Rinpoche on National TV2’s Wesak Day Special!
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche appeared as the main guest speaker on the TV program “Buddhism’s Holiest Day” on Malaysia’s National TV2, on Wesak Day 2013.
Rinpoche was approached by TV2 for His opinion on Wesak Day. They wanted it as part of their Wesak Day Special documentary on TV2.
Besides Tsem Rinpoche who represents the Vajrayana tradition in Malaysia and its surrounding region, there are also other top representatives from the Theravadan and Mahayana movements who are speaking for their own traditions. There is beauty and dignity in diversity of Buddhist traditions.
Watch Tsem Rinpoche present to millions of TV viewers a concise yet very clear and insightful explanation on Buddha’s life story and what Buddhism is all about.
Wesak Day, or Vesak Day, is the day that Buddha Shakyamuni was born, gained enlightenment and entered clear light. For Buddhists all over the world, it is a day to celebrate the Buddha’s teachings, ie. the Buddha Dharma. It is also to remind us of the potential that we can all achieve by following in the footsteps of Buddha Shakyamuni, which is enlightenment.
Wesak Day is the most holiest time in the Buddhist calendar. The word Wesak comes from the Sinhalese language, “Visakha”, the name of the 2nd month of the lunar Hindu calendar.
Different countries may celebrate Wesak Day in different ways… but many people celebrate it by offering flowers, joss sticks, candles and other personal offerings to the Buddhas. Temples all around the world carry out their own services and activities… and it’s also very common for many to liberate animals on that day, as well as going on a vegetarian diet.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Wesak Day is Buddhism’s holiest day and has been declared by Malaysia government as public day since 1962 for over 55 years. As per our precious guru, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s advice, we are not only praying to the statue or Buddha image in this holy day. But we are using Buddha images to remind us of the perfect of Buddha. As Buddhists, we should pay homage to Buddha Shakyamuni with many offerings such as candle light offering, water offering, flower offering and etc, do prayers and meditate carefully and think about what have we been doing that harm or hurt others for the past year before Wesak Day. Subsequently, we should make changes and transform the negative qualities from our mind that create suffering and make promise to the Buddha to transform the negative to positive.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this nice video of Wesak Day which includes other top representatives from the Theravadan and Mahayana. We should grateful that we have freedom to practice our own beliefs in Malaysia and celebrate this holy Wesak Day together with the people from different races and religions.
Had a good Wesak this year to my standards, it was good to do some service at KFR during the celebration and also helped other volunteers to also give service to KFR during the celebration.
This year Wesak Day fall on 10 of May. This day is very special and meaningful to me because I will visit Kechara Forest Retreat(KFR) to join some meritorious event there.
For me, Wesak is a day to commemorate Buddha Sakyamuni in three aspect( Birth , Enlightened, Nirwana).
While we celebrate Wesak, we must remind ourselves to learn from Buddha teachings and practice it in order to gain attainment.
Thanks Rinpoche and Pastor Seng Piow for sharing in order to create more understanding on Wesak Day.
Jason
Rinpoche has given us a whole new perspective of the way to celebrate Wesak Day.Wesak Day is the day we remember as the day of Lord Buddha ‘s Enlightenment. We have the same goal as that of Lord Buddha – that of Enlightenment. Enlightenment is the attainment of complete liberation from suffering. Thus , the Buddha in attaining enlightenment, shows us that it is possible to attain this goal. So Wesak Day is celebrated to remind us of our goal of enlightenment. The goal is removal of suffering for others first and then self.
On Wesak Day we pay homage to the Buddha by making outer and inner offerings. Outer offerings include offerings of light, flower, fruits and food. We can visit temples to make offerings, or if our homes are remote and we have difficulty of going to a temple, we can pray and make specially abundant offerings at our own shrines at home. Inner offering is offering of our commitment to mind transformation -transforming negative emotions that cause suffering such as anger, miserliness and selfish attachment into patience, kindness, compassion, generosity and tolerance.
