Making History, A Visual Journey: Lamrim in Malaysian Book of Records
On the 2/7/11 to 3/7/11, Kechara House attempted and officially made it into the Malaysian Book of Records for the Longest non-stop Lamrim Recitation (24 hours). It is wonderful to see so many people committing and fulfilling their commitment with pure dedication and motivation in their hearts. The retreat went on for 5 days, and on the 6th day, my students organised a 24 hour Lamrim recitation which gave us a place in the Malaysian Book of Records!
During the retreat, I decided to pop in to give a short talk on the Lamrim (Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand). It was to help set the motivation right for the Lamrimpas. The first talk that I gave was on the Lamrim itself, and the second talk that I gave was on Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. He is the illustrious author of the Lamrim.
Kechara InMotion (KIM) recorded both talks and I have added them below for those who could not attend. Do take a listen to it… especially if you are currently are reading or intend to read the Lamrim. Also do have a look at the pictures below. It illustrates the experience each retreatant went through during this meritorious event.
Tsem Rinpoche
The entrance of Kechara House in the morning (left) and at night (right). Large banners were placed in the front and security guards were available throughout the event to ensure the safety of our participants.
(Left) Team leaders and marshals of the event guiding new participants on how to make prostrations to the Buddha.
(Right) All registered participants received a goodie bag. Here, participants changed into the yellow T-Shirt provided for the event.
(Left) Registration counter, where participants confirm their attendance or register themselves for the recitation.
(Right) Kechara Care Help Desk guides new guests by answering enquiries and taking them for a tour through the Gallery.
Many people made candle offerings on this auspicious day.
(Left) Buddha posters were given out to new participants. It’s wonderful that many people invited a Buddha image home on this auspicious day.
(Right) Team leaders and marshals help explain the guidelines to their team members.
Prayer sheets, and English and Chinese copies of the Lam Rim chapters were provided for the participants during the recitation.
(Right) Many participants make their way up to the Gompa to do their recitation, while some participants (Left) decided to do their recitation in the Dzambala chapel.
Clear instructions and guidelines for the Lam Rim recitation were displayed around the Gompa.
(Left) The countdown clock, another 18 hours to go.
(Right) Participants reciting the Lamrim in the Gompa. Very dedicated people, young and old alike.
(Left) Marshals on stand-by to assist the participants should the need arises.
(Right) The recitation was also a family event
Food was served in Kechara Care Lounge, which was open for 24 hours on the day of the event.
Participants resting in Kechara Care Lounge. An additional tent was set up outside the lounge to cater for the large crowd.
(Left) A visiting Sangha member, Gen Lobsang Yeshe of Gaden Shartse monastery participated in the Lam Rim retreat as well.
(Right) Kechara House’s president, Datuk May Phng in Lam Rim retreat. This picture was taken at 3 am. Very dedicated lady.
(Left) 2 more seconds until Kechara is awarded the title from Malaysian Book of Records
(Right) Datuk May Phng, just received the certificate from the Malaysia Book of Records’ representative
Congratulations to Kechara. Big congratulations for making it into the Malaysia Book of Records.
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Wow……..Malaysian Book of Records for the Longest non-stop Lamrim Recitation (24 hours). Kechara House successfully made it into the Malaysian Book of Records. I did not know about this , glad found this old post. Rejoice to those participants having made it to the Malaysian Book of Records. It is wonderful to see so many people coming together to make it a success. Kechara individual commitment and group effort to work together toward a common vision plays an important role. Kechara team are genuinely committed to their cause.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.
[…] Making History, A Visual Journey: Lamrim in Malaysian Book of Records […]
[…] of my blog readers will know of Pabongka Rinpoche as the author of the lamrim text, “Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand“. This text and many of the texts Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche composed are used in Gaden […]
This was a very ingenious way to bring awareness of the lamrim to more people in malaysia. It also brings greater awareness of Kechara House and KH activities, now that we are in the Malalysian book of records. I hope those who participated in the event have started to develop a greater interest in the Lamrim, and perhaps even participate in the weekly lamrim classes at Kechara house. It would benefit them immensely.
