we pray and make offerings to the Buddhas to generate merit, which is then dedicated to our loved ones, which benefits them wherever they are.
Fire pujas are burnt offerings, known as ‘jinsek’ in Tibetan, not to the spirits or the gods but to the enlightened Buddhas. You can read/hear a teaching by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/what-is-fire-puja.html. Within tantric Buddhism fire pujas are a very powerful method to generate merit, overcome obstacles, or to create the energies needed to achieve a particularly positive goal. The Buddhas do not need or require us to make offerings to them in any way, but making offerings is a way for us to generate merit and clear our obstacles. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byBrian
Is the deity Amoghapasha an emanation of Avalokiteshvara?
Reply by pastor
Dear Brian,
The deity Amoghapasha is considered to be an emanation or form of Avalokiteshvara. Just like the various forms of Avolikiteshvara, Amoghapasha also has many forms with a differing number of arms and implements.
Amoghapasha literally means “he who has an unshakable rope/lasso”. This refers to his compassion which never fails to alleviate sentient beings of their suffering and bring them to enlightenment. One of the most common depictions is of Amoghapasha Lokeshvara, who has eight arms.
Does Rinpoche have any practices in relation to Akasagarbha Bodhisattva?
Reply by pastor
Dear David,
His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche has received many initiations and teachings from his illustrious gurus over the years. As Akasagarbha is one of the main Bodhisattva disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, I am sure that Tsem Rinpoche does have practices related to Akasagarbha. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Question asked byJack
I got recently got initiated in the chakrasamvara…. I'm also gay have I broken any vows
Reply by pastor
Dear Jack,
Thank you for your question. I am very happy to hear that you have recently received initiation of Heruka Chakrasamvara. As you your question, the answer is that you have not broken any vows because you are gay.
Tantric practice transcends desire in all its forms, if you are gay or not, does not actually matter. What actually matters is that you practice Chakrasamvara diligently. At the time you received the initiation, you would have taken certain practice commitments, such as which sadhana to practice on a daily basis and a minimum number of mantras that you should recite every day. You should take these seriously and practice well and you will see results.
At the same time, you should learn up and adhere to the vows that are a part of the initiation. These include the refuge vows, the bodhisattva vows and the tantric vows. These vows are what stop you from committing negative acts and therefore generating negative karma. Instead you should focus on doing good actions, being compassionate and helping others. This way you generate and develop good karma and spiritual merit that are necessary from the spiritual path to enlightenment.
Since you have taken initiation, you have a spiritual bond with the teacher who gave you the practice, this person is now your guru. If you have questions regarding the practice, or points to clarify, you should humbly approach this teacher of yours for answers. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byTom
In some translations/transliterations of the Heart Sutra, the mantra at the end is either written "TADYATHA GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA or written as "TADYATHA: (OM) GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA. My question is why is "Om" omitted or added to the mantra? Is there a reason behind this, and would it apply that reasoning to other sutra mantras like the one from the 29 chapter version of the Golden light sutra? NAMO RATNA TRAYAYA TADYATHA/ KUTI KUTINI/ IMIRITO/ KOSHANI IMIRINI IRI SVAHA? Would it be incorrect to add Om into that mantra?
Reply by pastor
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your questions. Within Tibetan Buddhism you will find many mantras that begin with the syllable ‘om’ or that is it very close to the beginning and end with the syllables ‘soha’. This has to do with their particular meaning.
The syllable ‘om’ is an invocation to the Buddhas and their sacred energies into our lives, whereas ‘soha’ is a word that can mean ‘grant me’. Therefore, mantras can be seen as an invocation to the divine beings to bring a particular quality into one’s life. That is why mantras have different benefits. In and of themselves mantras invoke the entire energies of the divine beings, but have a particular quality that they can impart to the practitioner at a quicker speed. For example, Manjushri’s mantra is well-known for increasing wisdom, intellect and memory, whereas Chenrezig’s mantra is well-known for developing compassion and subduing anger.
Another group of syllables found in mantras are ‘om ah hung’. These represent the holy body, speech and mind of the Buddhas that we are seeking to gain ourselves by practicing the Buddhist path. For example you can see these syllables in the mantra of Lord Tsongkhapa: “Om Ah Guru Benza Dhara Sumati Kirti Siddhi Hung Hung”. In some mantras the ‘hung’ syllable can be repeated twice. Other mantras that do not start in this way or include these syllables have their own unique meanings.
As for your question regarding the omission of the ‘om’ syllable sometimes in translations of the Heart Sutra, this actually depends on the tradition and how it was transmitted down. There is some variation between lineages. In Kechara we follow the lineage as transmitted by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, which definitely includes the syllable.
As for adding the syllable ‘om’ to any mantras, this is not necessary. For example the long Manjushri mantra does not start with an ‘om’. In fact it is not advisable to add syllables into mantras because the power of a mantra flows through the lineage of masters who taught the mantra, all the way back to the source – the enlightened beings. Therefore we should practice the mantras as taught to us and transmitted to us by our gurus. This is because of the blessings of the mantras flow through the unbroken lineage back to the Buddhas.
My question pertains to how a Buddhist should deal with religious solicitation? Such as people coming to your door knocking, and trying to sell their religion. I hate to be rude in any way and I am sure they mean well, but I really don't agree with people coming to your home unannounced and using various conversion tactics. How best should someone respond?
Reply by pastor
Dear Brad,
Thank you for your question. It is the first question I have come across about this topic. If you are able and if it is appropriate you should put up a “no soliciting” sign near your front door. This is an all-round measure to stop unwanted soliciting. Depending on where you live, you can probably find these at your local hardware store.
If that does not work and people still come to you door, you should try to develop compassion for the people soliciting at your doorstop. As Buddhism teaches we should develop compassion for all beings, and especially if these people get us angry or make us annoyed.
As taught in the Lam Rim teachings, we one way to develop this is to meditate on how you think about and react to (a) someone you love, (b) someone you dislike, and (c) someone who is a complete stranger. Then you switch their roles until you develop equanimity between them. In this way, you stop having thoughts that are extreme either way.
Coupled with this, you should think that these people are following their own religion in the way they know how to do. You are following your own religion. You should be respectful of their religion even if they are trying to convert you. To do this, you must develop a strong grounding and faith in your own religion. Through this you will realise that suffering exists on many levels, and it leads people to react in different ways. If they continue then you should be cordial in your speech and mannerisms and inform them politely that you are practicing your own religion and happy with what you are practicing. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byWill Q
Do you have Kechara branches in the United States? Specifically in Colorado? Thank you.
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear Will Q,
Thank you for your question. At the moment we do not have any teaching branches of Kechara in the United States. However, you are more than welcome to post any questions you may have here on this blog. You will also find a huge wealth of information about the study and practice of Buddhism here. It is our aim to provide practitioners with all the information they would need at the click of a mouse.
You can also join in any of our weekly blogchat sessions, you can find the more information in regards to the timing and the subject matter here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/chat
Alternatively, if you would like personal guidance on your spiritual path, you can contact any of the Kechara pastors who will be more than happy to assist you. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Question asked byAlex K.
I have been diagnosed with PTSD from being sexually and physically abused as a child. I am in my mid-twenties and unable to work, go to school, or live any semblance of a normal life. I have undergone extreme treatments such as electroconvulsive treatment (70 in 2 years). I took refuge at 16 and became a buddhist and vegetarian. I am poor, but not homeless. I do not have many resources to practice Dharma, aside from my mala. I would like to further my practice to relieve the suffering of others, so no one has to go through what I am going through. What should I do, spiritually, to dedicate my suffering so that it goes toward the better good?
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear Alex K,
I am very sorry to read that you have been through so much pain as a child. It must have been very difficult and from what you have said, you are still suffering from its affects. People can be so cruel to inflict this on others and this goes to show how much our negative imprints can cause others pain. One practice that you can engage in to help alleviate your symptoms and one that is considered very effective in dealing with calming the mind is the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa. This practice is well known to be extremely effective in helping people cope with difficult situations as Lama Tsongkhapa is the embodiment of the three Buddhas: Manjushri, Chenrezig and Vajrapani. You should engage this practice while continuing your course of treatment as recommended by your healthcare professional. Many people have benefited from the practice in this way. You can watch a commentary on this practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html. You can find the prayers to guru yoga text, also known as the Gaden Lhagyama here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html.
If you have more time to engage in the practice, you can engage in the daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa combined with the practice of Dorje Shugden, which you can find here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden. Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector that removes obstacles we may be facing in life and also assists to create the conducive conditions we need to live a fulfilling life, both spiritually and in secular life. If you are able, this combined practice will be very good for you to engage in.
In Buddhism, the guru is the person that is the best to guide us on our path of spiritual fulfilment and ultimately enlightenment. Therefore, since you have taken refuge, I would like to recommend that you get in contact with your guru to request advice for your spiritual advancement. In the meantime what you can do to dedicate the suffering you have faced for the better good, is to transformation yourself as much as you can. This means developing those two essential qualities that we need on our spiritual path: compassion and wisdom. When you develop these two, you see that your pain becomes transformed into something good. A good way to transform your life following these two principles is to read and study the Lam Rim texts. One of the best known as Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand which was a Lam Rim teaching given by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and transcribed by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. If you can get hold of this text it will be extremely beneficial for your spiritual growth. It is available to order via our online stores called Vajra Secrets here: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/lamrim-liberation-in-the-palm-of-your-hand. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Question asked byD
Please guide me. My boyfriends mother is very controlling and dominant person. we are about to get married in few years as we are reaching age .i love him but i am very scared of his mother. She does not like me i feel. Everytime my boyfriend introduces me to his mother she tries to ignore my presence. I have helped her son, my boyfriend a lot in his life and he told her many times how helpful i am but all she says is forget about her and concentrate on your life.it really hurts me i have cried a lot because of her. My boyfriend is very scared of his mother and never speaks up nor stands up for me,..
