3rd Pastor Ordination at Kechara Forest Retreat!
Saturday, 19/10/2013, marked as a very auspicious day for Kechara. It was Kechara’s 3rd Pastor Ordination Ceremony, and 6 Kecharians were officiated as Pastors!
The 6 Kecharians who took on Pastorship vows were:
- Ong Moh Mei
- Martin Chow
- Khong Jean Ai
- Jay Jae Chong
- Shin Tan
- Adeline Woon
Along with Pastor Chia (who renewed his vows), the 6 new Pastors will be ordained as monks and nuns at the end of this year.
The day started with our 2 emcees, Niral (English) and Abby (Chinese) welcoming family and friends of the Pastors-to-be. Many of them came to Kechara Forest Retreat for the first time and had the chance to go on a tour.
Datuk May Phng then gave a speech and shared how special this ceremony was… those taking ordination vows are also aspiring nuns and monks! She then made an aspirational wish to be close to the Dharma and become ordained in her next life.
The emcees then introduced Pastor Yek Yee who bestowed on the Pastorship vows to the 6 Kecharians above. Pastor Yek Yee is sincere, hardworking and a very old student of mine. Since undertaking her role as Pastor in 2011, she has been consistent and excelling in her Pastor duties. She is available 24 hours, 7 days a week and is always seen running to different places, helping those with spirit disturbances, sick in hospitals, counselling people, giving teachings at Kechara House, doing prayers at the Puja House etc etc…
The Pastors-to-be wore simple clothing to the ceremony and, led by Pastor Yek Yee, recited the vows and prayers together. They then proceeded to each make 3 full prostrations to the 3 Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and had their hair cut by Pastor Yek Yee to symbolize the acceptance of each person’s wish to become ordained as Pastors.
Each of them then proceeded to change into their Pastors uniform, and returned to the ceremony to conclude the prayers. They then went up to receive their official Kechara Pastor certificate and their Buddha Shakyamuni pendant, which all Pastors will wear everyday. The pendant will become a holy object due to the power of prayer, and will in turn be a powerful object to bless others with.
Do take a look at the pictures below. I will add in the video soon so that everyone can be a part of the momentous occasion!
Tsem Rinpoche
3rd Pastor Ordination in Kechara Forest Retreat
Aerial view of Wisdom Hall.
Pastor Lanse buying flowers to offer Buddha Shakyamuni at the altar…
Beautiful souvenir shop at Wisdom Hall.
Adeline Woon’s family making khata offerings…
Making prayers and wishes onto the khata before offering…
Beautiful Shakyamuni on the main altar.
6 Kecharians becoming ordained, and Pastor Chia renewing his Pastorship vows. (left to right) Shin, Adeline, Moh Mei, Jean Ai, Martin, Pastor Chia and Jay Jae.
Edward making prayers onto the khata.
Shin’s uncle making prayers.
Datuk May Phng giving her opening speech.
Martin Chow is a great writer, loves to read Dharma books to gain knowledge and is serious in his spiritual practice.
Moh Mei is one of the heroes behind the construction of Kechara Forest Retreat.
Shin is a key player in the Ladrang kitchen operation.
Pastor Chia renewing his Pastor ordination vows. He’s now one of the Green Team members, ensuring that Kechara Forest Retreat stays lush and green!
Pastor Yek Yee starting of the ceremony with the motivation.
I described Jean Ai as a 4-in-1. She has the skill set of 4 different people!
I requested Pastor Yek Yee to conduct the prayers and bestow the Pastorship vows onto others. I trust Pastor Yek Yee.
Adeline doing her 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Hair-cutting ceremony for Adeline.
Jean Ai doing her 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Shin doing her 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Moh Mei doing 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Hair-cutting ceremony for Moh Mei.
Martin doing 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Jay Jae doing 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Chia doing 3 prostrations to the 3 Jewels.
Adeline with her official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Jean Ai with her official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Shin with her official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Moh Mei with her official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Martin with his official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Jay Jae with his official Kechara Pastor certificate.
Chia with his official Kechara Pastor certificate.
On behalf of Kechara House, Datuk May presents each newly ordained Pastor a box with another set of Pastor uniform, a monk bag and a Pastorship prayer book.
Jean Ai receiving her offering from Datuk May.
Moh Mei receiving her offering from Datuk May.
Martin receiving his offering from Datuk May.
Pastor Lim Han Nee receiving her offering from Datuk May.
Pastor Lanse receiving her offering from Datuk May.
Chia receiving his offering from Datuk May.
Jay Jae receiving his offering from Datuk May.
Everyone else was then allowed to make any offering they wished to those who had just taken Pastor ordination vows.
Grace offering a khata to Pastor Adeline.
Each of the newly ordained Pastors making offerings to their Guru’s throne.
Pastor Jean Ai’s brother and sister went for the ceremony.
Pastor Martin with Khoo and Jason (front).
Pastor Adeline’s whole family came for the ceremony! How wonderful to have such a supportive family.
Pastor Chia in front of Dukkar with his family.
