2 Pastors & 58 Taking Refuge
Yesterday was my 47th birthday. As with last year, it was a full day of celebration that came in conjunction with the Pastor Ordination Ceremony. The ceremony was an event that the press was interested about… just a week ago, 12 press publications came to ask a few questions about it.
In the morning, 35 people went for the Animal Liberation event at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail park. Wayang Tinggi came to film for RTM, as the TV station will be doing a special feature for next year’s Wesak Day. They filmed the releasing of 688 birds, with prayers led by Pastor Yek Yee. Everyone recited Shantideva’s prayer, chanted Medicine Buddha mantras and blew onto the birds before releasing them.
I heard that the guests arrived at Kechara House at 5pm. There were performances, and lots of food catered by Kechara Oasis. At around 7.30pm, I arrived at the gompa… Everything was beautifully set-up! Henry Ooi, Vice-President of Kechara House, offered Body, Speech and Mind. I then proceeded to give Dr Lanse and Mdm Lim Han Nee their pastorship vows.
As of today, Kechara has 5 pastors! After giving the pastor vows, I gave refuge to 58 people… out of the 58 people, 15 Kecharians renewed their vows. Just earlier this year in May, 93 people took refuge. I rejoice to know that more people are taking refuge in the Buddha, but it is very important to know what being a Buddhist means.
Towards the end of the event, instead of giving a talk I opened the floor for guests to ask questions. Some asked very good questions, and I hope that my response answered their questions. Do take a look at the photos below… if you were there for the event, do drop a note in the comment section!
Tsem Rinpoche
Animal Liberation
5 crates of birds to be released…
Each crate had about 136 birds…
The type of bird released were sparrows… I feed hundreds of sparrows outside my house every day.
Read here to see why we should liberate live animals… especially to encourage and educate our children on why we should liberate them.
Pastor Yek Yee led the prayers…
Here they are doing the Shantideva prayers…
Pastor Yek Yee flicking some blessed water onto the sparrows…
The others continued chanting their prayers…
Each one took turns to blow mantras onto the birds.
Blowing on the birds blesses them by the power of the mantras.
Opening up the crates…
Released!!!
Yesterday 688 sparrows were released!
Pastor Ordination & Refuge Taking
The Kechara bam at sunset…
Guests registering outside the gompa.
More guests, young and old, registering…
Everyone had the meritorious opportunity to light a candle to offer to beautiful Lama Tsongkhapa…
People wrote their names and loved ones names onto the candles.
Guests continued to offer candles throughout the evening.
Next to the registration desk, there were 2 long banquet tables for diners. At around 6pm, there was a performance by 3 Kecharians…
(l-r) Katrina, Wan San and Carmen playing traditional Chinese instruments.
Carmen on the wooden flute…
Katrina on the Gu-Zheng…
Wan San on the violin… they played both modern and traditional music.
(r-l) Sean, Edward and Lucas sang Singa Rinpoche’s “Vajrasattva Mantra” song.
This beautiful Lama Tsongkhapa is from our first Kechara House (KH) gompa. We fondly call the place KH 1, as it is the “first” KH hehe. He now sits on the ground floor of our gompa.
The Tsem Ladrang booth!
A new fresh idea that the Ladrang staff came up with. They were promoting our new and upcoming book… (un)expected.
The graphic book will be a great compilation of our latest photoshoot!
Guests making khata offerings before the event begins…
Khata offerings…
Offerings from those taking refuge yesterday.
Beautiful Chenrezig statue…
Such beautiful Buddha images and statues…
More khata offerings…
One of the tormas that was offered to the Buddhas.
The 5 tormas sat on the main altar with Lama Tsongkhapa.
Reverend Shang Ci came to Kechara House.
I was happy to see Ven. Alubomulle Ratanasiri again. He is the Chief High Priest of Seck Kia EeChlnh Temple in Melaka.
Ani Yeshe Dolma from Padmasambhava Children Loving Association in Klang. I had just met her a week before during the press conference.
Those sitting on the left side of the room were those taking refuge.
I’m happy that Kechara House’s facilities are being made to good and beneficial use.
Tom (left) is now working with Sharon Saw in the Communication Department. Robert is here with his daughter, he’s the landscape architect for Kechara Forest Retreat.
Tengku Nina with her friend. Tengku Nina is a good friend of Phng Li Kim, our celebrity Paranormal Zone host.
Mdm Lim Han Nee
Dr Lanse
Abby (left) and Sharon emceed the event…
Paul gave the opening speech
I paid respects to our sangha guests…
Sitting in front of me… to the right (in uniform) are the Pastors, and to their left are the 3 awaiting to take their pastorship vows.
Henry offering Body, Speech and Mind.
Mdm Lim Han Nee for her hair cutting ceremony.
Dr Lanse for her hair cutting ceremony.
Blessing the pastor’s pendants… they will be wearing it every single day for both protection, and to blessed others with.