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear D,
Thank you for your question. I am sorry you are having these problems with your boyfriend’s mother. Dealing with the relatives of our partner can be a difficult experience especially if they seem not to like you at the moment. However, since you love your boyfriend you need to battle through these emotions so you can continue and further your relationship with him. Though it may be hard to do this, we must come at the situation from a compassionate angle, and that is your boyfriend’s mother is extremely attached to her son. It is most likely for this reason that acts like she does not like you. Rather than getting caught up in the emotions that you are feeling, you need to find a way to distance yourself from the hurt and come at this situation from a more logical perspective. Your boyfriend’s mother is so caught up in her attachment that she cannot see what is right in front of her, that her son has chosen you to be his life partner. Though she wants him to be happy, she is projecting what she thinks will make him happy on to you. But the thing she has failed to realise, is that what makes him happy is being with you and that is why he is with you. Being with you is what makes him happy, and you should remember this and feel compassion towards his mother who is stuck in her own projections of what she thinks will make him happy. In fact, just by being with you, he is showing her that you are what makes him happy and this is something you should remember when her actions and behaviour makes you feel sad.
If you are a practicing Buddhist there are practices that can aid you on a spiritual level, but you also need to put effort in to solve the situation yourself. These practices will make whatever you do more effective as long as you have a good motivation.
The practice I recommend is the practice of Tara. Tara is the embodiment of compassion and is known as the mother of all Buddhas. You can read more about her here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/cittamani-tara.html. This prayers in this post are for those who have the initiation, as explained in the article itself. However there is a section towards the end of the article named “Additional Prayers to Tara” these can be recited by those without initiation. His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche recommends the practice of Tara a lot for people who are having relationship problems with loved ones. Her practice brings a lot of peaceful and yet beneficial energies into our lives. Her mantra which you can recite is: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA.
Does his eminence plan on posting any commentaries about chakrasamvara, similar to this about yamantaka and guhyasamaja… if possible please post them as there are no good commentaries which are in English out there for people who have chakrasamvara.
Reply by pastor
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your question. Perhaps His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche will post commentaries on Chakrasamvara here on the blog. As you know there are already commentaries on Yamantaka and Guhyasamaja practice available on this blog for those who have the appropriate initiations. As you are most likely aware, there are a couple of different lineages of practice with Chakrasamvara, so the commentary that is posted may not be the one that you have the initiation for. Even if this is the case, any commentary would be support to your own Chakrasamvara practice.
There are in fact some quite good commentaries on the Chakrasamvara practice. The best commentaries on the practice are by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. You should try searching for these commentaries and their English translations. They will be extremely helpful for all those who practice Chakrasamvara and any highest yoga tantra in general.
Thank you.
Question asked byAnonymous
Hello please help me .
My situation is i am married now but i keep having dreams and thoughts of my ex lover, my first love. We separated many years ago when he left me because he had to go abroad to USA . Everytime i listen to songs or see something it reminds me of him. I also know that he thinks of me too…..i have a strong feeling. It has been ten years now but i still think he was my soulmate..Sometimes i wish my husband was just like him or wish i was still in relationship with my ex boyfriend. I feel very guilty because i have these thoughts even when i have a great husband but my first loves thoughts and time we spent together i cant forget it….
What should i do..thank you
Reply by pastor
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your question. Though it may not seem like it, the situation you are going through is one that many people go through in their relationships. It is a situation that people go through. However, that being said, you have made a formal commitment to your husband. Do you remember why you married him? It was because you saw in him qualities that were attractive to you. What attracted you to be with him is important to remember when you go through such feelings. You should remind yourself of these, and even try to improve the relationship you have with your husband.
From a Buddhist perspective, the memories you have are just that memories. Though you may have emotions, these are based on memories and not the here and now. What we need to concentrate is the here and now, and what we have in front of us. This can be applied to any situation, and not just what you are going through. Even so, depending on how strong these feelings are, it will take effort and patience.
When we face these sorts of situations where are minds are disturbed we need to take steps to ensure that are minds are calm and stable. One of these is the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa, which you can find here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html This practice will be extremely beneficial for you during this time. To help you have a calmer and more stable mind, so you can concentrate on the here and now. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byjason
what is the significance of a solar eclipse in terms of sadhana practice besides multiplying merit
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your question. It is good to see you here. As you have rightly pointed out, during solar eclipses the merit from engaging in virtuous actions are greatly multiplied. Therefore there are many prescribed practices one can do during these times to generate a lot of merit, such as engaging in prayers, making abundant offerings, animal liberation, taking precepts for the day, etc.
In terms of sadhana practice, the main benefit here would be the multiplication of merits generated. However on a tantric level, since the movements of the planets are linked to the movement of energy within the universe, and therefore one’s body, there would be subtle changes in the psychic winds within the body as well. On the whole, the patterns of the universe are mirrored within the psychic winds in the body as well. The tantric system that deals with these movements in the most detail is the Kalachakra Tantra, which you can read more about here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/tibetan-astrology/introduction-to-tibetan-astrology.html
In the Kalachakra Tantra it is said that when a solar eclipse occurs, merit is either multiplied a thousand, ten-thousand times, or a hundred-thousand times. The sun and the moon are linked with the psychic winds, channels and drops with tantric practice. According to the Kalachakra Tantra everyone breathes 21,600 time every day and our minds are said to ride on the winds within our bodies. The majority of the winds within out body are karmic winds, in that they come about and are affected by karmic tendencies. During an eclipse however, more wisdom winds are said to prevail in the body. As these circulate in the body, doing Dharma practice, especially tantric practices in which you use these winds, one can achieve spiritual attainments at a speed that would not normally be possible.
In traditional mythology, there is a celestial body known as Rahu. This isn’t actually a physical planet, but a node on the orbit of the moon. When Rahu appears, he is said to swallow the sun for some time, this is the ancient explanation of a solar eclipse. Rahu is also known as the “dragon’s head”. Within the Kalachakra Tantra, practitioners use Rahu to bring the sun and the moon under control. As the sun is associated with psychic channels on the right side of the body, and the moon with psychic channels on the left side of the body, what this means is that the practitioner controls these energies and brings them into the central psychic channel instead. Thereby the solar eclipse is said to mirror a tantric yogi’s ability to bring the psychic energies of the left and right side into the central channel. Once in the central channel the yogi can engage in the higher psychic energy meditations in order to gain spiritual attainments and even enlightenment.
For an everyday practitioner therefore, the main benefit of practicing during a solar eclipse is the multiplication of merit. For a tantric practitioner however, it is a time that they can make use of the energies of nature to boost their practices. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byTodd
Does Rinpoche have any information on the deity Rakta Yamari, who is believed to be an emanation of Manjushri?
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear Todd,
Thank you for your interesting question. Rakta Yamari is indeed a wrathful emanation of Manjushri, in the form of a yidam or meditational deity belonging to the Anuttarayoga, or highest tantra, class of deities. The practice has been incorporated into all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism: the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.
Generally speaking some of the wrathful forms of Manjushri can be classified into three groupings, the Rakta (blood-red), Krishna (blue-black), and Vajrabhairava (adamantine terrifying). Since Rakta Yamari is therefore a classification of deities, it would be hard to give information here on all of them. The specific forms of Rakta Yamari differ in how the main figure appears and the number of other deities in the mandala. Of particular note, is that each of these forms and their practices has their own lineage of practice as well.
Whilst there are forms of all three classifications within the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, certain lineages place more emphasis on a particular form than others. For example, within the Gelug lineage emphasis is placed on Vajrabhairava Yamantaka, of which there are two forms in particular that are practiced: 13-deity Yamantaka, and Solitary Hero Yamantaka. In fact Vajrabhairava Yamantaka is one of the three main Anuttarayoga Tantra deities practiced in the Gelug lineage, which we follow, alongside the Akshobhyavajra variant of Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara.
There are two important lineages of Rakta Yamari practice: the 13-deity Rakta Yamari, and the 5-deity Rakta Yamari practice. Both of these practices can be traced back to an important lineage holder, the Indian Mahasiddha Virupa. In the case of the 5-deity Rakta Yamari lineage, he was taught the practice by a wisdom dakini. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byAldric Wilson DuXing
How can the alleged "DiSanShr" "Dorje Chang Fo" Yi Yun Gao be the actual incarnation of Buddha Dipankara Buddha?
Reply by Pastor Niral Patel
Dear Aldric Wilson DuXing,
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, I do not know much about Yi Yun Gao to be able to comment on this. However, within Buddhism we do believe that the Buddhas, out of their compassion appear in human form to help sentient beings in whatever way they can.
