Rinpoche’s Gifts to Jess in Penang
Jess from Penang
Dear Rinpoche,
I have presented Rinpoche’s gifts to jess. She was very surprised but looked very calm. I will forward her sms to Rinpoche shortly. Have a safe trip back n thank u, Rinpoche, for your support and kindness. I hope u have a pleasant trip back.
Thank u from Patsy.
Dear Patsy,
When I received yr sms about Bill’s brother, I can feel how painful he is when he lost his brother.
Following few sms I received, I am glad Bill is staying in KL where close to Rinpoche’s student, and they were sent to help him immediately.In Rinpoche’s sms, WE CAN DIED ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING.I noticed some friends even just met him in past few weeks or maybe days,and now he is gone.
I feel sad for Bill ‘s brother, I wish Bill will stay strong ,and moving on and continue his dharma work.I realized we all just don’t take our own sweet time anymore,like what Rinpoche said, PRACTISE, TRANFORM AND CHANGE for the sake of ourselves and our loved once.
DON’T GIVE UP ON DHARMA, SAMAYA N VOWS.
Due to lack of merits, i am away from my guru,my centre,but i knew to practise dharma doesn’t need to be close to our guru and our centre. We can practise dharma anywhere,anytime. I can’t serve my guru, my centre as i am staying away from Rinpoche, but i am glad i can serve and volunteer in KP Penang and thank you so much that you gave me the opportunity to roll mantra there,and the effort you put in to start the weekly setrap puja,so that my family and myself were benefits from the puja.When i am at KP Penang,i learnt everytime you explained n sharing dharma to customer,and this benefits me a lot.
When i first joined the KSK distributed food in KL, i was wondering how can they distribute about 800 packs of food in 2 days,after that trip, i was like shocked of what i saw.
And in Penang, i noticed you did the same to the homeless here although not so many homeless you can find here, but at least some homeless here were feed every Monday by you and yr friends help.
I hope to continue doing this and would like to join in, and provide food to the homeless here in another day in a week. I will sponsor the food for another day, and hope can dedicate the merits to Rinpoche. May Rinpoche stay in good health. Maybe in future we are able to distribute 3 days a week or more…I hope i am allowed to join in and looking forward to hear from you.
Thank you.
Death is certain , life is uncertain..what are we waiting for… -sms from Patsy
I don’t wish to die someday without contribute anything that benefits others.
Jess
(I thought I would share this private sms and private letter from very sincere Patsy and very sincere Jess. I feel it will motivate, inpsire and be moving for people to read. Tsem Rinpoche)
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Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Jess’s letter. She has so much determination in learning and practising dharma and this is so inspiring. Distance is not an issue but our mind in accepting and transforming to better person is more important. Her strong mind reminds me not to give up but to continue to learn dharma and apply it everyday.
Dear Rinpoche and Jess,
I couldn’t stop reading through the whole article and the comments given by all. Seems like Jess has done a lot, and yes, a lot more than what I knew. I mean , WOW!
I knew Jess when she attended pujas with us and she is one of the pioneers. I am very grateful to Jess ( of course Pastor Patsy also) who has given more than expected and I am glad to know her. Thank you for your selfless dedication all those years, Jess. Hehehehe….looks like I can “poke” some jokes on her as her effort paid off by being “highlighted” in Rinpoche’s blog?.
Thank you to both Jess and Pastor Patsy for having Kechara Penang to this day.
I am also truly touched with Jess with her recent sharing with me on her experience with Setrap & Dharma. Thank you Jess for the frank sharing. It does make a difference with someone relating in person.
It is always good to hear how Setrap and Dharma make a difference in someone’s live.I am glad that Jess sharing with you will inspire you to put more effort in your spiritual growth. Never give up your dharma practice now matter how difficult it may seem to be right now.
