I thought I give a short video talk on change and how to integrate dharma into our lives now and immediately. We like to make excuses and justifications of why we can’t… how about if we start to say we can and produce results…
Love and care,
Tsem Rinpoche
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Samfoonheei on Mar 31, 2021 at 2:59 pm
Learning, practicing Dharma is my best choice. Putting into action have me gradually helped me change my priorities in life from acquisition into compassion. I learned to be a better human, psychedelic experience opened up a whole new world. Applying what I learned from reading and listening from Rinpoche ‘s blog have me transformed and inspired me. Turning negatives into positives situation have me more opened, seeing things in a different way, accept things as it goes , much happier then before, and spending every moment of my life meaningfully.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this .
The dharma teachings are holy and sacred but it cannot change our life become better overnight. We have to learn the dharma and applying it daily, we will have changes. Dharma can only be called dharma when we have transformation in the mind.
Always challenge our mind, from negative thinking to positive thinking. When we train our mind to think positively, we may become calmer, happier, and able to accept more difficult situation for others with higher purposes. We have to understand that only we can change our thoughts. So start practicing dharma now diligently with consistency and there will be results.
Change doesn’t come without effort. As Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche said in his commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa’s “The Three Principal Paths” (“The Three Principal Aspects of the Path”), “if you really put forth the effort, there’s no question that you can even become a Buddha”.
We expect dharma to be some profound wisdom that is the solution to all our problems. It is. But dharma is also logical, it’s not magical. You still need to learn how to drive that car, cook that dish – that’s the part we don’t want to hear. We want to take a pill and it’s instant enlightenment. That’s why many of us despite finding dharma, will still leave because we are still looking that pill.
If we brought ourselves this this state due to habituations of 30 years plus, it may not be logical to think a solution can be found via dharma with a few weeks of going through the motions of practicing dharma. It is not impossible but highly improbable. Rinpoche tells us we can change, if we apply the dharma, and better to start now to effect that change in us.
Thank you Rinpoche for giving us a short yet powerful video teaching of changing ourselves with positive results by applying the Dharma practice after we have listened and learnt the Dharma. There is no immediate or quick fix when we enter into a Dharma class but gradually applying the Dharma into ourselves with mind transformation day by day before we can completely get rid of our long habituated negativity such as selfish mind, egoism, self-grasping, hatred, jealousy and ignorance. Challenging our mind to endure the difficult situation by consistently staying on the pure Dharma practice can make us feel uneasy and unhappy in the short term, but self liberation from samsara with ultimate happiness is awaiting us ahead in the long term through the Dharma practice.
Thank you Rinpoche. Yes, I am responsible for the way I apply the dharma to transform my mind to be more positive and less egotistical.No one can do it for me. At the same time I must be patient and persevering, as my mind will not effect changes overnight. I have had many years of negative habituation. How can I expect a change to take place instantly. I must let go of the past and also always think of how I hurt others when I continue to cling to my negative habituations.
I must not think I can’t do it. I CAN, I MUST, I WILL.If I don’t persevere and just give up, it will be a great waste. I have met all the opportune conditions; and, most rare and precious of all, I have met my Spiritual Guide.If I give up, I will continue to circle samsara and continue to suffer lifetime after lifetime, as I have done for lifetimes before this.
In my first audience with Rinpoche, Rinpoche advised that for change and transformation to be sustainable, we must implement change with wisdom and compassion, i.e taking it one step at a time. Moderate implementation makes a goal more attainable albeit challenging.
Being an extreme person, I thank Rinpoche for this advise that is both very kind and wise.
I hope for everyone who wishes to apply change in their lives to benefit from this short and precise teaching.
Change is difficult especially when a person starts learning dharma and applying it. Everyone including me want quick fix for whatever problems we face and we expect quick results but as Rinpoche says – it will take time. We know it will take time for us to see the results but we’re just too impatient , thus we’ll just give up too easily. As for myself, I know it’s a long road for me but I will not give up in my spiritual path. As what Rinpoche said it take years in our habituation , thus it will take years too for us to see positive change in us. What I can say is that the biggest obstacle is in our mind – once our mind is transformed , we will be able to break through the barriers. The change we need has to come from within. People don’t and won’t change for us; thus we got to change from within ourselves. It is true to the fact that we have a egoistical mind that hinders us from applying the dharma that we have learnt.
Thank you Rinpoche for reminding us about the need to learn dharma and applying it in our daily lives.
“Only I can change myself and no one can do it for me. If I resolved to change, it is where the real transformation begin.” When the change comes from within, we will not be dissapointed by others. It is expectation that gives rise to all headaches. Expect less and change for the better. I might fear the unknown ( and still) but it is far more challenging than time wasted and having regrets. For better or worse, we are constantly changing and we just have to shape and mould it from time to time.
Sharyn Lim (Penang Study Group) on May 19, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Time waits for no man! I truly agree that if we want to see results, we have to start applying Dharma in our lives now. It’s not only about listening and understanding Dharma, key word here is to apply Dharma in our lives under all circumstances. We may not see results overnight due to number of years of habituation, but definitely will see results if we are consistent in our Dharma actions. Applying Dharma will only lead to positive changes. I will remember this teaching by heart. Thanks Rinpoche for such a profound teaching on change.
When we learn the drama, apply them in our daily action and when we see the results in our life there is where we see the satisfaction and from there we are convince that the dharma is right, truth and remedy for our problem and solution for our happiness. I agree that we need to take time to change but not to wait for change but to work for the change. I understand what Rinpoche is telling us here is to apply one day at a time, one month at a time… we need to apply but in a progressive pace as due to our habituation it take time to curb and apply the new method to counter negative habituation but we have to apply no matter ow hard it is.
I like this “ Dharma is not just to learning, listening and understanding, Dharma is when you get results”.
lol! i Love this video. when You say “change” then You switch from right side of Your face showing to right side of Your face showing. lol. And the background – makes me want to go out and buy a lava lamp. And the Dharma flowing from your mouth is profound! This song keeps playing in my head, my brain synapses have made a connection between the two ( http://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74 )
Thank you for sharing this with us Rinpoche. Some of us have embraced the dharma recently and we go through many new emotions, sometimes we think “oh, all my actions from now on will be pure” but then we slip up and feel guilty and confused about it. Or when conditions around us do not turn favourable immediately.
This teaching explained that change do not happen overnight and it’s because of our years of habituation, our minds are so used to processing information in a certain way, that we can’t re-write that whole process in a mere few days. Similarly, if we spend years getting ourselves in a mess, we cannot untangle ourselves from it within 1 day.
Thank you Rinpoche, for giving us the “secret” formula.
This post was originally put up about one year ago and it is a good exercise now to reflect on whether we have indeed made progress in our Dharma practice by looking at our changes over the last year. Clearly in order to do that, we must firstly be mindful of what we need to change and then apply what we have learned from the Dharma and then test the changes under difficult circumstances. Positive change begets even more positive improvements because when there is a real change in us, we can taste it. It is a freedom from whatever afflictions used to have such a hold on us such as anger and depression and if we are practicing Dharma correctly, it is safe to say that we begin to crave for change. Over time difficult circumstances begin to present themselves as opportunities to measure ourselves rather than registering as problems.
I thoroughly love this short teachings that we can out into effect immediately.
Very powerful on how we can be a better person. If we have spent ten years habituating, it will take almost that amount of time to reverse the effect of our negative habituation.
Unless somehow we have this major paradigm SHIFT. Ans sometimes the Lama makes that magic happen in the SHIFT.
Thank you Rinpoche, for your interesting video talk on how to integrate Dharma into our lives and pschedically change ourselves. Yes, when we have experienced some sort of compassion, care and concern for others from our practice,we certainly feel happy and joyful and have no hesitancy to helping others. As a start, in bringing happiness to other people’s lives, our goals, ideas, aspirations and endeavours will grow, and as such, we are able to cultivate positive energies which at times of our practice of Dharma should be important! May we be able to have this as a total positive change, and bring that to others too! OM MANI PADME HUM.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this profound teachings. Transformation takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight. How much we want to change is dependent on how much effort we put in. Real dharma is when we transformed and get the results.
What a powerful teaching and reminder of how much we need to change all the time for the better. I am pretty much a creature of comfort and habit. I think that change is inevitable and how well we cope with change meaning to continually apply the Dharma with humility, perseverance and willingness to self-examine and follow through what is needed. I think one of the quotes Rinpoche posted before really reflects this spirit of transformation and change :-
“The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Thank you Rinpoche on the short but very wise and profound teaching.
It is so true that everyone wants the quick and easy way to Enlightenment -“quick fix, instant results”.
We need to do the inner work ourselves, no matter how difficult and challenging it will be.
As there is no one who can wave a magic wand or give us a magic pill and we instantly become Enlightened !!!
Thank you Rinpoche for teaching us how to do it and thank you for explaining to us how wonderful transformation of the mind can be.
Thank you for the short but meaningful video, Rinpoche. I learnt that change can sometimes take longer than what is expected and being compassion to oneself can help. In the our focus to be compassionate to others, it is easy to forget to be compassionate to oneself. With folded hands.
“You can tolerate more difficult situation, you can accept more difficult situation and you can accept it for others for a higher purpose that is the Dharma”
SO IMPORTANT POINT SO IMPORTANT ~~For others…..For others…..I wish to remember this every moment of my life. Thank you Rinpoche deeply with intent I wish for this sincerely..to begin today in a new journey in the Dharma day by day I can stop to be depress for others no need to be sad just give and be happy This is a big jump but I can begin today with strong intent to follow the Dharma.
