How Dharma Changed My Life
“Making a thousand friends a year is not a miracle. The MIRACLE is to make A FRIEND who stands by you A THOUSAND YEARS” – H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche
I never knew that meeting H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche more than 20 years ago would change my perception of life so completely. In 1995, bored with doing nothing much with my life, I grabbed the opportunity to visit Gaden Monastery in India with a group of relatives and friends upon invitation from Rinpoche who asked us to stay in his residence, Tsem Ladrang in Mundgod, India as his guests. Rinpoche was very friendly and warm and our group spent time with him in his small little room which he used for prayer, work and sleep. Watching Rinpoche work made me realise that it was the first time I had met someone who was so caring, compassionate and giving.
I grew up in a very comfortable and sheltered environment yet was not content and complained that life should be better for me. But there in the cramped room, Rinpoche was working so hard on administrative works, correspondence, sorting out funds and items to be given out to the monks and the poor needy families, as well as sharing Dharma with us. His teachings were logical, practical, full of wisdom and conveyed in a relaxed manner. I then realised that he was not an ordinary monk but a special yet down-to-earth Lama. I also realised that there was so much for me to learn in order to cut away my self-cherishing mind and that Rinpoche would be the perfect teacher to guide me as I liked Rinpoche’s approach to Dharma.
Rinpoche told us to “change ourselves inwardly, not outwardly” and that real Dharma practice is about mind transformation. He told us to remain as we are from the outside but to read, to learn, to gain knowledge and to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings into our lives and transform from within. Rinpoche makes Dharma and everything so logical and easy to understand and he is so sincere and full of compassion. That one week stay in Tsem Ladrang changed my view of life completely and I am glad that I went.
The beginning of my spiritual journey in 1995 at Gaden Monastery
Rinpoche’s kindness did not stop even after we left. He was guiding me all the time from afar and I received letters, Dharma books, gifts and advice from him very frequently. I finally met Rinpoche again when he came to Malaysia and I had the opportunity to host and serve him occasionally. I also observed the hardship Rinpoche had to face while spreading Dharma in Malaysia. It was very challenging yet Rinpoche persevered out of compassion for sentient beings. It is through his kindness, hard work, perseverance and strong Guru devotion that we have Kechara today.
Throughout the years, I learned so much from Rinpoche’s teachings and many years ago, when there was an economy crisis and my family was facing financial difficulties, Rinpoche was kind enough to introduce Dorje Shugden’s practice to us. It was through Dorje Shugden’s help, blessings, protection and guidance that we were able to overcome the financial obstacles that we were facing. Another time, just a few years ago, when my daughter was having serious health problems while in the UK furthering her studies, she was mentally strong enough to undergo an operation because she had strong faith in Dorje Shugden and was confident that her operation would be smooth. She told me that she was reciting Dorje Shugden’s mantra all the way to the operation theatre.
A photo of Rinpoche and my family back in December 1996
I am a normal housewife who raised three children. I am blessed with a good life, a good family and everything a woman could ask for. Why should I get my hands dirty for others? I guess that despite all the comfort and material needs that I have, I felt something was missing in my life and one of Rinpoche’s wise quotes “Stop counting what you cannot do, but count what you CAN do and start doing it” was in me all the time. So it was in 2009 that I decided to get out from my comfort zone to set up a Dharma outlet in the Northern region of Malaysia to spread Rinpoche’s teachings and activities with the hope that it would benefit others as much as it had benefited me.
It was not an easy task, especially as I had minimal experience with working life, but with the blessings of Rinpoche and my two Dharma Protectors, Setrap and Dorje Shugden, I found the premises, raised the funds for the renovations and oversaw the operations of the Dharma outlet. While approaching sponsors for the renovation works, I learned to let go of my ego, be tolerant and skilful when dealing with people. I feel that Dharma work is Dharma practice and I represent my Guru and Kechara; so I had to do it well and do it right. As the saying goes “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching” so I pushed myself into doing it. Many asked me whether I found my work stressful. I told them I love what I am doing and explained to them that working hard for things we do not care about is called stress but working hard for the things that we love is called passion. And when we have passion in our work, we can excel and succeed.
