~ I love creative spirituality! ~
My explanation of my feelings for doing these photo shoots
A few weeks ago, I spontaneously had the idea to make a new postcard series. The last postcard series I used Kecharians as models without me. This time I used Kecharians and me!
I made some phone calls to a few Kecharians, and they mobilized immediately to prepare for the photo shoot the very next day! We worked hard, were exhausted, cracked our heads for ideas… but had such good fun! We worked till the crack of dawn. I conceptualized the shoot, scene, costumes, poses, taglines (coming), location and messages I wanted to convey. I wanted to send messges through these pictures…you can look and see what you get from it… art is subjective.
So far, we have had 2 photoshoots… but there are more yet to come. I love creativity! I love people who constantly think from many different angles and come up with something completely out of the box. I like to present Dharma from a creative angle, and I always have. I am not traditional but I have tried hard to be for decades, but in the end decided to be just myself.
I love and appreciate the creativeness of many artists, actors and singers who work so hard to stay in trend. My favorite is of course Madonna..and I love Andy Warhol’s art. In fact, I’m very much inspired by them to come up with this series of post cards…
We shot over 700 photos in two days at various locations arranged by our team at Kechara!! I must thank the team, they are good and fast!!
Do watch the short video below and tell me what you think. It’s a teaser of our photo shoot that was made by one of my students, Ethan. Ethan is creative for sure!
Do you want to be the next star in my post card series? hehehe…
Tsem Rinpoche
English
Chinese
Japanese Zen
~~~~~
Here are a preview of some of the photos we did for you to enjoy. We have alot more of course which will be revealed later…. We will make postcards, posters and other interesting items from the photos with taglines from me….we are working on them now with a multitude of other projects we have…
Who we are is who we are-just accept me!
Pick dharma and not samsara!!
Yes, I’m Asian and beautiful just like every other human being on this planet.
I’m not in Shangri-la anymore!!
Attachments can win if you let it…
Batmonk…your local super hero in Kuala Lumpur City..
True spiritual practice is a state of mind that can be done anywhere.
We all deserve love, so start loving others first.
I can fly..freedom is in the mind..
No matter what the obstacles are, never let go of your spirituality..
Outer peace comes from inner peace…give peace a chance..
Urban enlightenment is not a myth
Samsara is a repetition of our attachments…just let go.
I am me and you are you…together we are all beautiful and deserve love..
Blessings and love are everywhere…
Defender of the Dharma!!
I love bringing spirituality to others in ways that have not been done
before. For some they dare not bring it in a way that is not the conventional
method. I like to bring it differently because I like creativity, art,
expression and new ideas. I don’t like to be static or fixed because nothing is
static or fixed. I will continue to bring Dharma in ways unexplored and always
artistic. That is who I am. Tsem Rinpoche
Sometimes some people have fixed concepts of how I should be. I think I have the
freedom to be or not to be their concepts depending on the situation. I can be
how I want according to the needs of the situation. I am the best judge of me.
As long my motivation is to benefit others, I should be ok in expressing the
Dharma my way.
Alot more pictures will be coming soon! We’re producing a coffee table book with these and many more pictures due out October 24, 2012! You will enjoy this book I am sure. I have a great creative team at Kechara and they are bursting to entertain you with modern, urban dharma photos with contemplative taglines to help you reflect deeper…
Previously I had done cards also which came out very nice. Take a look:
Other similar reads:
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
![Underprivileged residents of two PPRs in Kuala Lumpur recently received a total of 427kg from our longterm surplus produce sponsor, Lotuss Stores (formerly Tesco Stores). The 65 families are our regular beneficiaries, and are grateful to receive fresh vegetables on a consistent basis right at their doorstep. One of our recipients, Rajeswari, 52, single mother of 2 children, shared that she stopped receiving welfare aid due to unforeseen circumstances. Her words: "Saya cakap untuk Kechara [Soup Kitchen] banyak terima kasih sebab kasi makanan. Dan lebih mau tolong orang lain yang susah seperti saya". Our heartfelt thank-you goes to Lotuss Stores for being a dependable source of food aid and for #helpingthepoor with us. #kecharafoodbank #makingadifference #kitajagakita #charity #foodbank #bantuan #ngomalaysia #givingback #strongertogether - Vivian @ Kechara Soup Kitchen](https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/gallery/user-pictures/tblogpics-2trta8739v.jpg)
Beautiful and very creative photos by Rinpoche .Very simple and yet meaningful taglines in it. The pictures of dharma was so creatively shoot by Rinpoche and team. For most sending Dharma messages through these funny pictures…I watched the video its was fun and entertaining.
