Driving in West Hollywood today
Saturday, March 15, 2014. I was in West Hollywood today on my own. I was re-familiarizing myself with driving again. I stopped in a place to have a slice of pizza on Hollywood Blvd. While there I saw a young homeless girl walk in to buy a slice too. She didn’t have enough money, so she asked other people in the pizza shop for just one dollar. They ignored her and the owner was telling her to stop begging the customers. I offered her the dollar and a drink. She got her pizza and sat to eat and she kept talking to herself. I looked over to see what else she might have needed. She wanted to use the bathroom too. So I got the key from the owner for myself to use (the restrooms are locked) and kept the door open for the girl so she can use it hoping the owner wouldn’t notice. The owner of the pizza place did not notice I was glad. I don’t think the owner wanted her to use the restroom.
I also noticed some other homeless people outside the pizza shop. One guy was in a wheelchair around 30+ years old with his lovely loyal adorable dog. I went and bought hot food and cold drinks for him and his dog. I got nice food for the doggie. When I gave the food to the gentle man in the wheelchair, he folded his hands and looked me in the eye and thanked me. I was humbled. I gave him some extra money for tomorrow too.
After giving the man in the wheelchair food, I saw a older gentleman sitting on a bus stop across the street. Totally disheveled. Very unwashed. Extremely skinny. And just staring down on the ground. It broke my heart. You can see this man has been on the streets homeless for years. I went to buy sandwiches and drinks for him. I was a little apprehensive to walk up to him because in the past some of them being on the streets so long, do not know how to react when you give them food. Some will scream really loud at you or just run away fast. But anyways, I thought it doesn’t matter, let me try. I did some prayers on the way to him. I prayed I can always give food to many others in the future. I don’t like to see animals and humans hungry. I walked toward the man sitting at the bus stop, when I offered him the food, he looked at me lucidly and THANKED ME. I was glad he would eat and accept these items from me. I gave him the food and drinks and described to him what I purchased for him and I apologized to him that I had a home and he didn’t.
I drove home without getting too lost and feeling really happy I did something useful today for someone else. As the sun started to set, during my drive I know those three people will be full at least for tonight.
I will continue doing this. I never get ‘tired’ of giving food to people and animals. I pray I can do it big scale and influence many others to do the same around here as there are a lot of homeless in Los Angeles.
I had a good drive all over West Hollywood. Some areas brought me memories of when I was a teenager growing up here. I will go practice driving more, ‘explore’ Hollywood and find more homeless people.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Rinpoche is very kind and compassionate. Always help those in need no matter where. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing so can inspire us to be ready to help anytime and anywhere.
仁波切總是以身作則。每时每刻心里只有其他人及学生们（或動物）不求回报，唯一關心的福祉。這真是我们该学習的高尚行为，也提醒大家，别只停留在理義中，忘了付諸行动的重要性。感谢仁波切的身教。
That is the mark of a bodhisattva who is always concerned about people 24 hours all the time. Thinking of ways to help them make the better or make them grow.
Rinpoche is so giving and always cares for other beings. He is so loving to everything and we do owe him so many things. Thank you for always being there for them Rinpoche.
Thank you for showing us what compassion and kindness.
Rinpoche always shows us the example of caring for others wherever He goes. Whenever Rinpoche sees hungry and homeless people on the streets He will buy food and drinks for them and not only this, Rinpoche also brings along dog food in his car so that whenever He sees the hungry stray dogs looking for food He will stop by to feed them while He was in Malaysia. Hope that some generous and caring people in the States can start a soup kitchen there after reading this heartwarming and touching post. Thank you for sharing.
Rinpoche always help others no matter is in what places, day time or night time. Is inspire me that happiness is come from giving help and care for others tirelessly, feel touching when they are happy and thanks to you at the moment.
Thank you Rinpoche sharing.
It was nice reading this post, because it feels as if you are there with Rinpoche. Regardless of who they are, animal or human, or how they look, what state they are in, where they are, Rinpoche’s kindness, generosity and wanting to serve others does not dwindle. If anyone is in need, and crosses paths with Rinpoche, Rinpoche will help, through giving food, donating, sponsoring, secretly doing prayers for them, lighting a candle or two..whatever it may be, it doesn’t go past Rinpoche without a prayer. Ive witnessed it countless of times.
Even when people have turned around and hurt Rinpoche, it doesn’t stop Rinpoche from caring for them and wishing the best for them in his prayers.
Thank for your this post, Rinpoche, and thank you for showing us what compassion, kindness, and bodhicitta is again and again.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us.
