Why Malaysia?
Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was such a convincing and powerful lama. It was very hard to say not to him. He was my guru and he use to push me to do things that I wouldn’t want to nor even dream of… I was in my idyllic peaceful Monastic life in Gaden till one day he summoned me….
Last night I was on the beach in Kota Bahru (Kelantan State, East Malaysia) and decided to share about how I made my way to Malaysia back in 1992 and why. Who sent me here, why I came and my feelings. We arrived at the Beach around 5:30pm and the storm clouds had gathered already… so after talking for a short while, it started to pour (fun), then we went into a cover, but finally in the car. The cover was open on four sides so the rain was blowing in with the wind… hehehe. Couldn’t finish my story under the cover… the car became the Dharma stage… hehe.
Anyway it was really DHARMA ON THE MOVE last night with the storm and all… hahaha… but I did finish my story with the fury of the windy, beach storm going on outside the car… today we will be visiting some really interesting huge temples. I am looking forward to that… I saw the Temple on the internet and decided to visit and here I am… in the hotel, one hour away getting ready to go… it’s tsok day so will offer tsok in the hotel then visit the temples…
Read my blog post about His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche enters Clear Light here.
Tsem Rinpoche
August 8, 2011 10:55AM
Why Malaysia?
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Malay03-WhyMalaysia.mp4
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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
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
I am so grateful that it is Malaysia! We have everything going against us to have the presence of a lama like Rinpoche here, and yet we have Rinpoche. It is totally thanks to Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s kindness that we have Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara here today.
But I would also like to add, it is thanks to Rinpoche’s sacrifices that we have Rinpoche and Kechara here today. Without Rinpoche’s sacrifices of his time in the monastery, and sacrifice of his wish to go into retreat, none of us would still be here today.
Can you imagine having spent years yearning for the monastery, only to be ordered to leave and teach almost as soon as you get there?
Of course, Rinpoche would never view it that way because following Lati Rinpoche’s instructions is never a sacrifice (i.e. it is not giving up something good for something else where the consequences are uncertain).
But understanding Rinpoche as a person, Rinpoche having verbalised his wish to have stayed in the monastery and to enter retreats, Rinpoche shows us by example the power of giving up what we want the most in order to benefit others.
因为上师的一句指示，就必须跋山涉水，千里迢迢来到陌生国度。那一种煎熬如果不是有一份依止，就是这依止，内心才有寄托，才有使命来完成。
我们总觉得很多心愿都没有完成，很多事情没有做，很多地方还没有去过。人总会这样觉得：现在的不是最好的，还有更好的在后面，现在这些还可以拖延一些时间在做。殊不知自己定义的好和不好，是相当无知的。我们追求的经常是我们今世和过去世的恶业和习气所致。那些所谓的梦想可能是噩梦的开始，我们却不自知。用自己的无知去追求那份无知，放弃上师的教诲……
看了这视频，我可能也没有很明确找出那个让仁波切驻锡马来西亚的原因。然而在仁波切讲述如何跟上师拉谛仁波切辩论不来马来西亚的那段话很有趣，还告诉了我上述几个重要教诲。
唯有臣服才能快乐地做着自认为不快乐、不喜欢的事。唯有深信上师和他的教诲，才可能把内心所有的疑惑和不快乐赶出去，以信任取而代之。
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Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing the story with everyone here, it is indeed interesting to know how Rinpoche came to Malaysia, and what transpired during the course of being instructed by Lati Rinpoche to teach in Malaysia, as well thank you for explaining to us regarding the Oracle and Setrap taking trance. we are definitely lucky to have Rinpoche as our Guru here in Malaysia, knowing that with Rinpoche present, and with Kechara growing and bringing Dharma to many people which benefit many. i hope more and more people able to learn and benefit from Rinpoche teaching in coming days. with folded hands.
Dear Rinpoche,
To summarize what I learn from this blog’s teaching is “Guru Devotion”.
From the time Rinpoche went to Zong Ladrang until Rinpoche reach Malaysia it’s all about Rinpoche devotion to Rinpoche’s Gurus.
Serving or fulfilling the lama’s need is much beneficial and the Guru always knows what is best for us. Our perception on what better for us would not be better than the Guru advice.
Rinpoche misses the life in monastery but Rinpoche follow what Rinpoche’s Guru advice that will benefit Rinpoche and others better.