I don’t know much about Jess nor have I spoken to her very much. I have notice everytime there is an event in Kechara House she will be there staying in KH hostel. Be it pujas, events or Dharma talks. I have read Jess sincere and very nice letter to Patsy asking Patsy to convey her gratitude and thank you to Rinpoche for the gifts Rinpoche has given her. She has also stressed that life is impermanent. She has also commented on Bill Keith’s brother’s death. And she realised that we may see a person today and he is gone tomorrow. She said although she can not do Dharma like feeding the homeless in KL. She is glad that Patsy has started her own little KSK group in Penang. She wants to participate and will also sponsor food packets too.
I really respect Patsy for her efforts in spreading the Dharma in Penang through KP Penang. She is so patient with everyone who walks into the shop, in explaining the dharma to them. Jess is so committed in her practice and would help out at KP in doing Setrap Puja on Mondays. Because of Patsy and Jess, I had the opportunity to start dharma study/practice with them. I would like to thank them and also Rinpoche for the guidance and blessings. We went for food distribution last night at 12am and managed to find more homeless people in the city area. So, instead of the 15 packets we distribute weekly, we had to pack more food. Next week we will be preparing 60 packets of food to be distributed. KSK in Penang is growing. I am blessed to be able to partake in these activities. Thanks Patsy and Jess!
I am very happy for you Jess. Mummy, am proud of you for sincerely guiding Jess to the Dharma. Jess had the merits to understand the Dharma and also practice it in her daily life. She is very sincere in helping and supporting my mother in whatever way she can in order to spread the Dharma and make Dharma grow in Penang. She will guide the new members on how to set up for the Setrap Puja, buying, sponsoring and distributing the food to the homeless and etc. Congrats Jess!!
It is really wonderful to see such a beautiful recognition from Rinpoche. Nice sharing of the photo shot…even more vibrating taken with the KWPC T-shirt.
My tiny heart feels so big from rejoicing with all of you! Jess is really a gem in a treasure box (Kechara Paradise Penang, to be specific)! CERTAINLY another dharmafarer for us to EMULATE – her DEVOTION to H.E. TSEM TULKU RINPOCHE manifests so clearly in her effort! All the travelling and help she renders in K.L. and Penang – all done WITHOUT MANIFESTING HERSELF; without any expectations of name or fame! And the cream of all – in true Penang fashion, i sincerely say ‘KAM-SIAH CHAY-CHAY’ (say, doesn’t it sound a bit like ‘THUKJE CHHE’?), TO H.E. TSEM TULKU RINPOCHE, WHO IS TRULY THE SOURCE OF ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL JEWELS – although the jewels were originally there, RINPOCHE GAVE THEM THE DISTINGUISHING, TRANSFORMING CUTS! KAM-SIAH! KAM-SIAH! KAM-SIAH, RINPOCHE! May the MANDALA of the PRECIOUS GURU sparkle with the BEAUTIFUL AND UNBLEMISH ‘GEMS’ OF PURE SAMAYAS!
Patsy is basically running the whole show in Penang and setting up KP Penang and also doing soup kitchen over there, she also needs to play the role of Kechara Care in Penang. By Patsy nurturing Jess I pray it will develop that Jess can contribute more to the growth of Dharma in Penang. We need to nurture and guide people who are new to Kechara and Dharma. Only then can they feel a sense of belonging and as they get more benefit from engaging the dharma they will learn more and be more open to do more. In our main center Kechara Care is a full fledged center and going to have a shop lot to do the Kechara Care activities. So you can imagine how much work Patsy puts into the Penang center.
I don’t know Jess, and I know Patsy very little, and I have never seen the KP outlet in Penang.
Yet, I find the messages from them very inspiring.
Being far away from one’s guru makes it harder, yet more commandable, to be giving one’s time and effort to Dharma.
Wow, I respect Jess’s commitment very much! And she can inspire so many others around Malaysia, and even around the world; one can engage in Dharma and be beneficial even if not geographically close to one’s spiritual teacher. If the Dharma is in you, the Teacher is never far away.
Bill’s brother’s death was both sad and shocking for its suddenness. On the other hand it was a very precious opportunity for us all to derive something meaningful from it.
Death is certain and the time of death is uncertain. However, the meaning is more real if we have someone passing away whom we have some relationship.If we can reflect someone’s death upon ourselves it is even more powerful. This is how Sakyamuni started his journey to enlightenment. When he saw a corpse, he did not think, ‘how fortunate it was not me’. He realized the same dire fate will befall him anytime.He did not waste time to find a cure to be free from it.