Within Tibetan Buddhism there is a long history of recognising great masters as the physical body emanations (also known as tulkus) of the Buddhas. The logic behind this is that the Buddhas are all compassionate and so help sentient beings in any and all means that they can. This would obviously include taking the physical form of a human. To say that the Buddhas cannot or do not do this, would be limiting the abilities of the enlightened beings, which goes against the scriptures. In fact, in the scriptures it states that Buddhas can emanate out in countless different forms at the same time. This includes animate beings, such as humans, animals, etc., and also inanimate objects such as bridges, or other things.
These emanations, or incarnations if in human form, can be recognised by those who have the ability to perceive the enlightened beings, such as highly attained masters or other emanations themselves. That is why you see only the highest masters within the Tibetan Buddhist traditions recognise others as incarnations of the Buddhas. Other methods of confirming this can include checking with an enlightened Dharma protector, such as Dorje Shugden, when in trance of a qualified oracle.
Those who really are emanations of the enlightened beings do not actually need to be recognised as such, as they will always help others no matter if they are recognised or not. However the recognition of such beings is more for us, as practitioners to gain merit by helping them achieve their goal of helping other sentient beings. But as I mentioned earlier, these beings do not self-proclaim themselves but are recognised as such by other highly attained masters who are trustworthy and really work for the cause of helping others by upholding and practicing the holy teachings of Lord Buddha. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Question asked byAnonymous
Sorry about the link not working. They can be found at dharmawheel.net and then looked under Tibetan Buddhism and then under topics which are under all the other lineage topics. Since this is recent, the title "Crazy Scandal somewhat related to Gelug hitting Taiwan" should come up. But anyway, here are the sources in that case:
https://ladakh2017blog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/mary-jin-gebis/
https://maisonneuve.org/article/2013/06/18/when-monks-come-town/
https://ladakh2017blog.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/bw-dorje-shugden/
Hi, although this is not a question, I would like to bring awareness towards a particular cult in China and Taiwan that has been having scandals with their leader, Mary Jin. The cult has been defaming the Dalai Lama and has begun supporting Shugden here even though that's not really bad. However, I would like to bring attention so they may not begin corrupting the Buddhists here. Even though I used a dharmawheel website, it has links to its sources:
https://dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=40
Reply by pastor
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, however the link you provided does not work. I do not know anything about this particular person or their organisation, so I really can’t say much.
However, there are some people out there who use religion for their personal gain, and twist the teachings to suit their greed. These sorts of people are often embroiled in scandals and the like and often have views that go against common sense. That is why it is very important to check that a teacher is qualified, is practicing, and is teaching the Dharma as it should be according to the scriptures. All students are encouraged do to so and this in mentioned clearly in the scriptures themselves. The actions of a teacher should be in line with actions laid out in the scriptures and their views should match the logic laid out in the scriptures as well. Once we see a teacher’s qualities, and we have made sure that what they practice is real and genuine, we can devote ourselves to that person fully.
We at Kechara, following the teachings of His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, think very highly of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as he is the emanation of the Buddha of compassion, Chenrezig. Similarly, we also believe that Dorje Shugden is the emanation of the Buddha of wisdom, Manjushri. For us, both are enlightened beings, and many practitioners all around world follow this belief as well. We are saddened to see or hear when others talk badly about either, since both are enlightened beings capable of benefiting the world tremendously. Thank you.
Question asked byE
Dear Sir,
I was born and raised as a buddhist but lost my faith over the course of life after witnessing much injustice and suffering. I work as a doctor and while I have helped colleagues and patients tirelessly, the politics of my workplace go beyond unfair and intolerable. I am never political minded and many others had easier time by doing less work but focus on the politics.
I returned to Buddhism Vihara in UK only disappointed when told that there is nothing I can do except worshiping all monks as the ear and mouth of Buddha. This is followed experience of temples in Singapore and New Zealand explicitly coerce monetary contribution for sanghara release without nourishment to my suffering soul.
The only good advice I receive is to meditate and focus on cleansing my mind so that I have the mental resilience to face superiors at work who can stop at nothing to end my career or at least my my professional life a misery.
Can you tell me is Buddha showing a way into Nirvana and therefore could not help individually or does he has Compassion and Enlightenment to the extent he can hear me in meditation and can stay with through this difficult journey in life?
Thank you.
Reply by pastor
Dear E,
Thank you for your question. I’m sorry that you have not had good experiences with Buddhism in the past, and that the methods of practice within the organisations you visited did not resonate with you.
The Buddhist path does involve the veneration of the monastic community, as they are the upholders of the Buddhist doctrine. This creates a lot of merit for our spiritual journey, as they are considered to be the third of the Three Jewels – the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
However the practice of Buddhism involves a lot more. It is about bettering oneself, one’s situation in life, and one’s mental states through various practices. These practices are for the transformation of the self, and include the development of wisdom and compassion. Such practices include meditation, daily prayers, engaging in actions that benefit other sentient beings, etc.
That being said, the Buddhas and enlightened beings do not abandon any sentient being, therefore when we do pray to them or call upon them, they hear us. One of the definitions of a Buddha is that they have enlightened compassion. This is a compassion without agenda, is pure and all-encompassing. Therefore even just thinking about the Buddhas invokes upon their enlightened energies. They really can help us in our individual life situations, and do hear our prayers, and stay with us throughout our lives, because they operate from compassion. Though they do hear us, one aspect may block them from being able to help us in various situations, and this is our own negative karma. That is the reason why purification practices are so important. The more negative karma that we purify, the more the enlightened beings are able to help us throughout our lives. Such purification practices include Vajrasattva practice (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html), prostration practice (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/vajrasattva-and-prostrations-transcript.html) or the 35 Confessional Buddhas (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html). Such practices help us a lot along our spiritual journeys.
Coupled with this or in its place, is Dharma protector practices. One such practice which is very beneficial is the practice of Dorje Shugden. Such practices have the specific ability to remove obstacles we may be facing in life, overcoming tough situations, etc. This is best engaged in on a daily basis, to create a strong connection. You can find the daily prayers here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden.
You do not have to engage in all these practices, but choosing one which you practice strongly will definitely help you along your own path, and through the practice you will be able to experience the enlightened energies of compassion yourself. The Buddhas are compassionate, they not only show you the way to nirvana, but also help you along the way. I hope this helps.
Thank you
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Combining the responsibilities of the ordained and the appearance of a layperson, pastors are the connection between the sangha and the everyday practitioner. They are ordinary people who have taken an extraordinary step in dedicating their lives towards sharing the Buddhist tradition. As laypeople holding vows, pastors will make the Dharma accessible to more people, giving them guidance and sharing knowledge. The pastors are usually present at Kechara House and available for consultation anytime. For more information, contact house@kechara.com.
Pastor Chia (sangha to be)
As a pastor, Chia will dedicate his life to befitting others through spreading the works of Tsem Rinpoche and Dharma to many people, through the use of pujas, rituals, counseling and sharing of his knowledge.
Ordained as a Pastor in 2011, Chia Song Peng has had a rich and varied Dharma career. He has held a core position with the Kechara Paradise retail outlets, served as a personal attendant to Tsem Rinpoche, embarked on various pilgrimages and received initiations into higher yoga tantric practices. He is accomplished in many pujas and has a deep understanding of the Dharma.
As a pastor, Chia has dedicated his life to befitting others through spreading the works of Tsem Rinpoche and Dharma to many people, through the use of pujas, rituals, counseling and sharing of his knowledge.
When Chia first met Tsem Rinpoche, he was asked if he wanted to become a monk, however even though this was his aspiration he informed Tsem Rinpoche that he would do so at a later date. For Chia, as he has is already in the Dharma full-time, it would be best if he became ordained. Tsem Rinpoche has reminded Chia from time to time to work towards becoming a monk and he promised that he would do so in the future.
Kechara began from nothing to become a growing Dharma organisation with major projects such as Kechara Forest Retreat, so Chia thinks that this is the perfect time to become ordained as a monk. Recently Tsem Rinpoche asked Chia again if he would like to be ordained, this time Chia said yes.
Pastor Khong Jean Ai (sangha to be)
Jean Ai wishes to become a vessel that holds the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to benefit future generations, inspiring others to live by the Buddha’s teachings.
Jean Ai met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as a young child and through her parents' involvement with Kechara over the years, she has never known a life without His Eminence. Jean Ai was a regular volunteer of Tsem Ladrang during her childhood and teenage years. After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Warwick in the UK and working at the London Probation Service, she returned to Kuala Lumpur to join Tsem Ladrang's e-division. There she managed kechara.com, responsible for the weekly Kechara e-newsletter, including content generation and editing. Since then she has joined His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s writing team, responsible for executing Rinpoche’s personal instructions and managing his correspondence.
Having visited a nunnery in India in 2004, Jean Ai remembers noticing how happy and purposeful everyone was. She had a feeling of familiarity and the sight of the robes comforted her. Immediately, Jean Ai messaged her mother who told her to ask Rinpoche’s advice. Rinpoche told her to complete her secular education so that when she taught the Dharma her words would carry the credibility and weight of a university degree, something she completed with the motivation that some day she wanted to become a nun.
Through her ordination as a nun, Jean Ai wishes to become a vessel that holds the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa to benefit future generations, inspiring others to live by the Buddha’s teachings. Through this she hopes to repay the kindness of her parents and her Guru. Above all she wants to abide in a state free of suffering, and she wants this for others as well.
Pastor Shin Tan (sangha to be)
For Shin, this is a great step forward to being fully committed to the cause of others and repaying others’ kindness through sharing the Dharma with others.