This is a day of giving not getting, a day of not focusing on ME but on OTHERS!
On this day, we can perform virtuous acts and deeds of moral discipline, giving, care and compassion. We can take the Refuge Vow, the Vegetarian Vow or the Mahayana Eight Precepts. We can go on pilgrimages to Holy Places, liberate animals, visit or give donations to orphanages, Old Folks’ Homes, the handicapped, the homeless and the like.
On this day ,we should reflect Peace and Compassion in all our actions, as Lord Buddha was a strong advocate and exponent of these qualities.We should make a commitment to develop these qualities in us. On this day especially we should remind ourselves how important it is that we respect people of all races and religions at all times.World peace begins with our own inner peace.
Looking forward to Wesak day in 2017, it is a very good reminder why we become buddhist and why we keep on the path. Also a good day for us to take the 8 Mahayana precepts as lay people.
Always look forward to many people doing good deeds and works for others.
As Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultures country,every one of us do enjoy every festival or special day celebrated by all.This year Wesak Day is just around the corner,we as buddist are looking forward to this day.Its a day that Buddha Shakyamuni was born, gained enlightenment and entered clear light. Buddist world wide will be celebrating in a different way but the goal is similar.Its a holiest day for the Buddism.
Our precious Guru was on National TV’s 2013 ,giving explanation of Buddhism and teachings.After viewing the video ,i have a better significance of Wesak Day. Making offerings like incense, flowers, fruits and light to receive blessing,as well as to gain merits and clearing of obstacles.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Seng Piow sharing these wonderful
documentary video of Wesak Day…very clear and easy to understand.I have shared these videos to my friends so as they can understand better of the signficance this special day.
It is so wonderful that a full program on Buddhism was aired on national TV, Malaysia being a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country. As H.E. Tsem Rinpoche taught in this video, acceptance of other religions and practices, basically accepting all peoples regardless of race, creed and practice, is what will bring about world peace.
In the video, so many different Buddhist traditions were highlighted. All are based on the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, the first Buddha. They are all different points of the same path. Whichever tradition, it is wonderful to see people practice. As long as harm is lessened, generosity and compassion increased, that would at least lessen some of the suffering we face in life.
But the highest goal for each Buddhist should be to be totally free of suffering and that is achievable as Rinpoche explains. We should wish that not only for ourselves but to all living beings.
I guess the birth date of the Buddha is a time of reflection for all people. And how did the Buddha live his life of 80 years, especially when he has attained buddhahood. Rinpoche has taught Buddhism in a way that many of us can relate to it, and understand within a modern context.
The Buddha and His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, lived their lives always teaching others the ultimate way to be truly happy. Always giving help and assistance to those needing it, and just living a life that is compassionate and renders no harm to others.
We live in Malaysia, a country with various cultures and religions. It is very good that one of the national TVs, TV2, to make a documentary about Wesak Day, the Holiest day for Buddhists. This was 3 years ago (time really flies).
Since there are many cultures and religions, we need to understand each others to have the harmony between religions and cultures. Because Buddhism is quite different from other religions such as Islam (which is the national religion of Malaysia), it is correct to educate each other about the fundamental differences, and through understanding and acceptance, we can create harmony.
I thank Rinpoche for accepting the interview to educate the public. It is great that we enjoy the religious harmonious in Malaysia, and we should not take it for granted. We should strive to maintain that.
It is important for Buddhists to understand the reason behind Wesak celebration, not just a day where for many, it’s a once a year ‘mad-rush’ to go for a Buddha-bathing ceremony.
Buddhists seek to reach a state of nirvana, following the path of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who went on a quest for Enlightenment around the 6 century BC. Buddha is not a “God” to worship, but a spiritual guide who has achieved enlightenment through the practice and development of compassion and wisdom and also mapped out the path for us to achieve it.