Rinpoche puts it in such a clear and lucid way , if we expect one day of mantra / om mani padme hum and all our toxins or negativity we have accumulated goes a way that does not make sense. But as how rinpoche broke it down, if we start to have dharma, we start to have a different mind and outlook altogether. All our actions does start with the mind and if we are even willing to entertain the thought that we could have been wrong and want to change that is very powerful thought in our minds. What rinpoche pointed out is that when we come into dharma, there will be changes. In the lamrim the BUddhas pay more homage to our initial small change than the bigger changes we experience in dependance on the small changes in our minds in the first place.
Not easy to kick our habituation out off the door once and for all. But rather than sitting down not doing anything, it is best to roll up the sleeves and get working on it.
Nobody can help us, beside ourselves. Along that way am sure we will encounter various difficulties.
Anger, frustration, laziness and so on…but we must learn to counter negative emotions positively. If we do that perhaps we are transforming while learning how to transform.
Thank you Rinpoche for this patient teaching. The kindness of Rinpoche and the 3 Jewels is once again displayed in this video. Rinpoche, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha work compassionately with the limitations we impose upon ourselves by accepting that “we need more time to change”.
I agree with May that the speedy path is certainly “better” than taking our time because time passes quickly and many things can happen within the short time frame of a split second. For example: How many times did we regret simply because we procrastinated? How many times did we miss our chance to tell someone we loved them because we thought we had the time? How many lives can be lost or come to be in a second?
Nevertheless, Rinpoche is very kind, wise and skilful to teach this more feasible approach of taking a step at a time in today’s degenerate age. However, we must not take the kindness of our Guru for granted and still work for the fastest possible change by being the best of who we can be.
I love this post! Short, direct and compelling teaching right to the core yet set against a psychedelic background.
Change of negative habits is a challenge that I have been and am still striving for. Not easy but little by little, day by day, I get happy when I see subtle changes in me. Harder still is not to revert to negative habits. But I will persevere.
THE CHANGE HAS TO COME FROM YOU. LEARNING AND APPLYING UNDER ALL DIFFICULT SITUATIONS….
APPLY DHARMA , DHARMA IS WHEN YOU GET RESULT…
We call dharma only we have transformations, challenge negative to positive…..
Learning,applying and one hundred per cent targeting the mind with the Dharma.Assassin of the ego.The ego that brings us unhappiness.Along with that we do Dharma work and our Guru Yoga to support and as a practice to collect merit.
I will remember this Rinpoche and apply it to the best of my ability.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching.
Change equates to this formula: 2+2 (two plus two) always equal to 4 but when we change to this: 8/2 (eight divide by two) also equals to 4 with the same result. However, the formula is different.
If we want result that comes with happiness, we need to use the “dharma” formula ie. do dharma homework, take dharma lessons, put in effort, learn and apply them and see the changes in us (our mind, speech and action).
If we work harder and faster, we see quicker changed results because we meet more obstacles and learned how to overcome them quicker and move on quicker to do more. Kind of like a cycle.
If we take our sweet time to wait to change, our change and progress will be much slower as we meet lesser challenges and do not get to see the result soon, we may give up on the way and lose our sight on the final goal.
So I prefer the quicker path – meet more challenges, learned quickly and move on to the next level quickly.
This is a very encouraging video because all too often I feel that I am not transforming as fast as I can. It is only when we really want to change that we realize how deeply habituated we care. However, it is the daily application of the dharma and the constant reminder as to why we must transform and the sincere motivation to want to transform that gets us through the failures.
“Dharma is when we get results”. That statements makes the difference in my mind as to what Dharma actually is. So often I forget and think that the mere practice of Dharma is Dharma. I should be looking for the results.
Thank you Rinpoche for this short yet deep teaching.
I have highlighted the following:
Patience. How can we expect immediate result from Dharma practice? We have used many years to habituate ourselves to worldly habits, it will also take time to change these habits and create new habits of Dharma. We should set up expectations realistically.
We should tell ourselves “I will transform, there will be result” but we don’t expect overnight changes.
The only person that can change me is me. Saints cannot change my mind, only I can change by learning the Dharma and APPLYING it.
I should not depend on others, I should be a support for others not a burden, in worldly and in Dharma.
Learning and applying Dharma is the secret, learning only is not enough.
I should apply the Dharma one day at the time, one month, one year, and be confident that I am changing.
I become calmer, happier, I can accept more difficult situations and I can accept it for others, for a higher purpose.
Change is when I am always depressed and I stop it, I stop burdening others an focus on helping others, and I work hard to become a better person.
Change is starting a new train of thought, and I make today the beginning of tomorrow’s success, not the result of yesterday’s failures.
Change is challenging my mind, and turn the negative into positive.
Dearest Rinpoche:
Thanks for the teaching. That is exactly what I’m always reminding myself – “The most effective transformation is not available in any scripture but it is written all the time on my action”.
Please correct and guide me if I’m wrong.
Thank you very much and take good care 🙂
With love,
VP
I want to follow Rinpoche’s instruction from this video to learn the dharma, apply dharma into daily life,aiming to change my mind,dehabituation, stop thinking of myself,think of other peoples happiness and get results thank you for the teaching.
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Very interesting and informative article. In most cultures, women is consider as lower in status compared with men. Ancient times in India, man took the lead while women is seconded. But times has changed for the better where women are not degraded in society. They receive equal recognition, appreciation, and stature, yet in countries and places around the world, women are still viewed as inferior and treated accordingly. But in Buddhism women have been increasing in number and has proven that many of them have gained full enlightenment in a female body. In Buddhism is concerned there’s no discrimination toward women ,both men and women are equal. There‘s many female Mahasiddhas and Yoginis as in this blog. May it inspired many more to come. Interesting article and its great sharing knowledge.
Thank you Rinpoche with folded hands,
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, one may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak. It’s not harmful and should pass quickly, but at times can be frightening. It can affect anyone but is most common in young adults and they might have hallucination. The scary facts about sleep paralysis is those who suffer from it have said it felt like someone was choking them on their chest so they could not breathe.
As for me I have not experience as such before as least i know now what i can to do.
Thank you Vinnie Tan for sharing. Interesting read of these stories related to sleep paralysis.
nteresting as this texts been composed after being inspired to do so . That’s interesting as this nature are traditionally considered exceptionally potent in their blessings if the claim of divine inspiration is authentic. According to the account in the introduction, the author composed this text after being divinely inspired to do so. It’s a very rare kind and its acceptance been recognised and received praise by very high lamas of our tradition. Reading this article tell us all of how powerful Dorje Shugden when we invoke in our prayers.
Interesting read of the short biography of Ven. Geshe Kunchok Gyaltsen, the author of Mass of Vajra Fire.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
That’s wonderful Rinpoche has composed prayers in English so as everyone could recite and practice. For beginners is such a meaningful insights and perspectives without commitments and initiation. Moreover each prayers is for a specific blessing that helps practitioners to gain attainments and overcome obstacles. Easy and simple for everyone to start off.
We are fortunate that everything Rinpoche did brought tremendous benefit to all sentient beings. Whatever prayers Rinpoche has composed are especially potent with blessings.
Thank you Rinpoche and writers for this sharing.
A great article , revisit this again of Tibetan Lamas and their dogs. As now I have a pet doggie with me, I came to understand more of them . Dogs are the most amazing creatures, they give us unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive. Buddhists believe dogs also have the potential to become enlightened and can teach us about responsibility, love, and other Buddhist principles. The Q & A by Sandra Klein’s interview with the Venerable Gonsar Rinpoche gave us a better understanding and very informative of Tibetan dogs under Lamas care. ccording to the Buddha Dharma, all sentient beings have Buddha nature — from ants to humans. Though we often look at dogs as wonderful companions an teach us to embrace Buddhist principles. They, themselves, embody many of these principles.
Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.
Living with my wife, whose world is meticulously painted with the hues of OCD, is a journey that intertwines the essence of love with the complexities of the human mind. Her relentless pursuit of cleanliness and order, transforming even the most negligible corner into a testament of organization, often dances on the fine line between admiration and frustration. The sight of her steering clear from trash bins as if they were labyrinths of chaos, serves as a poignant reminder of the battles she fights within. Yet, it’s through these very battles that I’ve learned the profound language of patience and the unspoken strength of support. Therapy, in its gentle embrace, has been a beacon of light for her, guiding her through the stormy seas of OCD. It has not only offered her solace but has also unveiled the strength of her spirit, teaching us both the beauty of resilience. As she journeys through the pathways of healing, I stand by her, a testament to the power of love and the enduring promise of hope. Together, we navigate the complexities of her world, discovering that within the challenges lie opportunities for growth, understanding, and an unbreakable bond. https://www.mindfullyaliveonline.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/
Venerable Ajahn Chah was a Thai Buddhist teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. Well respected and loved as a man of great wisdom, he was also instrumental in establishing Theravada Buddhism in the West. Interesting life story, how he chose to leave the settled monastic life and became a wandering ascetic. Walking across Thailand, lived in forests, caves and cremation grounds while learning from the meditation monks of the Forest of various monasteries. He wandered through the countryside in quest of quiet and secluded places for developing meditation. He even lived in tiger and cobra infested jungles, using reflections on death to penetrate to the true meaning of life. After years of wandering, Venerable Ajahn Chah established a monastery where he taught simple, practice-based form of meditation, and attracted a numerous of students including western foreigners. He was one of the greatest Dhamma teachers of the modern era. His wise teachings have continued to guide thousands of people along the path of Dharma. Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition gradually spread across all over the world. Several of Ajahn Chah’s Western students have since established monasteries throughout the world. Just in Thailand itself, there are more than 300 branch monasteries in Ajahn Chah’s tradition. Ven erable Ajahn Chah used his ill health as a teaching point, emphasizing that it was a living example of the impermanence of all things and reminded people to endeavour to find a true refuge within themselves. The legacy of Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings and legacy continues into the modern age.
Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.
Wonderful blog written on the practice of Kalarupa for us to understand better. As an emanation of Manjushri, Kalarupa’s practice helps us to destroy ignorance and to develop wisdom overcoming our anger and suffering . Awesome Kalarupa manifested in multiple forms to help sentient beings who personifies enlightenment by the conquest of anger. Kalarupa also regard as one of the three main Dharma protectors of the Gelugpa is extremely fierce and ugly, and tames all kinds of spiritual ugliness. The fierceness of his iconography teaches us to remind ourselves that all the causes and effects of anger arising from ignorance are dreadful and distorted.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antionette for this detailed sharing,
Nepal is a very spiritual country, having a huge Dorje Shugden mural in Kathmandu, is indeed a big achievement for Kechara. Located on Charkhal Road in Dilli Bazaar, the mural can be found midway between our two Dorje Shugden chapels which are in Putalisadak and Chabahil. It is also very close to one of Kathmandu’s largest shopping malls. Many locals , tourist will be able to connect them to a powerful deity that is so closely associated with their culture. Well the mural not only beautiful but also full of symbolism and everyone merely by seeing it is blessed. Thanks to those talented artists and generous sponsors making it a success.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Letting go helps us to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. A reminder for us all to go of attachment and meditating on impermanence and emptiness. We are to relinquish the domination of our ego and its habits to transform ourselves. A great reminder not to waste our previous life.
Quoted Ceasing to do evil, Cultivating the good, Purifying the heart .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such a meaningful teachings with folded hands.
Winning the lottery was part of my dreams, I tried so hard to win big but all to no avail, until I came across Dr Lucas online who made my dreams come through and made me win 10 million dollars. I was a logistics manager who lives in Lancaster, S.C. and works about an hour’s drive away, in Charlotte, N.C., I stopped at a store to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket during my lunch break, because Dr Lucas gave me all the assurance that the numbers are not going to fail after I did all he asked me to do. Dr lucas is a powerful Dr that is on a mission to eradicate poverty from people’s lives and i have confirmed that by winning $10 million with the numbers he provided for me, it is my promise to tell the world about my experience with Dr Lucas and that’s what I’m doing now, you can win the lottery fast with the help of Dr Lucas he is tested and trusted Email: Drlucasspelltemple@gmail. com or WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567 he will help you.
Winning the lottery was part of my dreams, I tried so hard to win big but all to no avail, until I came across Dr Lucas online who made my dreams come through and made me win 10 million dollars. I was a logistics manager who lives in Lancaster, S.C. and works about an hour’s drive away, in Charlotte, N.C., I stopped at a store to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket during my lunch break, because Dr Lucas gave me all the assurance that the numbers are not going to fail after I did all he asked me to do. Dr lucas is a powerful Dr that is on a mission to eradicate poverty from people’s lives and i have confirmed that by winning $10 million with the numbers he provided for me, it is my promise to tell the world about my experience with Dr Lucas and that’s what I’m doing now, you can win the lottery fast with the help of Dr Lucas he is tested and trusted Email: Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567 he will help you.
We are members of the Buddhist Temple in Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur and we have been issued membership by the president (DATUK YIP KUM FOOK), we are very sad because we are the foundation of this Temple
Now we can know who is always messing with people, and he always cheats money and women, he even uses Buddhism to find money.
Also, need to be careful with his brother-in-law (Simon Low Kok Meng) because he is a spy (CID) for DATUK YIP KUM FOOK and we will write some letters to AGONG SULTAN IBRAHIM IBN ALMARHUM SULTAN ISKANDAR as soon as possible.
The matriarchal cultures of the grandmothers have specific symbolism of animism shamanism, such as the horse, especially the blue horse, and the deer. These are two main symbols of a shaman woman and you can find them in many cultural folk lore, especially the Russian, Slavic, Siberian, Nordic, Finland, and Norway. It’s nice to see the Matriarchal Shaman Animism diety represented in Chinese.
An inspiring act of a selfless Lama feeding strays whether its night or day. Truly an example for us all to feed those lonely strays . Yes I do agree compassion starts with feeding strays. Reading this blog again to refresh myself to do more. Strays animals generally lead a life of poor welfare on the street. Feeding strays is a compassionate act.
Thank you Rinpoche and Anila for this sharing.
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Concept: Tsem Rinpoche Technical: Lew Kwan Leng, Justin Ripley, Yong Swee Keong Design: Justin Ripley, Cynthia Lee Content: Tsem Rinpoche, Justin Ripley, Pastor Shin Tan, Sarah Yap Admin: Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Beng Kooi
I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!
Tsem Rinpoche
About Rinpoche
Name
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche
Root Guru
H.H. Zong Rinpoche
Ordained by
H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
Affiliations
Pukhang Khangtsen, Gaden Shartse Monastery
Founder and Spiritual Advisor, Kechara House Buddhist Association Malaysia
President, Tsem Rinpoche Foundation, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Psychology, The Open International University
Hear the holy voice of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche giving advice on the practice of Dorje Shugden to those who had received the life-entrustment initiation. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche wanted to make sure those present received the maximum benefits from their practice, and that they kept their practice well. LEARN MORE >>
In Tibetan Buddhism, it is always said that whatever we practice must come from an enlightened source to be beneficial in our spiritual journey. As such in this video, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche shares with us the history and reincarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden to explain how great this Dharma protector is through the examples of his previous lives, showing us his powerful spiritual attainments. LEARN MORE >>
Dear everyone... This is a good condensed talk I gave on Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa. This is the one you should share with others when they are interested in a not too lengthy explanation. It is the perfect practice for everyone who wants simplicity yet effective blessings. You can share this with more people, it will be good.
"If you say you don't have money to help a animal shelter, why then do you have money to buy meat?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Eating animals is not our God-given right, but being kind to them is."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What makes us good humans is not how we abuse animals, but how much we allow them to live and be happy freely."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mythical concept of animals.... We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."
~ Henry Beston, The Outermost House
"Not eating animals is only unnatural when we are not used to it."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES
"We may encounter defeat, but we must not be defeated."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You think you can choose your life? What an ego trip!"
~ Lama Yeshe
"If TODAY you are dissatisfied, you must make the changes to create different results for TOMORROW."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
SPIRITUAL QUOTES
“Meditating on Dorje Shugden while reciting his mantra will open the gateways to higher dimensions, blessings and protection.”
~ Tsem Rinpoche
“If one does the recitation of the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga prayer for even one month using one of the visualizations for great or clear or quick wisdom, one will definitely see development of that wisdom. It is proved by experience. There is no doubt that by doing the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga practice one can meet Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings from life to life. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.”
~ Pabongkha Rinpoche
"I was 18 years old in 1983. That was a very special year as I met His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and received innumerable precious teachings and empowerments from Him at Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California. It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is Heruka Buddha and I met Heruka."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Never abandon your spiritual teacher no matter how many inner obstacles you need to overcome."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Actions to force something to be permanent makes all the karmas arise."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"The dharma is not easy to listen to… because some people take it as criticism. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Whether we do work and suffer but for others or we do work and suffer for ourselves, either way we have to suffer. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Those who really want the dharma to grow within themselves and to grow for others should never fear hard work, timing, difficulties, struggles, disappointments because it is for a good cause. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice. It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"His Holiness Zong Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we come up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness."
~ Ngala ’ö-Dzin Tridral
"Things in samsara always go wrong. That's its nature. Don't be surprised."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Knowledge never quenches the thirst, only application."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
LIFE QUOTES
"I pity men who occupy themselves exclusively with the transitory in things and lose themselves in the study of what is perishable, since we are here for this very end-that we may make the perishable imperishable, which we can do only after we have learned how to approach both."
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Money amplifies negative characteristics and that can cause problems.
To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it."
~ Angeline Francis Khoo
"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud."
~ Carl Jung
"There is a devil there is no doubt, but is he trying to get into us or trying to get out?"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"If you love someone, show it by being honest, respectful & honorable with them."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
~ Henry David Thoreau
"If I can just be the way I am & you the way you are & we accept each other, world peace is near."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"I am Asian, you are some other beautiful color. Together we make diversity so beautiful."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"It's amazing how some people have never met me or know who I am, but based on a few things they read here & there & rumours, they have formulated a new personality for me & all the things I've never done they passionately speak about....I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours...we just have to work hard & then rumours get proven wrong on it's own as a by product. No point explaining repeatedly. Just do our work & show results!!"
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"There's a difference between patience and laziness. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Before we experience any pain, we already had a fixed view of how things should be. When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"You know since very young, for better or worse, I always did the things that others told me not to do. I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do."
~ Tsem Rinpoche
"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor... If you love me, I'll always be in your heart... If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."
~ William Shakespeare
"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest."
~ Maya Angelou
Devotional Songs
Sung by Mary Fewel Tulin, these mystical songs in praise of the guru originate from the Sikh tradition. Yet, they are applicable to all traditions for those who want to venerate their guru.
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche
Photos On The Go
Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.
4 years ago
According to legend, Shambhala is a place where wisdom and love reign, and there is no crime. Doesn't this sound like the kind of place all of us would love to live in? https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=204874
4 years ago
108 candles and sang (incense) offered at our Wish-Fulfilling Grotto, invoking Dorje Shugden's blessings for friends, sponsors and supporters, wonderful!
4 years ago
Dharmapalas are not exclusive to Tibetan culture and their practice is widespread throughout the Buddhist world - https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=193645
4 years ago
One of our adorable Kechara Forest Retreat's doggies, Tara, happy and safe, and enjoying herself in front of Wisdom Hall which has been decorated for Chinese New Year
4 years ago
Fragrant organic Thai basil harvested from our very own Kechara Forest Retreat farm!
