Tibetan Painted Scrolls & The Land of Shambhala

By | Jan 31, 2020 | Views: 2,429
Tibetan painted scrolls, also known as thangkas are synonymous with Tibetan culture and religion.

Tibetan painted scrolls, also known as thangkas, are synonymous with Tibetan culture and religion. These thangkas, depicting images of various Buddhist deities and their celestial abodes are actually considered to be sacred objects worthy of veneration.

Spiritual art from Asia has long since fascinated the minds of Westerners, explorers and observers of Oriental culture. But as time progresses, many are coming to realise that art within Asian traditions is about much more than just aesthetic beauty, and is just as much about spirituality in many cases.

An example of such spiritual art are thangkas, otherwise known as ‘Tibetan painted scrolls’. As Tibetan Buddhism becomes more popular around the world today, so too is the art and meaning behind thangkas being appreciated more and more. These days, they are not only found in the homes of Tibet enthusiasts and Buddhist practitioners as part of their objects of veneration, but they can also be found in exhibitions and museums.

These thangkas, depicting images of various Buddhist deities and their celestial abodes are actually considered to be sacred objects worthy of veneration. In fact, they are known to bestow great blessings to their surroundings and the various sentient beings that inhabit these spaces.

For spiritual practitioners, thangkas are important, especially to those nomads who find statues too cumbersome and bulky to travel with constantly. In fact, when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet for India in 1959, he carried a holy Dorje Shugden thangka on his back, since the need to travel in secret and stealthily required his entire party to travel light.

 

Giuseppe Tucci

Giuseppe Tucci

Giuseppe Tucci

A man who appreciated thangkas before most and was a pioneer in his field, was Giuseppe Tucci (June 5, 1894 – April 5, 1984). Tucci was an exceptional scholar of East Asian studies and had an incredible aptitude to learn languages. Born to a middle-class family in Macerata, Italy, he taught himself Sanskrit, Chinese and Hebrew before going to university at the age of 18. It was around this time that he started his prolific career as a writer, publishing a collection of Latin inscriptions in the prestigious Zeitschrift des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts.

Graduating from the University of Rome in 1919, he went on to study at Visva-Bharati University in India, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate. While there, he taught Italian and Chinese and learnt more about Buddhism. He also studied the Tibetan and Bengali languages there.

Notably, he also studied and taught at three more universities in the Indian subcontinent – Dhaka University, Calcutta University and the University of Benares. He returned to Italy in 1931, where he became known as the foremost scholar of Eastern Studies in Europe at the time. In November 1936, he visited Japan, where he toured to give lectures on Tibet.

Giuseppe Tucci reorganizing the scattered pages of several manuscripts at his camp, Miang, Ngari, Tibet. Eugenio Ghersi,1933; Neg. dep. 6037/28. Courtesy of Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (Is.I.A.O.) in l.c.a. and Ministero Degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale.

Giuseppe Tucci reorganising the scattered pages of several manuscripts at his camp, Miang, Ngari, Tibet. Eugenio Ghersi,1933; Neg. dep. 6037/28. Courtesy of Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (Is.I.A.O.) in l.c.a. and Ministero Degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale.

It was around this time that he was criticised for his involvement with Benito Mussolini, the fascist Italian dictator. In fact, Tucci acted as Mussolini’s representative in Japan during his time there and even gave a radio broadcast on behalf of the Italian leader. Nevertheless, if you take his works into consideration, we find that his real involvement with Mussolini was more about his criticism of industrialisation and the search for an authentic connection with nature and the divine, which he believed was to be found in Asia.

“For Tucci, Tibet was an ecological paradise and timeless utopia into which industrialized Europe figuratively could escape and find peace, a cure for western ills, and from which Europe could find its own pristine past to which to return.”

(Source: Donald S. Lopez, in Mullen, E. (2001). The American occupation of Tibetan Buddhism: Tibetans and their American hosts in New York City)

Tucci’s contribution to the study of Asian art, culture, religion and language cannot be underestimated. He even organised archaeological digs in the Swat Valley of Pakistan, Ghazni in Afghanistan, Persepolis in Iran and at various sites in the Himalayan region. His career spans the writing of over 360 articles and books.

In 1978, the Government of India awarded him the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for his outstanding contribution towards the promotion of global understanding, goodwill and friendship between various peoples and nations. In 1979, he was again granted a prestigious award, this time the Balzan Prize, bestowed to only those who have made a significant contribution to the brotherhood of mankind through either the promotion of peace or achievements in the fields of humanities, natural sciences or culture.

Giuseppe Tucci and Tsarong, Tibetan Minister of Finance for Chushul, August 1948. Tucci was consulting Tsarong’s personal library. Lhasa, U, Tibet. Prodhan, 1948. Courtesy of Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (Is.I.A.O.) in l.c.a. and Ministero Degli Affari Esteri e della.

Giuseppe Tucci and Tsarong, Tibetan Minister of Finance for Chushul, August 1948. Tucci was consulting Tsarong’s personal library. Lhasa, U, Tibet. Prodhan, 1948. Courtesy of Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (Is.I.A.O.) in l.c.a. and Ministero Degli Affari Esteri e della.

 

Tibetan Painted Scrolls

By far one of Tucci’s most extensive works is Tibetan Painted Scrolls. First published in 1949, spanning three exquisite volumes, Tucci describes in detail the art of thangka painting and more importantly just why and how it is an important cultural treasure trove. But he describes it as more than that – it is a window into the sphere of the divine.

In his eyes, while most modern thangkas tend to depict the same exact deities, and are somewhat repetitive, the artistic value of thangkas lies in the use of colours and shading. This grants thangkas the “iridescent life of a rainbow.”

In addition to that, thangkas are a depiction of what the Tibetan people have learnt from other ancient societies like China, India and those of Central Asia, as well as what is purely Tibetan in origin. In this sense, thangkas also provide a glimpse into Tibet’s “religious life and history”. It is for this reason that Tucci gives a short history of Tibetan culture and religion in general. Then he goes on to give a brief account of the most important of Tibet’s monuments, which is used as a chronological reference to determine the dates of important thangkas he describes in his work. Tucci then delves into his extensive explanations on a large array of beautiful and historic thangkas.

To download the entire text, click on the links below:

  1. Tibetan Painted Scrolls – Vol 1
  2. Tibetan Painted Scrolls – Vol 2
  3. Tibetan Painted Scrolls – Vol 3

 

Tibetan Painted Scrolls – Thangka No. 178

Reproduced below is an excerpt from Tibetan Painted Scrolls. In it, Tucci expertly describes a thangka depiction of Shambhala, the mythical kingdom associated with the Kalachakra Tantra and its divine kings. You can read more about this subject below.

Excerpt form Tibetan Painted Scrolls. Here Tucci describes a thangka of Shambala. Click to enlarge.

Excerpt from Tibetan Painted Scrolls. Here Tucci describes a thangka of Shambala.

Excerpt form Tibetan Painted Scrolls. Here Tucci describes a thangka of Shambala. Click to enlarge.

Excerpt from Tibetan Painted Scrolls. Here Tucci describes a thangka of Shambala.

Excerpt form Tibetan Painted Scrolls. The thangka of Shambala as described by Tucci. Click to enlarge.

Excerpt from Tibetan Painted Scrolls. The thangka of Shambala as described by Tucci.

 

The Legend of Shambhala

Shambhala002

The name Shambhala in Sanskrit means ‘a place of peace/tranquillity/happiness’ or ‘place of silence’. It is considered a pure land within the Human Realm. Pure lands are places where one’s physical needs are easy and worry-free, and because of that one can concentrate on spiritual practice to achieve higher states of consciousness. In essence, pure lands provide practitioners with the most effective circumstances to progress on their spiritual path. Whereas most pure lands exist in higher realms of existence such as the God Realm, Shambhala is unique. It exists in our very own Human Realm. The existence of this specific mystical paradise is mentioned extensively in the Kalachakra Tantra.

