The Unknown | 未知
(中文请往下看)
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 21:28:26 +0800
Subject: A new journey begins….
Dearest Rinpoche,
I have just tendered my resignation in my company yesterday and will be joining *eDiv in June after serving one month’s notice. My HR, bosses and colleagues are all shocked to learn about the news as I have been performing and doing well there.
Reading through Rinpoche’s SMS today, it really said out what I have in mind. I want to be part of something big and with good results. Since the meeting with Rinpoche early of the year, be full time is always in my mind. Due to family commitment earlier, I did not get to do full time immediately. I am grateful to Rinpoche, Beng Kooi, DM, eDiv and Kechara that give me this chance to do Dharma work. Lew is also very supportive to me too. My dream has come true! Although there is unknown as the girls are young and it is a stretch for me to handle the sales part, I rather work hard for it NOW when I have the chance, together with you and all the committed members to build it up rather than end up nowhere later. There is nothing for me to lose at all! I have nothing to pay your kindness but to do more.
May I have the blessings from Rinpoche to do more and together contribute to the growth of Kechara and can spread Dharma to more people!
May Rinpoche live long and I can serve Rinpoche life after life.
Humbly with folded hands,
Wei Theng
**E-Division is one of the Depts in Kechara.
My Dear Ms. Wei Theng,
I guess you and your husband Lew match and get along so well because like-minded people do attract: You are people who do what you promise and what you commit to no matter the circumstances.
I am happy to hear you are coming on board full time. You are right, you have nothing to lose. You can make a billion dollars, if your girls don’t have the karma to get it, then they can be spoiled-rotten by easy money growing up to be useless people (sorry) in society and family, wanting free things handed to them and their friends shamelessly. Or they would never get it full stop. Wealth is not necessarily passed or given nor good or bad. Wealth is neutral. It can be the result of good or bad karma depending on what the wealth does to the person. Results show clearly. If wealth ruins, it is the result of bad karma and vice versa. When passed to people who should not get it, it destroys them more than it helps them. No parent can see their children’s future or predict what their money will do to them. But one thing every parent can see is hard work, training kids to earn their own way, and not giving money to them easily familiarizes them to be better and more responsible adults. Hard work during a child’s formative years in learning things must be earned also is not infallible, but has a much higher percentage of results than handing everything to them on a silver platter. Silver tarnishes anyway no matter how good it looks.
Last time in olden days hundreds of years ago, wealth staying within the generations was easier due to demographic and socially different environments. There was so much less things to spend your money on. So many would inherit the family residences, maids, property, servants and so on. The children would most likely take over and continue living in the family estates. Was not many other options. There were not many places to go as transportation before motorized vehicles and airplanes were very difficult. Now we have the advent of tv, internet, modern travel which creates a different environment. Young adults have so much more meaningless things to spend their money on and so much more illusionary fun to chase here, in other cities and countries. You can be on another continent within 24 hours. This trend ‘helps’ young adults to spend more, ‘dream’ more, travel more, greed for more, want more and fritter their wealth away faster in many cases. I’m talking of generalities, not all are like this of course. This is a disturbing side effect of modernization. Externally everything becomes easier, but internally it creates much less time for development. Hence depression, substance abuse, unhappiness, divorce, broken homes, crime and dissatisfaction ranks highest now than any other time in human history I would conclude. This trend will not end because many still think the key to inner happiness is outer material growth and development alone. Many parents along with prevalent materialistic values push their children to get more. The more the better is the standard mantra of materialism. The very ingredient of self destruction in many cases. As long as this thought pervades, then inner development leading to peace and happiness is as far away as the planet Neptune.
Hence you do not have to worry about your girls. You provide them with house, home, LOVE, ethics, spirituality, care, food, schooling and medical. Show them a good example. Be the best you can be for them and they will see this as they grow up. Parents teach 30% by speech but 70% by action and results. They will be fine. Teach them hard work combined with spiritual values and spiritual basis, then they will be fine when they grow up rich or poor externally. The key word is externally. Look at you, your husband Lew in the past and many of us. You are both educated, have great skills but you ended up in a life of just work, bills, toils, commitments and aging as you pay off what you acquired. The more you get, the more you pay. The more you pay, the more you work. The more you work, the more you get. And the cycle is unending. So is that what you want for your daughters? I don’t think so. That is why you are joining precious dharma work. Wisdom mind, wisdom choice and wisdom path arising from dharma knowledge has opened up for you after generating a wish to work for dharma.
When you come into E-div Dept in Kechara, don’t be an employee. Just doing your necessaries, collect your stipend and go for the occasional get togethers then home..that would be the ingredient of stagnancy. That is the wrong attitude for dharma people doing dharma work. We are pioneers in doing something so great. We have to give more to get more. Get more what? We get satisfaction and fulfillment. Satisfaction and self respect makes us happier now and when we are in our golden years. Take ownership. Do more. Do extra. Don’t look at your dept head as the boss and they should just provide everything. That is the attitude of a secular non-dharma job and working in a place where the product is mainstream and accepted. It is just for a paycheck. How satisfying could that be in the end? But before mainstream, the people of that company had to give it their all sacrificing socials, parties, weekends and trips also. But their sacrifice paid off in just material accomplishments. We don’t have to (thank goodness) ‘sell’ secular products but our ‘product’ is much greater but not ‘mainstream’ yet. So we have to work harder, then when we look back later, we will feel satisfied. Hard work with results lead to something no one can take away. We will feel that we used our short lives for something better. We will have contenment and results. If we google large dharma organizations in East and West they have hundreds and thousands working for them for many decades now. Very inspiring. We don’t have anything here in Malaysia yet. Why? Let’s make a change here. Since we are here. Let’s make a change. Let’s inspire ourselves and everyone.
Of course your workmates would feel strange that you are resigning when you are doing well. How else would they feel when they don’t have the wisdom of dharma understanding the impermanence of our fragile situations, future lives and what is most important at death? In other words, you can’t wish for what you don’t know. You only force yourself to be satisfied with what you have while having a nagging feeling there is more to life than acquisitions, material success and a paycheck.
Also the heads in Kechara’s 13 depts also had secular lives prior also. No different than you just a short while back for some. But they heard the dharma and ‘took the bull by the horns’ as the saying goes and went another step further. Some go all the way. They decided enough of so called secular ‘accomplishments’ that only wither away too fast either now or at death and wish to accomplish something more. And they took on their depts. So we should think our dept heads think like us only they started earlier. Instead of laying all our neurosis, bad habits and complaints to them wanting them to hand-hold us, we should take more responsibility. Everyday when we come into Kechara to ‘work’ we should think: What did I do in my previous existences to create the causes to earn a living and at the same time do something totally wonderful for others and myself? Fantastic that I have the good fortune to support myself in doing good works here in this dharma centre. How can I improve everyone’s situation in this office so that we can bring dharma to more people? I joined dharma because I want to be more. Now I wish to work for dharma because I am confirmed there is more. So why not go all the way.
To join Dharma because you learned there is more, then to work for dharma because more is confirmed, is only half way. Now that you are in dharma work, go all the way and create mind-blowing, extraordinary, beneficial growth and results for everyone. Put all your efforts in, because dharma results are not deceptive. When you do this, then it’s not half way but all the way. Dharma results don’t bring unhappiness like secular results . Give all you got, because it is the best thing you have done and are doing. Bring dharma to everyone due to your incredible efforts. That all starts one day at a time and what you do at your desk now. What you do at your department makes a difference to you, other dharma staff and the recipients of your wisdom to work for dharma. If you bring in the old secular attitude of letting the boss worry about the overhead and just give me my stipend, then that’s all it will be. Nothing more. But if we look at our dept head and think they are just like me in that they have done something about the understanding of dharma, therefore I will do as much as they are doing if not more. It’s not competition, but understanding and taking responsibility for your decision. It’s not doing more for ego, but for others. Dharma work’s purpose is to benefit others. With this attitude in Kechara or any dharma work, then you and everyone will be successful. Successful on a multitude of levels affecting many now and into the future. The fact that dharma is alive is due to the success of previous hardworking people who worked for dharma. We are enjoying their success now. So we should continue this for future generations. You gain success on so many dimensions. Successful for yourself, for our organization and for all the lives we will continue to touch and make a difference around the world and in your home. What a great gift to everyone you love.