4 years ago
On behalf of our Puja House team, Pastor Tat Ming receives food and drinks from Rinpoche. Rinpoche wanted to make sure the hardworking Puja House team are always taken care of.
4 years ago
By the time I heard about Luang Phor Thong, he was already very old, in his late 80s. When I heard about him, I immediately wanted to go and pay my respects to him. - http://bit.ly/LuangPhorThong
4 years ago
It's very nice to see volunteers helping maintain holy sites in Kechara Forest Retreat, it's very good for them. Cleaning Buddha statues is a very powerful and effective way of purifying body karma.
4 years ago
Kechara Forest Retreat is preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. This is our holy Vajra Yogini stupa which is now surrounded by beautiful lanterns organised by our students.
4 years ago
One of the most recent harvests from our Kechara Forest Retreat land. It was grown free of chemicals and pesticides, wonderful!
5 years ago
Third 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)
5 years ago
First picture-Standing Manjushri Statue at Chowar, Kirtipur, Nepal.
Height: 33ft (10m)
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
5 years ago
Very powerful story! Tibetan Resistance group Chushi Gangdruk reveals how Dalai Lama escaped in 1959- https://bit.ly/2S9VMGX
5 years ago
At Kechara Forest Retreat land we have nice fresh spinach growing free of chemicals and pesticides. Yes!
Fresh eggplants grown on Kechara Forest Retreat's land here in Malaysia
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
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha.
5 years ago
Mahapajapati Gotami, who was the first nun ordained by Lord Buddha. She was his step-mother and aunt. Buddha's mother had passed away at his birth so he was raised by Gotami.
5 years ago
Another nun disciple of Lord Buddha's. She had achieved great spiritual abilities and high attainments. She would be a proper object of refuge. This image of the eminent bhikkhuni (nun) disciple of the Buddha, Uppalavanna Theri.
5 years ago
Wandering Ascetic Painting by Nirdesha Munasinghe
5 years ago
High Sri Lankan monks visit Kechara to bless our land, temple, Buddha and Dorje Shugden images. They were very kind-see pictures- https://bit.ly/2HQie2M
5 years ago
This is pretty amazing!
First Sri Lankan Buddhist temple opened in Dubai!!!
5 years ago
My Dharma boy (left) and Oser girl loves to laze around on the veranda in the mornings. They enjoy all the trees, grass and relaxing under the hot sun. Sunbathing is a favorite daily activity. I care about these two doggies of mine very much and I enjoy seeing them happy. They are with me always. Tsem Rinpoche
Always be kind to animals and eat vegetarian- https://bit.ly/2Psp8h2
5 years ago
After you left me Mumu, I was alone. I have no family or kin. You were my family. I can't stop thinking of you and I can't forget you. My bond and connection with you is so strong. I wish you were by my side. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
This story is a life-changer. Learn about the incredible Forest Man of India | 印度“森林之子”- https://bit.ly/2Eh4vRS
5 years ago
Part 2-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
Part 1-Beautiful billboard in Malaysia of a powerful Tibetan hero whose life serves as a great inspiration- https://bit.ly/2UltNE4
5 years ago
The great Protector Manjushri Dorje Shugden depicted in the beautiful Mongolian style. To download a high resolution file: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
The Mystical land of Shambhala is finally ready for everyone to feast their eyes and be blessed. A beautiful post with information, art work, history, spirituality and a beautiful book composed by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Rinpoche. ~ https://bit.ly/309MHBi
DON'T MISS THIS!~How brave Bonnie survived by living with a herd of deer~ https://bit.ly/2Lre2eY
5 years ago
Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%! Very interesting, find out more- https://bit.ly/2V1sJFh
5 years ago
You can download this beautiful Egyptian style Dorje Shugden Free- https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
5 years ago
Beautiful high file for print of Lord Manjushri. May you be blessed- https://bit.ly/2V8mwZe
5 years ago
Mongolian (Oymiakon) Shaman in Siberia, Russia. That is his real outfit he wears. Very unique. TR
5 years ago
Find one of the most beautiful temples in the world in Nara, Japan. It is the 1,267 year old Todai-ji temple that houses a 15 meter Buddha Vairocana statue who is a cosmic and timeless Buddha. Emperor Shomu who sponsored this beautiful temple eventually abdicated and ordained as a Buddhist monk. Very interesting history and story. One of the places everyone should visit- https://bit.ly/2VgsHhK
5 years ago
Manjusri Kumara (bodhisattva of wisdom), India, Pala dynesty, 9th century, stone, Honolulu Academy of Arts
Click on "View All Photos" above to view more images
Videos On The Go
Please click on the images to watch video
4 years ago
Pig puts his toys away
Animals are so intelligent. They can feel happiness, joy, pain, sorrow, just like humans. Always show kindness to them. Always show kindness to everyone.
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!
5 years ago
Bodha stupa July 2019-
Rainy period
5 years ago
Cute Tara girl having a snack. She is one of Kechara Forest Retreat’s resident doggies.
5 years ago
Your Next Meal!
Yummy? Tasty? Behind the scenes of the meat on your plates. Meat is a killing industry.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
5 years ago
Our Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir speaks so well, logically and regarding our country’s collaboration with China for growth. It is refreshing to listen to Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. He said our country can look to China for many more things such as technology and so on. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
This is the first time His Holiness Dalai Lama mentions he had some very serious illness. Very worrying. This video is captured April 2019.
5 years ago
Beautiful Monastery in Hong Kong
5 years ago
This dog thanks his hero in such a touching way. Tsem Rinpoche
These people going on pilgrimage to a holy mountain and prostrating out of devotion and for pilgrimage in Tibet. Such determination for spiritual practice. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Beautiful new casing in Kechara for Vajra Yogini. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Get ready to laugh real hard. This is Kechara’s version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane!” We have some real talents in this video clip.
5 years ago
Recitation of Dorje Dermo‘s mantra or the Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws. This powerful mantra is meant to destroy all obstacles that come in our way. Beneficial to play this mantra in our environments.
5 years ago
Beautiful
Beautiful sacred Severed Head Vajra Yogini from Tsem Rinpoche's personal shrine.
5 years ago
My little monster cute babies Dharma and Oser. Take a look and get a cute attack for the day! Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Plse watch this short video and see how all sentient beings are capable of tenderness and love. We should never hurt animals nor should we eat them. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
Cruelty of some people have no limits and it’s heartbreaking. Being kind cost nothing. Tsem Rinpoche
5 years ago
SUPER ADORABLE and must see
Tsem Rinpoche's dog Oser girl enjoying her snack in her play pen.
We were told by Uncle Wong he is very faithful toward Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden has extended help to him on several occasions and now Uncle Wong comes daily to make incense offerings to Dorje Shugden. He is grateful towards the help he was given.
5 years ago
Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnauzer Dharma boy fights Robot sphere from Arkonide!
5 years ago
Cute baby owl found and rescued
We rescued a lost baby owl in Kechara Forest Retreat.
5 years ago
Nice cups from Kechara!!
Dorje Shugden people's lives matter!
5 years ago
Enjoy a peaceful morning at Kechara Forest Retreat
Chirping birds and other forest animals create a joyful melody at the Vajrayogini stupa in Kechara Forest Retreat (Bentong, Malaysia).
6 years ago
This topic is so hot in many circles right now.
This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.
6 years ago
Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.
6 years ago
BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.
6 years ago
Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.
6 years ago
Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?
6 years ago
Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche
6 years ago
This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...
she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔
6 years ago
Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.
6 years ago
Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.
7 years ago
Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem
7 years ago
Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!
7 years ago
Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche
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
7 years ago
This video went viral and it's a must watch!!
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
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.
Sirius asked:Dear pastors, Im currently trying to start my ngondro practice. I want to follow the instructions of Tsem Rinpoche. My question is what preliminary practice should we focus on first? If there was a proper order. The practice that I'm already doing everyday at night is Vajrasattva, but I'm missing the rest. Please give me advice. pastor answered:Dear Sirius,
Thanks for your question. We are really happy to read that you want to engage in ngondro practices. We do have an article about ngondro here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/preliminary-practice.html The article includes sample prayer texts for the retreats, etc. However, the article does not include the full prayers text for each, visualisation guides, associated contemplations, etc.
The ngondro practices are extended retreats, so unless you have had practice doing shorter retreats, I suggest you start by doing shorter retreats. For ngondro practices to be complete, you need to do 100,000 repititions of a the particular practice. You must do at least 1 full retreat session a day, with the requisite altar setup, offerings, full prayer recitation, etc.
Traditionally, the first ngondro practice to be done is the refuge ngondro. In 2022, we ran an online programme for those wishing to complete their refuge preliminary at home. While the programme has finished, all the materials, prayers texts, visualisation guides, contemplation guides and references are still available for people who wish to complete their refuge ngondro. There is a small fee associated with access to this. You can find some information about the programme here: https://www.kecharaforestretreat.com/practice-weekend-refuge/. If you would like access to the materials, you can contact care@kechara.com with your request to join the Refuge Practice Group.
However, please note that there are prequisities for joining the group, such as having completed Level 1 of our Lamrim course. Ngondro practices in our tradition are not beginner level practices, hence require some knowledge of the teachings before hand. If you have attended Lamrim courses at other Dharma centres, please indicate so in the email.
Hope this helps. Please do contact us on the above email if you have any further questions regarding this. Thank you.
Jason asked:The basic description of a boddhisatva I’ve read is “a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings”. This doesn’t quite make sense to me since if they reach nirvana, they should have even greater capacity to help others so it doesn’t make sense to delay their enlightenment. I was wondering if the pastors could clarify on this issue. pastor answered:Dear Jason,
Thank you for your question. The path of a Bodhisattva, is actually quite vast, and the description you've seen is a simplification. The path of the Bodhisattva is explained is many different texts, for example it is explained in the higher scope teachings of the Lamrim, the Sutra of the Ten Bhumis, the Bodhisattvabhumis, etc. I'll try to give a simple overview here.
