Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Rainbow Around the Moon tonight

Tomorrow our Kechara House will be making a huge acquisition that would advance our centre to be able to benefit so many hundreds more people in the near future. There's a Tibetan saying to not reveal till the work is done.

Any case it will be a monumental development for us in a great direction. So incredibly tonight, Monlam alerted us at 2:58Am in the morning DIRECTLY OVER MY HOUSE (Tsem Ladrang), a very large rainbow appeared around the moon. The Ladrang students and KMP Liaisons were here to witness. Ceo Li Kim of KMP mentioned she has never seen anything like this in her life.

I also saw the huge circle surrounding the moon myself. I've not seen anything of the sort also. I only read about it in certain biographies or events around various masters.

I take this as a very auspicious omen for us again if it is a omen.

I thank the Three Jewels and our Dharma Protector whom I've relied on for many lifetimes.

Photos taken by Ladrang student Justin Ripley. Thank you Justin.

Tsem Tulku  

A letter from Joey with gifts......

Dear Rinpoche,

 

Thank you for the amazing talk on Dzambala's practice last Friday. I was very happy to see Rinpoche in good health, and I hope Rinpoche will always be in good health and may Rinpoche's activities grow more to help the many beings that require Rinpoche's help. Rinpoche mentioned about emotional miserliness which made me realize that I do need the Dzambala Retreat and how fortunate am Ito have a chance to attend this puja to reduce my emotional miserliness. I have also recently received a salary adjustment and would like to celebrate this with a gift of 4 DVDs to Rinpoche, and also to make myself a little bit more generous. This is a summary of the contents of the DVD that I found online:

 

Coco Avant Chanel

This biographical flick details the life of Coco Chanel before she became who she is, when she was just an orphan by the name of Gabrielle and how she worked her way to become a lady of high society who revolutionized fashion and feminism of today. It tells the story of her many struggles in her life in order to be successful. The show also details on her love life, however. I chose this title as Rinpoche mentioned about watching biographies of successful people.

 

House

A psychological thriller, this horror film plays on the theme of guilt and past sins. A young couple with marriage problems checks into a hotel, only to find a killer at their doorstep. The killer demands a dead body from the couple, or both will be killed. As the night passes, the couple hallucinates about their past and about the killer's demands. There is little gore in this movie although there are people being killed. A few reviews have lukewarm reviews on this movie, but it should be interesting in its own way.

 

KM31

Based on an urban legend of the Weeping Lady in Mexico ( La LIorona) (although marketed as based on true events), where the ghost of a lady will supposedly tempt anyone who drives by to their deaths, this show is about a pair of twin sisters. One of them gets into an accident at the said highway, and the other twin feels the pain undergone by the former. The other twin and her boyfriend and a few friends soon discover that the twin in coma is trapped between reality and an ancient legend. Reviews on this film have been quite positive and that it has quite a lot of gore.

 

Pandorum

This is a sci-fi thriller that features a spaceship that carried 60,000 people to a planet for colonization away from overcrowding earth. All of these passengers except for the crew is placed in hibernation. However on board, a few crew members went insane and mutated into cannibalistic monsters, mutilating and killing most of the passengers. Several of the still sane crew members battle these mutated monsters. The film ends with the monsters being killed and the ship landing safely.

 

I hope Rinpoche enjoys these DVDs.

Thank you

 

Sincerely,
Joey Wong

 

Dear Joey, You like the dharma, you accept the dharma, you admire the dharma, you have been fascinated by it for many years and you know it fits you....it would be good to practice without delays.

1. Whatever promises you make especially in the realm of dharma-keep it at all costs.

2. Don't disappoint people because you are bored with something. Keep samaya clean please.

3. Be kind to dharma brothers/sisters who have been so kind to you.

4. Any dharma work you have committed to, treat it with care and do it all the way.

5. Whatever you are doing now brings no short or long term benefits on the ultimate level.

6. Never use excuses to cover, because excuses arise from the selfish mind. What benefits ever arose from selfishness?

7. Once you take refuge in the dharma follow the good examples and go all the way.

May you have realization of renunciation, hold ur samaya and not further accumulate karma that will be destined to bring regrets.

