What makes me stay and continue…
Carmen pictured here as usual always smiling and on the go…
Dear Rinpoche,
Sharon is busy with Su Ming therefore I am assisting to take her maid for her medical checkup. im learning lots of new things.
Her maid and I just finished registering with the medical board so now we are heading to pantai hospital for xray then to another registered clinic to perform the medical check up.
Thank you
Carmen
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you Rinpoche for your extremely kind words and touching motivation. I just had the time to sit down and absorb what Rinpoche has conveyed. I feel embarrassed Because I do not think that what I do is ever enough and I’m not fitting to deserve such kind words from my guru.
In any case, if I can lessen someone’s burden so that they can do more or achieve something, I will. Just like how Rinpoche takes so much care of students on certain aspects so that they do not need to worry and can concentrate on their Dharma work; Rinpoche inspires me to do the same in all aspects of my life. After all, Rinpoche and we Kecharians are a team, so if by me doing so little to lessen a worry or a burden, it is worth it. Then in the end, we all reach the same fulfilling results.
Rinpoche, Kechara and the Dharma have given me so much, that it feels as if I have a new take on life, a fulfilling and purposeful one than what it would’ve been if I did not meet Kechara. When we achieve all that we want to achieve, Rinpoche, many more people like me will find it as if they’ve been reborn when they fall into the arms of our spiritual home. How exciting ?
Again Rinpoche, a humble thank you.
Im still at Pantai hospital waiting for the reports as it takes a while, a lot of people are ill. After im done with everything I’ll return to haven.
Thank you
Love,
Carmen.
Dear Carmen,
I like your attitude. You are willing to do anything. You don’t see a job as high or low but it needs to get done. Some ppl feel when they do ‘small’ jobs it’s beneath them or they are too good for it and show a unhappy face. Sigh. This just shows how they are not seeing the bigger picture and also their motivation for dharma work is not dharma :(.
I NEVER see a black face on you. I never see you shuddering from ‘lowly’ work that does not get the limelight and I never see that someone has to push and remind you to finish or update your work. I am grateful for that. I have to push and remind so many for so many years. Also you never get distracted by personal problems or attachments. You don’t focus your mind on getting your attachments, then justifying your attachments and then covering it and finally spending more time with attachments than our very important dharma projects…Your dharma works take priority because you respect your dharma brothers and sisters who work hard and you don’t want to put your load on them…so kind of you. Thank you for that. We all have attachments, but we have to KIV it for our bigger goals. Just like any secular pursuits.
You really give it your all to do good dharma work to spread dharma. Don’t think I have not noticed all of that ….because I HAVE NOTICED. You are really doing dharma work and you go all the way. You inspire me and many others. Sometimes I get so disappointed from some ‘students’ who talk one way and act another and think of going to the USA. But when I think of leaving students like you, it inspires me to stay and keep working. You and people like you really create the causes for me to be here and continue. I WANT TO HUMBLY THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I MEAN IT. I am not great and need inspiration too.
Students and some people who are troublesome, deceptive, lie and always sneaky and just take but give so little to others, really make me want to go into intense retreat in the USA in a small house in the mountains. I don’t get angry at them, but feel sorry for them and the results that will ripen on them. I would love to get a small place, set up and do my practices/ tantras/ retreats quietly is a dream for me to do. But when I think of people like you, IT INSPIRES ME TO STAY. Because if I can spread the dharma here then it would be the same as going into private retreat. Working for dharma and retreats privately in the forest would be the same.
Just do the one that have the most effects.
Carmen, keep up what you are doing and I thank you for being so honest, hardworking, trouble free, committed, humble and such a good example to young people as well as older people. You have my prayers.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Wow, this is such a great letter from Rinpoche to Carmen.
I believe every student of Rinpoche aspires to be like Carmen. I have not met or know much about Carmen, but the way Rinpoche describes her personality really inspired me.
Dharma work is dharma work no matter how big or small and Carmen was able to see that. Just like an secular job, grunt work needs to be done in order to move forward.
Keep up the good work Carmen. Be proud that you’re one of the reason Guruji is staying.
Carmen is a young, determined lady who is completely sincere, responsible and mature beyond her years. I thank her very much for her help and her consistent kindness to everyone. She is a great reflection of Rinpoche’s teachings and her mentors at Kechara like Su Ming and of course, a credit to herself. She is an inspiration to many in the organisation – both younger and older – as an exemplary person in the Dharma.
Alongside the inspirational post about Carmen, I just wanted to share with everyone the story of another inspirational young person. Rinpoche received a message from Hecelus who is just 15 years old. Rinpoche was very touched by his sincerity, and said it is offerings like this that really motivate him to stay and continue to be a Dharma teacher. Can you imagine, a kid so young does Manjushri retreats in his spare time AND wants to be a monk? How much merit does he have to have this thought at such a young age, and what are the rest of us doing with our rapidly diminishing lives?