The very basis of the Bodhisattva path is what is called 'bodhichitta.' This is the motivation or mindset of achieving enlightenment so that you can bring all other sentient beings to the state of enlightenment. In other traditions, the goal of attaining enlightenment is for oneself alone. In the Bodhisattva path, which belongs to the Mahayana vehicle, the goal to achieve enlightenment is not for ourselves but for the sake of others. Once, you have generated this mindset, you are a Bodhisattva.
But there are differing levels of Bodhisattvas. There are ten levels, known as the ten grounds, of a Bodhisattva. So you progress in your Dharma practice of benefiting others and improving yourself for the sake of others, along these ten levels. Once you reach the 10th level, you are essentially enlightened, but you remain in the form of a bodhisattva rather than leaving your body and entering full enlightenment. The reason for this, is your motivation is not just for yourself but all other sentient beings who are still suffering.
When you achieve nirvana, you are in a state of bliss. Since you are in that state, you can remain there for a very long time without helping sentient beings. Hence Bodhisattvas remain to help all sentient beings instead of staying in that blissful state, due to their motivation for all senient beings to achieve that state of bliss themselves. I hope that this helps to answer your question. If not, you can refer to the teachings I mentioned at the begining.
Though not directly related to your question, you might find this short video teaching by Tsem Rinpoche interesting:
Why Bodhisattvas Are Like Peacocks
https://youtu.be/OHXULhL-UHo?si=FG80TpQACuYhbsCm
April 14, 2024 13:11
Kams asked:If a part of Buddhism is accepting reality as it is, rather than how we want it to be, I find it contradictory because human nature is innately selfish and basically "survival of the fittest" and all that. Of course, Humans have evolved to be intelligent and aware. But doesn't that make living by a code of ethical conduct denying our animalistic nature? thus denying the reality of the selfish human nature? I am simply curious about this and would like an answer. Thanks!pastor answered:Dear Kams,
Nice to see you here, you've asked a very interesting question. In Buddhism, when we talk about accepting reality as it is, this is in a very specific way, and usually not the way we think of when we read or hear the phrase 'accepting reality.'
Accepting reality here means not thinking about things as inherently existing. When we think about existence in this manner, it is not correct, because nothing in existence is static, it is ever moving, ever changing. To use a very common Buddhist term, it is impermenant. From the Buddhist perspective the understanding and living by impermenance is very important. I'll give a an example of this. In life, we go through ups and downs, times we are happy and times we are sad. And sometimes, this can be an emotion upheveal. When we experience happy times, we want them to last, we want to always feel that way, so when things go wrong, or not how we want them to be, we get upset. But if we live by impermanence during those happy times, we cherish them more, we live in the moment of being happy rather than wanting it to last. Similarly, when things go wrong, we know that eventually things will get better, because even sadness and all the negative experiences we have in life are impermanent. So 'accepting reality' is a very broad definition, but in Buddhism, it's actually very specific to certain things.
But your question touches on a very important point, and that is what you call our 'selish nature.' In Buddhism, this selfishness comes from karma and delusions. It's the way we naturally operate as humans. But as humans, or any type of being bound by the law of karma within samsara (existence) we create more negative karma and delusions. This only leads us to have this type of nature in future lives as humans, or leads us to suffer in lower rebirths such as the animal or hell realms, or leads us to have pleasures in the god realm. However, no matter what happens, we are still stuck because samsara is a cycle fueled by karma and delusions.
The goal of Buddhists is to transcend/escape this system altogether. We won't be bound by such selfish natures any more and since we are not bound by that, we are free from all types of suffering that occur within existence. Suffering itself is a very big part of the Buddhist teachings. In fact it was the first thing that the Buddha ever taught. But this was not done to make us depressed. It was done to make wake up to our current state within existence and then do something about it.
Here are some video teachings by Tsem Rinpoche that may explain things better:
Karma's Job is to Make You Suffer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycNTf-W1mLA
How Wrong Projections Bring Us Suffering (with subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vICsghJhjqU
The Cycle of Wrong Perception & Wrong Experience
https://youtu.be/EXyhGaXBtK8?si=KktuiuZLd7y4SST4
Karma & Impermanence
https://youtu.be/sL5qn54rPlM?si=0-DwTs-QzKDxA_BX
Hope all this helps to answer your question.
April 13, 2024 03:23
Lee asked:Hello Pastors!
I have a questions about one situations:
I knew life is impermanent but I have saw some situations that please, help me to clear the doubts.
An younger girl has been long time prayers to lord Dorje Shugden but one days, she got an severe cancer but she still strongly devote to lord Shugden.
But in the end that she still die in young age.
How we should look at the situations like this dear Pastors?
Does lord Shugden not help us to find a way or atleast, good doctors or good medicine to help us?
Thanks.pastor answered:Dear Lee,
Thank you for your question. I'm very sorry to read about this situation. It truly is very saddening whenever someone so young passes away. When things like this happen, as Buddhists we need to remember the teachings of the Buddha, not just impermanence. The main one to remember here is karma and rebirth. We were attached to people who have passed away, because we knew them very well in this life. But this is not the only life that the person has had, nor the only life they will have.
When we are born, what experiences we go through in life, and ultimately when we pass on is all due to our karma and their consequences. Daily sadhana practice and devotion is good on a general level, but when the conditions for certain karma to arise occurs, we are faced with very difficult situations due to the arising of karma. If we have had the time and effort to practice deeply, such conditions will not arise but for most people, they will. This is part of samsara and the reason we need to get out of samsara by becoming enlightened.
When such conditions arise, we need extra help to overcome these situations than just our faith and daily practice. That is where other practices come into play, such as pujas, offerings, life-extending practices such as animal liberation, etc. Because the ripening of that karma is strong, we need a stronger method to overcome it than just daily practice. When we are going through such situations, it is best to consult those who can advise on what to do. In our organisation here are the contact details: https://www.kechara.com/contact/
Dorje Shugden and other practices can definitely help with these sorts of things, but it depends on our effort. Since the karma is so strong, it takes effort to help overcome that karma. If we put in that effort by making more prayers, more offerings, doing pujas or other practices, then yes, Dorje Shugden is able to use the merit from those practices and to help us find good doctors, good treatments and make the treatments more effective than they would have been otherwise.
Unfortunately, sometimes that karma is too strong for a person to be ill or to pass away. In those cases, even though the person has passed, their faith, devotion and practice is still beneficial. Why? Because there are future lives. We only experience the loss of a person in this life, but we should think about their future lives also. That is a reason that prayers, pujas and other activities is so much stressed in Buddhism when a person passes on. They are to help that person in their next lives, as an extension of our love and care for them in this life.
In the case of the young girl who passed away, her prayers and faith will not go unanswered in the long term, for her next lives, but unfortunately the ripening of her negative karma was too strong in this life. Dorje Shugden and the Buddhas will definitely take care of her and benefit her in her future lives, all the way until she becomes enlightened.
Here is something that you can do to help the young girl for her future lives: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/something-simple-for-the-deceased.html
Impermanence, karma, rebirth, etc has all been explained by the Buddha and is in scripture, like the Lamrim. When we understand the Lamrim better, we are able to help our loved ones better not just in this life, but for their future lives too. I really hope this helps you. I will keep the young girl in my prayers as well.
April 12, 2024 19:13
Lo asked:Does chanting mantras affect our energy bodies? For example, Could chanting the Medicine Buddha mantra be sending a sort of healing/alleviating effect to our energy channels and in that way, replicating the healing in our physical bodies?pastor answered:Dear Lo,
Nice to see you back here. Yes, chanting mantra definitely effects our energy bodies. Mantras themselves are the form of the Buddhas in sound vibrations. Chanting mantras helps to affect energetical changes within our body for a particular purpose.
Each mantra of a deity has a particular benefit that we receive when chanting. For example, Medicine Buddha is healing & long life. Manjushri is wisdom and intelligence. However, these are just the immediate benefits from their practice. But each deity practice is capable of leading us all the way to enlightenment.
As we recite mantras, the vibrations or energy of that particular mantra pervades our energy body, effecting a change associated with that particular mantra.
Here are some tips on how to chant mantras correctly: https://www.kechara.com/chanting-mantras-correctly/
Here is a fantastic teachings on mantras by Tsem Rinpoche: https://www.kechara.com/chanting-mantras-correctly/
Of course, just simply reciting mantras has an effect, but if you engage in mantra recitation with focus and as part of the practice of that particular deity, the benefits are definitely much stronger. I hope this helps.
Thank you
April 11, 2024 20:37
Lo asked:if the earth were to not exist, would the "human realm" and "animal realm" be completely eliminated from the wheel of samsara?pastor answered:Dear Lo,
Thank you for your very interesting question. If the earth stopped existing, the human realm and animal realm would not be completed eliminated from samsara. This is because we are only talking about one planet called earth. According to Buddhism there are many, many more planets or what are called "World Systems" in the universe, not just our planet earth. Buddhist cosmology extends far beyond just our planet.
The six realms then, cover all sentient beings in existence, this include life on other planets, and therefore covers what we might call 'alien' life forms that are not of our planet. So on other planets, you have physical beings, just like us. They fall into either the human or animal realms as well. They may not physically look like us, but their experiences and the sufferings they have are the same as those of the human and animal realms. For example, we feel physical pain and pleasure, those on other planets who fall under the human realm category would feel physical pain and pleasure too. Same with emotions, levels of intellect between the human realm and animal realm, etc.