May you realize Tsongkapa-hood, benefit others full time, and experience love, praise and happiness that arises from it's true causes.

You are in my prayers, my good wishes are with you and my sincere hope that you will shy away from self and work for others as our Buddha has taught. Because you can do alot. Thanks for the gifts, they are appreciated. I offered them up on my altar to generate merits for you.

Tsem Tulku

   

 

Please Help Patches....

AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM MY FRIEND ADELYN:

Dearest friends,
A fortnight ago. tired, exhausted after 14 hours of non stop work, looking forward to a good night's sleep, I came upon a stray dog at 2.30am injured badly after a hit and run.
After an hour of debating how to get the dog to a vet hospital cos every movement caused him great pain, we managed (i.e  after having to cajole and wake up some friends to get out of bed and help) to get him to hospital.
Being a Friday, we actually got his blood results and x-ray on Monday 9/4/10 and were recommended to take him to another vet cos both of the dog's hind legs were broken and he cannot walk at all.
Poor, poor thing whom we have now named Patches, has one of the sweetest disposition I have ever seen in a stray. No matter how much pain he feels, I have not heard a single growl from him much less a snarl! All he ever does is wag his tail at you.
Anyways, here we go on Tuesday transporting him to the vet in Taman Megah and prognosis was, yes, he needed surgery scheduled for that Thursday. By the way, did I mention he pooped in the car??? Not really his fault though, he did whine to be let out but Sorry, Patches, me no understand doggie language!
It's now the 25th and Patches is well on the road to recovery! The feeling of happiness when we see him hobble around is beyond words!!!
Now...comes the hard part...he is due to be released from the vet on Tuesday 27th April and we now desperately need someone to foster, care and give him the love and compassion he so desperately requires.
So, please, all of us out there full of compassion, someone, anyone???

P/S
My sincere thank you to the following for your kind donations towards Patches' vet bills which till date has amounted to approx.rm3450:-
Tracey Koh - rm 100
Susan/Sharon - rm 100
David - rm 20
Bryan - rm 10
Ethan - rm 10
Joe Ang - rm 30
Su Ming- rm 50
Jason - rm 20
Thierry/Andrew - rm 500
Datin Khoo and friends - rm 700
KAS fund from Henry - rm 1000
Fang - rm 50
Boathouse -rm 1000

Once again thank you all cos without your kind support Patches will still not be able to walk.

Adelyn Lim

( adelyn2lim@yahoo.com )

Adelyn with Patches

 
Sweet Patches at the Clinic...saved because of Adelyn..

 

After surgery...

Dear all,

Sm will be intalling carport ceiling fans in Adelyn's place today/tomorrow because her carport VERY HOT. So Patches will be comfortable for now while recovering. Also we are getting a big wooden dog house to put in carport, bowls, food, towels for patches.

I have spoken to Adelyn and she will keep the dog in her carport until Patches heals completely. Then we will find a home for him. Probably in one of the dharma houses till the animal sanctuary comes up. Looks like Patches will be the first incumbent of our animal sanctuary!!

Dear everyone, please help me get THIS ANIMAL SANCTUARY UP. I NEED LAND, FUNDS, AND YOU TO PHYSICALLY GET INVOLVED AND HELP. Don't think of all the things you cannot do and restrict yourself..just get out and do it please...life is running out!
 
If you wish to donate to Patches' care in the dharma house (when he moves) or Kechara Animal Sanctuary, contact Jp for now. Jp is handphone 012 207 3503 or email: jpthong@yahoo.com .
 
Thnks..Tsem Tulku
 
PS Adelyn, I am so happy you have saved Patches. I am so proud of you. I know you have a soft and kind heart. Open up even more my dear!!

 

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UPDATE: APRIL 25, 2010 SUNDAY

 

We have bought a new doghouse, food, collar, bowls, blankets, etc for patches already.