———————————————————
From Hecelus Tan on Jan 13, 2013 at 11:08 am:
Dear His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche,
I am not sure whether Rinpoche already received the letter from myself recently. That letter is about after I was graduated from high school. I will go for Buddhist philosophy in Dong Zeng Temple and become a monk at Fo Guang Shan monastery. I promised Rinpoche that I will back to Kechara House and be the servant of Rinpoche.
I already swore to Buddhas & Bodhisattvas from the 10 directions that I will be and I want to be a qualified monk in future. I want to serve Rinpoche and also Buddha Shakyamuni by making opportunities for Dharma getting flourish. I also do the preliminary practices every day even though I was “busy”.
Thank you Rinpoche for your Great Blessing by sending me a golden Manjushri Tsa-tsa.
With folded hands,
Hecelus.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing this with all of us, and to keep us inspired with a living example.
Dear Carmen Koo, you are good example and a source of inspiration for young people to pursue the Dharma path. Can’t wait to learn more from you. Though I didn’t know you that well, but the minute seeing you working regardless on whatever job assigned, you are all up and serious. Being young is not an excuse for us to work a sloppy job, but an energy to push ourselves to work more with this young and healthy body. Keep it up and spread the energy to everyone who are struggling in this Dharma path. I like your smile and I want to be like you, since we already have the same name. 🙂
Wish you all the best, Carmen K.
Thank you Carmen!
I am always so happy to see you and you are always smiling, so friendly, caring and helpful.
You are an in inspiration to many – young and old .
Thank you for being so beautiful – inside and out – for being who you are.
To me,Carmen is a young pretty and smart lady who always has a smile on her face that pleases everyone.Congratulation Carmen,you have inspired so many dharma brothers and sisters,rejoice!
Carmen is indeed a true beauty… outside and inside! I have not worked with her long as she joined Ladrang only this mid this year, but the few months of working with her or around her u know ur working with someone who sincerely loves what she does, loves her guru and loves the dharma.
She is admirable and will never take no for an answer… she is genuinely kind and happy to help others. Although young and still an active going girl, she can do so much for others compared to so many of us. She is the perfect example and inspiration of Kechara to the outside world who thinks Dharma work is only for sangha, when you’re old or when you cannot “make it” out there.
She definitely will set trend for many in and outside Kechara to follow Thank you Carmen! 🙂
Carmen is a beautiful person externally and internally. She has the charisma and personality which you can’t ever get angry at, because even when she makes mistake you know full well she means well and shes only trying to help. She hardly ever gets angry and even when she does, she does not take it out on another person. She works hard and puts a lot of heart into what she does always with a smiling face. Carmen is an awesome person. I am glad she is in Kechara.
I hope there will be more inspiring people in Kechara for Rinpoche ansd to help kechara and the dharma to grow.
They say you should offer your best to your guru. That’s why Carmen was transferred from Edivision to Ladrang, to serve rinpoche directly. During her two years in Ediv, she was a one-woman wonder, doing everything from admin to finance to ecommerce to web maintenance to personal assisting to whatever was needed.
And it’s true what everyone is saying – she doesn’t complain, she does everything with a smile, she always makes time for others, she works hard, she stays up late, she fell ill for the dharma, she is very committed…
Congratulations Carmen, you are really practicing dharma in the best possible way, and you will inspire so many to follow in your footsteps
This seems to be a very simple blog article but it reflects so much more than what it seems – that Rinpoche is ever always so attentive towards all things that happen around him, be that big or small and that Rinpoche is touched by nothing but sincerity and transformations in his students –nothing of which are of monetary terms.
When I see younger people who are willing to go all the way for dharma, I tend to feel that it is blessings from their past lives and so everything that is dharmic resonates in them.
Obviously people from young generation can do many other things that are typical of people of the same age group – All these friends of theirs seem to live much better lives. People like Carmen may have to enjoy a lot less and have to go through many rounds of doubts in their minds and sometimes even sufferings, but the transformation that have taken place during their young age makes all these works worth it.
I wish Carmen the best and that she keeps staying as an inspiration for all.
Thank you Carmen for being a true inspiration for many young people and all of us. I look forward to keep track of your dharma career 🙂
付出的人永远得到最多，这句话说的一点都没错。 自从进入了kechara的团队以后，从中学习了不少新的事物，让自己的观念也突破了不少，这是我在kechara里最大的收获，所以我也会学习carmen一样，多付出，才能让自己得到更多。
even though i don’t know Carmen, from the description and comments of Rinpoche, i can felt that Carmen really work for Dharma wholehearted, no hesitation, with all sincerity..Carmen, you are good example for me to learning and practice.