Mdm Lim Han Nee changed into her pastor uniform.
Dr Lanse changed into her pastor uniform.
Giving Mdm Lim Han Nee her official pastor certificate.
Giving Dr Lanse her official pastor certificate.
I’m glad to see that Thierry came from Singapore to make it in time for the Pastor Ordination ceremony.
Conferring the refuge vows for the 58 refuge takers…
Doing the proper visualizations…
Asking a question on emptiness…
Robert asked about my intentions for KFR…
Wendy asked a question on wisdom…
I found it very “interesting”, so I debated a little with her hehe
Asking a very good question on whether the public would be happy if they followed my dreams in wanting to retreat into meditation.
Maggie flew in with a group of friends from Shanghai. She asked a good question on inter-religious goals.
Annie asking a question.
There were some who asked their questions in Chinese…
They were directly translated by James via headset, and by my personal assistant Pastor Loh Seng Piow.
Greeting the Tan family before leaving…
Pastor Chia congratulating Pastor Han Nee…
Pastor Susan congratulating Pastor Lanse.
Offering khata after taking refuge…
Mother and daughter posing with their flower offerings hehe nice
More offering a khata after taking refuge.
Pastor Han Nee with her husband and sister.
Pastor Lanse and her family came to support her…
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This is a very profound ceremony. I rejoice deeply and is filled with deep envy for the blessings showered on all participants. How fortunately I am to have witnessed a great Sun and many stars illuminating this age of great degeneration!
This was such a huge event! It was a shame I missed it, but I sincerely rejoice for all those who took refuge and became ordained as a pastor. Such a beautiful day with so many people participating in a debate and asking questions. It looked like it turned out very well with the Sangha guests coming to visit kechara and watch the ordination. May the pastors benefit many sentient beings. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us this wonderful day event.
Dear Rinpoche,
it’s always such a joy visiting Kechara in KL! This year is the 2nd time I’m celebrating Rinpoche’s birthday but the 1st as Your student since taking Refuge in May.
I pray that there will be many more to come!
Sean Pang
[…] 出席开示的嘉宾包括了仁波切的资深弟子和其他寺院的僧伽。当局也为海外和无法出席的朋友，准备了现场直播服务。当晚，仁波切授任的讲法师是 蔡金玉教授、林汉妮和谢晓晶医生。 […]
I will remember with deep appreciation and gratitude that my becoming a Pastor is the result of the tremendous blessings and great compassion of Rinpoche. There are so many people to thank as well. i express deep gratitude to Pastor Susan, who had been guiding and nurturing me for a long time. There was always so much encouragement and uplifting of my spirits from her, when I was down. I also have a heartfelt and big ‘thank you’ to say to Paul whose indomitable will to have the three of us become Pastors carried us all the way to the ordination ceremony itself! Then there were ever so-patient and sweet people like Jace and Karen Chong and Pat to ensure that we presented ourselves well on camera and had our uniforms ready, in the face of such daunting and challenging obstacles. I thank all involved for their invaluable contribution towards making the event a success.
我很荣幸能出席，观礼。华盈和我都躲在里面的视听室翻译，这次也是华盈第一次上场，哈哈，不过她翻译的很不错哦。
越来越多的讲法师的出现就能有更多的人给予援助和辅导。现今的社会缺少的是内心的教育和关怀，物质太多，人变得自私，自顾自己的需要忘了别人。将心比心最重要。
This is a very auspicious and wonderful day, this is another historical moment where pastors are being ordained, Pastor is still something new in Malaysia, but as time goes by, I’m sure there will be more and more pastors ordained in different Buddhist Centre, because if this will benefit more people, then why not? hehe…
Taking up pastorship means they already ready to give up everything to serve others, giving up the self created prison and to walk towards a path of freedom. Congratulations to Pastor Lanse and Pastor Han Nee, you will definitely be a great pastor in Kechara. Thank you Rinpoche for creating such situation for us to serve others better.
I have missed out the fascinating events that is happening in the daytime out at Kechara House as busying editing the video of the animal liberation shot by Eric Kwan at TTDI park in the morning at KIM office. But knew that everyone has put lots of efforts and time to made it a success on that day. Am lucky and glad that i can help out at that night. It is interesting to see lots of good questions being asked by the floor and Rinpoche has gave clear answer to everyone. Rejoice to our 2 new pastors. May they all benefit many in their future works. Congratulations!
It was indeed a day filled with excitment, joy and activities for Kechara House, on the day of Rinpoche’s 47th Birthday. Firstly, a usual sunday animal liberation event was heldat Tmn Tun Dr.Ismail in the presence of 35 people, together with RTM tv station crew who were doing the filming of the release of 688 birds by KH members, friends and participants. Back at KH, there was a long-life puja done for Rinpoche by KH members, friends and well-wishers, lots of vegeterian food catered for by Kechara Oasis. There was also a ceremony of giving new pastors and the first-nun, vows, followed by refuge taking by 58 people at KH gompa. This thrilling event ended with an exciting question and answer session opened up by Rinpoche which was indeed so beneficially absorbed by all concerned.
