Click on image to enlarge

His Eminence the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche was not an ordinary being. Defying all odds, Rinpoche came to Malaysia with nothing and built Kechara into one of the most well-known and progressive Buddhist institutions in the region. Alone in a foreign land, Rinpoche skilfully adapted his Dharma teachings to suit the minds and ways of modern spiritual seekers, while faithfully preserving the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa along with key practices of the Gelug lineage.

Along the way, Rinpoche also touched countless lives, founded and supported various charities, and even established the first Buddhist pastorship in the region. And so, official recognitions aside, it is clear even to ordinary eyes that Rinpoche’s Dharma activities were exceptional and far beyond the capabilities of even the best of ordinary men.

Less obvious is the Herculean role that Tsem Rinpoche assumed in fulfilling H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s prophecy of a divine play of enlightened beings, orchestrated to keep the wheel of Dharma turning.

The highest enlightened masters of our lineage regarded the practice of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as vital during the Kali Yuga (Age of Strife), this degenerate time in which we live. However, such is the heavy karma of the Kali Yuga that in recent times, obstacles have arisen to impede this very important practice.

So, just like the Great Padmasambhava was forced to engage in cosmic battles for Dharma to take root in Tibet, an enlightened being ascended to remove the restraints to Lama Tsongkhapa’s pure lineage. We know this enlightened being as our Guru, His Eminence the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche.

Rinpoche dedicated his entire life to reviving Lama Tsongkhapa’s lineage which Dorje Shugden arose to protect. Click on image to enlarge.

The work of the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche was difficult but not in vain. To safeguard the Dorje Shugden practice is to secure the path that gives sentient beings a means to escape the clutches of samsara. The Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden arose due to an oath taken by Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, an emanation of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri himself, to protect Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings especially those on Emptiness — specifically Nagarjuna’s Middle Way View. These teachings are a precious key to enlightenment, a rarity the further we progress into the Kali Yuga.

In the face of overwhelming forces that threatened the propagation of the pure lineage, the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche took it upon himself to defend this very important practice. The task was both formidable and punishing but, considering the thriving Dorje Shugden lineage today, it is clear that Rinpoche accomplished a key objective for which he reincarnated.

Tsem Rinpoche’s feats were both prodigious and miraculous and yet completely in character with his line of incarnations. After all, Rinpoche hails from an illustrious line of enlightened masters that include Mahasiddhas and Pandits. Among them are Ra Lotsawa, who paved the way for the indispensable Yamantaka Tantra to become a mainstream practice in all Tibetan Buddhist schools; Mahasiddha Naropa, from whom we received the Naro Kachö practice of Vajra Yogini; as well as great scholars and sages like Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and Panchen Sonam Drakpa upon whom the Gelug lineage stands today.

It was Rinpoche’s deepest wish to heal the divide that centred on the practice of Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge.

As the spiritual warfare raged on, Rinpoche had indicated privately to some students that, when the time was right, he would take the necessary steps to absorb the problems that were assailing the Dorje Shugden practice and threatening the sanctity of Lama Tsongkhapa’s lineage. That ‘time’ arrived on 4^th September 2019, when Tsem Rinpoche took unto his nirmanakaya (physical manifestation) body the obstacles facing the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa and entered parinirvana.

To the uninitiated, it may appear as though Rinpoche lost a battle against illness. But far from being a tragedy, Rinpoche’s parinirvana was a triumph of the Dharma and the fulfilment of a Bodhisattva’s objective. Nevertheless, as samsaric beings who are still under the sway of karma, we grieve the loss of a great Teacher, a true spiritual master and a precious friend. But we can do much more than just grieve.

It is now time for students of Tsem Rinpoche, those who understand how episodic it is for an enlightened being to appear in our age, as well as those who wish to receive the blessings of such a rare being, to urgently recognise the role we must now play to create the causes for Rinpoche’s 26^th incarnation to return and continue his work. For the Kechara community, this will also usher Rinpoche directly back into our lives. As it happens, all efforts towards this goal translate into the highest accumulation of merits, given the quality of the Lama who is none other than Manjushri.

