The Official Kechara New Gompa Opening!
On 27th November 2010, marked the official opening of our new Kechara gompa!
On that night 630 people gathered to mark the start of a brand new chapter in Kechara’s history. It was celebrated in the usual Kechara style: organized, fun, loud and modern! Hehe With traffic flow down Jalan Kechara blocked off to provide ample space for the grand marquee and concert stage, guests started to come from 6pm onwards. Guests were ushered in by graceful dakinis who were wearing traditional chubas…and the air-conditioned marquee was a very modern and classy setting for guests and members to mingle over some mocktails and canapés. They were catered by our very own award-winning Kechara Oasis! Hehe
The marquee also provided the perfect base for guests to pop in and out of the newly-opened Kechara Care gallery. I’m so very proud to say that the gallery was totally conceptualised and designed by Kechara members! The Kechara Care team worked very hard together with our graphic designer Cynthia Lee, to produce such a beautiful gallery. The gallery is a wonderful visual history of Kechara’s background and humble beginnings. It explains to new-comers my background and Kechara’s vision. It really covers the past, present and future.
After members and guests enjoyed Kechara Oasis food and had a short tour of the gallery, they made their way to the open air stage where Margaret Lee made an offering of a performance of the Vajrayogini dance! Performed live for the VERY FIRST TIME in Malaysia, Margaret (aka our renovation Queen!…as she’s constantly renovating Kechara departments! hehe) spent days to work on her Vajrayogini dance with professionals. Her costume is on its own very beautiful, and a lot of people enjoyed watching her solo performance.
Margaret’s set was the start of many more cultural performances, including a Tibetan cultural dance and candle dance choreographed by Mr Woon Fook Sen and Ms Chan Soo Leng of Legend of the Conch Shell fame. The Tibetan cultural dance was performed by professional dancers who were part of the Legend of the Conch Shell. Manjushri Kid’s Class and other Kechara members did the candle light dance. How wonderful it is, that both “amateurs” and professionals can produce such beautiful performances to watch!
As per Tibetan tradition, I arrived to the sound of longhorns and smell of fragrant incense to officiate the event, and to accept the offering of the gompa (prayer halls). The longhorns were bought straight from Tibet, arranged by my personal assistant Monlam. The organizing committee really wanted to have the official opening as traditional as they can get it to be in Malaysia hehe
Stepping onto flower petals and shaded by a golden parasol, I recited auspicious prayers before cutting the ribbon.
Over the cut ribbon, and as an auspicious light rain began to fall, guests filed into the gompa for the very first time with ushers guiding them all the way into the main prayer hall. As they slowly got seated, members and guests were able to make offerings to the 3 beautiful Buddha statues…Tsongkhapa, Vajrayogini and Setrap. They are Kechara House’s 3 main yidams.
It seemed like not too long ago that students and friends have had to squeeze into Kechara House 1 and 2 whenever there is a teaching. It would get so packed that there would be students leaning against the front door! At the new gompa, Datuk May Phng (President of Kechara House) was able to invite guests to be seated comfortably after which she gave an opening speech to explain the purpose of the new prayer hall and the significance of that day.
After entering the new prayer hall, I made three prostrations and made offerings of body, speech and mind to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s throne. On behalf of the Kechara Organization, Datuk May did the same towards me. She then offered me a full set of keys for the gompa and I signed the commemorative plaque before giving a short discourse.
There I was able to announce the happy news that we have gotten the approval for the opening of: Kechara Animal Sanctuary!
Amongst those in the main prayer room who received the good news were Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr Victor Wee, who is the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and kind patron of Kechara Soup Kitchen. Kechara were also fortunate enough to receive esteemed sangha member Ven. Saranakara, the Chief Monk from the Sentul Temple, as well as Datin Paduka Mother Mangalam Iyaswamy Iyer, the co-founder and president of the Pure Life Society.
In attendance also were Her Excellency Maria Isabel Rendon, the Argentine Ambassador to Malaysia as well as Ms Anne Woo, formerly of the Nanyang Foundation.
Seated near Ms Woo was Dato’ Eric Tan, one of my friends whom I’ve known since I first came to Malaysia and gave Dharma teachings in Singapore. Mama How and Papa How also came for the opening…they were the ones who gave me a place to stay when I arrived in Malaysia. They opened their home to guests who came to seek audiences.
