15 year old does Manjushri retreat
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear friends,
I received a very sincere and inspiring card from a young boy recently. This young boy, Hecelus Tan is only 15 years old but he spends his free time doing pujas and retreats! He recently completed his first Manjushri retreat which he did during his school holidays. I was very happy when I got to know about this. When most boys spend their holidays playing video games and running around with their other friends, this young boy spends his free time doing retreats and prayers…
Hecelus wrote me a beautiful card stating that he wishes to do more for his next retreat! I rejoice Hecelus has decided to do more… So young and yet so wise to understand the benefits of doing retreats. Perhaps he saw the benefits from his first retreat hehe
Out of the many many benefits from Manjushri practice, some of them are improvements to your memory, increase of intelligence and gaining persuasive speech. I am very happy Hecelus is taking his Manjushri retreat seriously, as it will definitely help him in his studies. May he make his parents proud.
Do have a read at Hecelus’ sincere card below, and send him your wishes!
Tsem Rinpoche
Click on image to enlarge
Dear: H.E Tsem Rinpoche
HELLO, I’m HECELUS TAN. First, I would like to thank you rinpoche that give my mum a wooden craft Shakyamuni and me a manjushri. I have been promised rinpoche that do my manjushri retreat yearly, so this year I will continue. Second, I would like to add something new into my retreat. I would like to add 100 bowls water offering, 1500 tealight offering, 3000 times prostration, 300 times 35 cofessional Buddha and 3000 malas manjushri mantra. I would like to take one month to do this retreat. I will do 10 times 100 bowls water offering, 50 tealight, 100 times prostration, 10 times 35 confessional buddha, 100 malas manjushri mantra daily during retreat. I will do more if I have time. I hope rinpoche will giving my retreat blessing. I will try my best to making more offering to buddha. Actually I wish to invite a medium size Vajrayogini that her face is painted into golden colour and making jewel and pearl offering to her. Every year I will saved my pocket money for retreat. I hope in future I will have her sacred statue and get Tantra practice from rinpoche.
May rinpoche long life and dharma works growth.
From: Hecelus Tan Yong Chean
8/3/2012
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Thanks to Hercules for this inspiring post that gives a head start on what I can suggest to my daughter is going to turned 15 this year. She did silent retreat and took a month long vege vow, perhaps it’s time to do a proper retreat.
I hope the young Hercules is doing fine now and might be better !
Thank you Rinpoche and Hercules.
Rejoice for Hecelus to engage in retreat during school holidays. What a great way to spend instead of indulging in video games, movies and hanging out with friends. I am sure he will inspire more teenager to engage in retreat as this is a cool way to spend their holiday too.
Rejoice to this young man Hecelus Tan who is only 15 years old at that time doing a wonderful first Manjushri retreat. Such a sincere and inspiring young man spending his free time doing retreats and prayers. With his parents support and Rinpoche blessing he is so determine to do more offerings during retreat in future. May Hecelus Tan be an inspiration for more people to do retreats and learn, practice Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Rejoice to learn about the young Hecelus who displayed keenest and determination in Manjushri retreats. He is proactive by including more offerings like water offering, candles offering and prostration in the retreat. This is very inspiring. May the young Hecelus be nurtured in his spiritual path and achieves attainments that can benefit many people in the future. Thank you for this sharing.
Dear All
I would like to share with you the sacred prayer of Manjushri – A Concert Names of Manjushri (’Jam-dpal mtshan-brjod, Skt. Mañjuśrī-namasamgiti), which consists of 160 verses and mantra sentences. One version is translated by Alexander Berzin, a scholar, translator, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and the other one is from FPMT.
Valentina
Rejoice for Hecules for completing his puja and retreat during his school holidays. So determined in dharma even at a very young age. I still remember that I mostly spent my time watching tv and playing during my school holidays.
I have been to retreat twice recently and it was a good time to calm our mind from the busy life.
May Hecules sharing will inspire more people to engage in retreat and dharma practise.
He is only 15 and he can think in such a way… wow! He is really a special boy and has definitely has very very strong Dharma imprints in him. It is indeed very rare to come across anyone of this degenerate time who can think in this way… gosh even senior students like me don’t think in this way! I say it with much humility to this young special mind of Hecelus who has such pure aspirations for Dharma.
