H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s 48th Birthday
(Written by Admin)
Every 24th October, Kecharians and our friends have the merit to celebrate our beloved Guru H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s birthday. 48 years ago, Rinpoche was born in Taiwan to a Tibetan father and a Mongolian princess mother (you can read more about Rinpoche’s biography here or in this book!). After much hardship and the many challenges Rinpoche has undertaken to bring Dharma to Malaysia and the rest of the world, this year we had the privilege of celebrating Rinpoche’s birthday in a peaceful environment of our very own retreat land, Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR).
A Guru’s birthday is not quite like any other. It is the day that our Guru chose to be reborn into our realm, in order to turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings. For those who view their teachers as an enlightened Being, and who view their teacher’s actions as that of an enlightened Being’s, it means the teacher’s birthday is one of the most important days for them. For them, the Guru’s birthday is viewed as an opportunity to accumulate immeasurable merits for their teacher’s long life, for their own practice and for the success of their organisation’s endeavours.
Rinpoche’s birthday celebration started at 10 am, when many of Rinpoche’s students gathered in front of Wisdom Hall’s iconic outdoor Lama Tsongkhapa statue to participate in the animal liberation activity. Under the guidance of Pastor Adeline, Rinpoche’s students recited the Medicine Buddha mantra for over 45 minutes to bless the 350 birds before setting them free.
KFR for the remainder of the day was a bustling hive of activity because this year, we had many more reasons to celebrate 24th October. Not only was the day a joyous occasion for Rinpoche’s students, but it was also particularly special for one of Rinpoche’s long time students and friend, Datuk Eric Tan. Having just been awarded the title of Datuk Wira earlier in the day, Datuk Wira Eric also celebrated the expansion of his family by witnessing the wedding blessing of his eldest son, Edwin Tan.
It was the first such blessing to take place on our holy land. The bride and groom recited prayers to Tara, requesting her blessings for their union. Holding hands under the gaze of Shakyamuni, they then recited specially prepared wedding vows to one another, promising, “I will be faithful to you. I will support you in all difficulties. I will improve my weak points for you. I will defend you. I will respect your beliefs. I will share what I have with you. I make this promise to you.“
As the wedding took place in Wisdom Hall, guests for Rinpoche’s birthday took the opportunity to tour KFR. Nearly 500 students attended Rinpoche’s birthday, many of them visiting KFR for the first time. Our newly ordained pastors were kept busy as they guided the visitors around our retreat land, explaining Rinpoche’s vision for providing Malaysians with a place to retreat, relax and unwind from stressful city life. Needless to say, many of the guests were impressed by how much KFR has changed from the time we acquired the land last year.
After the tour, everyone made their way to Dukkar Apartments where dinner was served by Kechara Oasis. After a hearty vegetarian meal, guests adjourned to Wisdom Hall to participate in the Lama Chopa Puja. Led by Pastor Chia Song Peng and Pastor JJ Chong, Kecharians requested the blessings of our lineage lamas for our Guru’s long life. The prayers were also dedicated towards the accumulation of merits for us to receive Rinpoche’s Dharma teachings and to request for the success of Rinpoche’s activities.
It was a day like what Rinpoche has always worked for – an event held on our land, in our buildings, with pujas and blessings done by our local Malaysians, and catered for by our own vegetarian restaurant. It is this vision that is slowly coming to life in Kechara Forest Retreat, a place where Malaysians will be able to do something to help other Malaysians. Thus on behalf of all Kecharians, we wish Rinpoche a very happy birthday and offer our gratitude to Rinpoche for 48 years of benefiting sentient beings. May we have the merits for Rinpoche to remain long with us, for all of Rinpoche’s visions to materialise and for us to always be able to serve our lama.
Admin
PS. Do take a read at recently ordained Pastor Jean Ai’s account of “Why Rinpoche Doesn’t Like Birthdays“.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s 48th Birthday
Martin blowing mantras onto the birds that will shortly be released!
Lots of sparrows waiting to be freed at Kechara Forest Retreat!
And budgies… There were 350 birds altogether!
Prayers being recited for the birds.
There were 2 groups: the group on the left recited the prayers in English, and on the right in Chinese.
Recently ordained as a Pastor, Pastor Adeline has been working very hard – bringing van-loads of people on tours at Kechara Forest Retreat and carrying out weekly meditation programs.
