This is a good video interview to watch. Short, sweet and full of direct thoughts from the heart and knowledge. I pray for Ven Tenzin Palmo’s long life and continued dharma success.
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21 Responses to “I Don’t Eat My Friends” – by Tenzin Palmo
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Jacinta Goh on Apr 1, 2022 at 10:51 am
This video posted in Rinpoche’s blog, was definitely one of the reasons why I have given up eating meat during 2013-2014. I thank Jetsunma for this.
Nowadays we can access to variety of food, we have plenty of delicious choices to sustain our health. Knowing that animals suffered greatly even way before they arrive to the slaughter house, we should think again is it necessary to cause so much pain and kill them just to satisfy our taste bud.
Animals are living being, they can love and feel the pain like we human do. They deserve our love and care. When comes to food, we can be healthy and have compassion meal. Just as Ven Tenzin Palmo Jetsunma said, animals are friends, we don’t consume our friends.
Thank you for sharing this video of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on vegetarianism. What she has said is very logical and makes a lot of sense. To her, it is very simple, she sees animals as one of us and she sees them as her friends that is why she doesn’t eat them.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo said another reason she doesn’t eat meat because no one wants to be slaughtered and be eaten, including animals. This is so true! Animals are not born with the life goal to be killed and eaten so what gives us the right to do that to them? Besides, the fear the animals have to go through before getting slaughtered is horrible, it is really unnecessary to inflict this type of suffering to the animals just to satisfy our tastebuds.
Eating eat is actually eating a dead body if we think deeper. Since we have a choice, why choose to eat meat? The biggest animals in the world, the elephants are vegetarian, if elephants can survive on a vegetarian diet, why can’t we? Let’s be kind and stop eating meat.
I agree that we should never eat animals. We have many options to eat healthy and vegetarian. On top it is very bad for our bodies to eat meat. We should remember that animals need to be slaughtered before we have the meat in our supermarkets. The conditions are very disturbing how the animals are killed and the horror that animals have to suffer is unimaginable.
Please remember this when you choose your next meal and go vegetarian and if possible vegan so that more lives get saved and we can stop the killing and educate people to stop this animal cruelty.
Animals are not things, they are sentient beings and feel pain just as we do.
Wonderful clear explanation by Ven Tenzin Palmo on adopting a vegetarian diet. Tenzin Palmo’s beautiful words ( Animals are my friends and “I don’t eat my friends” )To go on a vegetarian diet can be a fantastic entry into experiencing better health which has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular risk factors and other health related disease as well.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this video.
I remember first coming across the quote “Animals are my friends…and I don’t eat my friends” from reading about the life of George Bernard Shaw. At that time, it was a rather interesting concept which I readily agreed but on hindsight failed to really appreciate the depth of such quote. It was easy for me then to consider myself as not cruel to animals simply because (i) I had generally observed a meatless diet; and (ii) any occasional meat I consumed was limited to the acceptable poultry and not animals deemed as exotic (eg shark fin, foie gras etc) or as pets (eg dogs, rabbit etc).
Deeper perspectives as pointed Tenzin Palmo such as the failure to really comprehend that a life is a life regardless of current form; the failure to practice compassion when one is ignorant and indifferent to the pain, harm and suffering caused (with the continued support of meat consumption) etc were things I had not addressed my mind to then.
It was after coming across Rinpoche’s teachings which spelt out the uncomfortable truths especially on the hypocrisy behind professing to be kind or compassionate yet continuing to entertain a meaningless and harmful habit of eating meat that prompted me to stop. And I remain forever grateful for that.
Thank you for this sharing which was a good refresher for me.
What Tenzin Palmo says here resonates with everyone who has gone vegetarian for reasons of compassion.Tenzin Palmo’s words “I don’t eat my friends”, show how she and many who are vegetarians view animals as fellow sentient beings, who have feelings like humans, and who clearly feel pain and physical suffering in the same way that humans do. Hence how can we eat the product of the terror and trauma that accompany the killing of every one of the animals that becomes the food on the dinner platter? Furthermore, Tibetan Buddhism teaches that all sentient beings have been our mothers. How can we eat our mothers?
