Jimmy Tan Joins Kechara Full-Time!
Another young and vibrant student has made Dharma his full-time career!
According to Jimmy’s colleagues at Kechara House, Jimmy is a very hardworking, committed and a great team player. He is always ready to help and be of assistance to the many calls we get in Kechara. Kind.
I also heard he is a very good cook too!
I am very happy to hear that Jimmy is dedicated to bringing the Dharma to others. He is a great addition to our Kechara family. May he gain much accomplishments in his spiritual practice. Everyone, please welcome him into Kechara! I welcome him very much!!
Tsem Rinpoche
[Written by the Blog Team]
Jimmy Tan has led a very interesting, focused and goal-orientated life. It’s with his positive outlook that led him to pursue his passion in the culinary arts after completing high school at the age of 17. He immediately set off to work in the kitchen, starting from the lowest of position and working his way up to a managerial post by the age of 21.
Having garnered much experience from an early age and convinced that being a chef was his dream, Jimmy accepted a scholarship from Genting International College. It was a 2-year certificate program where he was specifically training to become a kitchen producer. After graduating, Jimmy spent 7 years of his life working in international hotel groups such as Genting Group, Trader’s Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Equatorial Hotel in Penang as a chef. Jimmy was living his dream job.
However, after so many years working as a chef he began feeling uncomfortable that he was encouraging people to eat meat all these years. Due to this, he decided to quit his job as a hotel chef and join an organic spa called Eco-Borneo in Sabah, where they encouraged an organic lifestyle.
After spending a year in Sabah as an Organic and Raw Food Chef, Jimmy returned to Malaysia and took on a job at an organic food outlet called Just Life. It was during this time when he came across Kechara. He has always been attracted to Buddhism and Buddhist art, so when he first walked passed Kechara Paradise in Sunway Pyramid, he was naturally drawn to the shop. Unfortunately, one of his friends discouraged him from entering, and Jimmy thought that since the outlet was English-medium, it would probably not be suitable for him as Mandarin Chinese is his mother tongue.
Jimmy calls it fate, but just one week after that encounter, he happened to walk pass another Kechara Paradise outlet in One Utama. This time, Jimmy decided to walk in and it was there where he made his first real connection with Kechara. After a week, Jimmy visited Kechara’s main Gompa (temple) where he met Pastor Yek Yee. Ever since then, Jimmy has been actively volunteering at Kechara for about 2 years. When Paul Yap (Board of Director of Kechara House), offered him a position in Kechara, he eagerly accepted.
Jimmy shared with us that there were many reasons that he decided to pursue a Dharma career, but his main motivation was to repay the kindness that H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Yek Yee has shown to him during the most difficult period of his life. Just a month after knowing Kechara, his father fell ill and sadly passed away. Jimmy shared with the Blog Team that H.E. Tsem Rinpoche sent him encouraging messages and gifts in dedication to his father through Pastor Yek Yee. He was very touched by Rinpoche’s kindness of helping him and his family even though Rinpoche did not know him personally. He was overwhelmed with the kindness and thoughtfulness that was given to him, that this experience paved the way towards his Dharma career.
Today, Jimmy is a core team member in Kechara and works tirelessly to bring the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) to others together with Paul’s amazing team in Kechara House.
Jimmy’s funny side!
Jimmy has the experience and talent to make delicious, healthy and visually-beautiful food.
Jimmy and his friend at the Hard Rock Hotel, where they both worked for a few years.
Receiving his qualification as a certified Raw Food chef.
Jimmy was invited as a guest star chef on Malaysia’s TV program called “Wanita Hari Ini” (Women of Today).
Jimmy preparing fresh and healthy food for retreat participants at Kechara Forest Retreat.
Porridge and condiments for retreatants.
Jimmy preparing a menu with his “assistant chef” Pat. Pat is the chief seamstress at Kechara Saraswati Art.
Making buns from scratch!
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. Rejoice for Jimmy. May Jimmy succeed in his dharma work and spiritual path.
Congratulation Jimmy.May your spiritual path bring you joy,satisfaction and free from obstacles.Keep it up,your contribution towards Kechara have always being appreciated .
Great to know that another passionate person has joined Kechara full-time. I can see that he’s very responsible with his work and helpful, I would ALWAYS see him around Kechara or KFR whenever I go up. And his art of cooking— is magnificent! Great person!
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Welcome Jimmy Tan. Rejoice that u advanced on your spiritual path by joining Kechara. May you have a swift spiritual journey and benefit everyone along the way.
Rejoice Jimmy, for choosing to serve others fulltime. I was one of the participants in the retreat who was lucky enough to sample your awesome cooking. The menu made for us all was done with so much effort and consideration… You are definitely one that cooks with your heart 🙂 Thank you!