My beautiful Aunt Matza, her daughter Sara (my cousin) and her daughter Katee (my niece) flew down specially from New Jersey (USA) where I grew up in, for the gompa opening! It was my Aunt Matza who offered me sanctuary from a difficult childhood and home life, and Sara who kept in touch with me for the past 30 years. To have them here in Malaysia, at the new gompa opening, was surreal and it made the day even more “complete”..
I began giving teachings from people’s houses, then from an upstairs shoplot in SS2, before moving into Kechara House 1 in 2001. Now that we have a gompa that fits 700 people in the prayer hall…people still had to sit a little outside the hall..behind glass doors!!
The Buddha taught that opening gompas (prayer halls) and Dharma centres, and rebuilding old ones is a tremendously powerful way to generate good merit. The presence of a gompa is enormously beneficial for its immediate surroundings, the country, region and the world at large. Why? It is not so much the building itself (after all, that is only really brick and mortar!) but what it signifies. Symbolising the flourishing of spirituality, a gompa is a place for people to learn and meditate, and to contemplate on the Dharma that is conveyed there.
It is quite incredible how much Kechara has achieved since we started in 2001. It really shows how much can be achieved when everyone shares the same vision and they use their skills and put in the effort into making it work. A lot of people think that only the retired or society’s losers join dharma. Kechara proves them wrong. Everything that made the official gompa opening day work was completely done by Kecharians. They organized the event, they designed the gompa, they oversaw the gompa construction, they designed the marquee, the invitations cards, the set design, the schedule….etc etc etc. They did everything from top to toe, and the day turned out flawless.
A lot of volunteers came to help out that day, asking for nothing in return. They did so in any way that they could, whether it was doing the guest registration, or helping out in the gift section, or the live streaming…they all did it because they wanted to be a part of something that helped the greater good. They wanted to do something that benefited others.
It was the collective energy that came from my students and friends that made the day what it was…a great success.
Tsem Rinpoche
THE NEW GOMPA OPENING, PART 1
THE NEW GOMPA OPENING, PART 2
A WALK THROUGH KECHARA’S NEW GOMPA
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL with the KECHARA GOMPA COMMITTEE
(click on the photos below to enlarge)
Shin (right) as live streaming host, with Matthieu Morrisett (left) filming.
Photos of the beautiful, modern and chic Gallery all done by Kecharians right next to our new gompa. Do take a visit anytime. Our team did a wonderful job chronicling my life story in pictures with facts they have gathered meticulously.
JP (middle photo, facing us) and Louis (3rd photo, in pink) giving a tour to guests of our Gallery.
Students and guests sign in at the reception
Photos (left to right) of Dato Eric Tan & friends, Datuk and Datin Ng, Mr and Mrs Lee & friends, David Lai and Ven. Saranakara
Friends from Penang (far left: Patsy Gooi)
The marquee was designed by Andrew Boon, Kecharians and full-time Ladrang staff! the marquee is just outside the gompa and set up for the hundreds of guest to register and have dinner deliciously catered by Kechara Oaisis.
(left) Guests trying the chocolate asparagus by Kechara Oasis! (right) Johor study group friends!
(left to right) My cousin Sara Andreyev, my Aunt Matza, Joy, Jean Mei, my niece Katee. They flew in from the States
Guests enjoying the food catered by Kechara Oasis and mingling in the air conditioned marquee
Margaret performing the Vajrayogini dance for the very first time in Malaysia. Fashionista Eric Choong did her costume!
Manjushri Kids Class and other Kecharians performing the candle light offering dance
Professional dancers performing a traditional Tibetan dance just before the opening of Gompa on a stage set in front.
The view of the gompa before being lit up!
Beautiful Kecharians wearing traditional Tibetan chubas watching the performances
I just arrived to the new gompa for the ribbon cutting
Datuk May Phng offering a khata to me on behalf of Kechara
Making prayers in front of the new gompa just before cutting the ribbon
Officially cutting the khata with the 8 auspicious signs and then we all enter into the new Kechara Gompa!