Pastor Jean Ai with her uncle Henry (right of her), aunt Angel (left of her), cousins, brother and sister.
Pastor Jay Jae with his friends Joshua and Charlie. They came in from Singapore to witness this momentous occasion of their friend!
Shin with her family and friends who came from KL and Taiping!
Lily and Keng Nam flew in from England to be part of the ceremony.
Pastor Moh Mei with her team mates, (left to right) Khoo, JP and Nicholas.
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Congrats to all…
Felt like just happened yesterday. Something to look back… A memorable day for many.
Thank you for sharing this Rinpoche.
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It was such a beautiful event, an auspicious day for everyone. I remember it being very bright and sunny with a lot of people walking around in KFR. It is always exciting to see so many people at KFR, learning and touring around. I rejoice for all the new Pastors and I do believe and trust in Rinpoches decision to allow Pastor Yek Yee to be in charged of the ordination, she truly deserves it from all the work she has done to serve others tirelessly on call 24/7 without hesitation, without a frown, without complaint and never ending compassion for others. She is truly a beautiful person inside and out. I look forward to seeing the new Pastors work for others.
i was there when this happened and it is so good that these people will help spread the dharma and it make me happy that they would step up to the title and help spread the dharma. thank you for sharing Rinpoche
感恩仁波切创办了克切拉讲法师制度。其实克切拉讲法师就是让想成为僧伽或出家人的门卡。讲法师的任务任重道远，他们要有很好的慈悲心，不止要弘扬佛法，还要处理克切拉佛教中心一切大小事，是一件很艰难的差事，可说是吃力不讨好的工作。所以每位讲法师都要具备良好的品性和毅力来施行这重要任务。这也是让每位讲法师修佛之路的考验。各位讲法师就看你们了！！
It is nice to see Kechara’s pastorship program growing and this is creating the causes for Kechara to have monks and nuns in the future. I am sure that the new pastors will be able to fulfill their duties and spread the Dharma at the most quickest and efficient way. Good luck to the new pastors.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the auspicious event of 3rd Pastor Ordination at Kechara Forest Retreat. All the pastors are working very hard to serve for everyone in Kechara. I truly appreciate and really want to thank all the Kechara pastors and staff who have put their actions and kind deeds for the benefits of many. May all who have heard, seen, known and joined any of Kechara activities will be showered with much blessings and happiness.
Heartiest congratulations to all who took up the pastorship vows on the auspicious occassion of saturday, 19th oct.,2013, including those who renewed their old ones too. May all be blessed to be able to turn every situation to their desired advantage and achieve their supreme goal! Om mani padmi hung.
The ceremony was an uplifting experience. The lesson I gained and cherish was a gentle reminder that all of us human bodies are just vessels for our ageless mindstreams. Young, old, male, female, broad, thin, english-speaking, chinese-speaking, rich, poor, “handsome”, “not-so-handsome”, short-sighted, long-sighted, tall, short, left-handed, right-handed, dark, fair, etc., it ain’t matter.
Thanks for Rinpoche’s sharing.This is a memorable moments for Kechara to have nun& monk to be and Pastors.Th Ceremony is touching and professional. We are blessed to have such wonderful team to assist Rinpoche to spread Dharma.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful and meritorious event that was held in Kechara Forest Retreat. Rejoice for the new pastors and also soon-to-be monks and nuns. Tears and laughter fill the hall as each pastors went up to the altar to receive the pendant and certificate from Pastor Yek Yee. It was indeed a memorable day for everyone. Congratulations once again!
It is great and rejoicing to see a new young and dynamic team of pastors arising at Kechara. This is truly the effort of our Rinpoche nurturing and training them to benefit others. From these pastors, they will in turn nurture and train others in Kechara for a better society in Malaysia and other regions. My utmost best wishes and prayers for their success in the spiritual path for self and others.
3rd Pastor Ordination at Kechara Forest Retreat is a truly excited ceremony for the doctrine of our Gelupa lineage will grow from strength to strength.
Rejoice for all news Pastors and all the renewal Pastors, they are always ready to serve others and work closely towards Rinpoche projects.
May they always bless by 3 jewels for their smooth Dharma path, hence helps to succeed Rinpoche works swiftly…
We were blessed to be able to attend such an auspicious event at Kechara Forest Retreat, the first monastic order of Kechara. May their journey enters greater heights and the Dharma strengthens in Malaysia under the guidance of HE Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
I am very happy that i was there on that day.
Although i still haven’t step in into Kechara House on the first and second Pastor Ordination ceremony, but i can witness the third Pastor Ordination Ceremony at Kechara Forest Retreat.
Really rejoice to the newly ordained monks, and wish the dharma will grow in this region.
Thanks for the sharing.