Aunty Carmen is truly one of the best i have seen, she never complains on a task or be greedy. She is truly the ultimate person and dharma sister. 😀
I was introduced to lovely Carmen by Martin. This was a little less than 2 years ago. Carmen had originally come around to help Martin with some work. Then as faith has it, Carmen joined Kechara. I had the pleasure of working with her in KMP. Carmen truly is an inspiration as Rinpoche says. She does not complain and her smile is contagious.
Love you Carmen!
Congratualations sister Carmen for your good virtuos sacrifices! Young in age, but matured in wisdom and spirituality in today’s Darma world. A gem of a Jewel-of-person, especially for aspiration for those new in darma to follow and to achieve such exemplementary achievements for spiritual practice. May you be well-blessed for your selfless motivation and inspiration to the young practioners. Om mani Padme Hum.
Thank you Carmen for showing a good example for all the Dharma brothers and sisters! Carmen is a very humble, friendly and kind person. She is sincere and very real. I feel very comfortable to be with her and work with her. Rejoice for Carmen! 🙂 She never complaint and show black face.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. This is a ‘guideline’ for all of us to work towards it. Thank you Rinpoche for telling and reminding us again and again. As a practitioner and a sincere student, we should work without complaint, go all the way and create harmony within our Dharma family. This is the real Guru devotion.
Thank you Carmen for showing us what Dharma work is all about. You selflessly go about your work ,with an ever-ready smile, no matter what work it is. You are focused on the bigger picture and view all the time. You are not distracted by personal issues or problems. There is always sincere and earnest endeavor in making some contribution to ease someone else’s workload or enhancing their performance.
I like what you said concerning lessening someone’s burden…”if I can lessen someone’s burden so that they can do more or achieve something, I will”.It’s said in the spirit of ‘one for all and all for one’. That’s truly very sweet and supporting.
You are a great inspiration to all.Thank you Carmen.
我很喜欢看到Carmen开朗及亲切的笑容，当她出现在任何的场所总是对身边的每一人寒暄问候。我看到她是一个自动自发的人以及从一而终的把事情办好，她也从不带给别人麻烦。
Carmen是一个年轻有为的年轻女孩，但是她很有远见，为了佛法，为了利益终生加入了佛法大家庭.只因为她又很强的上师依止心。
Carmen我为你感到随喜和骄傲，你设立了一个好榜样！你的所做所为告诉大家佛法是可以从年轻开始的！
Thank you Carmen for being such an inspiration to me. You’re such a sweet and happy go lucky girl. it is always nice to talk to you.. Wish i could work closely with you so that you can infect me with your energy! 🙂
Keep up the good work Carmen!
Thank you Rinpoche!
I had the privilege of working with Carmen in KMP. Despite her young age, she has a superb attitude, good work ethics and an easy going personality. She is a joy to work with. Even when she is sick, tired and stressed out, she still carry on with a smile and a sense of humor! I will always remember Carmen’s favorite line i.e., “it’s mind over matter”!
Carmen is always so cheerful. The first time i worked w her was during the Gompa opening. Time flies and Carmen continues to show her commitment to work in Kechara. Thank you Carmen for showing the way and by example.
Thank you Carmen, people like u always inspire everyone to do more. May the dharma work u doing benefit everyone. 🙂
有时真的非常喜欢看到 Ｃａｒｍｅｎ 傻大姐的样子！
傻傻的他，有什么不明白的东西就会发问！ 从来就不会玩ｍｉｎｄ ｇａｍｅ！ 直肠直肚的， 非常爽朗！
做法佛事业， 是可以非常年轻就开始！ 不一定要变老， 做错什么，后悔什么的。。。。。
年轻的你， 要加油！ 以期吸引一班年轻又有才华的朋友！
I was inspired and lifted up by her and Rinpoche’s words after I saw the messages.
Thanks Carmen, thanks Rinpoche.
As a young, pretty, smart girl Carmen has set her priority right in choosing dharma as her career. She is very hardworking and no matter how tired or busy she is, there is always a smile on her face. She has gained much respect from many with her pleasant personality and good attitude.
I wish her all the best in her spiritual path:)
Dear Carmen,
I’ve worked with you once. And i find you were a person who is very easy to work with. You have responsibility and integrity and do what have been instructed with a smile on your face often. I hope with the qualities you have, it’ll inspire many more people currently and in the near future…:)
Thank you Rinpoche
She seems to be a very sweet person. it would be good if there were more ppl like her.
