Hey Everyone, I AM A DESIGNER!! Move over Versace and LV!!
I like designing dharma items into something modern. I have been designing the special pendants we have available for years. I've made Tsongkapa, Shakyamuni, Tara, Buddha, Setrap, Dukkar, Manjushri, Dzambala into something very wearable in both pure silver and gold pieces. Many people like them very much.
I do the designs and pass it to Liaison Paul in Kechara Discovery Dept( http://www.kechara.com/discovery/ ) who gets it manufactured. When it's done, it is delivered to our five Kechara Paradise ( http://www.kechara.com/paradise/ ) retail dharma stores throughout Malaysia.
I do not dare take any profits from these. The profits go to all our many dharma works, staff and projects for the community. Action dharma needs funding. I like self sustainability. I don't get paid for my designing work in dollars, but in merits….I love the merits.
Below are some of the samples of pendants I've designed. I've come out with over 60 designs already in the past few years. They are really taking off now. People love to be connected to the holy by wearing a blessed pendant on them. Now even Paul of kechara Discovery is coming with fabulous designs too.
Solid gold Tsongkapa Two tone white/yellow gold Tsongkapa
Silver Medicine Buddha White/Yellow Gold Vajra Yogini
Silver Vajra Yogini White and yellow gold White Tara
Gold plated White Tara on silver
Beautiful pendant with exquisite detailing of the Great Protector Setrap. He is a general Protector of BuddhaDharma, Gaden Shartse Monastery, Kechara House. I have created many other styles that suit anyone. I will design much more pendants in future continuously! People should have modern, stylish holy Buddha pendants to wear to fit into all their lifestyles.
A few years back to prove a dharma point, I did catwalk modelling for a season here in Kuala Lumpur. Now I've gone the way of Tom Ford, I don't model and I design now…hehehehh…
The latest creation are T-shirts…………………..I've been doing T-shirts all these years..and will do more.
Heheehe. My latest T-shirt collection that I have unveiled today in Tsem Ladrang (my home). I am going to make these available to the public soon!! Yes, Yes, Yes, Donatella, Lagerfeld, LV get in line to see me!!! Heheheehe
Tsem Tulku
P.S. The gorgeous, slim, tall, Tibetan model wearing this is meeeeeeeeeeeeee!
They pendants are all gorgeous. The model isn’t that shabby either.
Nice.
Haha..imagine all the MKC kids wearing the t-shirt!! they’ll be so cute.
My 90 year old mother said “Vad fin, enkel och ren den är” (How beautiful and pure it is) when she looked at the pendant I wear.
It means she gave ***** stars. I agree!
It´s all very elegant, t-shirt and model included
Quite a Line Up! Are you Walking the Runway for Dharma?
Too Cute! Maybe an Ewok might be next? Oh! That is you!
Dear Thomas,
Thank you!!! Yes, the dharma run way!!! hehehehe
Tsem Tulku
It is easy to see why you and Zong Rinpoche love one another so much.
It is in the eyes!
I’d know that mischieious look anywhere![lol]
Have always loved the pendants. Have a few…
Love the T-shirts…. how about one that says “Dharma Queen” or even “Positively Enlightening” for me??? hehehehe 
Hello, it is very interesting for me, seeing this pendant and looking at pictures with some praying – meditation – rituals. Up to now i knowing only something about Zen-Buddhism. Im learing some other kind of Buddhism-practice. Like this.
)) Dear Rinpoche in this lower photo you look a little like superman with red cape.
I have always worn jewelry, my favorite being ear rings. Never leave home without ear rings (my grandma always said). I think she just wanted to make sure people knew I was a girl as I was such a tomboy when I was little. Pendants were never my “thing” but eversince I became part of Kechara, I now wear pendants from KD. I have Tara, Tsongkhapa, Buddha, Vajrayogini, Eternal knot, BAM… sooooo many La! I should have a charm necklace! Besides for looks, I find wearing these pendants make me feel safe and protected. It is also calming. I have on several occasions been nervous about a task or going somewhere, but when I wear any one of the pendants I feel better and calm.
I love your shirt! I don’t really wear jewelry anymore but I love comfy teeshirts? Like omg
I love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Sure beats the tired old CRAP I used to write about in fashion magazines. As Rinpoche has always said, “There’s nothing new in samsara”. Clothes are clothes and clothes and there were only so many different ways I could talk about patent handbags, beaded earrings, pleated skirts or ruffles before wanting to scream loudly into my laptop.