There are many places within our Human Realm where, according to Tantric scriptures, energies from different dimensions or levels of consciousness converge. These are extremely sacred and mystical sites, and our experiences when we visit these sites vary according to our spiritual maturity. For example, the Heruka Chakrasamvara Tantras speak of 24 such locations in India and in each of these locations, the entire mandala of Heruka Chakrasamvara is present. Those who practise Tantra in these locations are said to excel in their practice due to the enlightened energies there, which facilitate internal energetic processes better than in other physical locations. Shambhala is another location where there are perfect conditions for us to practise, especially the Tantric practice of Kalachakra. But unlike the 24 sacred sites associated with Heruka Chakrasamvara in India, Shambhala exists as its own kingdom separated from the worldly affairs of other countries and kingdoms.

According to the Kalachakra Tantra scriptures, the first king of Shambhala, King Suchandra, requested Buddha Shakyamuni to bestow upon him a practice that would not require the renunciation of his secular responsibilities to govern over his kingdom and people. Upon receiving this request, Lord Buddha bestowed the complete initiation into the Kalachakra practice to the king, and also expounded the Kalachakra Root Tantra to the monarch and his entourage of 96 minor kings and officials at the site of Dhanyakataka, located in the present-day Andhra Pradesh in south-eastern India.

In the Paramadibuddha, the Kalachakra Root Tantra, it is mentioned:

“Then Vajrapani’s emanation, King Suchandra from famous Shambhala, miraculously entered into the splendid sphere of phenomena. First, he circumambulated to the right, then he worshipped the teacher’s lotus feet with flowers made of jewels. Placing his hands together, Suchandra sat before the perfect Buddha. Suchandra requested the Buddha for the tantra, redacted it, and taught it too.”

(Source: dalailama.com)

It is said that at the time Buddha Shakyamuni bestowed the Kalachakra practice, he held another teaching session simultaneously on the Prajnaparamita Sutra at Griddhraj Parvat (Vulture’s Peak), in what is the present-day Bihar state, India.

King Suchandra, the first Dharma king of the mystical kingdom of Shambhala

King Suchandra, the first Dharma king of the mystical kingdom of Shambhala

The king and his entourage returned to Shambhala, and King Suchandra practised the Kalachakra Tantra diligently and gained many spiritual attainments. Then, he spread the Kalachakra teachings amongst his subjects and to the next king. Since then, all the subsequent kings of Shambhala became the lineage holders of the Kalachakra Tantra, and Shambhala produced many powerful Kalachakra practitioners. Two of the Shambhala’s kings, Manjushri Yashas and Pundarika, composed a condensed form of the Kalachakra Tantra called the Shri Kalachakra Laghutantra, and its commentary, the Vimalaprabha, both of which have become the heart of contemporary Kalachakra practice today.

The existence of Shambhala is also mentioned in the old scriptures from Zhang Zhung, an ancient pre-Buddhist kingdom in Western or North-Western Tibet. The Vishnu Purana, a Hindu scripture, also refers to Shambhala as the future birthplace of the final incarnation of the god Vishnu, who will welcome a new Golden Age to the world.

According to legend, Shambhala is a place where wisdom and love reign, and there is no crime. The kingdom of Shambhala is said to be in the form of an eight-petaled lotus, and the king of Shambhala rules from the city of Kalapa at the centre of this lotus. The residents of Shambhala have pure hearts, and they are immune to suffering and ageing. They are healthy and live for hundreds of years, and the food that they need for sustenance grows easily. The people of Shambhala consist of several well-defined classes: the farmers, the scholars, and the nobles, who all live harmoniously together.

In our world, the Panchen Lama’s line of incarnations are considered to be the emanations of one of the kings of Shambhala, King Manjushri Yashas, and they are some of the greatest holders of the Kalachakra Tantra. Until today, there is a custom in Tibet for His Holiness the Panchen Lama to give public Kalachakra initiations. Though Tantra is usually practised in private, the Panchen Lama incarnations bestow the initiation to huge crowds, and it is considered a very rare and special blessing to receive the initiation from the Panchen Lama. The Kalachakra Tantra is also practised strongly at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the official seat of the Panchen Lama in Shigatse, Tibet.

 

The Kings of Shambhala

There are 32 known kings of Shambhala (past, present, and future), comprising seven Dharmarajas (‘Dharma King’) and 25 Kalki Kings. The first known ruler was Suchandra, who received the Kalachakra Tantra teaching directly from Buddha Shakyamuni, and spread the Tantric practice to the next king and to the citizens of Shambhala.

Click on image to enlarge

King Manjushri Yashas

There were two other notable kings, Manjushri Yashas and Pundarika. Manjushri Yashas wrote a condensed form of the Kalachakra Tantra titled Shri Kalachakra Laghutantra. He was also known for converting a group of non-Buddhist priests in Shambhala and initiating them into Kalachakra practice. Manjushri Yashas also predicted the arrival of “Barbarian Dharma” 800 years later (about 600 CE). The prophecy came true with the arrival of non-Buddhist invaders in South Asia around 636-643 CE. In his introduction to the German version of The Journey to Śambhala which was written by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Lama Lobsang Palden Yeshe, Albert Grunwedel, a German Tibetologist, wrote that:

“…the Panchen had a duty to gather together the material about a wonderland, in which he himself should have been the king in his previous existences, because he was once the celebrated [Manjushri] Yasas or Manjughosa(kirti)”

(Source: Grunwedel, A. (2010). The Journey to Śambhala. Munich: Bavarian Academy of Sciences, pg 4)

Manjushri Yashas is said to have abdicated and passed the throne to his son, Pundarika. Not long after his abdication, Manjushri Yashas entered clear light and achieved the state of Buddhahood. Pundarika was known for writing the commentary to the Shri Kalachakra titled the Vimalaprabha (Stainless Light). Both the Shri Kalachakra and Vimalapraba are the source texts for Kalachakra Tantra that are still in use today.

The complete list of Shambhala kings are as follows:

 

The Seven Dharmarajas

  1. Suchandra – a manifestation of Vajrapani
  2. Devendra, Fond of Sentient Beings – a manifestation of Ksitigarbha
  3. Tejasvin, Bearer of the Dharma Wheel and the Auspicious Conch – a manifestation of Yamantaka
  4. Somadatta, Lord of Speakers – a manifestation of Sarvanivarnaviskambhin
  5. Deveśvara/Sureśvara, Destroyer of the City of Delusion – a manifestation of Jambhaka
  6. Viśvamūrti, Conqueror of False Leaders, Holding a Lotus – a manifestation of Manaka
  7. Sureśana, Cutter of Delusion, Uprooter of Karma and Klesha – a manifestation of Khagarbha

 

