El·e·na [el-uh-nuh, uh-ley-nuh; It. e-le-nah] /ˈɛlənə, əˈleɪnə; It. ɛˈlɛnɑ/ –noun a female given name, form of Helen // A proud student of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche // Personal assistant with a BSc (Hons) Psych from Uni of Warwick // These are snapshots of my life, in words and pictures

We are all connected

April 29, 2019 0

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Oftentimes, Rinpoche will share quotes, teachings and stories about lamas of other lineages that he feels will enrich our spiritual practice and Dharma learning. For example, the time Rinpoche met His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and how Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche held his hands and smiled so benevolently, and how Rinpoche was totally overwhelmed by the […]

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After someone updated about a nearby glamping resort, a few weeks ago Rinpoche and a group of students bundled into a convoy of cars and made their way to check it out. But it’s not for what you think. We are looking at expanding Kechara Forest Retreat, so that we can provide better facilities and […]

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For Rinpoche, every single Kechara project involves spreading the Dharma so Rinpoche wants every project to be executed as best as it can. Why? Because every missed opportunity means someone suffers because they did not connect to the Dharma. Therefore doing our best is actually an expression our compassion, and a practice in not being selective. We so often […]

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For Rinpoche, prayers don’t need to be complicated. For them to have power, they just need to be performed sincerely. Rinpoche always says that you don’t need to be a high lama, a Rinpoche, some great meditative sage for the Buddhas to hear your prayers. By their very nature, which is that of compassion, the Buddhas will always […]

A gifted storyteller

March 13, 2019 0

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Tsem Rinpoche animatedly re-enacting a story for some students. Rinpoche is not only an accomplished Dharma teacher but also a gifted storyteller. Very often during Rinpoche’s talks, philosophy will be punctuated with jokes and anecdotes that has students doubled over in laughter but at the end of the talk, you’ll realise was not just a […]

Real objects of refuge

March 7, 2019 0

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Tsem Rinpoche with his Lama and protector. Rinpoche often says that the real Dharma protector is the Dharma itself. If we take refuge in the Three Jewels and are steady in our refuge, then we need not fear anything else. However, since we often lapse in our commitments, and since we have immeasurable negative karma accumulated […]

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Tsem Rinpoche relaxing with some students and Pema, one of the Kechara Forest Retreat dogs, after the Mt. Kailash kora. After circumambulating the whole length and breadth of Kechara Forest Retreat on a route now called the “Mount Kailash kora”, Rinpoche gave a teaching on guru devotion and the importance of maximising our Dharma practice at every […]

Blessing someone

February 28, 2019 0

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Tsem Rinpoche blessing someone who had travelled from India. A visitor from India had been regularly travelling to Malaysia for business and work when one day, he came across our store on Petaling Street. Intrigued by the large Dorje Shugden statue, he ventured closer to take a peek inside and a few months later, was surprised […]

An audience with guests

February 25, 2019 0

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Tsem Rinpoche gave an audience to monk guests from Nepal, before a meeting with students. Some monks from Nyanang Phelgyeling Monastery had come to Malaysia to spend a couple of months with us. Just before they left, Rinpoche granted them an audience to bid them farewell and wish them a safe journey, before commencing a meeting with some of his […]

A love for all beings

February 23, 2019 0

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Tsem Rinpoche with his schnauzers Dharma and Oser. Rinpoche has always loved animals, even from a young age with his first dogs Princey and Hulter in Howell, New Jersey. Since arriving in Malaysia, Rinpoche has had schnauzers, starting with his beloved late Mumu. As part of caring for them, Rinpoche had his students read a schnauzer book to learn about […]