In the Lama Chopa, one of the most touching verses is the aspiration to be amongst the Guru’s circle of disciples, wherever he manifests. And so, it is to this noble aspiration of again meeting Tsem Rinpoche, the holy reincarnation of the Four Drakpa Lineage, and to be in his immediate circle of disciples, that we must individually and collectively channel our attention, prayers, efforts and resources.

Meeting the Lama Again

Click on image to enlarge

It is very important that we understand a subtle distinction. There is a difference between an enlightened lama such as Tsem Rinpoche reincarnating lifetime after lifetime, and people having enough merits to meet such a master.

The first is based on a Bodhisattva’s vows. Tsem Rinpoche was renowned for upholding his vows and promises, so there is no question of his 26^th incarnation manifesting. At the same time, if we aspire to meet Rinpoche again we must be firm in our resolve to generate sufficient merits to support this ambition. In other words, it is in each of our hands to create the causes for us to meet the 26^th incarnation of Tsem Rinpoche, and not merely leave the matter as a sentimental daydream. The reason is plain — it takes a great deal of merits to meet the pure Dharma and even more merits to encounter and learn from an enlightened Guru such as Tsem Rinpoche.

The golden stupa where the holy relics of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche are enshrined within Zong Ladrang. When a high lama enters parinirvana, his holy remains are kept in a special stupa in his residence so that disciples and followers can stay connected to their lama. Click on image to enlarge.

Due to good karma and merits created in the past, many of us have been able to meet and receive teachings from Tsem Rinpoche. Even if one has not met Rinpoche personally but has benefitted from Rinpoche’s teachings and come under the protection and blessings of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, it is the result of having created a tremendous amount of merits. Coming across Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings and being able to rely on Dorje Shugden for help is tantamount to having met Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom because Rinpoche, Dorje Shugden and Manjushri are inseparable from one another.

Thus, it would be a grievous error to assume that our present good fortune will extend into the future and is sufficient for us to become disciples of the 26^th Tsem Rinpoche. Karma is not static. It is therefore prudent to continue building on the existing bedrock of good karma and merits that we presently enjoy instead of allowing our connection with Tsem Rinpoche to weaken and dwindle.

Fortunately, Rinpoche was an extremely compassionate Guru with deep affection for his students and the sentient beings karmically connected to him. Everything Rinpoche did, from creating his blog to developing different initiatives in Kechara for people to learn and apply the Dharma, to establishing Kechara Forest Retreat, has been for us to collect merits.

So, it is not surprising that Rinpoche left very detailed instructions about what was to be done after his passing into parinirvana. The Lord Buddha had done the same and because his disciples carried out his instructions, the Dharma has prevailed. Similarly, Rinpoche’s instructions were given with the deliberate intention to generate merits for those who would follow them. In many ways, the gift of merits is the greatest gift that a lama can present his students besides the Dharma itself.

The Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupa Project:
A Compendium of Merit Creation

An artist’s impression of the Tsem Rinpoche Outdoor Relic Stupa and Incarnation Chapel. Click on image to enlarge.

Based on instructions and advice given by Rinpoche over the years, the Committee of Kechara has set into motion the initiative of generating merits for Rinpoche to return to us. This initiative has been named ‘The Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupa Project’.

The Project covers:

1. The creation of an 8-foot silver and gold indoor relic stupa;
2. The creation of a 20-foot granite outdoor relic stupa;
3. The interment of Rinpoche’s relics and holy remains into the two stupas;
4. The establishment of the Tsem Rinpoche Incarnation Chapel with beautiful statues of all 25 incarnations of Tsem Rinpoche alongside a 15-foot stupa of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen; and
5. The traditional consecration rituals, prayers and ceremonies to be conducted by esteemed lamas and monks of Rinpoche’s lineage.

The fulfilment of Rinpoche’s instructions will manifest as various beautiful and sacred spiritual monuments that will become worthy objects of worship and important sources of merits for all who come into proximity with them. However, the main intention is to provide each of us, the Kechara community as a whole, and all Dharma practitioners with a very precious opportunity to generate great merits to connect with Tsem Rinpoche’s next incarnation.