Dharma work is the most supreme because it serves others. You do yourself a favour by doing dharma work. You are not doing dharma a favour. You are not doing the other dharma staff a favour. They came in wanting to help others too. If some staff do not think this way, it should not affect you because your karma is your karma. Your growth does not depend on their performance. All the people who started before you only realized earlier what you realized now. They faced their fears, insecurities and the unknown by just working hard and going all the way. By taking the plunge. The fears and unknown are there. But being relaxed in our comfort zones leaves us with so much nagging dissatisfaction and more insecurities. We should think all the people who joined before myself are very kind to start something with all their fears being pioneers. Yet they still built it to a point where I can now join. They sustained it even with their fears and held the fort and that is why I can join now. We should feel grateful to them and show it in our work. Feel that gratefulness and add to the dissipation of theirs’ and your own fears of the unknown and future. (Everything in existence is unsure until we gain full awakening.) That is all anyone can do. That would be the best lesson for your daughters. When your daughters have grown, let them say how come they were so lucky to have hardworking, spiritual and loving parents like you? What karmic circumstances they created to be so fortunate to have you as role models. That would be the best reward as parents. Many kids today do not respect their parents for wrong and sometimes right reasons. Parents are fallible humans too. But parents and kids with genuine dharma practice are very different. Parenting with dharma makes a huge positive difference for sure. Children with dharma grow up very different also. Parents will pass to their children so many qualities they sometimes don’t realize. Good and bad qualities can be passed to children as a result of environmental conditioning. Don’t pass greed, fears, and materialism to kids as a way to ‘happiness’. Pass dharma, ethics, hard work and results to your children. Pass it to everyone around you by your own example. That is what spirituality is about. Happiness, contentment arising from living a good life based on bringing benefits to others. That is the purpose of life.
There is nothing to lose. The loss would be not doing dharma when you can. Not many would fully understand. Many not understanding just shows you how rare and precious dharma is. How many people own glass? How many people own diamonds? Of course the diamond owners are much less than those who own glass. That does not mean glass has more value than diamonds in the secular sense. We don’t need to base ourselves on anything but dharma wisdom. Follow that wisdom. Respect all, listen to a few and follow one.
Some people do leave dharma work for many reasons. But you know what? That doesn’t mean their reasonings are correct or valid. Dharma work is challenging. Secular work is challenging. One challenge leads to a paycheck and dharma work leads to happiness. Some are not sure of dharma work. I feel that if you are in it already, the chances of becoming sure are dependent on results. How do you get results if you don’t go all the way? Very chicken and egg situation wouldn’t you say? Why be in this situation? Go all the way, get the results. If you don’t go all the way, there is always a disturbing nagging feeling you gave up something really excellent. Bottom line is dharma is good. Therefore dharma propagation is good. For dharma propagation we need people who do dharma work. This type of easy logic does make sense. Dharma work is very good.
It’s better to follow something you know is good than to be scared and die with regrets. I respect people who live for their dreams and work towards it. I look up to people who are afraid of the unknown but still go for it because they are more afraid of the known**. Leave your comfort zone to achieve more. More in this case is better. I am like that most of the time.
I welcome you and still welcome the current staff in Kechara continuously. Let’s do our best for others. This chance is rare. (I hope all new and senior staff will read this and understand deeper the meaning of dharma work.) I didn’t mean for it to be this long, but Wei Theng, I wanted you to understand my thoughts because I am happy for you. Since my thoughts have been typed here, I’ve decided to share with others although it was meant to be a private letter in the beginning to you. I will blog this and I beg your indulgence. I thank you ahead of time.
Please thank yourself and rejoice knowing what you are doing will well extend beyond just benefitting your beautiful family. It will inspire many other people where dharma work is in pioneering stages.
Again I welcome you, give it your all please. Don’t be an employee, be part of a dharma team that brings a powerful and huge difference in the lives of others. Do more than the next person because you care. You have my prayer and my good wishes. You have my heartfelt requests to go all the way.
Tsem Rinpoche
Kechara House
I just composed this poem for you dear Ms. Wei Theng:
**The Unknown
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown
more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than
the known? But then again, the unknown is sometimes
worse than the known.
In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown, because all
unknown with familiarity becomes the known.~Tsem Rinpoche
_________________________________
未知
一个新旅程的开始……
亲爱的仁波切:
我昨天刚向公司呈交了辞职信,在一个月通知期满之后,我将会全职加入*e部门。听到这个消息后,我的上司、人事部及同事们都大感惊讶,因为我在公司向来都有不俗的表现。
仁波切今天的短信,完全说出了我心中的话。我想成为某项大事业的一份子。自从在年初与仁波切会面时,听了仁波切的一席话之后,我心中就一直有着全职加入的打算。然而,早前基于家庭责任,我无法立刻就全职加入。我感谢仁波切、明贵、拿督美方、e小组和克切拉给了我投入佛法工作的机会。廖君凌也一直都在支持我。我的梦想成真了!虽然由于女儿们年纪还小,当中还有许多未知数,而且对于我来说,负责销售工作也是项挑战,但我宁可现在就努力工作,趁自己还有机会的时候,跟您和其他忠心付出的伙伴们共同奋斗,也不愿到头来一事无成。我根本不会失去什么!除了努力付出,我再无法回报您的恩惠。
愿仁波切能赐予我加持,让我做得更多,共同为克切拉的成长作出贡献,将佛法带给更多人!