The Twenty-Five Kalki Kings

  1. Manjushri Yashas – a manifestation of Manjushri
  2. Pundarika, White Lotus, Cherished by the Lord of Potala – a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara
  3. Bhadra, One Who Rules by the Thousand-spoked Wheel – a manifestation of Yamantaka
  4. Vijaya, Attractor of Wealth, Victorious in War – a manifestation Kshitigarbha
  5. Sumitra, Integrator of Method and Wisdom, Victorious over Samsara – a manifestation of Jambhaka
  6. Raktapani, Holder of the Blissful Vajra and Bell – a manifestation of Sarvanivarnaviskambhin
  7. Vishnugupta, Smiling Holder of the Trident and Rosary – a manifestation of Manaka
  8. Suryakirti, Annihilator of Wild Demons – a manifestation of Khagarbha
  9. Subhadra, Holder of the Sword and Shield – a manifestation of Vighnantaka
  10. Samudra Vijaya, Annihilator of All Types of Devils – a manifestation of Vajrapani
  11. Aja, Who Binds with Unbreakable Iron Chains – a manifestation of Yamantaka
  12. Surya/Suryapada, All-Pervading, Radiant Jewel Light – a manifestation Kshitigarbha
  13. Vishvarupa, Holder of the Vajra Prod and Noose – a manifestation of Jambhaka
  14. Shashiprabha, Lord of Secret Mantras, Holder of the Wheel and Conch – a manifestation of Sarvanivarnaviskambhin
  15. Ananta/Thayä, Holder of the Mallet that Crushes False Ideas – a manifestation of Manaka
  16. Shripaala/Parthiva, Holder of the Cleaver that Cuts the Bonds of Ignorance – a manifestation of Khagarbha
  17. Shripala, Annihilator of the Host of Demons – a manifestation of Vighnantaka
  18. Singha, Who Stuns the Elephant with His Vajra – a manifestation of Vajrapani
  19. Vikranta, Subduer of the Mass of Foes, the Inner and Outer Classes of Devils – a manifestation of Yamantaka
  20. Mahabala, Tamer of All False Leaders by Means of the Sound of Mantra – a manifestation of Kshitigarbha
  21. Aniruddha (the current king), Who Draws and Binds the Entire Three Worlds – a manifestation of Jambhaka
  22. Narasingha, Ruling by the Wheel, Holding the Conch – a manifestation of Sarvanivarnaviskambhin
  23. Maheshvara, Victorious over the Armies of Demons – a manifestation of Khagarbha
  24. Anantavijaya, Holder of the Vajra and Bell – a manifestation of Vajrapani
  25. Raudra Chakrin, Forceful Wheel Holder – a manifestation of Manjushri

Raudra Chakrin is believed to be the future and final king of Shambhala. According to a prediction within the Kalachakra Tantra, Raudra Chakrin will defeat the degenerated rulers of the future and usher in the last Golden Age. Following that Golden Age, the Dharma will degenerate and completely disappear from the world. After hundreds of thousands of years without the Dharma, the next Buddha of our time, Maitreya, will take birth once again to turn the wheel of Dharma.

 

The Prophecy of Shambhala

Shambhala007

The Kalachakra Tantra predicts that the world we live in will degenerate into war and greed as materialism and self-indulgence spread, and those who follow the ideology of materialism will be known as barbarians (mleccha). In the future, when the barbarians and the evil kings who rule them, believe that there is nothing else for them to conquer, the mist that keeps Shambhala hidden will disappear, and the physical location of this paradise will become known to the barbarians.

An 18th Century thangka of the last Kalki King of Shambhala, Raudra Chakrin

An 18th Century thangka of the last Kalki King of Shambhala, Raudra Chakrin

The barbarians and their kings will attempt to invade Shambhala with their huge armies and their dreadful and powerful weapons. In response to this attack, the 25th Kalki King of Shambhala, Raudra Chakrin, will lead a vast army to eliminate the dark forces and usher in a Golden Age to our world.

According to Alexander Berzin, this event will occur in 2424 CE. However, some theologians interpret this war to only be a symbolic one, because the Buddha’s teachings do not support violence. The battle represents the inner conflict as the practitioners fight against their negative tendencies, such as greed, anger, and selfishness. This is consistent with the explanation given by Khedrub Je, one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s students:

“[The] ‘holy war’ symbolically, teaching that it mainly refers to the inner battle of the religious practitioner against barbarian tendencies.”

(Source: en.wikipedia.org)

The force of karma is what controls sentient beings who are driven by selfish instincts, customs, and habits created by not understanding the nature of reality. Therefore, these beings hurt and fight each other and create karma. This karma develops into habits and tendencies to continue the cycle, which creates new forces of karma.

Hence some theologians believe the battle described in the Kalachakra prophecy is an inner one, and the invaders are the winds of delusions and afflictive emotions caused by karma running wild within our body. Practitioners of Tantra bring these psychic winds together and dissolve them in the heart chakra. When practitioners succeed in achieving this, they will then see the subtlest level of the mind, the clear light mind. This clear light mind is the deepest and most ultimate meaning of Inner Shambhala, the land of peace.

Therefore, from this prophecy, it can be said that in the future, King Raudra Chakrin will lead sentient beings in a fight against their negative tendencies which create so much suffering, and usher in a Golden Age, rather than doing battle against an actual outer enemy.

 

Introduction to the Kalachakra Tantra

The Kalachakra is one of the most advanced Tantric practices that was brought from India to Tibet. Kalachakra means the “cycles of time”. The Tantra explains both universal and spiritual progress through the use of three cycles:

  • External cycle
  • Internal cycle
  • Alternative (spiritual) cycle
A Kalachakra sand mandala

A Kalachakra sand mandala

These three cycles are included in the five chapters of the Kalachakra Tantra. The first and second chapters are known as Ground Kalachakra.

  • Chapter 1 contains information about the outer or physical Kalachakra or cycle. This includes information about the Kalachakra calendar system, the working of elements, our solar systems, and the death of the universe.
  • Chapter 2 contains information about the inner Kalachakra, and the functions and classifications of the human body and its experiences. The human body consists of several components such as the winds, channels, and drops, while the human experience is described as waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the energy of sexual orgasm.

The third to fifth chapters are known as the Path and Fruition.

  • Chapter 3 contains information about the preparation for meditational practice, which is the Kalachakra initiation.
  • Chapter 4 explains the actual meditation practice on the mandala, the deities in the generation stage practices, and the completion or the perfection stage of the Kalachakra’s Six Yogas.
  • Chapter 5 describes the fruit of the practice, the state of enlightenment.

 

How the Kalachakra Tantra Went From India to Tibet

The Kalachakra deities as the main figures

The Kalachakra deity

The Kalachakra Tantra reached India through the efforts of a great saint named Kalachakrapada the Elder. It is said that one day Manjushri, who was Kalachakrapada’s yidam (meditational deity), appeared to him and entreated him to travel to the north of India. There, he encountered the Kalki King Aja who is considered to be an emanation of Yamantaka. King Aja bestowed upon him the complete initiation and commentary of the Kalachakra practice. Therefore, Kalachakrapada became the first in the line of Indian masters who propagated the practice.

After he returned to India, Kalachakrapada defeated the abbot of Nalanda Monastery, Naropa, in a debate and initiated him into the practice of Kalachakra. Naropa then legitimised the practice of Kalachakra in Nalanda and initiated great masters, such as Atisha, into the practice as well.

There are two main lineages of the Kalachakra Tantra that came to Tibet: The Ra and the Dro lineages. The Ra lineage descended from Samantashri, a Kashmiri master, and Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drak, a Tibetan translator. Prominent Sakya masters such as Drogon Chogyal Phagpa (1235-1280), Sakya Pandita (1182-1251), Buton Rinchen Drup (1290-1364), and Dolpopa Sherab Gyeltsen (1292-1361) practised the Ra lineages.

The Dro lineage descended from Somanatha, another Kashmiri scholar who travelled to Tibet, and translator Dro Lotsawa Sherab Drak. The Dro lineage was widely practised within the Jonang School. A famous Jonang scholar, Taranatha, wrote a commentary on the Dro lineage of Kalachakra. Both Buton Rinchen Drub and Dolpopa Sherab Gyeltsen were holders of Kalachakra Tantra from both the Ra and Dro lineages.

The Kalachakra Tantra came to the Gelug school through Lama Tsongkhapa. It is said that Lama Tsongkhapa had a pure vision of Kalachakra and auspicious signs while examining this Tantra. The deity put his primary hands on Lama Tsongkhapa’s head and declared,

“Concerning the Kalachakra Tantra, you have appeared like King Suchandra himself.”