I’ve never been a jewellery person but I love this idea of having a Buddha close to you all the time. I remember telling us that this idea of having a Buddha pendant was something he got from his adopted mother in New Jersey who always made sure that he had a Buddha pendant.
One of the first designs that Rinpoche came up with, was based on one of the first few Buddha pendants his mother gave him (this is what some of us have now affectionately called the “Sunshine Buddha” here: http://www.kechara.com/b2b/product-catalog/pendants/the-classic-series/ )
So there is a lot of significance behind these pendants. They really are worth their weight in gold and there is much thought, Rinpoche’s prayers and best wishes for the world and love that goes into each and every one. If you guys only knew the amount of time and detail that goes into perfecting each other (the design, iconography, materials, durability etc) you would be very amazed. They aren’t just pendants after all. They are images of enlightened beings and it is through Rinpoche’s kindness that we can now be assured of having these blessings right against our heart, every hour of the day.
I’m so loving them that I’m even wearing TWO at the same time now – Tara and Dukkar hehe. I’m trying to figure out how to wear about 8 at the same time – like a charm necklace?
I remember Rinpoche telling us that when he was very young in New Jersey, he used to draw buddha images onto paper and tie a string around it to give to his friends. I thought that it was amazing how, when at the same age, we were running around playing cat-and-mouse but he was already drawing out Buddha images…with the thought of benefiting everyone, starting with the people around him.
I remember getting my first pendant: a gold, oval-shaped Buddha Shakyamuni pendant. I got it on my Sweet 16. I had the entire Bam Boo Bar (restaurant/lounge/bar), rented out for my friends and I to celebrate graduating from high school and my birthday. It was free-flow alcohol (*shrugs* unconventional parents had that arranged!) and as the party was ending, everyone was drunk off their face but I was sober as a monk (:P) as throughout the night I wanted to make sure that everyone was enjoying themselves. I honestly wasn’t enjoying my night until my parents came around 2..together with Tsem Rinpoche! He came, wished me Happy Birthday and gave me the Shakyamuni pendant which I have been wearing till this day (it’s around my neck as I type this!). I haven’t taken it off, only sometimes when it *shame* doesn’t go with my outfit!
As it sits close to my heart, it comforts me as I know that Buddha Shakyamuni will always protect me (be it studies, travel etc), especially with the blessings from Tsem Rinpoche.
It reminds me of my Gurus kindness by sharing with me the Dharma, allowing me to take refuge with him and it reminds me of the ultimate goal: enlightenment.
Even though it’s a simple pendant, I have seen another one like it, even on the section of Kechara’s e-shop (http://www.kechara.com/?p=1090) where they sell the older pendants (classic series). Mine must be ancient.. so much for trying to stay on top with the latest fashion!
I have another pendant with is of Green Tara but I seem to have a strong attachment *bad bad!* to my Buddha Shakyamuni one. The simplicity makes me truly appreciate the beauty of the pendant.
Correction:
* Even though it’s a simple pendant, I HAVEN’T seen another one like it
P.S. I’m using the photo of Rinpoche modeling the ‘I Belong to Buddha” t-shirt as my wallpaper!!! It’s funny
Honestly, I have never come across a Lama who is so absolutely PASSIONATE about all things Buddha and Dharma – to the point that he would fabricate innovative and creative ways of spreading the Three Jewels. I remember being very surprised when I first discovered that Rinpoche actually designed all the pendants that are being sold at Kechara Paradise. I must admit, Rinpoche’s designs are the best I have come across. Some are chic and hip while others are MEGA BLING BLING – filled with diamonds, cubic zirconias or crystals. The new collection of pendants features an inter-changeable function. Meaning, we can now mix and match. I kid you not. You should visit one of the Kechara Paradise stores and see them for yourself. I love those which I can mix and match, because I can change the Buddhas within the pendant. It is really fun and exciting – a whole new way of enjoying our Buddha images. Now that’s uber cool.
In the beginning, one of the main attractions for me towards Kechara was how Rinpoche is always open to unconventional ideas. Rinpoche’s taste for simplicity, classy yet modern designs with a twist of something different proves his taste in design is superb and appropriate for the modern people. The high standards is the result of everything beautiful in Kechara. It’s beauty with a purpose.