The story of the monk accepting and eating the finger of the leper that had fallen into the food he had offered the monk, illustrates very graphically and clearly how firm and entrenched was Lord Buddha’s ruling of not discriminating against whatever type of food was given to the monks. Hence the issue of the monks in Buddha’s time eating meat has everything to do with this ruling , as the circumstances were such that it was the only option. Today, circumstances have vastly changed. There are sufficient vegetarian options – fruits, vegetables,grains and other vegetarian options in most places.In India and Nepal, where the Tibetans are living in exile, lentil is in ample supply.
Hence, in a situation, where you are very much in charge of what you eat, then there is no question about not going vegetarian. If you still subscribe to the meat-eating culture, it is a conscious choice. Your eating meat is encouraging the killing of animals for the meat industry. As long as there is sustained meat consumption and demand, then the meat-producing industry, with its endless horrendous slaughtering of animals, will continue to thrive.
Fortunately, there is growing popularity to adopt veganism as a lifestyle for health reasons.
Great interview. Ven Tenzin Palmo was very clear on why we should avoid eating meat. It is not in line with compassion and Bodhicitta as meat was a living being before it became meat. It had no wish to suffer, feel pain, terror and die. Nowadays, food supply is abundant so we no longer have excuse to eat meat.
Further, the pain and terror experienced at point of slaughter would have generated a lot of negative energy which may leave its residue in the meat and cause negative energies in us too if we consume it.
Buddha in his time was not specifically vegetarian in the sense that if meat was given in his alms bowl on his begging rounds, he will eat whatever that was put into his bowl so as not to practice discrimination.
I found the example given was gross but relevant. It’s about a leper offering food to a monk but unfortunately one of his fingers fell into the bowl. The monk ate it anyway. Karmically, the monk is pure.
Also, from a Buddhist perspective, if we believe in reincarnation, then as taught by the Buddha, everyone has been our mothers before. So, how can we eat our mothers? That was kind of powerful. And, of course, from another point of view is that Ven Tenzin Palmo regarded animals as her friends and so why would she eat them?
Are there any significance in the act of highly attained Lamas eating meat? Are there any unrevealed spiritual reasons behind it? Is it a liberation of sort for the animal whose meat end up in the stomach of an enlightened Lama rather than being on the plate of someone else?
I like the way how she explains that in Tibetan Buddhism every being was once our parents. It is a very weak explanation on how people would kill for meat because they feel weak. I do not believe that by not having meat you will feel weak and not well. All these are all psychological effects through our thoughts.
I love Tenzin Palmo and what she said… “Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends. I don’t particularly like someone to kill and eat me, I don’t think anyone wants to be slaughtered and killed and eaten!”
I think most the society in general have a disassociation with the reality that animals are a living sentient being just like us who can feel pain, suffering, kindness and compassion. Most of us even if we are so called animal lovers, we love animals because our sentimental values, not because we look at them as a friend or another living sentient being. Hence this is why the huge un-addressed hypocrisy of loving animals (as pets) and eating animals (none pets) is perfectly normal in our concept some how.
But the reality is not so and we need to start looking deeper and wider because there is consequences from such an action. This is probably why we hear more and more cases of cancer patients more than before, say 10 years ago. When I was working in an organic shop before, I was amazed how many people were cancer patients or recovered patients and they totally change their lifestyle of meat diet completely due to their illness. The thing is isn;t is so much better to change now then wait for it to happen because it may be too late? I guess if you don’t care about animals and their feelings, how about at least caring for your life the right way?