Going up close to bless the birds with Medicine Buddha mantras.
Blowing mantras onto the birds.
Everyone gets their turn!
The birds are released and slowly led out.
Lots of sparrows released! They’ll be able to live in a natural environment within Kechara Forest Retreat.
Pastor Chia begins the marriage ceremony of Edwin and his newly wedded wife, Elaine.
Elaine reading out her vows to Edwin.
The vows were written by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, and Pastor Chia is a legal marriage registrar.
Both sides of the wedded couple’s family came to be part of the ceremony.
The bride and groom offering a khata each to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s throne.
Offering a candle to the Buddhas. A beautiful and spiritual marriage!
After the marriage ceremony, everyone lines up to make a khata offering to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s throne.
Keng Nam flew in from England to celebrate H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s birthday.
Each person makes an aspirational wish for H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s good health and long life.
Families making khata offerings to the throne.
President of Kechara House, Datuk May Phng, taking a picture to post on social media! Another tech savvy Kecharian!
Ron Wong, Kechara House committee member, making a wish.
Making flower offerings outside the Wisdom Hall’s entrance in front of Lama Tsongkhapa.
More people arriving and registering for their seat numbers!
Board of Director Li Kim, makes a wish after offering a khata.
Wisdom Hall fills up!
As the sun sets, the birthday celebrations begin.
Dr Hank (left) and Niral emceed the event. Dr Hank is a committed volunteer of Kechara and Niral is an integral part of Kechara’s education committee.
Datuk May gave a beautiful opening speech, thanking Rinpoche for spreading the Dharma.
As the President of Kechara, Datuk May makes offerings of Body, Speech and Mind to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on behalf of Kechara.
Half of the Lama Chopa was recited in English, and the other in Tibetan.
Making 3 prostrations.
Pastor Chia begins the Lama Chopa by reciting in Tibetan.
Pastor Chia has been a student of Rinpoche’s for over 15 years. He has had the blessed opportunity to learn the prayers and rituals in Gaden Shartse monastery, India.
Pastor Lanse recently renewed her vows as a Pastor. She’s very dedicated in spreading H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings to the Chinese community. As such, she’s the lead translator.
Making mandala offerings. Pastor Jay Jae recites the other half of the Lama Chopa in English.
Pastor Martin recently became ordained. A prolific writer and avid reader, Pastor Martin has absorbed a lot of Dharma knowledge in the short span of time that he has been in Kechara.
Pastor Adeline (front) and Pastor Jean Ai reciting H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s long-life mantra.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s students and friends reciting Lama Chopa, led by the umze (lead chanter).
Eric from Kechara In-Motion (the filming department of Kechara) recording H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s birthday ceremony. Stay tuned on the post to watch the video!
RANDOM IMAGES TAKEN FROM FELLOW KECHARIANS
A full house!
Setting up the main altar with bowls of fruits.
Datuk May (right) giving a tour of Dukkar Apartments together with Pastor Shin (left).
Circumambulating around Manjushri on Manjushri Hill.
A bus load of people from Johor Bahru on the way to Kechara Forest Retreat!
JP (left) presenting Datuk Eric and Datin Janice with a bouquet of flowers from H.E. Tsem Rinpoche.
The bride and groom walking down the aisle in Wisdom Hall.
A beautiful picture of Lama Tsongkhapa at night.
Pastor Moh Mei, Operations Manager of Dukkar Apartment, posing with her white umbrella.
Board of Director Su Ming having tea with Nadia.
Dato’ Ruby Khong, President of Kechara Soup Kitchen, taking a photo with H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s throne.
Pastor Shin (left) giving a tour of Dukkar Apartments.
A lot of candle offerings in front of Lama Tsongkhapa.
Someone offered Rinpoche a birthday cake!
A group picture in front of Dukkar.
A professional photographer was stationed in front of Dukkar. People could take their pictures in front of Dukkar and have it printed immediately!
If you would like to share your images of this auspicious ceremony with everyone, do send it it tblogpics@gmail.com, and add in your picture caption into the email’s subject field!