Thank you Rinpoche for bringing spirituality to others in a creative ways .I like this taglines very much… Outer peace comes from inner peace…give peace a chance.
Thank you very much for your sharing of your creativity thoughts. I just love all the photos, it is all so pretty and creative. It appeals to me very much. Fun and entertaining videos. Cool pics with cool poses. Nice music. Happy casts and crew. I rejoice for Kechara’s great progress! 🙂
感恩仁波切的分享与开示。时代迅速的变迁，人类慢慢的进化和进步。传统的传教方式也慢慢被淘汰了。对于现代的新新人类，真得要有一套新思维的佛法来吸引他们。不让末法时代很快就显应。所以仁波切也跟随时代的变迁，把克切拉佛教团体的佛法事业走向时代符合的尖端。这是无可否认的事实，弘扬佛法也要有新思维。
感恩仁波切的分享与开示
现在许多年轻的一辈，对于古老传承的佛法教育，总抱着一颗觉得太过“古董”与“死板”的印象，然而佛法确是能被无限发掘的宝藏
尊贵的上师詹杜固仁波切，因为完全看透了我们这些年轻一辈对于佛法的心态，为了不要我们被娑婆世界里的灯红酒绿吸引，于是总是给予我们最时尚却最纯真的佛法模式，这份善巧与时尚的传法方式，为的就是能吸引我们年轻的一辈，与小孩，能够对于佛法产生浓厚的兴趣与被佛法深深地吸引
虽然这样的一份善巧，对于莫些传统的朋友是不能接受的，也有些人给予批评也给予我们尊贵的上师压力，然而我们尊贵的上师是如此地坚持，他新颖的传法方式，无论多少批评与攻击，仁波切总是默默地承受着
为的目的就只有一个，那就是，要使我们全部人及一切有情众生，能够得到佛法教育，在佛法里，我们转化我们的心识，变得更好，帮助更多的人，做很多的善业累积福德资粮，就是这样的目的而已，这一切都是因为仁波切的慈悲，与他大爱着我们每一位
感恩仁波切，祈愿您长驻在世，常转法轮
I just love all the photos, it is all so pretty and creative. It appeals to me very much. I just love how fun the shoots are and how real it is being kept. Instead of all being super model and fairy tale like. It shows that everyone and anyone can practice the Dharma, we do have to act, look, or behave in a certain manner to be able to do so.
this is so creative and really funny. I never knew that we can take pictures of dharma so creatively. i wish one day i can be in one of these photo shoots. it is so amazing what Rinpoche can do. we all love you Rinpoche!!!!!!!!!!! please live Long so we can learn the dharma.
Gone are the days where Buddhism is only meant for those goody goody meditation folks that goes to bed by 10pm. In today’s modern age, if you want to talk spirituality, it better be appealing enough that they can relate, and Rinpoche seems to know all about this. Rinpoche basically never stops finding new ways to invoke the creative side in us all while inducing it with Dharma. It may all look like fun, cool and happening… yes it is but it was also a lot of hard work, effort and passion.
The thing is if we can put up working outside, with those stress, all those dramas, all those snobbish unreasonable bosses and clients, all for a pay cheque, this seems all the more appealing and meaningful and definitely a lot more fulfilling. The motto is simple… bring happiness to others, give them wisdom and let them incorporate it in to their daily lives with altering their reality too much. Sooner or later, if they have the merits, they will alter it themselves 😉
Buddhist wisdom or we may call it Dharma has always been about improving oneself, what makes it appealing, how to make it appealing to this generation is how we packaged it. There is so many distractions these days, it gets harder and harder to be spiritual today as compared to say 20 years ago. So many are lost without even knowing they are lost. Rinpoche’s mission has always been the same and consistent… benefit others. I guess if we don’t do it, who will? So might as well and have fun while we’re at it!
Dear Tshem Rinpoche,
Thank you very much for your sharing of your creativity thoughts. I like it very much and it will be a very good inspiration for me to do better in all my designing works.