Lam Rim still make sense in today’s age. It is amazing that this sacred text is living among us and still continue to benefit many. Not only that, it was made easier access to us with the kindness of Pabongka Rinpoche who gave a 24 days teachings. Correct if i am wrong, Lam Rim consists the 84000 teachings of Lord Buddha and it is said that one can gain enlightenment by reciting this scared text.
I am so lucky to come across this sacred text due to the kindness of Rinpoche. And Kechara House, the mother temple that organized this meaningful and record breaking event to allow people to recite and gain realizations and merits. So many people were planted a seed of dharma – Lord Buddha’s teachings. Imagine how many people get in touch with something good through this event. And personally I think Kechara did a wonderful job.
It was a meaningful successful event! Great job!
I was told that if we read it at least 10 times, we will come to some sort of realisation. I was also told that we can gain enlightenment studying the Lamrim properly. Correct me if I remember wrongly.
It was good to take at least an hour off daily in between work to do some spiritual retreat. Anyways, the lamrim retreat was intense but satisfying especially when there’s a goal to reach. Kechara boleh!
Everyone thinks or have a perception that Lamrin is for the advance practitioner.
The source of Lamrin came from Atisha “A Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment” book. The teachings then was passed down to Lama Tsongkhapa and then it reached Pabongka Rinpoche whereby Pabongka Rinpoche made it even more accessible for the lay people. Pabongka Rinpoche gave the teachings in 24 days and it was said that 700 over monks attended and it was so clear and loud that he did not need any microphone (even they did not have that at that time).
Trijang Rinpoche was one of Pabongka Rinpoche’s close student at that time and he wrote the teachings down. The text which we are reading now is written by Trijang Rinpoche which is called Liberation in the Palms of Your Hand or Lamrin.
And now Kechara House has conducted and is continue to conduct Lamrin recitation every month. There are many benefits to reading the Lamrin and you can read more in Rinpoche’s post below
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/lam-rim-retreat-to-be-in-book-of-records.html
You’ve heard of people staying in a contained environment for 24 hours. You have heard of people being able to lift the heaviest load in the world…
BUT!!! 24hours of non-stop recitation of such a sacred and holy text; that’s a new for me.
Having been able to participate in my first Lamrim retreat was special, as I understood what the Lamrim is about through Rinpoche’s teachings. The whole week was calming for my mind, and the best thing was that even my mum, who wouldn’t do it, participated in the entire retreat! She was committed for the whole week, and was dedicated to the 24 hours recitation eventhough she wasn’t feeling well. This is because she learned from Rinpoche’s teachings on the first day how beneficial the Lamrim is, and what it comprises of.
The Lamrim is a condensation of the 85,000 teachings that Buddha gave, and is literally personal advices for us to lead our life and grow in our spiritual practice so that we eventually may be led to enlightenment. It’s the best “soup for the soul” book out there!!
It’s a very successful event, the flow of the event is smooth, it’s well prepared and a lot of people who is not Buddhist or have no idea what Buddhism came to join in the event. The whole idea of this event it’s not about bringing people to Buddhism and “convert” them from their own believe, but an event that share Buddha’s way of life to everyone.
Religions share the same purpose which is bringing inner peace to everyone, and Lamrim is the most define yet condense idea of what Buddhism is all about. It’s deep but applicable to the modern life, it’s open for everyone to come and learn and debate what’s life all about.
I thanks Mr. Ngeow, Mr. KH Ng and the co-group for the wonderful event. It’s very remarkable.
We always feels that ready Lamrin is only for serious Dharma practitioner and we labelled Lamrin as something serious and not for modern generation. In fact when I started reading it, Lamrin is so modern, logic with many interesting stories.
The committee spent a lot of time to plan and make Dharma so convenient for everyone. Many of the young kids followed their parents to come and join this holy retreat. How nice to spend their time with Dharma.
I have always been lazy to read up Lamrim despite having attended the class for more than 5 months. Thanks to this 24 hours recitation activity, I have finally managed to read the Lamrim from start to end!
I have also invited a few of my friends to come recite & create record at the same time. I rejoice that the visual and mental imprints of the Lamrim are planted into their mind and may they receive Dharma teaching in very near future!