I listed some of the people I admire, find interesting, respect, etc… Next to them, I list a few of the qualities I perceive that draw me to them or make me respect, admire them or both or just find appealing. Some of the people I have met or some I have not met, yet their presence, their being, their lives, their particular quality have somehow touched my life and keep me going. They touch other lives or simply the lives of those who interact with them daily.

What I listed as the qualities (not good or bad, just raw neutral qualities) in them which stand out immediately for me but their good qualities are no way limited to just what I see and wrote….I don’t judge people for what they are or not, just some qualities in them I like…..For example, Elizabeth Taylor is not a hero of mine per se and certainly she lived her life in a way that some may find unappealing, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about her daring to live her life irrespective of criticism from others. I like this particular trait. How she lived and what she did is not for me to judge, but just the single quality of living not from fear of criticism is one quality I like in people. She is just an example for all the others I’ve listed. So I’ve listed off the top of my head some people and the qualities I saw in them….true or false is not the point…this is just a sharing…

 
H.H Dalai Lama (for knowledge, courage, dedication, driven, focused and way of life solely for others, revolutionary)

 
Je Tsongkapa (incredible lineage, attainments, revolutionary, wisdom, perfection)

 
Buddha Shakyamuni (Everything)

 
Shantideva (inspiring, gives purpose)

 
Naropa (inspiration, direction, attained the goal I wish for myself)

 
H.H Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (knowledge, attainments, dedication, devotion, hardworking, tireless, wisdom, humour, visionary, mahasiddha, humility)

 
H.H Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche (attainments, tantric results, humility)

 
H.H Kyabje Zong Rinpoche (changed my life, attainments, tantric results, profound knowledge, powerful, erudite, humour, commanding)

 
H.H Penor Rinpoche (driven, powerful, pure dharma)

 
HH Gaden Tripa Lungrik Namgyal (assured, focused, driven, loyal, confident, unafraid, pure dharma, strong, commanding)

 
Dorje Shugden (direct, honest, open, modern, dynamic, unafraid, powerful, wise, enlightened)

 
H.H Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche (compassionate, pure dharma, harmonious, mesmerising, charismatic)

 
H.H 16th Karmapa (pure dharma, powerful, courageous, visionary, charismatic, commanding)

 
Her Eminence Rev Cheng Yen (Taiwan) (selfless, courageous, lived a life for others only, inspirational, revolutionary)

 
Jill Robinson (courageous, selfless, loving, caring)

 
Madonna (driven, hardworking, disciplined, confident, creative)

 
Mother Teresa (selfless, lived a life for others, dedicated, focused, compassionate)

 
King of Thailand His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (visionary, dedicated, uses his education for his people, steady, dutiful to his duty/people, spiritual)

 
Mr Henry Ooi (loyal, pure agenda minded, spiritual, sincere, intelligent, high EQ, open)

 
Mahasiddha Kukkuripa (loyal, simple, attained, genuine, ascended)

 
Magadha Sangmo (focused, devout, strong, faithful, self sacrificing, attained)

 
Nicholas Roerich (visionary, brave, spiritual, wise, intelligent, influential)

 
Jane Goodall (sacrificing, visionary, caring, selfless, altruistic, inspirational)

 
Ms. Neerja Bhanot (sacrificing, compassionate, unselfish, inspirational, hero)

 
Sakya Sonam Tsemo (spiritual, genuine, meditative, attained, ascended)

 
Tina Turner (strong, resilient, talented, spiritual)

 
Emperor Kangxi (wise, erudite, hardworking, fair, benevolent, visionary)

 
Kache Marpo (loyal, selfless, quick, focused, powerful, benevolent, steady)

 
Datuk May Phng (loyal, generous, adventurous, resilient, softhearted, kindhearted, genuine, high EQ)

 
Mr Chia Song Peng (steady, loyal, spiritual, resilient, simple, high EQ)

 
Mr Loh Seng Piow (sacrificing, loyal, caring, dedicated, sincere, simple, undemanding, reliable)

 
Anila Thupten Chonyid (simple, spiritual, dedicated, focused)

 
Ms Irene Lim (generous, caring, loving, kindhearted, hard working, loyal)

 
Ven Rev Dhammananda of Brickfields (outspoken, courageous, knowledgeable, dedicated, committed, charismatic, commanding)

 
Ms Gerber (art teacher-Land O’ Pines School-New Jersey) (wise, generous, honest, caring)

