7_NMC - OctDec09 [28Oct09] lowres.pdf - Kechara

T h e Ke c h a r a i n - h o u s e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r
Oct - Dec 2009
Liberating Animals
* For In-House circulation & Non-Muslims Only/ Not for circulation/ Not for sale
Kechara’s First Ordination
Growing up with
H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche:
A New Series
WHO IS MARGARET?
Read our hot New News
section to find out how she’s
been creating a stir...
Kechara House
celebrated a most
spectacular Wesak
Day this year
Relive the celebrations inside
on pages 6 - 7!

Dear Readers,
You may have noticed that we had gone on a bit of a hiatus recently – but we are
back with a whole new look, bringing you a better, brighter no more caves, the
Kechara newsletter.
This issue, we bounce back with 16-pages full of news about what’s been
happening in the last few months with some special feature stories about
different aspects of spiritual practice.
Because there is so much going on all the time in the Kechara group, it’s hard to
select what to feature in each issue. Usually, we choose some of our favourite
stories but to keep up with all the happenings across Kechara’s 12 departments,
do check out our website www.kechara.com or sign up for our online mailing list
for weekly updates. Contact care@kechara.com for details and check out our
story on the next page about how to stay connected via many online avenues.
no more caves offers a glimpse into the spiritual life of the Kechara organisation –
how we can engage in positive spiritual action without resorting to long retreats
in a faraway cave. But to really understand what we’re all about, we invite you to
join us and be a part of this journey.
We want to hear from you!
no more caves is brought to you by
the Kechara Buddhist organisation.
For more information about Kechara,
its branches and activities, please
contact us.
Kechara House
Lot 21-1 & 23-1, Jalan PJU 1/3G,
Sunwaymas Commercial Center,
47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, MALAYSIA
t: +603 7803 3908
f: +603 7803 3108
e: care@kechara.com
w: www.kechara.com
Video Vibes with YouTube
Watch some of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s
most classic, famous Dharma teachings
on YouTube anytime, anywhere. Also,
check out all the activities, events and
insider sneak-peeks of the Kechara
Buddhist organisation and our many
departments.
Go to www.youtube.com and search
for tsemtulku to start watching the
videos.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow Us Around
the E-World
Join us on dynamic online communities as Kechara
expands its global reach.
The world is getting smaller and moving faster than ever! The speed of news and
communication on the Internet is making it easier for us to get connected and
bring Dharma to the world through innovative media. H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s
teachings and Kechara are now literally right at your fingertips – all you need is
a computer or a mobile phone to get connected to us. We present to you a guide
to finding us online…
Connect with our Lama at the Tsem Tulku Website. The official website of H.E.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.tsemtulku.com, brings you a wealth of information
about Tsem Rinpoche, his biography and teachings, personal messages and
announcements.
With folded hands,
Jamie
As spoken by
H.E. Tsem Tulku
Rinpoche…
For further details of all Kechara
departments and contacts, please
refer to www.kechara.com
Who’s Who in the Cave
Spiritual Guide:
H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
The most exciting place to be now! With
Twitter, you can receive inspirational
daily quotations from H.E. Tsem Tulku
Rinpoche and stay up to date with
Kechara’s happenings.
Receive your daily dose of wisdom
at www.twitter.com Search for
tsem tulku and kechara house to start
following us.
Stay Updated with the Kechara website. The Kechara website has a whole new
look! Get all the latest daily news, updates, feature articles, teachings and your
dose of Dharma on www.kechara.com
“If you don’t give
up on yourself, you
inspire yourself, you
inspire others.”
“There are people
who have pursued helping
others and they are much happier
than people who pursue
themselves.”
“The effect we have on others
when we make them happy
without motive and when their
mind is happy because of us –
that is Dharma.”
Editor:
Jamie Khoo
Contributors:
Justin Cheah, David Lai, Sharon Saw
Photography:
Peter Biggs, Justin Cheah, Justin
Ripley, Chris Tan, Tan Kheng San
Art Director:
Fang Chyi Chang
Printed by:
Derai Progresif Sdn Bhd
Follow us on Facebook
We want to be your friend on
Facebook, the world’s largest online
social networking portal! Discover
all our news and events, see photos
and share thoughts with the people
behind the scenes.