The official opening of Kechara Soup Kitchen in Penang, 2011
A year after setting up the Dharma outlet, again through the blessings of Rinpoche, Setrap and Dorje Shugden, I set up a branch of Kechara Soup Kitchen in Penang to feed the homeless and urban poor. Rinpoche always taught us about practising compassion through action and I had seen Rinpoche helping the poor and destitute in India even though he had so little. That taught me to be giving and caring, and to be content with what I have. Through seeing the sufferings of the less fortunate, I realise that I am so blessed to be born with such conducive conditions and I should not waste this golden opportunity to make this human life more meaningful so that at the end, I can die without regrets. I still think, “Wouldn’t it be good to bring happiness to others too in whatever small ways I can contribute?”
Whether we engage in secular or Dharma work, it is not always easy and there will be many challenges. However, if we have faith in our Guru and Dharma Protector, then our works will be easier. In 2015, I decided to set up a Dharma centre in the Northern region so that the people here can have a strong spiritual bond with the Three Jewels and the Dharma Protectors Setrap and Dorje Shugden. It is also a place for them to take refuge, to seek solace, guidance, blessings and protection.
Many have asked me how Dharma Protectors can help us since they can’t remove our negative karma. Yes, that is correct but they have great compassion and are ever ready to help us. However, they can be hampered by our lack of merits so by doing their practice, it generates great merit and that in turn creates the causes for them to come to our assistance and for us to receive their help.
Throughout all these years, Rinpoche is still the same whether in private or in public. His compassion, wisdom, care and unconditional love is still the same as the first day I met him. Why it never changes is because Rinpoche’s motivation never changes. “Kindness emerges from someone who is confident and comfortable with themselves. A kind person is loving and giving out of their good heart” and this is exactly what Rinpoche embodies.
The official opening ceremony of Kechara House Penang in 2015
I am glad that I found my spiritual path although my spiritual journey has its ups and downs. It wasn’t smooth sailing all the way but the results and ensuing transformation are priceless. All I want now is to spend the rest of my life doing Dharma work and I pray that my life may be of benefit to others.
“Spiritual friends that guide us to do Dharma are true friends of wisdom and virtue”,
I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Rinpoche for being my spiritual guide and friend in this life and hopefully in all future lives. Thank you for being a friend who will stand by me a thousand years and giving me the best gift…the gift of Dharma.
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Thanks for Pastor Patsy’s sharing.it really touch me the kindness and teachings that you received from Rinpoche and how it changed you to set up great centre in Northen region.Your story inspired us to do more and should do our best to share Rinpoche’s teachings.
I did join KECHARA since 2015. I am so fortunate because I found my Guru , Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche shared Dharma in a very simple yet effective ways to everyone.
The ways Rinpoche treat animals influence me much and nurture me to be kind to animals. Altruism to all beings is most important in Dharma practices and mind transformation is the best gift to our Guru.
Thanks Rinpoche and Pastor Pasty to inspire me and I will do more Dharma Work to benefit more people in future.
Jason
I feel very fortunate to be in the Dharma and student of Rinpoche. It has made my life and time more meaningful, and helping Rinpoche to do social media at the moment and spreading dharma has been the greatest pleasure in my entire life. It has made my life sweeter and more challenging. And I wish you, Pastor Patsy all the same too in your spiritual journey in the north. Thank you for the wonderful sharing about your spiritual journey with Rinpoche.
Dharma remains and is the amazing philosopher’s stone everyone looks for, to transform their lives from no meaning to one that is filled with much meaning.
thank you pastor Patsy for sharing your dharma journey with us thus far. May you create a force in the north of Peninsular that will benefit many.
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story, Pastor Patsy _()_.
Rinpoche has done so much for all the beings who came across him. It was really moving to read your story written out of long experience and learning of dharma.
Rinpoche’s kindness,compassion,wisdom and caring that had guided many in their spiritual path. So Pastor Patsy was one of them. Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing your beautiful story and you are an example to all of us.We are fortunate to have Rinpoche here to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and guiding us all.