One of Lama Tsongkhapa’s main disciples, Khedrup Je, who would later be recognised as the 1st Panchen Lama, wrote a commentary on the Kalachakra Tantra. Today, the Kalachakra Tantra is practised by all Tibetan Buddhist schools, and prominently featured within the Gelug lineage.

 

Iconography of Shri Kalachakra

The following are the main features of Shri Kalachakra’s iconography:

  • His body is blue in colour.
  • He has four faces. The main face is blue-black, with a fierce expression and bared teeth. The face on the right is red in colour with a desirous expression. The face on the left is white with a peaceful expression. Finally, the face on the back is yellow in colour and in Samadhi. Each of the faces has three eyes.
  • His hair is tied and adorned with Vajrasattva, Vishvavajra, and a crescent moon as a crown.
  • Kalachakra wears vajra earrings, necklaces, bracelets, a vajra jewel, anklets, belt, mala, and a loose tiger skin skirt.
  • He has six pairs of shoulders. The first and second pairs on the left and right are blue. The third and fourth pairs are red, and the fifth and sixth are white.
  • Of his 12 upper arms, the first four arms (left and right) are black in colour, the second four arms are red, and the third four arms are white.
  • On his 24 hands, all the little fingers are green, the ring fingers are black, the middle fingers are red, the index fingers are white, and the thumbs are yellow. All the fingers are radiant and beautiful.
  • In his 12 right hands, the first four black hands hold a vajra, sword, trident, and a curved knife. The four red hands hold a flaming arrow, vajra hook, a rattling damaru, and a hammer, while the four white hands hold a wheel, a spear, a stick, and a battle axe.
  • In his 12 left hands, the first four black hands hold a vajra bell, shield, katvanga, and a blood-filled skull-cup. The four red hands hold a bow, vajra, lasso, jewel, and a white lotus, while the four white hands hold a conch, a mirror, a vajra chain and the four-faced head of Brahma adorned with a lotus.
  • The right leg is extended and red in colour. It steps on a being named Kamadeva who has four hands and one face. Kamadeva’s four hands hold five flowers, a bow, a lasso, and a hook.
  • The left leg is white, and steps on a being named Rudra, who has a white face, four arms, and three eyes. The four arms hold a trident, damaru, a skull-cup, and a katvanga.
  • Holding the soles of Kalachakra’s feet are two demons, Uma and Rati, who lie in a woeful position.

The following are the main features of Vishvamata’s (Shri Kalachakra’s consort) iconography:

  • Her body is yellow in colour.
  • Her four faces, from right to left, are the colours yellow, white, blue, and red. Each face has three eyes.
  • Her four right hands hold a curved knife, a hook, a rattling damaru, and a bead mala.
  • In her four left hands are a skull-cup, a lasso, an-eight-petal lotus, and a jewel.
  • Her crown holds an image of Vajrasattva.
  • Her left leg is extended.

Shri Kalachakra and Vishvamata reside in the centre of the Kalachakra mandala. The weapons and shield held by Shri Kalachakra represent triumph over Mara, and his ability to protect sentient beings. Robert Beer, researcher of Tibetan Buddhism symbolism, explained that with regards to the weapons held by the deities:

“Many of these weapons and implements have their origins in the wrathful arena of the battlefield and the funereal realm of the charnel grounds. As primal images of destruction, slaughter, sacrifice, and necromancy, these weapons were wrested from the hands of the evil and turned – as symbols – against the ultimate root of evil, the self-cherishing conceptual identity that gives rise to the five poisons of ignorance, desire, hatred, pride, and jealousy. In the hands of siddhas, dakinis, wrathful and semi-wrathful yidam deities, protective deities or dharmapalas, these implements became pure symbols, weapons of transformation, and an expression of the deities’ wrathful compassion which mercilessly destroys the manifold illusions of the inflated human ego.”

(Source: en.wikipedia.org)

 

Kalachakra Practice

His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama giving Kalachakra initiation to a mass audience

His Holiness the 11th Panchen Lama giving Kalachakra initiation to a mass audience

The Kalachakra Tantra is unique because of its tradition of being delivered to a mass audience. It is said that practising Kalachakra creates the cause for one to be born in Shambhala. The benefit of being reborn in Shambhala is so that one can continue spiritual practice without disturbances. The Kalachakra initiation enables practitioners to practice yoga as described in the Kalachakra Tantra with the aim of achieving the state of Shri Kalachakra.

 

Requirements and Motivation

Kalachakra Mandala

To be properly initiated in Kalachakra practice, the teacher and disciple should meet certain qualifications. According to His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen, the qualification of a teacher is as follows:

“He should have control over his body, speech, and mind. He should be very intelligent, patient, and without deceit. He should know the mantras and tantras, understand reality, and be competent in composing and explaining texts”

(Source: dalailama.com)

The student should have experienced, or at least have intellectual understanding and appreciation of the three principal aspects of the Mahayana path:

  • Renunciation of samsara
  • Bodhicitta
  • Understanding of emptiness

Out of the three, the most important is Bodhicitta, which should be the primary reason for one to be initiated. In the Abhisamayalankara text, Lord Maitreya defined Bodhichitta as “the desire for true, perfect enlightenment for the sake of others.” In the context of Kalachakra, practitioners should have the following motivation:

“For the sake of all sentient beings, I must achieve the state of Shri Kalachakra. Then I will be able to establish all other sentient beings in the state of Shri Kalachakra as well”

(Source: dalailama.com)

Overall, there are 11 initiations within Kalachakra practice. The first seven initiations are considered the first set and are about preparing for generation stage meditation in Kalachakra. The second set, the remaining four initiations, are to prepare for the completion stage meditations. Those who do not have any intention to practise Kalachakra are only given the first set of initiations.

 

For more interesting information:

 

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

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

Pastor Niral Patel
Follow Niral

About Pastor Niral Patel

Since becoming a Buddhist, Niral has had a voracious passion for the Dharma. He is known to have his head buried in books and loves to share what he knows. Niral has now found a better way to share his weird, whacky and, more often than not, other-worldly ideas with an unsuspecting audience - as a guest author on his Guruji's blog!
Pastor Niral Patel
Follow Niral

5 Responses to Tibetan Painted Scrolls & The Land of Shambhala

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

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

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

  1. Samfoonheei on Jun 12, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    Giuseppe Tucci was a scholar of oriental cultures, specializing in Tibet and the history of Buddhism. He is considered one of the founders of the academic field of Buddhist Studies. Tibetan painted scrolls, also known as thangkas came to Tibet from India. They
    are synonymous with Tibetan culture and religion.The tradition of thangka painting which is also known as scroll painting came to Tibet from India. It was largely influenced by the art form developed in Nepal. Tucci, highly literate in Sanskrit and Tibetan as well as fluent in many Himalayan languages, was the first western scholar to travel widely through the Tibet and India. Thangka served as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha. The scroll paintings are framed with colour stain ,an art form with unique features in Tibetan culture. Wow in one of the thangkas he even described the mythical kingdom related with the Kalachakra Tantra and its divine kings. What he did was truly amazing.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for this wonderful sharing explaining all about it.

  2. Jacinta Goh on Sep 21, 2021 at 9:06 pm

    At first, I appreciated Thangkas purely just as an art form. Later on, when I listened to Rinpoche’s teaching on Thangka, I was mesmerized by its importance and sacredness. Thanks for sharing this article about the Tibetan Scrolls, the land of Shambala, Kalachakra Tantra and lastly, the life and contribution of Mr. Giuseppe Tucci. Sometimes I do wonder whether those scholars mentioned in Rinpoche’s blog were Bodhisattvas? Hmmm….