Visit www.facebook.com and search
H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche – The Official
Site and Kechara – The Official Site.
02 03

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s royal maternal lineage can be traced all the way back
to the legendary ruler Genghis Khan. Born to Mongolian Princess Torgut Noyen,
Dewa Nimbo, Tsem Rinpoche’s Mongolian name is Prince Iska Minh.
Rinpoche’s father, Lobsang Gyatso, a great supporter of H.H. the 14th Dalai
Lama and a disciple of H.H. the Panchen Lama, was managing a Tibetan school
for refugees in Taiwan during the 1960s when he met Rinpoche’s mother, whose
family had escaped from Mongolia to Taiwan.
The school educated Tibetan children in Taipei, preserving Tibetan culture,
religion, writing and language. Because of this work, H.H. the Dalai Lama would
often grant audiences to Rinpoche’s father to find out the latest happenings in
the school.
Rinpoche’s father and mother became romantically involved. However,
Rinpoche’s parents separated even before he was born and the scandal of having
become pregnant out of wedlock was far too shameful for his mother. She gave
him away for adoption.
Rinpoche has maintained contact with his mother’s brother, David Minh, who
is a prominent political figure in Taipei.
Bottom L-R:
Dewa Nimbo, Rinpoche’s mother,
was a princess of the Mongolian
royal family.
Rinpoche and David Minh, his
maternal uncle, who he met on a
recent trip to Taiwan.
Rinpoche as
an adorable,
bright baby.
Rinpoche’s father Lobsang Gyatso was a strong
supporter of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and
was often granted private audiences with His
Holiness.
Always a joyful child, Rinpoche found happiness
although he experienced many difficulties with
his foster family.
04 05

Celebrating
Enlightenment
The biggest Wesak
celebration in the history
of Kechara was a
resounding success this
year. Relive this special day
through our picture diary…
Every being, big and small, deserves a
lot of loving! A pet adoption campaign
held during the day encouraged people to
consider the welfare of animals and learn to
care for other beings.
Never before in the history of Kechara
House (KH) has Wesak Day been
celebrated with such grandeur. In the
true spirit of Wesak – commemorating
Lord Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment
and passing into Parinirvana – Kechara
celebrated this most auspicious day
with plenty of joy, celebration and
enlightened activity.
This year’s Wesak Fair was filled
with a huge variety of activities
including Dzambala bathing, blood
donation, balloon sculpting, animal
adoption, face-painting, hair-styling,
dance performances, massage and
health testing, and stalls selling
everything from food to clothes to
offering items.
The annual Kechara House
Manjugosha Debate Finals held on the
same day saw an exciting finish to this
year’s tournament. More importantly,
it emphasised the importance of
studying the Dharma and gaining
knowledge for our spiritual journey.
The day ended with a most inspiring
teaching about gratitude from our kind
Lama, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, and
a wonderful refuge-taking ceremony
where 43 people took their first step
onto the Buddhist path.
Led by KH Liaison Yap Yoke Fui,
the Wesak Day Committee did a
fantastic job of organising the Wesak
Fair, successfully creating awareness
about Kechara and its activities in
the surrounding community. All
items at the fair were sponsored by
kind donors and the proceeds will go
towards supporting the operating
expenses of Kechara House.
Kechara would like to thank
everyone for their support. Start getting
ready for next year’s celebration!
The afternoon featured one of the day’s highlights – the
Kechara Manjugosha Debate finals for 2009. Kechara Media &
Publications were pitted against the Kechara House puja group
in an exciting, animated debate session that had the audience
at the edge of their seats. This year, the topic was on Refuge,
a most stunning prelude to the actual Refuge Ceremony in the
evening with Tsem Rinpoche. Eventually, the KH puja group
took home the trophy!
06 07

Bringing
Relief
to the
Streets
Kechara Soup Kitchen’s street-feeding initiative has
grown leaps and bounds since its inception. Now, they’re
going far beyond just feeding the homeless.
KSK volunteers actively go out to the
streets every week to serve the homeless.
MICHAEL AND HIS MyKAD
Michael Leong, wih his new IC and bank
pass book.
Justin met Michael during one of the
midnight rounds in the Chow Kit area.
He was 51 years old and homeless.
