Once Upon A Time With Rinpoche
The idea for the online series ‘Once Upon A Time With Rinpoche’ came about from my prior commitment with H.E. Tsem Rinpoche to write about my experiences with Rinpoche for the blog. I thought I would marry that idea with an online programme. I figured that people are generally more engaged with visuals and videos, and would prefer to watch me tell little stories rather than read a blog article.
There are many people from around the world who would have liked to meet Rinpoche and experience what it was like to be in his company especially up close and personal. Due to my good fortune of having proximity to Rinpoche all these years, I think I am in a position to present a unique perspective of Rinpoche. In this manner, Once Upon A Time With Rinpoche was born. In this series, I share many of my personal experiences of what went on behind the scenes, and each episode centres on a particular theme.
I met H.E. Tsem Rinpoche in 2003, which was about 19 years ago. At the time, Rinpoche was in lay clothes and I hardly knew anything about Buddhism. When we met, Rinpoche told me that he was a lecturer of Buddhism, which got me intrigued. Rinpoche’s English was superb, his explanations were simple yet thought-provoking, and these led me to start understanding Buddhism better. I eventually became a student and part of a growing organisation called Kechara. I tell this story in greater detail in the earlier episodes of the programme.
I hope that this series will bring people closer to Rinpoche, and that you will come to know him the way I had experienced over the years. In a nutshell, Rinpoche was completely different from anyone I had ever known in my life. His energy, direction and dedication reveal a powerful lesson that it is possible to practise compassion and wisdom in this day and age of materialism and self-indulgence. I hope that this series will inspire faith in Rinpoche, Kechara and the Dharma.
In every episode, I had a few items on the desk which are significant of my time with Rinpoche. During the show, people would sometimes ask about them and so I thought I would share it here as well.
Photo with Rinpoche
Unfortunately, I didn’t think of taking or keeping photos of myself with Rinpoche in the earlier days. Hence, I don’t really have many photos of myself with Rinpoche. This is the last photo I took with Rinpoche not long before Rinpoche’s parinirvana. In this sense, the picture holds poignant last memories from that period.
Dharma Brickbear
This Brickbear was a gift from Rinpoche many years ago. I think this was not long after my first book, ‘There’s No Way But Up’ was published. At that time Rinpoche said that this toy is to remind me that I always have Dharma in my heart just like this Brickbear and that I should always remember this.
Manjushri Statue
In the early days, Rinpoche taught about turning birthday celebrations into something more meaningful by taking the opportunity to make offerings and so forth. Therefore, I once offered Rinpoche a Manjushri statue in celebration of my birthday. Rinpoche was very pleased and made offerings to Manjushri on my behalf. Later, Rinpoche would offer me this statue of Manjushri in return. At the time, he also explained that my yidam is Manjushri or Lama Tsongkhapa.
Once Upon A Time With Rinpoche – All Episodes
For more interesting information:
- Beginner’s Introduction to Dorje Shugden
- My Short Bio in Pictures
- VAJRASECRETS by Kechara
- Kechara History
- Dorje Shugden: My side of the story | 多杰雄登：我这方面的说法
- The Parinirvana of H.E. Kyabje Tsem Rinpoche
- The Phenomena of Oracles
- My Life with Mumu
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I really enjoyed this short series very much about Rinpoche. Really hoping to have more in the near future…..hehehe. And hope Rinpoche will return soon to KFR to spread dharma. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for your wonderful sharing. 👍😘🙏
Looking forward to watching this series by nice Pastor David. His talks are lovely and delivered in an adorable way depicting his precious relationship with his guru who bestowed on him precious dharma. May you make Rinpoche happy and proud always 🙏
Watching the videos of once upon a time with Rinpoche by Pastor David had me understand more of Rinpoche . Truly a unique perspective of Rinpoche through the eyes of Pastor . Interesting indeed to know how Pastor came to meet Rinpoche to learning and many more. Coming to know Kechara had me changed to where I am now….learning, practicing Dharma. At the time of commenting this blog I am half way through watching the videos. Will watch all the interesting episodes from A to Z.
Thank you Pastor David for this sharing.