愿仁波切长寿,愿我生生世世都能为仁波切服务。
慧婷合十敬上
**e小组为克切拉的其中一个部门。
****************
亲爱的慧婷:
我猜想你跟丈夫廖君凌之间必然相处融洽,因为思想一致的人总会互相吸引:你是那种一旦答应了,无论发生什么事,都会去履行承诺的人。
听到你全职加入,我很高兴。你是对的,你将不会失去什么。在外头,你大可赚取亿万元,但如果你的女儿们没有福报来得到它,那这份轻易得来的财富将会把他们宠坏,使他们长大后成为无论对社会和家庭都没有贡献的人(抱歉),只会恬不知耻地希望自己和朋友们都能享有免费的一切。再不然,就是他们根本就无法去享有这份财富。财富的继承并不是必然的,财富也不分好或坏。财富是中性的,它可以是善业或恶业所带来的结果,全视乎它对这个人所造成的影响。结果会说明一切。如果财富造成了破坏,这就是恶业的结果,反之亦然。当不应该继承财富的人得到了这份财富,那么它对这些人将会是破坏多于建设。任何父母都无法预见孩子的未来,或预知他们的财富会对孩子形成什么样的影响。他们唯一能肯定的是,只有通过努力,训练孩子自给自足和不轻易给予他们金钱,才能够让孩子养成习惯,成为一个更好、更负责任的成年人。在孩子的成长期努力让他们学习是必要的,但也并非是万无一失的。然而,这总比将一切都放在银盘子上端给他们(形容让他们不劳而获)来得有保障。再美的银质品,也会有失去光泽的一天。
古时候,由于社会环境和人口分布的不同,人们比较容易将财富世世代代继承下去。那时候,可供消费的东西并不多。所以,许多人都能继承家族地产、物业、佣人和工人等。孩子们很可能会继承家族产业,继续留在那儿居住。当时的选择并不多,而且在汽车和飞机面世之前,交通十分不方便,因此能去的地方也不多。然而,电视、互联网、现代交通等的发明,却为我们创造了一个不同的环境。年轻人可以将钱花在更多无意义的地方上,也可以在本地、其他国家或城市去追求更多虚幻的欢乐。在24小时之内,你就已经能够飞抵地球的另一端。这种趋势,促使年轻人变得更会花费,更爱幻想、更常旅游、更贪心和想要更多,许多情况下也更快就将财富耗尽。我指的是只是一般情况,当然并非每个人都如此。这是现代化所令人烦恼的副作用。表面上,一切都方便多了,然而,内在成长的时间却少了。因此,忧郁症、药物滥用、不愉快、婚姻破裂、家庭破裂、犯罪和不满心绪等的发生率,可说是创下了人类有史以来的新高。这个趋势还不会停止,因为许多人依然认为达致内在快乐的关键,纯粹来自外在物质的成长和发展。许多父母普遍上还持着物质至上的价值观,要求孩子们去追求更多。越多越好已经成了物质主义的标准心咒。许多情况下,这是促成自毁的主要元素。只要是这种想法还普遍存在的一天,引导人们找到宁静和快乐的内在成长,就跟海王星一样遥远。
因此,你无需为女儿们感到担心。你为她们提供住所、家庭、爱、道德、灵修、关怀、食物、就学机会及医疗照顾。为她们示范好榜样。尽量为她们做得最好,日后当她们长大了,就会看到这一切。父母教育孩子,三成来自言语、七成来自行为和结果。她们会没事的。教会她们努力的同时,也融入灵修的价值和基础,当她们长大后,无论外在是贫是富,她们都会没事的。关键词是外在。看看过去的你自己、你的丈夫廖君凌和我们当中的许多人。你们两个都受过高等教育,都有专业技巧,结果却将生命都耗在工作、支付账单、辛勤劳碌和承担义务上,而在还清这一切的过程中,你已经渐渐老去。你追求得越多,支出也越多。支出越多,就越要工作。工作得越多,你就越想要追求更多。这种循环是不会终止的。你希望你的女儿也这样吗?我不认为。所以,你才加入了殊胜的佛法工作。自你祈愿为佛法工作的那时起,由佛法知识所产生的智慧心识、智慧选择和智慧路径都已经为你打开了。
当你加入克切拉的e小组时,不要让自己成为一名雇员,只做必要的事,领取薪俸,偶尔参加聚会,然后回家……这将成为停滞不前的元素。对于从事佛法工作的人来说,这是一种错误的态度。我们是成就伟大事业的先锋。我们必须付出更多,以获得更多。获得什么呢?我们得到的是成就感和满足感。无论是现在或当我们老去之后,这种满足感和自我尊重感都会使我们更快乐。要主动去承担任务。付出更多,付出额外的努力。别把部门主管当成是老板,而认为他应该为你提供一切。这是一种属于世俗而非佛法工作的态度,这是一种在生产广被接受的主流产品的地方工作的态度。所做的一切就只为了一张支票。到最后,那究竟能带来多大的满足感呢?在成为主流之前,公司的职员同样也必须付出一切,牺牲社交生活、派对、周末和旅行的机会。然而,他们的牺牲只会换来物质的成就。我们无需(感恩!)“售卖”世俗产品,但我们的“产品”却是更伟大的,尽管它目前还未晋身“主流”。正因如此,我们必须更加努力,他日当我们回顾的时候,我们将会为此感到满足。努力付出取得成果,将带给我们一些没有人能夺走的东西。我们知道自己将短暂的生命用来完成美好的事物。我们将感到知足,且拥有成果。如果我们在谷歌上搜索东、西方国家的大型佛教组织,我们将发现这些组织几十年来都有千百人在为他们工作。这十分具有启发性。在马来西亚,我们暂时什么都没有。为什么呢?且让我们作出改变!既然我们在这里,且让我们作出一些改变。让我们给自己和他人带来启发!
你表现不俗,却毅然辞职,必然会令你的同事们感到讶。如果他们缺乏佛法智慧来了解我们脆弱生命的无常,也不了解来世或知道当死亡来临之际什么才是最重要的,他们还会有什么看法呢?换句话说,你无法去期待自己所不知道的。你只能强迫自己去满足于自己所拥有的,心里却有埋怨,认为生命应该还有更多值得去追求的,而不应只是一味获取,追求物质上的成功和一张薪金支票。
克切拉13个部门的主管,在过去也曾经过着世俗生活。他们跟你没有什么不同,有些人也不过比你早了一些加入。然而,他们听了佛法,不畏艰难,勇敢向前跨出一步。有些更是全力以赴。他们清楚知道所谓的世俗“成就”,只不过是过眼云烟,稍纵即逝,现在如此,死亡时亦然,所以他们希望能做得更多,就毅然担起部门领导的任务。因此,我们必须持有这种想法,即部门主管其实也跟我们一样,他们只不过是起步得比我们早而已。与其将我们的神经质、坏习惯和抱怨都加诸于他们,希望他们能挽着我们的手前进,我们应该负起更多的责任。每一天到克切拉“工作”的时候,我们应该这么想:我前世究竟造了什么因,才有机会在为他人和自己投入那么美好事业的同时,还能继续维持生活?我是如此幸运,能够一面在这个中心从事殊胜的工作,还能够一面养活自己。我该如何改善每一位同事的情况,好让我们能将佛法带给更多人?我投入佛法是为了成就更多。现在我希望为佛法工作,因为我已经确定那必然会带来更多。因此,为什么不全力以赴呢?