Justin found out that he was jobless
and had lost his IC; Michael asked for
help in finding a job and to help him
withdraw part of his savings from EPF.
They arranged to meet another
day and Justin took him to the police
station in Jalan Raja Abdullah to make
a police report. They then went to
the Registration Department in Maju
Junction to apply for a new IC. He
was very happy that KSK was really
helping him out and not just making
empty promises.
While waiting for the IC, Michael
helped Justin to reach out to other
unfortunate ones in the streets.
Through Michael, KSK met a homeless
man in his 60s who has a retarded,
19-year-old child. KSK is also helping
them now.
Finally, after about two weeks,
Michael collected his MyKad! KSK
then took Michael to a nearby Public
Bank to open an account so his EPF
money can be transferred into this
account. KSK also took Michael to
the EPF office to fill up forms for the
withdrawal of his funds.
ONG THEONG CHOOI
Volunteers hand-packing the packets of food at Kechara House 2.
Uncle Ong and Justin from KSK.
This is Uncle Ong Teong Chooi. He will
be 70 years old this Nov 15 and had
been homeless for over two months.
He sought our help after getting to
know us through another homeless
friend whom he befriended while
sleeping on the streets. He was our
midnight round client before.
His last job was a kitchen helper
but he had to stop working because
of his old age. With no income, he
ended up staying in friends’ houses
and outside on the streets. He could
not even afford a room in KL which
costs only RM200 per month. He
would hang out at arcades in Chow
Kit in the day and look for a place to
sleep at night.
Our Project Director made
arrangements with him to wait
at Klang bus station so that we
could bring him to Ti-Ratana for an
interview and subsequent admission
into the shelter home. We also took
him for brunch before driving him to
Ti-Ratana. His parting words was he
wishes to work and help out in the
kitchens in Ti-Ratana.
08 09

Chef Au of
Kechara Oasis
is a key player
in our animal
liberation effort.
The Joy of
Liberating Animals
A new monthly activity at Kechara puts kindness in action
as we learn to care for the welfare of animals.
Kechara members releasing over 100kg of fish.
Sunday is a day we usually spend lazing around. However, even on a Sunday,
Tsem Ladrang and Kechara members are abuzz with activities that support H.E.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s works.
On a warm Sunday in June, the Ladrang arranged for over 100kg of live
catfish to be bought from a wholesale market and released from the fate of
ending up on a banquet table. Now, these fishes can live out the remainder of
their 10-year lifespan.
The fishes were transported to Taman Tun Dr Ismail’s scenic park, which has
a huge lake right in the middle. Rinpoche along with the Ladrang team, Kechara
Oasis’ Chef Au and volunteers congregated at the park for this wonderful
activity.
With Medicine Buddha’s mantra on our lips, we hauled the huge containers
of fishes to the bank and slowly released the fishes. Then, with large quantities
of turtle and fish food pellets, we fed the animals while reciting Medicine
Buddha’s mantra.
Rinpoche has often encouraged students to care for animals and contemplate
the great suffering that animals experience. Having no control over their lives,
they are subject to terrible ordeals and incredible torture that humans inflict
onto them.
Now, as part of their spiritual practice, many of
Rinpoche’s students adopt and look after small animals
such as fish. Also, Tsem Ladrang has built a very large and
beautiful aviary to house birds. This is all part of learning
about animal needs and developing care for other beings.
Kechara Oasis vegetarian restaurant, as one of the
departments of Kechara, is part of Rinpoche’s work to
promote vegetarianism and the non-harming of animals.
Hence, all those involved directly and indirectly with the
restaurant create tremendous merit by saving lives and
promoting a more compassionate way of living.
Finally, after releasing the fish and feeding the animals,
Rinpoche recited dedication prayers with all those present.
He dedicated this activity of fish liberation towards the
long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, H.E. Kensur Jampa
Yeshe Rinpoche, H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, H.E. Kensur
Konchok Tsering Rinpoche, all of Rinpoche’s Lamas, his
students, those who work in any of the departments of
Kechara and the many friends and sponsors that have
supported his work and the organisation.
Finally, Rinpoche also dedicated the merit of this
wonderful activity towards the realisation of many Dharma
projects, to bring benefit and relieve the suffering of many.