Rejoice Jimmy!从事佛法的事业确实是个不简单的任务、然而您已做了正确的决定并踏出了第一步。对于肯为佛法事业付出的勇气的确让我感到敬佩。但愿您能将您的厨艺发扬光大以便可以鼓励更多人减少吃肉而多吃素的风气。加油及 All the best Jimmy!
So HAPPY for you Jimmy!Welcome to the Kechara family!!! You’ll be an inspiration to many out there that thinks working for the Dharma is not cool, is bad, is low, means you’ve failed… talks of the ignorants will be silenced! You are not only taking care of yourself here in Kechara, but also your future lives. And all that stress you get from outside, all that is for no purpose… at least if there is any stress you experience it here, it is for a better cause and with a great Dharma family supporting you. So yaay to you making the best and right decision of your life… it will be a beautiful journey 😉
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the good news. Rejoice for you Jimmy! May you have a good start in spiritual path, gain more in Dharma and bring more benefits to people around us. You are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to work full time in Dharma.
Welcome, Jimmy! I got to know Jimmy when I see hum coming regularly for puja and to help at Kechara House. He also turned up often during Kechara organized events. Jimmy is very humble. Although he is chef by training I can see him doing non-chef related stuff, not being choosy. He has many qualities each of us can learn from.
Now Jimmy can put his culinary expertise into good use in Kechara Forest Retreat. Very happy for Jimmy to becoming full time in his spiritual career in Kechara.
Heard so much about Jimmy’s talents in cooking! Hope I can taste some of it real soon.
Welcome on board Jimmy!!!
It’s really nice to have a Dharma brother like you, who works tirelessly for others. You are very inspiring and may you have a wonderful spiritual journey 🙂
JImmy has such great merits to realize that being a chef doesnt mean that he has to cook meat. He is now still pursuing his dharma career by cooking delicious, healthy vegetarian meals. With all his past experience, cooking delicious vegetarian food is just a cinch. During the Tsongkhapa mini retreat at Kechara Forest Retreat on 25 – 26 Oct 2013, he conceptualized & catered the vegetarian meals for the participants. Everyone enjoyed his cooking very much. I actually looked forward to every lunch & dinner sessions but do not dare to over indulge as we were in retreat after all hence we have to control our “desire” and “attachment”. Jimmy is one of the testimonial that our Guru, Tsem Rinpoche has showered his love & care which helped Jimmy to become a greater person than he already is. Thanks to Rinpoche, Jimmy is now working in Kechara full time to benefit others. It is so wonderful for Jimmy to embrace Dharma.
Congratulations, Jimmy. Can’t wait to see you continually benefit others through your Dharma practice. I rejoice for your start of the spiritual journey of your life.
Oh wow, this article has revealed many things that I didn’t know of Jimmy. He is a very easy going, cheerful and helpful person. Now I know he’s a great cook. Yeah! Hope he is cooking during the Lama Tsongkapa Retreat on 14 & 15th December. Rejoice for you, Jimmy!
Rejoice Jimmy! Keep it up .Congratulations Welcome to our Dharma family!Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this good news .
Welcome to the big Kechara family! You have made the right choice!All the best to you, Jimmy, in your dharma career and spiritual path!
Congratulations for Jimmy to join Kechara full time. I was fortunate to try his cooking skills when joined the Setrap retreat, from the menu introduction and clearly indicated the benefits of each dish, Jimmy and the team really put in care and passion in the food that he prepated. It really touch the heart when eating the foods.May Jimmy have a fruitful spirituality path.
I hope uncle Jimmy can help everyone at kechara and spread the dharma well. he looks like a very good cook and those buns look great! i am glad he found kechara and is helping us now. thank you for sharing Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this good news.Rejoice for Jimmy Tan ! It’s inspiring to see more people join Kechara be a full time dharma worker.May your effort in dharma work benefit more people!!
Thsnks Jimmy Tan to joint full time in kechara. Appreciate your food that prepared during the Setrap’s retrat for us.
The foods very delicious and I love it very much.
Thanks.
From
Leu Chong Hin (KHJB)
Rejoice to Jimmy Tan, u are so fortunate to meet Rinpoche and Kechara hence contribute ur full time efforts to serve in Dharma.
May Jimmy Tan have a swift and smooth spiritual path hence able to help succeed all Rinpoche projects…
Jimmy Tan is a gentle and hard working young guy and he always serve with a friendly smile. Congratulations Jimmy, you have made a wise decision, rejoice!!
