JJ’s First Public Dharma Talk (Setrap Retreat)
I was also very happy that my student JJ Chong gave his first Dharma teaching on Setrap’s lineage, history, practice and benefits.
JJ is 26 and he has been with me for a number of years now. He has very strong Dharma imprints and I am very glad that he is starting to mature and turn into a beneficial person. He works in the Tsem Ladrang Dept and has many duties which he tries his best to carry out. Smart, quick, sensitive, loves the dharma, and has huge potential is how I see JJ.
Please watch JJ’s talk about Setrap by clicking the box below:
or click here to watch on the external YouTube link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_S4AwtuS0c
I am again very happy that Jj’s sincerely and from his heart gave this talk which was very good I am told.
Please do listen and drop a comment to encourage and bless this aspiring dharma teacher. The more teachers that teach from the heart, the better.
JJ loves his mother and sister so much. His dad passed away when he was very young. He is very close to his mother and sister. He cares for them very much and has tremendous affection for them. He dedicates his merits towards them when he does special dharma work I know. He wants them to be ok always. He cares about his best friend Joshua also. I know he dedicates merits to Joshua and family. I am happy to see this in young people. To remember kindness and repay kindness is a trait JJ has and I encourage.
I offer my prayers and sincerest good wishes that JJ in the future may be able to benefit many people through holding vow, correct conduct, sincere motivation, following the Lam Rim and finally blessed by Lord Tsongkapa to change the lives of many for the better through skillful actions/speech and Dharma.
Tsem Tulku
I met JJ many years ago in Kechara Mystical Treasures in Piccolo Galleria and we became friends. I noticed he had an unusual interest and devotion towards Buddhism. We would spend a lot of time talking about Dharma and discussing and at times debating. I felt close to be with him because we shared something very sacred together – the Dharma.
Rinpoche took notice of JJ right from the beginning and would give many gifts and also recognised a hidden quality in JJ to be a Dharma teacher many years back. Rinpoche prophesied many years of struggle before his Dharmic seeds will finally blossom. On the other hand, our friendship when through ups and downs and there were times, I was so angry with him, I wanted to wring his neck. But the storm soon blew over and I am really happy for him for sticking it out for the Dharma. There were times, he was severely tested in the Ladrang and he still manage to make it alright.
I do hope that as he teach more and do more Dharma work, his virtuous seeds will blossom and he will be able to benefit many people.
I remember my first public talk (a political speech) and I was so nervous, I’m surprised I didn’t faint! If this wasn’t labelled as JJ’s first public Dharma talk, I wouldn’t have known, because it is so engaging, informative and presented incredibly well.
Also, for a lot of people giving maiden talks, the talk can lack interest, because (understandably) of nerves and the lack of experience, but this talk is extremely interesting.
Going by this, JJ is certainly a credit to Rinpoche and Kechara, and I hope he continues to give talks on many other subjects in the future; no doubt JJ will benefit many from his in-depth knowledge and personable presentations.
What JJ shows, in my opinion, is that his practice and dedication to the Dharma is so solid that he can give Dharma talks, such is his understanding, and he is an inspiration for me to work hard at my own understanding of the teachings to the point where I could give similar talks in a similar situation.
Congratulations, JJ. To say your first Dharma talk is a success is an understatement! I look forward to more of these from you in the future, sir.
Kind regards,
Sandy
Congratulations JJ – you have done superbly on your first talk. I was so proud of you and you’ve really grown up from being that young (and sometimes naughty!) chicken from when I first met you. Nowadays, we can all see clearly how much you have transformed into someone so beneficial, full of knowledge and the willingness to go all the way in your Dharma path.
You have SO much knowledge and so much enthusiasm to learn – imagine what you can achieve if all that potential was realised! Remember how we would often talk about what it would be like if we didn’t have Dharma anymore! Scary… I’m glad you have stuck it through and gone all the way in Dharma, through the ups, the downs and all the in betweens.