参与佛法,是因为你知道它能带来更多;为佛法工作,是因为你确定它会带来更多,但这只不过是其中的一半。现在你既然已经投入佛法工作,那就全力以赴,为每一个人创造出令人赞叹、非凡、有意义的成长和成绩。倾尽你的全力,因为佛法成就决不是虚幻的。当你这么做的时候,你所做的就不只是一半,而是全部了。佛法成就并不像世俗成就,它不会带来不快乐。付出你的所有,因为这是你所做过和正在做着的最好的事。用你不懈的努力,将佛法带给每一个人。这一切都始于每天付出一些,始于此刻你案前的工作。你在部门里所做的一切,将对你、其他佛法工作人员和那些接受你的智慧的人们造成改变,使他们为佛法工作。如果你依然持着原有的世俗态度,让上司去担心关于开支的事,而自己只顾着领取薪俸,那一切就仅限于此,再不会有更多了。然而,如果我们看着部门主管的时候,能想着他们也跟我们一样,在对佛法的领悟作出贡献,那即使我无法做得更多,至少也要跟他们作出同等的付出。这不是一项竞争,而是了解自己的决定,并为此负责。做得更多,是为了他人,而不是为了满足自我。佛法工作的目的本来就是造福他人。无论在克切拉或其他佛法工作上,这种态度都会给你带来成功,这对每一个人来说都是一样的。在许多层次上取得成功,对许多当下和未来都会造成影响。佛法之所以存留至今,就是由于过去努力从事佛法工作的人所取得的成功。我们现在正享受着他们的成果。因此,我们也应为下一代继续这么做。你将在许多层面上取得成功,除了你自己、我们的组织,还有那些我们将不断接触的生命,你将为你的家庭,乃至整个世界带来改变。对你所爱的每一个人来说,这是一份多么棒的礼物。
佛法工作是至高无上的,因为它在为众人服务。从事佛法工作,你所帮的是自己。你并不是在帮助佛法,也不是在帮着其他佛法工作人员。他们的加入也是为了帮助他人。如果有些员工不那么认为的话,不要让他对你造成影响,毕竟你的业是属于你个人的。你的成长并不依赖于他们的表现。那些比你早加入的人,也不过是比你早一些明白个中道理。他们凭着全力以赴、冒险的精神,去面对自己的恐惧、不安和迎接未知。恐惧和未知是一直都存在的。然而,窝在舒适地带,只会留给我们更多萦绕不去的不满足和不安。我们应该想着那些比我早加入的人是如此的仁爱,他们即使怀着作为先锋的恐惧,却毅然跨出这一步。而且还创造了一个可供我参与的平台。即使害怕,他们依然努力保住这个城堡,所以我今天才得以加入。我们应对他们感恩,并将此表现在工作上。心怀感恩,并借此驱走他们及你自己对未来和未知的恐惧。(直到我们证得圆满觉悟之前,一切的存在都是不确定的。)每个人能做到的就只是这些。这是给你女儿最好的一堂课。当她们长大成人之后,让她们说,自己为何如此幸运,能拥有像你们这样努力、具有灵性情操,且富有爱心的父母?她们究竟造了什么因,才能如此幸运地拥有你们这样的典范?对父母来说,这绝对是最佳的回报。
现代孩子多不尊敬父母,大部分时候是基于错误的原因,有些时候这些理由却是成立的。父母也是人,偶尔难免也会犯错。然而,认真修持佛法的父母和孩子却非常不一样。懂佛法的父母必然会有十分不一样的正面改变,而懂佛法的孩子长大后也会跟别人不一样。父母有时在不经意间会将许多素质传给自己的孩子。环境因素将导致父母将种种好的、坏的素质都传给了孩子。别将贪婪、恐惧和物质至上的观念传给孩子,让他们以为这就是“快乐”之道。要将佛法、道德、努力和成果带给孩子。身体力行,将这些素质带给身边的每一个人。这就是所谓的灵修。快乐、知足源自美好的生活,而这种生活就建基于造福他人上。这就是生命的意义。
你不会失去任何东西。唯一的失去,是当你能够从事佛法工作的时候,你却不那么做。能够完全明白这个道理的人并不多。许多人不明白,更证明了佛法是如何的珍贵和稀有。有多少人拥有玻璃?又有多少人拥有钻石?当然,拥有钻石者必定远比拥有玻璃者来得少。在世俗的角度上,这并不意味着玻璃比钻石来得值钱。除了佛法智慧,我们并不需要以任何东西作为基准。跟随这个智慧。尊重一切,听从一些,但就只跟随一个。
有些人基于各种理由离开佛法工作。然而你知道吗?这并不意味着他们的理由是正确或成立的。佛法工作具有挑战性,世俗工作亦如此。然而,世俗工作只能带给我们薪金支票,而佛法工作却能带给我们快乐。有些人对佛法工作感到不确定。我认为,既然你已经身在其中,能否感到确定,就取决于你的成绩。如果你不全力以赴,又如何能取得成绩呢?这是先有鸡还是先有蛋的情况,难道你不认为吗?为什么要让自己处于这种情况呢?全力以赴,做出成绩!如果你不全力以赴,你心中总会有种萦绕不去的心烦意乱,认为自己放弃了一些极佳的东西。至少,佛法是好的。因此,佛法的散播也是好的。要散播佛法,我们需要有从事佛法工作的人。这种逻辑虽简单,却有道理。佛法工作是很好的。
与其害怕和带着遗憾死去,不如去跟随你已知是好的事。我尊敬那些为梦想而活,并努力达致目标的人。我敬仰那些害怕未知却继续为它努力的人,因为他们更害怕已知**。离开你的舒适地带,去成就更多。在这种情况下,更多是好的。我大部分时候都是这样的。
我欢迎你,也一直都继续欢迎着现有的克切拉职员。让我们尽己所能为别人而努力。这种机会是稀有的。(我希望所有的新旧员工都能阅读这篇文章,深入了解佛法工作的意义。)我原本并不打算写那么长,但慧婷,我希望你明白我的想法,因为我为你感到开心。既然我已经将想法都写了出来,我决定跟其他人分享,尽管最初这原是给予你的私人信件。我将把它刊在博客上,请见谅!我在此先谢谢你。
请感谢自己,为自己随喜,因为你知道你所做的将会惠及更多人,而不仅限于你美丽的家庭。在佛法工作的先锋时期,这将会给许多人带来启发。
再一次,我欢迎你,请付出你的所有。别让自己成为一位雇员,而是成为佛法团队的一份子,为他人的生命带来巨大的改变。因为在乎,所以要比别人付出更多。你拥有我的祈愿和祝福。我由衷地请求你全力以赴,坚持到底!
詹仁波切
克切拉佛教中心
亲爱的慧婷,我刚为你写了这首诗:
**未知
已知与未知同样令人畏惧
已知是一种安于现状和停滞不前
未知却可能是成长和机会
人们并不知道自己是否畏惧未知多过已知
谁说未知会比已知更糟
但有时未知确实比已知来得糟
终究,一切还会是未知
除非我们竭尽所能去探讨、争取
因此,全力以赴去追求未知
因为当熟悉之后,未知就会转为已知。
~詹仁波切
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
This poem very nicely summarized this article.
**The Unknown
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown
more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than
the known? But then again, the unknown is sometimes
worse than the known.
In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown, because all
unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
I think for most of us we look for something. It’s like an ingrained instinct but we do not know what we are looking for. Perhaps it is just because we are born in the desire realm and we are simply driven by desire. However, fear holds us back. Fear of both the known and unknown. The known is a misery and yet it’s all we know so we remain in its miserable comfort zone but hoping there is something better yet doesn’t take proactive actions to find out.
The unknown is mysterious, hopeful, intriguing but what if it’s worse than the known. There are people who found the known to be so bad that they would take any plunge into the unknown because to them they are already experiencing “hell” on Earth. So to them “what could be worse than this”. I can’t tell you if being driven by suffering or pain is a good thing. Some say unless you have suffered or loss everything, you will not change. For some people it is only in failure and dejection that life took a change for the better.
I think we do not need to perceive the known or unknown as good or bad and make decision based on good or bad. If we look at nature, it is constantly evolving and growing. It is said the universe is constantly expanding. If we look from the perspective of growth, the unknown is just part and puzzle of the journey.
Seeing all the well-wishing messages from so many people and especially the wonderful long and personal letter from Rinpoche, and His profound poem, congratulating Wei Theng on her wise and brave decision to join Kechara full-time to do Dharma work, makes me think this:
In the secular corporate world, a new employee will normally be greeted with a polite smile that doesn’t reach the eyes, followed by coffee room gossips leading into different directions, depending on what the personal agenda is. Competition, jealousy, condescension, admiration, desire, ridicule, curiosity, fear, indifference, loath… But hardly ever heartfelt joy.
Why? Because corporations work for profits and employees are numbers. The ultimate “beneficiaries” are limited and there’s always a price to pay. It’s a cut-throat environment and it’s Everyman for himself. In shark-infested waters, you’re either eaten or you join the alpha team.
In Kechara, it’s Everyman for everybody else. It’s an environment that nurtures compassion and carries out acts of kindness. Doing Dharma work full-time demands sacrifice, and courage is a job pre-requisite. It’s an environment that encourages giving, rather than vying for the next promotion, pay rise or that lush corner office. It’s an environment where the only person you really need to fear is yourself.
Dear Rinpoche, Kechara and all Kecharians, you never cease to amaze me.
Thank you all.
With love, respect and folded hands,
Sean Pang
[…] I first heard of the news, I was so touched that I composed a poem for Wei Theng. I am very happy for her. Both Wei Theng and Lew has set an example that doing Dharma […]
Congratulations!!!Wei Theng…. it’s not an easy decision but a right and good one…You and Mr.Lew are fine examples of husband and wife team working and practicing dharma together with the motivation to benefit others…. For this you will inspire more family to do the same…..Rejoice!