In that sense, no one’s death is in vain because its a profound lesson in reality and impermanence for us all and we should not wait anymore but use our time wisely for the betterment of ourselves and others.
Bill’s brother’s death was a rude awakening to many. It was a clear example of “Death is certain, Life is uncertain”. I do not mean any disrespect to Bill’s family but his sudden departure was a lesson for us who still do not take this to heart and attached to our delusions. How many stories have we heard or read of sudden death. We are all shocked for a few days and then get carried away again by the distractions in samsara. With respect, i commend Jess for realising this and putting it into practice. She “walks the talk”. Its not such a nice letter from her. She voluntarily comes to Kechara Paradise Penang outlet everday without being prompted to. She does any assignments thats required with much pride and joy. I saw her in action several times driving Patsy around to run errands and very sincere when serving the homeless. Jess has recently considered moving to KL as her wish is to be near KH and Rinpoche. However, she also has the merits to understand that geographical distance should not be the hindrance for one to work for the dharma but ant any place that one is needed most. Hence, she decided to stay back in Penang. Congratulations Jess for the realisation and Congratulations Patsy for nurturing Jess!
Like Jess, I can feel Bill’s pain for losing his brother. They were very close. l remember weeks before I bumped into Bill’s brother at the hospital where Bill himself was hospitalized for some reaction due to allergy. He was a robust chap, slightly on the heavy side, looked strong and alert and was happily chatting away with Bill about his children which Bill adores. How fragile life is. I don’t think he expected to die at all. Knowing this should be a wake up call for us. What if we were to die tomorrow. Have we taken advantage of our time before that to practice Dharma and truly transform our minds? During our lifetime, have we been practicing to become less selfish, less attached, less angry and at peace with ourselves so that at our death bed we would not trigger any negative imprint that will propel us to a negative state of rebirth? If not, having the inevitability of death staring at our face, what are we going to do so that we don’t end up in a place where we will regret or curse ourselves for not doing something when we had the chance?
I rejoice for Jess!! I totally agree with what Jess said, yea..what are we waiting for when death could come to us anytime.
I salute to all Jess’s energy to contribute to Dharma, for me it’s a key to happier life. I feel warm when I talked to Jess, she has the passion similar to mine, that to help in whatever way, whenever and whichever.
Sometimes outsider doesn’t seem to understand the reason why we are so into Dharma, I don’t blame them cause they didn’t see the value of Dharma yet. Like Rinpoche said, we don’t start to do Dharma when other people starts, we don’t do Dharma works because other people do, we do Dharma works for them.
Hopefully more and more people can see the true value and Dharma, and they turn the selfish mind to selfless mind, then the world will become a better place.
Yes it’s really good to see Jess putting effort in her dharma practice. She always tells me that she had wasted so many years doing meaningless things and now she wants to spend her time doing dharma work. I would like to share with you a testimonial that Jess wrote which I feel is very inspirational: Patsy
“When I came across an article by Sharon in November 2009, I was hooked and just couldn’t get enough of Rinpoche‘s dharma talk on youtube. After sometime, I decided to visit KP Penang to get my first 2 books. After I have finished reading the books, I went back to KP Penang to buy more books. I just felt so calm and peaceful after I read all those books.
I was at the crossroad during that time; I was helpless because of family issues and tired of in and out relationships all these while. My parents were not happy with their relationship at that time and I just don’t know how help them. The books helped me a lot as I realized that because of my parent’s lack of dharma background, their problems arise. Sometimes I just run away and avoid facing them when I see my mum sad.
On one occasion, when I visited KP Penang again, Patsy told me that Rinpoche have something for me.
I was shocked because I have not even met Rinpoche in person before! I received a Setrap Pendant from Rinpoche and was told to do Setrap practiced for my future and near future as it will avoid some things and to do it loyally and continuously. I felt so touched and blessed. I started my daily short Setrap puja by following everything in the box set and set up a little altar in my room with a Tsongkhapa and Setrap Tsa Tsa.