Before joining Kechara, Shin worked as a lecturer and provider of content and
e-learning content solutions for various start-ups. Whilst providing training to educators teaching students in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at various colleges, she was invited to attend a Dharma talk given by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara House. This event rekindled her interest in Tibetan Buddhism, as she recalled the joy of accompanying her parents to teachings as a teenager.
Joining Kechara Media & Publications in 2006 as a volunteer, Shin assumed a full time position there as a Marketing Executive, with the aim of making His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings available to more people around the world. Shin is now a member of the Tsem Ladrang Team, who takes care of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s secular matters, enabling Rinpoche to focus on teaching the holy Dharma.
Shin states that when she decided to join Kechara full time, she had already decided to be of some benefit to others and spend the rest of her life doing only that. Working closely with His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, seeing his tireless effort in helping others and spreading the Buddhadharma through the Gaden tradition despite tremendous challenges has made her realise that the next logical step is to become ordained as she has the opportune conditions to study with her Guru. For Shin this is also a great step forward to being fully committed to the cause of others and repaying others’ kindness through sharing the Dharma with others.
Pastor Adeline Woon (sangha to be)
Since finding her spiritual home here in Kechara, Adeline has made dharma work her life’s mission and wishes to dedicate herself fully towards the benefit of others.
Adeline stumbled across His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche's blog towards the end of 2010 and has been following his blog and Facebook page ever since. Since graduating from Dharma Drum Buddhist College Taiwan with a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies in July 2012, she returned to Malaysia and joined Kechara as a Senior Education Executive. Adeline was attracted by His Eminence’s straightforwardness and impressed at Kechara's growth under his guidance. To Adeline, His Eminence is someone who walks the talk, keeps his promises and sincerely cares for others displaying an excellent example of guru devotion, qualities that she seeks to develop herself.
Since finding her spiritual home here in Kechara, Adeline has made dharma work her life’s mission. It was in May 2013 that she officially requested His Eminence for ordination as a nun to dedicate her life fully for the dharma. According to Adeline, become ordained means that she is being true to her calling to live according to the dharma and be of benefit to others.
This however can only be achieved by meeting and studying under her root Guru. Adeline has been fortunate enough to have met with hers - His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.
Pastor Niral Patel (sangha to be)
It is Niral’s motivation for full ordination to better himself, learn the teachings of our lineage in order to preserve them for future generations. He wishes to benefit others, just as he has benefited and is still benefiting from Tsem Rinpoche’s explanation of the Dharma.
Niral was born and raised in the UK, having graduated with a BA in Anthropology, he was working as a Financial Administrator for a Serviced Apartment & Hotel company as well as a Management Services company before stumbling across His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s Youtube channel, entirelyby accident. It was through His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings that he began to understand the importance of practicing the Dharma, in order to benefit himself and others around him.
Having been in contact with one of Tsem Rinpoche’s long time students in the UK, he was encouraged to visit Kechara in late 2012 for a 10 day visit. At the end of the visit Tsem Rinpoche requested Niral to come to work at Kechara, to which he agreed.
Niral moved to Malaysia in February 2013 to work as an education coordinator at Kechara House, assisting the Education Division in the creation and implementation of the new education syllabus, teaching teenagers during the Kechara Sunday Dharma School. Ever since meeting Tsem Rinpoche, he has always been encouraged by Tsem Rinpoche to do more Dharma work and strive to better himself. It is with that in mind, that Niral has requested monastic ordination.
It is Niral’s motivation for full ordination to better himself, learn the teachings of our lineage in order to preserve them for future generations. He wishes to benefit others, just as he has benefited and is still benefiting from Tsem Rinpoche’s explanation of the Dharma.
Pastor Tan Gim Lee (sangha to be)
Gim Lee’s main focus is to guide and help anyone who steps through Kechara’s doors through Dharma sharing, counselling, performing pujas and other Buddhist services. She wishes to repay Rinpoche’s kindness by spreading Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy teachings and inspiring others on the spiritual path.
She discovered Kechara by chance in 2006 and started to participate Kechara's activities almost immediately especially the retreat to collect 10 million Migtsema recitations. In April 2006, when Gim Lee met H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and first listened to his teachings, she wept uncontrollably. Though she could not understand it at the time, she had finally found her perfect teacher. She is especially touched by Tsem Rinpoche's compassionate method of teaching by setting his own examples.
Having joined as a staff of Kechara House responsible for housekeeping in 2009, Gim Lee is now one of Kechara House's Front Desk Managers predominantly based in the retreat centre in Bentong, Pahang. She also teaches the Sunday Dharma Class and moderates Dharma discussions on Tsem Rinpoche's blog chat.
The many teachings she has received from Tsem Rinpoche have changed her priorities in life. She found answers to her questions about the purpose of life, and she has realised that the way to overcome the sufferings of pain and anger is by following the path of compassion and wisdom as taught by Lord Buddha. These realisations have led to her request to be ordained as a Sangha member.
As pastor now, and later as a Buddhist nun, Gim Lee's main focus is to guide and help anyone who steps through Kechara's doors through Dharma sharing, counselling, performing pujas and other Buddhist services. She wishes to repay Rinpoche's kindness by spreading Lama Tsongkhapa's holy teachings and inspiring others on the spiritual path.
Pastor Loh Seng Piow (sangha to be)
Loh Seng Piow developed a strong wish to help Rinpoche in spreading the Dharma to the world. With that determination, Loh Seng Piow chose not to pursue his PhD degree in Cambridge University (for which he had been offered a place), resigned from his research job, and joined Tsem Rinpoche as full-time Dharma worker, and has never looked back since.
Back in 2001, Loh Seng Piow had no inkling of just how involved in Dharma he would become. As a Masters degree-holder in Engineering, Loh Seng Piow was working as a research engineer in Singapore when he met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s talk left a strong impression on him and after a few encounters with Rinpoche, Loh Seng Piow started developing websites for Rinpoche and Kechara.
Loh Seng Piow was trained in science, but soon realised that there were many questions that science could not answer. At the same time, he also felt that science and technology are not the solution to human problems, as humans are much better off compared to thousands years ago, yet the problems in this world are still the same, if not more, and we do not seem to be happier than our ancestors.
Loh Seng Piow soon realised that the Dharma is the ultimate solution to human problems, and that the methods used by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche are very suitable for this modern era. Loh Seng Piow developed a strong wish to help Rinpoche in spreading the Dharma to the world. With that determination, Loh Seng Piow chose not to pursue his PhD degree in Cambridge University (for which he had been offered a place), resigned from his research job, and joined Tsem Rinpoche as full-time Dharma worker, and has never looked back since.
Meeting Rinpoche was a very refreshing experience for Loh Seng Piow, as he never knew Dharma could be so unconventional yet maintain its essence. As Rinpoche’s personal attendant, Loh Seng Piow has had many incredible moments with Rinpoche and considers himself extremely fortunate because he sees real Dharma in action, both on and off the throne. It challenges him to practice Dharma 24/7. In this way, Rinpoche has blown away his old and persistent way of thinking, which was very much focused on the outer rituals of Dharma.
Having seen that Tsem Rinpoche truly embodies what he teaches, Loh Seng Piow is convinced beyond doubt that it is possible to develop our minds to a higher state, and ultimately achieving enlightenment. All these factors have propelled Loh Seng Piow to take a step further in his Dharma career to become ordained as a pastor in order to be even more effective in sharing and disseminating the Dharma to benefit others.
Pastor Yek Yee
Naturally an introvert, Yek Yee has transformed what was once her weakness into her strength; making what was once impossible now eminently possible.
Independence was forced upon Kok Yek Yee from the tender age of nine, when she had to juggle between work and school to make ends meet. Always the introvert, Yek Yee had few friends and had difficulty expressing herself. So it was unexpected when she chose a career in journalism.
Yek Yee excelled as an award-winning reporter with Guang Ming Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau. Her articles garnered her a fanbase, and in writing, she found an outlet for the thoughts and feelings that she could not verbalise. However, despite her success, Yek Yee was not satisfied. Temporary happiness was not what she was looking for – success, money, relationships, or fame was not the key.
In her search for happiness, Yek Yee met H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, who told her “don’t retaliate with your speech, but use your power of writing to express yourself”. This led her to join Kechara Media & Publications as a writer; subsequently she was appointed Senior Editor as well as a Liaison to His Eminence.
Yek Yee now holds a core role in Kechara Care, giving advice, tours, counseling and teachings to whoever walks through their doors. Through courage and determination, she has transformed what was once her weakness into her strength; making what was once impossible now eminently possible.
As a Pastor, her patience and open-mindedness developed through her journey with Kechara will bring comfort and solace, and her new-found ability to nurture and teach others will bring hope to many.
Pastor Lanse Chiah
Having been a Pastor for a year, Lanse wishes to continue with her integral duties by renewing her vows again.
Lanse graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China in 1999 and became a part-time lecturer for several years, teaching western medicine in a Traditional Chinese medical college in Kuala Lumpur.
For a long time, Lanse remained an atheist, subconsciously searching for a spiritual guru as she sought answers to questions she harboured in her mind, questions that had led her into a state of depression during her time at university. As such, she would often read philosophical books in her search for answers.
Lanse first came to know of Kechara in 2007, through her friend of over 10 years, Pastor Yek Yee. She was surprised to see a complete transformation in Pastor Yek Yee, whom she had always known as a non-spiritual person. The first book by Kechara that Lanse chanced upon was the Chinese version of Be Greedy. Naturally, Lanse was skeptical at first, thus she read the book in an attempt to find mistakes with the philosophy. However, she couldn’t find any and was left impressed by how logical the explanations in the book were.