We have also installed two wall fans in the carport where Patches will be staying so it will be much cooler. My team worked very fast to help Patches... See pics below:

Nice new dog house for Patches with bowls, treats, etc..

Nice dry area of the carport for Patches..

Installing wall fans for Patches above his new dog house.

Two wall fans installed to cool off Patches during the hot days...May he get well and never be hurt again.

Patches' new home...we got plants to put next to the house to add some greens and block some sunlight out.

Inside of patches dog house with nice new mats and from the window can see the plants....

May no animal ever suffer abuse, abandonment and pain....may they all be free from all sufferings..OM TAREE TUTAREE TUREE SOHA..

Tsem Tulku   

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UPDATE-APRIL 27, 2010

Patches returns from the vet!!! Nice pictures from Adelyn.

Dear Rinpoche,
Patches is well and comfortable in his new temporary home.
He just had his first 6 in 1 vaccination and I can only shower him after a couple of days so he is a wee bit smelly. Have wiped him down and looks to be settling in quite well
Once again Rinpoche, thank you so much for Your Eminence's care and concern.
With folded hands,
Adelyn

Patches returning from Vet to his temporary home with Adelyn till he heals.

Mama Adelyn lovingly wiping down patches...

 
   
Mama Adelyn smell smell her new son to make sure he is as clean as possible.

Patches in his new home at Adelyn's. Notice the sacred Tara picture (tsatsa) hangin behind him inside the house to bless patches. And Patches is wearing his Manjushri dog pendant.

Got a nice Tara Picture inside Patches' new house to bless the little guy.

May all animals come under the care of Mother Tara whose compassion has unlimited bounds. May all animals never be maimed or killed or hurt ever.

Tsem Tulku

  

 

KMP CHOW TIME!!

Kechara Media & Publications (KMP) has just moved to a temporary office. Their current office is being expanded. Yes they are running out of space. But the new space they are at doesn't look temporary at all because they did a good job setting it up. They are very creative group of people.

I just recieved this picture of KMP having dinner together as they are a close knit group and caring of eachother.

I like the depts to be like that because doing the work we do is not work, but a pleasure to be of service to others. If we think it is work, then all the problems of work arise in our minds. If we think it is for others, which it is, then when problems arise, we are able to get through it knowing we are 'suffering' for others. Suffering for others actually make us happier people in the long term because we were useful and did something meaningful.. Suffering for ourselves selfishly REALLY IS SUFFERING.

Way to go KMP!!!

Tsem Tulku

P.S.

How nice!! Daniel Loke dropped into KMP to visit. His lovely mom is visiting from Ipoh so he brought her along also. Daniel and Mom are joining in for some tea with KMP.

David our writer (left) and Daniel (right). 
 

Oscar Is Really Betty!! Cute!

 

The above two pics were taken on the day Betty was rescued on March 28, 2010 when she was just a baby and her feathers and wings not fully grown in. We got a call from the ppl who found her and asked us to take care of her because they couldn't so we did. She was nurtured and loved in the E-division of the ladrang. We thought it was a boy so was called Oscar..hehee..now I've changed the name to Betty..She's looks like a Betty to me..

It's already been one month since she came into our lives and she is friendly, not scared of people and loves attention. I've moved her into the large aviary we have here at the ladrang to start adjusting to the other birds and outdoor life. She is in her cage placed inside the large aviary. We;ll keep her there for a week or so to adjust. I want Betty to be happy.

Betty has been hand fed and well taken care of by the ladrang staff and she has grown in her wings. In the new aviary, she'll be free, with alot of space, air, sunshine and nice food. I want her to be happy.

Now she is eating vegetables and fruits..Betty likes dragon fruits..bless her little heart. I love her. She is a nice birdie.

May she and all animals never suffer, be killed, rough handled or abused.

Tsem Tulku

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Some official information on Betty below.

Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Punai Kerichau/Gading (Malay) Pink-necked Green Pigeons eat mainly fruits. Their colourful attire allows them to blend perfectly in the foliage of fruiting trees (can you spot the pigeon in the photo on the left?) Figs are their favourite, but they also eat palm fruit and berries, and nibble on buds. In Sungei Buloh, their favourite food include the fruit of the Macaranga, Cherry Tree (Muntingia calabura), small banyan figs (Ficus benjamina), and Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum). Like other Green Pigeons, they are arboreal and seldom come the ground except to drink, although they may snack on berries of low bushes. Pink-necked Green Pigeons are the only Green Pigeons found commonly outside the primary forest. They prefer habitats with trees that provide fruits as well as a safe perch including mangroves, scrub, secondary forest, forest edge.

Mangrove and wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature Park Main features: Medium (25cm), chubby; bill pale green; feet red. See below for difference from other Green Pigeons. Male: Head and throat grey; upper breast and neck pinkish-purple; lower breast orange. Female: Uniform green plumage; yellow stripe in wing; belly has yellow tinge; thighs mixed dark green and yellow; under tail coverts pale cinnamon. Call: Described as rapidly repeated bubbling whistles, chuckles, gurgles in a variety of songs. Male Female In flight: Fast, direct flight. When disturbed, flies off with clapping wing beats. Similar birds:Other Green Pigeons. The Pink-necked has a grey tail with broad black subterminal band and narrow white tip. Status in Singapore: Very common resident throughout the island and North and South offshore islands. World distribution: Southeast Asia from Southern Myanmar, to the Malay peninsula, to Sulawesi, the Philippines and Borneo. Classification: Family Columbidae, subfamily Treroninae (Fruit Pigeons). World 310 species, Singapore 11 species.

Pink-necked Green Pigeons forage most actively in the early morning. Although they may feed in flocks of up to 30 in a fruiting tree, males especially may defend small patches from others in the flock. Pink-necked Green Pigeons tend to roost together and a site may attract hundreds of birds from a wide area and become a traditional roost. Favoured roosting sites are tall trees in swamps and mangroves. But they nest alone and not in large colonies.

Pigeons and doves do not have well-developed oil glands, which in other birds are used to waterproof their feathers. Instead, they have special plumes scattered throughout their body which disintegrate to produce a powder which cleans and lubricates the feathers.

Breeding (late March to late July): The male Pink-necked is very handsome and colourful. The duller female is easily confused with those of other Green Pigeons and is best identified by her male consort who is usually nearby. Like other pigeons, the nest is a flimsy platform of twigs. About 15-20 cm in diameter, and so thin that sometimes the contents can be seen from below! The male collects the nesting material and passes these on to the female to assemble. Pairs nest alone, preferring spots near open spaces, in bushes as low as 2m off the ground and up to 10m high in trees and palms.

Pigeon's Milk The most fascinating feature of pigeons and doves is their ability to produce crop milk. During breeding season, special glands in the crops of both males and females enlarge and secrete a thick milky substance. The chicks drink this milk by poking their bills into the parent's throat. Thus, pigeons and doves can feed their young without having to incessantly hunt or forage for food. Instead of laying many eggs, they lay one or at most two eggs. Their abundance is proof that this feature gives them the advantage.

1-2 white eggs are laid. Both parents take turns incubating them and both raise the young. Fledglings may remain near the nest for up to 1 week.

Migration? Although Pink-necked Green Pigeons may travel long distances to forage for food, they are quite sedentary and don't migrate.

Status and threats: The Pink-necked Green Pigeons used to be far more common in the past; bags of them where regularly shot during colonial times in Singapore. They are still hunted in other parts of Asia, usually shot as they gathered in large flocks in the evening at their communal roosts. They are a particular favourite probably because, according to Tweedie, they are "just big enough to be worth cooking". Besides this hunting pressure, they are probably also affected by the disappearance of their food trees. Nevertheless, Pink-neck Pigeons are still among the more commonly seen of Green Pigeons in Singapore as they have adapted to non-forest habitats such as mangroves, cultivated land in rural as well as urban areas.