I realized I that I have wasted so much time for doing nothing and not benefiting anyone, and I just don’t want to waste my time anymore. My parent’s relationship became closer now and my mum is more stable and calm.
I know my family and myself were blessed by Rinpoche ,Tsongkhapa and Setrap .
I want to thank Sharon because of her articles that lead me to Rinpoche’s teachings and
Patsy because of her kindness in sharing the dharma and helping me a lot.
I know the only way to repay their kindness is to help in Kechara, to benefit others and be a better person.”
Jess
I first heard about Jess from Patsy when she updated about how Jess would go to KP Penang to help out and how she would spend more time helping out in whichever way she can. I had a chance to spend more time with her on a recent trip back to Penang and saw for myself how she takes it upon herself to help Patsy arrange and set up for the Setrap puja. She was there to guide the newbies and showed leadership skills with her patience and love for dhrama. And she has been coming down to KL to join our mother centre in the activities, most recently in our prayer session during HH Dalai Lama’s birthday. What a great asset to KP Penang and to Kechara.
It is so neat to have Jess apart of the KH extended family. I wonder if she is reading this because all of us appreciate that she is so far and yet she is taking care of KP Penang so well along with Patsy. She sounds very sincere and she looks like a very nice lady. I hope she stays long with us and inspire many people with her Dharma knowledge that she learn from Rinpoche and her associated with KH when she comes down.
I had worked in Kechara Paradise a few years back and it was a wonderful experience because one get to meet so many people. It is really an opportunity to share Dharma and convince them with our sincerity and with a little of PR skills. I loved sharing Dharma with customers at that time but unfortunately I was great as a salesperson. However, one doesn’t need to know a lot of technical Dharma to get people interested in the items. All the best Jess and have a great time benefiting and please help Patsy take care of KP Penang!
Check out Kechara Paradise for those new to Kechara at… http://www.kechara.com/shopping/
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Once again, the continued proof of Rinpoche’s ongoing legacy of love and compassion. Sadhu! to Jess and may your faith and Dharma practice grow every single moment and day!
Keep up the good work and may you continue benefiting all who come by your way!
I would like to said thank you to all of your support and advices.Yes,i am lucky that i met Patsy in KP Penang,she taught me a lot in Dharma,gave me advices and guide me in my spiritual practice.
I am glad that I came across Sharon ‘s article that connect me to Kechara so i went to KP Penang to get my first 2 books from KMP.
Rinpoche Dharma talk, books and his teaching help me a lot,i learn to cut off my afflictions,to accept,to love , to forgive and to give rise to insight.
My duty is to assist Patsy in Penang and to bring dharma to grow within myself and this region.
All dharma brothers and sisters from Kechara travel to Penang to spread dharma and Rinpoche’s teaching,i am glad that i have the opportunity to make them feel like home and welcome,just like when i first went down to visit KH,i feel so warm and welcome when i met all dharma brothers and sisters there.I learn from Rinpoche’s close student like Jamie and Sharon when they have book club here.I listened how Louise and Yvonne shared their working experieced in Kechara.In Kechara ,it was like everyday you are learning something to benefit yourself and others.
No matter where am i ,far or near to my Guru,i will always remember what his advices to me,and i must accomplish my mission.
Our outlets are reaching out indeed to all walks of life. Rinpoche’s vision of opening our outlets in the popular shopping malls or hot spots in town is mainly to make Dharma more easily accessible to the general public. Many people have gotten to know us or become a Kechara member is through the outlets. As such, outlet staff are a very important and integral part of our organization. They are our ambassadors in bringing Dharma to the many in the forefront. Check out more http://www.kechara.paradise.com
Jess is very lucky to have indeed met Patsy in our Penang outlet. And I can see that she immediately grabbed every opportunity to do Dharma work, be it volunteering or sponsoring. Jess, please do keep Patsy in company as she works very hard and single handedly taking care of the shop all by herself for a long time. I hope to meet you soon either in KL or Penang!