Thank you Rinpoche.
It is interesting that apart from H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche’s instruction to Rinpohe to go abroad to teach dharma and raise fund for the monastry, Lord Setrap has also played a significant role in convincing Rinpoche to leave Gaden Monastry to spread dharma abroad, of which through the oracle Lord Setrap has fortold that Rinpoche would collect more merits and entering retreat throughout Rinpoche’s life. This means that apart from H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, it is also through Lord Setrap that we have the merit to see Rnpoche in person in Malaysia, to listen to Rinpoche’s dharma teachings in Malaysia and to participate in dharma activities that are carried out the under the guidance by Rinpoche. In short, Lord Setrap has already had influence in our lives even before we get to know Lord Setrap ourselves. That is amazing.
The part on how H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche convice Rinpoche to go abroad and the corresponding responses to the request by Rinpoche to me is quite amusing, as in my opinion H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche wasn’t really sure how to persuade Rinpoche to go abroad and Rinpoche himself solved H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche problem by coming out the ‘brilliant’ idea of seeking advice from Lord Setrap.
The part on H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche crying and telling Rinpoche how proud he was with Rinpoche’s success in raising sufficient funds and spreading dharma abroad is very very touching, which to me is like a father crying out of joy and pride over the success of beloved son.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing with us the karmic connectionyou have with Malaysia. May Rinpoche be reunited again with H.H. Kyabje Lari Rinpoche again in near future. May we also have the merits to be witg H.H. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche in near future too. Thank you:D
Dear Tsem Tulku Rinpoche,
I have recently discovered you on youtube. I want to thank you for sharing the dharma. Your teachings have given me greater conviction in my practice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so open and honest and for your strong sense of conviction and motivation.
May you as well as all beings be well, in peace and happy.
i thought you hated beaches? i wanna go swim.
Dearest Rinpoche
Thank you very much for the sharing on your why YOU are in Malaysia. Thank you for being here with us and I am sorry that you are not happy here and yet you bring us so much happiness. I dont know why but it has brought tears to my eyes I really dont know why it offen happened. Thank you for the great reminder that “what we want may not be good for us” Thank you for your great compassion. Funny thing is that while listening to you over the internet, I have decided to make a change to my travel plan from Hangzhou China to go to Bodhgaya as a pilgrimage. I am going to do black tea to Lord Setrap to help me make this trip. Thank you dearest Rinpoche for your teachings behind the story of why Malaysia.
It is truly Dharma on the Go, Rinpoche. Earlier you were teaching from a trishaw in Penang, and now whilst walking along the beach and then in a car in Kelantan.
I like what Rinpoche said about doing what one’s Guru wants us to do rather than doing what one wants to do. As you said what one wants to do (most likely)comes from our mind of delusion.In the case of what Lati Rinpoche wanted you to do, there was no doubt that it was the right thing to do because it was supported by Dharmapala Lord Setrap.
Rinpoche shows us here, nay reminds us here, why Guru Devotion is important If we have faith in our Guru and Guru Devotion,we will know that whatever our Guru asks us to do will bring benefit to all beings and ultimately will benefit us as well.
I am deeply touched by Lati Rinpoche’s crying( out of joy) when Rinpoche managed to raise enough funds, on his first trip to Malaysia, to build facilities to house one hundred monks in Gaden Shartse who badly needed them.
It is sad that we give Rinpoche much pain when we misconstrue what Rinpoche intends for us and for our good and react in a negative way towards him.
Rinpoche, by your monumental efforts in teaching and spreading the Dharma here and creating a wonderful Kechara organization,with fourteen departments, you show us that this is what Guru Devotion and great Compassion are all about. You are unhappy here because you would rather be in Gaden Monastery. Yet you obeyed your Guru because he said your coming to Malaysia would bring tremendous benefits to the people, much more than if you were to stay in Ganden Monastery. Indeed this has come to past; and with the internet, your Dharma teaching is now on a global scale and is benefiting people every where in the world!
Thank you Rinpoche, for being here with us lucky Malaysians!