I believe he will be a great inspiration to many when he grows, in fact he is already inspiring many now at only age 15! I sure believe in imprints and reincarnation when I come across such sincere stories. Definitely I don’t think Hecelus’s mother or father coached him in to such thoughts and told him to write in such a way in a card. Amazing!
rinpoche let boys be boys climb trees act like monkeys let men do pujas and study sanskrit if there was a weakness it is this enlisting young boys or young girls not often found as soon as we can lets eliminate the practice of enlisting boys or girls into the practice let them become men and women and then after let them see themselves andrew the drunk monk australia
Very happy to see Hecelus using his free time to do retreat in such a young age. Not many children will have this kind of merits that wanted to do puja and reatret by himself. Jean Ai, Jean Mei and Clifford were fortunate enough to do Manjugsri retreat too. Nowaday very hard to have young people like them willing to sit down and do retreat like this. They will rather stay home and play game, watch TV, internet surfing etc. Hecelur started in such a young age, countless mantra will accumulated and a lot of karma will be purified.
Manjushri practice is one of the most popular practice and it is good for the young and old.
You can also bless young babies by chanting Manjushri mantras and blow into their mouths, over their faces etc. This will open up their seed to eloquent speech as well as their wisdom potentiality.
I rejoice in Hecelus’ completion of his Manjushri retreat .
Thank you Hecelus for inspiring us being being one of our youngest members to have completed and retreat and aspiring to do even much much more. Manjushri will help him with his memory and wisdom. I rejoice for you and your parents for your deep interest and wanting to engage in Dharma so much. Dharma can only benefit us.
Hecelus是个不多话的孩子，每逢学校假期他总会拨电话给月谊讲法师说要到克切拉参与活动，他是多么的兴奋与期待成为一分子。
Hecelus是有福报的，在这么年轻就接触到佛法以及对仁波切有很深的因缘在。很开行他善用多余的时间做对自己有意义的文殊菩萨闭关，相比于现代的年轻人Hecelus是令人敬佩的。
Hecelus你要坚持这一份信念，祝你学业以及未来人生更上一层楼！
wow dear boy you must have overflowing love of life so big it can not be measuered by man or animal Hecelus Tan Yong Chean谭勇铨
It’s incredible that a young boy like Hecelus can think like this. He’s 15 years old and is so interested in doing retreats and aspiring to receive tantra from Rinpoche. A kid his age would normally be playing sports and partying with friends. I strongly believe that it is his strong imprints from his previous life. How wonderful!
i m verry happy to here that 15 year old boy do manjushri practice.free time hi did many offreing to buddha.may manjushri bless him.
I have met him once in KP Viva Home outlet. He came along with his father to get a set of offering bowl. though he doesn’t talk much but it was quite a rare case to see a young boy to shop for Dharma items.
I only play games and having fun for the age like him.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. Congratulation to you Heculus Tan and you show a great aspiration and inspire others in many way. I rejoice for you.
This young boy is so special. When I was 15 years old, well, read comic, skipped school, went to club… But this boy actually sat down and does Manjushri retreat.
I met Hecelus few times, very polite and friendly. It is also his strong Dharma imprint to have met Dharma and Manjushri in such a young age and his parents are very supportive as well. I rejoice for him!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post….
I really fully respect of this young boy, that he can spend his time for do his Pujas and retreat…
I rejoice for him..
“WOW’ is the only word that I can say to this. Young Hecelus is an inspiration to me! I am so ashamed to be older than him yet I have not even achieved half of what he has done. This goes to show that his past life imprint is so strong. Truly amazing!
Thank you for sharing this, Rinpoche. 🙂
Much care,Jess
Dear Hecelus
I’m happy to read this post that at such a young age, you are able to distinguish what is good for you and is able to prioritize your time. Many at this age are drawn to so many other readily available distractions which no doubt is fun… but short term. While you get both short and long term fun and benefit with your practice.
I wish you much success in your spiritual journey!
i m admire at Hecelus who have clear mind and firm on his choice.Parents also play important role on support Hecelus.this is also my wishes that my daughter who have received the Manjushri blessing will practice it when they growing up.
Great to see another young person taking up Dharma and wanting to do more for the benefit of others. All the retreats and prayers Hecelus has made and will be doing is going to benefit him very much in the future. His mind will open up easier for him to absorb Dharma knowledge. Hence, he will be also be able to teach the Dharma! How exciting!
Hecelus，你能在年纪小小就遇见佛法，遇见上师，用幸运来形容实在是太表面了，更重要的是你紧紧抓住了这段因缘。更值得一提的是，你把时间、精力和金钱规划在修行上，但愿你在修行上的心愿一一达成！谢谢你，你给了大家可以借镜的经验。谢谢。
Wow, i am very touched with Hecelus’s determination. Such young age and he already hold on to his promise to Rimpoche for his retreat and his good motivation. I rejoice for Hecelus’s completion of his Manjuhsuri retreat. You set a very good example to the rest no matter adults or kiddos. Apart from touched, i am very proud of you. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. This is very inspirational.
