Rinpoche – Behind the Scenes 活佛背后的故事

Wong Kok Thai (fondly known as Fat Monk) is Rinpoche’s long-time student of more than 10 years, Fat Monk is a dedicated member of Tsem Ladrang and he is very good in handywork and official related issues, while his wife Wan is a liaison of Kechara and a manager of Kechara outlets. They have a 2-year-old daughter Damey, and yesterday Damey and Wan’s mother came from Thailand, and Fat Monk’s mother is also visiting them, so Rinpoche went to Toys’R'Us to buy toys for Damey, like child car-seat, tricycle, dolls, musical keyboard etc. Besides, Rinpoche also asked his students to buy rice, vegetables etc for the two mothers for their stay in Malaysia.

high quality baby car-seat

assemblying tricycle

finally…

for some of us, not even our fathers are doing this…

Wan and happy Damey with her new toys

Fat Monk and Wan’s family with the gifts from Rinpoche

Tsem Rinpoche cuts his hair around once every 2 weeks, and Rinpoche’s favorite place is the India barber shop across Ladrang, just 3 minutes walk away. The barber that always serves Rinpoche is a young gentleman from India, he is in his late 20s. Few months ago Rinpoche chatted with him and found out that he was going away for a few weeks to get married in India, so Rinpoche gave his around RM200+ as a wedding gift. The barber was very grateful. 

Last night Rinpoche went to cut his hair again and found out that the barber’s wife is coming to visit him next week, and Rinpoche asked more details, about how she is coming, how much the airfare is etc., and Rinpoche asked him if his boss is helping the wife’s visit in anyway, the barber said no. After finishing his haircut, Rinpoche gave the barber RM1,300 for the airfare of his wife. The barber was shocked, and had tears in his eyes when receiving the money from Rinpoche.

Nobody would want to part with their loved ones and go so far away to work, unless they have no choice. Rinpoche said he will continue helping this gentleman, as life is not easy for him.

This is just examples of what Rinpoche does always, giving help to strangers who is in need, regardless of their backgrounds, and asking for nothing in return…

Rinpoche making candle offerings to Buddha on the balcony on Mid-Autumn night, Rinpoche always makes offerings to the Buddhas day and night…

This was the room Tsem Rinpoche stayed in 1992 when Rinpoche first came to Malaysia, it was a room offered by Mama How (read more here: http://www.kechara.com/news/kechara-moments/before-kechara-there-was-mama-how/)

Few weeks ago a few ladrang staff and volunteers went to clear the room, since the house was going to be sold, and in the pictures that were taken, many orbs were observed, it is said that orbs are attracted and always hang around people/places with positive energy. (Photo courtesy of CK Liew)

The same room before it was cleared

This photo was taken in 2002 when Tsem Rinpoche went to Kechara Paradise to bless a thangka…they were using a film camera back then.

Last night Rinpoche and a few assistants went to a hospital to do a blessing puja for a Kechara House member’s mother who is seriously ill, Rinpoche also offered a Vajrayogini statue to the couple asking them to paint and make offerings to Vajrayogini as a dedication to the mother. They couples and family are very moved by Rinpoche kindness of coming to bless their beloved mother.

Update: The mother had passed away peacefully the day after Rinpoche went to hospital to do the puja

This photo was taken in November 2008, when Tsem Rinpoche was staying in Nepal for some time. On that day we visited Naropa Cave by the river in Pashupati and Rinpoche did puja by the river.

Someone from down south came to have an audience with Rinpoche in Tsem Ladrang yesterday, he is a friend of one of Tsem Ladrang’s staff. After meeting Rinpoche, he told the staff that he was having heart problem, but after meeting Rinpoche, his heartbeat became normal and he didn’t feel the stress anymore. Amazing…

 Yesterday Rinpoche visited Kechara House new prayer hall with a few Ladrang liaisons 

What the new prayer hall will look like in a few weeks’ time…

In downtown KL there is this popular stall of herbal drink managed by an old couple, they have been selling this cooling herbal drink for many years along Jalan Pasar, near the old Pudu Jail. Last night Rinpoche was driving around town and saw this stall again, Rinpoche last saw it many years ago, so Rinpoche ordered 20 packets of herbal drinks to be given to his students who are always working till late nights, this drink is famous for cooling the body from staying up late. Rinpoche also asks the ladrang to continue to buy this drinks a few times a week for his students.

Some rare modelling pictures of Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, taken around 2002-2003. They were lost for sometime until we found them recently…

These are just examples among the many things that Rinpoche bought for the students when Rinpoche went out shopping, like ladies’ bags for lady students or male students’ spouses, and blankets/quilts for students who don’t have much money. Rinpoche really goes all out to help and care for his students, always.