In March 2009, Lanse joined Kechara Media & Publications (KMP) part-time to carry out Chinese translation and help with transcription. The following year, she contemplated upon whether to pursue a full-time medical or a Dharma career, finally deciding on the latter. Lanse came to realise that, although both careers share the same motivation of easing people’s sufferings, she felt that her work in Dharma could lead to a greater contribution for the sake of all sentient beings in a deeper, spiritual sense.
Having been a Pastor for a year, Lanse wishes to continue with her integral duties by renewing her vows again.
Pastor Han Nee
It was not until she witnessed how Rinpoche brought peace and comfort to her dying mother, that she realised she also wanted to touch others with the Dharma.
Lim Han Nee, a mother of two, is a retired secondary school principal. She retired in December 2000 after a 30-year career in education. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Education at Leicester University in the UK, at the end of 2001.
After gaining her master’s degree, Han Nee considered further options of embarking on a doctorate in education or spending her years in retirement, travelling and visiting family. At the same time, she was also in search of her spiritual path. She had begun exploring Theravadan and Chinese Mahayana Buddhism for answers to questions she had.
In December 2004, Han Nee attended a teaching retreat on the topic of the Lamrim and White Tara held by His Eminence Gelek Rinpoche. As the retreat proceeded, she found her questions were being answered. Then in June 2005, Han Nee was introduced to Kechara by her sister, where she met her spiritual guide, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, who has recently told her that she must go all the way in the Dharma for the benefit of others.
Han Nee had been a school guidance counsellor for nearly twenty years. However, it was not until she witnessed how Rinpoche brought peace and comfort to her dying mother, that she realised she also wanted to touch others with the Dharma.
A member of Kechara’s Puja Team, who conduct sponsored pujas in Shabten Khang, Han Nee is also a member of the Education Division with the portfolio of Content Development. Apart from this, Han Nee is also a member of the weekly Kechara Chat Time team.
Pastor David Lai
In 2014, with a sincere wish to benefit others, David decided to be ordained as a Buddhist pastor to continue serving the spiritual needs of the organisation.
David Lai has been a student of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche for over a decade now and was one of the founding members of Kechara. He joined Kechara as a full time staff in 2005 and has been working in various departments beginning with the Kechara Paradise outlets.
Right from the beginning, David had been advised by His Eminence to go into writing. Overcoming various hurdles, David finally began his literary career with the publication of his first book and autobiography, There’s No Way But Up in 2009. The book charts his spiritual journey from his childhood and culminates in the meeting with His Eminence.
The positive feedback from this book led him to write various other publications like Vajrayogini and Other Power Places in Nepal – a pilgrim’s guide of Nepal, Tales My Lama Told Me – a book on short stories and Conversations in Love – a book on relationships. These books continue to inspire and bring people onto the Dharma.
Besides writing, David has found his passion in sharing the Dharma since his earlier days working in the Kechara Paradise outlets. Over the years, David has received innumerable teachings from His Eminence, ranging from public teachings to personal instructions and advice. He is known to passionately share these teachings whenever he can and to whomever he meets. In 2014, with a sincere wish to benefit others, David decided to be ordained as a Buddhist pastor to continue serving the spiritual needs of the organisation.
Pastor Henry Ooi
After following Rinpoche as a Dharma student for all these years, learning and practicing the Dharma, Henry knows the importance of the pastors’ role in Kechara founded by Rinpoche. He wants to become a pastor to serve Rinpoche, to serve Kechara, and to serve the public.
Born in 1952 in Penang, Henry moved to Kuala Lumpur in search of work after he finished his Form Five studies in 1969. He worked at different types of jobs and it was when he was jobless in 1997/8 that he met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche at the house of his cousin, Ruby (now Dato’ Ruby Khong), when Rinpoche was giving a dharma teaching. At that teaching Henry was awed by how Rinpoche taught Dharma with simple yet profound explanations.
With the kind guidance, teachings and Dharma practices by Rinpoche including instruction to engage in their first spiritual retreat, Henry and his wife Angel started a small business that soon became profitable. A few years later after Kechara House Buddhist Association was founded, Rinpoche started to enrol students as liaisons and that was when Henry and Dato’ Ruby offered themselves. Later more students were elected as liaisons that saw the birth of Liaisons Council. The Liaisons Council is now known as the Board of Directors of which Henry is one of its members.
Currently Henry is the Project Director, overseeing the construction and completion of projects in the Kechara Forest Retreat. Prior to this appointment he was the Head of Department in Kechara Paradise retail outlets of which he served for about ten years. He still remains as its company director as well as director for most of the companies within Kechara. He served one term as vice president of Kechara House Buddhist Association from 2012 to 2103.
After following Rinpoche as a Dharma student for all these years, learning and practicing the Dharma, Henry knows the importance of the pastors’ role in Kechara founded by Rinpoche. He wants to become a pastor to serve Rinpoche, to serve Kechara, and to serve the public. As he aspires to be a monk as he grows older, being a pastor of Kechara will pave the way for his aspiration. Henry believes that as one gets older in life, one should have already prepared for the imminent, death. And what a beautiful death it will be, to die in Kechara Forest Retreat in a monk’s robes. This is the kind of death that Henry wants. But before the imminent death happens, Henry wants to continue working in Kechara Forest Retreat, serving the community and whoever comes into it in whatever way he can. And when he is not physically anymore to serve others, he will request instructions from Rinpoche to enter into retreats in Kechara Forest Retreat.
Pastor Patsy Gooi
All that Patsy wants now is to spend the rest of her life doing dharma work, dharma practices and being of benefit to others.
Formerly a full time housewife with plenty of free time, Patsy had the great fortune to visit Gaden Monastery and meet H.E. Tsem Rinpoche almost twenty years ago. That one week stay in the monastery changed her view of life. Prior to that, she had no spiritual inclinations but meeting Rinpoche stirred something inside her, and she realised that there was more to life than just eating, sleeping, shopping and having fun. Rinpoche’s approach to dharma was logical and practical but most importantly, he stressed that we should always focus out and work towards benefitting others. Rinpoche made dharma easy to understand and his advice was and still is, to “change inwardly, not outwardly.”
In 2009, after years of practicing and applying what she had learned from Rinpoche’s teachings, Patsy decided to set up a Kechara retail outlet in Penang to share the dharma with others. She knew that Rinpoche’s teachings were very applicable to the people of our time and that his activities would benefit others just as they had benefited her. She also wanted to repay the kindness of her Guru who had constantly helped and guided her. Today, Kechara Paradise Penang is not just a dharma shop but also organises puja sessions, animal liberation and dharma talks.
In 2010, again with Rinpoche’s blessings, Patsy set up the Kechara Soup Kitchen Activity Center in Penang. Saddened to see the plight of the homeless and urban poor on the streets, Patsy decided to practice “compassion through action” as taught by Rinpoche in the most active way she knows. Today, together with her team of volunteers, Patsy feeds the homeless and urban poor four times a week and provides basic food provisions to many hardcore poor families on a monthly basis.
All that Patsy wants now is to spend the rest of her life doing dharma work and dharma practices, and that she may be of benefit to others.
Pastor Albert Ratchaga
In 2008, Albert Ratchaga began working as a part timer in Kechara Paradise, but as he learned more about the works of Rinpoche and Kechara, Rinpoche’s kindness and compassion touched him deeply. He realised that his work gave his life more meaning and decided to join Kechara full time.
Through his work as a sales executive, Albert was able learn more Dharma from Rinpoche's teachings and use this wisdom to assist those who entered his store to overcome their problems, thus improving their lives.
Albert soon developed a deep wish to follow in Rinpoche’s footsteps and in 2016 was ordained as a Pastor to continue benefitting and serving others.
BLOG CHAT
Dear blog friends,
I’ve created this section for all of you to share your opinions, thoughts and feelings about whatever interests you.
Everyone has a different perspective, so this section is for you.
Please come and join in the chat for a fun time and support. See you all there.
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Give the room a chance to answer you. Patience is a virtue. And if after awhile, people don't respond, perhaps they don't know the answer or they did not see your question. Do ask again or address someone directly. Do not be offended if people do not or are unable to respond to you.
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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.
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Please let this be a conducive space for discussions, both light and profound.
KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES
Here is the latest news and pictorial updates, as it happens, of our upcoming forest retreat project.
The Kechara Forest Retreat is a unique holistic retreat centre focused on the total wellness of body, mind and spirit. This is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration in a natural forest environment. At Kechara Forest Retreat, we are committed to give back to society through instilling the next generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion.
True story of how H H the Dalai Lama most fantastic escapes in history everyone should know the truth. How Dalai Lama was saved
following the advice of the great Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.
Through the highly respected Panglung Oracle’s instruction given by Dorje Shugden. Dalai Lama managed to escape undetected through the Chinese army and over dangerous mountain terrain into India, safe and unharmed back in 1959.This true story is now in comic form where everyone reading it will get a better picture and knowledge of the escape. That’s worth reading as it comes in flipbook and image gallery format .