Know the Unknown… if we fear it… it stays unknown. If we get to know it then it becomes Know. Then it is exactly the same anyways. Ever since we are born we are made to learn and explore new things… It is nothing new. When we were young or a baby we were original, open, curious, adventurous, discoverers of new opportunities daily. What made us change? What made us fear as we grow old?
Our egos form as we impute from the outside world and our our inside world – our own perceptions based on experiences and then we slowly slowly close up and basically lose our selves sometimes.
Rinpoche poem reminds me of getting to know our true nature again. The one that had no fear, no ego, full of enthusiasm and well open to almost everything. But this is not everything… this is something really valuable… something meaningful because no we’ve grown we can identify what is good (though we may not know it fully but we can some how feel it) and what is not good.
Most people would fear to take the road less travelled because they’ve become too comfortable in the know and choose to not know more… because it takes a bit more effort. And basically we’ve become a bit more lazy in challenging ourselves. But the ironic part is… when we stay this way… we forget that half of our lives is gone and basically the fear of losing our comfort zones is already lost because at the end of it all… everyone faces their destiny – death. So fear of losing it… well we’ve already lost it… so why not make the best out of it and go seek the unknown = Dharma 🙂
Congratulation Wei Thing and all those who choose the road less travelled!
I should always keep this on my mind to remind myself why am I here. “Dharma work is challenging. Secular work is challenging. One challenge leads to a paycheck and dharma work leads to happiness”.
Rinpoche’s reply to Wei Theng is something to be taken to heart. “Parents teach 30% by speech but 70% by action and results”. As a mother, I know that is true. Children mirror their parents without them knowing.
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche.
欢迎你的加入,全职佛教是需要蛮大的决心和信念,我们会一起同事可不是巧合的。你和你丈夫为你们的孩子们设立了一个非常棒的榜样。一起向和平中心努力吧。
Welcome come you Wei Theng join full time to our Kechara big family. when i first join dharma. i also wasn’t sure what will happen at the future. Rinpoche nurture and care let me find warm in my heart when i can be selfless a bit and helping other. Until now, i never regret work full time in dharma. i felt lucky can meet my lama in this life and gave me a lot of knowledge to overcome my obstacle.
Dear Wei Teng,
Welcome to the big family. I am a mother of two and I’m now full-time in dharma. I am grateful everyday when I open my eyes the first things I think of is my guru. It goes the same before I go to sleep. By seeing how Rinpoche care about us, I learned what is true love to others.
I know not much time I have for my kids. But quality time with them is very important. But you know what? When I was running my business I don’t have much time for them too. I spent my time with my customers after working hour even weekend. Other than long hour working in the office, sometimes i even bring my work back home to do until very late. I do not have time for my kids too. Then every weekend I pushed myself to take them out for shopping think that I already spent time with them. Most of the time I end up with a lot of argument among the family for small little things.
My kids now grown up independent and they take responsibility about their life and they learn step by step to be a stronger person growing up in dharma.
You made a good choice!
能有机会投入佛法事业是需要很多福报又如此之珍贵,再次恭喜慧婷加入克切拉大家庭!
仁波切《未知》这首诗歌说到心坎里去,未知与已知之间的界限似乎是模糊的。以前,我觉得已知令人苦闷厌倦,所以追求未知,但是未知却还是个未知,未必比已经熟悉的已知来得好。读了仁波切的诗,这才明白全力以赴是个关键。反正都做了决定,就sai lang,就all in吧!
Dear Wei Teng & Lew,
I have know the both of you for years, but having you both in Kechara is such a nice experience for me, as a friend. I enjoy the energy both of you give in the Kechara space, creating warmth and empowerment to all of us.
A perfect Dharma couple who will benefit many others and most of all benefit your daughters. In my own experience the greatest gift to your children is the gift of Dharma.
I have gone one step further giving the gift of Dharma to my beautiful grandchildren. But to be a Dharma couple, with uncle Siang seems far fetched, but I will not give up on him. One day, may I also have the merits to be another Dharma couple like both of you and Pastor Ngeow & Yoke Fui.
Much appreciation to both of you, may Rinpoche’s work spread in 10 directions because of you. Love DM
当我知道慧婷即将加入我们的大家庭时, 我真的很感动也很替他和他丈夫感到开心!你不畏惧世俗的一切眼光, 因为对仁波切的信任及清楚了解加入佛法事业是一件好的事情,毅然决定加入这个大家庭!
这让我想起了仁波切那天在卫塞节给我们的开示, 当中说到“选择”如何影响我们这一生, 甚至未来的转世。你现在做的这个在外人的角度看似令人傻眼的选择, 但其实这才是令人敬佩无比且意义非凡的选择! 很期待看到你与Lew一起为佛法事业拼搏, 也期待你的三个聪明可爱的女儿, 能步你们的后尘, 一起全力以赴。
Dear Wei Theng, congratulations for the big step in your Dharma career.
Life is a real gamble. We take the risk of venturing out of our comfort zone where we cannot predict the outcome of our decision. However, even if the result is not up to our expectation, we learn throughout the process of it and that is what benefits us.
Thanks again for setting a good example and being an inspiration to many future Dharma couples, including Karen and I.
This is very wonderful, I rejoice for Ms. Wei Theng, Lew and your family 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching and poem. Its very meaningful and direct.
Thank you Wei Theng for choosing the dharma, and ur act has benefitted so many of us by Rinpoche giving us this precious teaching hope to see u very soon at Ediv. Known and unknown is ying and yang there is an interplay ?
Wei Theng,恭喜你加入克切拉大家庭,真替你们夫妻俩感到随喜! 难得你们俩选择从事全职佛法事业,特别是你设定好的动机牵引你做出人生中的重大决定!感谢Lew给予你的祝福让你加入佛法事业。
人生无常,看透和懂得把握及争取难逢的机缘是比任何事物更珍贵!
感谢仁波切的教诲及让我们能够在此生学习佛法及从事佛法事业!
非常喜欢这一段:”Parents teach 30% by speech but 70% by action and results. They will be fine. Teach them hard work combined with spiritual values and spiritual basis, then they will be fine when they grow up rich or poor externally. The key word is externally.”
Firstly, heartiest congratulations to Wei Theng on making the best career move there is.
Next, the letter is easily one of the most inspiring and important piece of writing I have encountered. Rinpoche’s logic is simple and yet profound…it cuts through all doubts and reasoning for ever wanting anything else but a career in dharma.
Although the letter is written to WT specifically, the wisdom therein applies to everyone in any situation.
We can either get sucked into a vicious circle of doing more, getting more and having to do even more, always leaving us drained and wanting…or enter the wisdom circle of dharma work leading to dharma knowledge, gaining dharma wisdom which leads to appreciation of dharma work and happiness. Either way, we have to work. By not committing to dharma work we have already committed to unhappiness.
I am glad that I am finally doing something with my life and as Rinpoche wrote, that is only half way. Going full out to get the results is the remaining half.
Personally I am very glad that Lew will get to spend lots of meaningful time with his other/better half.
Congratulations and thank you Wei Theng for being a shining example to all parents that doing Dharma work and exposing children to Dharma when they are young is the best thing one can do as a parent! Thank you, if you had not joined, the rest of us would not have been able to read this teaching here today!
I’m really happy for your 3 little girls… they are very lucky to have both parents doing Dharma work and venturing into the unknown together.
Definitely your action of resigning when you are at the peak of your career will leave a deep impression and inspiration to your (ex)-colleagues/bosses. I think that is so awesome and perfect timing!
“Take ownership. Do more. Do extra. Don’t look at your dept head as the boss and they should just provide everything.” Yes. Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching.
Dear all,
I have yet to reread Rinpoche’s article here again and comment, but first, I wanted to share with everyone an explanation that Rinpoche gave some of us on the poem. He went through each line with us, which I have tried to recall, as below. I hope this helps.
