Guest Contributor – Mavis Yeh
Article submitted by Mavis Yeh
[TO BE VOTED ON! The article or video with the most number of views by 21 April 2013 will win a Manjushri statue!]
Submitted article for “BLOG COMPETITION: Invite back a Manjushri statue!”
It was in early 2010 that I first stumbled upon Rinpoche’s YouTube teachings and to say that I was completely blown away by it is an understatement. The blog came about shortly after and I have been an avid reader/follower since then. At the beginning, with my highly deluded mind, I was selective in accepting the dharma teachings and agreed with what I felt was right. I had many questions but with each dharma talks that I watched, most of my questions were answered. (Of course, I had wonderful Kecharians who helped me along the way, namely Wai Meng, Jamie, Bryan, Joy and Pastor Susan).
Initially, the main reason for my YouTube search was to learn more about mala as I was going through spirit disturbances, since then, it has long been history. When I was first recommended to practice Guru Yoga, I thought it was some kind of yoga exercise that involves some stretching and holding a posture. My knowledge of Lama Tsongkapa at the time was next to nil, let alone Setrap, Tara and the like. Through Rinpoche’s blog I was exposed to different practices, from showing compassion not only to animals but spirits to generating bodhicitta. I remember vividly when I first set my eyes on the Wheels of Sharp Weapons, I said to myself “really?”
I don’t have a major transformation experience to share. However, even though all the teachings were learned strictly online, it has helped me tremendously in my day to day interactions with people and also the way I handle difficult situations. I am more aware with the things I say and do, with that little voice asking if that was dharmic action or not. It is akin to having installed a dharma filter in your mind that lets you see things in a different perspective and knowing what you would have said and done pre and post dharma.
Since last year I have started prostration retreat, although I have completed an insignificant number of 20,000 thus far, if I have done anything more “consistently consistent” in my life, this is it. Again, without the online teachings, blog and the team behind it, this would not have been possible.
Now, I’d like to share the stories of my three siblings as they have benefit much from Rinpoche’s blog teachings as well. Firstly, Amy’s transformation is going vegetarian, although she is yet to fully come out of the closet. There is also a shift in her thinking, less of the self-cherishing mind and more of practicing the paramita of generosity. Secondly, Erik, who found peace and solace through online dharma teachings and there is nothing more rewarding or pleasing to hear that. Last but not the least, Jim’s major transformation is turning vegetarian full time. From living like a bitter zombie to having a light re-kindled. all made possible through Rinpoche’s teachings although none of us have met Rinpoche yet.
It’s not easy for me to write this as writing is not my forte; however, I need to thank Rinpoche’s kindness for spreading the dharma online as without it, my dharma knowledge would still be at a minimum and I have only scratched the surface of it. I had to muster up the confidence and courage to write this, yes, getting out of my comfort zone and working towards being comfortable in the face of discomfort. Yet another lesson learned from Rinpoche.
To conclude, I want to thank the most important person who first decided to put up Rinpoche’s teachings on YouTube, the unsung hero Pastor Loh Seng Piow, kudos to you.
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[…] Mavis Yeh […]
Hi Mavis and Rinpoche, I am humbled by this article.I reminds me of the teaching of when a pure Teacher meets a pure disciple amazing results will follow.It is so wonderful that teachings available of the internet have such benefit for others who may not be able to be physically close to a Teacher.Your practice is very inspiring ,Mavis.I rejoice,Rinpoche,in your skilful compassion and wisdom.May everyone meet qualified and inspiring Teachers!xxx
woooow!!! amazing stuff mavis.. God bless u gal 🙂
Nice to read on your story.and very nice your alter .verry happy to know rinpoche s blog make benifit for many peole.
Dear Mavis,
Such wonderful news to know that you have benefited so much from Rinpoche’s teachings. And because of that, you also benefited your siblings.
Haha.. love the Dharma filter part. I am like you too! To a point when I walk I was so scared of stepping on the helpless ants and insects. For me, it feels great to be mindful and learning everyday from this blog. Because of Rinpoche, I learned a lot too. May many benefit from Rinpoche and Dharma just like you and me and many others out there!