45,895,000,000 (45.9 billion) chickens
2,262,000,000 (2.3 billion) ducks
1,244,000,000 (1.2 billion) pigs
857,000,000 (857 million) rabbits
691,000,000 (691 million) turkeys
533,000,000 (533 million) geese
515,000,000 (515 million) sheep
345,000,000 (345 million) goats
292,000,000 (292 million) cows and calves (for beef and veal)
65,000,000 (65 million) other rodents (not including rabbits)
63,000,000 (63 million) pigeons and other birds
23,000,000 (23 million) buffaloes
4,000,000 (4 million) horses
3,000,000 (3 million) donkeys and mules
2,000,000 (2 million) camels (and other camelids)
TOTAL: 52,794,000,000
United States: 9,116,248,000
The numbers only include land animals slaughtered for food for which records were taken. They do not include the billions of marine animal killed each year. They do not include the millions of animals killed in laboratories, fur farms, animal shelters, zoos, marine parks, or circuses. Nor do they include the animals killed by human negligence, blood sports, abuse, or extermination attempts.
From the same website:
“Quote by The Great Dzogchen Yogi, Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche:
‘Meat, the sinful food, is not permitted according to the three vows: the vows of individual liberation, the Bodhisattva vows and the tantric vows.
‘Thus Buddha stated: “I have never approved, do not approve, and will never approve of a meat diet.”
‘He declared: “My followers must never eat meat.” ‘
I posted this on youtube & embedded it on my blog to create awareness. Youtube banned the video with a COMMUNITY GUIDELINES WARNING saying it is too graphic and shocking and breaks their rules. If I get three warnings they block all my videos. I appealed saying, I didn’t post to shock or be gory BUT TO CREATE AWARENESS……. THEY REJECTED THE APPEAL.
I couldn’t believe how they do not want to help such a good cause and help create awareness of this horrible dog meat trade. I appeal to everyone to please have this video tweeted and facebooked everywhere to create awareness. I was very sad to see what is happening to the dogs and VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOUTUBE. Please help the dogs I beg you.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for posting this heartwarming interview of Venerable Tenzin Palmo.
I have been watching this video on this my last night in Spain and now know that I shouldn’t ever be apologetic or shy about being vegetarian, as i have tended to be a few times here in Spain,as family members had to search for places which offered vegetarian food.It was worth all their effort as Tenzin Palmo has so beautifully put it.
Ven Tenzin Palmo from the Drukpa tradition has been a vegetarian for 40 years. She has given clear answers and explanations during the short interview with Andre Kalden. There are two types of Tibetans of which the older generation who lives in Tibet cannot go on vegetarian because of circumstances and environment. Tibet is a very cold country. And you cannot grow any vegetable on the land. So they have only to depend on yak meat and milk. The other type of tibetans that are brought up in India are much easier for them to go vegetarian. As lots of vegetables are grown in India like lentils and dhal which are very good supplement for meat. Tibetan buddhism teaches us to practice compassion and bodhicitta. Then how can we eat another sentient being who has been our friends or our mothers in past lives. She said one of the first Tibetans to become vegetarians are the nuns and monks in the large monasteries in South India.
Absolutely love this interview! She hits the nail on the head. Perfectly articulate with very valid points and all said in a very calm and matter of factly manner. I agree that the issue of being vegetarian is not one of not eating meat for the sake of not eating meat. One has to understand that in this day and age we do have a choice and have no excuse… in that we do not need to go out and hunt for our next meal. Times have changed and I reckon so must our mindset.
This is especially so as a Buddhist because it really contradicts the essence of what we belief in. As Venerable Tenzin Palmo so aptly puts it in the end of the video: “it doesnt seem to fit in with the whole idea of compassion and Boddhicitta… does it?”
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this video. I will post this in my facebook for sure!
The venerable Jetsunma has been known to be open and frank – true enough, we have to be honest with ourselves to progress, especially if we say that we are Dharma practitioners.
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Well thought out article where Rinpoche gave a precious teaching. Encourage us to go vegetarian showing compassion to all sentient beings by not causing suffering or death. To make a conscious effort to avoid contributing to the suffering and death of animals is the best choice. Going vegetarian in Buddhism is a choice motivated by compassion. I do agree with Rinpoche that we should not be too attached to meat. Very true there is nothing to lose by going vegetarian. What enlightened and attained beings do we can’t , we follow the conventional way .