It is our sincerest hope that by these activities, we
may create the causes to build our own animal sanctuary
in the future, enabling us to save many more lives and
provide better conditions for animals.
For more information on how to join in saving animal
lives, contact Ladrang Liaison Su Ming Chuah on +60 12
29111 78 or suming@tsemladrang.com
The Kechara Paradise Dharma outlets
have certainly come a long way! Since
its humble beginnings in SS2, Petaling
Jaya in 2000, the KP group has
expanded to include four other outlets
in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Here, we celebrate the two
newest outlets: The previously named
Yogini Mystical Treasures in Lot
10 Shopping Centre has relocated
to a most exciting, svelte part of
Sunway Pyramid mall, taking a new
incarnation as a gorgeous concept
store. Up north in Penang, a branch
of the outlets has recently opened,
signalling a whole new direction for
the growth of Dharma around the
country.
The Dharma outlets scattered
throughout the city now form little
pockets of tranquility and wisdom,
serving as hubs to share the immense
benefit of Dharma teachings and
practice to shoppers and tourists in
a contemporary way. Further, the
outlets also support much of the
organisation’s immense activity – all
proceeds go back towards Dharma
work in the country.
Since the outlets started opening
up around the city, literally hundreds
of people have come into contact
with us and many have been inspired
to join the organisation, sharing their
talents and practice with many more
who walk through our doors.
Building
City
Temples
The opening of two new
Kechara Paradise outlets
in KL and Penang brings
spirituality to more
city-dwellers.
Kechara Paradise Penang
23 Lebuh Chulia,
10200 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 261 8869
Kechara Paradise Sunway Pyramid
LG2.70, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall,
46150 Petaling Jaya,Malaysia.
Tel: +603 5632 6575
Who knew spirituality could be so
fashionably stunning! Conceptualised
and designed by celebrity designer
and Apprentice Liaison Bill Keith,
Kechara Paradise at Sunway Pyramid
is nothing short of breath-taking.
The store features unique pieces, a
versatile, vibrant arrangement and,
the biggest, highest, enormous panels
of photographs which line the walls.
This newest outlet in the Klang
Valley was officially opened by
Minister of Tourism Y.B. Dato’ Sri
Dr. Ng Yen Yen, accompanied by Y.
Bhg. Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, Chairman
of Tourism Malaysia. They both
noted the valuable contribution that
Kechara Paradise is making to the
development of spiritual tourism and
to making Malaysia “Truly Asia”.
For more information about
the Kechara Paradise outlets,
please visit
www.kechara.com/paradise
Officially opened on 22 August
2009, Kechara Paradise Penang is
the first outlet to open outside the
Klang Valley. The outlet opening
was officiated by the Penang State
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage
Committee Chairman Y.B. Danny
Law and saw huge support from both
Penangites and Kechara members
and friends.
This outlet was started and is
maintained by a long time student of
Tsem Rinpoche, Patsy Lim, who has
decided to dedicate her time and life
towards making the Dharma grow in
Penang.
10 11

The First Ordination
Kechara will soon see the ordination of its first Sangha
member, a long-time student of Rinpoche.
Rinpoche performed a special
hair-cutting ceremony and
prayers for Ani-la during Wesak
Day 2009.
Anyone who has stepped foot into
Kechara House will know Mama
Jenny, who is now known as Anila,
“Venerable nun” – the small but
very energetic, sprightly lady who is
always there to greet us with a smile
and many a kind word.
Under the guidance and advice of
our Lama, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche,
Ani-la is about to take the biggest
step in her life to become a nun.
She has not taken full ordination
yet but is currently fulfilling certain
preparatory practices as instructed
by Rinpoche. She will later travel to
Gaden Monastery to receive her full
ordination vows.
On Wesak Day this year, Rinpoche
did a special hair-cutting ceremony,
which is an auspicious symbol denoting
her entrance on to this very sacred path.
On September 14, she also underwent
a pre-ordination ceremony, marking
the first step towards full ordination.
This is a remarkable step for Anila’s
spiritual practice and a decision
that would literally change the course
of her life. Ani-la will also be Kechara’s
first ever ordained Sangha, a sign that
Dharma is taking root more and more
firmly in this region.