It’s compassion in action and living examples for us to follow.
I hope there will be Kechara Soup Kitchen in LA & all over the world to send food & warm to homeless.
A place like Hollywood also have homeless and poor, Rinpoche never stop to help not just people he knows but anyone who come across him. Thank you Rinpoche, u inspire and motivate me again. 🙂
I really hope Rinpoche’s wish to have a soup kitchen in LA will manifest soon as there are many homeless in that city. On top of that it will attract many volunteers to participate and practice loving kindness towards others. As Rinpoche has mentioned before,when we volunteer in a soup kitchen the extend of benefiting others do not stop at the point of the homeless client only. This practice of loving kindness extends beyond that when volunteers learn from this generous acts and extends it to their families and friends. It may seem like a small act of virtue but the effects can multiply when the motivation and effort increases. Thank you dear Rinpoche for showing us the simplest actions of virtue that can bring so many benefits to many.
Fanstastically, the experiences of sufferings can teach us more about compassion and can also influence us to feel more helpful towards the unfortunates, as in the case of Rinpoche in his famous “The Promise” Book, which he has quoted, “I know what the homeless feel – apart from the embarrasment and the shame, there’s the hunger and the cold. In some places where I slept, there would be frost. When I woke up, I’ll be shivering at the roadsides, in a cardboard box, or whatever”. It was this lonely experiences of being homeless, hungry and alone that inspired Rinpoche henceforth to always give food to the homeless and needy; this strong wish continues on till today and has propelled the extraordinary growth of the community action group of Kechara Soup Kitchen! True compassion is to develop such a mind to learn to live, as Lord Buddha put it “With sympathy for all living beings without exception”, just as what Rinpoche has shown us in this meaningful Blog! Thank you, Rinpoche for your kind sharing! Om mani padme hung.
Thank you Rinpoche for showing us the Way to benefits every single being in any moment of our life, we should train our mind to think of others more than our self especially those who are weak and helpless. Whenever we get to help someone or feeding the animals I feel really relief because at least for today that person or that animal do not need to suffer from hunger .
Thank you Rinpoche for your kindness and being a role model for us. I hope to do the same when I meet a homeless next time.
I agree with Beatrix. Rinpoche walks the talk! Rinpoche always and constantly thinks for others wherever He goes. That night Rinpoche was sure that the three person He helped will be full at least for the night. Rinpoche always shows us examples of being compassion and caring for others. Many of us always have the why and how questions in our mind about the homeless but we never think of their feeling of actually living on the streets. All of them have their own stories to be told. Rinpoche only sees them as someone who’s living on the streets, cold, alone and hungry. Hence the motto of KSK “Hunger know no barriers”. Whoever it is, whatever their reasons are, Rinpoche just wanna be assure that all of them are not left hungry for the night. Thank you Rinpoche for showing us this compassionate act.
This may sound cliche but its the truth, Rinpoche has been spending HIS whole life helping others in need. Through this whole article, we know that Rinpoche never stops helping others, although its only a few at a time, but at least 4 lives Rinpoche helped the other day, didn’t have to feel hungry for the day. Rinpoche doesn’t just talk, HE walks the talk.
Rinpoche’s love and compassion are everywhere to everyone. Every homeless has their own story behind them,regardless what it is,we should try our very best to show our care. A small contribution from us may mean a lot to them. Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
I wish you well in LA. i want to visit you so bad LOL I live up in norcali. I hope to visit soon. I was once homeless and all alone in LA too. I still have a long way to go. I am living on rice and canned beans at the moment. My computer broke and i cant afford to replace it so i try to read your blog on my gaming console. But I am grateful to be in my little apartment. If you stay in LA on a permanent basis I will consider relocating back to socal. I dont really care for the valley cuz its so hot and dusty but i love Long Beach and all its ghetto weirdness. LOL Your teaching gave me so much hope when I was alone and in shelters and stuff. Thank you so much.
The act of helping others has never stopped Rinpoche, where he goes. He could be in Nepal, India, Malaysia, Thailand, New York or Los Angeles and he would notice that someone needs help and he would go out to help without hesitation. It is just in his cells, brain, himself, thoughts and mind – always benefiting others.
It is the act of putting action into words to bring relieve to others, although temporary.
We always simply think too much on some beggar. Whether they are the real beggar or want to cheat someone money. While come to do charity, we should have clear intention to help. But to question much question like that.
Thanks Rinpoche showing us the kindness of helping others. I think we should pray and thankful to have the ability to help others more now and also in future.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for all you have done for the homeless in Malaysia and I hope you will be able to help those in LA soon.