Rejoice Carmen, keep it up ! This is a +++ energy you are generating and you will be attracted more people like you or transform/motivate us to join/stay/work harder here at Kechara. Let’s multiply/clon more ‘Carmen’…hehe
xoxo
当我认识他的时候，他对佛法的认知不多，非常的新。之后她必须作出一个抉择，全心做佛法事业，还是继续他往常的工作。很开心他最后选择了佛法，我们不晓得何时会离开这世界，为什么不在自己还能呼吸的时候，做一些利益别人的事。她选择不理会自己的需要，致力的不分工作的高低，用心的帮助别人，协助仁坡切。
Carmen you young and knowledgeable girl.You work hard and no matter how hard the assignment given by rinpoche and without complain and give up.Your good example translating your guru devotion serving rinpoche to bring dharma to many people.
Dear Carmen,
Thanks for showing us the real Guru devotion u had done. U r so inspire us and leading a good example for us.
May our ignorance cleared faster to step out the first step such as never black face and able to complete all small tiny or big works happily without complain. Good luck to u and may ur Dharma path will going on smoothly…
I am glad to see this post and especially Rinpoche’s comment about Carmen which is well deserved.
Carmen has not been in Dharma for that long – about 2 years I think and during this time she has progressed so much more than most others. I am sure that Carmen has her own personal challenges to deal with but they do not become excuses for her not to commit fully to her work. She just does what needs to be done instead of getting stuck in her thoughts and wasting time complaining about her problems and intellectualizing that ‘what-ifs and whys and hows’. She just keeps doing. Regardless of what she may be going through, Carmen is very consistent in being nice to everyone. I don’t think I have ever heard her utter an unkind word or whine about her problems.
Although she is young in age, she is years ahead in wisdom to commit so thoroughly to her Dharma work and discharging hem with such elegance while so many of us are still negotiating terms within our own minds.
I am grateful that Carmen and people like her are creating causes for Rinpoche to remain with us.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for the inspiration From the message, it is a motivation for me to be like her too.
thank you Carmen for always show an example .
What u said is very true, Rinpoche always give to people and care for us. When we do our works well, we are also lessen other people burdern. To work in Dharma is different than in secular work, whereby, we need to learn to care for others, and not be selfish. Thus, when i have the opportunity to work and learn in Dharma, some more so lucky to have Rinpoche as my Guru. I must work properly on my Dharma career.
Thank you
With Folded hand
Freon
It is always a pleasure working with Carmen. She will help in whatever ways she can to make sure that she will be able to ease your burden, no matter how big or small the task is. She is friendly and kind. A great Dharma sister to have around. She is an inspiration to me because she learns and keeps on improving herself. Most of all, she applies Rinpoche’s teachings in her life.
Yes Carmen , truly an inspiration. Witty , always smiling and willing to help. Keep it up babe !
Carmen is young, pretty, smart, and highly educated, with her qualification, she can get jobs anytime, anywhere. But for Dharma, she let go all these possible attachment chaser, by joining Dharma and place Dharma priority, she has also gave up the unnecessary sufferings that might happen in the future.
Carmen is always a cheerful person, whenever i see her, she always smiles and always so enjoys with her Dharma work, I never heard any complains or unhappiness from her.
Dear Carmen,
You are someone who makes me feel happy every time I see you! I feel your kindness and care when I am talking to you and you are sincere. I am really proud of to have you as my Dharma sister. Most of all, I have never heard of anyone complaining about you or your attitude. May your spiritual path be smooth and growing always. xoxo
On the occasions that I have had the pleasure to work with her, Carmen has always been bubbl, vibrant and smiling. There was never a moment when she looked sad even when she was not feeling well. She is such an inspiration to everyone.
I have worked with Carmen in several occasions, she is really hard working and responsible, she will do anything that is assigned to her without showing black face. She has the right attitude everyone works in Dharma should have if we want to excel, to do more, to benefit more people. I have to learn a lot from her.
Keep it up Carmen, you are everyone’s inspiration!
Carmen is truly a good example for us and very inspiring. She is very committed and devoted in Dharma and she is always with smiling face!! Love her very much 🙂 Thank you Carmen for your hard work…! Rejoice for you! XOXO
Carmen is an asset & precious jewels in which ever department that she is with. She is friendly, hardworking and very resourceful too. Most of all, she is very humble and no ego at all. She just takes on whatever job that is given. At times she will do anything out of her own initiative to care, to help others.
Although she is not with e-Div now, we still miss her very much. At times, I am referring to her on some previous history of some e-Div matters and she will willingly share despite her busy schedule.
Wish her all the best now working closely to Su Ming and also in Ladrang that is closer to Rinpoche.
May her grow far in her spiritual journey!
Thank you Carmen 🙂
Although I only come occasionally to Ediv, the time I was there, despite coughing your lungs out, or looking like a zombie, or having multiple assignments, you still pressed on with the dharma work with a smile on your face and fierce determination.
Dear Carmen – you are a fine example of the qualities we need to inspire us when we walk the path and be the “human” we should should be whether we work together, as friends or foe.
Thank you for being you to inspire us further.