Thank you Rinpoche for all these precious teaching
Miyolangsangma is the Tibetan Buddhist goddess who lives at the top of Chomolungma . She is the goddess of inexhaustible giving and of Everest and the Khumbu area in general. She rides a golden tigress and hands out the jewels of wishes to those deserving.
Mount Everest, at 8,848.86 meters , is the highest mountain on Earth and presents one of the ultimate challenges for climbers. Climbers scaling Mount Everst involves navigating extreme altitude, severe weather conditions will stop by at Tengboche Monastery . They will seek blessing from Lama Geshe a Buddhist monk, known for blessing climbers by reciting a mantra to Miyolangsangma. Climbers will be given a talisman containing Miyolangsangma’s mantra, to be worn around the neck for protection while scaling Mount Everest. That’s awesome.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
The Faroe Islands a volcanic are a self-governing archipelago, located between Iceland and Norway and part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As part of a tradition dolphins were slaughtered mercilessly. The killing of dolphins in Denmark refers to the traditional Grindadráp hunts which has been going on for hundred years. Each year, locals in the North Atlantic’s Faeroe Islands drive herds of sea mammals into shallow waters, where they are stabbed to death. In keeping with the annual, barbaric tradition of killing dolphins, thousands of these mammals were killed. Whales and several dolphin species are herded by boats into shallow bays or onto beaches. According to the animal rights activist, back then, this hunt was necessary for the survival of the villages. Looking at those pictures shows dolphins thrashing around in waters turned red with blood as hundreds of people watch on from the beach.
The practice of dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands has come under scrutiny recently. Its really cruel , hopefully more people are aware of this cruel practice and abandoned . Moreover soon or later dolphins will be extinct.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Dare to dream and having the courage to pursue our goals and aspirations, nor matter it seem difficult. Found this old post, featuring our Guru in this Star News. It is an encouragement to imagine a better future and to take the necessary steps and efforts to make that a reality. Overcoming fear, being persistent, Rinpoche dare to do and dream and made them to come true. All thanks to Rinpoche we have Kechara Forest Retreat now. When we dare to dream follow by action with our deepest aspirations and believe in ourselves when no one else does all wishes will be fulfilled.
Thank you Rinpoche show us the light and giving us the inspiration of Rinpoche ‘s dream.
DATUK YIP KUM FOOK AND SIMON LOW KOK MENG are scammers because they defrauded IC people in Malaysia, and many people have been victims before. They are scammed everywhere, and they are also gangsters in the Kepong area. Now, many people have found and checked their families, and people are spreading it on the internet.
One of them is Ng Hong Seong, the victim. He suffered because he gave his National Identity Card to Datuk Yip Kum Fook to find a job. Many police officers and some gangsters contacted him about finances to borrow money from various banks. Datuk Yip Kum Fook used the police to harass people.
Now, many people know about this group (Yip Kum Fook & Simon Low) because they were expelled by Buddhist monks from the Buddhist Temple in Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, and burned down the Hindu Temple in Taman Daya, Kepong.
We hope everyone can share this message fully to stop this evil in this world. They need to know that people are very sad and scared.
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Mount Wutai is a sacred Buddhist site and is the abode of Manjushri and is a sacred Buddhist mountain with five peaks, and is one of four great sacred mountain in China Located at the headwaters of the Qingshui in Shanxi Province China. Mount Wutai is a World heritage site well known for both its geological and scenic natural landscapes, and cultural heritage. It boasts of over 68 different styles of temples built over 7 dynasties housing numerous Buddhist relics . Temples have been built on this site from the 1st century AD to the early 20th century. The temples are inseparable from their mountain landscape a cultural tradition that is still living. I am fortunate able to go there years back with Kechara a pilgrimage life time experience for me.
Thank you Rinpoche and Ani Thupten Yangchen for this sharing
Wow….amazing Bao’en Temple an ancient temple in the remote hill located in Pingwu County, in north-western Sichuan Province, China . It’s a well-preserved fifteenth-century Buddhist temple which has such a unique shockproof against earthquake. Not only one earthquake but three with researcher credit to the building’s design and using Phoebe nanmu wood used for its construction. All the architecture reflects the architecture of imperial Palace. A well-preserved 15th-century Buddhist temple considered a national treasure, an architectural gem and a preserved cultural site. Dedicated to the Emperor Yingzong in the Ming Dynasty featuring an exquisite architectural elements and treasures of 1,004-armed Avalokiteshvara statue and a revolving prayer wheel. That’s awesome, looking at those pictures in the post.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting post.