Participating in this very auspicious Project is meritorious for a number of reasons. To begin with, it is meritorious because the motivation of the Project is to support an enlightened being’s divine plan to return to turn the wheel of Dharma and benefit sentient beings.

Enlightened beings can reincarnate in five different aspects — the Body, Speech, Mind, Qualities and Activities emanations. It is quite common for these emanations to arise in different parts of the world (and even in different world systems) so that they can benefit even more sentient beings everywhere.

The reliquary stupa of H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is enshrined in the gompa (prayer hall) of Trijang Ladrang. Through the great merits accumulated from the creation of this holy stupa and the abundant offerings made daily, the disciples of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche were able to successfully identify and enthrone his unmistaken reincarnation, H.H. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche. Click on image to enlarge.

For students of Tsem Rinpoche and those who have established a karmic connection with Him, our aspiration should be to generate the greatest amount of merits to allow us to reconnect with Rinpoche’s main emanation — the Mind Emanation. This is because it is the Mind Emanation who will create the greatest benefit and impact for the beings of this time and place through his enlightened activities. In the case of the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche, it was predicted that his work would eclipse even the work of his Gurus. By the same token, if we collect the greatest merits through this Project, the 26^th Tsem Rinpoche will be able to do the same, if not more, and continue the tremendous work of his previous lives.

This is especially relevant because of Rinpoche’s role in transmitting the Vajra Yogini and Dorje Shugden practices. Both these practices are regarded as paramount during these degenerate times when appreciation of the Dharma is diminishing. Thus all activities that support the swift reincarnation of the 26^th Tsem Rinpoche add potency to the spread of these important practices as their originators hail from Rinpoche’s line of reincarnations.

Tsem Rinpoche’s Relic Stupas

The Project is also meritorious due to the holiness of the objects to be built.

The 20ft outdoor relic stupa will be constructed from durable granite and ornamented with gold. Click on image to enlarge.

The schools of Buddhism view stupas with great significance as they represent the Buddha’s mind and their vertical form represents the Lord Buddha seated on a throne. It therefore symbolises the presence of the Buddha and the vitality of the Dharma.

The Buddha taught extensively about the benefits of building stupas, the benefits for those who assist and facilitate their construction in any way, and the benefits for those who come into contact with stupas, even if it is just the shadow of one.

These teachings can be found in the Analysing Activity Sutra, the Noble Lotus Sutra, and the Noble Stainless Beams of Light Sutra, amongst others. The Manjushrimitra Root Tantra teaches that mere contact with a stupa develops great wisdom, bestows long life, and paves the way for rebirth in the higher realms (human, demi-god and god realms). Those who make stupas with their own hands purify even the worst of negative karmas.

Part of the design for the indoor relic stupa. Click on image to enlarge.

Of course, the Buddha taught many ways for practitioners to generate merits. Practices such as engaging in 100,000 prostrations, making 100,000 mandala offerings and 100,000 water offerings can generate tremendous merits. However, these practices demand considerable time and effort, and they take months and years to complete. As we are in the Kali Yuga, most people have yet to see the opportunity to begin.

The benefit of making a stupa as a supreme means of accumulating merits is most clearly spelled out in the Noble Amazing Sutra, in which Lord Buddha stated:

“Ananda! Any devoted noble sons and daughters who fill this entire three-thousand-fold universe with the seven precious metals and make offerings to all the Stream-enterers, Once-returners, Non-returners, and Arhats — as well as all the Sangha members in the four directions, do not accumulate as much merit as someone who makes a stupa to the Tathagata, the Subduer, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Who Entered Mahaparinirvana — that is even the size of a churura seed, with a central column the size of a needle, an umbrella the size of a juniper leaf, and filled with grain-sized statues and mustard seed-sized relics.”

Therefore, any Dharma practitioner who understands the significance of accumulating merits will not let this opportunity pass.