    Thanks Rinpoche and Pastor Niral

  3. Moon Chan on Feb 3, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    The first time I saw a Thangka, I was attracted to it because of its colors. I found most of the time its a Buddhist deity, and I really like the one which is embroidered.

    I remember I have a friend was thinking to set up her altar but she always travel. So I could related when you talk about statues too cumbersome and bulky to travel. Now I can intro her to get a Thangka!And share her the stories of HH carried a holy Dorje Shugden thangka on his back fled Tibet for India in 1959.

    Another linguist I know from Rinpoche’s blog! Giuseppe Tucci, a middle-class Italian who taught himself Sanskrit, Chinese and Hebrew before the age of 18. His languages ability help him to dive more into Tibet world and dedicated most extensive works in Thangka, the Tibetan Painted Scrolls. Help us to learn more about Thangka, which is a window into the sphere of the divine. These beautiful art works also showing the journey of Tibetan people learnt from other ancient societies like China, India and those of Central Asia.
    There are a lot to discover in each of thangka, the thangka of Shambala stories sounds mystery to me. I like the concept of “Shambala”, it is pure lands that exists in Human Realm, very effective circumstances for practitioners to progress on spiritual path. Rinpoche always said Kechara is a effective circumstance for us to practice Dharma, I guess this is what Shambala represents too.

    So, Kalachakra Tantra described a lot about Shambala. The most ultimate meaning of Shambala is actually refer to go within ourselves and access our inner world. The inner Shambhala, the land of peace in our mind. The battle described is an inner one, in the future, the fight we face are negative tendencies, not an actual outer enemy.

  4. Hi on Feb 14, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    Thank you Pastor Niral for sharing this article. Thangka, a kind of Buddhist scroll painting, is created mainly for religious and ritual purposes. An Italian researcher, GiuseppeTucci specializing in Tibet and history of Buddhism, believed that Tibetan thangka evolved from ancient Indian religious painting after Buddhism was introduced in Tibet. Giuseppe Tucci completed eight expeditions in Tibet. Giuseppe Tucci is considered one of the founders of the field of Buddhist Studies. Giuseppe Tucci was fluent in ancient and modern languages of East and West, and is considered the father of Tibetan studies as well as Buddhist studies. He organized several pioneering archaeological digs throughout Asia. During the course of his life, he wrote over 360 books and articles. He collected more than 200 portable thangkas. And so, we also get many information about Kalachakra, Kalachakra tantra, The Prophecy of Shambhala and how the Kalachakra Tantra went from India to Tibet in this article. Beside that, i found that three principal aspects of the Mahayana path which is reunciation of samsara, bodhicitta and understanding of emptiness. Out of the three, the most important is Bodhicitta, so we have to always generate compassion, so therefore, we can achieve Bodhocitta once day. Please read this article, it have many information and benefits for you to learn about. Again, thank you for sharing.

  5. Samfoonheei on Jan 31, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk applique, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Looking at those beautiful thangka breathes new life into the human soul. Nowadays more people understand, appreciate beautiful thangkas and even have at least one in their homes. It play an important role in Buddhist rituals by which it helps individual to support during the process of visualization Well Buddhist thangka paintings are very impressive art indeed. Those thangkas, with images of various Buddhist deities are considered to be sacred objects and seeing it is a blessing.
    Giuseppe Tucci an Italian scholar was one truly admirer of these thangkas. He was well known for his contribution to the study of Asian art, culture, religion and language. He even wrote over 360 articles and books and received a numbers of rewards for his contributions in a number of various field promoting global understanding, goodwill and friendship between various peoples and nations such as Japan , India and Tibet to name a few. What he did was amazingly, in Tibetan Painted Scrolls with much details describing a thangka depiction of Shambhala, the mythical kingdom related with the Kalachakra Tantra and its divine kings. Interesting read .
    Thank you Pastor Niral for this wonderful sharing.

Leave a Reply

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

 

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

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

Blog Chat

BLOG CHAT

Dear blog friends,

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

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

Tsem Rinpoche


SCHEDULED CHAT SESSIONS / 聊天室时间表

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

UPCOMING TOPICS FOR NOVEMBER / 十一月份讨论主题

NOTICE:
Weekly Blog Chat discussion pause from November10th to December 8th, 2024.
Resume on December 15th (Sunday) 8 pm (GMT +8).

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


Blog Chat Etiquette

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

EXPAND
Be friendly

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

Be Patient

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

Be Relevant

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

Be polite

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

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

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

KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES

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

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

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

Noticeboard

Name: Email:
For:  
Mail will not be published
  • Samfoonheei
    Tuesday, Nov 26. 2024 03:00 PM
    Due to the Dorje Shugden controversy many practitioners are still oppressed due to their choice of religion. Yet there are complaisant, and obliging people too who barely understand the situation, poorly informed of the issue and behave in a way they knew what’s going on regarding the ban on Dorje Shugden. There are many good bits of wisdom and worthy words in this article. Well-intentioned people make mistakes, lots of them. Mistakes must be expected and being held accountable for. Oppression will still exist no matter how compassionate sharing with others. If we are willing to risk making mistakes we can still do something. We must constantly try to find out ways to use our privilege to push forward the voice of the oppressed. Do not allow ourselves to be immobilized by lack of knowledge.
    Thank you Rinpoche and Sarah for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/ten-counterproductive-behaviors-of-well-intentioned-people.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Tuesday, Nov 26. 2024 02:58 PM
    Inspiring read of Scott Neeson a most influential person in the movie industry,walked away from Hollywood to start a charity. Left everything he had built,been famous, wealthy and living a life of luxury for the sake of those children living in the slump in Cambodia. He decided to leave Hollywood behind and moved to Cambodia and founded Cambodian Children’s Fund . It was on a trip to Phnom Penh, Scott saw hundreds of children and their families living and working on the Steung Meanchey garbage dump, one of the most toxic environments. It was a moment that changed his life, helping thousands of vulnerable children and their families escape a world of forced labour, child trafficking and desperate poverty into safety and independence. From being a self-serving person, to an extremely giving person truly inspiring. Scott has been living in Phnom Penh where his journey still captivates, inspires and bewilders people from all over the world.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring post