Training ourselves in mindfulness, free ourselves from suffering and then to help others, live in service for others. As we serve others we are working on ourselves, every act of compassion naturally nourishes our own hearts as well. Reading this inspiring article again ….a meaningful pilgrimage, serving a great Lama lead by our Kecharian Su Ming and team all the way .
Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring sharing
Kansai, is a region in western Honshu, Japan, famous for its cultural and historical significance, including the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara. It is home to major cities like Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, features a mix of urban awesome attractions,ancient temples, and natural landscapes. The region is a major economic and cultural hub in Japan. Kansai is Japan’s spiritual and cultural capital, shaped by towering Osaka and Himeji castles, Zen gardens and arduous journeys to enlightenment. Its filled with cultural and historical sites, which has been a religious destination for centuries. Looking at those pictures in the blog tells all. Simply amazing.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
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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
Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.
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
6 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
Click on "View All Photos" above to view more images
Videos On The Go
Please click on the images to watch video
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.
6 years ago
Your Next Meal!
Yummy? Tasty? Behind the scenes of the meat on your plates. Meat is a killing industry.
6 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.
6 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.
6 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!
6 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.
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5 hours ago
7th December releasing hundreds thousand of lives back to nature. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
6 hours 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.
6 hours 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.
6 hours 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.
6 hours 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.
3 days ago
4th December had Dharma sharing followed by DORJE SHUGDEN Puja.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
1 week ago
27th November dharma sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja completed.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
2 weeks ago
20th November Dharma Sharing followed by DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
3 weeks ago
Dared Lim offered incense on behalf of all in Kechara Ipoh Study Group. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
3 weeks ago
Andrea Lai & Mannance Wong were arranging the puja offerings purchased by the generous sponsors. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
3 weeks ago
Dared Lim & Glian Sim were preparing for the offerings prior to the Dorje Shugden puja in Kechara Ipoh centre. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
3 weeks ago
Kechara Ipoh Study Group has completed our Dorje Shugden puja in Ipoh today. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
3 weeks ago
13th November had our weekly dharma sharing and DORJE SHUGDEN Puja. Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
4 weeks ago
Here's another update of our weekly DS puja @ month of October, 2025. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
2 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
2 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)
3 months ago
Mr. Mannance Wong offered incense on behalf of Ipoh members before the puja starts. So Kin Hoe (KISG)
3 months ago
7th September animals liberation activities.Kechara Kuantan Study Group by Sam
3 months ago
29th evening DORJE SHUGDEN Puja lead by Pastor Seng Piow. Kechara Kuantan Study Group Sam
3 months ago
28th August Dharma Sharing by Pastor Seng Piow at Center Kuantan Study Group by Sam
3 months ago
26th August evening had our weekly Swift Return Puja..at Kechara Kuantan center..by Sam
We are continuously improving this blog, and a major upgrade will be coming in the near future. We invite all users to share your feedback with us, so that the next version of the blog will be even better. Just enter your comments in the space below.
This video posted in Rinpoche’s blog, was definitely one of the reasons why I have given up eating meat during 2013-2014. I thank Jetsunma for this.
Another mind blowing one was the Earthlings https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/earthlings.html
and of course the continuity of Rinpoche posting all these and vehemently opposing eating meat in between. For that, I’m grateful Rinpoche and His blog.
Nowadays we can access to variety of food, we have plenty of delicious choices to sustain our health. Knowing that animals suffered greatly even way before they arrive to the slaughter house, we should think again is it necessary to cause so much pain and kill them just to satisfy our taste bud.
Animals are living being, they can love and feel the pain like we human do. They deserve our love and care. When comes to food, we can be healthy and have compassion meal. Just as Ven Tenzin Palmo Jetsunma said, animals are friends, we don’t consume our friends.