Tsem Rinpoche’s relic stupas will be constructed in strict accordance with traditional measurements and requirements, as taught in the scriptures. Click on image to enlarge

It is auspicious that the Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupas will adopt the Namgyal Stupa design. The Namgyal Stupa is also known as the ‘Victory Stupa’. The design commemorates the time when Mara attempted to trick the Buddha into passing away by using the principles of impermanence that the Buddha taught. Instead of falling into Mara’s trap, the Buddha banished Mara and extended his life to again mark Dharma’s victory over Mara. Thus, the Namgyal Stupa is known to generate the causes for longevity and for one’s life-force to become stronger.

The Namgyal Stupa was chosen for Tsem Rinpoche’s indoor and outdoor relic stupas after consultation with His Eminence Kensur Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Phende, the abbot emeritus of Shar Gaden Monastery and His Eminence the 7^th Panglung Oracle. It is an apt choice as the stupas will stand as reminders of the triumphant works of the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche and at the same time generate the causes for Rinpoche’s 26^th reincarnation to live long to turn the wheel of Dharma.

What makes the Project even more special is the fact that Rinpoche’s relics and holy remains are to be interred into the two stupas. Both the indoor and outdoor stupas will enshrine Tsem Rinpoche’s holy relics, which can be divided into three types:

• White relics (ring bsrel) – Also referred to as the multiplying relics of the tathagatas. Tsem Rinpoche manifested many of these small white pill-like relics after the funerary ceremony, which is an indication of Rinpoche’s high spiritual attainments.
• Bone relics of the holy body (sku rus) – Refers to the bones of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and so forth. Tsem Rinpoche’s holy bones and ashes were painstakingly gathered after the funerary ceremony and will be enshrined inside the two relic stupas.
• Pores of the holy body relics (ku phäl) – Refers to the robes of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and so forth. Tsem Rinpoche’s holy robes as well as the robes of other holy beings will be enshrined inside the two relic stupas.

The holy relics of H.E. the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche. Click on image to enlarge.

The relics of an enlightened being are not regarded as merely cremated remains but the living presence of that being. From the time of Lord Buddha, high lamas and Buddhist scholars have stated unequivocally that there is no distinction between a living Buddha and his relics, bones, ashes and other holy remains. Therefore, the relics and remains of an enlightened lama hold all the divine qualities of the lama and possess the same ability to bestow powerful blessings on those who come into contact with them. In short, both the indoor and outdoor relic stupas will be saturated with the same spiritual and enlightened force that Tsem Rinpoche embodied in his nirmanakaya form.

In addition to the relics, many other holy and sacred items will be inserted into the stupas. These include the traditional life tree (sogshing), statues of Rinpoche’s previous lives, statues of the lineage lamas, statues of deities whose practices were particularly significant to Rinpoche, statues of the Three Deities of Long Life (Amitayus, Namgyalma and White Tara), precious objects belonging to various high lamas, blessed soil and water from hundreds of sacred sites, thousands of hand-rolled mantras (over 60 varieties in total) and other traditional substances as written in the Shelkar Melong (The White Crystal Mirror).

Statues of the lineage master Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen are being made for this sacred Project. Click on image to enlarge

In accordance with Rinpoche’s instructions, the stupas will also enshrine thousands of tsa tsas of Manjushri, Vajra Yogini and Dorje Shugden. These precious tsa tsas are being handmade in Kechara Forest Retreat and each will contain Rinpoche’s holy remains as well as other blessed substances.

Thus, far from this being a simple project to entomb the remains of an ordinary person, this is a rare chance to participate in the enthroning of the divine and living presence of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche into these symbols of the Buddha’s mind.

Precious tsa tsas containing the relics of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. Click on image to enlarge

Photo Album: Progress photos of the Indoor Stupa

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Stainless steel internal frame

Stainless steel internal frame

Stainless steel internal frame

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

999 silver sheets moulded into shape

Designing traditional ornaments

Designing traditional ornaments

Designing traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Creating traditional ornaments

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Assembling the stupa

Silver work completed

Silver work completed

Silver work completed

Offering 24k gold leaf

Offering 24k gold leaf

Offering 24k gold leaf

Offering 24k gold leaf

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Gold leaf completed

Stupa arrives in KFR

Stupa arrives in KFR

Stupa arrives in KFR

Stupa arrives in KFR

Stupa arrives in KFR

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Photo Album: Progress photos of the Outdoor Stupa

Photo Album: Stupa Content

Tsem Rinpoche Incarnation Chapel

An artist’s impression of the Tsem Rinpoche Incarnation Chapel. Click on image to enlarge.