It is all this effort, hard work and super gung-ho never-give-up that has brought you to where you are now; you will inspire people not just by what you are saying, but by your courage (even at such a young age), great effort, determination to see things through to the end and sincere, deep love of Dharma.
I’ll never forget all those times we shared when we worked together in KMP – those were crazy days when things were still fledgling and new but I’ll always remember the many glimpses of your big heart and your huge capacity to love and care for others. Bring that out more more more; combined with your vast knowledge, passion for Dharma and very, very, very convincing way of speaking (“sneaky” rat!), there’s nothing but the brightest future ahead for you and for all the people whose lives will be touched and transformed by you. It is certainly an honour to have your friendship.
JJ, I want to congratulate you for your first Dharma talk in Kechara. Rinpoche has noticed your talents way back many years ago, it is just that there were some obstacles you need to work on before you blossom. Rinpoche has never given up on you and I am very proud of you that you have stood by the Dharma through thick and thin. The results that you are achieving now is only the peak of the iceberg. You have huge potential to become the new generation Dharma teacher for Kechara. You are mature now and speak very well, and I am sure you will use your knowledge and speech well to benefit many more people who come to Kechara. You do look like a handsome buddhist pastor in your black shirt
Whenever I have questions regarding deity or any ritual, your name always pops up in my mind. That shows how much regards I have of you. JJ, Way to go!
JJ comes across as someone whose only “interest” is dharma. When I first met him, I was of the impression that here is a monk living among us. Maybe it was because he looks like a novice monk, with his knowledge of the dharma and still so young (and almost shining crown). He has come a long way overcoming many obstacles in his path and now we have this teacher among us, well informed and ever ready to impart his knowledge to one and all.
JJ is a walking sponge, and if you give him a little squeeze a lot of dharma will flow out. Rinpoche has groomed JJ to where he is today. An upcoming teacher to walk among us to assist Rinpoche in his vision for KWPC to benefit people of this region and spread of Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings.
Do not stop there, JJ. Look forward to more talks by you.
JJ, your talk at the beginning of Setrap Puja was very clear and well structured. We can feel your sincerity throughtout the short talk and you even prepared a note for us to take home. I especially appreciate the way you related the visulisation part with reference to the specific part of the prayer book. I am sure all Setrap Retreatants would benefit from this, as they now undertand the meaning of the verses in the prayer book.
The notes on visualisation serves as a very effective reference point when we are chanting mantra. I have copied the notes and combined it with my prayer book.
May I suggest you give the same talk at the next Setrap puja as I know most of the participants would appreciate this very much.
Thank you JJ, I really rejoice for you on your achievement and look forward to attend dharma talks given by you in the very near future.. btw, if you like to read the Chinese Vajrasattva book, I am happy to lend it to you
: I was actually very surprised to see how at “home” JJ appeared to be, sitting in front of the whole room, with more than 72 pair of eyes staring right back at him. When he began to speak, I almost forgot just how young he really is. Rinpoche has definitely done an amazing job grooming JJ into a Dharma Teacher. I can understand now why Rinpoche said that the Dharma taught by lay people might be more relevant to the lay community at large, because it is expounded from their points of reference. It might be harder to relate to monk. Al though I must admit, Rinpoche has a gift in ensuring that everyone in the audience is able to relate to what Rinpoche is explaining. After listening to JJ’s Dharma Talk, I can see that JJ’s Dharma Talks would appeal to all kinds of audience – young, old, man or woman. He has that “mass appeal” factor. He makes it easy for everyone to understand. I found JJ’s explanation on Setrap’s visualization especially helpful. He was clear and concise. Thank you, JJ! May this be the first of many!
JJ’s first public dharma talk would please any Guru.
I think the important thing was that he did his homework and prepared well.He was eloquent, calm and not showing any nerves. His talk was very clear and he cared about the audience enough to pause to check if they were following or if there were urgent questions that need to be answered before he moved on to the next topic.This together with humbleness makes the audience like him.