Thank you for sharing this video of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on vegetarianism. What she has said is very logical and makes a lot of sense. To her, it is very simple, she sees animals as one of us and she sees them as her friends that is why she doesn’t eat them.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo said another reason she doesn’t eat meat because no one wants to be slaughtered and be eaten, including animals. This is so true! Animals are not born with the life goal to be killed and eaten so what gives us the right to do that to them? Besides, the fear the animals have to go through before getting slaughtered is horrible, it is really unnecessary to inflict this type of suffering to the animals just to satisfy our tastebuds.
Eating eat is actually eating a dead body if we think deeper. Since we have a choice, why choose to eat meat? The biggest animals in the world, the elephants are vegetarian, if elephants can survive on a vegetarian diet, why can’t we? Let’s be kind and stop eating meat.
I agree that we should never eat animals. We have many options to eat healthy and vegetarian. On top it is very bad for our bodies to eat meat. We should remember that animals need to be slaughtered before we have the meat in our supermarkets. The conditions are very disturbing how the animals are killed and the horror that animals have to suffer is unimaginable.
Please remember this when you choose your next meal and go vegetarian and if possible vegan so that more lives get saved and we can stop the killing and educate people to stop this animal cruelty.
Animals are not things, they are sentient beings and feel pain just as we do.
Wonderful clear explanation by Ven Tenzin Palmo on adopting a vegetarian diet. Tenzin Palmo’s beautiful words ( Animals are my friends and “I don’t eat my friends” )To go on a vegetarian diet can be a fantastic entry into experiencing better health which has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular risk factors and other health related disease as well.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this video.
I remember first coming across the quote “Animals are my friends…and I don’t eat my friends” from reading about the life of George Bernard Shaw. At that time, it was a rather interesting concept which I readily agreed but on hindsight failed to really appreciate the depth of such quote. It was easy for me then to consider myself as not cruel to animals simply because (i) I had generally observed a meatless diet; and (ii) any occasional meat I consumed was limited to the acceptable poultry and not animals deemed as exotic (eg shark fin, foie gras etc) or as pets (eg dogs, rabbit etc).
Deeper perspectives as pointed Tenzin Palmo such as the failure to really comprehend that a life is a life regardless of current form; the failure to practice compassion when one is ignorant and indifferent to the pain, harm and suffering caused (with the continued support of meat consumption) etc were things I had not addressed my mind to then.
It was after coming across Rinpoche’s teachings which spelt out the uncomfortable truths especially on the hypocrisy behind professing to be kind or compassionate yet continuing to entertain a meaningless and harmful habit of eating meat that prompted me to stop. And I remain forever grateful for that.
Thank you for this sharing which was a good refresher for me.
What Tenzin Palmo says here resonates with everyone who has gone vegetarian for reasons of compassion.Tenzin Palmo’s words “I don’t eat my friends”, show how she and many who are vegetarians view animals as fellow sentient beings, who have feelings like humans, and who clearly feel pain and physical suffering in the same way that humans do. Hence how can we eat the product of the terror and trauma that accompany the killing of every one of the animals that becomes the food on the dinner platter? Furthermore, Tibetan Buddhism teaches that all sentient beings have been our mothers. How can we eat our mothers?
The story of the monk accepting and eating the finger of the leper that had fallen into the food he had offered the monk, illustrates very graphically and clearly how firm and entrenched was Lord Buddha’s ruling of not discriminating against whatever type of food was given to the monks. Hence the issue of the monks in Buddha’s time eating meat has everything to do with this ruling , as the circumstances were such that it was the only option. Today, circumstances have vastly changed. There are sufficient vegetarian options – fruits, vegetables,grains and other vegetarian options in most places.In India and Nepal, where the Tibetans are living in exile, lentil is in ample supply.
Hence, in a situation, where you are very much in charge of what you eat, then there is no question about not going vegetarian. If you still subscribe to the meat-eating culture, it is a conscious choice. Your eating meat is encouraging the killing of animals for the meat industry. As long as there is sustained meat consumption and demand, then the meat-producing industry, with its endless horrendous slaughtering of animals, will continue to thrive.