 
Ms Kuan or Kuan Mama (loving, caring, steady, stable, generous)

 
H.H previous Panchen Rinpoche (courageous, attained, stable, dedicated, leadership, powerful)

 
Jangtze Monastery’s Gen Nyima (attained, mahasiddha)

 
H.H Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche (mahasiddha, attained, knowledgeable, pure dharma)

 
Professor Steven Hawkings (logical, driven, focused, knowledge, can overcome insurmountable odds)

 
Mr. Justin Ripley (kind, loyal, helpful, hard working, genuine, sincere, supportive, sacrificing)

 
Joan Rivers (witty, intelligent, quick witted, resilient)

 
Mr. Chiune Sugihara (caring, sacrificing, visionary, skillful, genuine)

 
Erich Von Daniken (brave, forthright, direct, knowledgeable, courageous, dare to be different, eloquent)

 
Pastor Yek Yee (hardworking, sincere, gets results, steady, compassionate)

 
Ooi Beng Kooi (caring, honest, sincere, genuine, intelligent, simple, result orientated)

 
Jp Thong (straight forward, honest, hard working, unmaterialistic, loyal)

 
Carmen Koo (can accept hardships, honest, result orientated, sincere, true friend)

 
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (steady, devoted, erudite, firm, visionary, strong, attained)

 
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen (compassionate, sacrificing, erudite, visionary, attained)

 
Geshe Gelong (spiritual, pure dharma, pure practice, pure devotion)

 
Geshe Tsondrue Wangchuk (dedicated, hardworking, loyal, caring)

 
Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen (caring, knowledgeable, skillful, focused)

 
Drayab Thobden Rinpoche (knowledgeable, skillful, pure dharma)

 
His Eminence Kensur Lobsang Pende Rinpoche (humble, kind, caring, knowledgeable)

 
Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Losang Nyima (attained, maha practitioner, simple, pure, pure dharma)

 
Anila Lobsang Dolma (Los Angeles) (dedicated, spiritual, pure devotion)

 
Khong Jean Ai (can make sacrifices, open minded, young yet giving, competitive, hardworking, activist)

 
Shin Tan (loyal, kind, gracious, giving, generous with her knowledge, simple, not materialistic)

 
Lew Kwan Leng (honest, action orientated, deep thinker, hard worker, activist)

 
KB (steady, even, kind, honest, open, sincere, loving, uncomplaining, simple)

 
Ms Yong Kong Meng (sincere, generous, loving, pure dharma, loyal)

 
Jan Salter (courageous, kind, selfless, generous, strong)

 
Elizabeth Taylor (lived as she liked, not afraid)

 
Steve Jobs (focused, visionary, revolutionary, pragmatic)

 
Gandhi (self-sacrificing, intelligent, powerful, pure intent, commanding)

 
J. K. Rowling (perseverance, doesn’t quit with adversity, practical)

 
Panchen Sonam Drakpa (erudite, attained, knowledgeable, selfless, wisdom)

 
Tsawa Puthok Rinpoche (selfless, patient, spiritual, compassionate, simple, direct)

 
Grace Jones (creative, expressive, visionary, artistic, strong, talented, unafraid)

 
Chuah Su Ming (stable, focused, loyal, generous, hardworking, sacrificing)

 
Professor Jeffrey Hopkins (focused, beneficial, dedicated, spiritual, honest)

 
Ven Thich Nhat Hanh (compassionate, erudite, skillful, courageous, commanding)

 
Dr Martin Luther King Jr (human, caring, brave, courageous, powerful, commanding)

 
Martin Chow (generous, direct, sacrificing, loving, loyal, intelligent)

 
My grandmother Dechen Minh (loving, sacrificing, caring)

 
I admire, find interesting and/or respect these and many more for various reasons. Some because they never give up. Others because they have honesty and courage. While there are those that in the face of whatever difficulties they are your friends forever-wow. Some are very kind, generous, giving and have only one agenda- because they care they help. Some are very caring as it’s their nature cultivated or spontaneous. A few the way they live their lives is so useful to others. Some have tremendous inner challenges, yet they know it’s just them and plug on. Some are so stable and just get things done. Some are very good friends. Some I admire because they can make tremendous sacrifices for others. Some just give courage, strength and inspiration because they are unselfish. Some because they explain things to us and we understand more. There are many reasons I admire and respect people. There are more people and reasons than these listed, but these are who comes to mind for the moment…..I am sure the list will grow.

Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche

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