Thank you Rinpoche and writers team.
n Tibetan Buddhist preliminary practice offering 100,000 butter lamps to Vajra Yogini is very powerful practice for generating merit, purifying negativity, and advancing on the tantric path. It’s considered an excellent practice when doing continuous, dedicated offerings for everyone . We could do it ourselves in a retreat setting at home, offering many lamps each day. Butter lamps are traditionally offered to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors as a gesture of respect. It symbolize the light of wisdom for deep spiritual realization. There’s numerous benefits just by offering lights . Looking at the picture of the Vajra Yogini taken by Philip Yong in the butter lamp house at Tsem Ladrang Kathmandu simply awesome.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with explanation .
Buddha already mentioned before that there are many other worlds existing and we are not alone. His best known for his work on black holes and the theory of relativity. He had advanced computer graphics to visualize his scientific theories about alien life.
Depicting, there’s a possibilities for life on other planets, a concept he explored using cutting-edge visuals to make abstract science tangible for audiences. Amazing indeed. Most scientists do agree with his idea that alien life certainly exists in the universe somewhere. Physicist Stephen Hawking had a stark warning to humanity before his death about the capabilities and threat of artificial intelligence. He gave warning about how humanity might fall, including a warning against trying to communicate with alien civilisations. So interesting dough.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing , interesting facts
Thank you Rinpoche for explaining on the meaning of Lama Tsongkhapa’s hand gestures and the lotuses . This imagery highlights Tsongkhapa’s role as a great scholar and yogi. Lama Tsongkhapa had personify the highest realization of Buddhist teachings and the path to awakening. Lama Tsongkhapa often seen as an emanation of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjusri. On the lotuses held by Lama Tsongkhapa are a flaming sword in his right hand and a Buddhist text on the lotus in his left hand. The sword symbolizing the union of wisdom that cuts through ignorance and delusion. Wisdom text representing compassion needed for enlightenment. Great knowledge by reading those FB comments as in the blog. There’s so much to learn, thanks again.
t’s amazing to see a special preview or glimpse early look of Kechara Forest Retreat years back. How its taking shape under the watchful eyes of our Guru ,and those working tirelessly students to complete in stages. Now then a beautiful and blessed Kechara Forest Retreat . Looking at those pictures in the blog tells us more.
Thank you Rinpoche offering a sneak peek of Kechara Forest Retreat ,
Well chaplain is an ordained member of the clergy or so call spiritual leader. That’s awesome having a chaplain in hospital, military base or even a prison giving spiritual guidance and counselling. Chaplain provides spiritual guidance and offer support to people of all faiths and beliefs. They will also assist individuals and families in difficult times within a secular institution. Those inmates and military personnel been away from families truly needed emotional and spiritual support. Within the United States army, the first Buddhist chaplain was appointed back in 2004, endorsed by the Buddhist Churches of America. The number of Buddhists in the U.S. military has grown, leading to an increased need and presence for Buddhist chaplains. Many of the chaplains are attracted to Buddhism as that it was patently un-political. Buddhism continue the trend of remaining secularly apolitical in the future, providing comprehensive spiritual support serving the diverse needs of military forces on bases worldwide. Good to know that US military forces such as the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force allow having Buddhist Chaplain in as it brings diverse spiritual support and promoting holistic well-being for all service members. Buddhist Chaplain has in-fact show that the military values diversity, with different faiths working together.
Great sharing thank you
In Tibetan Buddhism, a wealth vase, is a sacred object used to attract material and spiritual abundance. These vases are filled with various symbolic items and are believed to balance the elements. Having a wealth vase brings numerous benefits such as attracting material prosperity, career success, and financial growth. Not only that but also spiritual wealth, wisdom, and protection from loss. As it contained symbolic treasures and energies to boost abundance, remove obstacles, and enhance luck according to Tibetan traditions. They symbolize accumulation of assets and security of financial gains. The wealth vase is filled with precious items such as relics from high lamas, representations of the Wealth Buddha, holy items, precious and semi-precious gems and so on. Having a wealth box at Kechara Forest Retreat brought tremendous benefits .We are all very fortunate to contribute and support this blessed Wealth Box .
Thank you Rinpoche for the growth of Dharma , having one wealth box at kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong. Interesting knowledge about it.
H E Zava Damdin Rinpoche, is an erudite Mongolian Buddhist master within the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Zava Damdin Rinpoche was recognised as the reincarnation of one of the greatest Buddhist masters, yogis, healers, scholars and mahasiddhas in Mongolia. Zava Damdin Rinpoche is famed for his absolute guru devotion. In spite of the unlawful ban on the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden Zava Damdin Rinpoche remain devoted to the practice and has continued to see enormous growth around the world. Especially in Mongolia which has long held a strong historical and religious connection with Tibetan Buddhism. Back in 2016 H E Zava Damdin Rinpoche conferred Yamantaka initiation and Dorje Shugden sogtae . More than 10,000 ordained monks and lay people attended the initiation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Looking at those pictures in this blog says all, all monks and lay people were so blessed indeed. It has proven that the practice of Dorje Shugden is very popular . They were more blessed and fortunate as after the initiation, they were given a ‘heart’ crystal and a chakra which were consecrated during the sogtae ceremony. They are given as a blessing and reminder of the initiate’s commitments to Dorje Shugden, and also as a symbol of Dorje Shugden’s promise to protect them.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing .
All thanks to itua healer for the permanent cure he rendered to me , I told him I will keep Sharing his good work because he has really done a great work in my love and I know he is a god sent , so please don’t hesitate to contact him now so that you can also be a living testimony just like me . Here are his contact informations ! Email : ituahealer@gmail.com WhatsApp: +2348150223558 so contact him now and thank me later !
Herpes is a serious and recurring disease which can’t be cured through drugs or injections by the American doctors but the best way to deal with herpes is by taking natural herbal medicine for it, and is only few American doctors that know about this herbal medicine, from Dr Uma.. I have read about Dr Uma the great herbalist doctor from African who can cure Herpes with his herbal medicine. for the people suffering from the following diseases Hiv, Herpes, Cancer, Herpatitis B, Diabetes, Hpv, Infections ETC should contact him for his herbal medicine because i am a living testimony and i was cured of HERPES. Although, i sent him what he requested and he sent me his medicine which i took for three weeks and when i went for test i was tested Herpes Negative. you can reach him through his email address:Dr.umaherbalcenter@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2347035619585 Thanks Dr Uma.
Hello everyone i want to use this medium to appreciate the greatest spell caster Priest Ade for restoring my broken marriage, My husband and i have been having problems for months now we use to be very sweet but all of a sudden everything changed he was now distant from me until one day he told me he wanted a divorce which left me devastated i cried my eyes out so i told my friend about all that has been going on, She introduced me to Priest Ade he told me not to worry he told me all i needed to do and he assured me that in 24 hours all that is wrong with our relationship will be fine the next day to my greatest surprise it was my husband back home apologizing I’m so happy we are closer and stronger than we have ever been, I promised to share your amazing work when i get results so this is me keeping my word, Thank you so much Priest Ade,I will leave his contact information for anyone who needs help: ancientspiritspellcast@gmail.com
Read more on his website: https://ancientspellcast.wordpress.com
WhatsApp: +2348100170928
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all doing great! I wanted to share a truly incredible journey that I’ve been on recently. You see, few months ago, my marriage hit a really rough patch. It was a time filled with confusion, heartbreak, and a lot of searching for answers. I looked into so many different places for help, hoping to find someone who could guide me through this difficult time. I reached out to friends, family, and even sought advice from professionals, but unfortunately, nothing seemed to be working. It felt like I was hitting dead ends at every turn. But then, one day, while I was surfing the internet, feeling a bit lost and unsure of what to do next, I stumbled upon something truly remarkable. It was the good work of a spell caster called Priest AZ. His effective love spell stories and positive impact he had made in the lives of others with his powerful love spell caught my attention. Intrigued and hopeful, I decided to reach out to Priest AZ for help. And let me tell you, that decision changed everything. From the very first conversation, I could sense his genuine care and understanding. He listened to me without judgment and provided a safe space for me to express my feelings and concerns. Priest AZ’s Love-Spell were like a beacon of light during my darkest days. He helped me navigate the complexities of my situation. He helped me solved the underlying issues in my marriage with his effective and powerful love spell. In just a short time the results were surprising, my husband called me in less than 24hrs after the love-spell and he was apologizing for me to accept him back and definitely I accepted him back. . It wasn’t an easy journey, I’ll admit. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty along the way. But with the unwavering help of Priest AZ, Through the love spell, my husband and I were able to reignite the love that brought us together, and ultimately restore our marriage. I can’t express enough how grateful I am for the intervention of Priest AZ in my life. He truly made a difference, not just in my marriage, but in my overall well-being. His kindness, compassion, and dedication to helping others are truly inspiring. If any of you out there is going through a similar situation, If you need to get your husband back to you, you need to fix a broken marriage, you need to stop a divorce or you want to restore a broken marriage/relationship. I want to encourage you to seek help from priest AZ, Contact him at Mightylovespell@gmail.com. WhatsApp: +43 680 5400 8232
My name is Max Kai, and I’m from the USA. I was deeply in love with a woman, and even after I found out she was cheating on me, I still wanted to make things work. Unfortunately, she chose to stay with the person she cheated with, and that broke me. About six weeks later, I came across a post on a relationship forum about a spell caster named Dr. Masako who helps people reconnect with lost love through love spells. With nothing left to lose, I decided to reach out to him via WhatsApp and shared my story. To my surprise, within just 24 hours, Dr. Masako helped bring my ex back into my life and now, we’re engaged and planning our wedding. I honestly didn’t expect this to work, but it did. If you’re going through something similar and need help getting your ex back, I highly recommend contacting Dr. Masako. You can reach him on WhatsApp at +2349047144277, email him at doctormasako@gmail.com, or visit his website: doctormasako2.wixsite.com/drmasakospelltemple
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Concept: Tsem Rinpoche Technical: Lew Kwan Leng, Justin Ripley, Yong Swee Keong Design: Justin Ripley, Cynthia Lee Content: Tsem Rinpoche, Justin Ripley, Pastor Shin Tan, Sarah Yap Admin: Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Beng Kooi
I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!