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
[…] 在这里，我们透过举办各种教育课程，为老幼群众灌注如宽容、接受、善良和慈悲等普世价值，并以此回馈社会。我们目前举办的活动包括呼吸静坐、闭关、诵经课程，以及与有机种植相关的志愿课程。活动地点一般位于禅修林的智慧殿。 […]
[…] 在这里，我们透过举办各种教育课程，为老幼群众灌注如宽容、接受、善良和慈悲等普世价值，并以此回馈社会。我们目前举办的活动包括呼吸静坐、闭关、诵经课程，以及与有机种植相关的志愿课程。活动地点一般位于禅修林的智慧殿。 […]
Its was such a wonderful and auspicious day to have seen kechara forest retreat filled with so many visitors and students coming together for the purpose of our Guru’s Birthday. It was fun and it felt like such positive energy filled the whole place where everyone was learning and praying together for our Guru’s Long Life. I had missed the releasing pf the birds but i’m glad to see so many people attended the ceremony and its a huge relief to see so many birds set free back into nature. I would like to thank Rinpoche for giving us kechara forest retreat, a place where everyone would be able to make wishes and pray together in harmony. Every day kechara forest retreat is growing and everyday more visitors are coming from all over the world. I hope Rinpoche is happy and feeling well.
Thank you blogmaster for uploading the video. Now Lama Chopa resonates…
Dear Rinpoches,
May I wish you a happy 48th birthday and good health.
Chong Hin
Happy Birthday Rinpoche. May you always have good health and live long for thousands of years to bring tremendous benefits to all living beings. May all your holy wishes come to fruition quickly. We love you Rinpoche.
An auspicious day to celebrate our Guru birthday. It is a day that a Lama was born and brought Dharma into our lives and benefit so many people in the world. Thank you Rinpoche for all the teachings.
May Rinpoche live long and heathy to turn the wheel of Dharma.
Happy birthday to Rinpoche , we are so fortune to celebrate birthday with Rinpoche in KFR. Under guides by Rinpoche , our KHJB team members able received Rinpoche teaching , blessing , dharma knowledge, really appreciated, may Rinpoche long life and turn the dharma wheel in ten direction. Thank you all the volunteers to make it event so successful . Cheers!
We are so blessed to be able to celebrate Rinpoche’s birthday at our very own beautiful Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong. During the KFR tour that we had in the afternoon, you can see many new and excited faces, waiting to visit around the sites at KFR, along with the explanation by the pastors. Thank Yo for sharing all these wonderful pictures.
This is the 1st major event organised by Kechara in Kechara Forest Retreat, Chamang, Bentong to coincide with Tsem Rinpoche’s birthday. We had animal liberation, a wedding blessing ceremony, short tours of the Manjuhri Hill, Wisdom Hall and Dukkar apartments for first time guests who came from afar.
The event was attended by 400 over guests and refreshments were prepared for them before the event. Hard working staff planned this event out meticulously to ensure safety, security and car parks were taken into consideration. In all, the event was a good one for everyone who took part. May Tsem Rinpoche have long life and good health to continue turning the wheel of dharma to benefit all. Happy Birthday!
It is so great for us to celebrate Rinpoche’s birthday at KFR. Somehow I can’t help feeling that the people in Bentong are so fortunate to have KFR in their town 🙂 .
24 October 2013 is a memorable and historical day for Kecharians and guests who attended Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s birthday for the first time in Kechara Forest Retreat. Thanks to the combined effort and hardworking team for the preparation, the whole day joyous event turned out successfully.
May all of Rinpoche’s wishes come true and may Kechara Forest Retreat continue to grow to benefit many more.
Let me join you all, the members of Kechara Forest Retreat in offering my wish and prayers for Rinpoche’s Happy Birthday! May H.E Rinpoche live long in excellent health and continue transforming the minds of deluded beings. May rinpoche’s Dharma Center grow and benefit numberless sentient beings!
Thank you all for celebrating the Rinpoche’s birthday so wonderfully!
詹仁波切的生日真的非常热闹！那天有来自世界各地的学生与朋友。 那天就像新年的年初一！
祈愿仁波切长驻在世常转法轮，弘扬佛法，利益众生。
Thank you Rinpoche for giving us a chance to celebrate your birthday at Kechara Forest Retreat.
Looking back celebrating your birthday last year at Kechara House gompa at SumwayMas, I am very grateful that this year we can have it at Wisdom Hall at Kechara Forest Retreat. It’s Rinpoche’s hardwork, your vision to benefit others and keep pushing us to challenge our comfort zone that we can have the Wisdom Hall, Dukkar apartment, Manjushri Hill today.