I do also ask your forgiveness if there are any mistakes – please smack me and correct me if there are. I also do not mean, in any way, to override my Lama in sharing this. This is an interpretation and understanding based upon Rinpoche’s teachings to us, but NOT my own teaching in any way.
Line 1 – “The known and unknown are both feared”
This means that there are two kinds of things that we can fear:
1) things that we know about; things / situations / people / opportunities that we are familiar and comfortable with. We know what to expect from it.
2) things /situations / people that we know nothing about.
In both scenarios, there is a possibility or reasons (whether valid or not) for us to feel afraid.
Line 2 – “Known is being comfortable and stagnant,”
Staying only with things that we know and are familiar with feels comfortable, but it can also make us feel stagnant – i.e. no growth, no development. We become stuck in our comfort and familiarity. There is a possibility we may be comfortable in this stagnation, or we may develop fear about being stuck here and never being able to move forward.
Line 3 – “The unknown may be growth and opportunities,”
On the other hand, within the things that we do not know of or things we are not familiar with, there may be hidden opportunities, there may be a chance for growth and development. We may be afraid of the unknown, but the unknown could be precisely the thing that offers us new opportunities, new changes, growth.
Line 4 – “One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.”
There are fears for both the things that are known and the things that are unknown. And we can never really know the extent of our fear on each side. From where we are now at our level and with our limited capacities of seeing, we will never know which one will bring us more fear – the things we know or, or the things we don’t.
Line 5 – “Who says the unknown would be worse than the known? But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. ”
Many of us assume that the things that are unknown would be worse, would be scarier or bring about bad / worse results or situations. Maybe the unknown isn’t as scary as we think…. But if we think about it, from previous experiences, it is also true that sometimes the unknown CAN be worse and more frightening than the things that we know and are already familiar with. It can be both ways – we shouldn’t assume that the unknown is worse or will bring worse results; but at the same time, we should remain alert and aware of the possibility that it could be worse.
Line 6 – “In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,”
Well, we can sit here and debate forever which things bring us more fear – i.e. what we know vs. what we don’t know. However, we will never really know which is better or worse unless we put our foot forward to try things out for ourselves – to endeavour, to put effort in and strive to find out for ourselves. In this case, we could be trying out the unknown, or we could be persevering and continuing with what is already known. Either way, we must put effort to find out which is really better / worse or frightening / not frightening.
Line 7 – ” So go pursue all the way with the unknown, because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.”
So, to find out the truth, we must explore the things / people / situations that unknown and go all the way with our experiences and findings. We already know and are comfortable with the things that we are familiar with. The only way we can really uncover our fears, confront it and overcome it is if we take the courage to venture out to new grounds – go all the way with finding out what is on the other side of the wall, i.e. all the things we don’t know yet or can’t see / understand. Uncover all the things that we do not know. As we travel this journey, we may well find other new surprises that we never knew existed – more unknown things. So “pursuing all the way” would also mean fully overcoming these new surprise obstacles too, facing them, confronting them, learning what they are and how to have control over these things that are unknown – i.e. to begin to learn to know and understand them.
Eventually, as we understand and know more, as we develop more experiences and awareness from being within the situation and finding out (knowing) about this thing, this unknown thing also becomes familiar; with familiarity, we become well-acquainted with the object / person / place / situation. We soon know everything there is to know about it. And thus, everything that was unknown, uncertain or doubtful before now becomes known and sure. We overcome our own fears of what wasn’t known; in fact, we confront this fear and transform into a positive experience of gaining understanding and knowledge. From there, we now have more knowledge / tools to know what to do with this thing / person / place / situation. With knowledge, familiarity and confidence arises.
Thank you Jamie, for sharing this with us =)
And congratulations to Wei Theng, it’s really wonderful news to hear you’ll be joining Kechara full time.
Congrats for Wei Thing to join Kechara Full time. thank you for Rinpoche sharing. it was always in my mind thet what value that i can pass down to my daughther? how to lead them in their future life? now by joining the Dharma work, it is clear for me that only Dharma can help them, guide them& benefit them even one day i’m not around.
I rejoice Wei Theng and happily to you that become part of Kechara family:)
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this news..
Wei Teng is my classmate in Lamrin on Fridays. She is always calm, wise and friendly . When she was heavily pregnant , she would still come to class and other Kechara functions . I have always thought to myself , what a devoted student she is to Rinpoche . Very admirable !
Now, as a mother of 2 young children ,WT has made her next brave move , to join the Dharma full time !! What an inspiration !! I would like to wish Wei Teng and Lew a wonderful spiritual journey ahead . This couple is very lucky to share the same spiritual goals and hence will be able to encourage each other to move on to benefit many ,in order to reach the ultimate destination ! They would be perfect examples for their children ! Congratulations WT and Lew !!
Wei Theng.You and Lew are are very good examples of families that have committed 100% and going all the way into the “Unknown”. Congratulations. The unknown can be scary but with faith and trust we can conquer it.
“I joined dharma because I want to be more. Now I wish to work for dharma because I am confirmed there is more. So why not go all the way.”
Thank you Rinpoche. This struck me the most. I rejoice for Wei Theng as she realised this when she made the final decision! I think back the moment I made my decision to stay, i never think about this. There was just a voice in my heart, wanting me to stay and don’t leave Kechara/Rinpoche with regret.
Congratulations Wei Theng. You and Lew are really a good role model for your daughters. Kids with Dharma are really different and lovely. Wei Theng is a very smart and talented person, whenever she goes, she will be outstanding. Now she’s in Dharma, then more people will be benefited from her hardwork. All the best to Wei Theng. 🙂
我們的人生有很多不同的选择,它可以是好的,也可以是不好,全在於你最後的決定。不管好不好,选择了去進行,經歷了,那就知道其個中的苦與甜。
很多人很害怕也很擔心,總以為投入了佛法事業,或在中心全心全意當義工,就會因此失去了原來的自己,原本的生活方式,其實這都是一種錯覺,或妄想。試想想,當你在外工作時,同樣要被束縛,那當我們服務佛法時,為什麼卻把它當作那麼不一樣,那般不可親近?
就像Wei Theng所說的,我還有甚麼可以失去的呢?對,选择了加入是一種最最難得的福報,絕對沒有甚麼可怕的!
Congratulations Wei Thing for joining Kechara and doing Dharma work full time! Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this letter and The Unknown. 🙂
That is a very wonderful decision. Congratulations and see you soon in E-Div. =)
Wt and lew, I rejoice for both of you for making this great decision, and also to Lew for supporting your wife. What a wonderful journey that both of you wil share as a couple in Dharma. I guess, when WT was considering full time, your biggest challenge is your 3 daughters. Just like Rinpoche as mentioned, both of you have given them the best gift that a child could get. The chidlren have a role model to follow. Rejoice….
congratulates wei theng !! i rejoice finally your wish come true!
Rinpoche poem is very profound but simple. it makes us think more.
thk you Rinpoche.
Dear Ms. Wei Thing:
Congratulation for your wise decision. Rejoice that you are flourishing your compassion into more actions now. Personally I respect each and every Dharma worker who is so daring to put both of your feet into Dharma. Wishing you all the best, may you enjoy smooth dharmic journey.
Thank you Rinpoche for the mind opening teaching.
Take good care.
With love,
VP
Welcome, Wei Theng, to Kechara as another one of the family members doing dharma work full time. I think you must have watched and observed Lew and concluded to come aboard for the long haul. For that, Lew must be proud of you as his wife and mother to his and your children. Not many couples are doing dharma work together, both of you are among the fortunate ones thanks to your good merit. Congratulations!