Dear Maylin, Nice to see you on Rinpoche’s blog. Rinpoche serves the homeless regardless of which country he is in. In fact, when we started Kechara’s soup kitchen in Malaysia, Rinpoche told us that he has one condition for us , that is, we must serve without discrimination. Rinpoche quoted that “if you X-rayed the stomach of a hungry person, it does not show his age, gender, religion nor race. It just shows a hungry stomach.” Hence our motto” Hunger Knows No Barriers.
Genuine act of care is what we always see and get from our Guru, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, unconditionally. He never care & expect anything in return. His sole motivation has always been for the benefit of others. Because he cares genuinely, it never stops him from doing so regardless where he is. The care just comes naturally.
Compassion conquers all and knows no boundaries. Thank you, Rinpoche for being a light wherever Rinpoche goes.
From the smallest to the biggest examples, Rinpoche shows us the way to PRACTICE dharma, to live it. More than just the occasional extension of help for someone less fortunate, Rinpoche helps others on a daily basis. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and there is no better example than Rinpoche of someone who has achieved bodhicitta.
When we were in Kathmandu over 4 years ago, Rinpoche drove past the KAT animal shelter and decided to visit. Upon seeing the work they do and the struggles they faced with funding, RInpoche spontaneously decided to sponsor their entire wishlist plus a couple of kennels. Not only that, Rinpoche personally went shopping for their wishlist himself! Read more about it here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/jans-a-hero-kathmandu-nepal.html
Rinpoche is so kind and he always gives. People are so lucky if they have stumbled a pun him and he helps them. Thank you Rinpoche for always being there to help us. I hope Rinpoche has a great time in America.
Rinpoche also care for others no matter who u are, where u from without barriers towards all sentient beings…
Salute to Rinpoche endless care and love, may Rinpoche always stable health and continue turn the wheel of Dharma hence more and more students and friends able to connect to Dharma and Rinpoche teaching just like how KSK started…
Thanks KSK teams in KL, JB, Kuantan and Indonesia that realize Rinpoche wishes to care for homeless!
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing .I am glad that Rinpoche is adapting well to the environment there in Hollywood.For those who is fortunate enough to cross path with Rinpoche would at least experience solace that had been long forgotten. Rinpoche would treat all living beings as equal and no one deserve to suffer in any way.
May the Tsem Rinpoche Foundation able to set up a Soup Kitchen in those area to raise awareness to help those homeless to be sheltered and those hungry be fed.May the act of compassion and generosity generated be spontaneous and contagious.
Your kindness Know no end. Your heart is boundless. Your compassion embraces all beings. I have no doubts in the limitless Buddha.
Very touched with Rinpoche write up on this particular explore of the day. Rinpoche consistently shows us by example to give and share kindness with others that are less fortunate than ourselves. How Rinpoche would go out of the way to help others is amazing. May we all extend ourselves in our action to follow in our Guru’s footsteps to do more to benefit others!
Rinpoche never stopped helping those in need. He knows how it felt to be hungry and cold. That’s how Rinpoche was inspired to set up Kechara Soup Kitchen to feed the many homeless here in KL. Hunger knows no boundaries!
Rinpoche never stops helping homeless and animals regardless of time and venue.
From this article what strike me the most was when Rinpoche mentioned ” I gave him the food and drinks and described to him what I purchased for him and I apologized to him that I had a home and he didn’t.” I never thought of APOLOGIZED to a homeless in this manner until I read this article. Thank you Rinpoche for this precious teaching.
I know it is quite hard to get permit in USA to open a Soup Kitchen and after that we will also have trouble raising funds but, I think it’s a good to open one. Because there are many homeless people in this world. And it’s better to do our best than doing nothing and giving up. I hope that KSK is able to have more branches in this world. Therefore, less people will starve.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
The compassionate actions done by Rinpoche really touched me. Although what we can help is not much, but the care mean a thousand to the homeless peoples.
Thanks
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
I feel I am so lucky as compared to them… But I always take it for granted..
I will try to be less selfish, have more compassion to help others.
Thank you
Thank you Rinpoche for showing us wt ur action of kindness. A simple sharing that means so much 2 others (the homeless will not b hungry 4 a day n most importantly, warm wt the thought that someone who cared).
This is our beloved Rinpoche that we all know. Yes I agreed with Benji, Rinpoche IS Bodhisattva(Quanyin P’usa).
Rinpoche’s compassion is constant, spontaneous and without conditions.