Here, she shares her story of her
Dharma journey.
e f
When I was very young, about two
years old, I was diagnosed with
polio. My father had wanted to give
me away to an orphanage but my
mother refused. She tried all kinds of
cures over the next few months until
eventually, she went to a Kuan Yin
temple and literally offered me up to
Kuan Yin. I was given some Chinese
medicine to take and was healed.
As I grew up, I always felt inclined
towards spirituality. I would always go
to pray at the church in the convent
where I studied. I always liked being
alone. From about my late twenties,
I read a lot of books on spirituality,
especially Buddhism – I had a real thirst
for knowledge. I also began spending
more and more time in Buddhist
temples, right up to my late thirties.
While I was at one of these
temples, there was an announcement
that a Rinpoche would be coming to
town and that he was very well-known
for being good with divinations.
That would be the first time I heard
and would meet H.E. Tsem Tulku
Rinpoche, who is now my Guru.
I went to see him for a consultation.
Somehow, he was very different from
other Lamas – he was very tall, skinny,
young, cracked jokes all the time and
spoke with an American accent. I
had a great time talking to him – I
understood his jokes and we could
click.
I was among Rinpoche’s first
assistants. Rinpoche was travelling
around Malaysia to teach and
fundraise for his monastery at the
time, so when he was going to
Melaka, I asked if I could join him.
I helped to oversee that all went
smoothly – accommodation, travel,
appointments, etc.
Those were very hectic
days. Rinpoche’s teachings and
consultations would often go into
the wee hours of the morning and I
would accompany Rinpoche until he
went to bed. Eventually, I collapsed
from exhaustion. Rinpoche told me
to go home but I said no, I wanted to
continue to follow him. I believed that
if I was serving the monastery through
my work with Rinpoche, then all
would be okay. So I did – I continued
to follow Rinpoche as he went on his
teaching tour.
The Training
After Rinpoche’s first trip to Malaysia, I
went to Gaden a few times, sometimes
for months at a time. On one of the
trips there, Rinpoche advised me to
receive an initiation from his Guru,
H.E. Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche. I
didn’t fully understand it but as there
were commitments that came with
the initiation, I made sure I disciplined
myself to fulfil them. I would also do
lots of retreats while I was there.
It was around that time that
Rinpoche already began telling me to
become a nun. I said no then because
I didn’t feel I was prepared yet. All
these years, I believe that Rinpoche
has been training and preparing me
for becoming a nun now. It started all
the way back in those early days.
Ani-la with H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in
Gaden Monastery, many years ago.
This would vary from many,
many long, extended retreats and
preliminary practices to “practical”
training – for example, he would
dress me up in thick makeup, feathers
and crazy outfits and make me walk
around the outside of an apartment
so that people would see me. I used
to think it was “abuse!” But now I see
that it was probably a method to cut
down my ego; it was all preparation
for what I will be doing now.
I am not really intellectual but I
only need to watch Rinpoche’s actions
and care to learn the Dharma. His
every action is a teaching and a lesson
in how to be more caring – he would
personally check our beds in Gaden
to make sure there were no snakes,
he would always buy us the best
food while we were staying in the
monastery, and even now, he always
makes sure I am walking safely and
don’t trip when we’re out and about.
Making the Big Decision
This year, Rinpoche asked me to do
more mantra retreats and told me
to engage in more Dharma work.
Then, I fell down early this year – I
literally fell down flat on my face as I
was walking! I was also having some
health problems at the time.
Rinpoche was in Nepal at the time
but he sent me a text message to
tell me to become a nun. I was very
resistant before but now I feel much
more ready and accepting. I don’t
have any expectations for becoming
a nun; I will fulfil whatever Rinpoche
asks me to do.
Life has become a lot more
peaceful now. These days, I wish to
just have quiet and solitude; I feel
more contemplative and it is easier to
accept things around me.
Through all these years studying
with Rinpoche, I have learnt that you
have to have very strong discipline in
your spiritual practice. Rinpoche has
much bigger plans for us in the future
which maybe we can’t understand
now. From the many things I have
learnt from Dharma, I’m able to let
things go a lot more and much easier
now; all this has helped me transform.
Now I realise that all this training will
be very useful for my life as a nun.
12 13

Booked out!