The gompa lights are lit…before walking into the new gompa
Guests and Kecharians start making their way towards the prayer hall
Slowly they file in
Students and guests make their offerings towards the Buddha statues
Datuk May gives the first official speech in our newly Gompa in front of guests from around the world
Arriving after Datuk May’s speech to give a talk
Making offerings towards H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama’s throne in our Gompa. It signifies His Holiness’ presence and blessings in our new Gompa always. His Holiness’ throne is permanently in our Gompa.
Offering a khata towards Lama Tsongkhapa
Offering towards Setrap
Greeting my many friends who came that day
Signing the commemorative placard!
Datuk May offering the keys to the new gompa
Giving a talk to the wonderful guest assembled in the new Hall
Dr Lanse (behind the window) translating for Chinese speakers. They were able to hear her via wireless headsets.
Saying my goodbyes to students and friends
Students and friends continue to make offerings to the Buddha statues..
Malacca group taking a group photo
Press conference. (right) Datuk May and Mr Ngeow (liaison and Head of Education)
The new gompa after the event!
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1984 Los Angeles-Left to right: Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, monk assistant to Zong Rinpoche and the 18-year-old Tsem Rinpoche prior to ordination. Read more- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/me
View
A poem inspired by seeing a picture of my teacher, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche…
In the sport of correct views,
all that is correct is just a view,
without permanence or substance.
As long as we hold onto views,
our sufferings are gathered
to be experienced without end.
Without the strong methods of emptiness
and compassion, bereft of merit,
we sink deeper without respite.
To arise from this samsara is but
a dreamscape on the deluded mind.
Therefore seek the guru, who confers the yidam,
hold your vows and fixate on liberation
free of new creations. Free of new experiences as
there are none.
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Composed in Tsem Ladrang, Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2014
I was walking past a second hand shop on Western Ave selling old things. They had a Japanese-style clay Buddha which was beige in colour on the floor, holding the door open. I thought the shopkeeper would collect a lot of negative karma without knowing if he kept such a holy item on the floor as a doorstop. So I went in to talk to him, but he didn’t look like he wanted to talk or that he even cared. So I asked him the price and he said US$5. I purchased it so he did not collect more negative karma. I was 17 years old and that was in 1982.
I escorted my new Buddha home and washed it lightly and wiped it. I placed it on my altar and was happy with the Buddha. I would do my meditations, prayers, sadhanas, mantras and prostrations in front of this shrine daily. When I left for India in 1987, I could not bring this Buddha along and gave it to a friend. It was a nice size and I made offerings to this Buddha for many years in Los Angeles. In front of the Buddha I placed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s photo. I remember I was so relieved that the price was affordable. But US$5 that time was still expensive for me but worth it I thought. But I was happy to have brought the Buddha home. Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
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Dear Rinpoche,
What a totally creative, nice, modern and a very purple evening!
I had the wonderful chance to be there to help and yes the atmosphere, food and performances were totally cool and something new.
The food catered by our very own Kechara Oasis was very very delicious and it was amazing how it was vegetarian and yet the food tasted great!
The Marque was something that kind of created the atmosphere that something fun and exciting was about to happen.
As the sun went down and the moon was starting to rise I could see a lot of people from Malaysia as well as from countries such as U.S, Singapore, Shanghai and so many other countries arriving at our event, registering, touring the Gallery, having some food, having a chat or touring the place.
All in all it was a great night and I was glad to been able to attend.
Thank you Rinpoche for giving your blessings and prayers for the Gompa…. As well as thank you for the very profound Dharma Talk you gave that night.
Rest Well Rinpoche….
Love
Jutika
[…] The Official Kechara New Gompa Opening! […]
It’s going to almost be a year since the opening of our Kechara Gompa!
I wish to thank Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, the sponsors, the team, the volunteers and all the people behind the creation of this magnificent gompa as it has brought me many benefits; from attending puja to lamrim classes, making offerings to doing other activities. If it wasn’t for these people, I wouldn’t have a gompa to go to to do all of the above.
What more is that the gompa is truly contemporary – not your average gompa but it has been done with beauty, style, elegence and a modern twist to suit the people of today’s society. Although the outlook of the gompa is unique and different, it still serves the same purpose as a gompa – people are still benefitting from it and doing pujas. This goes to show that outer appearances don’t matter much – it’s the core that will hold the forte.