I came to know Jess when she came all the way from Penang with Patsy to join Kechara Soup Kitchen’s food distribution rounds and i have found her to be very sincere and helpful. She loves KSK and Dharma.
I am happy that Jess is has the opportunity to do Dharma still despite being away from Kuala Lumpur. Through the kindness of Rinpoche and Patsy to established an outlet in Penang, people like Jess got connected with Kechara and can do Dharma activities. Having volunteered in all the activities in Penang, she even kindly sponsored food to feed the homeless in Penang! I rejoice for you Jess. Keep it up!
Dear Jess,
Yes, the sudden death of Bill’s brother shocked many of us. I’m glad you got some insights from this unfortunate incidence. Even though you are not close to the Guru and Centre but your thinking and attitude surpass many of the students here at the KL centre.
You are lucky to have met Patsy in Penang. She is one of Rinpoche’s oldest students. Like you, even though she is far way she has been diligently serving the Guru, carrying out Rinpoche’s instruction with total faith.
I’m happy that you guys have set up a Setrap Chapel in Penang, having regular pujas and also started food distribution there.
Continue with the good work , hope to meet you soon.
Warm regards, Yoke Fui
What a lovely email from Jess in Penang. Even though she is far from our main centre here in KL, she volunteers at KP Penang and KSK Penang and even makes time to come down to KL to take part in our pujas or attend teachings. She also frequently attends the online streaming sessions of our Dharma classes. I have friends who cannot make it for puja even though they live in KL. It just goes to show that it is the matter of priorities for people – whether people value the opportunities they have to accumulate merit or not, which Jess obviously has.
*Loves Jess!*
I got to meet and hang out with her last weekend when we were up in Penang for the book club. We texted her at 1am to ask if she would take me and Monlam to the temples the next morning, and she texted back immediately to say she would. She’s such a sincere, kind person who has just given her all for Dharma up in Penang, to support patsy.
During our weekend, she spent a lot of time with us, took us to the temples and volunteered to help out at KP Penang at both the book clubs. Hehe it’s like she’s a part of the outlets already and not just a volunteer.
Jess told me also that they have indeed started giving out food to the homeless 3 times a week. She’s been working with Patsy to arrange to buy and distribute the food; Jess herself takes charge of one of the days in the week, including sponsorship and packing of the food. She even found a nice vegetarian place that would provide suitable food.
She also makes the effort to down to KL often to spend time with the main centre and participate in the activities. She said she’s even coming down for a whole week just to be able to participate in the Setrap retreat that starts next stuff. It’s really just so nice to see how Dharma is touching the lives of people all over the country and how they, in turn, are doing more and more dharma to also reach more people.
See you soon in KL yah Jess!
*Loves Jess!*
I got to meet and hang out with her last weekend when we were up in Penang for the book club. We texted her at 1am to ask if she would take me and Monlam to the temples the next morning, and she texted back immediately to say she would. She’s such a sincere, kind person who has just given her all for Dharma up in Penang, to support patsy.
During our weekend, she spent a lot of time with us, took us to the temples and volunteered to help out at KP Penang at both the book clubs. Hehe it’s like she’s a part of the outlets already and not just a volunteer.
Jess told me also that they have indeed started giving out food to the homeless 3 times a week. She’s been working with Patsy to arrange to buy and distribute the food; Jess herself takes charge of one of the days in the week, including sponsorship and packing of the food. She even found a nice vegetarian place that would provide suitable food.
She also makes the effort to down to KL often to spend time with the main centre and participate in the activities. She said she’s even coming down for a whole week just to be able to participate in the Setrap retreat that starts next stuff. It’s really just so nice to see how Dharma is touching the lives of people all over the country and how they, in turn, are doing more and more dharma to also reach more people.
See you soon in KL yah Jess!
I rejoice for you Jess
We can always serve our Guru wherever we are. Regardless we stay( I am also far from Kechara but i feel so near in spirit), as long as keep our samaya to our Guru, start to practice and benefit people in where you stay then we DO serve Guru and put Dharma in practice.
It is so nice that you can have Setrap puja weekly and join Patsy to help the homeless.
Continue the good work lor!