Rinpoche is really like my creative director. Many years back, when I first constructed the “bam” logo, I just couldn’t get it right after many attempts. I remember how Rinpoche had to draw me a proper sketch to refer to. It was with proper grids for proportions. Then only I could get it right.
Anyways, I love beautiful jewellery. I also love Buddha pendants but I have those big chunky, traditional ones. I don’t wear them cos it doesn’t match my outfit. When I do, I hide them. These pendants designed by Rinpoche makes it so easy for fussy pots like me to wear daily without having to look unfashionable.
Whenever I wear my pendants, it always reminds me of the kindness of those around me. My first pendant came from Rinpoche a long time ago, a simple gold Buddha Shakyamuni with a solid oval back. My second one came from my mother, a gold Vajrayogini with white gold hollow rectangle back. My third and fourth were both from Rinpoche, an antique finish Setrap with a hollow rectangle back and a silver Setrap with a solid rectangle back. As someone who really isn’t a jewellery person, I never go anywhere without my pendants. It’s the one thing I always have to wear, and I wear them everywhere and to any event, whether formal or casual. That in itself, I believe is another teaching, to show dharma is applicable anywhere we go. It is another way that Rinpoche tries to help us to bring dharma with us all the time – the pendants are a nice reminder of the kind of qualities we should emulate all the time.
Dear Rinpoche,
Is there no end to your talents? Actor, singer, spiritual guide, model, designer…it genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if you gave your next talk while riding a unicycle and juggling!
Kindest regards,
Sandy
P.S. The pendants are rather grand!
Rinpoche is really THE Renaissance Lama – he is so talented in many ways – creative and artistic and i really believe that whatever he sets his mind to do, he can do it! These stunning designs of the pendants are really testament to that. See http://tsemtulku.com/biography/finding-the-dharma/ for pendants that he designed when he was a child! The imprints were there already!
I love these pendants – and wear my Vajrayogini everyday. It’s funny – I have a few pendants but my favourite is still Vajrayogini with diamonds around it. She is quite the Diamond Dakini! Rinpoche is really so very skilful to give us a way of wearing Buddha images to bless us and to bless all those who see them too!
Those are so beautifully made! Thank you!
I received my first pendant, a Setrap from Margaret as head of Kechara Care in 2009, after volunteering as Admin. Then I received a Tsongkhapa pendant from Tsem Rinpoche through Su Ming. Subsequently, Kechara Discovery has been displaying their beautifully crafted pendants at all Kechara House events and I keep on buying them to collect.
I observed many visitors to Kechara House centre had been completely drawn into the beauty of these blessed holy pendants for their meaning, significance and importance. Individuals who wore them are aware of the value of pendants that is the protection it offered and remembering the qualities of the Buddha. It is also said that whoever who lay eyes on pendants of enlightened beings will also be blessed.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Now I can’t remember whose blog was it that I left a comment…
‘I WANT THAT SHIRT RINPOCHE IS WEARING’ something to that effect…
Anyone knows if it’s gonna be made available in KP outlets?
The one with the ‘I BELONG TO BUDDHA’ slogan…
Once again, Rinpoche has proven His eye for detail in those pendants and its been a great hit with many and definitely cooler and more useful than wearing a Gucci or Merz sign around one’s neck or in one Youtube video I saw, Rinpoche was joking about all those Asian amulets of 101 kinds and sizes…lol
Looking at those pictures of Rinpoche, I can’t help laughing.
Often Rinpoche makes a fool of himself to make his students laugh, relax and be more open to his dharma teachings. It’s not always laughter and fun, many a times Rinpoche does not hesitate to use wrath to shake us up whenever one of us repeatedly refuses to change and improve. When this happens, to coin Rinpoche’s own words – “BF time!” every one would be on high alert and keep an eye on each others’ die hard bad habits.
This is a teacher whose only motivation is to bring dharma to his students even at the risk of losing his own reputation.
Rinpoche modelling Kechara T-Shirts… like Project Runway? He made our days being hilarious. I wonder what is up his sleeves next.
The very first pendant of Shakyamuni Buddha designed by Rinpoche was offered to me some years ago and treasure it. Of course Rinpoche has been designing more and more pendants ever since and I get to wear them all and showcase to my relatives and friends. All my staff including those from Cambodia, Nyanmar love wearing them. They are so sacred and holy, blesses us and those who see it.