Fortunately, there is growing popularity to adopt veganism as a lifestyle for health reasons.
Great interview. Ven Tenzin Palmo was very clear on why we should avoid eating meat. It is not in line with compassion and Bodhicitta as meat was a living being before it became meat. It had no wish to suffer, feel pain, terror and die. Nowadays, food supply is abundant so we no longer have excuse to eat meat.
Further, the pain and terror experienced at point of slaughter would have generated a lot of negative energy which may leave its residue in the meat and cause negative energies in us too if we consume it.
Buddha in his time was not specifically vegetarian in the sense that if meat was given in his alms bowl on his begging rounds, he will eat whatever that was put into his bowl so as not to practice discrimination.
I found the example given was gross but relevant. It’s about a leper offering food to a monk but unfortunately one of his fingers fell into the bowl. The monk ate it anyway. Karmically, the monk is pure.
Also, from a Buddhist perspective, if we believe in reincarnation, then as taught by the Buddha, everyone has been our mothers before. So, how can we eat our mothers? That was kind of powerful. And, of course, from another point of view is that Ven Tenzin Palmo regarded animals as her friends and so why would she eat them?
Are there any significance in the act of highly attained Lamas eating meat? Are there any unrevealed spiritual reasons behind it? Is it a liberation of sort for the animal whose meat end up in the stomach of an enlightened Lama rather than being on the plate of someone else?
I like the way how she explains that in Tibetan Buddhism every being was once our parents. It is a very weak explanation on how people would kill for meat because they feel weak. I do not believe that by not having meat you will feel weak and not well. All these are all psychological effects through our thoughts.
I love Tenzin Palmo and what she said… “Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends. I don’t particularly like someone to kill and eat me, I don’t think anyone wants to be slaughtered and killed and eaten!”
I think most the society in general have a disassociation with the reality that animals are a living sentient being just like us who can feel pain, suffering, kindness and compassion. Most of us even if we are so called animal lovers, we love animals because our sentimental values, not because we look at them as a friend or another living sentient being. Hence this is why the huge un-addressed hypocrisy of loving animals (as pets) and eating animals (none pets) is perfectly normal in our concept some how.
But the reality is not so and we need to start looking deeper and wider because there is consequences from such an action. This is probably why we hear more and more cases of cancer patients more than before, say 10 years ago. When I was working in an organic shop before, I was amazed how many people were cancer patients or recovered patients and they totally change their lifestyle of meat diet completely due to their illness. The thing is isn;t is so much better to change now then wait for it to happen because it may be too late? I guess if you don’t care about animals and their feelings, how about at least caring for your life the right way?
Very good video, thank you.
It would be nice to be completely non-harming.
Becoming vegetarian seems to be becoming more widespread and the standard in the world of Tibetan Buddhism.
I remember HH Karmapa a few years ago issuing a new policy of vegetarianism in all of his monasteries.
Here is an extract from one of his websites:
“At January 3, 2007, he made a strong statement against eating meat within his monasteries and centers. With immediate effect:
No meat is to be prepared in the kitchen of any Kagyu Monastery or Centre.
No one is to be involved in the business of buying and selling meat – for all of his students this practice must stop.
There is to be no killing of animals on Kagyu premises.
Karmapa is aware of monks in robes going to buy meat and does not want to see this ever again.”
I also remember that on a retreat with Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Choling Rinpoche, all of the food was vegetarian.
Chadral Rinpoche is a famous vegetarian.
HH Gyalwang Drukpa is, also.