Dharma is the best gift and its great to see young people like JJ ( Jamie, David comes to mind ) using their intelligence and knowledge be benefit so may by sharing.
We need more dharma teachers and pastors as the organisation grows and what JJ did is a big step towards realizing his potential to become one.
Congratulations JJ!
From the very first time I met you, I thought what an interesting young person who is so full of enthusiasm and knowledge on Dharma. It is rare to see young people your age doing Dharma and loving it so much and know so much as well. You have a great memory and you bilingual which gives you the advantage in benefiting more people. I truly hope you will flourish, take and trust Rinpoche’s advice and guidance to be a great Dharma teacher with kindness and compassion. If it is something that is in you, imprints from a previous, then all you need is to tab into that seed to trigger it to grow.
I am very happy for you, for this day.
This may have been JJ’s first time conducting a public Dharma talk but, his sincerity and earnestness shone from within and broke through the silence in the room. It was evident that everyone was taken in by his sharing on Setrap and appreciated the note which he has painstakingly prepared for the session. Not unlike David, who also shares a deep understand and knowledge in the Dharma; JJ has selflessly involved himself in different committees within Kechara, participated in Kechara activities, ever ready to lend a helping hand or a compassionate ear while, still carrying out his many duties in Tsem Ladrang. Kudos to you, JJ! Personally, I look forward to be present at more of your sharing sessions… Thank you for your eloquence, your patience, your concern and most of all, your knowledge generosity. Congratulations JJ… HUGS!
Those who hang around Kechara long enough would have heard it many times before from rinpoche and his senior students but JJ’s talks on the same topic is like going through some final advice from the guru himself before students went into retreat!
Simple, precise and timely.
I remember when I once(first) received a call from him over the phone concerning last minute cancelation of a activity which I took great effort to re-arrange my time so that I could attend.
His voice over the phone was so soft, well manner that there is no reason for one to get upset over the whole incident. I have nothing but praise for young persons like JJ and others that works full time in Dharma.
Keep up with the good work!!
To those who didnt know about Setrap (Dharma Protector of Kechara Oraganisation and also a wrathful emanation of AMITABHA), JJ explained it very well during his presentation. JJ even prepared an explanation on an A4 paper and passed out to all that was attending the Setrap retreat. Most of the people were happy and pleased with what JJ had done especially those who knew JJ for a long time, to see that JJ had learned so much and grown into a young man that can benefit so many with his knowledge, love for Rinpoche and Kechara Organisation. Everyone is proud of you! Keep up the good work.
Well done JJ, I am very proud of you !
JJ is one of the many young people in KH that have strong imprints of spiruality. He is very intelligent and gifted in the mastering of different languages. If I’m not mistaken, his knowledge in Mandarin is self taught and he can recite the whole “Stages of the Path” in Tibetan from memory.
Through the years, JJ had his fair share of ups and downs along the path. He had overcome obstacles and re-emerged stronger .
JJ’s teaching on 6 July benefited all in KH1. He had shown care by preparing the notes in advance for us . At the end of each sub headings , he checked again and again if his listeners could follow. I am touched by all these qualities shown by JJ.
Thank you, JJ !
Thank you JJ for your informative and inspiring Dharma talk. I believe that your talk on 6 July marks the first of many talks you can conduct. It is so exciting that your effort will start the ball rolling for the emergence of many local Dharma talks and teachers.