These pendants are so cool and trendy they can be purchased at all our Kechara Paradise outlets http://www.kechara.com/kp
It is so amazing now that many people in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya recognize members of Kechara House when they see us wearing Tsem Rinpoche’s pendant collection. Coupled with Kechara T-shirt that we religiously wear, Kecharians cannot be missed!
Kechara Discovery is churning out more new pendant designs under Rinpoche’s supervision and the pendants are one of Kechara Paradise outlets’ top sellers.
A few stunning and limited edition of pendants from KD are up for sponsorship at the coming Dinner and Auction on July 18 at Sunway Hotel Ballroom to raise fund for Kechara House new main prayer hall and in aid of Kechara Soup Kitchen. There will also be a few items donated by Rinpoche for open bidding at the dinner plus other items for silent bid.
See you there!
From the 1st batch of silver pendants which was designed by rinpoche in many years ago, now Liaison Paul of Kechara Discovery have came out with many designs in different dieties so whether you are man, lady or kids, Kechara discovery design it to suit u. I love vajrayogini pendant and never leave home without my vajrayogini.
Rinpoche always think how to help to save and protect people life, when we wear buddha pendant, one get a blessing and it remind us of buddha quality and also plant seeds to people who see it.
Now a day our pendants become a trade mark of kechara, outsider recognize us from pendants that we are wearing. Its design in very uniqe, modern and classic style with various design.
I lost touch with Juliet since she got married and moved out of our neighbourhood in Penang. The last I heard of her was when her mum chanced upon my mum and left a message that Juliet had married and moved to Johor. Last year my friends from primary school arranged a get-together. Juliet was one of our surprise guests and another surprise was in store – she was wearing a Vajrayogini pendant which she said was gifted to her by her Guru. I was like, what? VY brought us together again. Since then we have met up many times and always she will be wearing our Buddha pendant – be it VY or Setrap. She loves these pendants as she said the pendants are blessing her and everyone she meets.
(Juliet’s birthday is just round the corner – Happy Birthday my dear friend.)
I so love the t-shirt that Rinpoche had designed. It’s one of the must wears to Kechara House when it’s out and elsewhere as well. Wearing these items sends a message to everyone that it is not shameful to be Buddhists! so stand up and be proud as a Buddhist! The pendants are lovely and so much more detailed than those around this region. They go so well with any kind of clothing and best of all they look modern and not dated. On a deeper level it helps anyone who sees the pendants connect the Dharma.
They are getting quite popular nowadays as i’ve seen some of my colleagues wearing it. I’ll really need to get one soon
I learnt from all these years that Rinpoche is an extremely hand on person. When Rinpoche designed his first series of Buddha pendants , he literally made sure every single step involved on the final outlook of Buddha image was ok before he proceeded to the next step.
The motivation behind for creating all these beautiful Buddha pendants was that everyone can buy one as an offering to the Buddha and wear it close to them as a blessing everyday. Those early batch was pure solid 999 gold. Then later on Rinpoche ask Paul, head of Kechara Discovery to make them into silver and then white or yellow gold plating. Rinpoche wanted to make these pendants more affordable so that more people could afford to buy one. Last time I heard from Paul that the collection of pendants are well over 400 designs now!!!!
And if Rinpoche starts designing T-shirt now, I am sure shoppers will not have to worry about choices.
I received my first pendant from Rinpoche back in August 2007 during the opening of Kechara Paradise Bangsar. It was Nepalese-made flying Vajrayogini and I absolutely loved it. It was one of those rare pendants that could not be bought in the shop (kechara paradise) and I wore it daily to the point that a small hole developed at the back of the pendant itself. Later on, Rinpoche has designed and inspired a few hundred pendant designs that are made by Kechara Discovery http://kechara.com/b2b and nearly everyone in Kechara now sports one (or two!)
The same with t-shirts. Rinpoche saw a footballer in a magazine wearing a cool t-shirt with the words “I BELONG TO JESUS”. The very next day, he had these Buddha t-shirts made that you see in the photo. How cool is that!