I rejoice for Mrs. Wei Theng, congratulations on taking this wonderful step for yourself and your family. I also thank Rinpoche on sharing this letter which strikes a cord in all us mothers out here, particulary apt for Mother’s Day. We all worry about our children and it is easy to get caught up in what the world perceives as important values to instill in our children.Also no matter what we do or how hard we try, there is no garantee that they will turn out fine. However, since learning the Dharma, I too realise that if we as parents, practise the Dharma and show by example in our actions to live our lives to benefit others as much as possible, they will be just fine. Thank you Rinpoche for this reassurance!
I have joined Kechara slightly more than 2 years ago.
I must say, I didn’t join Kechara with the mind set of benefiting others, more like just helping to solve some technical issues. At that time, I don’t even know much Rinpoche and Kechara, but I see that Beng Kooi wanted some technical guy to handle some IT related stuffs.
It is not until August 2011 where I finally realized how fortunate I am working in a Dharma organization. I had the chance to work closely with Rinpoche in Bangkok, and seeing how hard Rinpoche works (from my own eyes) for others, I was really ashamed. I guessed that’s the turning point of my “career”. Now I know how fortunate I am, being able to work in Dharma organization, serve the Guru, and serve others.
At the same time, I am ashamed to read the replied letter, because I know there are things I am supposed to do which I didn’t. Sometimes I still think like an employee and hope my boss can help resolve the problem for me. This, I promise I will improve from time to time.
One thing that is being mentioned in the replied letter is, how to raise the kids in a Dharmic way. I know for sure giving the kids materially is not “correct”, but I don’t know what is the correct way to raise kids before meeting Rinpoche. Indeed, teaching the kids to work hard and serve others, humility, will bring the best out of the kids (and a better world to live in).
May I work hard and tirelessly for other. May Rinpoche live long to dispel our ignorance.
Dear Rinpoche,
I find the poem very inspiring and something that really makes me contemplate on so many levels. It is also how I kind of decided to do Dharma, even though there was no confirmation letters or anything but in the end I decided that Dharma was far more important than any secular job as it can offer so much more compared to that.
Sometimes, the unknown yields more than we can ever achieve with the known…Thank you Rinpoche for helping me reaffirm this.
Thanks for sharing that poem Rinpoche. It really did helped me make my personal decision firm. I will pursue all the way with the unknown and hopefully that works out. 😀
Thank you all bros & sis in the Dharma for your encouragement and well wishes. You all especially those who are fulltime give me the inpiration & courage to make this step.
Let’s work together to support Rinpoche’s wishes to come true. Let’s make KFR & KWPC a success!
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you Rinpoche for your beautiful and meaningful poem, blessings, permission and the teachings. My gratitude is beyond words can describe.
1. I will keep this poem and email with me and read it again and again whether i am up and down in the future. This email & the earlier video on “Dharma work, attitude and TDL” (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/dharma-work-attitude-tdl.html) are my guide for me to set my motivation right.
2. For my girls, what I want to give them is not the material wealth, but the “internal” wealth that brings values and benefits to them forever. The way to give is by me myself showing as an example. I see the cases of Tamedran Raj, Gabriel and my friend’s son in coma is showing me lessons of impermanence. No matter how much money I made or how much love i give them is useless at time like this except for if I have prepared them earlier for Dharma / spiritual values or not. Like what Rinpoche always shared with us, with Dharma and the wisdom within, although they may not understand now, I am sure they will be 100% OK.
3. I told my friends, I foresee I have more works when I work for Dharma. In secular work i have been working so hard and responsible for it, i should do more now in Dharma work as it is for a bigger picture and benefits. Some more now Sponsors are supporting me to do Dharma work, how could I let them down? I will go all out for it. Whether is it known or unknown, once I have set with the correct motivation, I believe the karma will bring me to the right direction.
I will also pray to Protector for his support in the work too. As Beng Kooi told me and i have experience it too, if we are doing good, Protector will be happy to help and assist us.
Thank you again Rinpoche. …
humbly with folded hands,
Wei Theng
Congratulations Wei Theng! Welcome to Kechara’s BIG family.
Your husband and you are such wonderful and smart people. Together, both of you and the rest of us will continue to benefit more people! Your daughters will be so proud of the both of you! Just like how Dato Ruby and Sharon who nurtured their kids so well! Together we will conquer the Unknown!
Congratulation Wei Theng. Working for dharma for me is the best decision I have ever made in my life. Rinpoche’s letter to you reassure all of us who are working for dharma of our choice. Our working attitude has to be changed and the change is for the betterment of ourselves and others. This is going to be a post I will revisit again and again to remind me the reason why I choose to do dharma work.
Syabus and congratulations to Wei Theng and welcome to the family! In life everything to a living being is ‘unknown’ even at the time when he/she/it was in the mother’s stomach. Like Rinpoche’s peom said, “The unknown may be growth and opportunities, its a matter of pursuance and endeavourances to make it known. With familarity the unknown becomes known.”
Congratulations Wei Theng, We rejoice for u ! Really salute you Wei Theng for what you written in your letter and the courage for spirituality with kids and family, and hold on with daily commitment… This is inspiring !
I am savouring every word Rinpoche is saying here. There can be no other truth than what Rinpoche is saying. Thank you Rinpoche.
I rejoice for Wei Thing’s smart decision. Congratulations to Mrs Lew and Welcome to KECHARA!
First of all, congratulations to Wei Theng for taking the step to the unknown! From the recent times i’ve seen you, you are different compared to the Wei Theng i knew 7years ago. You have become stronger and very sure of yourself. And it may be because you have Lew as your support and u supported him also. Now you are taking this plunge which i think u will not regret.
With you joining, we get this great teaching and advice from Rinpoche which assures us that we are doing this for others and we are on the right track. And i love the poem by Rinpoche. Beautiful and meaningful.
Oh My Buddha! Such a wonderful news! I dont know if I should congratulate Wei Theng for having the merits to realise that there is no better career than a dharma career OR congratulate Lew for his good example. Wei Theng must have been inspired by Lew for her to make this decision. So I congratulate Mr & Mrs Lew for this wise commitment and I look forward to working with you! Welcome onboard Wei Theng!
How wonderful, Wei Theng, that you can take this big step from the secular to the spiritual – to do Dharma work full-time. I rejoice for you. On the eve of Mother’s Day, you show a fine example of how a mother can be a role model to her daughters. You’re doing what Reverend Cheng Yen said we should all do – “live to work(for others), not work to live(for oneself)”.
Lew, you must be a proud spouse today. Both of you are so fortunate that you have both been equally moved by Rinpoche’s great love and compassion and care for all that both of you have decided to follow in his footsteps: work in Dharma for the benefit of all. You are a great pair in Dharma!
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing your beautiful and inspiring letter and poem to Wei Theng.
真的很羡慕那些可以全职佛法的人,因为他们的福报真的很大,可以不用受世俗责任的限制,全心全意的从事佛法事业,自己也希望可以在尽自己最大的努力,有一天也可以像他们一样,可以全职的从事佛法事业。
Congratulation to Wei Theng & LEW ! I tremendously happy for WT.
I truly relate to how WT’s felt , when we were in the corporate sector and preparing to enter full time Dharma, always has mix feelings and once you made the choice, a sense of letting go and a real happiness arise.
Rejoice for WT and looking forward to work closely with you!
In a relationship whether in Dharma or not Dharma, it should pull the couple up or towards success and NOT DEPRESSION and etc.
In Dharma, the couple should pull each other up in their Dharma work. If it doesn’t, there is negative karma involved. For the simple reason is that the particular couple is pulling the other one AWAY from benefiting many people out there. It is very logical.
A great example of a “successful” couple in Dharma is Wei Thing & Lew.
Congratulation and Welcome Wei Theng
Congragulations Wei Theng! Another family that serves the Dharma is so wonderful.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the letter. I like the poem very much.
We are fortunate to have Rinpoche to be at here to teach and to guide us. _/\_
Wei Theng, Congratulation and Welcome to our Dharma Family!