Regards,
Venix
[…] The graphic book will be a great compilation of our latest photoshoot! […]
Rinpoche’s ideas is very creative and fun.
Pictures can tell thousand words, the picture idea of Rinpoche even tells Dharma too.
I especially like the picture which Rinpoche in the middle, and stopping people from fighting, “Outer peace comes from inner peace…give peace a chance..”
We can create peace by taking control of our own mind and emotion.
Thanks Rinpoche. Can’t wait to see all of them!!
Dear Tsem Rinpoche and blog/creative team,
Love the photos! They are awesomen! My favourite is the dharma protector one.
Why not posters as well? Would love to hang some over my wall like movie theater posters.
I heard Tsem Rinpoche fainted whilst on a visit to KFR land. I hope Tsem Rinpoche went for a quick checkup and that everything is alright. I’ve been dedicating my prayers for Tsem Rinpoche’s long life and good health. Please becareful Tsem Rinpoche.
I rejoice for Kechara great progress!
Fun and entertaining videos. Cool pics with cool poses. Nice music. Happy crew and casts.
WOW, just saw. What talented people, with the magic of Rinpoche!
Just as Chenrezig made that wish to be reborn in the darkest, deepest hells, Rinpoche made a prayer and a promise to bring Dharma to people who would otherwise never even meet with spirituality nor think of it as an option in their lives.
The pictures are huge juxtapositions and contradictions. The heated discussions on Facebook (such as for the “magic levitation trick” photo) are evidence of just how much these images can shake up people’s perceptions – which is precisely what they’re meant to do. Shake us up and out of our little ways of thinking, which says that spirituality must be this or that way…. if not, you’re NOT spiritual.
I love especially the message in every single one of these photos that spirituality is not about where you are or what you’re doing, but how you’re living every moment of your life and with the people around you.
Peace xxx
Different, definitely different……..edgy, yes edgy,…….interesting, for sure…..boring, no way! Hmm…..why does it sound like rinpoche? amazing ……your wonderful ideas to promote dharma and make it so now!
So happy to see Rinpoche in his creative element and enjoying himself. The work Rinpoche does always makes an indelible impact on our minds
some of these cards make me laugh these cards are also very well designed i like these cards very much.
Dear Rinpoche this idea of reaching to people all around the world through this wonderful postcards is such an awesome idea!!!! Some simple pictures + a creative team of people = something that i would send to friends and family in other country’s. Just can’t wait for all of this postcards to be on sale. The name Cool Kecharians is also a very nice name which fits all the scenes like a glove!!!
我们是特别的一群学生， 自然就有特别的教法！
仁波切是一位特别的上师， 他会想尽五花八门的教法让我们可以在我们的方式下领悟！
朋友们， 那么好的上师，就在Kechara。 快来这里与我们一起打开不一样的佛法之旅！
Even though I was there at the shoot, when I look at the outcome, I still go WOW! It’s easy to look at these shots and admire how good they are. But a lot of thoughts and efforts go into them. Most of us have plenty of great ideas and thoughts but how often do we materialize them into something meaningful and benefiting to others. What amazed me is the thing Rinpoche is willing to do for Dharma. People may comment what a monk should or should not do but the way I see it, all these acts are driven deeply by compassion. It takes a lot of compassion to be able to act, to pose, to talk without preconception, to constantly think of ways to reach out to people and to spread Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche and KH team for the fantastic videos , creative photos and meaningful message !! Deeper meanings presented in an unconventional way, Rinpoche can always turn everything into something fun and meaningful .We are realy fortunate can meet Rinpoche now ^_^ I like the Bat monk, Pick dharma and not samsara,No matter what the obstacles are, never let go of your spirituality..
Urban Dharma aka Materialism Spirituality! Haha! That is so Rinpoche! I am so looking forward to seeing the postcards. I am particulary excited to see Abbey Road card.
原本的我总以为，若要宣扬佛法，必须就要一板一眼的传，不然传承就失去意义了。这也是延迟了我接受仁波切的最大障碍。创意，是现代不可或缺的宣传方式，先把人吸引进来，在他产生信心后在灌输正确的佛法知识，这样一来就不会吓到人。克切拉，就是一个充满创意的佛教禅休中心，能让人通过不同的管道来认识佛法，生动有趣，有机会的话，希望能有更多的人能有机会来参与，你一定会有意想不到的收获。
Very beautiful, retro, contemporary and modern. Everyone is having fun and enjoying it. Thanks Rinpoche and everyone there for taking the time and effort in making these meaningful art composition.