Tsem Rinpoche
About Rinpoche
Name
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche
Root Guru
H.H. Zong Rinpoche
Ordained by
H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
Affiliations
Pukhang Khangtsen, Gaden Shartse Monastery
Founder and Spiritual Advisor, Kechara House Buddhist Association Malaysia
President, Tsem Rinpoche Foundation, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Psychology, The Open International University
Hear the holy voice of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche giving advice on the practice of Dorje Shugden to those who had received the life-entrustment initiation. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche wanted to make sure those present received the maximum benefits from their practice, and that they kept their practice well. LEARN MORE >>
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is always said that whatever we practice must come from an enlightened source to be beneficial in our spiritual journey. As such in this video, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche shares with us the history and reincarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden to explain how great this Dharma protector is through the examples of his previous lives, showing us his powerful spiritual attainments. LEARN MORE >>
Dear everyone... This is a good condensed talk I gave on Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa. This is the one you should share with others when they are interested in a not too lengthy explanation. It is the perfect practice for everyone who wants simplicity yet effective blessings. You can share this with more people, it will be good.
"If you say you don't have money to help a animal shelter, why then do you have money to buy meat?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Eating animals is not our God-given right, but being kind to them is."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What makes us good humans is not how we abuse animals, but how much we allow them to live and be happy freely."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mythical concept of animals.... We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."
~ Henry Beston, The Outermost House
"Not eating animals is only unnatural when we are not used to it."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES
"We may encounter defeat, but we must not be defeated."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You think you can choose your life? What an ego trip!"
~ Lama Yeshe
"If TODAY you are dissatisfied, you must make the changes to create different results for TOMORROW."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
SPIRITUAL QUOTES
“Meditating on Dorje Shugden while reciting his mantra will open the gateways to higher dimensions, blessings and protection.”
~ Tsem Rinpoche
“If one does the recitation of the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga prayer for even one month using one of the visualizations for great or clear or quick wisdom, one will definitely see development of that wisdom. It is proved by experience. There is no doubt that by doing the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga practice one can meet Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings from life to life. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.”
~ Pabongkha Rinpoche
"I was 18 years old in 1983. That was a very special year as I met His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and received innumerable precious teachings and empowerments from Him at Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California. It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is Heruka Buddha and I met Heruka."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Never abandon your spiritual teacher no matter how many inner obstacles you need to overcome."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Actions to force something to be permanent makes all the karmas arise."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"The dharma is not easy to listen to… because some people take it as criticism. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Whether we do work and suffer but for others or we do work and suffer for ourselves, either way we have to suffer. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Those who really want the dharma to grow within themselves and to grow for others should never fear hard work, timing, difficulties, struggles, disappointments because it is for a good cause. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice. It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"His Holiness Zong Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we come up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness."
~ Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral
"Things in samsara always go wrong. That's its nature. Don't be surprised."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Knowledge never quenches the thirst, only application."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
LIFE QUOTES
"I pity men who occupy themselves exclusively with the transitory in things and lose themselves in the study of what is perishable, since we are here for this very end-that we may make the perishable imperishable, which we can do only after we have learned how to approach both."
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Money amplifies negative characteristics and that can cause problems.
To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it."
~ Angeline Francis Khoo
"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud."
~ Carl Jung
"There is a devil there is no doubt, but is he trying to get into us or trying to get out?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If you love someone, show it by being honest, respectful & honorable with them."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
~ Henry David Thoreau
"If I can just be the way I am & you the way you are & we accept each other, world peace is near."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"I am Asian, you are some other beautiful color. Together we make diversity so beautiful."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's amazing how some people have never met me or know who I am, but based on a few things they read here & there & rumours, they have formulated a new personality for me & all the things I've never done they passionately speak about....I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours...we just have to work hard & then rumours get proven wrong on it's own as a by product. No point explaining repeatedly. Just do our work & show results!!"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"There's a difference between patience and laziness. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Before we experience any pain, we already had a fixed view of how things should be. When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You know since very young, for better or worse, I always did the things that others told me not to do. I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor... If you love me, I'll always be in your heart... If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."
~ William Shakespeare
"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest."
~ Maya Angelou
Devotional Songs
Sung by Mary Fewel Tulin, these mystical songs in praise of the guru originate from the Sikh tradition. Yet, they are applicable to all traditions for those who want to venerate their guru.
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche
Photos On The Go
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6 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
6 years ago
108 candles and sang (incense) offered at our Wish-Fulfilling Grotto, invoking Dorje Shugden's blessings for friends, sponsors and supporters, wonderful!
6 years ago
Dharmapalas are not exclusive to Tibetan culture and their practice is widespread throughout the Buddhist world - https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=193645
6 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
6 years ago
Fragrant organic Thai basil harvested from our very own Kechara Forest Retreat farm!
6 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.
6 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
6 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.
6 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.
6 years ago
One of the most recent harvests from our Kechara Forest Retreat land. It was grown free of chemicals and pesticides, wonderful!
6 years ago
Third picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
6 years ago
Second picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
6 years ago
First picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
6 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
6 years ago
Very powerful story! Tibetan Resistance group Chushi Gangdruk reveals how Dalai Lama escaped in 1959- https://bit.ly/2S9VMGX
6 years ago
At Kechara Forest Retreat land we have nice fresh spinach growing free of chemicals and pesticides. Yes!
Fresh eggplants grown on Kechara Forest Retreat's land here in Malaysia
7 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
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha.
7 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.
7 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.
7 years ago
Wandering Ascetic Painting by Nirdesha Munasinghe
7 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
7 years ago
This is pretty amazing!
First Sri Lankan Buddhist temple opened in Dubai!!!
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 years ago
Part 2-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
7 years ago
Part 1-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
7 years ago
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
7 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
DON'T MISS THIS!~How brave Bonnie survived by living with a herd of deer~ https://bit.ly/2Lre2eY
7 years ago
Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%! Very interesting, find out more- https://bit.ly/2V1sJFh
7 years ago
You can download this beautiful Egyptian style Dorje Shugden Free- https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
7 years ago
Beautiful high file for print of Lord Manjushri. May you be blessed- https://bit.ly/2V8mwZe
7 years ago
Mongolian (Oymiakon) Shaman in Siberia, Russia. That is his real outfit he wears. Very unique. TR
7 years ago
Find one of the most beautiful temples in the world in Nara, Japan. It is the 1,267 year old Todai-ji temple that houses a 15 meter Buddha Vairocana statue who is a cosmic and timeless Buddha. Emperor Shomu who sponsored this beautiful temple eventually abdicated and ordained as a Buddhist monk. Very interesting history and story. One of the places everyone should visit- https://bit.ly/2VgsHhK
7 years ago
Manjusri Kumara (bodhisattva of wisdom), India, Pala dynesty, 9th century, stone, Honolulu Academy of Arts
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Videos On The Go
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6 years ago
Pig puts his toys away
Animals are so intelligent. They can feel happiness, joy, pain, sorrow, just like humans. Always show kindness to them. Always show kindness to everyone.
6 years ago
Always be kind to animals-They deserve to live just like us.
Whales and dolphins playing with each other in the Pacific sea. Nature is truly incredible!
6 years ago
Bodha stupa July 2019-
Rainy period
6 years ago
Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
7 years ago
Your Next Meal!
Yummy? Tasty? Behind the scenes of the meat on your plates. Meat is a killing industry.
7 years ago
This is Daw
This is what they do to get meat on tables, and to produce belts and jackets. Think twice before your next purchase.
7 years ago
Don’t Take My Mummy Away!
Look at the poor baby chasing after the mother. Why do we do that to them? It's time to seriously think about our choices in life and how they affect others. Be kind. Don't break up families.
7 years ago
They do this every day!
This is how they are being treated every day of their lives. Please do something to stop the brutality. Listen to their cries for help!
7 years ago
What happened at Fair Oaks Farm?
The largest undercover dairy investigation of all time. See what they found out at Fair Oaks Farm.
7 years ago
She’s going to spend her whole life here without being able to move correctly. Like a machine. They are the slaves of the people and are viewed as a product. It’s immoral. Billions of terrestrial animals die annually. Billions. You can’t even imagine it. And all that because people don’t want to give up meat, even though there are so many alternatives. ~ Gabriel Azimov
7 years ago
Our Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir speaks so well, logically and regarding our country’s collaboration with China for growth. It is refreshing to listen to Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. He said our country can look to China for many more things such as technology and so on. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
This is the first time His Holiness Dalai Lama mentions he had some very serious illness. Very worrying. This video is captured April 2019.