According to this website, http://www.moonpointer.com/bvf.php , these are the Global Slaughter Statistics for 2003:
45,895,000,000 (45.9 billion) chickens
2,262,000,000 (2.3 billion) ducks
1,244,000,000 (1.2 billion) pigs
857,000,000 (857 million) rabbits
691,000,000 (691 million) turkeys
533,000,000 (533 million) geese
515,000,000 (515 million) sheep
345,000,000 (345 million) goats
292,000,000 (292 million) cows and calves (for beef and veal)
65,000,000 (65 million) other rodents (not including rabbits)
63,000,000 (63 million) pigeons and other birds
23,000,000 (23 million) buffaloes
4,000,000 (4 million) horses
3,000,000 (3 million) donkeys and mules
2,000,000 (2 million) camels (and other camelids)
TOTAL: 52,794,000,000
United States: 9,116,248,000
The numbers only include land animals slaughtered for food for which records were taken. They do not include the billions of marine animal killed each year. They do not include the millions of animals killed in laboratories, fur farms, animal shelters, zoos, marine parks, or circuses. Nor do they include the animals killed by human negligence, blood sports, abuse, or extermination attempts.
From the same website:
“Quote by The Great Dzogchen Yogi, Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche:
‘Meat, the sinful food, is not permitted according to the three vows: the vows of individual liberation, the Bodhisattva vows and the tantric vows.
‘Thus Buddha stated: “I have never approved, do not approve, and will never approve of a meat diet.”
‘He declared: “My followers must never eat meat.” ‘
share with all of you a very good book online on vegetarianism with many quotations and logic reasoning… very convincing and touching…
http://www.gampopacenter.com/teachings/lamp-of-reasoning/index.html
I posted this on youtube & embedded it on my blog to create awareness. Youtube banned the video with a COMMUNITY GUIDELINES WARNING saying it is too graphic and shocking and breaks their rules. If I get three warnings they block all my videos. I appealed saying, I didn’t post to shock or be gory BUT TO CREATE AWARENESS……. THEY REJECTED THE APPEAL.
I couldn’t believe how they do not want to help such a good cause and help create awareness of this horrible dog meat trade. I appeal to everyone to please have this video tweeted and facebooked everywhere to create awareness. I was very sad to see what is happening to the dogs and VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOUTUBE. Please help the dogs I beg you.
Tsem Tulku
link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4p1tk_dogs-china-raw-5_animals
This will make you smile sangs pa la.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfbchq0xQmQ&feature=player_embedded.
ciao und besso
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for posting this heartwarming interview of Venerable Tenzin Palmo.
I have been watching this video on this my last night in Spain and now know that I shouldn’t ever be apologetic or shy about being vegetarian, as i have tended to be a few times here in Spain,as family members had to search for places which offered vegetarian food.It was worth all their effort as Tenzin Palmo has so beautifully put it.
Ven Tenzin Palmo from the Drukpa tradition has been a vegetarian for 40 years. She has given clear answers and explanations during the short interview with Andre Kalden. There are two types of Tibetans of which the older generation who lives in Tibet cannot go on vegetarian because of circumstances and environment. Tibet is a very cold country. And you cannot grow any vegetable on the land. So they have only to depend on yak meat and milk. The other type of tibetans that are brought up in India are much easier for them to go vegetarian. As lots of vegetables are grown in India like lentils and dhal which are very good supplement for meat. Tibetan buddhism teaches us to practice compassion and bodhicitta. Then how can we eat another sentient being who has been our friends or our mothers in past lives. She said one of the first Tibetans to become vegetarians are the nuns and monks in the large monasteries in South India.
Absolutely love this interview! She hits the nail on the head. Perfectly articulate with very valid points and all said in a very calm and matter of factly manner. I agree that the issue of being vegetarian is not one of not eating meat for the sake of not eating meat. One has to understand that in this day and age we do have a choice and have no excuse… in that we do not need to go out and hunt for our next meal. Times have changed and I reckon so must our mindset.
This is especially so as a Buddhist because it really contradicts the essence of what we belief in. As Venerable Tenzin Palmo so aptly puts it in the end of the video: “it doesnt seem to fit in with the whole idea of compassion and Boddhicitta… does it?”
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this video. I will post this in my facebook for sure!
Much love… Andrew
The venerable Jetsunma has been known to be open and frank – true enough, we have to be honest with ourselves to progress, especially if we say that we are Dharma practitioners.
i like the way she said they were “hypocritical”… hee hee …
very honest and with integrity. incredible nun!!!