An example of different world systems is the story of the Buddha Tara. It is well known that she achieved enlightenment, not on our planet earth but on another world system. Another example, highlighting this is the Sutra Dispelling Darkness in the Ten Directions, which you can find here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#chokchu This sutra is commonly recited to dispell obstacles related to travelling and safety while travelling. It references quite a few world systems and the enlightened beings who have manifested there.
The only way that the human and animal realms would be eliminated from samsara, is not that a single planet would cease to exist, but that all sentient beings become enlightened. That is why the enlightenment of all sentient beings is the aim of the Mahayana tradition, to which Tibetan Buddhism belongs.
I hope all of this answers your question.
April 10, 2024 20:53
Lisa asked:Hello Pastors:
I will visit Thailand soon and I knew that Thai People that they are very devoted to Buddha but beside of this, they also worship many many gods.
I have one questions about one famous site in Thailand called Erawan Chapel:
They worship Four-faced Bhrama called Phra Phrom and how do you think about this God? Is he mundane or supramundane Dharmapala? Is it safe to make a prayer or a wish infront of Him?
I have been practice and prayer to Lord Dorje Shugden for long time and sure that, I don't know any prayer to Phra Phrom or any deities outside Gelug Traditions.
So, can I use a pray to lord Tsongkhapa and a pray to lord Shugden infront of Phra Phrom?
Thank you so much.pastor answered:Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your question. Within Buddhism, one of the tenets of the faith is to only take refuge in those beings who are enlightened. As I am sure you are already aware, the god realm is one of the six realms of samsara, and sentient beings are born within these realms endlessly until and unless they become enlightened.
As you mentioned Phra Phrom is Four-Faced Brahma, who is a god. He is neither a mundane or supremundane Dharmapala. There may be others gods with the same name as Brahma, but Four-Faced Brahma/Phra Phrom is a worldly god. However, he is a very high-level god who is very much respected, but not prayed to in the sense of going to him for Refuge.
While this particular shrine is very famous as it is said he grants wishes, petitioners who go to him must promise to fulfil certain offerings, etc., if their prayers are fulfilled. If their wishes are fulfilled and the promised offerings not made on time, it is also well-known that they will be struck with misforunte because he has become angry at them. This shows, he is a worldly god, still in samsara although very high-level and very powerful. The enlightened beings on the other hand, do not get any with practitioners, because they have no anger.
However, given this, of course you can still visit the shrine. You can even make the traditional offerings that are available there, such as flowers, fruits, etc. This is not the same as making offerings to the enlightened beings, nor does it generate merit. It is more like giving a gift to someone you respect. You are basically paying respect to him.
If you are strong in your Buddhist practice, when there you would not ask him for anything, make any wishes, etc. You are simply giving him offerings as a mark of respect. When there, you can pray to Lama Tsongkhapa, Dorje Shugden, whichever enlightened being you like, but you are not praying to Four-Faced Brahma, but reciting the prayers of the enlightened beings. This will help bless the shrine itself with the energies of the enlightened beings, as well as yourself, just like reciting prayers to the Buddhas would naturally bless you and environment when recited normally.
I hope this answer helps.
April 9, 2024 13:37
Lee asked:Hello Pastors!
I have questions about:
For some circumstance due to images of Lord Setrap too wrathful for few person and they not used to this images yet.
Could we share the images of lord Tshangpa Karpo for this kind of person to worship and practice with reciting lord Setrap's mantra daily? Is it ok? As i knew lord Tsangpa is peaceful form of lord Setrap.
Therefore, we could see lord Tshangpa same as lord Setrap, couldn't we?
Thank you so much.pastor answered:Dear Lee,
Thank you for your question. Yes, you are correct that Tsangpa Karpo is the peaceful form of Lord Setrap. However, the form, the nature of the practice, the mantra, etc is different. While it is not wrong for a person to have Tsangpa Karpo on their altar and recite Setrap's mantra and/or prayers. It wouldn't be as effective as having the actual image of Setrap on the altar and engaing in the practice.
Traditionally, if you are engaging in the practice, you would have an image of that deity on the altar. While all the enlightened beings, whether in their meditational deity form or protector forms are all one and the same, the practice and the nature of the practice differs. So it's better to have an image of the actually deity/protector that you are practising on your altar, to 1) create merit in relation to making offerings to that deity or protector and 2) to act as a focal point for your practice.
Traditionally, for Dharma protectors, the images were covered when placed on the altar, one reason being that they are wrathful and not everyone is used to that. So perhaps you can give them an image that is covered.
Alternatively, if Setrap's form or mantra is too wrathful for them, perhaps a more peace deity that has similar protective qualities would be better for them. Such deities include Lama Tsongkhapa or even Green Tara. These are meditational deities rather than Dharma protectors, but they can have the same protective qualities as a Dharma protector when practiced well. But obviously this would depend on why that person was practicing Setrap in the first place. I hope this helps.
If you would like more private advice regarding this, you can email us at care@kechara.com, referencing this question and our reply. Hope this helps. Thank you.
April 8, 2024 11:17
Jay asked:What are the requirements, prerequisites, commitments and vows for Hayagriva practice? I recieved Hayagriva Empowerment from my root guru but he’s been slow to tell me what all the vows, commitments, prerequisites and requirements for the practice?
You all have such detailed and specific answers for Dorje Shudgen, Yamantaka and Vajrayogini; I was wondering what if there was a unique or different answer for Hayagriva;
Thank youpastor answered:Dear Jay,
Thank you for your question. As you have received empowerment into this incredibly powerful practice and therefore have a guru-disciple connection with your root guru, you should make offerings and request him/her to explain more about the vows, commitments, etc. This would be best. Sometimes, gurus adapt the commitments to suit the students, give the empowerment as a blessing without commitments, etc. So, we cannot comment on the exact vows, commitments, prerequisites and requirements as this will depend on the guru who gave you the empowerment.
That being said, there are also many different practices of Hayagriva, according to various lineages and even with the lineages there are versions of the practice belonging to the lower tantra classification and the higher tantra classification, so the vows and commitments, etc., also differ according to type of tantra.
In general for the requirements and prerequisites you can follow the general information on the following articles, minus those that refer to Vajra Yogini's practice specifically:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/starting-on-vajra-yogini-now.htmlhttps://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/vajrayogini-the-powerful-divine-red-lady.html
These are generally having strong guru devotion, and (if you are from the Gelug tradition) study and practice of the Lamrim & other teachings. If you are from another lineage, the teachings may be different. You will also need to have completed some of the Ngondro practices or Preliminary Practices which are extended retreats. But again, all of this would depend on the guru who gave you the empowerment.
If the empowerment you received is a lower tantra type of Hayagriva empowerment, then you would need to keep your refuge and bodhisattva vows as they would have been given as part of the empowerment.
If the empowerment you received is a higher tantra type, then you would need to hold tantric vows in addition to the refuge and bodhisattva vows. You can read more about the vows here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/students-friends/vows-the-roots-of-all-attainments.html
While we do have all of this information available on this website, it is better to request your guru to give you teachings on what the commitments are, if any, of the empowerment you received. You should take the information here as a basis to educate yourself on what they are, but in terms of practice, this is something that only your guru who gave you the empowerment can tell you.
I hope this helps you a little.
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4 days ago
Mr. Cheah Fook Wan offered lights and incense to The Three Jewels prior to the puja in Ipoh. (KISG - Kin Hoe)
4 days ago
Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations on Sunday afternoon in Ipoh. (KISG- Kin Hoe)
2 weeks ago
Powerful Dorje Shugden puja @ Jalan Seang Tek, Penang. Every Saturday, 3 pm. Remove obstacles and grant blessings to fulfil wishes. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta. 6th April 2024
3 weeks ago
Rejoice to the volunteers (also kind sponsors) who cleaned the Gyenze Chapel and made abundant offerings to Gyenze. ~ Alice
3 weeks ago
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
3 weeks ago
Offered beautiful flowers abundantly to Gyenze. ~ Alice
4 weeks ago
Our weekly Dorje Shugden Puja @ 23/3/2024 . William, as the umze is seen here burning incense powder as we are about to recite the Sangsol Prayer to Dorje Shugden composed by Ganden Serkong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
And here's Mr Wong of KSK Ipoh who dropped by to pray and offered some donation to the Chapel. Kechara Penang Study Group. Pic by Siew Hong & uploaded by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Today's puja (16/3/2024) ended around 420pm, Jacinta was the umze of the day. Pic by Siew Hong. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Group photo taken after the last session, sealed with King of Prayers. Come and join us next time! Sayonara - 9-10th March 2024 - Kechara Penang DS Retreat by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Abundance altar! Fruits, flowers, Mee Koo (traditional Penang buns), Bee Hoon, sourdoughs and snacks are some of the offerings to Rinpoche, Buddhas & Bodhisattvas. Kechara Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat 9-10th March, 2024 by Jacinta.