I wish for you that your power of speech will further strengthen and have the power penetrate all mind streams through the reinforcement of your daily Dharma practice in your life. Being so close to Rinpoche, you have the best “tool” to sharpen your talent to become one of the most powerful Dharma teachers in Malaysia, the region and then the world. Yes, think big! Be greedy ☺
In conclusion, this Dharma talk symbolizes the revolution of Dharma education in Malaysia. Yes, this is the empowering gift of sustainable Dharma education that Tsem Rinpoche intends to bestow upon Malaysians and Malaysia. Well-read and sincere local Dharma teachers are the seeds to having Dharma flourish in Malaysia in the long run compared to reliance on visiting Lama alone. Rinpoche already revealed Rinpoche’s commitment to Malaysia Dharma growth 18 years ago by being the first resident Lama here. It is perhaps time for the next step in Rinpoche’s big plan to ensure that the gift of Dharma will always remain with us. How kind our Guru is!
Only recently i have the honour to got to know JJ , he was explaning to a group of us in Ladrang about a video on Tibetan oracles. I was very surprise at that time how well he explain to us and the way he speaks simply shows he knows his stuff. Very knowledgeable ! At that time i thought of him to be someone that’s much much older than his age and thought he must have been with Rinpoche for a very long time. Thats how good he is.
Listening to his talk a few days ago at KH1 during the Setrap retreat session about Setrap was eye opening for someone as young as him , although i wasnt seated on the floor among the retreat taker , i can still clearly feels and hear his true commitment and determination through his speech to bring what he wants to present across to everyone. He wasnt nervous for first timer & was very compose as well. JJ keep it up. You did great and i hope you can be a Dharma Teacher and teaches beginners like me ! Kudos.
JJ, your Dharma talk was short, straight to the point and most importantly, clear. You are really inspirational to me in more ways than one, that if you can give a Dharma talk with enough training, i can be too and would be able to benefit even more people. At this current moment i’ll just have to work my way for it
JJ surely has grown a lot and has been through a lot to reach this level and despite going through so much he is still able to rise as a Dharma teacher – the first official one that Rinpoche has given his permission to, is someone to be very proud indeed. JJ has always been very Dharmically inclined and Rinpoche is so kind to help him ripen those inclinations into their full potential.
JJ, congratulations on a wonderful job giving your first Dharma talk during our recent Setrap Retreat. Your knowledge and eloquence was admirable for a young person like you. The part you explained on visualization is clear and helpful, and I am sure new people will benefit a lot from it.
I remembered when I was new in KMP, you would never hesitate to fill me in with information whenever I asked you on some past production matters. When I sent books to old Ladrang, you will always serve me drinks and walked me to my car. Now at the new Ladrang, you cooked and served us heavenly tasty food! I hope more newbies will have the priviledge to come in and be inspired by you.
That was great first teaching especially infront of such a large group with so many eyes watching! JJ was totally collected and clear and precise and made the Setrap visualization very concise and yet comprehensive. All this comes from the blessing of his Guru, H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and reflects on the nuture that he has given him as well and the preparation and effort JJ must have put into this talk so that he was able to give such a talk with an inner confidence which naturally comes across during this. At such a young age, he is certainly an inspiration to many of us oldies, and with people like him, Jamie and David coming up who are being nutured to do more teaching like this, we can look forward to a KWPC as being a great institute of learning in the future.
Congrats JJ…you are home…you’ve started on your first and is what you like to do most…To Teach the Dharma with the good intention to benefit ppl.
Keep up the good work ya.
You are special and you will make a great dharma teacher . The blessing comes from all these years of serving Rinpoche. Remember Rinpoche represent all the lineage masters and hence when you have Rinpoche’s blessing you too have all the lineage masters blessing too. It is so powerful. You are young and you have the potential to benefit many when you follow closely to Rinpoche’s instruction. You are our future.
You were so confident when you gave the talk at Kechara House. If I do not know I would think that you have been giving talk all the time and you know your stuff – no bull shitting. This only the beginning, you will do more in the future I am sure.
It is good to know that H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpohce’s students are beginning to give Dharma Talks to spread the Dharma. Uncle JJ pours his heart and soul into the Dharma work he is involved with. I also see Uncle JJ as a Smart, Quick, Sensitive and Dharma loving person. I attended his talk. I found it very interesting as I got more of a recap and additional information related to Setrap Chen’s history, Lineage and his practice. Now more students can get protected by the great Dharma Protector Setrap Chen! So, thank you, Uncle JJ for giving everyone a chance to fully understand and be able to practice Setrap. May you live long!