Rinpoche’s Outdoor Stupa is part of the Tsem Rinpoche Relic Temple, a permanent spiritual memorial situated in the beautiful grounds of Kechara Forest Retreat. The first of its kind in Malaysia, the 20,000 square-foot Relic Temple comprises of:

1. The 20ft Outdoor Relic Stupa that enshrines Rinpoche’s precious white relic pills and holy remains.
2. The 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen Stupa that enshrines Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s precious relics and those of his incarnations.
3. The 7ft Tsem Rinpoche Statue, a larger than life likeness of our beloved spiritual guide.
4. The 7ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen Statue, the erudite master who arose as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.
5. The 3ft Incarnation Statues of all 24 of Rinpoche’s previous lives, as formally identified by Dorje Shugden.
6. The Tsem Rinpoche Incarnation Chapel, a ring-shaped two-storey permanent structure that houses the indoor reliquaries and statues, and the Wall of Merits, dedicated to everyone who has supported this project.
7. 12-in Holy Reliquaries, crafted from 999 silver in the style of the Stupa of Enlightenment. They will allow visitors to view and receive blessings from Rinpoche’s precious white relic pills and the relics of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
8. The Relic Temple grounds, a circular courtyard with landscaped gardens, outdoor seating, candle offering grottoes, circumambulation paths, prostration decks and quiet spaces for students and visitors to engage in prayer and practice.

In accordance to the advice from high lamas, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s statue will be made based on this photo. Click on image to enlarge.

The main objects of worship in the Chapel will be the 7-foot statue of the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche, the 15-foot stupa of the Great Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen who arose as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, and the 7-foot statue of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.

In the 17^th century, the Great Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen was the embodiment of pure devotion to the lineage, so much so that he gave up his life to arise as Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. The same enlightened quality is seen also in the 25^th Tsem Rinpoche who gave his entire life to reviving the pure Dharma of Lama Tsongkhapa which Dorje Shugden arose to protect. This is why Rinpoche focused so strongly on preserving the practice of Dorje Shugden and virtually everything Rinpoche did was to that end. Ultimately, there is in essence no separation to what Tsem Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden swore oaths to protect and what both arose to do.

Therefore, these three holy objects of worship and the Chapel as a whole will be a symbol of this noble purpose and a monument to everything Tsem Rinpoche stood for, worked for and gave his life for. It will be a beacon of enlightened energy and yet another important lodestone to draw back into this time and place the pure mind of the enlightened being who is the 26^th Tsem Rinpoche.

The Relic Temple is estimated to complete in August 2021.

• You can read the complete article on the Relic Temple and the overall Relic Stupa Project here.

Photo Album: Progress photos of the Incarnation Chapel

Photo Album: Progress photos of creating H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s Statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Creating the clay mould for Tsem Rinpoche's 7ft statue

Fine tuning the 3D model of Rinpoche's statue

Fine tuning the 3D model of Rinpoche's statue

Fine tuning the 3D model of Rinpoche's statue

Fine tuning the 3D model of Rinpoche's statue

Fine tuning the 3D model of Rinpoche's statue

3D printed model of Rinpoche's statue

Photo Album: Progress photos of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s Stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Creating the plaster mould of the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Casting the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa from tin bronze

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Assembling and polishing the 15ft Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen stupa

Photo Album: Progress photos of the Incarnation Statues

Creating the clay moulds of Rinpoche's previous incarnations

Creating the clay moulds of Rinpoche's previous incarnations

Creating the clay moulds of Rinpoche's previous incarnations

Completed clay mould

Completed clay mould

Completed clay mould

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Casting in tin bronze

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Completed incarnation statue ready to be shipped to Kechara Forest Retreat