Yes Rinpoche, Jimmy is a good cook! Jimmy can be quite professional and meticulous in his works. He will take time to explain things if I don’t know something. He works quietly like you never notice he is there, but when the work is done, sure we will know it is done by Jimmy! 🙂 Keep the good work up Jimmy! Glad to have you in the Kechara family.
Jimmy is a great person to be with. He is always very kind and gentle to all. He helps whenever he can, and that he puts a smile on his face whenever when he helps others.
He is also a great cook. When he cooks for the events, the participants love it. They just cannot stop praising the great food that is served. Jimmy makes and does everything whole heartedly. I am very happy that he has joined the Kechara family to benefit more people.
Congratulations Jimmy and for making the smartest decision ever! I look forward to working with you. Kechara is also fortunate to have you onboard. You are a wonderful guy, talented (from the fabulous menu you came up with during the last weekend event in KFR)and very pleasant. A win-win situation for all involved.
Its always nice to have more and more people join Kechara full time. It shows that a lot of people are interested in kechara, and this will help a lot with the growth of Kechara, which would mean the growth of the Dharma.
I cannot wait for Jimmy to run a cooking skills program and would love to participate. Vegetarian Lok Lok anyone?
Rejoice for Jimmy to join Kechara full time.
Jimmy is a jewel given his vast knowledge in culinary skills as he will be able to contribute positively. During the Tsongkhappa retreat programme held in Oct 2013, Jimmy makes sure that every detail in preparing food is taken care of and ensure participants have enough food. He also went at length to list down the nutritions that participants will benefit.
Jimmy is very humble, good-natured and down to earth person. He is very passionate in his work and determine to help others without hesitation. He is also a great team player in all aspect of his work.
I sincerely congratulate Jimmy for joining Kechara and wish him swift progress and success in his work. May he be the light to aspire many young talents to join Kechara and spread Rinpoche’s teachings far and wide.
谢谢仁波切的分享。感恩jimmy师兄成为克切拉的全职职员，随喜！随喜！感觉jimmy师兄本来就是修佛的人才。他心地善良，为人和蔼可亲，文质彬彬，又乐意帮助人。此外他还是一个健康名厨，可说是后生可畏。祈愿jimmy 师兄圆满吉祥。
Jimmy Tan…..Congrats for talking up Dharma full time as a career…
It doesn’t matter whatever one’s background or occupation when it come to dharma. Everyone can be of benefit to others when one set thier mind to it. By understanding the benefit of Dharma. May many more inspired by you!
I believe Jimmy has been pondering for some time before making the decision to join as a full time staff in Kechara. Really admired him for the decision he has made.i am sure with Jimmy’s addition will benefit more. Thank you and congratulations Jimmy and may you have a fruitful path ahead.
Rejoice! It’s refreshing to see new blood joining Kechara, not to mention full time commitment. Jimmy is a soft spoken and kind hearted young man, and not to mention again who cooks delicious and presentable world class meals. If you would like to have a taste of his healthy organic cuisine, please look out for the frequent 2 days 1 night retreat session held in Kechara Forest Retreat. For more information, please contact Kechara House at +603 7803 3908.
感恩仁波切的分享与开示
随喜jimmy师兄贡献了自己，投身进入了佛法事业，佛法事业的道路不容易，然而却是如此的法喜充满，当投身进入佛法事业的那一刻，就背负上了救渡一切众生与弘扬佛法的责任，迎面而来即使是再多的困难，但是却是更贴近证悟的一大步
感恩仁波切的无限大爱，因在您慈悲大爱与加持下，成立了克切拉佛法中心及许多的部门，造就了我们能够有更多的因缘能投身参与佛法事业，在里面实践佛法的修行，让我们有机会累积跟多的福德资粮
佛法修行的道路不简单，参与佛法事业更面对更多的大风大浪，所有我们所面对的困难，其实都是我们自己无数世所累积下的恶因，而我们在净化中，当我们面对芸芸众生时，无论遇见多少状况，这也是一种磨练我们心识的机会，如修心八颂里的教诲，秉性邪恶众有情，恒为猛烈罪苦迫，见时如遇大宝藏，愿恒惜此难得宝。一切都是让我们学习的机会，吾昔饶益助某人，且曾深心寄厚望，彼虽非理妄加害，愿视彼为善知识。
祈愿jimmy师兄及一切佛法工作者在佛法修行的路上一切顺缘圆满，祈愿其他的我们及一切众生都能累积更多的功德，好有因缘具足的机缘让我们一起参与佛法事业
感恩仁波切祈愿您长驻在世常转法轮，无论佛法事业多难，我们都愿与上师您，风雨同路
Welcome to our growing Dharma family. Wow! You have many hidden talents. Didn’t know you could cook so well. Thank you for being an exemplary student of Rinpoche. I sincerely rejoice for you. 🙂
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
Indeed Jimmy is a kind and caring person.