Only one word I can describe about all these pictures – COOL ! These pictures are cool because the messages that Rinpoche sent to us are just so true! I do not think any else where on earth we can find another Lama so creative and artistic like our Rinpoche. Rinpoche just produced all these interesting pictures in just a few hours time. On the shallow point of view, many people cannot accept the extraordinary spiritual culture that Kechara has but deep down inside, many of them are actually amazed and wanted to be like us but hesitated. I am very exciting to see more of these pictures. Nice to give away to friends especially to those who think they are spiritual but they are not and for those who are spiritual but they never think they are. I enjoyed the pictures very much. Thank you Rinpoche!
Rinpoche and the Kechara crew not only bring Dharma to the world but do so in such a different and fun way. Whatever it takes for the message to get through. Come to think of it, I do not know of any other Guru today who goes to this extent. I love all of Rinpoche’s expressions and Moh Mei is absolutely fantastic in all these shots.
There are many ‘firsts’ in Kechara and this is most definitely one of the funnier and yet effective ones. Rinpoche is extremely skillful in encapsulating the Buddha’s Teachings and presenting them in a way that is easy to receive.
When it comes to teaching Dharma, this is a game changer.
I like especially:
*Outer peace comes from inner peace…give peace a chance..
*I can fly..freedom is in the mind..
There was a period of my life, I was so so called anti establishment, and “fight” with the almost everyone I meet, from guard of my company, policeman to parking attendant of shopping mall. I wonder why everybody is so wrong and want to fight with me. Later, actually long time after that, recently only I realize actually is me inside do not have peace, I actually fight with myself, so I start the war fire here and there. Peace is from within.
I like a song singing one day I will fly over the mountain and ocean to be a free soul. I long so much for a free me. Always. And I now understand with less burden on my mind, less restrictions I imposed to myself, less “must be” like this and that, most importantly living it now, then I actually is free. Can enjoy the freedom.
Yes, Rinpoche, if I have the merits and privilege I would like to help to produce more of this sending out Dharma messages thru modern and popular art form. Cannot be one of the stars then put me as a crew also never mind. Hehe.
Oh my my…. Such great shots ! Love them all. Rinpoche and team really moves with present time and these are most people likes to see.
Thank you all for the few late nights to get these beautiful and wonderful shots.
Can’t wait for the post cards to be printed!
These series are going be so popular because each and everyone of them are thought provoking yet funny… This is the kind of post cards I would like to use for all purposes – thank you, gift, birthday, condolences, I miss you…. You name it..
Thank you Rinpoche for being ever so creatively in coming out with brilliant ideas..
Dharma must have some humour and fun…not dry and dull. It’s the 21st century and we have to move with the times without losing the essence. Tsem Rinpoche
Dear Rinpoche,
The new photos and message are SO COOL!!!!!! I love them!
When can we do a Shanghai series with Rinpoche?…
Sean in Shanghai
I love love love these pictures!!!
I like how Rinpoche’s facial expressions actually gives us the feeling like we’re practically there!
And also, some hidden talents discovered!!! Moh Mei looks damn good in the pictures. I love them! Choi Sheem is also really good, I like how she doesn’t appear like a stone in the picture, she’s actually quite natural with photoshoots. Another of my favourite is the the peace within picture… David really looked like he’s ready to fight hehe
Rinpoche, thank you for all these super cool photos!
Spirituality could be cool, fun and meaningful, profound at the same time! Many youngsters out there would love the way Rinpoche teaches Dharma! There is never a dull moment during Rinpoche’s Dharma teaching!
Rinpoche is a creative genius, these set of new cards will be so so cool! Thank you for bringing laughter and smiles to us Rinpoche!
I love everyone of them!!!! They are funny yet meaningful….the photos and messages are so captivating. Thank you, Rinpoche, and the amazing team for bringing spirituality in a cool and modern way:)
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.The post card is indeed creative and the meaning behind each postcard is profound with the perfect tag line.For a layman or a person who could never find the time to read up on dharma ,it is definitely a good way for them to start learning dharma this way.In fact this photos does reflect how attach we are towards the deceiving pleasure in samsara and neglecting our spiritual practice.