Painting facial features on the incarnation statues

Painting facial features on the incarnation statues

Painting facial features on the incarnation statues

Completed incarnation statue (Magadha Sangmo)

Completed incarnation statue (Thonmi Sambhota)

Completed incarnation statue (King Trisong Detsen)

Completed incarnation statue (Mahasiddha Naropa)

Consecration Rituals and Prayers

The relic stupas and incarnation chapel will be consecrated according to the old Gelug tradition. Even now, preparations are being made for rituals and prayers to be performed on the site based on ancient customs.

Peaceful Dorje Shugden Fire Puja

This ritual pacifies obstacles to the Project through the powerful energies of Dorje Shugden, who is known to eliminate obstacles and provide conducive conditions for our lives and works, especially those connected to merit-generating activities.

Land Blessing

This extensive ritual (sa bdag lto thig) was highly recommended by H.E. Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende to consecrate and prepare the land prior to the commencement of the Project. It creates positive and beneficial energies for those who visit the land as well.

Earth Treasure Vases

These vases (sa cud bum pa) will be created at Kechara Forest Retreat, consecrated and then buried in the ground during construction to further bless the land. They are carefully filled with special substances and holy items that act to bless and appease the unseen beings dwelling in the area so that they too are benefitted and undisturbed by the on-going Project construction.

Soongdrub

This puja will be done prior to the insertion and filling of the stupas and statues. It consecrates and energises the various mantras, items and substances that will be inserted, as well as the “empty” stupas and statues themselves.

Rabney Chenmo

Once the Project is completed, this grand ceremony invokes upon the energies of the enlightened beings to reside and remain in the holy objects, making them perfect objects of worship and veneration.

How you can get involved

In his 25^th incarnation, Rinpoche fulfilled a number of prophecies, one of which was that he would achieve Dharma activities that would surpass the works of his teachers. The Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupa Project should therefore be regarded as setting the base for Rinpoche’s 26^th incarnation to perform even greater Dharma deeds by generating the requisite merits. It is merits that will provide conducive conditions for sentient beings to benefit from the works of Rinpoche’s next incarnation in the future.

And so we have a rare opportunity to participate in a divine scheme. It falls on each person who regards Tsem Rinpoche as his or her Guru to keep our samaya with Rinpoche unstained, and to personally generate high merits by actively supporting the Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupa project. When individual merits come together as a collective, they become a very potent force that draws the enlightened master’s reincarnation back to his spiritual home. This is not to mention our personal spiritual gains and the potency we generate to succeed both in our secular as well as spiritual pursuits.

We can support this important Project via a number of ways — helping with fund-raising for the construction of the Stupas and Chapel, becoming or finding sponsors for the making of the holy statues and other objects of worship, or contributing in the preparation of sacred items to be interred into the stupas by helping in the making of tsa tsas and the rolling of mantras.

Mantra-rolling has already begun at the Arts Studio in Kechara Forest Retreat, and tsa tsa-making will soon be available for all who wish to participate. To find out more about how you can get involved in these activities, please contact:

Mantra Rolling

• Kien: +6012 371 7896
• Karen: +6012 7710289

Tsa Tsa Making

• Doreen: +6012 418 8543
• Beatrix: +6012 389 8166

Help with funding

“Pray to be able to assemble the three main causes for practising Dharma: meeting with the right guru; being mentally fit [to practice]; and having all the necessary conditions [which include the temple or Dharma Centre].”

In order for the Tsem Rinpoche Relic Stupa Project to be realised, we need all the help we can get. The total cost of the Project is estimated at RM 10 million. This may seem to be a lot to ask, especially in such challenging Covid-19 times, but the returns far outweigh the amount.

Buddha taught that those who help build places of worship will always have incredible wealth and power in future lives, and will eventually attain enlightenment. The great Indian yogi, Nagden Pawo also said that anyone who contributes to such a project, no matter how small that contribution is, even if it is just requesting others for donations, continuously collects tremendous merits even as they go about their daily lives.