Reading this post brings back a lot of good memories about the opening. I still remembered before the opening, we planned and planned for the live streaming, and running up and the down the streets to test out the wifi connections, 3G, etc…
A friend of mine who came to help taking photographs during the event has passed away. It reminds me of how life is so impermanent, and we should work hard to contribute to others.
The night of 27th Nov.,2010 saw more than 630 people, both young and old, gathered together to witness the official opening of our New Kechara House Gompa, the start of a new chapter in Kechara History. To make way for the grand opening celebration, the main road right in front of Kechara House new gompa was closed to all traffic to provide space for the installation of vast air-cond. modern styled “Marquee”. This is to enable guests to mingle over soft mocktails and canapes, catered for by our award-winning Kechara Oasis Vegetarian Restuarant – all “KECHARIAN style”. Like Ani Kunzang in her comment said ” so wonderful to see the strength and beauty of the Dharma manifest in this way”. This is all due to the untiredless efforts, guidance and unfaltering patience and compassion of our guru, Tsem Rinpoche, leading a group of devoted students and grateful friends with the collective energy to follow and adhere to our Rinpoche’s wisdom words of advices and instructions – ” To make the day what it was…..a great SUCCESS!”
Congratulations to Rinpoche and Kecharians! I am very proud to be one of them!
Thank You Rinpoche and Kecharians for making it happenned! The Gompa is very beautiful..may those who walk into this Holy Place will be blessed by Three Jewels, and may they bring happiness, peace to others..!!!
Such a joyful time for all the Kecharians!
This is a very Kechara event — big, eventful and out of the box. Which Dharma center would have an opening of this scale that caters to the needs and expectations of the general public, rather than to what a ‘temple should do’. I feel that this celebration embodies the spirit of Vajrayana – caring for others, based on what they need, rather than what we can provide.
Kecharians have worked very hard to achieve this, both mentally, materially and spiritually. Because they really care about the people out there. And I am very proud of them, my Kechara family 🙂
Rinpoche – so wonderful to see the strength and beauty of the Dharma manifest in this way. Thank you for your vision and commitment to all beings. It is wonderful that thru your presence and the devotion and fortitude of your students, this Gompa has come to life. And I was very happy to read the sentence about the Animal Sanctuary, too. I wish you and your Sangha many more such auspicious events celebrating the presence of Bodhicitta in our world.
OMG, real fun shopping with a Dharma talk in between. Its really a lot of food, KSA pantry is testament to it. Thank you Rinpoche for your infinite kindness and always making sure no one goes hungry, thirsty or is uncomfortable. The chocolate drinks – there are many packets in KSA. 🙂
Rinpoche, Thank you so much… knowing of Kechara is the greatest gift of all.
And the crowd that follow Rinpoche closely… i couldn’t have chosen a better role model to follow. I hope one day, i’ll be able to walk among you =)
The Gompa rocks! gotta love it!
During or at the conclusion of a successful event , I have heard it said that it is about the effort not the triumph.
I would have to say that the official opening event is BOTH a triumph and a celebration of effort.
It is a triumph due to the purpose the Gompa is built for – which is to benefit everyone and what it stands for- a place to honour virtue and enlightenment and the fulfilment of our Lama’s vision.
It is a celebration of effort due to the total commitment of money, blood, sweat and tears by Kecharians and friends to ensure its completion with harmony and integrity.
Wow! This is the highlight evening of the year! What lovely pictures of the people, events and of Rinpoche himself. It is really a wonderful day and it is a culmination of more than a whole year’s preparation, planning and execution. It is also an exciting milestone for Kechara and what it hopes to achieve and that is basically KWPC.
Rinpoche looks resplendent in his golden hat and full robes! The awe and majestic of Rinpoche sure has got everyone awe-struct and what was even more awe-inspiring was Rinpoche fantastic talk on true spirituality is through finding similarities instead of differences between religion and people. With a huge screen, Rinpoche sure looks like the Dalai Lama! Well, that’s what everybody are saying after the talk.
Congratulations to Rinpoche and all the Kecharians. The opening of the new gompa marks a great milestone of more bigger and bolder plan to manifest for Kechara in the near future.