I missed the dharma talk so I watched the video and listened attentively. JJ spoke from his heart, in simple language that is clear and easy to understand, about the origins of Setrap’s practice, the emanations of Amitabha, holy beings to whom he swore allegiance to, and the lineage holders of Ganden. How wonderful that this practice has spread to Malaysia to benefit the people here. Wherever the guru is, there the Dharmapala will reside. I heard many stories about how Lord Setrap has helped people to overcome their problems. Personally I’ve also benefited. Two years ago, I prayed to Setrap during pujas and made offerings every week that my daughter would get a place in a local university because I couldn’t afford to send her to a private college or overseas. My prayers were answered. My daughter obtained a place for the course she applied for and she also got a loan from the government to pay for the fees.
JJ, you know what? You rock man! Your setrap retreat talk was amazing! Your voice and tone were so pleasant, your poisture and manner were correctly conducted and your confidence stright through the room. You had well prepared and you had given so much of details on the practice. you covered wide and and all the details especially for the visualisation part. It helps me a lot after you explained it. It was so refreshing for me. It was the whole process from beginning until end without any part left out.
I must say you had turned yourself into a mature man. A charming dharma teacher had just born. I am very looking forward for your next dharma talk, JJ. Hhmm.. I think i want to click on the youtube and listen to your setrap retreat talk one more time.. sorry i need to excuse myself now..
JJ is a spectacular young man. I echo everyone’s sentiment above re his eloquence and knowledge. When I first came to KMP, JJ was always very resourceful, quick and very knowledgeable. Being bilingual is an additional skill too. And since he came from Penang, that had to get some extra bonus points! ☺
Yes JJ had his fair share of problems but then who doesn’t. Rinpoche has always said that it’s okay to fall, after all, we’re only human. It’s how fast we bounce back and stay on track. And JJ managed to persevere and overcome them, which speaks volumes for him. Others would have run. And some young people did. Their egos couldn’t take it and look at where they are now and where JJ is. We may have the imprints for Dharma but if we do not work at it and keep good samaya with our Guru, the best imprints will not open up. The difference between others and JJ is that JJ stuck it out, humbled down and proved himself. Everyone has that chance – it depends whether people choose to seize it or not.
I was very proud of JJ when he gave the talk – he was so confident and his delivery was smooth. He is a good reflection on Rinpoche’s training and teaching. JJ really has the world at his feet and I’ve been watching and waiting for him to take that step forward. I look forward to seeing him grow from strength to strength.
JJ can and will be a beneficial dharma teacher. He is young, intelligent, eloquent, has an excellent memory and deep love for dharma. These are just a few good traits of this promising young man.
His past dharma imprints are surfacing quicker under Rinpoche’s care and guidance and from the tremendous amount of merit he accrued in serving Tsem Ladrang.
If JJ were to learn to speak, read, and write Tibetan then he will be of a tremendous asset to Kechara and probably the first Malaysian to teach in English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese and Tibetan!
A few years back Rinpoche wanted another person to learn Tibetan but unfortunately for that person it did not materialize.
JJ is such a natural. I would never have guessed that this was his first public dharma talk. I especially like when he guided us through a short meditation. He has a calm and soothing voice. The talk on Lord Setrap was fabulous . It was nicely summarized . If people say that the students reflect on the guru. Then I needn’t say more. The years of training that Rinpoche spent on training his liaisons and senior students were years well spent ! Sometimes I can actually feel Rinpoche’s blessing coming thru when the students gives a talk. I can’t wait for JJ’s next dharma talk. More please !!
I was not there when JJ gave his talk, and I just watched the recording on you tube.