1 month ago
Siew Hong, one of retreatants and an active member of Kechara Penang group proudly presented her torma to be used during the Kalarupa puja. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
1 month ago
Torma making was taught by Pastor Seng Piow and held one day before the retreat. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
1 month ago
Penang Dorje Shugden Retreat cum Puja, 9-10th March 2024 led by Pastor Seng Piow with 12 retreatants. Uploaded by Jacinta
2 months ago
The celebration ended with a Dorje Shugden puja, dedicated to all the sponsors, our loved ones and as well as for the happiness & good health for all sentient beings. May Rinpoche return swiftly too and taking this opportunity wishing all Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai from all of us, Kechara Penang Study Group. Uploaded by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Seen here, Pastor Seng Piow set off firecrackers - welcoming of the upcoming year with enthusiasm and positive energy. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
2 months ago
In this pic, Pastor Seng Piow is sharing Dharma with newbies ~ Sharyn's friends. It's always good to make light offerings at the beginning of new year. By making light offerings, you are able to dispel the darkness of ignorance and achieve wisdom. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
One the day of Losar (new lunar year), it is always beneficial for Buddhist practitioners to get together in making abundant offerings to Buddhas on the altar to usher in goodness, prosperity and well-being of our loved ones. It's more auspicious this year as Losar and the Chinese New Year begin on the same date, 10th Feb, 2024. Back in Penang, our Kechara members came together to decorate the altar with abundance offerings for Dorje Shugden puja @3pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
2 months ago
Mr. Dared Lim was offering water bowls on behalf of Kechara Ipoh Study Group. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Jun from Ipoh was offering mandarin oranges to Mother Tara and The Three Jewels. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
Prior to our puja in Ipoh, Mr. & Mrs. Cheah Fook Wan were preparing for the offerings to the Buddhas. (Kin Hoe)
2 months ago
On Sunday afternoon, Kechara Ipoh Study Group has carried out Mother Tara prayer recitations in Ipoh. (Kin Hoe)
3 months ago
Some of the best shots taken during Thaipusam in Penang. Swee Bee, Huey, Tang KS, Nathan, Choong SH and Jacinta volunteered. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
3 months ago
Simple yet powerful ally ~ Bhagawan Dorje Shuden. Kechara Penang Study Group consists of Chien Seong, Hue, Choong SH, Tang KS, Swee Bee and Jacinta. Wai Meng came all the way from KL to help out. Uploaded by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Thaipusam in Penang. Some of the best shots. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta
3 months ago
Nothing beats having a sacred audience with our lineage lamas. It's not selfie or wefie, but we have the best 'groufie'!!! 20th Jan 2024, Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Welcoming our lineage Gurus to our Penang Chapel today! Pastor Seng Piow explained the significance of having Guru Tree and introduced to us our lineage lamas, Buddhas, deities, protectors and etc.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
3 months ago
Umze for the day was Siew Hong. She's just been with us for slightly more than a year now but she's proven her capability in leading the puja. Our Penang group members are so proud of her and her commitment in attending the weekly puja. Despite being eloquence and smart, she has beautiful chant as well. When she leads, make sure you are there to hear her chant for yourself! Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
Tara Recitation is on now at KISG - Wai Meng
4 months ago
Photo from Wan Wai Meng
4 months ago
A sea of yellow ~usually in Tibetan Buddhism yellow represents growth. We prayed that our Penang group will grow in terms of people, wealth and attainments too. _/_ Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
After Dorje Shugden puja @3pm, we had Rinpoche's Swift Return puja too. We laughed as Sis Swee Bee was commenting that Tang should smile ~ here's the reason why we laughed. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta Goh
4 months ago
4 months ago
Today's (9/12/2023)Dorje Shugden puja led by Gordon. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
4 months ago
4 months ago
5 months ago
Dharma sharing by Hue before we proceeded with DS puja & Rinpoche Swift Return puja. Hue is one of the long time Kechara Penang members and he comes to puja regularly. He shared that he truly believes that Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche always there guiding him. He shared how sometimes DS will give him hints to avert troubles ahead or to alert him when he 'misbehaved'. Hope many will come to know more about this powerful Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden aka DS. Having Dorje Shugden is like having a powerful ally that will protect us day and night. Just trust Him and have faith. Kechara Penang Study Group, 25/11/2023 by Jacinta.
5 months ago
Kechara Penang Study Group had our weekly DS puja , led by our beloved sis Swee Bee and serkym by Mr. Lee. After that, we completed Swift Return puja also. 18th Nov 2023. By Jacinta
5 months ago
#Back2back 11th Nov 2023 Dorje Shugden puja & Rinpoche's Swift Return puja @Penang Chapel, 49 Jalan Seang Tek, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Every Saturday @3pm/5pm. Kechara Penang Study Group by Jacinta.
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Learning, practicing Dharma is my best choice. Putting into action have me gradually helped me change my priorities in life from acquisition into compassion. I learned to be a better human, psychedelic experience opened up a whole new world. Applying what I learned from reading and listening from Rinpoche ‘s blog have me transformed and inspired me. Turning negatives into positives situation have me more opened, seeing things in a different way, accept things as it goes , much happier then before, and spending every moment of my life meaningfully.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this .
The dharma teachings are holy and sacred but it cannot change our life become better overnight. We have to learn the dharma and applying it daily, we will have changes. Dharma can only be called dharma when we have transformation in the mind.
Always challenge our mind, from negative thinking to positive thinking. When we train our mind to think positively, we may become calmer, happier, and able to accept more difficult situation for others with higher purposes. We have to understand that only we can change our thoughts. So start practicing dharma now diligently with consistency and there will be results.
Change doesn’t come without effort. As Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche said in his commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa’s “The Three Principal Paths” (“The Three Principal Aspects of the Path”), “if you really put forth the effort, there’s no question that you can even become a Buddha”.
We expect dharma to be some profound wisdom that is the solution to all our problems. It is. But dharma is also logical, it’s not magical. You still need to learn how to drive that car, cook that dish – that’s the part we don’t want to hear. We want to take a pill and it’s instant enlightenment. That’s why many of us despite finding dharma, will still leave because we are still looking that pill.
If we brought ourselves this this state due to habituations of 30 years plus, it may not be logical to think a solution can be found via dharma with a few weeks of going through the motions of practicing dharma. It is not impossible but highly improbable. Rinpoche tells us we can change, if we apply the dharma, and better to start now to effect that change in us.
Thank you Rinpoche for giving us a short yet powerful video teaching of changing ourselves with positive results by applying the Dharma practice after we have listened and learnt the Dharma. There is no immediate or quick fix when we enter into a Dharma class but gradually applying the Dharma into ourselves with mind transformation day by day before we can completely get rid of our long habituated negativity such as selfish mind, egoism, self-grasping, hatred, jealousy and ignorance. Challenging our mind to endure the difficult situation by consistently staying on the pure Dharma practice can make us feel uneasy and unhappy in the short term, but self liberation from samsara with ultimate happiness is awaiting us ahead in the long term through the Dharma practice.
Thank you Rinpoche. Yes, I am responsible for the way I apply the dharma to transform my mind to be more positive and less egotistical.No one can do it for me. At the same time I must be patient and persevering, as my mind will not effect changes overnight. I have had many years of negative habituation. How can I expect a change to take place instantly. I must let go of the past and also always think of how I hurt others when I continue to cling to my negative habituations.
I must not think I can’t do it. I CAN, I MUST, I WILL.If I don’t persevere and just give up, it will be a great waste. I have met all the opportune conditions; and, most rare and precious of all, I have met my Spiritual Guide.If I give up, I will continue to circle samsara and continue to suffer lifetime after lifetime, as I have done for lifetimes before this.
In my first audience with Rinpoche, Rinpoche advised that for change and transformation to be sustainable, we must implement change with wisdom and compassion, i.e taking it one step at a time. Moderate implementation makes a goal more attainable albeit challenging.
Being an extreme person, I thank Rinpoche for this advise that is both very kind and wise.
I hope for everyone who wishes to apply change in their lives to benefit from this short and precise teaching.
So true, Rinpoche, holding onto past experience, except with skills of operation, does not help with Dharma practice.
Even past experience and skills may not be useful as the world’s technology and things progress and upgrade.
Holding on to our past is the highest form of self indulgence and the obstacle for inability to change. Perfect illustration of the egotistical mind.
Thank you, Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche
Change is difficult especially when a person starts learning dharma and applying it. Everyone including me want quick fix for whatever problems we face and we expect quick results but as Rinpoche says – it will take time. We know it will take time for us to see the results but we’re just too impatient , thus we’ll just give up too easily. As for myself, I know it’s a long road for me but I will not give up in my spiritual path. As what Rinpoche said it take years in our habituation , thus it will take years too for us to see positive change in us. What I can say is that the biggest obstacle is in our mind – once our mind is transformed , we will be able to break through the barriers. The change we need has to come from within. People don’t and won’t change for us; thus we got to change from within ourselves. It is true to the fact that we have a egoistical mind that hinders us from applying the dharma that we have learnt.
Thank you Rinpoche for reminding us about the need to learn dharma and applying it in our daily lives.
Regards
Leonard Ooi
Kechara Penang Study Group
“Only I can change myself and no one can do it for me. If I resolved to change, it is where the real transformation begin.” When the change comes from within, we will not be dissapointed by others. It is expectation that gives rise to all headaches. Expect less and change for the better. I might fear the unknown ( and still) but it is far more challenging than time wasted and having regrets. For better or worse, we are constantly changing and we just have to shape and mould it from time to time.
Time waits for no man! I truly agree that if we want to see results, we have to start applying Dharma in our lives now. It’s not only about listening and understanding Dharma, key word here is to apply Dharma in our lives under all circumstances. We may not see results overnight due to number of years of habituation, but definitely will see results if we are consistent in our Dharma actions. Applying Dharma will only lead to positive changes. I will remember this teaching by heart. Thanks Rinpoche for such a profound teaching on change.
When we learn the drama, apply them in our daily action and when we see the results in our life there is where we see the satisfaction and from there we are convince that the dharma is right, truth and remedy for our problem and solution for our happiness. I agree that we need to take time to change but not to wait for change but to work for the change. I understand what Rinpoche is telling us here is to apply one day at a time, one month at a time… we need to apply but in a progressive pace as due to our habituation it take time to curb and apply the new method to counter negative habituation but we have to apply no matter ow hard it is.
I like this “ Dharma is not just to learning, listening and understanding, Dharma is when you get results”.
lol! i Love this video. when You say “change” then You switch from right side of Your face showing to right side of Your face showing. lol. And the background – makes me want to go out and buy a lava lamp. And the Dharma flowing from your mouth is profound! This song keeps playing in my head, my brain synapses have made a connection between the two ( http://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74 )
Love the background!