Quoted ….Kindness emerges from someone who is confident and comfortable with themselves. A kind person is loving and giving out of their good heart”
Thank you, Pastor Patsy for sharing your journey with us unreservedly. It’s wonderful to see how you’ve grown on your journey. This has given much faith. As we face our downs on our own journey, we can draw strength from your sharing.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing your spiritual journey after meeting H E Tsem Rinpoche.
From a simple house wife, a mother of 3 kids and a supportive husband, Pastor Patsy has pushed herself to come out of her comfort zone to open up a dharma outlet in order to spread dharma far and wide. A year later Kechara Soup Kitchen was established in Penang to help the urban poor and the homeless. It is very inspiring to see Pastor Patsy is benefiting so many people and also bring happiness to others, truly a role model for us.
As Rinpoche has reminded time and again, the Dharma is the solution to all problems but we must not be lazy and have the fortitude to apply it. In this case, Pastor Patsy walks the talk.
It was not very long ago after my family quite literally bumped into Dharma, that on a trip to Penang, we contacted Pastor Patsy via FB Messenger. Without any hesitation, Pastor Patsy hosted lunch and was the wonderful intermediary for Dharma as Kin Hoe has described below.
Well, as it turned out, this was an important part of us in connecting with the Dharma as I told myself, if Dharma was this good for Pastor Patsy, it must be good for us too. There must me something to it.
I thank Pastor Patsy and wish you well in all your future endeavors.
Thank you so much for the sharing, Pastor Patsy. Reading this sharing reaffirms that Rinpoche’s teaching transcend time and space. What Rinpoche taught 20 years ago, he teaches us today. Rinpoche’s teaching is monumental to us, of the pervasiveness of Buddha’s Dharma that is the truth and wisdom in the purest form. He is the Bodhisattva who practices infallible Buddha’s way of compassion, wisdom and renunciation. Rinpoche infuses dharma knowledge onto everyone and showers people who he comes across with loving kindness and generosity tirelessly, since 1995! We are really so lucky to have Rinpoche here to continue turn the wheel of Dharma.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for writing and sharing with the beginning of your Dharma practice until the current responsibilities you are holding as Kechara Pastor and Director of Kechara Soup Kitchen Penang Activity Centre in order to connect more people from outside with Dharma, compassion, selflessness, care, love and most importantly our authentic Tibetan Buddhism lineage of Gelugpa through the blessings and compassion from Rinpoche.
May the 20 years of hard work and dedication carried out by Pastor Patsy will inspire more and more people to engage and stay on with Dharma activities and continue to set the examples to anyone who is new in Dharma to focus more on what we can do for others rather than thinking of only benefiting ourselves which might end up with craving, more attachments, delusion and ignorance.
Thank you with folded hands,
kin hoe
Thank You Pastor Patsy for the great sharing of your spiritual journey. I am grateful to meet you and Rinpoche in my life. I remembered I met you in 2009 in Penang Kechara Paradise (a Dharma outlet), you were so skillful introducing me the Powerful Protector, Lord Setrap. Then in 2010, you setup a Setrap Chapel in Penang and again consistently and skillfully called me up to bring me to Guru’s mandala. I still remembered vividly in Oct 2010, you brought me to Kechara House to attend Guru’s Birthday Ceremony. It changed my life since then. I bowed my head to accept H.E.the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche as my root Guru after listening to His powerful teaching which touched my heart deeply. Thank You Pastor Patsy for skillfully bring me to Guru’s mandala and introducing me two Powerful Dharma Protectors, Lord Setrap and Lord Dorje Shugden, to remove my wordy obstacles and even saved my life from critical illness which was in life and death situation.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing this with all of us.I have benefited so much through the kindness of our Guru and also under the guidance of Pastor Patsy.I wouldn’t know any prayers or anything if it is not because of Pastor Patsy.She is the one who is there to assist us and i admired all the sacrifices that she has made.Happy Birthday to u Pastor Patsy.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing your experience in your spiritual path. Rinpoche is indeed the best role model to follow as he embodies the qualities of a Buddha. I guess every student has somehow benefited from Rinpoche’s works or Dharma sharing. Personally I have received gifts from Rinpoche which I truly treasure a lot. I know we are in good hands of our Guru who cares and loves us endlessly.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Thank you Pastor Patsy for your wondering sharing with us on your spiritual journey.