I pray that we can have it at the main Shakyamuni hall at Kechara Forest Retreat soon. May rinpoche live long, always turn the wheel of dharma, Rinpoche’s teaching can spread far and wide and benefit all sentient beings!
It was a great day ! I truly enjoyed and felt grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this “OFFERING” to my Guru on his birthday .
感恩师父的教诲，祈愿仁波切身体健康，常转法轮。
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these pictures on the event of Rinpoche’s birthday!That day really is a memorable day for KHJB as this is the first time we came a group for 38 peoples attended Rinpoche’s birthday celebration.We all are excited and grateful can attend the event at Kechara Forest Retreat ! May Rinpoche have great health,happiness always and may all Rinpoche’s wishes come true!!
Happy Birthday! Rinpoche. Due to Rinpoche’s kindness, who was born in 24th October to turn the Dharma wheel and teach us the dharma. It’s wonderful moment to have celebration in KFR, May Rinpoche have good health and long life…may rinpoche’ teaching spread to all ten direction.
That day was an eventful and very happening day in Kechara Forest Retreat, especially during dinner time in Dukkar Apartment it was full house, people had to stand to enjoy their delicious dinner prepared by Kechara Oasis. I was fortunate enough to participate in the crew team to oversee the whole event from behind the scene to the happenings of the whole celebration ran smoothly. It’s fun to work with everyone.
Thank you Rinpoche and the team for making Kechara Forest Retreat possible.
Yes,24th October 213 would remain a memorable day for Kecharians to remember with so many people at Kechara Forest Retreat to celebrate and participate in all events as mentioned herein. The organizing team worked hard and everything went smoothly with nary a mishap or bad incident. Smiles were on everyone’s faces during and after the events, it was a joyous occasion. And the weather was sunny and hot with a small shower in the early afternoon.
This is the first time we celebrated our Lama’s birthday in this holy land of Kechara Forest Retreat,about 500 Kecharians and guests attended this auspicious occasion. May our precious Guru H E Tsem Rinpoche have long life and stable health to turn the wheel of dharma and may all His wishes be fulfilled. Thanks to kecharians and the committed volunteers for making this event a success.
This year we have had the privilege to celebrate Rinpoche’s birthday at “Kechara Forest Retreat Land”. Students started gathering at 10am in front of Wisdom Hall’s iconic outdoor Lama Tsongkhapa’s statue for Animals Liberation, and recitation of Medicine Buddha’s mantra to bless the release of 350 Birds under the guidance of Pastor Adeline. Activity for the day also included particular special occasion of the wedding’s blessing of Datuk Eric Tan’s son (Edwin Tan), representating the first blessing of such occasion to happen on Kechara’s holy land! The day was full of joy and satisfaction, with the vision that our Kechara’s dream is slowly and steadfastly materialising to reality to benefit all beings. May Rinpoche have a long and healthy life always to guide us through in benefitting all sentient beings! Om mani padme hung.
Thanks for sharing this memorable event article with us! Thanks to all volunteer who made this event successfully to be carried out on last few days ago!may rinpoche able to live long. To turn the wheel of dharma!
It was a hive of activities on the 24 October when Kecharians, friends and family members gathered at Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR).
It was the first time we celebrated our Guru’s birthday there; first time we had an animal liberation day; and also the first time a wedding blessing was conducted there.
So it turned out we were there to celebrate a day of many first’s.
Kechara Forest Retreat burst into life in an explosion of activities to celebrate the 48th Birthday of Tsem Rinpoche, Spiritual Guide and founder of Kechara.
The day started with the liberation of 350 birds. From then on in and around Wisdom hall and Dukkar Apartments were crowds of people walking back and forth. There was the wedding blessing ceremony of Dato Wira Eric Tan’s elder son, Edwin , and Elaine.
In the afternoon, groups of people joined in a continuous series of tours of KFR. Many were visiting KFR for the first time.
In the evening, 400 students joined in a long-life Lama Chopa puja for Rinpoche.
May Kechara Forest Retreat continue to grow and develop into what has been envisioned for it by Rinpoche – a place of peace, healing,retreat and learning(especially spiritual retreat and learning) for all from around the world.
It was an unforgettable experience to be able to be allowed to celebrate H.E.Tsem Rinpoche’s 48th Birthday at Kechara Forest Retreat.
All the pastors,committee and volunteer did a fantastic job to make the event a success.A big”Thank you” to them.