Kechara Media & Publications have
published a record-breaking number
of books in just under three months,
including four English books and three
Chinese books since August. Visit www.
kechara.com/kmp for more exciting
news from our publishing house.
> Wedded Bliss
Kechara Oasis is opening its doors to
huge events! They recently organised
and hosted two wedding dinners
which feted the happy marriage of two
couples. Visit www.kechara.com/oasis
to find out more about the events our
vegetarian restaurant can organise for
you.
> Light up My Life
Kechara House, led by the Manjushri
Kids Class (MKC) organised its first
Lantern Festival, where over 50 children
learnt how to make their own lanterns
and then went on a large lantern walk
around the neighbourhood with their
families. This is part of the exciting
programme organised for children
attending our weekly kids’ class.
> Kechara Discovery moves to
SunwayMas
Kechara Discovery has outgrown
its room in SS2, Petaling Jaya, and
has moved to temporary premises
in SunwayMas while it looks for a
permanent home. Visit www.kechara.
com/discovery to check out the
amazing Buddha statues that KD is
creating.
> Back in Kathmandu
A team led by Liaison Su Ming Chuah is
now back in Nepal to start up marketing
efforts in Kathmandu. Already, our
books of Rinpoche’s fantastic teachings
are filling up window displays and
turning heads. Visit www.kechara.com
to read more news of our growing work
in Kathmandu, Nepal!
> New Look for New Growth
In line with a large branding re-exercise,
all departments of Kechara have been
> DATIN NG WEE CHIN has been
awarded an Honorary Liaisonship.
We thank her very much for all her
contribution towards Dharma over
the years and look forward to working
together more in the future!
> Since MARGARET LEE took the
lead of Kechara Care as their head
of department, she’s led many huge
and successful activities to introduce
Dharma to many new people.
> Associate Liaison and Head of
Kechara Saraswati Arts, JAMES LONG,
is learning how to drive. He’s now
looking for kind and courageous friends
to lend him their cars for practice runs
in the middle of the night.
getting a super facelift and revamping
their signboards. Visit us to see the
brilliant new look of both Kechara
House centres, all five Kechara Paradise
outlets and every Kechara department
and office!
> We’re Growing!
Heaps of people have recently joined
the Kechara organisation full-time –
join us as we welcome them on board
this big, crazy family! We applaud their
commitment to Dharma and dedication
to bring benefit to others. We welcome
Khong Jean Ai and Kennie Wong (Tsem
Ladrang), Phng Li Kim, Fang Chyi
Chang and Deborah Pereira (KMP),
Bernice Chong (Kechara Discovery),
PY Lee, Davin Chan and Adrian Cho
(Kechara Paradise).
For more juicy details and fantastic
photos of these and other events
within Kechara, visit:
www.kechara.com
> After 1 ½ years of hard work and
a long labour of love, KMP Liaison
SHARON SAW has published the
first book in the world about Dharma
Protector Setrap in English.
> Education Liaison NGEOW VOON
CHIN has become everyone’s
favourite Lamrimpa! For the
first time in Kechara history, he
conducted and completed a full
Lamrim course, that spanned over
60 weeks! He’s now gone straight on
to heading a Bodhisattva class.
> Be inspired by the Liaisons and
their incredible contribution to
Dharma at www.tsemtulku.com/
liaisons
LOOK OUT FOR:
Tsongkhapa Month!
> December 11th is Lama Tsongkhapa Day!
> On December 17-19th, Kechara is staging the world’s first Tsongkhapa Dance Musical (Mandarin with English
subtitles) at PJLA, Jaya One.
> December will also see the first Lama Tsongkhapa box set – curious? Wait and see!
> January 30-31st will see Kechara’s second public Grand Setrap Puja.
Want an imaginative way to encourage
your children into Dharma? Or maybe
you’re just young at heart?
Released in August 2009, the
eagerly-awaited Lama Tsongkhapa
comic book in English is finally here!
Hot in the footsteps of the Chinese
version, this book is the first of its
kind, recounting the story of Tibet’s
greatest saint and scholar in a manner
that will appeal to young and old alike.