Dear Hecules,
I rejoice for you for completing your retreat. You should be very proud of yourself too for doing something that not only benefitted you but your parents as well. Many other younger people when they hear of what you have done will be inspired and follow suit.
Congratulations Hecules. May your studies be successful and you will be able to engage in more retreats.
When starting young, one can have much more free time for personal practice – also if one wants to work for/or serve in the religious community, one can work with full aspirations to enhance one’s spiritual knowledge. Likewise, in all successful achievers, like our Rinpoche, who was said to have “finally reconnected formally with the deep seated imprints of his previous lives”, at 14 when he first received initiation from Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin, though not without much psychological torture from parents. May Hecelus be well blessed to bask in the glory of Dharma and be able to steadfastly achieve his spiritual desire successfully!
Wow, such a young boy. Hecelus really show a very good example to many for his determination and how much he loves Dharma.
Many kids at this age would not be able to do so and he’s really inspiring. He must have some imprints.
Hecelus, you are an inspiration for everyone.
you are so young yet so wise to use your school holiday time to do a retreat which is precious than watching TV, play games and other entertainment.
And i sure you gained benefit from the retreat, hence you want to continue in following years with the increasing of offering..
Hecelus is really a good boy! He is so lucky to meet Rinpoche and Dharma at such an early age.
Well done Hercules !! Your mom must be so proud of you . You are an inspiration to me and I am sure many others too !! Truly rejoice for you.
This boy puts a smile on my face. A beautiful child who writes a beautiful card.
Rejoice for Hecelus Tan wanted to start his second Manjushiri retreat.
I remembered he did his first retreat at Jamyang house few month ago. Every day he woke up early, he setup Manjushiri altar and change offering every section for his retreat.
Although his only 12 years old, he did not spend much time at entrainment. Unlike some child these day. He find time to focus on his spiritual practice. I total rejoicing for him getting Manjushiri blessing at such young age.
It is indeed very unusual for a boy at this age to engage in a retreat, to want to do more and even aspire to receive Vajrayogini practice. Most of us cannot even recite 10 malas of mantra a day, let alone the water retreat, prostration retreat.
I remember seeing him in Kechara last year when he was doing his retreat. He really enjoyed it. I rejoice for him.
rejoice for your effort.keep up the good work.
A very inspiring young kids he is, so young and yet so wise on spending his free time.
Don’t talk about teenagers, even adults also never put spiritual practice as their priority, everyone is chasing after their desire. For Hecelus that being able to start his practice so early, it is very fortunate and lucky.
From the message wrote to Rinpoche, can understand you (Hecelus) have strong faith on dharma and your spirit remind me how to use our free time use to engage to do dharma practice.
glad for your achievement.
WOW!!! HECELUS, 15 yrs old!! He is not only example for the youngster, he’s everyone example.
We all rejoice for you & your beloved family Hecelus ^^, ^^,
May u be blessed, continue your Dharma practice and able to bring & bring the Dharma to others soon!! ^^,
Rejoice Hecelus, i m very proud with u and u will be a very good example for our next generation. Congratulation Hecelus…
This is wonderful and extremely encouraging for anyone to read, at any age. It’s true that at 15, most of us wouldn’t be anywhere near spiritual practice. I didn’t even know what “practice” was!
What strange but serendipitous merit he must have to be able to engage in such powerful practices at such a young age. Rinpoche has often shared that what we’re doing now is what we’ve been doing all along. We’re all “tulkus” in our own ways – not necessarily good ones (!) but hey, we’re all back doing what we most probably did in our previous lives. So some of us are gambling tulkus, or lazy tulkus or partying tulkus… If we want to know what we were doing in our previous lives, we look at just what we’re doing now (which is either an incredibly encouraging thought, or a terribly dismal one). So it must be indicative of something quite special that such a young boy is so naturally and passionately inclined to doing retreats – while most kids his age can’t sit for longer than 10 minutes.
Well done Hecelus. Keep it up. It only gets better 🙂
Proud of you Hecelus…proud of you! True inspiration! May you always blessed by the 3 Jewels and may your wish come true, to have your Vajrayogini statue soon:)
Woww…Hecules did good job and good example to the young people.I will sharing this article with my 2 kids,hope that they also can follow what he did.May he continue his dharma pratice and his wishes can come true very soon !!
I remember during one visit to a bookstore in town with Pastor Yek Yee, I met this young boy in his school uniform running out from a shop with a picture of Manjushri. He told us he is going to photostat this picture of Manjushri. He looked so excited and happy. I was impressed and talked to myself “This must be an imprint from previous life.”
At that time, he already mentioned he wanted to do a Manjushri retreat during his school holiday. I didn’t expect he really did it. I am happy for him. Hope he can continue with his Dharma journey all his life.