Rinpoche has inspired many to be in Dharma work and have a pure motivation to work for the benefits of other. He lead us by example. Without Rinpoche, many of us still doing something that is not beneficial to our own self nor others.
I am sure Rinpoche is very proud of your achievements and applying what you learn for the benefit of others.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing your dharma journey. It is a great encouragement for many as you show that determination will surely bring result.
It is important to practise dharma and to always focus out. When we keep practising this our mind will slowly transform to benefit others instead of feeding ourselves with all the greed, anger and selfishness.
This article has shown us the trials and tribulations of Pastor Patsy who has transformed from an ordinary housewife to a Kechara Pastor. It is indeed a privilege to know Pastor Patsy who has guided my spiritual growth and with Rinpoche’s blessings I have learnt to be a better Buddhist and dharma practitioner. As a team member of KSK Penang and the study group, I’m always thankful to be able to learn and practice dharma.
Happy Birthday Pastor Patsy.
Thanks and regards
Leonard Ooi
KPSG
Happy birthday Pastor Gooi
Thank you for sharing and enlightening me on the practices of Setrap and Dorje Shugden.
The gift of Dharma exceeds all other gifts.
Pastor Patsy is the ULTIMATE example of a truly strong ,remarkable and inspiring woman …….
She builds and nurtures her family ….. while also tirelessly looking out for so many others in so many ways …… no matter the pressure and the stress she has to cope with ….. she takes everything in her stride and is humble , compassionate and sincere ….. she inspire all of us to give more of ourselves …….
Pastor Patsy ….. THANK YOU ?so much for every single thing you do for us ….. I know many others feel the same way even though we might often forget to tell and show you how much we appreciate YOU .
May the road that you travel this year and all your life be a smooth one ……I am doing my best to travel that road with you …..
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Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing with us your dharma journey. It’s indeed a true blessing and your merits that you embark on this journey and met up with H.E The 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche many years ago. I whereby in Penang able to benefit Guru’s teachings through online and also through the opening of Kechara House Penang. Dharma path is not easy, but if we can be benefit of others, it’s definitely worthwhile and priceless in the end.
Thank you Pastor Patsy for sharing your dharma journey with us. It’s indeed a true blessing and your merits that enable to embark on this journey and got to know H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche many years ago. I am whereby in Penang able to learn up dharma and benefit from Guru’s teaching through online and also through the opening of the Kechara House Penang. Dharma path is not easy but if we can be benefit of others, it’s definitely worthwhile and priceless in the end.
Rinpoche is always so skillful in transforming other people lives, be it a normal housewife like Pastor or those working in a corporate world like Dato Colin. A great write up! It reminds us that it is always the best to be ‘in’ the Dharma. Thanks for your link given in the group, Pastor Patsy.
Happy Birthday to you.
Thank you.
It’s good to know a little more about you by reading this, Pastor Patsy. =) Great deeds have been done by you at the Northern region of Malaysia to spread Buddhadharma and to help those who are in needs. Doing dharma works and doing things that are going to be beneficial to people are never going to be easy. Going ups and downs along the path are given, at times, people could really want to give up and flight, but what are going to keep us in thè circle and being consistent on dharma works are the motivations on what we are doing. For instance, you’re setting up a soup kitchen because you wish to help people who are in needs, you wish to ease their difficult situations and help them to gain back their confident and step back into the society. By having these motivation of setting up a soup kitchen is definitely more beneficial and long lasting, if compared to one who want to be popular to feed their ego and gain side benefits of it.
May you live long and healthy, hence, continue to spread the Buddhadharma and benefit all sentient beings.