Rinpoche had always lead by examples. He taught us by his actions; the true meaning of compassion, he shows us how to care for others, to be alert and mindful of others’ needs, to be considerate and attentive, and always extending helps to all without any discrimination or conditions…
The three homeless obvious have good merits to have met and helped by Rinpoche. Beside the foods and drinks, they actually received Rinpoche’s prayers and blessings.
Here in Malaysia we have the Kechara Soup Kitchen to do the service of caring for the homeless around Kuala Lumpur. Rinpoche had started it almost the same way like this. I am sure Rinpoche will be doing more for the homeless in Los Angeles.
My apology, I forgot to mention, Kechara Soup Kitche had expanded its service to homeless in Penang, Johor Baru, Kuantan and cross the border to Indonesia too.
Thank you Rinpoche. Yes, at least some of them won’t be feeling hungry for a night. I guess no one in this world would want to be living on the street if they were given a choice but whatever the reason is it’s not by choice. They must have felt the aura, positive and compassion energy when Rinpoche approached them and giving them food.
With folded hands, Thank you Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s care and loving kindness for others has never stops! In Malaysia Rinpoche has established Kechara Soup Kitchen(KSK) in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuantan, Johor and other states to feed the homeless. KSK is also one of the departments of Kechara Organization.
During when Rinpoche was in Malaysia, Rinpoche also goes out very often with some of His students to give food to others and feed dogs too. Wherever places Rinpoche goes, He will never stops giving gifts, foods and help others.
I thank Rinpoche for His great kindness and compassion towards all sentient beings! I am very blessed and proud to be one of His students!
This was how Kechara’s soup kitchen in Malaysia started. Back in 2006, whenever Rinpoche goes to town, he would buy freshly cooked food to give to the homeless he comes across. After weeks of doing so, Rinpoche told a small group of his students to do so. We started with 20 packets of halal food with a few volunteers. Today, our soup kitchen serves 10,000 hungry stomachs every month from KL to Penang, Kuantan, Johor Bahru AND Jakarta. Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life join us weekly in this beneficial activity in all these cities.
This service to serve food to the homeless actually started way before Rinpoche came to Malaysia. In India, Rinpoche often serves the poor too; giving food to poor families in the camps and homeless for years. Like JP said, Rinpoche also bought a lot of food for the homeless when he was in NYC and now LA. All these homeless who were so fortunate to cross path with Rinpoche not only went to sleep with a warm,full stomach but received a blessing too. May they in all their future lives come under the protection of the Three Jewels and be able to practice the Dharma.
Rinpoche is a wish-fulfilling jewel really; he IS Quanyin P’usa; and a big bright shining star, BLAZING THE TRAIL(showing us how to be kind and compassionate).
Rinpoche is really a shinning example of what compassion and loving kindness is about. It is not just the grand schemes and projects but just simple day to day acts of kindness can count daily.
Thank you Rinpoche!
Rinpoche caught us by surprise by going out all by himself and we were all very worried as Rinpoche has not driven for a long time. Moreover, Rinpoche was not feeling well as he had a fever the previous night.
We were very happy that Rinpoche came back not too late as there were no street lights leading to where we stay. I am happy to know that Rinpoche had a good drive all over West Hollywood besides feeding the homeless and giving some blessings and hope to the less fortunate out on the streets.
Wherever and whenever Tsem Rinpoche chanced upon a homeless person or a stray animal, Rinpoche always do his best they are fed.Some people may say the homeless deserved it and that they are too lazy to get a decent job. Well, it is wrong to judge not knowing why. Rinpoche knows how it feels like to be homeless, he was once homeless. Everyone needs food and Rinpoche does his best to provide without asking why. That is compassion.
Rinpoche never stops helping people in need. When we were in New York city a few months ago, Rinpoche saw a homeless person with his dog. Rinpoche went to ask him whether he’d like any food. He said yes. So Rinpoche, Seng Piow and I went to a nearest shop to buy him and his dog some hot food and drinks. Then we went to a pharmacy to buy him winter gloves, dried and canned dog food.
The person was very relieved and thankful that he received so much from Rinpoche, especially the gloves because it was extremely cold. When Rinpoche noticed that he was opened to Buddhism because he showed us a card of Buddha, Rinpoche immediately gave him the Buddha pendant Rinpoche was wearing so that he can be blessed and protected all the time.
Rinpoche always lead by example. Day in day out, He is only concern about other peoples (or animals) well being.
Before meeting Rinpoche, I felt that Buddhism is too idealistic and so difficult to practice and all the teachings seems so “far” away. After meeting Rinpcohe and seeing Him in action, I learnt that Buddhism can be practiced everyday… and apparently, it is the way 🙂