Hi, Hecelus. You are young but so consistent and determine in Dharma practice. I feel so happy for you. I want to learn your strong mind and commitment in doing retreat which would eventually bring huge benefits to yourself and others around you.
Keep up the good work brother Hecelus. See you next time and I rejoice for you 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing _/\_
With Love,
VP
Yes, Hecelus has strong faith and determination.
Many young people at that age only interested in computer games or sports.
May you progress steadily on your spiritual path, Hecelus.
What a inspire story, Hecelus! Rejoice to know that.
May you continue your practice and be a Dharma teacher one day and able to bring the precious supreme Dharma to others and get them free from sufferings.
After reading Hecelus letter ( a letter that he wrote to Rinpoche ), felt that Hecelus is so sincerely for his Dharma practice. I am rejoice for him and will assist him for his Dharma practice.
_/\_
I am most inspired by Hecelus’s discipline, devotion and dedication to the Dharma. I rejoice for you Hecelus . Such a young age yet so wise !
Very good!!! Such a young boy and he is already doing retreats and is adding more commitments like 100 bowls water offering, 1500 tealight offering, 3000 times prostration, 300 times 35 cofessional Buddha and 3000 malas manjushri. He is also saving up for something good such as a medium sized Vajrayogini statue rinpoche. Really hope that he will get Vajrayogini Tantras in this lifetime!
Dear Jutika, you and Pavara can aspire to do the same as Hecules too. It brings tears of joy when I read Hecules’s letter to Rinpoche. So sincere.
About 7 years ago, Jean Ai, Jean Mei and Clifford did Manjushri retreat too. They completed 100k Manjushri mantra each. They did the same the following year.
Keep this in mind and start planning now, ok?
Most teenagers prefer to spend their holiday just having fun but for Hercules he prefer to go into retreat. What a wise and beneficial way to spend his holidays. I rejoice for him!
hungy children are most likely to do or say anything necessary to release not only themselves but all of the family from famine
om
ah hum om
Wow.. I’m so happy for Hecelus for realising the benefits of Dharma retreats and knowing how best to spend his holidays! How I wished I had his wisdom when 10 years ago. Very sincere and self motivated young man. I rejoice for him and his family.
Wow! What a brilliant boy. Could he had been a yogi from Tibet in his previous life?
How nice if more of our children and youngsters of Hecelus’s age to make full use of their holidays and free time to engage in retreats.
Way to go Hecelus! May you be an inspiration to more youngsters to join in this meaningful retreats.
Hecelus Tan is so lucky to have met dharma at such a young age and doing his retreats diligently, he even wants to save up his pocket money to invite a medium size Vajrayogini statue and offer jewels and pearls to Her in order to get tantra practice from Rinpoche in the future, i rejoice. May Hecelus Tan’s wishes will come true.
So young yet so wise to choose to engage in a retreat during his school holidays. And wiser still to commit to want to do it again on a “bigger” scale.
Congratulations Hecelus. You are an inspiration.
Oh boy! He is special and even luckier to have come across manjushri at such a tender age. In Bhutan all the children does majushri prayer and national anthem everyday before they start their class.
The commitment level shown by this young teenager is magnetic and inspiring. I wish many young people out there can see the benefits it can bring for them to do a short retreat like Hecelus Tan, instead of watching TV and play video games.
This is a great achievement for a young boy Hecelus Tan! Rejoice for what he has achieved and may Hecelus continuously to achieve for more!
What a bright news this is to my day.
How really nice this is.
We should have more people like Hecelus that are inspired and then inspire in turn. How wonderful it would be to receive news like this every day, every hour… till they are no more “special” news…
congratulation to Hecelus Tan for completed his retreat and also committed to continue his retreat every year.
Hecelus chooses his school holiday as a retreat period , he is setting a very good example to the youngsters. Rejoice for him!
What a lucky boy indeed!!!! I am so jealous and at the same time I’m glad he has the opportunity to practice dharma whole-heartedly. I have a feeling he will be a great in the future.
The first time I met Hecelus Tan was at the Setrap puja held every Monday from 8PM in Kechara Paradise in Viva Home. He was there with his parents. Throughout the briefing before the puja commenced, Hecelus was quiet and listening intently. He is now visiting Kechara House in Sunwaymas.
It is so beneficial that Kechara Paradise retail outlet in Viva Home is able to offer people to get connected with dharma, as with the other retail outlets in SS2, Sunway Pyramid, One Utama and Penang.
Wow.. such young age and have good aspirations. May we have more youngsters practice retreat so that our future generations will be able to continue the lineage.
thank you!^^