I really rejoice to him being able to do full time dharma work in such a young age.
I personally never try his cooking before, but from the picture i can say that the food is really nice, with hotel standard.
I wish Jimmy will be successful in his dharma work and spiritual path.
I have had the opportunity to work together with Jimmy on many occasions. It is a pleasure to be in his company, as he is always ready with a smile.
Members and friends who have tried Jimmy’s cooking, sing accolades.
I have had the opportunity to work together with Jimmy on many occasions. It is a pleasure to be in his company, as he is always ready with a smile.
Members and friends who have tried Jimmy’s cooking, sing accolades.
欢迎Jimmy加入克切拉大家庭！
跟Jimmy在一起除了讨论食谱，还可以讨论健康和有机食品，他在这方面的确受过一定的训练，总是提供很好的咨询；当然他也会跟大家讨论佛法和他个人在这方面的体会。
我听闻许多参与宗喀巴大师禅修的朋友对Jimmy的厨艺赞不绝口—如果有人䏻通过健康饮食认识佛法、认识克切拉、开始对修行感兴趣，这的确是很好的事。努力吧，你可以的。
Congratulation Jimmy, welcome to become a part of Kechara family. He is a very nice person and very friendly too, that I had met him, when he volunteer at outlet Kechara Paradise Sunway Pyramid. Rejoice for you and keep do Dharma work to benefit more people’s.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this good news to us.
Welcome Jimmy to Kechara full-time. I rejoice in Jimmy’s commitment and gratitude towards the kindness of HE Tsem Rinpoche. For the past few months since the opening of Wisdom Hall in Kechara Forest Retreat, Jimmy has stationed in KFR often spending most days of the week in KFR. In KFR, he stayed in a bunk bed 4-person sharing cabin.
Jimmy is down to earth, hardworking, willing to learn, very hands-on, helpful, reliable, always cheerful and an excellent person to have around overall. His culinary skills proved to be a valuable asset to Kechara Forest Retreat as we kickstart KFR programmes. I have heard only praises for the menu and dishes he has come up with for the programmes. He always has a team of volunteer helping in the kitchen and you can just see even though it’s tough and hard work everyone is very happy to come and help out cooking for the Programme under Jimmy.
Jimmy is another testimonial of the results of Tsem Rinpoche dharma teachings. When we the students practice what our Guru teaches and show kindness, commitment, integrity and consistency in our dharma work, we will inevitably attract other people to dharma.
Jimmy is such a gentle, kind n caring person. He is also very creative in his trade. Although i hardly know him but he is definitely a person that i would like to get to know better and learn from. He is a great addition to our Kechara family.
Jimmy, may all your spiritual aspirations be swiftly fulfilled and your wonderful culinary skills bring vegetarianism to the mainstream.
Jimmy is a very kind person! He is my cousin bro! He used to encourage me and my family to join as volunteer at KH,do more dharma practice! I love him!
Ｔｈａｎｋｓ Ｔｓｅｍ Ｒｉｎｐｏｃｈｅ＇ｓ ｋｉｎｄｎｅｓｓ. Sｏ ｔｈａｔ ｉ ｈａｖｅ ｔｈｉｓ ｇｒｅａｔ ｏｐｐｏrｃｕｎｉｔｙ to make Dharma as my carrier .How fortune i am ;)
随喜 Jimmy Tan 成为了克切拉的正式员工，从此以后克切拉还会多了一名好厨师哦！因为我听说 Jimmy 以前是酒店里的大厨哦！
Rejoice Jimmy! Keep up the good work I think Kecharian will love to learn from u on eating healthy.
Congratulations Jimmy! Welcome to our Dharma family!
Thanks Sarah .I ａｍ ｖｅｒｙ ｈａｐｐｙ ｔｏｏ ｔｈａｔ ａｂｌｅ ｔｏ ｄｏ ｄｈａｒｍａ ｉｎ Ｋｅｃｈａｒａ ：）
I can confirm that Jimmy is an amazing cook. Had a chance to sample his culinary talent during our Lama Tsongkhapa Practice Program. His Lotus Root in Butter Sauce was so so delicious and am still dreaming about it. When complimented, Jimmy remained so humble. I look forward to sampling more of his wonderful, healthy food during our upcoming Manjushri Sadhana Practice.
Jimmy is a down to earth, friendly, passionate, humble and definitely an AWESOME cook!!! Rejoice for him to join Kechara and to start his spiritual journey here. If you haven’t tried his cooking, you have no idea how DELICIOUS it tastes!!! Rejoice _/\_
Rejoice Jimmy. Wish you have a great start in the spiritual journey. 🙂