May we be able to celebrate our Rinpoche next Birthday at the KFR with the vision of our Rinpoche completed as intended.
Wishing a Happy Birthday to Rinpoche,may he have a long life to turn the wheel of Dharma.
I was very fortunate to be able to attend and witness the celebration, Kecharians put in a lot of time and efforts to make the event a success. I’ve read about Pastor Jean Ai’s blog on why Rinpoche doesn’t like birthday celebrations, and I agree with that. I haven’t been celebrating my birthday for 2 years, I have to admit that I really do not like the feeling of people gathering around me and sing me happy birthday song. And I think it is a day where I can do more good deeds and dedicate to my parents cause they went through a lot of hard times when I was still in my mother’s stomach.
I am glad that RInpoche had an amazing Birthday, i wish i could have been there. I feel happy that Rinpoche would do so much on his birthday, when the rest of us would just be doing things on our own Rinpoche would be helping others. Thank you for sharing Rinpoche.
Wishing Rinpoche a long life and a steady health so that he could remain with us to continue spreading the dharma which benefits all sentient beings.
A happy belated Birthday to His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche! Hope Rinpoche will continually live on many more years to benefit many more people. Thank you to all the volunteers and staffs for arranging this wonderful and auspicious event.
May Rinpoche have long life, great health and constant happiness.
I hope Rinpoche had a amazing day. I hope Rinpoche lives a very long time to teach everybody the dharma. Rinpoche has always been there for us so I hope everybody and Rinpoche had an amazing time.
I wish You, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche to celebrate your birthday. It’s a gift to your students and friends. Gathering and enjoying acceptance of your parents to give a birth to you, blessing of meeting the dharma and blessing of living 48 years, helping many sentient beings. Although I’m not a lama or monk, I celebrated my birthday to get closer to people, to actually wish them well.
People who’d celebrate birthday with you will accomplish many merits, as they’d just wish you long life, praising not your ego, but actions which help to cease suffering of all beings.
Thanks for the sharing. That day really is a memorable day for me as this is the first time i attended Rinpoche’s birthday celebration.
I wish Rinpoche long life and turn the Dharma Wheel. So that many people will have chance to meet the dharma.
谢谢克切拉行政部分享庆祝仁波切48岁诞辰的过程缤纷彩照。也谢谢所有为仁波切庆祝诞辰而忙的上上下下志工团队和弟子们。大家辛苦了，虽然我们知道一向来仁波切不喜欢弟子们为他庆祝诞辰， 但是为了尊敬和对上师的依止心， 我们还是要为仁波切庆祝诞辰。
我们祈愿仁波切长驻在世常转法轮，弘扬佛法，利益众生。
圣壽四十八 愿力本无差 菩提降淑雨 恩泽布群生 端为恩师祝圣寿
感恩仁波切 祈愿您长驻在在世 常转法轮
Thank you Rinpoche for granting us the precious opportunity to join and participate to celebrate Rinpoche’s 48th birthday in Kechara Forest Retreat. A lot of hard work and many preparations were carried out by Kecharians and friends ahead of Rinpoche’s birthday, that made the event a successful one. Big thank you and my sincerest gratitude to all who have taken their time and energy to provide the well prepared facilities, food, chairs, tables and lights to accommodate all of us during the start until the end of the whole day event. May Rinpoche continues to gain healthy and long life and stay with us for a very long time to spread the Dharma to every corner of the world. May all Rinpoche’s wishes come true and continue to save every sentient being through the Dharma teachings from Rinpoche.
With folded hands,
Kin Hoe
Thank you Rinpoche for letting us celebrate your birthday in KFR is such a exciting week , a lot of preparation work need to be done but I believe all Kecharian enjoy very much. At last I would like to wish Rinpoche Happy Birthday and may Rinpoche stay for very long time with us and may all Rinpoche wishes come true.
With folded hands
Shelly tai
Great and nice sharing of pictures on the events of Rinpoche birthday! Thanks to all the staff and Kecharian to make the event successful! May Rinpoche be healthy always and continuously guide us. 🙂
Thanks Rinpoche kindness for being celebrate Rinpoche birthday in Kechara Forest Retreat…
Thanks for all volunteers, staffs, Pastors and team behind the scene that work so hard for the preparation to let Rinpoche birthday ceremony become so happening…
May Rinpoche long life, good health and continue turn the wheel of Dharma…