The best leaders have great ideas on their own. The best leaders are also not ashamed to take a good idea and make it better. Rinpoche is definitely one of these great leaders
I have never been a jewellery person but I like wearing at least a pair of earrings and a chain with a pendant. I think this is more of an upbringing thing as when I was growing up, my grandmother insists that girls must wear earrings and chains and if we don’t, we will get stares of disapproval from her. Until today, I don’t go anywhere without my stud earrings and chain with a pendant. I have two Buddha pendants that I treasure very much. One is a Vajrayogini pendant which was given to me as a birthday gift and another one is a Manjushri pendant. There was one day I saw someone wearing a Manjushri pendant from Kechara Discovery from afar and I instantly fell in love with it. The next thing I did was to go and get it. It was quite strange as I don’t usually want anything that badly. Anyways, I got that Manjushri pendant and have been wearing the pendant ever since.
Dearest Rinpoche, YOU REALLY HAVE ALL THE QUALITIES OF BUDDHA IN YOU..!YOU ARE GOOD IN ALL WAYS! YOU TALK SO WELL WITH SKILLFULNESS, ESPECIALLY THE IDEAS, DESIGNS AND ETC…
MOST OF MY BUDDHA’S PENDANTS I AM HAVING NOW, IS GIVER BY YOU. YOU HAVE TAUGHT US THE SIGNIFICANT OF WEARING A BUDDHA PENDANT, OR SOMETHING IS RELATED TO BUDDHA ON THE BODY. IMMEDIATELY, WE WILL GET BLESSED OR WHEN THE OTHER PARTY LOOKED AT THE HOLY ITEMS OR BUDDHA’S PENDANT, THEY WILL ALSO GET BLESSED BY HIM. HOW? WONDERFUL AND POWERFUL IS THE HOLY ITEMS OF THE BUDDHA WHEN WE WEAR THEM. IF YOU WANT BUDDHA TO BLESS YOU, PLEASE LOG INTO http://www.kechara.com/paradise OR http://www.kechara.com/discovery TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.
Everywhere I go, I am sure I will wear a BUDDHA pendant, to be blessed by him. So far the BUDDHA pendants that I wear, many people will tell me very nice. They will asked me, where you get from? I SAID KECHARA, then, they asked again who designed it? I ANSWERED RINPOCHE. MOST OF THEM WILL ASK THE SAME THING, IS YOUR RINPOCHE A DESIGNER??? IF YOU WANT FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RINPOCHE, PLEASE LOG INTO http://www.tsemtulku.com . THANKS
Angel
The pendants are great and i got my first one from Rinpoche(A Lama Tsongkhapa)before i knew very much about real spirituality. I will never part with it.
The part about this post that i love best, is to see our Rinpoche smile and have fun. It is a joy and great blessing to see our Guru happy!
Everyone likes a happy Rinpoche!
This is an interesting reading and I just realised that the pendants are designed by Rinpoche. I first had my collection when KD had a promotion tour in Pg KP.
Dharma through Fashion!! Who said that dharma is old fashion and cold…… To and through our guru, dharma has been proven to be as fashionable and modern as can be. It can also be stylish and trendy. Our guru has already provided with over 60 striking designs for the fashion-conscious followers, some with gem-encrusted pieces of both gold and silver to satisfy the “trendy french-rivera taste” of practisioners. Beautiful pendants with exquisite detailing and designs of Tsongkapa, Shakyamuni, Tara, Manjusri, Dzambala, Setrap and Dukar are laid out with shimmering dazzles for the fashion conscious practisioners, friends and walk-ins to feast their eyes on, and to purchase at their leisure and pleasure. Our guru who had also been a catwalk “seasonal” model before a few years back, is no stranger to the fashion world, but now being a monk has to abandon the modelling world. Nevertheless he still designs, and the latest of his creation that will be brought to light soon will be fashionable T-shirts. So make way for Tsem Rinpoche and pls move over Versace and LV before you are outsted!
You name it Rinpoche can and will suceed in whatever he planned to do. He can be a monk and learn up all the Pujas and whatever that is required of a Rinpoche. He speaks elouquently with humour and is the attraction for people to want more talks from him. I remember in the early years in Malaysia. Rinpoche does not know how to handle a computor and had his assistants to teach him. But now he is the master to all in KH. So being a designer and a good one is not a problem for Rinpoche if he chooses to be one. Someone told me if you don’t try and make the effort to persevere how can you suceed.