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/from-hollywood-to-landfills.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Tuesday, Nov 26. 2024 02:56 PM
    Vairochana Shugden, pacifying form of Dorje Shugden is revered by many for his ability to purify one’s negative karma, pacify natural disasters and calamities. And is especially efficacious for overcoming illness and disease as well. Shize or Vairochana Shugden is the emanation of Dorje Shugden who embodies the enlightened activity of pacification. Shize’s practice is very effective in helping us to receive prophecies or develop clairvoyance. Shize’s practice is excellent for calming ourselves down and increasing our merits. His practice results in our minds becoming much happier and being alleviated from depressions. Wow we can also rely on Shize’s practice to overcome serious illnesses. It can also be engaged where the area, there are a lot of natural disasters. On the whole its practice has many benefits. When we do the practice correctly, with good motivation, Shize will bless and guide us.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great teachings on Shize who is a direct emanation of Dorje Shugden who is none other than the enlightened Manjushri.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/shize-a-practice-for-healing-and-long-life.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Tuesday, Nov 26. 2024 02:55 PM
    Interesting article. I never thought meditation can help oneself quit smoking without consumption of medication or drugs. According to an article in The Buddhist Review, not smoking is a result of developing calm and reducing clinging through authentic Dharma practice. Mindfulness-based interventions can help people learn to pay attention to and work with negative feelings, cravings, and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. By focusing on our breathing the mind becomes calm and single-pointed. Many are aware of the health risks and addictive properties of nicotine that are harmful. Buddhism is very effective to inspire transformation in people. Good read of how a Yale psychiatrist bringing together neuroscience and Buddhist practices to help people overcome their addictions. Thank you Dr. Judson for the great research work.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/quit-smoking-with-buddhist-way.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Tuesday, Nov 26. 2024 02:52 PM
    Trode-khangsar a 400 year old Dorje Shugden Temple in Lhasa, had me having great memories. Having a privileged to visit it in May 2019,with my Dharma brothers and sisters. It such a Holy Temple with great stories behind it . Located in Lhasa, that is over 300 years old which is dedicated to the controversial protector deity Dorje Shugden. The Temple is a Gelugpa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, built in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama. The Great 5th Dalai Lama composed a praise to Dorje Shugden and created a statue to honour and recognize him as a Dharma protector as apology. Trode Khangsar itself is now registered as a national heritage memorial. That’s awesome as more and more people will get to know about this Holy temple. Merely by looking at those fading murals and Holy statutes is a blessing for all who came to visit this Trode-khangsar. A place worth visiting.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Wednesday, Nov 20. 2024 04:02 PM
    The concept of rebirth has a long association with Buddhism. Rebirth in Buddhism refers to the teaching that the actions of a sentient being lead to a new existence after death, in an endless cycle called saṃsāra. One will begins a new life in a new body that may be human, animal or spiritual depending on the moral quality of the previous life’s actions. What they are reborn as depends on their actions in their previous life rather kamma. As a Buddhist we should believe in rebirth but still many people don’t . Buddha taught us that choices of rebirth make a difference and can shape many lifetimes. Buddhists believe that nothing that exists is permanent and everything will ultimately cease to be. There is a belief in rebirth
    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this profound article.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-importance-of-rebirth.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Wednesday, Nov 20. 2024 03:59 PM
    Against the odds two inspiring nuns fought all the way to become ordained, fighting for their rights to practice Buddhism . Interesting read of how they went through , bringing equality for women in Thailand. Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand. Officially, only men can become monks and novices in Thailand under a Buddhist order. The country does not recognize female monks or novices. In recent years, more Thai Buddhist women seeking to become full-fledged female monks, have been defying the tradition getting ordained overseas, in Sri Lanka or India. Buddhist women have been fighting for years for equality and social acceptance in Thailand. They just can’t be ordained by Thai monks. Ven. Dhammananda, 68 year old former university lecturer and activist became Thailand’s first Theravadin bhikkhuni after going the odds. Inspiring read biography on Ven. Dhammananda and Ven. Dr. Lee. They had gone through great hardships, discrimination and against the many odds in bringing equality to women in Buddhism in Thailand.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great inspiration post.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/thailands-renegade-yet-powerful-buddhist-nuns.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Wednesday, Nov 20. 2024 03:57 PM
    The unseen things are spiritual realities that are eternal and invisible to our physical eye. There are many forces and phenomena that are not visible to the naked eye. There are many things that humans cannot see yet there are some could see. For what is can be seen is only. Things do exist even we can’t see, believing their existence is our choice. Things that we can’t see in the world opens up a curiosity and exploration by some. Whether through scientific inquiry, or spiritual exploration, the pursuit of knowledge about the unseen can lead to profound insights about ourselves and the universe.
    Malacca City is the historic capital of the coastal state of Malacca, in Malaysia serving as a link between east and west for over 500 years. Famous for breath-taking sights with rich heritage, ancient dark culture and history with many old centuries buildings with an interesting past and a colourful ghost story. For that reason alone it is worth visiting as is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its well-preserved historical center. There’s many historical mansions been passed down generation to generations and with many ghostly sighting by the locals and visitors. There’s the reason many unseen beings loitering and attached to these places. Such an interesting and incredibly creepy watching the video in this blog host by Li Kim. Li Kim had done a great work all along with her team to share with readers about our historic Malacca .
    Thank you Rinpoche and Li Kim for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/paranormal/unseen-unspoken.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Wednesday, Nov 20. 2024 03:56 PM
    The concept of rebirth has a long association with Buddhism. Rebirth in Buddhism refers to the teaching that the actions of a sentient being lead to a new existence after death, in an endless cycle called saṃsāra. One will begins a new life in a new body that may be human, animal or spiritual depending on the moral quality of the previous life’s actions. What they are reborn as depends on their actions in their previous life rather kamma. As a Buddhist we should believe in rebirth but still many people don’t . Buddha taught us that choices of rebirth make a difference and can shape many lifetimes. Buddhists believe that nothing that exists is permanent and everything will ultimately cease to be. There is a belief in rebirth
    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this profound article.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/12-little-known-law-of-karma-that-will-change-your-life.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Nov 14. 2024 11:37 AM
    Revisit this post again , watching the rare video footage of Dorje Shugden oracles. Awesome ,we are so fortunate to watch this incredible video, where extraordinary footage of Tsem Rinpoche self-arising as the all-powerful Buddha Yamantaka. Its was during Rinpoche’s visit to Tibet in 2009.
    Thank you Rinpoche with folded hands.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/never-seen-before-footage-of-dorje-shugden-oracles.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Nov 14. 2024 11:35 AM
    Vajrayogini symbolizes the wisdom of all enlightened beings and embodies the impulse of inspiration that drives the Buddhas to attain the perfect enlightenment. Vajrayogini is one of the most effective practices for people today. We can make offerings such as gold or jewel offerings and so on. The offering of gold helps us to collect merits, spiritual attainments, gain a deeper connection to Vajrayogini. It also creates the causes to attain a Buddha’s body.
    Make Offerings to Vajrayogini in Kechara Forest Retreat at Bentong is such an meritorious way for us to collect merits. All thanks to our Guru having conceptualised the idea of having a statue of Vajrayogini for everyone . Recitation of Vajrayogini mantra can be a powerful tool for self-transformation, healing and liberation from samsara.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing with details explanation .

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/make-offerings-to-vajrayogini-in-kechara-forest-retreat.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Nov 14. 2024 11:31 AM
    Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing this insightful article. Life is short, and if we enjoy every moment of every day, then we will be happy no matter what happens or what changes along the way.What ever matter to us at the time of death is nothing. In the end, it’s not the years in our life that count it’s what you leave behind that matters. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. Learning Dharma and practicing dharma is the our choice that’s matter. Some of the key points to take notes, read, study the Lam Rim and apply it, engage in Sadhana daily and consistently. No one will help us at the moment of death but ourselves. Spiritual practicing is the best choice.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/last-moment.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Nov 14. 2024 11:29 AM
    Well the size of Buddha statues in Tibetan Buddhism is important because it represents the Buddha’s immense ability and vast knowledge. Hence the Buddha statues hold the symbol of satisfaction within, peace and happiness. They are a symbol of inspiration for every human being. When we focus on the Buddha statues, it gives us inner peace that our mind, our heart and our soul gets enlightened.
    We have are so fortunate seeing and circumambulating where the 9-foot Dorje Shugden statue and with 500 mantra stones engraved with Dorje Shugden’s sacred mantra. As Rinpoche had said before the bigger and more Buddha statues helps in planting seeds of enlightenment in people’s mind-streams. It also help us to generate as much merit and purify as much karma as possible. Merely by seeing all those big statues at Kechara Forest Retreat is a blessing.
    Thank you Rinpoche.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/bigger-and-more-buddha-statues-makes-a-difference.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Thursday, Nov 14. 2024 11:27 AM
    The 4th Tagpu Pemavajra Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub, most commonly known as Tagpu Dorje Chang, was a highly accomplished yogi Highly attained lama who had many authentic visions of the Buddhas and even travel astrally to receive direct teachings from them. His recognised line of incarnations stem all the way back to the 14th Century. He is generally regarded as such amongst Gelug lineage holders. He spent most of his time in a hermitage located above Sera Monastery, gave teachings and transmitted many vital practices and lineages to his foremost student Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. Besides receiving the complete instructions of Dorje Shugden’s practice, Tagpu Dorje Chang had many other mystical experiences throughout his lifetime. Interesting read biography of a highly accomplished mahasiddha lama.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/guest-contributors/biography-the-4th-tagphu-pemavajra-jampel-tenpai-ngodrub.html
  • Samfoonheei
    Friday, Oct 18. 2024 06:39 PM
    n Tibetan culture, it is a popular and customary practice for families to invite monks to perform spiritual ceremonies such as Trusol rituals. The monks have had the opportunity to offer such ceremonies for individuals or their families. Such ceremonies purify the elements of the environment which helps those living or visiting there to experience good health, success and well-being. The sacred ritual of ‘bathing’ the Buddhas and consecration through which negativities, sicknesses and obstacles will be cleared. Where by filling those areas with positive energies and good vibes through this Trusol consecration puja. Water is an essential part of this puja and symbolises the cleansing of all negativities and impurities. Through this puja it also pacifies local deities and other unseen beings in the surrounding areas. We are indeed fortunate that Tsem Rinpoche has taught Kecharians this practice and it has benefited many.
    Thank you Rinpoche with folded hands