Mavis… I wanna congratulate you for your good fortune in discovering Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings online and it is people like you that inspires Rinpoche and us to work harder to bring the Dharma out there. You have inspired me in this sense and I appreciate you sharing your story to inspire many more. It is always nice to see that Rinpoche’s works and teachings are reaching out to so many and I truly rejoice in your practice. Because of you Mavis, you have planted Dharma seeds in your siblings, you too are spreading Rinpoche’s good works… so give your good self a hug and a pat in the back! I hope to see you one day soon Mavis and Keep up with your practices as Rinpoche has advised. Love your altar x
Dear Mavis,
It is an understatement to say that it is not easy for you to write! The flow and logical sequence you have in the writing gave me the impression that writing is very easy for you! I like the style of your writing and it made me want to follow through to what you have to say!
Thank you for sharing your story and letting us know how important Rinpoche’s blog is and will continue to be! It is indeed important for us to know that, so we will not give excuses for not learning, improving and finally transforming ourselves with Rinpoche’s teachings so easily accessible!
I wish you all the best in your spiritual endeavour and wish very much that all of you get to meet Rinpoche and receive teachings from him directly in the very near future!
With much joy and appreciation,
adeline
Dear Mavis,
Nice to read about your own personal spiritual journey as a result of the blog. It is wonderful and I think there is transformation because you have placed spirituality as your primary concern. It is wonderful that you have already started prostration retreat and I applaud you for that and I love your altar very much. It is beautiful and done up with a lot of love and care. I love your Buddha statue and the beautiful print of Lama Tsongkhapa. Its just incredible and glowing. Well, I am not psychic but I can feel it through your wonderful offerings and placement of the sacred objects on your altar. Its very inspiring and I hope a picture of your altar inspires others to have something similar and hope to see you more on the blog whenever you can.
Thank you Mavis for the sharing, your writing are so good and so honest, I’m always very happy to hear how people got benefited from this blog.
For us to be able to meet Dharma, we are very fortunate, because that’s the only exit in our live, to exit from this sea of suffering. It is very nice to hear about how people gets better after reading from this blog and listened to Rinpoche’s teaching. As Sharon said, your sharing are very powerful, it will encourage more people to start practice. Thank you once again for the sharing. 🙂
Dear Mavis, thank you for sharing your story on how Rinpoche’s blog has benefited you and your siblings. Many Buddhists think that Buddhism is all about prayers and rituals. However, understanding the dharma and applying what we learn into our daily lives is much more important.
I rejoice that you and your siblings take Rinpoche’s teachings to heart and applying into your lives. Congratulations on your prostration retreat. You are doing great. Be consistent.
I wish you all the best in your spiritual journey:)
Hi Mavis, I like your altar, it is well designed and decorated. Yes, I have same experience as you. I always like to read Rinpoche’s blog especially when I am down and doubtful, miraculously, I am always able to find answer from Rinpoche’s blog. It seems like Rinpoche is able to foresee we have this question or doubt.
Dear Mavis,
Nice to read on your story. I love the part especially that Dharma has benefited so many people in your family.
If I am not mistaken, both you and Jim are based in Canada (and so as your other siblings). It is hence beautiful to read that all of you have made much progress even though you all are far away from Malaysia.
I love the picture of your altar too. It is very pretty.
Yes, Sheryl, I’m Mavis’ younger (and superior) brother. 🙂
Dear Mavis,
What a powerful sharing. Thank you so much! I loved reading it and it highlights just how important this blog is to be able to reach so many people – especially your family! Do you know that in Malaysia, there are so many “Buddhists” but they actually don’t know what Buddhism is. For myself, I only learned about what Dharma really was when I met Rinpoche and yes you do get a free Dharma filtration system as a bonus! 🙂
Rinpoche has told us that people always categorise their lives – into different boxes like family, work, holiday, spirituality, whereas we should actually put spirituality into family, work and everything… for us here at Kechara, we have learned to apply Dharma to everything, very much like your Dharma filter!
Congratulations on your prostrations… 20K is not an insignificant number but the most impressive is the consistency. Really a very big well done…
Thanks again for your sharing and i look forward to seeing you progress on your Dharma journey!