Rinpoche has given a very great advice on facing the unknown as it is the same fear we face for the known. So why relax in our comfort zone where by exploring the unknown could turn out to be the success of life. Nothing to loose if we try but we surely loose if we don’t.
I love what Rinpoche say that we should show our hard work in dharma and make them feel proud to be in the dharma family and this is the best we could give to them and it benefit them live after live.
Let us together leave our comfort zone to achieve more.
Thank you Rinpoche for this precious teaching.
Dear Sis WT,
Congratulations for joining in Kechara! You really made a right choice in this life.
I come to know you when we do some activities in Kechara. The impression that you given is always fast, neat and very detail.
You are very mindful and focus. E.g in a “Debate” activity, you prepared every single point,research on the points;and the beautiful part, you gave the points to team members! This show how generous and thoughtful you are. During Lam Rim class, after class when everyone rush out to go home, you are one of the few people stayed and asked Pastor Ngeow questions to understand the teaching for that day. I truly rejoice that you have the rare opportunity to join in Dharma.(Maybe i should say, i jealous already.. hehe- joking. )
What Rinpoche said is true, we do not have any real big and beneficial project in Malaysia or can be consider as HQ.
Taiwan have HQ Tzuji etc. USA have Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche center (Shambhala). And in South East Asia, I truly hopes that KWPC , KFR is ups. I think , by making this decision to join E-div, you have gives a most precious legacy to your kids.
Sis WT, congratulations again. I am truly touch by your moves.
Dear Wei Theng,
I rejoice that you are joining Dharma work full time despite many challenges, and I am happy for you. E-div definitely need a lot of help as they have a lot of work and exciting projects.
Your courageous move to juggle 3 kids, family lives, and other Dharma commitments you already have to join full time in Dharma is inspiring. Thank you for showing to others that Dharma is the choice regardless of how “well” you do outside in a secular job.
Wei Theng’s action is prompt. She follows Rinpoche’s sms immediately. Action has more powerful than just words. Thanks for showing and teaching us by action about Dharma work.
Very very inspiring. it is always inspiring when someone has the courage to give up their career for spirituality. This is more so when they have family commitments. In this case she is a wife and a mother! I really salute you Wei Theng eventhough I don’t know you well but from your letter your sincere to make Dharma grow. If I am the kid of both parents of having such good Dharma motivation, it is such a fortunate to be growing up in. Congratulations! 😀
that is so wonderful i wish there was a place like Kechara in the usa.
Dear Wei Theng:
Congratulations! What a wonderful letter your wrote to Rinpoche and the letter from Rinpoche is a precious teaching. See even an act like this writing a letter can inspire many, many will be benefitted from this blogpost.
I was overwhelmed with joy to hear that you are joining eDiv full time, together with Lew I know the both of you can accomplish so much. Even though you might seem quiet and decent, I know once you believe in something you’ll go all the way and very determined. In this case, dharma. Yes i am concerned about your children too but I am sure what you and Lew are doing now will be an wonderful example for them to follow. This is rather different from the secular work.
I am very happy to know that you convert your fear into something positive, the drive for you to do something great and meaningful. Just like what Rinpoche mentioned, trust me, a lot of us came in holding on fear.. the fear of not knowing, the fear of the unknown, the fear of dying, the fear of the fear itself.. haha.. all sorts, I suppose the biggest hang up is that we all have fear in us. And somehow if we know how to deal with it, the fear can actually turn into courage.
I admired your courage, your determination, your well thought decision for your family and children and your love ones. You’ll be continue to an inspirational family for many who thinks “I Can’t” because of all the family reasons. You set a mark today. And show them how you do it.
Congratulations!
Love,
Ethan
A beautiful decision by a beautiful lady. Welcome HOME Wei Theng.
“When your daughters have grown, let them say how come they were so lucky to have hardworking, spiritual and loving parents like you?” – I know that from personal experience to be very true. When I was young, I used to wonder why I didn’t see my mother a lot, why she was always busy running around helping other people, how come she never spent as much time with us as my friends’ parents did with them.
But when I got older, I came to realise that what my mother did was totally for us (just not with us). Through her actions, she showed me that hard work results in integrity and respect. She taught me that caring for others brings far more personal satisfaction than simply working a normal job, and becoming a conduit for money (you get paid, and instantly the money goes out to pay for bills…when was it ever ‘yours’?).
People often mistakenly believe that if you spend a lot of time with your kids, they will turn out to be okay but that’s not always the case – I see plenty of examples amongst my friends who disrespect their parents even though their parents spent tonnes of time with them when they were young.
Then society will have you believe that if you DON’T spend time with your kids, then you are a monster and you don’t love your children.
But it doesn’t matter what other people say you SHOULD do – time, a normal job, working to pay bills, etc does not equate to love. Loving your children is defined by what kind of life you want to give them when they are older and you’re gone – do you want them to lead a life of loneliness and insecurities, or do you want them to be happy and learn to make the right decisions because they saw you making the right decisions? Like what Rinpoche said, no matter what it looks like on the outside, children will learn 30% from what their parents say and 70% from what their parents do.
Congratulations on joining Wei Theng! I’m extremely happy for you and Lew to be making your family a real Kechara family! I hope your example inspires many others to join Dharma full-time…you might be a ‘just’ another normal family, but the example you set for others is extraordinary.
Wei Theng, congratulations and rejoice for you. You and Lew now works together for a different purpose like what Rinpoche pointed out, i salute both of you. 🙂
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing with us Rinpoche thought and letter to Wei Theng, and especially the explanation, and the poem of Unknown. Reading it and understanding it really makes me think that i have this fear of the unknown, because i myself feels feels the insecurity and fear of what is beyond the other side of the horizon, i only see what is infront and visible to me, without knowing the known can be a trap, because it is just presume by what is seen.
the Unknown reminds me of the climb to the plateau of KWPC land last Sunday, there is the known that overgrown bushes and grass, and the known of dangerous animal like snakes, and even leeches are there, but the unknown is i do not know how it is like at the top of the plateau, but i still go ahead with the other members, braving the bushes and fearing the known, but instead overcoming the obstacles, the rewards is amazing, the the Unknown was then known and it is beautiful.
Thank you once again Rinpoche for the sharing. Tashi Delek. 🙂
Rejoice for Wei Theng and her family! Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this great news and your teaching on Dharma work. Everyone should have this motivation whether be it full time or volunteer because this is very crucial.Rejoice _/\_
Rejoice to Wei Theng, welcome a board to Kechara Family. Again i must Congrats to Mr Lew and Mrs Lew. 🙂
Best Regards : Erickksiow
Rejoice Wei Theng. u and Lew become a very good couple in Kechara and doing & spreading Dharma. I think ur daughters also will be the next generation of Kecharian, thats so wonderful… Thanks for ur hard works with fold hands…
In Rinpoche’s poem, I interptret The Known to what we know that is predictable with predictable results. The Unknown is our perception of our fear towards uncertainty and most of us would not dare challenge ourself out there. But Rinpoche said in this Unknown, there could be growth and opportunities that can be better too.
And so why not take that challenge fearlessly, invest in dharma work that can benefit many more beings now and future.
How wonderful for Ms. Wei Thing!
Rinpoche, your letter to her is something we can all benefit from. I think it addresses the most basic fear all of us have at one time or another.
Facing the unknown is never easy, but it can be rewarding. In the US, the Dharma is still largely unknown. It is somewhat scary to embrace it, because it is almost certain that friends and family won’t understand – and may even be hostile. The changes that come through diligent practice will have its results. People will notice! And every person that sincerely turns to the Dharma makes a larger impact than we might realise.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this story and, especially, your poem – which is like the work of the great Masters of the past: pithy, meaningful, and profound in its seeming simplicity.