Eric Choong – In Full Bloom
Eric Choong is one of my good friends and students. Three years ago, I have requested him to share his life story and his challenges in becoming a fashion designer.
In his book ERIC CHOONG IN FULL BLOOM, he also talks about his spiritual journey, and how he incorporates Dharma into his busy lifestyle as an international fashion designer.
“Having been in the fashion industry for 25 years, I have experienced the ups and downs in my career, and I have seen many colleagues who chose to withdraw or were no longer in demand because they were not persistent enough. Thanks to the blessings of Dharma, I now have a different interpretation of gains and losses, fame and fortune.”
I’ve known Eric for a few years now. He has taken refuge and very committed on his spiritual path. He is the type of person that is fun to be with, jokes alot and can work very hard. He keeps his word if he promises something. Eric is warm to everyone, but he sizes you up. If he trusts you, he will go all the way with you. But he is a careful person and very intelligent. Very creative of course. I enjoy Eric’s company and he is involved in Kechara in so many ways. He shares the big Kechara Dreams and goals we have. I am proud of Eric and happy to have him as a student of something deep and meaningful in his life.
I highly recommend Eric’s book. It is very inspiring. The industry Eric’s in looks easy, glamorous and fun, but it is alot of hard work behind the scenes. If I may also say, very heartbreaking at times. I wish my luck to Eric very much. I care about my Eric alot. I want Eric to be ok all the time. I offer my prayers for him always.
Tsem Rinpoche
Eric’s Story
As a child, Eric possessed a natural creative disposition. This was observed and noted by his mother, a well-known make-up artist, who further inculcated his passion for the arts by providing him with an artistic environment during his youth which has had a profound and inspirational impact on him since.
Eric with his mother, Madam Lim
At a young age, Eric’s ambition was to become a fashion designer, and he has been sending his fashion sketches to magazines, which were shortlisted and published. This went on for a few years and Eric made a little name for himself in this industry.
Eric was the eldest son in the family, and faced a lot of pressure. On top of that, he chose to be involved in a non-conventional industry for men. In that era, men studying fashion were considered to be pursuing a non-promising career and were not living up to family expectations.
Before graduating from high school, Eric’s determination to become a fashion designer was met with strong opposition from his father, while his mother was very supportive of the idea. Eric rebelled against his father for almost half a year, and this put a strain on the father-son relationship. However, Eric remained steadfast in his decision and his persistence eventually persuaded his father to relent and agree with his ambition.
Eric’s parents
Eric grew up in a very protective environment, and his parents would not allow him to go to a distant country to study on his own. Hence, it was decided that he should study in Hong Kong as there were relatives there who could take care of him.
Apart from attending classes in Hong Kong in the 80’s, Eric also went with his teachers to various concerts, movies and fashion shows. His first training ground was Hong Kong, where he had to work hard to start off his career after graduating from the Hong Kong Institute of Fashion Design.
The “Eric Choong Haute Couture” label was conceived in 1990 upon his return to Kuala Lumpur and the setting up of his first atelier. Based on Eric’s firm and guiding philosophy that “fine style never goes out of fashion”, the label quickly became known for its modern and sophisticated approach, and its creations were born from ideas native to Malaysian culture.
ERIC CHOONG IN FULL BLOOM is supported by famous people and personalities – the international model in New York Ling Tan, the popular Malaysian singer Nicholas Teo, the celebrated Taiwanese Poet Kohua Chen, the well-known Hong Kong writer Zita Law and the legendary actress Petrina Fung Po Po.
More information about ERIC CHOONG IN FULL BLOOM here.
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1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
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A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
It would be great if there is an English version as well.
[…] 参与当天活动的包括了来自纪录片的林世碹讲法师、林汉妮、蔡金玉教授、宗伯伸和伟茗；以及来自怡保的瑞强、Annabelle、Nicki、Janice、Sun Joe Him、Yok Chaw、Brandie Khor和Chew。新朋友就包括了来自香港的Jack。 […]
I met Eric after being in Kechara for a few months. He is a lovely person – genuine, kind, bubbly… everything you would not expect a celebrity to be! Its rare that celebrities practice the Dharma, in fact many celebrities practice the religion of MONEY but Eric is an exception. His fame and celebrity are put to positive use, just take a good look at this book and you’ll see just what I mean.
In the early years Fashion Designing as business for men is not acceptable by the people during that eraand so is Eric’s father who was against the idea but Eric did not change his mind. He remained steadfast for 6 months. His father gave up the idea of resentment against him. Eric was lucky his mother was also a well known makeup artist. His mother gave very strong support for Eric to be a fashion designer. Eric graduated from the Hongkong Institute of Fashion Design. ERIC CHOONG HAUTE COUTRE label came out in 1990. Then come supportive and famous people and personalities to b ack him. And his success is through hard work and now Eric is in full bloom.
Eric Choong is actually the First person I met from Kechara alongside with Annette Chan. I was greatly inspired by his commitment and dedication towards Dharma. To me, most people who worked in creative industry especially fashion will always go for status, fame, branded goods, being glamourous and always complain about how ugly a dress can look. Eric totally changed my views on that. He had nurture me so much, feeding us information and dharma knowledge and soon we became real good friends or may I say I’ve earned a good family member.