In the past, I had been looking for Dharma teachings all over the net, that was before I got involved with Kechara House actively. If I had come accross the talk that JJ gave by then, I would have saved it and listen to it a few times, then I would have searched for more teachings from JJ.
I am sure that there are more people like me, who want to listen to JJ sharing on many more subjects.
Heartfelt gratitude to Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for nurturing JJ.
I learnt something new from JJ’s dharma talk. I have always wondered who was the lama wearing a red pandit hat seated on the top left in Setrap’s thangka. Thanks to JJ for highlighting that its Lama Loden Sherab! In fact another Spore friend also just discovered this thru his talk
I admire JJ’s courage to speak to a huge crowd. Public speaking is never an easy thing to do. Maybe the next time I see him, I will get some tips on how to overcome the fear.
Rinpoche has always push his students beyond what they think they can do. JJ pls continue with the good work ~ it has benefitted me and I am sure it will benefit many more people too.
I have known JJ for a couple of years and he has grown from a young man to a mature responsible person who can and will benefit many with his strong dharma knowledge. He had gone through many ups and downs but he didn’t give up. I was very impressed by JJ first Dharma talk during Setrap retreat. He explained incredibly well, was very steady and composed and he spoke from his heart. His whole presentation was very interesting and well understood by the people present.
It is through Rinpoche’s kindness and patience to groom JJ to where he is today and I am happy for JJ whose devotion to Rinpoche made him who he is today!!!
JJ is young, and like all young boys going thru early adulthood, he has gone through many ups and downs. Living in a big city like Kuala Lumpur has its share of distractions, and it is to JJ’s credit that he remains steadfast in Dharma, serving Rinpoche and the ladrang in any way that he can.
I have always felt that JJ has deep dharmic imprints. He has an almost photographic memory for Dharma. He’s so into statues and buddha images that you’d think he was a Tibetan. His room is filled with Dharma paraphernalia and books of all sorts. Its kind of like the story of Kilhan http://www.kechara.com/ladrang/news/a-very-special-little-lion/
Congratulations JJ. You’re smart, young and the world is your oyster. And I am happy that you’ve chosen to stay, transform and reach your true potential. This Dharma talk is just your first step onto the path of your destiny.
You will be a great credit to your parents. And this is the best thing that you can do in this life, for yourself, your loved ones and especially to repay Rinpcohe’s kindness to you for all these years.
JJ’s dharma talk in the recent Setrap Retreat was very good for a first timer. Irregardless of him being nervous, he delivered the teachings very clearly. He was finally benefiting others through his knowledge of Kechara House’s protector practice, Lord Setrap.
I am extremely happy for JJ. He has come a very long way. I have known JJ since 2006 in Kechara House and have been working closely with him in Tsem Ladrang since 2008. It has not been easy working with him because he is very sloppy and selective with his assignments. I used many methods to nurture him, peaceful and wrathful ones. There were even times that I wanted to beat him up. He was my root Guru for teaching me compassion! Fortunately, in recent months, I noticed a positive change in him. He became more enthusiastic, responsible, moves faster and more accurate with his work.
He told me that he’s tired of always being told off for his irresponsible ways for the last few years. He wants to change for the better. He loves the dharma. I was skeptical when I first heard it because I thought that he just wanted the storm to pass real fast. But now, I’m beginning to believe him.
Watching JJ deliver his first dharma talk in Kechara House almost brought tears to me. I saw the tremendous amount of effort he has put into battling his strong negative habits. For lack of a better word, I was very proud of him!
JJ will always have my support. I look forward to him blossoming in to a dharma teacher under the guidance of our Guru, Tsem Rinpoche.
JJ’s got so many talents and he is very creative when it comes to spiritual matters. He is naturally confident when it comes to things related to the dharma. So young and already he can hold the floor with the knowledge that he has. Another plus point for him is that he is bilingual which will be very useful in the future. With thoughts about spreading the dharma to China in the pipeline and also the mainstay of the people in Malaysia who embrace Buddhism belonging to the Chinese speaking group. Oh yeah totally enjoyed the sessions whereby I worked with JJ together in the kitchen serving the guests of the Ladrang.