Baby Oser Joins Tsem Ladrang

I have been considering getting a companion for my beloved Mumu boy for a while now.. He deserves a friend. But having to train a new dog would be quite alot of work. So I have so many things to do already. Anyway, I kept looking into Mumu's eyes and decided that i want him to have a friend. I felt sorry for him and had to get him a friend.

So today, Thursday April 22, 2010, we adopted back little Schnauzer baby Oser (clear light) back to the Ladrang.

She was born February 28,2010. So she is nearly 2 months old. She is playful and gentle, but had a tiring day as it is her first day home. We bought new toys, food, blankets, towels, sleeping home, doggie shirts, cushions, vitamins for her. As I blog this, she is happily sleeping away deeply in my room.

My Mumu is very interested in her and sniffs her gently. He doesn't jump on her or bully her in anyway. Mumu is very very gentle with her. I am so happy. My mumu is such a good boy.

Please see these pics taken just a few hours ago....see below...

PA Bengkooi already had a session just now with Sengpiow, Kb and Monlam on the do's and don'ts for baby Oser and the training....We are going to give her alot alot alot alot of love and care!!

Ladrang's kb and baby Oser at the Pet Shop ready to come home....Baby Oser looks like a little Eskimo baby...hehehehe...Kb really loves dogs and takes good care of them...Thank you kb to help me raise little Oser...thank you! Oser is not here for our entertainment, but to have a long and happy life.

Little Baby Oser girl just arrived at Tsem Ladrang and I am holding her...today....so small and cute..

 
Baby Oser sleeping deeply in her new cosy bed...

She's so relaxed and warm with her new little shirt...

I just have to stroke her and pat her gently to reassure her...but she is fine...she doesn't make any noise while sleeping...

Welcome to our home little Oser...we will love you! We love you..

Tsem Tulku 

Baby Girl Oser is really not a stuffed cute toy although she looks like one....she is doing well in the Ladrang and very playful with Mumu. 

My very good boy Mumu with his new friend Oser. They sure play alot together. Size really doesn't matter. Oser chases and chases Mumu who is like 60% bigger than her...very cute. Mumu is very gentle with her and never knocks her or makes contact with they play. Mumu senses she is small and not as strong. Mumu is really a kind hearted being. 

More pictures of Oser taken today Wednesday April 28, 2010 by Sp....see below.

These pictures of Baby Oser are unbelievably cute, adorable and incredibly cuddly.

Baby Oser's first bath in Tsem Ladrang
 

Tsem Tulku   

Another Family Invites Setrap Home!!

Liew & family is very devoted to Setrap now. They have purchased Setrap from Kechara Paradise outlet ( http://www.kechara.com/paradise/ )in One U shopping centre. They brought it to KSA (http://www.kechara.com/ksa/ ) to fill with mantras and for painting in traditional manner.

Finally they bring to Kechara House ( http://www.kechara.com/index.php )for a puja to consecrate...after the puja with great respect they invited the Setrap holy statue home to worship for their whole family. kechara provides all the services in order to prepare your holy statues before you bring home for worship.

I am truly happy for them..They have very good luck to do this!!  I rejoice in the family's good fortune to invite Setrap back. I sincerely hope more and more people will do so as it is very beneficial. What a great gift for someone you love and yourself.

Indeed Setrap is a very powerful being sworn to Shakyamuni to those who sincerely invoke his help to remove obstacles,protect from negative forces/magic, troubles, dangers and to help spiritual/material growth. Setrap is the fierce emanation of Amitabah. Over a period of time you can see clearly the beneficial effects of Setrap in your lives if you take complete confidence in him.

Tsem Tulku
 

Kechara House Won 5 Awards!!!!!

I initially came up with the idea to have a stage show of TSONGKAPA'S LIFE. This manifested in having a great production called "Legend of the Conch Shell" which was very well recieved. We had one of Malaysia's top dancer Mr. Lee Swee Keong heading the leading part of Tsongkapa. Many people were very moved to tears during the show. It was quite touching in fact. I also shed tears during the show.

