Went out with a group of my writers tonight. We had gone to Petaling Street to purchase a lot of offering items for Manjushri…afterwards…. Had a nice meal at a restaurant specializing in China’s Dongbey province. The place is simple and not pricy but the food is mouth watering and superb. The 8 of us gulped down the food and boy was it satisfying. You can’t imagine. Then we adjourned to Delicious to have some coffee/tea/lychee tea and cakes and lively conversation and pick games. Had a good time spending time with wonderful people some of which I have known for years. Now doing sadhana and sleep soon. Tsem Rinpoche

For Ashlee – Dear Ashlee, I am happy to hear about your wish to help the animals. Each day of us not eating meat for the duration of our lifetime will accumulate into hundreds if not thousands of lives saved. I do need a lot of help with KAS and thank you very much for helping. When i first came to kechara, Alex was the first few people who shared his knowledge with me and I appreciate you both very much. With the blessings of Rinpoche, let us continue our journey together to manifest a safe haven for the animals as well as play an influential role to instill a caring nature in our community.

I wrote a very interesting article on my blog about why Tsem Rinpoche snaps his fingers just as he ascend the teaching throne. Check it out ~ http://davidlai2.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/why-does-tsem-rinpoche-snap-his-fingers-before-teaching/

Whenever we let anger control our actions, it’s a clear indication selfish mind is predominant.~Tsem Rinpoche Being selfish is the core of many of our emotional upheavals and unhappiness.~Tsem Rinpoche Please stop being held back by anger & fear, step into the light. Stop thinking, just relax and just do. Move forward.~Tsem Rinpoche You don’t have to be happy by making others unhappy. You can do better by living in the light.~Tsem Rinpoche Anger is when selfishness goes unchecked.~Tsem Rinpoche Anger is a cover for hating oneself.~Tsem Rinpoche Hurt is when selfishness is the focus of our lives.~Tsem Rinpoche Remain silent because it’s necessary not because you are lazy.~Tsem Rinpoche

Being one of the closer student around Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, i do experience a lot of miracles, from someone who are very sick got heal or rain stop at certain moment that is urgent, some may think it’s all coincidence, let me tell you a real truth story that happened an hour ago. H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, like to rescue animals such as fishes, dogs, birds and etc. In our new Kechara Forest Retreat land, Rinpoche have kindly requested one of the liaison Beng Kooi to build a fish pond for all the fishes that Rinpoche rescued. The contractors that we got in to build the fish pond was slow and delay a few deadline that they gave. Just 2 days ago, Rinpoche instructed the fish pond project to be call off and all workers should leave the fish pond site as soon as possible. While we still thinking why Rinpoche cancel this project as it’s one of Rinpoche wishes to build a very comfortable place for fishes. Something happened an hour ago, there was a big bang came from the fish pond site, the whole artificial waterfall wall collapse without people go near it. This artificial waterfall wall was made out of cement, wire mesh, metal bar and etc, it weigh easily 200-300 Kgs. Luckily Rinpoche have giving us warming do not go near this waterfall 2 days ago, and should stop all construction wall, just imagine the workers are still working when the waterfall fall, some people might died or serious injury now. Due to humility Rinpoche will not say a word or show his premonitions power, this happened many many times. Rinpoche just save a few life without them knowing it. A lot of people will think why such horrible thing can happened in a holy land like Kechara Forest Retreat, a Buddhist site should always safe from all accident, but we believe if a place that will be use to benefiting thousands, a lot of obstacles will appear, I will take this artificial waterfall accident as part of clearing our negative karma, may all the negative karma from all of us be cleared. It’s glad that this happened before we move any fishes into this pond. In Tibetan culture, it’s an auspicious omen which represent bad obstacles have been cleared, and all our project will grow very smoothly later. It’s very important we follow our lama’s instruction/advice, even though sometime we might not understand it truly, because a real lama will never do anything which is not beneficial.

For tsemtulku – My dear Rinpoche,Alex & I met you 10 years ago. Because of your precious Dharma teachings & guidance, we are able to transform ourselves. Because of your Dharma vision, we now have 14 Departments for people with different skills & interest to be involve and for us to create merits in virtuous activities. I have been a part time vegetarian for sometime. Somehow i just wasn’t able to be a full vegetarian. After watching your teaching on “Integrity, Keeping promises & Vows”, it finally hit me. It is so true that having vows are not meant to “Imprison” us but really to help us transform positively to kick away our negative habits. I realize that from young, we have been condition to think that we have to eat meat and meat is delicious and it is part of life to consume meat in our daily diet. Hence we ignore the sufferings of others in order to indulge in our own taste buds. Lately, i have develop myself into feeding strays nearby my neighbourhood and I’m compelled to help strays via Kechara Animal Sanctuary. After deep contemplation, i realize that i cannot be wanting to help KAS and yet still eating meat. The equation is just so wrong. Now i can see clearly, it makes it so much easier to be a full vegetarian. Taking the vegetarian vow is not an imprisonment but it is another level of commitment to not be the source of pain to other sentient beings. It is a choice that we make to kick away our preconception of consuming meat for a balance diet.If one is against animal cruelty, then one should practice vegetarianism. Can’t be pitching for animal rights when you are still eating them. My daughter once said to me, “Mommy, animals are our friends so we shouldn’t be eating them”. I find that so profound coming from a kid. I’m very sure my family members will not be supportive of me going vegetarian but I pray that one day they will also come to the same realization as i have.
I humbly offer to Rinpoche my vegetarian vow and may it be dedicated to Rinpoche’s long life. May it also be dedicated to my family, loved ones and friends.
I will continue to get involve in KAS activities to assist Pastor Susan.
Thank you my dear Lama.