What I like most about Rinpoche’s talk is that Wesak is also a day to celebrate our goal, a reminder that we too can be free of suffering through the path taught by Lord Buddha. We are very fortunate here in Malaysia that Buddhism is widely practised, and thanks to National tv TV2, many had the chance to listen to explanation and a teaching by Rinpoche, who always are able to share Dharma with practical ways of practising, as well as the essence of the teachings in contemporary contexts and words.
Thank you Pastor Seng Piow for sharing this 2013 Wesak Day Special documentary on National TV2 with Rinpoche as the main guest speaker. I remember watching this in 2013 during our Wesak Day prayer at Kechara House, Sunwaymas Commercial Centre, Petaling Jaya. Rinpoche had explained the purpose of Wesak Day so clearly. It is an important remembrance of Buddha’s enlightenment and our own potential for enlightenment. Wesak Day is the day to remind ourselves of our altruistic path and to review the stage of our achievements to transforming our mind. Are we any closer to achieving happiness through selflessness and holding others as more important than ourselves?
To me, Wesak Day is also a celebration of having the merits to have met my Guru, H.H. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche is the living compassionate Buddha that is teaching and guiding me “now” towards the path of enlightenment. But then again, we should treasure and celebrate having a precious Guru in our lives each and everyday.
Thank you Rinpoche for the clear and easy understanding of the significance of Wesak Day and most of all, thank you for being my Guru.
Thank you for this post on this special day. I was very lucky to attend Wesak Day celebration at Kechara House Gompa in Sunwaymas, Kuala Lumpur. It was simply wonderful to witness 62 children go through their baptismal that morning. This is a ceremony Rinpoche introduced for us to bless and protect our children with the dharma before they are old enough to make a full commitment to take refuge when they grow up. As i watched these children, I rejoice for these young individuals to have the wisdom and compassion from such a young age. The teachings will certainly better equip our kids to progress in the ever challenging world of samsara.
Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful ceremony for the young.
Dear Rinpoche thank you for the teaching . it is very easy to understand and a lots of people still don’t know what is Vessak day. Rinpoche’s teaching has very clear explanation it will make people understand .. as Rinpoche said Vesak Day may be known by different names around the world, but Buddhists around the world come together as they celebrate sacred events in Buddha’s life in their on own tradition..
As the Wesak day for the year 2016 is fast approaching here in Malaysia, I am revisiting this post along with the wonderful documentary on Buddhism and Wesak Day. As a Buddhist, Wesak day is a very important day of remembering the kindness of the Buddha, his teachings and the teachers who teach.
For me, its a day to contemplate our spiritual journey and to take stock of where we are in our life and what more needs to be done to improve ourselves in our learning, practice and transformation. I have celebrated many Wesak days throughout my time as a student of Rinpoche and a member of Kechara, I have witnessed tremendous growth in the organization and in some ways, I feel there is growth within myself as well.
I think as human beings endowed with intelligence, we have to strive to make full use of what we have and grow and learn to be better. I may not have always look at it this way but I am beginning to these days…
It is very auspicious for devout Buddhist to make offerings to the Three Jewels (The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) on Wesak Day. It is also a day to make special effort to bring happiness to the less fortunate.
Most importantly, use this golden once a year opportunity to reiterate our determination to lead noble lives, to transform our minds, to practice loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Seng Piow; this is a nice Wesak Day video clip that we can share with friends and families.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Rinpoche explained Wesak day definition very well. Many people have the thought that Wesak Day is a celebration of the 3 big events of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. We never thought that is is actually a celebration of our goals that we can too achieve enlightenment if we follow the right path and practice.
Thank you Rinpoche for your sharing.
Many people don’t realize the deeper significance of Wesak Day and why we “celebrate” it. Many make offerings or incense, flowers, fruits and light to receive blessing and to merits for good health, more wealth and clearing of obstacles.
However, few realize that it’s to remind ourselves of the potential of enlightenment and also to plant the seeds of enlightenment in our mind stream. Enlightenment is possible and it not a myth. There are many enlightened beings around, guiding us towards our own enlightenment. If only we open our hearts to receive and practice, we will see results in our spiritual attainments.