Eric and Annette never failed to answer our questions, listening to us, guide us and gave us lots of dharma books… Whenever we have questions, no matter how busy they can be, they are always there to help.
In Full Bloom is one of the books that Eric had given me. I can relate to the book so much and had inspired me a lot. And this is one book that I always give to my fashion friends so they will have a good insight sometimes things are not as what we see.
Thankyou Eric for all the love and dedication. Now, I am glad at what I’m doin and I can’t be happier to have you as my dharma brother!
Eric’s is now spearheading the Animal Liberation in Ipoh and he is involved in conducting a class in Ipoh round about every two weeks. So he really wants to bring dharma to more people. He is also constantly sharing about Dharma to colleagues and friends tirelessly. So good to have him as part of us.
Even though he is a very well known fashion designer, Eric is a very friendly and down to earth guy, Eric got to know Kechara since the 1st charity dinner “Glitter of Stars”
* WE KEEP LOOKING OUTSIDE FOR THE LIGHT WHEN WE SHOULD NOW BECOME THE LIGHT * and * YOU’LL BE ABLE TO USE THE APPROPRIATE FASHIONABLE STRING OR CHAIN;OPEN YOUR KIND HEART AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY IN BRINGING HAPPINESS TO MANY OTHERS
And like what Rinpoche taught him and all of his students, let us be the be the light and bring light and happiness to others.
YAY Eric!
What’s inspiring about Eric is that although the fashion industry can be a very difficult one, Eric perseveres in it and has risen to the top, emerging as one an award-winning designer from MIFA (Malaysian international fashion alliance).
Ah, but it’s not all fun and games either. Eric now brings Dharma to a whole new spectrum of people via his work and exposure as a fashion design. He is so cute, he’s always sending us cute updates about how he’s sharing Dharma books with people all around the world in the most seemingly unlikely places (in the middle of a fashion week for example!). He makes Dharma real and he has a big heart of gold, wishing only the best and happiness for everyone he comes across in his busy career.
lots of love to you eric … and when are we going to go yum cha again soon lah, it’s been ages xxx
I have known Eric since our Kechara 1st Charity Auction Dinner, Glitters of Stars” at the Shangrila Hotel a few years back. I guess Eric has a deep connection with the Dharma as he was right into it since the day he met Rinpoche. I got to know Eric better through the years,he is such a down to earth person, friendly and warm, and he is very sincere in his Dharma work. Eric put all what he has learnt from Rinpoche and incorporates it well into his work and life. He sets such an aspiring example to all that nomatter who you are, famous or not, Dharma can be a part of our life. In fact, we can live with Dharma, work with Dharma,eat with Dharam, play with Dharma and even sleep with Dharma inside of us.
Eric has once told me that he would do anything for the Dhrama. We have a couple of fund raising shows recently which Eric has truely let his ego down and crossed boundry. When he did that without hesitation, I know how much Dharma has gone in for him. If you want to find out more, check out our latest Charity Auction Dinner at the Sunway Pyramid Hotel in July.
I deeply rejoice for Eric and may Eric continues to assist Rinpoche in bringing Dharma and happiness to all those he come across.
I saw this book at KP Penang the other and was attracted by it. Unfortunately i do not read chinese. But the pictures itself is already inspiring and summarizes the essence of the book and Eric’s life. Congratulations to Eric and thank you for sharing your life story. I am looking forward to the English translated copy in the future as it will sure benefit more people.
* WE KEEP LOOKING OUTSIDE FOR THE LIGHT WHEN WE SHOULD NOW BECOME THE LIGHT * and * YOU’LL BE ABLE TO USE THE APPROPRIATE FASHIONABLE STRING OR CHAIN;OPEN YOUR KIND HEART AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY IN BRINGING HAPPINESS TO MANY OTHERS *……………This is what Rinpoche always teach me……Thank you…Thank you…. Rinpoche:-))))
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing these.
I love Eric very much as he is a very helpful and warm person apart from his talented designing sense. He helps Kechara a lot especially to the Chinese speaking group. I appreciate him very much for the Dharma advices he gives, I believe that it’s convincing because he sincerely contemplated the Dharma and he’s applying them to his life, which helped him a lot and he wishes to help other people in that way.
I cheer for Eric, I hope Eric would light up a lot of people’s life, bring hopes and good thoughts to more people!!
Eric 加油！！
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing Eric’s book and story here. It is such a great idea to include excerpts from all of KMP’s books in here so that more people can read about what KMP publishes and also get to know the many wonderful Kecharians.
Eric has certainly changed a lot since meeting Rinpoche. I can attest to that. I know Eric before he met Rinpoche and the difference are so significant.
The quote at the beginning of this blog post defines who Eric is now.
“Having been in the fashion industry for 25 years, I have
experienced the ups and downs in my career, and I have
seen many colleagues who chose to withdraw or were no
longer in demand because they were not persistent enough.
Thanks to the blessings of Dharma, I now have a different
interpretation of gains and losses, fame and fortune. “
I applaud Eric for always being such a passionate supporter of Rinpoche, Dharma and Kechara. His dedication is most inspiring. Above all, his own transformation. Eric is certainly much happier now that he has found Dharma.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
I like this phrase “Courage in doing something is not the absence of fear, but it is knowing that something is more important than fear. So we do it!”. Congratulations Eric Chong.