Happy Birthday, Rinpoche!
I was happy and grateful can attend the night event and see Rinpoche again. My mother in law , mdm Soo Ah Mui also very excited to able see Rinpoche again although the day she just have her blood transfusion in JB. Congrats to Dr Lanse and Mdm Lim Han Nee to taken up the pastorship for service other sentient beings. Rejoice
Another very remarkable day in Kechara. 2 pastors was initiated just shows how much Kechara is growing and how much help it needs to serve the community out there. I am so happy to see everyone doing their best to help themselves and Kechara grow. I will also do my very best to achieve that ultimate goal.
Rejoice and congratulations to our new Pastors, as wel as 58 refuge takers. The questions from audience session is good, it tells me what are some of the questions come in people’s mind when come to Buddhism and religion; and Rinpoche’s answers cleared their doubts and some of the questions I did have and never think about them as well. Thank you Rinpoche.
Kechara Pastor-ship is good way to benefiting people and share our lama wishes giving Dharma teaching under Lama Tsongkhapa tradition to many people. I rejoice for the two new pastors swirling their oath to Rinpoche to work selflessly benefit others.
Congratulation to Pastor Han Nee and Pastor Lanse.
Rejoice and congratulations to our new Pastors.
You could not have chosen a better path to walk – taking on the vows to be pastors – to serve the Dharma and bring dharma to many people.
And you have the full support of your own family and friends, and of course from your dharma family.
Thank you to you Pastors .
Congragulation to all two, Pastor Lanse and Pastor Han Nee. I really rejoice that Kechara has more enpowered Pastors to help Rinpoche bring dharma to the world.
It was an auspicious day and Rinpoche’s Q&A session instead of teaching session gives a new perspective to helping all. In answering questions asked, Rinpoche cleared a lot of our general confusion, clarified many assumptions and introduced what dharma is to first timers. Definitely sent everyone home with something to ponder about. Thanks Rinpoche! May we all work towards transformation of our minds swiftly that one day, may be your wish will be fulfilled.
It was a wonderful and auspicious day for many of us to be at Kechara House on Rinpoche’s birthday. Many Kecharians worked very hard for the logistics, arrangements, every single detail to make sure that the day is full of meritorious activities. Any day is a good day for refuge taking, pastor ordination, if I may say so, but to have all these took place on the birth day of a high incarnated lama, by just being there, we are already accumulating 100 millions times more merits in order for us to always have strong affiliations with dharma and our guru.
Having said that, it doesn’t means that we only appear at the Gompa only once a year. We have to think very clearly how fortunate we are to be able to make it there! Many people can’t make it, even Kechara House’s neighbours did not attend the event! It is never by coincidence that we get to be a part of meritorious activities like this. We must have created many many causes for that to happen. In order for us to continue to have these causes, we have to dedicate our life in dharma, so to make sure we are putting our meritorious drops into the sea. Otherwise, the drops will be dried out like water in the well. Meaning, the next time for us to be encountered with the dharma and the precious guru will not come, until we have learned the preciousness of dharma again. We have come so closed, yet we are so far. This really worth contemplation!
Thank you Rinpoche for giving refuge to me. This is starting point for me to become a real Buddhist and hold all the refuge vows. My big thank you for all Kechara pastors, staff, volunteers, friends, brothers and sisters for preparing all the facilities, food & drinks, program and other arrangements during the Pastor Ordination and Refuge Taking ceremony. May Rinpoche stays in good health always and continue to guide us in Dharma. I wish for everyone to take refuge in Rinpoche and contribute all our energies, funding and prayers towards the success of Kechara Forest Retreat.
Rejoice and congratulation to Pastor Han Nee and Pastor Lanse. May all Pastor bring dharma and benefit many people and wish that Rinpoche have a good health and long life. Thank you Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for taking time out to show us so many pictures on day of your birthday so systematically.
I really enjoy reading through this post, they bring me back to that day.
However, it is always the best to be able to see Rinpoche in person again, rather than through pictures or videos, although, again, this time the physical distance between Rinpoche and myself was so far away, furthermore, there is a glass door in between.
Still, I am amazed by the height of Rinpoche. Rinpoche looks absolutely ‘conquering’.
I wish Rinpoche great health and happiness always.
Happy Birthday, Rinpoche!
This is truly a time to rejoice for the new pastors in Kechara. We are growing and so does meeting the needs of the people who requires counseling by pastors who represents Kechara. May they all benefit many in their future works.
Congratulations!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
So nice to see more pastors taking up the responsibility to share and expound the dharma to others and maybe in the future pass on the knowledge of the dharma to many others in the future. A pastor role has a lot of influence and responsibility towards dharma practitioners. With great power comes great responsibility I rejoice to hear more pastors being made in Kechara.