May all who gather during this day be reminded of always practising kindness and compassion regardless of our differences.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s message is very unusual. Rinpoche always has the ability to explain Dharma in a very precise and practical ways cutting through all big words and jargons. It is so refreshing watching Rinpoche gave explanation about Wesak and made this TV documentary very different from the typical Buddhism documentary. “Celebrating Our Goal” – how apt Rinpoche put it, which is more than celebrating a holy man’s Nirvana day which we normally thought as the purpose of Wesak Day. So much wisdom in this short interview.
That was an absolutely FANTASTIC program!! So insightful!!
This video was being replayed few times during last Wesak Day in KH Gompa, Sunway. Never thought that during Wesak Day, we were actually celebrating our Goal, the goal to become a fully Enlightened Being; a Buddha, the Awakened one. Little did I know too, that on Wesak Day, we should give (should give more since it’s a merit-multiplying day as well) instead of receiving. Sadly to say, previously I have treated Wesak Day as one of the perfect days to just relax, a holiday or a time chilling out/catching up with friends and family. I should have spent it wisely! Hence, I am very thankful that my family and I celebrated the most holiest day, Wesak Day at Gompa this year. Although it was a tiring journey with few obstacles but it was much more meaningful than having to spend it in another way.
A glimpse into how Special Rinpoche is, as he is very eloquent in delivering the dharma. We are so fortunate to have met His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.
Wow, thanks Rinpoche for giving the clear definition about Wesak Day to us. All of us and peoples around the world will be blessed when see Rinpoche on their TV screen especially Malaysian.
Wish that Rinpoche will be always on TV program so more and more peoples around the world make plant a good seed after meet Rinpoche even just through TV screen…
Dear Rinpoche,
The video on Vesak is very insightful. It is also very simple to understand and speaks in simplicity for even lay people to understand what Vesak is all about, and little Dharma knowledge.
Thank you.
The video also focuses on Kechara, bringing Kechara to a new level of awareness.
Thank you for sharing your teachings, not just to your students, but to the whole nation, regarding your views on Wesak Day traditions. Rinpoche is truly a great lama who is perfect for us malaysians and with deep respect to other monks, I still feel that Rinpoche has done much more.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
I really like the fact told by Rinpoche that the Buddha want us to transform our mind, bring happiness to others, and do not create suffering to others, and eventually we will achieve world peace.
Thanks
After watching this video, at least I been able to have a better glimpse and acquire more knowledge pertaining to the actual significant of Wesak Day. Feeling really shameful on my ignorance. I believe a lot has benefited when this video was aired on nationwide television channel. Thank you Rinpoche and all the great monks for the detailed explanations .
On Wesak day, Buddhists pay homage to the Buddha by offering flowers, incense and lights. The Buddha himself stressed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings. This is how Buddhists are expected to celebrate Wesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.
me gusta
What I really love about Tsem Rinpoche is, even though He is explaining about the history,but Rinpoche is still able to spread the message and educate/instill a core value to the public no matter what religious background are you from! Buddhist teachings is just a medium to spread spirituality and kindness and self-improvements! This is what I saw from this video!
Tsem Rinpoche explained in a very very organized way and it’s very logical and we can understand some very complicated theories easily. This is so rare that a young teacher (compared to those old high lamas that have more experience in teachings)can teach in such a way! We are very lucky to have Rinpoche here.
hai
buddha was not born in india he was not indian prince he was born in lumbini which is in nepal u think u r buddhist but dont know much about buddha…u r misunderstood
Wesak day, the day where Buddha gained enlightenment, the day where Buddha show the final destination of the path he chosen, do we still have doubt? Is enlightenment impossible?
In many country, Wesak day is even been recognized as public holiday, many people took the chance to go temple to make a prayer and do offerings to the enlightened one. It is a day to remind us that enlightenment is possible, because if not, we won’t have Wesak day already.
Buddha has spent his whole life showing us the right conduct while walking on this path, the right attitude so that we do not went off during the journey.