7 years ago
Beautiful Monastery in Hong Kong
7 years ago
This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
These people going on pilgrimage to a holy mountain and prostrating out of devotion and for pilgrimage in Tibet. Such determination for spiritual practice. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
Beautiful new casing in Kechara for Vajra Yogini. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
Get ready to laugh real hard. This is Kechara’s version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!” We have some real talents in this video clip.
7 years ago
Recitation of Dorje Dermo‘s mantra or the Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws. This powerful mantra is meant to destroy all obstacles that come in our way. Beneficial to play this mantra in our environments.
7 years ago
Beautiful
Beautiful sacred Severed Head Vajra Yogini from Tsem Rinpoche's personal shrine.
7 years ago
My little monster cute babies Dharma and Oser. Take a look and get a cute attack for the day! Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
Plse watch this short video and see how all sentient beings are capable of tenderness and love. We should never hurt animals nor should we eat them. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
Cruelty of some people have no limits and it’s heartbreaking. Being kind cost nothing. Tsem Rinpoche
7 years ago
SUPER ADORABLE and must see
Tsem Rinpoche's dog Oser girl enjoying her snack in her play pen.
We were told by Uncle Wong he is very faithful toward Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden has extended help to him on several occasions and now Uncle Wong comes daily to make incense offerings to Dorje Shugden. He is grateful towards the help he was given.
7 years ago
Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnauzer Dharma boy fights Robot sphere from Arkonide!
7 years ago
Cute baby owl found and rescued
We rescued a lost baby owl in Kechara Forest Retreat.
7 years ago
Nice cups from Kechara!!
Dorje Shugden people's lives matter!
7 years ago
Enjoy a peaceful morning at Kechara Forest Retreat
Chirping birds and other forest animals create a joyful melody at the Vajrayogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat (Bentong, Malaysia).
8 years ago
This topic is so hot in many circles right now.
This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.
8 years ago
Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.
8 years ago
BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.
8 years ago
Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.
8 years ago
Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?
8 years ago
Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche
8 years ago
This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...
she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔
8 years ago
Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.
8 years ago
Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.
8 years ago
Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem
8 years ago
Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!
8 years ago
Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche
8 years ago
What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.
Sick animals are more profitable... farms calculate how close to death they can keep animals without killing them.
That's the business model.
How quickly they can be made to grow, how tightly they can be packed, how much or how little can they eat, how sick they can get without dying...
We live in a world in which it's conventional to treat an animal like a block of wood.
~ Jonathan Safran Foer
8 years ago
This video went viral and it's a must watch!!
8 years ago
SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.
This happens daily in slaughterhouse so you can get your pork and Bak ku teh. Stop eating meat.
ASK A PASTOR
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.
Dear blog friends, you can submit your photos to this section by sending an email to tblogpics@gmail.com. Include your message in the "Subject" field (up to 250 characters only). Be sure to include your name in the subject field too!
19 hours ago
18th December completed weekly Dharma Sharing followed by DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
2 days ago
Throwback 14th December Celebration of Lama Tsongkapa's day at KFR, Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
5 days ago
Kechara Ipoh members were preparing for the puja offerings arrangement on the altar prior to the puja. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
5 days ago
Kechara Ipoh Study Group has completed our Dorje Shugden puja today in Kechara Ipoh centre. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
1 week ago
11 December completed weekly Dharma sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group..Sam
2 weeks ago
7th December releasing hundreds thousand of lives back to nature. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
2 weeks ago
We're on last leg of the month of November, completing our final week of DS puja cum recitation of 'A Concert of Names of Manjushri'. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
By offering plentiful, beautiful, and sumptuous offerings to the Three Jewels each week, we sincerely supplicate for their blessings, attainments, and protection—for ourselves and our sponsors—and for the complete fulfillment of their noble dedications.
2 weeks ago
Another photos taken during one of the week in the month of November. Pastor Seng Piow came and gave us Dharma Sharing ~ precious moment! Thanks Pastor for your sharing. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
Reporting from Kechara Penang Study Group ~ November. Dorje Shugden puja were conducted relentlessly by the Penang members every Saturday 3 pm, at Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown. As usual group photos were taken before puja started. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 weeks ago
4th December had Dharma sharing followed by DORJE SHUGDEN Puja.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
3 weeks ago
27th November dharma sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja completed.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
4 weeks ago
20th November Dharma Sharing followed by DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
1 month ago
Dared Lim offered incense on behalf of all in Kechara Ipoh Study Group. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
1 month ago
Andrea Lai & Mannance Wong were arranging the puja offerings purchased by the generous sponsors. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
1 month ago
Dared Lim & Glian Sim were preparing for the offerings prior to the Dorje Shugden puja in Kechara Ipoh centre. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
1 month ago
Kechara Ipoh Study Group has completed our Dorje Shugden puja in Ipoh today. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
1 month ago
13th November had our weekly dharma sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
1 month ago
Here's another update of our weekly DS puja @ month of October, 2025. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
For the past month (October) , Kechara Penang Study Group has consistently completed Dorje Shudge puja weekly @3 pm, every Saturday at 49, Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown. Uploaded by Jacinta
1 month ago
9th November animals liberation activities.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
1 month ago
6th November evening had our Dharma Sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
2 months ago
15th October 2nd day of Dharma Sharing by Pastor Seng Piow.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by the
2 months ago
14th October Blessed evening Dharma Sharing by Pastor Seng Piow Kechara Kuantan Study group.sam
2 months ago
Joyful hearts, open minds! This retreat group shines with shared purpose, laughter, and the light of Rinpoche's practice. Spot any differences? Join us again next time. Penang retreat 4-5th Oct 2025. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Yoga breathing exercise by Choong Soon Heng. Breathing in calm, breathing out clarity, an integral part for a successful retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Glowing gently with butter lamp offering. This embodies the warmth of devotion and the light of awareness for all sponsors and retreatants. Penang DS Retreat 4-5th Oct, 2025. Uploaded by Jacinta from Kechara Penang Study Group
2 months ago
Retreatants helped preparing the sacred space with mindful intention—setting the ground for a mind transformative retreat. Penang DS Retreat 4-5th Oct 2025, uploaded by Jacinta. Kechara Penang Study Group
2 months ago
Best Relaxation Massage For Each Sign !
2 months ago
5th October Blessed day releasing fishes, birds fishing baits Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
3 months ago
Our weekly DS puja, 27th Sept 2025. Next week there will be a retreat too and puja as well. Join in if you're in Penang! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
3 months ago
Dorje Shugden puja completed on 20th Sept. Since we have a new Rinpoche's long life prayer, we've have been regularly recited that with Rinpoche's new mantra too. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
13th Sept 2025, Dorje Shugden puja led by William, photo taken by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
A close-up shot of our offerings! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Inspired by Kin Hoe's (Ipoh) and Sam's (Kuantan) updates, here... introducing our No. 1 members, Mr. Teo and Aunt Betty. They are always early for preparation, cleaning, and arranging. Bottom pic is Hue & Mr. Loh. They are sharing and exchanging views on ritual practices that support spiritual practices before puja. KPSG by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Tormas are regularly being changed. It's solely the commitments from one of our dedicated members, Choong Soon Heng. Without him, we would not have gathered an abundance of merits. Thanks! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Some of the offerings offered during our weekly puja. These are the items sponsored by our sponsors. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
3 months ago
Here are two other completed Dorje Shugden puja done for the past weeks, led by Ong Siew Hong in the month of August. She's an exceptional umze in our group. Special thanks to those who joined the puja regularly. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
It's been a while since our last update. When KFR was busy organising, serving & helping visiting monks together with their chunks of activities in Bentong, back here in Penang, our small but sturdy Penang Study Group has been consistently having their weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ every Saturday at 3 pm. Here's one update, completed on 6th September 2025. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Mr. Cheah Fook Wan offered Serkym to Dorje Shugden in Kechara Ipoh Centre today. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
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Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your question. Yes, according to Buddhist thought everything we go through in life is caused by karma. This can be either good or bad, so difficulties we face in life are indeed due to our karma. Now, one thing about karma that people often forget is that it can be purified. There are many methods within Tibetan Buddhism that are used for the purification of karma. In fact all practices necessarily involve the purification of negative karma and the generation of merit.
The most effective of these are known as purification practices, which have the specific benefits of helping us to purify negative karma which leads to all kinds of problems within in our lives. These include Vajrasattva practice, which can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html and the practice of the 35 Confessional Buddhas, which can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html. You can read more about these practices by clicking on the respective links. These are two very powerful methods of purifying negative karma and have been relied upon by countless practitioners and masters to progress on the spiritual path. They are two very extremely effective methods used within Tibetan Buddhism.
Since you are going through many problems, however, you can engage in the practice of a Dharma protector who can help alleviate the obstacles you are facing and at the same provide conditions that are suitable for you. One such Dharma protector is Dorje Shugden, you can read more about his practice here, and his daily prayers here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden. The website also has a lot of information about the practice and how it can benefit you in daily life. While it may seem daunting that you have negative karma, you should not be disheartened because negative karma can be overcome by purifying it.
What you said is right, you should be wary of creating more negative karma. In fact that is one of the main points a Buddhist lives by, which is not creating more negative karma. People often wonder why Buddhists take vows and precepts, this is actually to stop the accumulation of negative karma. For example a Buddhist takes the vow not to kill, this obviously stops the Buddhist from creating the negative karma of killing because they consciously remember that they should not kill in whatever situation they are in. So it is very good that are checking your actions to make sure that you do not add to the negative karma. I hope this helps.
Thank you.