Thank you for sharing this with us Rinpoche. Some of us have embraced the dharma recently and we go through many new emotions, sometimes we think “oh, all my actions from now on will be pure” but then we slip up and feel guilty and confused about it. Or when conditions around us do not turn favourable immediately.
This teaching explained that change do not happen overnight and it’s because of our years of habituation, our minds are so used to processing information in a certain way, that we can’t re-write that whole process in a mere few days. Similarly, if we spend years getting ourselves in a mess, we cannot untangle ourselves from it within 1 day.
Thank you Rinpoche, for giving us the “secret” formula.
This post was originally put up about one year ago and it is a good exercise now to reflect on whether we have indeed made progress in our Dharma practice by looking at our changes over the last year. Clearly in order to do that, we must firstly be mindful of what we need to change and then apply what we have learned from the Dharma and then test the changes under difficult circumstances. Positive change begets even more positive improvements because when there is a real change in us, we can taste it. It is a freedom from whatever afflictions used to have such a hold on us such as anger and depression and if we are practicing Dharma correctly, it is safe to say that we begin to crave for change. Over time difficult circumstances begin to present themselves as opportunities to measure ourselves rather than registering as problems.
I thoroughly love this short teachings that we can out into effect immediately.
Very powerful on how we can be a better person. If we have spent ten years habituating, it will take almost that amount of time to reverse the effect of our negative habituation.
Unless somehow we have this major paradigm SHIFT. Ans sometimes the Lama makes that magic happen in the SHIFT.
Thank you Rinpoche, for your interesting video talk on how to integrate Dharma into our lives and pschedically change ourselves. Yes, when we have experienced some sort of compassion, care and concern for others from our practice,we certainly feel happy and joyful and have no hesitancy to helping others. As a start, in bringing happiness to other people’s lives, our goals, ideas, aspirations and endeavours will grow, and as such, we are able to cultivate positive energies which at times of our practice of Dharma should be important! May we be able to have this as a total positive change, and bring that to others too! OM MANI PADME HUM.
[…] Psychedelic Change (tsemtulku.com) […]
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this profound teachings. Transformation takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight. How much we want to change is dependent on how much effort we put in. Real dharma is when we transformed and get the results.
What a powerful teaching and reminder of how much we need to change all the time for the better. I am pretty much a creature of comfort and habit. I think that change is inevitable and how well we cope with change meaning to continually apply the Dharma with humility, perseverance and willingness to self-examine and follow through what is needed. I think one of the quotes Rinpoche posted before really reflects this spirit of transformation and change :-
“The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Thank you Rinpoche on the short but very wise and profound teaching.
It is so true that everyone wants the quick and easy way to Enlightenment -“quick fix, instant results”.
We need to do the inner work ourselves, no matter how difficult and challenging it will be.
As there is no one who can wave a magic wand or give us a magic pill and we instantly become Enlightened !!!
Thank you Rinpoche for teaching us how to do it and thank you for explaining to us how wonderful transformation of the mind can be.
thxxxx …
Thank you Rinpoche for this short yet deep teaching.
Thank You Rinpoche for the reminder, will practice it always and apply in daily life.
_/\_
Best Regards : Erickksiow
Thank you for the short but meaningful video, Rinpoche. I learnt that change can sometimes take longer than what is expected and being compassion to oneself can help. In the our focus to be compassionate to others, it is easy to forget to be compassionate to oneself. With folded hands.
beautiful teaching!
“You can tolerate more difficult situation, you can accept more difficult situation and you can accept it for others for a higher purpose that is the Dharma”
SO IMPORTANT POINT SO IMPORTANT ~~For others…..For others…..I wish to remember this every moment of my life. Thank you Rinpoche deeply with intent I wish for this sincerely..to begin today in a new journey in the Dharma day by day I can stop to be depress for others no need to be sad just give and be happy This is a big jump but I can begin today with strong intent to follow the Dharma.
Rinpoche puts it in such a clear and lucid way , if we expect one day of mantra / om mani padme hum and all our toxins or negativity we have accumulated goes a way that does not make sense. But as how rinpoche broke it down, if we start to have dharma, we start to have a different mind and outlook altogether. All our actions does start with the mind and if we are even willing to entertain the thought that we could have been wrong and want to change that is very powerful thought in our minds. What rinpoche pointed out is that when we come into dharma, there will be changes. In the lamrim the BUddhas pay more homage to our initial small change than the bigger changes we experience in dependance on the small changes in our minds in the first place.
Not easy to kick our habituation out off the door once and for all. But rather than sitting down not doing anything, it is best to roll up the sleeves and get working on it.
Nobody can help us, beside ourselves. Along that way am sure we will encounter various difficulties.
Anger, frustration, laziness and so on…but we must learn to counter negative emotions positively. If we do that perhaps we are transforming while learning how to transform.
Thank You Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for this patient teaching. The kindness of Rinpoche and the 3 Jewels is once again displayed in this video. Rinpoche, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha work compassionately with the limitations we impose upon ourselves by accepting that “we need more time to change”.
I agree with May that the speedy path is certainly “better” than taking our time because time passes quickly and many things can happen within the short time frame of a split second. For example: How many times did we regret simply because we procrastinated? How many times did we miss our chance to tell someone we loved them because we thought we had the time? How many lives can be lost or come to be in a second?
Nevertheless, Rinpoche is very kind, wise and skilful to teach this more feasible approach of taking a step at a time in today’s degenerate age. However, we must not take the kindness of our Guru for granted and still work for the fastest possible change by being the best of who we can be.
The best change in onself is without knowing one has changed until one is told you are changed for the better.
I love this post! Short, direct and compelling teaching right to the core yet set against a psychedelic background.
Change of negative habits is a challenge that I have been and am still striving for. Not easy but little by little, day by day, I get happy when I see subtle changes in me. Harder still is not to revert to negative habits. But I will persevere.
great video, simple and easy to understand….
THE CHANGE HAS TO COME FROM YOU. LEARNING AND APPLYING UNDER ALL DIFFICULT SITUATIONS….
APPLY DHARMA , DHARMA IS WHEN YOU GET RESULT…
We call dharma only we have transformations, challenge negative to positive…..
Learning,applying and one hundred per cent targeting the mind with the Dharma.Assassin of the ego.The ego that brings us unhappiness.Along with that we do Dharma work and our Guru Yoga to support and as a practice to collect merit.
I will remember this Rinpoche and apply it to the best of my ability.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching.
Change equates to this formula: 2+2 (two plus two) always equal to 4 but when we change to this: 8/2 (eight divide by two) also equals to 4 with the same result. However, the formula is different.
If we want result that comes with happiness, we need to use the “dharma” formula ie. do dharma homework, take dharma lessons, put in effort, learn and apply them and see the changes in us (our mind, speech and action).
If we work harder and faster, we see quicker changed results because we meet more obstacles and learned how to overcome them quicker and move on quicker to do more. Kind of like a cycle.
If we take our sweet time to wait to change, our change and progress will be much slower as we meet lesser challenges and do not get to see the result soon, we may give up on the way and lose our sight on the final goal.
So I prefer the quicker path – meet more challenges, learned quickly and move on to the next level quickly.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching. It has come at the RIGHT time. Learn and Apply to get results.
This is a very encouraging video because all too often I feel that I am not transforming as fast as I can. It is only when we really want to change that we realize how deeply habituated we care. However, it is the daily application of the dharma and the constant reminder as to why we must transform and the sincere motivation to want to transform that gets us through the failures.
“Dharma is when we get results”. That statements makes the difference in my mind as to what Dharma actually is. So often I forget and think that the mere practice of Dharma is Dharma. I should be looking for the results.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Motivated! Thank you Dear Sir! Namaste.
Thank you Rinpoche for this short yet deep teaching.
I have highlighted the following:
Patience. How can we expect immediate result from Dharma practice? We have used many years to habituate ourselves to worldly habits, it will also take time to change these habits and create new habits of Dharma. We should set up expectations realistically.
We should tell ourselves “I will transform, there will be result” but we don’t expect overnight changes.
The only person that can change me is me. Saints cannot change my mind, only I can change by learning the Dharma and APPLYING it.
I should not depend on others, I should be a support for others not a burden, in worldly and in Dharma.
Learning and applying Dharma is the secret, learning only is not enough.
I should apply the Dharma one day at the time, one month, one year, and be confident that I am changing.
I become calmer, happier, I can accept more difficult situations and I can accept it for others, for a higher purpose.
Change is when I am always depressed and I stop it, I stop burdening others an focus on helping others, and I work hard to become a better person.
Change is starting a new train of thought, and I make today the beginning of tomorrow’s success, not the result of yesterday’s failures.
Change is challenging my mind, and turn the negative into positive.
Change is making no one around me in fear of me.
Change is “I will be a light for others”.
Change is being a murderer of my egoistical mind.
When I change people around will also change.
Dearest Rinpoche:
Thanks for the teaching. That is exactly what I’m always reminding myself – “The most effective transformation is not available in any scripture but it is written all the time on my action”.
Please correct and guide me if I’m wrong.
Thank you very much and take good care 🙂
With love,
VP
I want to follow Rinpoche’s instruction from this video to learn the dharma, apply dharma into daily life,aiming to change my mind,dehabituation, stop thinking of myself,think of other peoples happiness and get results thank you for the teaching.
Thank you Rinpoche. This reinforces all i have been reading in your books and blog and is most motivating….
Blessings Sir, Thank you.
Takes time, takes effort…. very good teaching! I really love that! Learning and applying creates change! That is it!
Tsem Riponche, please continue to teach the Dharma, and have a long life!