佛陀曾说在末法时期，他将化身为上师传法。佛菩萨的转世就是为了利益众生和赐予加持，每一个行动和每句话都具疗愈作用。他们的出现就是为了传授证悟之道，除了传授佛法和修行以外，他们还制造机缘给众生供养他们，协助他们累积功德。
这是一个末法时期，因为持守纯净的佛法是如此艰难。我们不是为俗事所缠就是沉溺在所谓的欢乐与“成功”里，无瑕追求灵修；知道佛法完全衰败直至佛菩萨也不再显现人间来传授佛法。
善巧的仁波切透过各种非传统的方式，不管是博客、YouTube 还是 文字等各种管道来启迪我们。他相信也透过创立个中部门—艺术、美食或旅游来制造大家接触佛法的机会。 无论如何，非传统的传法方式并不妨碍正统传承自释迦牟尼的法教透过宗喀巴大师传承下来，其中，仁波切创立的克切拉佛教中心扮演了重要角色。除了在众生的心识里种下证悟的种子，克切拉佛教中心的成立别无他途。
仁波切解释说，在这个时代，要求大家出家为尼为僧，然后克服内在的执着是很困难的。如果僧伽的人数减少，佛法也将随之衰败。佛陀曾说，只要仍有四位受戒信众认真修行，佛法就会增长。为了让佛陀的教诲在这个末法时期继续传承下来，仁波切创立了佛教讲法师制度。
受戒的讲法师。仁波切会象征地剪下他们的一小撮头发，并给他们戴上释迦牟尼的佛坠。在家人讲法师将负责主持佛教婚礼、葬礼、加持住家、驱除负能量、提供咨询等。
感恩这一届的讲法师就职仪式，由月谊讲法师主持，并感恩各位受戒的讲法师为佛法担下了发扬与守护佛法及帮助一切众生的责任，其中的几位并即将成为我们克切拉佛教中心的僧伽团，祈愿您们法喜充满，吉祥如意
感恩仁波切，祈愿仁波切您长驻在世常转法轮
I could not attend the ceremony but I am sure whoever were there and those who were absent, rejoice for all the pastors. May they continue to benefit the many beings who will come across them.
This is so neat! A closer step for our young monastic aspirants to be closer towards receiving their full Bhikshu/Bhikshuni vows. The years of physical growth of Kechara has bore fruit with inner growth on the part of these beautiful young individuals. They had chosen a path that not many people thread, which is a path of selfless practice of the Dharma. I congratulate them and offer my best wishes to those who offer their worldly wishes in order to assist other fulfil theirs. Very noble and young group of monastics to be.
Hi David, you calling me old too? 🙂 Young, old, you never know when death knocks but it is never too late to progress on your spiritual journey.
Dear Rinpoche thank you for sharing this auspicious occasion with us. Congratulate to all the newly ordained pastors there will be more people will be able to benefits from their help they can reach out more people to know about dharma.
This is an extremely auspicious day for seven individual who inspires to take up pastorship vows and ordain to become monks and nuns in the near future…Seven of them are inspired by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche to personally take up this responsibility of upholding the victory banner of Buddhadharma and elucidate Tsongkhapa’s teachings in this region.
I sincerely wish each individual pastor great success in their mission of spreading and preserving the precious holy dharma and most of all, a monastic order’s life to come.
Indeed it was a joyous and memorable night in Kechara Forest Retreat Wisdom Hall for the pastors and for all Kecharians present.
Seeing this post by Rinpoche, brought tears of joy to me. It was one of the most beautiful events of my life. The evening saw more than the 3rd Kechara Pastor Ordination, it was the beginning of the monastic order of Kechara in Malaysia.
With the Monastic order established, the doctrine of our Gelupa lineage will grow from strength to strength.
It is wonderful to see such beautiful young adults take on the aspiration to be monks and nuns. May many Malaysian Buddhists be blessed to take on this great vocation of life.
It was a meaningful day for the Pastors and Kechara. It was the first time that such an auspicious event was held at KFR and it was also the first time that an existing pastor solemnized the whole ordination under the tutelage and auspices of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. I rejoice that the torch is passed to other able and qualified leaders at Kechara symbolizing that Rinpoche’s teachings and the Buddhadharma are growing.
I was very fortunate to have able to witness the whole ceremomy, I’m very proud of the new Pastors(mostly my Pastor cousin of course.. Hehe :p). They are all very warm and helpful people, i’m sure that they will make good Biddhist Pastors, may they continue to benefit hundreds and thousands of lives. Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche, Thank You Rinpoche for posting my picture on this article. Pastor Jean Ai is my cousin and it’s hard to remember that I must call her Pastor Jean Ai is because I’m used to calling her Jean Ai Jie Jie(Sister). And time fly so fast, I didn’t even realized that it has already been 22 days since the Pastor Ordination Day.
It is just so amazing to attend the ceremony. The type of happiness and joy that one will experience in the hall is just unbelievable.
I am so happy for the 6 newly ordained pastors. They are just really amazing people that are so nice to be around with. Rejoice for the 6 new pastors.
I’ll second that.
I remember when i was there watching all this happen. I am happy for all the new Pastors, and i am sure they will all make fantastic Pastors who will spread the dharma wisely and smoothly. Congrats to all the new Pastors and thank you for sharing.