THE BOH CAMERONIAN ARTS AWARDED US FIVE AWARDS TWO DAYS AGO!!! Please read below and see the trophies!! Kechara House really was rewarded for it's hard work.

See some pictures from the show Kechara produced:

 

We are in the papers yesterday for winning 5 awards!!! 

Cast and crew. 
 

READ & SEE MORE PHOTOS! CLICK BELOW:

http://www.kechara.com/moments_view.php?a=2010_1&p=3

http://www.kechara.com/news_view.php?a=1&p=764

http://www.kechara.com/news_view.php?a=1&p=753

KECHARA WON 5 AWARDS FOR OUR FIRST TIME PRODUCTION!!!

The 8th Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Award 2009 has just finished. This
event is organised by www.kakiseni.com and the main sponsor is BOH
Plantations. BOH produces world class teas. Other sponsors include Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Alexis
Bistro, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Heineken and Red Communications.

Their cause is to promote local talents in the performing arts. It is a great event as the arts in this country is very important. This is Kakiseni's 8th year and final year.

More than 500 people from the local performing arts industry attended
the awards ceremony. It's an opportunity for Kechara to reach out to
this part of the community.
 


Kechara won five out of the six awards we were nominated for. They are:

1. Lee Swee Keong (lead dancer) won the Best Featured Performer for Legend of the Conch Shell!

2. Best Music and Sound Design

3. Best Choreographer in the Feature-Length Work

4. Best Costume Design

5. Best Set Design

The above awards will be great credentials for promoting the bigger
production of Legend of the Conch Shell. Lama Tsongkhapa's name will
be popular in Malaysia.

This is our first step in realising a new department, Kechara
Performing Arts Department. We can bring many wonderful stories from buddhism into a modern setting for today's minds.

See our awards below!!! Congratulations to my team who produced LEGEND OF THE CONCH SHELL AND KECHARA HOUSE!! Please see below the five awards Kechara House won for it's production!!!

 
ALL FIVE AWARDS TOGETHER!

 
WE WON BEST CHOREOGRAPHY!

 
WE WON ALSO BEST COSTUME!!

BEST MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN AWARDED TO US!

 
BEST PERFORMER BY OUR PRODUCTION!

 

Best Set design ALSO!! IMAGINE HOW PROUD OUR KECHARA HOUSE IS WITH FIVE AWARDS IN ONE NIGHT!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE JUDGES!

Click on the paper itself above to read ...very exciting!!

see: 
 The 8th Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Nominees on Kakiseni webpage:
http://www.kakiseni.com/articles/features/MTM2Ng.html

Our Kechara Members at Awards Ceremony.

Kechara Members happy with our awards at the ceremony.

Our members with the Producer.....  
 

Much care,

Tsem Tulku

We Own Nothing...

Nothing is owned by us. Everything will be given, taken, lost, abandoned or forgotten in the end. We came into our current lifetimes with nothing and no matter how much we accumulate, we leave with nothing. So wouldn't it be wise that in between, we develop no real attachments or put so much emphasis on the material? 

We need material items, but not for the false security they give us but the tool they can be to further the goals of others and one's own spiritual progress. If materialism is truly used in that fashion, then it should be ok...meaning it will not cause you sufferings.

Trust the Three Jewels, be firm with your commitments by contemplating death daily, hurt no one, be honest, be kind to those around you first, then extend out, respect your guru to the utmost and engage in your daily sadhanas with great conviction. Be aware that your time will be up soon. It's important to do something useful for others in your life so that you will never end up bitter. Bitterness arises from knowing we have done nothing that has affected anyone in our lives. Start something now...better now than waste time feeling sorry for yourself or trying to elicit empty praises from others...

All is empty, arises from it and dissolves into. Therefore all imputed phenomena will decay, it is just a matter of time. Denial of it, causes great unnecessary sufferings. Don't deny anymore....

Tsem Tulku

During one of my recent talks at Kechara House...

Nothing is accomplished in one day...the bigger the project, the more the obstacles...but the obstacles you suffer is for others...so suffer it without suffering...Tsem Tulku