    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-second-generation-of-trusol-practitioners.html

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · »

Messages from Rinpoche

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

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

Previous Live Videos

MORE VIDEOS

Shugdenpas Speaking Up Across The Globe

From Europe Shugden Association:


MORE VIDEOS

From Tibetan Public Talk:


MORE VIDEOS

CREDITS

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

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

Tsem Rinpoche

Total views today
0
Total views up to date
27240954
Facebook Fans Youtube Views Blog Views
Animal Care Fund
  Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch

The Unknown

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

Photos On The Go

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

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

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

Videos On The Go

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

ASK A PASTOR


Ask the Pastors

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

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

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

View All Questions
Today's quota for questions has been filled. Please come back tomorrow to re-submit your question

CHAT PICTURES

Thank you for your Order!52393739852742
3 weeks ago
Thank you for your Order!52393739852742
Look at how attentive of the members during Dharma talk. It is through hearing, contemplation and practicing Dharma, one is able to eradicate delusions and march towards liberation. 28/9/2024 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
1 month ago
Look at how attentive of the members during Dharma talk. It is through hearing, contemplation and practicing Dharma, one is able to eradicate delusions and march towards liberation. 28/9/2024 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Pastor  did dharma sharing on KFR retreat puja, purification after retreat and karma. Kechara Penang weekly puja. Pic taken by Siew Hong.
1 month ago
Pastor  did dharma sharing on KFR retreat puja, purification after retreat and karma. Kechara Penang weekly puja. Pic taken by Siew Hong.
Under the guidance from Pastor Seng Piow, Kechara Penang Study Group members completed our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja. 28th September 2024 by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Under the guidance from Pastor Seng Piow, Kechara Penang Study Group members completed our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja. 28th September 2024 by Jacinta.
Sponsors' packages nicely decorated nd offered up on behalf. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Sponsors' packages nicely decorated nd offered up on behalf. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Completed Dorje Shugden puja cum recitation of Namasangiti on 14th September 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group, uploaded by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Completed Dorje Shugden puja cum recitation of Namasangiti on 14th September 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group, uploaded by Jacinta.
Known as Merdeka Day (31st Aug 2024), our Kechara Penang members celebrated this day with Dorje Shugden and his entourage by doing a DS puja together with recitation of Namasangiti. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Known as Merdeka Day (31st Aug 2024), our Kechara Penang members celebrated this day with Dorje Shugden and his entourage by doing a DS puja together with recitation of Namasangiti. Uploaded by Jacinta.
24th Aug 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group members have completed weekly puja. A variety of kuihs and fruits were offered up on behalf of sponsors. By Jacinta
2 months ago
24th Aug 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group members have completed weekly puja. A variety of kuihs and fruits were offered up on behalf of sponsors. By Jacinta
At the point of the passing, the only thing that will help us and our loved ones is the Dharma. Hence, try to chant mantra, do pujas, giving alms and etc during this period. Bereavement puja by Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
At the point of the passing, the only thing that will help us and our loved ones is the Dharma. Hence, try to chant mantra, do pujas, giving alms and etc during this period. Bereavement puja by Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Bereavement puja by Kechara Penang Study Group. May the deceased has good rebirth and the family members find solace in the Three Jewels. Thanks to Rinpoche for He always taught us about practising compassion through action. By Jacinta
3 months ago
Bereavement puja by Kechara Penang Study Group. May the deceased has good rebirth and the family members find solace in the Three Jewels. Thanks to Rinpoche for He always taught us about practising compassion through action. By Jacinta
Thanks to Sharyn, the florist came and arranged on the spot! What a lovely and colourful bunch flowers attractively arranged to Buddha as offerings. 2nd Penang DS retreat of the year (2024), uploaded by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Thanks to Sharyn, the florist came and arranged on the spot! What a lovely and colourful bunch flowers attractively arranged to Buddha as offerings. 2nd Penang DS retreat of the year (2024), uploaded by Jacinta.
As usual, a retreat will not be complete without nice tormas. Pastor Patsy and our dear Penang members ~ Swee Bee, Tang, Jasmine and Siew Hong came together as a perfect and united team in completing it. Penang DS Retreat 17-18th Aug 2024 by Jacinta.
3 months ago
As usual, a retreat will not be complete without nice tormas. Pastor Patsy and our dear Penang members ~ Swee Bee, Tang, Jasmine and Siew Hong came together as a perfect and united team in completing it. Penang DS Retreat 17-18th Aug 2024 by Jacinta.
A picture that says all. Thanks to Pastor Seng Piow, 12 retreatants and 51sponsors that make this event a successful one. See you all in our next retreat. Kam Siah. A simple yet full of gratitude note by Choong, uploaded by Jacinta.
4 months ago
A picture that says all. Thanks to Pastor Seng Piow, 12 retreatants and 51sponsors that make this event a successful one. See you all in our next retreat. Kam Siah. A simple yet full of gratitude note by Choong, uploaded by Jacinta.
Offerings being set up, getting ready to start the first day of Kechara Penang Group's retreat. By Jacinta
4 months ago
Offerings being set up, getting ready to start the first day of Kechara Penang Group's retreat. By Jacinta
As H. E. The 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche had mentioned a retreat is time taken away from our ordinary, daily, mundane activities specifically to focus on deeper meditation, deeper meditational practices to gain some benefits.  Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
4 months ago
As H. E. The 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche had mentioned a retreat is time taken away from our ordinary, daily, mundane activities specifically to focus on deeper meditation, deeper meditational practices to gain some benefits. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Retreat started for the second half of the year, 17th Aug 2024. We have new participants and those regulars. Thanks to Pastor Seng Piow and Choong for organising it. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Retreat started for the second half of the year, 17th Aug 2024. We have new participants and those regulars. Thanks to Pastor Seng Piow and Choong for organising it. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
10th Aug 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group completed DS puja, led by Siew Hong. Uploaded by Jacinta.
4 months ago
10th Aug 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group completed DS puja, led by Siew Hong. Uploaded by Jacinta.
Thank you Pastor Seng Piow for the dharma sharing and leading today's puja 3rd August 2024. Pic by Siew Hong and uploaded by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Thank you Pastor Seng Piow for the dharma sharing and leading today's puja 3rd August 2024. Pic by Siew Hong and uploaded by Jacinta.
Puja sponsorships packages of RM100, RM 50 and RM30. Really appreciate the continuous support for our Penang DS Chapel. 28/7/2024 By Jacinta
4 months ago
Puja sponsorships packages of RM100, RM 50 and RM30. Really appreciate the continuous support for our Penang DS Chapel. 28/7/2024 By Jacinta
Completed weekly puja at Penang DS Chapel. 27th July 2024 by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Completed weekly puja at Penang DS Chapel. 27th July 2024 by Jacinta.