More benefits of supporting this project:

• Prosperity, abundance and fulfilment of wishes
• Long life and good health
• Purification of negative karma
• Protection from obstacles, misfortune and negative beings
• A strong connection with H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s next incarnation
• Favourable rebirth blessed with good appearance, influence, fortune and wisdom
• Collection of great merits for swift Enlightenment

In gratitude for your contribution, your name will be included on our Wall of Merits (for contributions above RM10,000) or on a digital screen (for contributions above RM150), located within the Relic Temple. Prayers and merits will also be dedicated to you by the high lamas and erudite monks who will perform the consecration ceremony upon completion of this incredibly blessed project.

You can contribute to the Project in two ways:

 
Your contribution goes directly towards the costs of the Project including:

• Raw materials
• Labour
• Piling
• Construction
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• Tiles
• Fixtures and fittings
• Landscaping
• Altars
• Statues
• Stupas
• Prayers and ritual ceremonies
• Travel expenses for high lamas and monks

For more interesting information:

• The Promise – Tsem Rinpoche’s inspiring biography now in ebook format!
• H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s Biography
• Reuters publishes my reconciliation prayers for Asia
• Digital Journal Publishes Tsem Rinpoche’s Advice Against Self Immolation
• Reuters publishes my thoughts on Tibetan self-immolation
• An Open Letter of Appeal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama (April 30, 2018)
• My Precious Teachers
• The Buddhist Divide – An Unholy Campaign against Religious Freedom
• Dr. Dolma
• How My Protector Healed me
• Holy and Profound Pabongka Rinpoche
• Meeting Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche in New York
• The Train
• I’m Requesting Ordination in 1987
• Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Cuts My Hair
• My Message to Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• My First Guru in New Jersey
• Kentrul Thubten Lamsang
• My Childhood in Taiwan…Revisiting…
• Visiting My Parents – Tsem Rinpoche
• I Like This Picture of My Mother
• Happy Family for Kalacakra
• My Short Bio in Pictures
• VIDEO: (Re)visiting an Extraordinary Life: The Tsem Rinpoche Biography Group in the USA
• When I Had No One Else
• Avalokiteshvara, Turkey Swamp, Marc & Me
• WHY I CONCEIVED KECHARA SOUP KITCHEN OR KSK
• The Cowshed That Was My Home in Gaden
• It Wasn’t Easy in New Jersey, but My Cousins/Aunts Helped…
• My Father
• My Mother
• My Uncle
• My Grandmother
• My Grandfather The Ruler of Xinjiang
• I Love My Horse
• Tsem Ladrang USA
• My First Cabin in Kechara Forest Retreat
• My Halloween in Salem
• My First Flatmate in LA
• Be Happy I Was Robbed?
• Don’t Make Me Go
• The Official Kechara New Gompa Opening
• Diana
• I Appreciate Mama Mooi Lan So Much
• Tidbits that touched me
• 700 Meet A Buddha
• Dorje Shugden: My Side of the Story
• Auspicious Mongolian Omen
• Largest Dorje Shugden Statue In The World
• Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen’s Special Thangka
• The Rain Stopper
• Connecting with Tara
• Kindness and Coffee for a Fundraiser
• I was in Willow Creek!
• What Tsem Rinpoche Did in L.A….
• Tsem Rinpoche’s heritage in China
• Tsem Rinpoche’s Torghut Ancestry | 詹杜固仁波切的土尔扈特血统
• Fotomat and Me | 我和Fotomat
• Tsem Rinpoche in an American ‘Tantric Dress’!!!
• How Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen changed my life
• Kyabje Zong Rinpoche with Lama Yeshe and Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen
• Dharma Work, Attitude & TDL | 佛法工作、态度及图登达杰林佛法中心
• My Precious Kyabje Zong Rinpoche statue
• His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s Precious Teaching Collection
• Short sharing about Kyabje Zong Rinpoche | 关于嘉杰宋仁波切的简短分享 | ༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་གི་སྐོར་བགོ་འགྲེམས་མདོར་བསྡུས།

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