I like this quote:
To cleanse the world, we must first cleanse our mind first.
That is very true that if we can’t even change ourselves, then how can we change others? It’s very important to control our mind well and then only we can reach higher state.
deseo informacion y boletines sobre el budismo
i appreciate this kind of…..
It’s nice to see Rinpoche appeared as the main guest speaker for this program.
Rinpoche speaks well and imparts dharma with much clarity and presented in a very modern, practical way. I am sure many people were captivated by Rinpoche’s talk as much as I am.
We are so blessed that Rinpoche chose to be with us in Malaysia.
I am REALLY HAPPY that Rinpoche was featured in this program. The way Rinpcohe talk and explained about Wesak Day was clear and easy to understand. If I am not in Kechara yet, I would definitely want to find out more and be part of Kechara. I have always liked Wesak Day. My family and I will go to the temple to circumambulate and offer incense every year. Now with clearer meaning to what is Wesak day, it’s a must go!
Thank you Rinpoche for the post!
On that day it was aired over tv, Dato Ruby+Pam+I were on our way back to PJ from KFR. We stopped at a restaurant at the foothill of Genting Highlands to watch the one hour documentary. We asked the shop owner if he could turn on the tv so we could watch. He agreed and we sat at the table right in front of the tv for the entire duration fo the programme.
Rinpoche gave a clear explanation of Wesak.
I am quite ashamed to say I didn’t really know the meaning of wesak day until today, I had some idea but was not sure of it, I really enjoyed watching this video. I’m so happy to see Rinpoche give an explanation of wesak day on tv 2. Its so beautiful to see all around the whole Buddhist celebrate Wesak in different ways, its so nice to know they have their own way of celebrating Buddha’s day. I love to hear the story of the Lord Buddha and how he became enlightened. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us this post.
Wesak day typically treated as a holiday to most Malaysian. I wish that many of us Malaysian were benefited from this programme and be able to understand the fundamental of Buddhism and why are we embracing Wesak Day.
As always, Rinpoche shares knowledge and imparts the dharma with clarity and present time examples. No wonder the director himself told me that Rinpoche is a star! Being knowledgeable doesn’t make one a great teacher; being able to find skillful means to impart it does. Malaysians are so blessed to have Rinpoche residing here!
This so good that Rinpoche was chosen to be on TV for Wesak Day 🙂 I think that the people running the program have really made the perfect choice. I am glad that Rinpoche had the chance to be on TV to tell people about Wesak Day and to spread the awareness of Kechara.
Dear Rinpoche, Thank You for sharing Rinpoche’s point of views on Wesak Day, I believe that many have learnt more about Wesak Day because I have. I was very fortunate to be able to watch the show when I was in Kechara House, after the prayers. Different countries have their very own special ways of celebrating Wesak Day, it’s great to be able to learn about them.
With the deepest respect, Rinpoche outshines the other great monks and Dharma masters because of his clear speech, knowledge of the Dharma and tremendous charisma. It is nice to see Rinpoche being acknowledged by being selected to be showcased on this TV program. I think the explanations was excellent and that it brought further exposure to Rinpoche and Kechara Organisation. Its nice that the Kechara Organisation that has grown rapidly in the last few years and it is poised to grow even more. Every little media exposure allows Kechara and RInpoche to reach out to even more pople. One day, Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara organisation would become a household name throughout Malaysia.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing and teaching the nation on your view of Wesak Day, Lucky for me i got to watch the whole Documentary on various peoples views on what is Wesak Day, how do they celebrate Wesak Day as well as how Wesak day has come about as a big celebration every year…. rain or shine for some….
I totally love the way most of the Dharma Centers always come out with so many different ways to celebrate such as floats, fairs and even Music Concerts….. it’s nice to see that every year all the Dharma Centers in both Malaysia and around the World manage to be able to come up with so many wonderful and creative ideas to attract the crowds to come.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing so much about Wesak Day!
Love
Jutika