For those Penang members who were back in Penang, instead of having a weekend off, they chose to go to Penang DS centre and did a DS puja for the benefits of all beings. 20th July 2024, Saturday. By Jacinta
4 months ago
For those Penang members who were back in Penang, instead of having a weekend off, they chose to go to Penang DS centre and did a DS puja for the benefits of all beings. 20th July 2024, Saturday. By Jacinta
So proud of Penang Kecharians for attending initiations given by Venerable Chojila at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong on 20th - 21st July 2024. Against all odds, many of us made it there. (Not in the pic Mr. Teo and Sunny) By Jacinta.
4 months ago
So proud of Penang Kecharians for attending initiations given by Venerable Chojila at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong on 20th - 21st July 2024. Against all odds, many of us made it there. (Not in the pic Mr. Teo and Sunny) By Jacinta.
Wishing all sponsors' wishes be fulfilled and thanks for supporting our Kechara Penang Puja packages on 13/7/2024. By Jacinta
4 months ago
Wishing all sponsors' wishes be fulfilled and thanks for supporting our Kechara Penang Puja packages on 13/7/2024. By Jacinta
#throwback 13th July 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group completed DS puja. We have special guest that day, Paul, a long time senior Kecharian with his friends. By Jacinta
4 months ago
#throwback 13th July 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group completed DS puja. We have special guest that day, Paul, a long time senior Kecharian with his friends. By Jacinta
Beautiful offerings arranged by Choong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Beautiful offerings arranged by Choong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
7/7/2024 Kechara Penang weekly puja completed. Kechara Penang Study Girup by Jacinta.
5 months ago
7/7/2024 Kechara Penang weekly puja completed. Kechara Penang Study Girup by Jacinta.
This week's puja offerings sponsored by a few people and we hope their wishes be fulfilled. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta.
5 months ago
This week's puja offerings sponsored by a few people and we hope their wishes be fulfilled. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta.
29th June 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group completed weekly Dorje Shugden cum Manjushri Namasangiti. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta
5 months ago
29th June 2024. Kechara Penang Study Group completed weekly Dorje Shugden cum Manjushri Namasangiti. Pic taken by Choong and uploaded by Jacinta
Need a dose of spiritual nourishment or perhaps any spiritual protection? Do take up our Kechara Penang food/candles offering packages. Do not hesitate to contact our member Choong for more info. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Need a dose of spiritual nourishment or perhaps any spiritual protection? Do take up our Kechara Penang food/candles offering packages. Do not hesitate to contact our member Choong for more info. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Different food offerings offered on Penang Kechara Chapel's altar behalf of the sponsors. May sponsors' wishes be fulfilled. Great effort from Choong Soon Heng, one of our Kechara Penang dedicated members who thought of this way for people to generate merits while clearing obstacles. Uploaded by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Different food offerings offered on Penang Kechara Chapel's altar behalf of the sponsors. May sponsors' wishes be fulfilled. Great effort from Choong Soon Heng, one of our Kechara Penang dedicated members who thought of this way for people to generate merits while clearing obstacles. Uploaded by Jacinta.
These are some of the offerings offered on behalf of our sponsors. We have different offerings packages which one can choose from or just simply sponsor our weekly puja in dedication to our loved ones. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
5 months ago
These are some of the offerings offered on behalf of our sponsors. We have different offerings packages which one can choose from or just simply sponsor our weekly puja in dedication to our loved ones. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
We hope you enjoyed our pictures, as much as we enjoyed our Wesak Day together in Penang. Let us carry the energy and enthusiasm we experienced so far and inspires many more. Happy Wesak Day! 22/5/2024 KPSG by Jacinta
6 months ago
We hope you enjoyed our pictures, as much as we enjoyed our Wesak Day together in Penang. Let us carry the energy and enthusiasm we experienced so far and inspires many more. Happy Wesak Day! 22/5/2024 KPSG by Jacinta
Puja offering packages. Thanks to those who sponsored the puja. May all your wishes be fulfilled. KPSG by Jacinta
6 months ago
Puja offering packages. Thanks to those who sponsored the puja. May all your wishes be fulfilled. KPSG by Jacinta
Colourful altar with plenty of offerings. We had DS puja with Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni as we celebrate this special day of Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana. KPSG by Jacinta
6 months ago
Colourful altar with plenty of offerings. We had DS puja with Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni as we celebrate this special day of Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana. KPSG by Jacinta
Some of the activities done during the Wesak Day Celebration in Penang. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
6 months ago
Some of the activities done during the Wesak Day Celebration in Penang. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
Wesak Day Celebration in Penang!Buddha's Bathing Ritual. 22/5/2024 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
6 months ago
Wesak Day Celebration in Penang!Buddha's Bathing Ritual. 22/5/2024 Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. After puja, all members helped out clearing the offerings and we shared out the blessed food offerings with our families, friends and even animals. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
7 months ago
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. After puja, all members helped out clearing the offerings and we shared out the blessed food offerings with our families, friends and even animals. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. Activities during puja. Members chanting Dorje Shugden mantras. We've completed Dorje Shugden puja cum Namasangiti. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
7 months ago
11/5/2024 Saturday @3pm. Activities during puja. Members chanting Dorje Shugden mantras. We've completed Dorje Shugden puja cum Namasangiti. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
11/5/2024, Saturday @3pm. Activities : Offerings of khata to Rinpoche, garland of flowers to Dorje Shugden and a new Tibetan butterlamp being offered on the altar. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
7 months ago
11/5/2024, Saturday @3pm. Activities : Offerings of khata to Rinpoche, garland of flowers to Dorje Shugden and a new Tibetan butterlamp being offered on the altar. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
Today we have an inaugural cancer free diet talk and info sharing by Mr. Ooi. Mr. Ooi is a Penangite and like any other man, he has a family to provide for. From colon cancer stage 4,he is now known as a cancer-free man. Learn more about his story and his acquaintance with Dorje Shugden here https://youtu.be/x7i-yXJBUwM?si=A-5O0udxjg52iS58
7 months ago
Today we have an inaugural cancer free diet talk and info sharing by Mr. Ooi. Mr. Ooi is a Penangite and like any other man, he has a family to provide for. From colon cancer stage 4,he is now known as a cancer-free man. Learn more about his story and his acquaintance with Dorje Shugden here https://youtu.be/x7i-yXJBUwM?si=A-5O0udxjg52iS58
The Promise
  These books will change your life
  Support Blog Team
Lamps For Life
  Robe Offerings
  Vajrayogini Stupa Fund
  Dana Offerings
  Soup Kitchen Project
 
Zong Rinpoche

Archives

YOUR FEEDBACK

Live Visitors Counter
Page Views By Country
United States 6,812,984
Malaysia 5,112,442
India 2,650,745
Singapore 977,429
United Kingdom 958,230
Bhutan 957,526
Nepal 951,427
Canada 833,685
Australia 659,650
Philippines 566,195
Indonesia 481,131
Germany 388,415
France 322,674
Brazil 267,292
Vietnam 244,850
Thailand 227,593
Taiwan 215,689
Italy 186,694
Spain 169,364
Netherlands 166,936
Mongolia 153,473
South Africa 143,845
Portugal 141,563
Türkiye 136,917
Sri Lanka 135,201
Hong Kong 131,663
Japan 128,870
United Arab Emirates 124,665
Russia 120,972
China 113,647
Romania 109,072
Mexico 102,976
New Zealand 97,271
Switzerland 95,341
Myanmar (Burma) 91,589
Pakistan 84,147
Sweden 82,988
South Korea 79,909
Cambodia 72,069
Poland 5,557
Total Pageviews: 27,240,954

Login

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