The book opens at the beginning
of Lama Tsongkhapa’s life, chronicling
his miraculous birth in Tibet at a
time when Buddhist influence was
declining. We follow him as he
confronts and pacifies obstacles
in his spiritual journey, working
towards reviving Buddhist doctrine
and monastic tradition in Tibet. For
those less inclined to draw spiritual
encouragement from his life story, the
way Tsongkhapa conducted himself
can guide how we live our lives.
Rinpoche’s health has been improving. The Tsem Ladrang assistants have been
helping to monitor Rinpoche’s diet in line with nutritional and medical advice
given by doctors. Rinpoche has been following doctor’s recommendations and
also exercising regularly!
To further promote the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa, Rinpoche ran a
competition for a beautiful Lama Tsongkhapa coffee table book. Many people
submitted their ideas and concepts and Gisbert Roth won! The book will be
published soon so look out for it!
Always on the lookout to help animal welfare, Rinpoche has been actively
looking for new ways to liberate animals, including visiting parks and ponds
where we can release fish.
With great concern for everyone’s health and wellbeing, Rinpoche organised
and sponsored for pujas to be done in Gaden Monastery as protection and
healing for H1N1. Thank you Rinpoche!
Modern
Day
Superhero
The Release of The Illustrated
Life Story of Lama Tsongkhapa
Not just a religious figure,
Tsongkhapa became a cultural icon
when he established the Gelugpa
lineage which changed the dynamics
of Tibetan society forever. Blending
facts and accuracy with a manga-like
narrative, this book demonstrates H.E.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s commitment to
making Dharma accessible to all ages.
Beautifully illustrated by Terry Lim
and adapted for the graphic novel by
Kok Yek Yee, this beautiful volume is
selling out fast... so visit your nearest
Kechara Paradise outlet or log onto
www.kechara.com/eshop now to get
your hands on a few copies!
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Regular Activities
at Kechara Join in any of
Kechara’s diverse
activities, to learn
Dharma, make
friends, relax and
create lots of merit!
Kechara
Weekly
Schedule
Check out Kechara’s weekly
schedule and be a part of our fun,
energising activities. (All prayer
sessions and Dharma classes are
conducted in English, unless stated
otherwise.)
MONDAY
8 – 10 pm
Setrap Puja (KH2)
Pujas
Find peace and clarity at any of the prayer sessions held weekly at Kechara
House (see timetable for details). No prior knowledge is required and friendly
Kechara members will be happy to explain the prayers and show you what to do.
Find out more by contacting our KH administrator on 03 7803 3908
Kechara Saraswati Arts
Express your creative side by participating in the exciting, buzzing activities
of KSA. Join volunteers as they roll mantras to be put into statues or learn
traditional Tibetan art techniques. This is a wonderful way to learn all about the
significance of Buddha images and Dharma practice.
Find out more at www.kechara.com/ksa
or contact James Long on +60 12 772 0289
Kechara Soup Kitchen
Engage in deeply rewarding community work with KSK by going on their food
distribution rounds every Saturday and Sunday to donate food to KL’s homeless
and urban poor.
Find out more at www.kechara.com/ksk
or contact Justin Cheah on +60 12 209 3813
Fundraisers and Social events
Let your hair down for a good cause at our fundraiser events and parties. It’s
a great opportunity to meet many Kechara friends and find out more about
Kechara and our activities. Keep an eye out for announcements!
Stay in Touch
Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter and we’ll send you regular news, updates,
Dharma sharings and announcements about our fun and exciting upcoming
events! To join our mailing list, please contact care@kechara.com
TUESDAY
8 - 10pm
Setrap Puja in Mandarin (KH2)
WEDNESDAY
8 – 10 pm
Medicine Buddha Puja (KH2)
8 – 10 pm
Dzambala Puja (KH2)
FRIDAY
8 – 10.30 pm
Bodhisattva Class (KH1)
8 – 10 pm
Chinese Manjushri Class (KH2)
SATURDAY
9.30 pm - approx 2am
Kechara Soup Kitchen
(starting @ KH2)
SUNDAY
2 – 3.30 pm
Manjushri Class (KH1)
2 – 3 pm
Manjushri Kid’s Class (KH2)
4.30 – approx 8pm
Kechara Soup Kitchen
(starting @ KH2)
MONDAY - SATURDAY
2 – 10pm
Volunteer at
Kechara Saraswati Arts
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