Thank you Rinpoche and the Kechara Team for making it available for everyone to have a glimpse of real life dharma on the lighter side.
Hehe… I love all these series. All photos have taken very beautiful and funny. I like the behind the scene video (Chinese version), the song is very match with the video. Hehe… Good job to those who are working hard with all these works. Rejoice..
These pics are awesome, progressive dharma! I love good photography.
Loves the dharma teachings on beautiful creative cards. Thank you Rinpoche for bringing pure dharma teachings through creative manner & also to the team for the hard work in achieving these.
My favourite ” I am me and you are you…together we are all beautiful and deserve love”
Deeper meanings presented in an unconvential way. It’s really awesome and super cool. Great job to all who worked on the task. Look forward to purchase some.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the fun. I love it, i love them… loves… hahaha.. so fun to see the making of the photos. The team are so professional, and, imagine, it is taking photo from midnite to dawn! Wow.. thank you team for the professionalism.
I have a suggestion, Christmas and Chinese New year card are near, many people will purchase card to post to friends and family. Can we have some cards that have – dharma quote and these fun , cute photos?
I will be the first customer to purchase these cards to post.
Once again thank you. Another day fill of joy because of H.E Tsem Rinpoche. Thank you
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH My……Its super duper terribly AWESOME!!!! That is what i love about Rinpoche and Kechara, always fun and creative in Dharma. The message is meaningful and not boring hehehe…..
I love this quote : I am me and you are you…together we are all beautiful and deserve love..
Thank you Rinpoche and the team for the cool videos and photos. I LOVE IT!!!!!!
Dharma in modern time…. how cool!
It’s so creative! Yet the message behind is pure Dharma. I’m sure it will touches a lot of people’s heart, especially those may not have chance to learn due to don’t like the traditional way of learning Dharma. Thank you Rinpoche for tirelessly finding all ways to spread Dharma to others.
Thanks Rinpoche and team, u all make we learn Dharma so happily. This also can help us to share the Dharma to others so easily.
Now is the time of modern Dharma, hopefully more and more peoples may connected to Dharma through such interesting past cards…
BIG BIG thank you to the team, great Job and well done, I like the videos and all the creative pictures!
Oh my! The pictures are super nice! Rinpoche can always turn everything into something fun and meaningful! I don’t think I can ever learn Dharma another way as this is super interesting and funny in many ways. Rinpoche always think of ways to apply different method to suit different minds and it is NEVER boring! Can’t wait for the new postcards…
Thanks to Rinpoche to share this out with us and to the world. It’s a lots of fun from viewing all this Videos and pictures. I laughed even tears in my eyes. Because, i see my guru pose and do what he think is right for the modern peoples into spiritual practice in a new way. Just accept how we are, who we are and what we are doing. Everythings come from Dharma and in a modern way. How great and lucky i am to have a guru like this to learn from.
Very creative shots with meaningful message. I like the Bat monk, defender of the dharma. Cool!
Thanks, Rinpoche for sharing your teaching graphically.
Rinpoche is truly at his best here! A Creative/Art Director, Script-Writer, Actor, Comedian, Model, Dharma Teacher…all in one. These beautiful dharma pictures are not only creative, they are so funny and entertaining. I can never get tired of looking at them over and over again…
A big thank you and congratulations to Rinpoche and all the lovely people, you have done such a wonderful job!
These postcards are so creative and spectacular!!!! They are so … unlike anything related to Buddhism!! Yet they are pure Dharma! Thank you for sharing… i am sure this range of provocative postcards will appeal to many…. i can’t wait to get my copies 😀
Dear Sharon, I agree with you 100%
“hee-hee”, “hee-hee” and “hee-hee” – oh, i enjoyed myself so! The humour! Great organising and superb photography! But “….don’t play-play” – it’s ddeeeep! So meaningful! Now, that’s what i call real SKILL and CLASS! That’s the great wisdom mind and compassion of Rinpoche! Again, “kam-sia che-che”, “rumber nandri” ,”syukriya” Rinpoche and the amazing team!
Wow! These photos are really creative and meaningful too!! Must share!!
And thanks for making me laugh with you postcard designs!
with metta
Hey Bhante, this is a great song and video that I think will appeal to you, with its positive message for young people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEitrZU-nCw