Very beautiful and touching!Perfect landscape for your kind of loneliness…Although I understand the educational purpose and that fact that you are human too, why claim out so loud that you are unhappy? All I can imagine is that you are really unhappy, if you come to say it so directly which would be very sad..which is very sad…If you already decided to obey, wouldn’t it have been more appropiate to keep silent on this aspect?How would you feel if your students would tell you, on a regular basis, that they will do what you are telling them, but they are unhappy? Or your students might be feeling embarassed/sad if they know that no matter what they do for you /as a person and as a teacher/ deep down inside you are still unhappy? Or, perphaps, if adopting a diabolical perspective, you intend to make everybody around you feel guilty and so they can send you back to the monastry :), with remorse and out of compassion? BTW, that would really be skilful way of araising compassion…Anyway, that was a touching moment , even for a faraway constant reader of you blog who dared asked some rethorical questions but who wishes you to be happy in this life, sooner that you would expect even in your most optimistic dreams….
Dear Raluca, I am glad you ask honest questions. I like them. I am honest about my feelings too…. My students all know I am unhappy as a Dharma teacher. I never wanted to be a Dharma teacher…My unhappiness does not affect my work, my motivation and my fortitude at all. I just do what I have to do. I know by being unhappy and doing what I need to do, will sow the seeds to become happy for sure in the long run and for the ultimate purpose…. So if one of my students told me the same, I would understand what they are saying and tell them they will be happy eventually by working for others. And to keep working…because in Samsara I and everyone else will be unhappy doing anything…all is just the same. TR
Dear Rinpoche,
I’m sure many like myself admire your candid exposure on how you got to where you are in your spiritual path. You have developed and grown Kechara to where it is today. Your students have got close to you. There is great plans for Kechara in Malaysia.
But if your heart is not where it is, what is going to happen to the future of Kechara – in terms of Kechara’s development plan, leadership, succession plan….when you do leave us?
Dear ST, For me not to leave, I need commitment, hardwork, and complete results from more and more people so we can accomplish a great goal and legacy… If I can forego everything to be here, then others can forego and participate in the works…. Just my thoughts. After all, growth and success does not depends just on the teacher, but also the students…So I am hoping that by me being here, it will move others to join me and do more. Together we can build a huge bridge as oppose to building a bridge on our own…I thank you for your thoughts…TR
Dear Rinpoche,
Like in any large growing organisation, it takes a lot to develop the kind of commitment to share a common goal and work concertedly as a team towards that goal and legacy. Only a few have managed to sustain with (1) an adaptive operating ‘model’ (2) a pioneer resource group that is committed to achieving the common vision and growth plan(3) clearly set milestones to be achieved within an agreed feasible timeframe (4) continuous leadership drive to connect, motivate and support the group based on intimate understanding of what motivates the team to perform.
Only you know best, Rinpoche but it may well be that you need to go back to the drawing board in reviewing what is needed to accomplish that common goal, assuming your current team has the necessary make-up and resource in taking the challenge forward.
If one way doesn’t work the way we expect it to, try another way without waivering in our emd goal.
For one, I have gone beyond rhetoric and offered myself to work in KWPC. I’m not sure where my application stand with the Committee.
Thank you Ven Rinpoche!!!
An inspiration to everyone.Keep Up the good work.
Thank you for telling about your life and your way to come to Malaysia. I can understand that you where not eager to go away from the monastery, that is a save place, you do what you have to do and be save within the system. I think it was some kind of brave of you to try to go against the will of your teacher, I would be a chicken (afraid) and not dear to go against a teachers will. But going beyond our borders is what we need to do, because otherwise we will not grow. Thank you for this beautiful lesson, and I loved to see the white light all around your head during this teaching.
Bowing to you in my mind and heart.
Thank You for sharing about the Dharma Protector–so wonderful.
Thank you also for explaining about the four Preliminary Practices and the optional two to remove obstacles.
I love this about what you said to follow what your guru tells you … When you listen and believe in your Lama the Oracle isn’t necessary.
Amazing how you trained up so quickly for your challenge.
The crying is so touching with your offering – you made him so happy and 100 monks so happy to have the safe facility. Benefiting so many! Thank You.
May Blessings of Attainments be yours !!
FAITH is miraculous.
NIce…
great majestic clouds.
The ocean grows on you.
I live 2 blocks east of the Pacific Ocean.
😉
😉
Hi Rinpoche,
I believe there is a typo error. It should be Kelantan not Kelatan.
I am unable to watch the youtube as connection is bad. will listen to it when i make my way back to the office.
cheers
alex