JJ is very fortunate to have the opportunity to be so close to and to serve Rinpoche directly. I think this is a privilege he should never take for granted. It is this direct training and care that has benefitted him and transformed him to be what he is today. If he is only 26, just imagine how much benefit he can bring to others if he continues to forge on ahead. Being with Rinpoche means he would have received a huge dose of dharma teachings, direct or in daily living and sharing that knowledge would benefit all of us. Don’t let them be lost.
I must say that JJ is also a great cook. He even puts his heart into his cooking and churns out really delicious meals, and I am embarrassed that he always takes pains to serve me food or at least ask if he could get me anything everytime I’m at the Ladrang. I always say no, but he still insists. Rinpoche’s care has rubbed off on him too.
JJ’s first talk did not sound like a first talk. He spoke not only from knowledge but from experience, that’s why the confidence showed, belying his age. The message was clearly elucidated with humility and he engaged with the audience. I see another great teacher in the pipeline, trained from the ground up.
I am glad i was there for JJ’s first Dharma talk, in fact it was also my first time attending a Dharma talk. JJ has a style and personal structure of lecturing that made it so simple for a beginner like me to understand what would otherwise have been a confusing activity. I learned a lot in those few minutes.
JJ (age 26) delivering such precious knowledge was followed by Jamie’s very competent leading of prayers. Jamie i understand is 27 (ok la…28). I have never seen anything like that in my years of practicing “religion” and i doubt i would see it anywhere else, outside Kechara.
It’s wonderful and a privilege to see 2 young lay people manifesting Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s vision of creating lay gurus, and fulfilling His Eminence’s wishes that Rinpoche speaks of so often.
JJ and Jamie made Rinpoche very proud and i am glad i was there to experience it.
Hardly met JJ eventhough I was with Kechara for few months already, we only pass smiles and gestures most the time when I went to Ladrang. That night during the Setrap retreat opening, it was a total eye opener for me to hear JJ giving the Dharma talk. He spoke so well and it was easy to understand even for newbies. His explaination is clear and precise.
He is full of confidence and spoke with great details and it shows that he is fully equipped with the dharma knowledge.
I was totally surprised when he started his speech.
Rinpoche is surely happy and pleased to see how JJ had performed in front of so many audiences
Dear JJ, your teaching about Setrap retreat is great.You have the talent to share dharma with people.I knew JJ during the Mig Tse Ma ton time, which i fond his very intelligent, knowledgeable, sensitive and passion about learning dharma. This draw my attention to him think he such the young age yet he have so much knowledge and like rinpoche a lot. Later we stay at the same dharma house together about 3 year ago. Rinpoche always kind to JJ, give him love and gift, nursing him more dharma knowledge, because rinpoche think he can become dharma teacher at the future. For pass few years JJ has make tremendous transformation from himself, he work hard at Tsem ladrang dedicate his life to dharma.
chia
JJ makes it look so easy with his flawless talk. He had it well prepared and didn’t dissapoint Rinpoche with this great performance. I must say, a new local Dharma teacher was born! JJ has put in a lot of hardwork and had gone through a lot of obstacle for him to be like what he has achieved now.
JJ, together with Jamie and David are the special breed with vast Dharma knowledge under their sleeves will be rocking the world of Buddhism in the land of Malaysia and will be the flag carrier in our future KWPC!
I am so happy for JJ that he will be giving talks more and more to benefit more people.
Congratulations! You have my deepest respect JJ! Keep it up!
I’ve known JJ for many years now and we’ve worked together very closely in the past. JJ is as Rinpoche mentioned, smart, quick, loves the dharma with exceptional memory.
JJ giving talk is wonderful as he is blossoming into what Rinpoche has always said he can be…a Dharma teacher. Reading all the comments from people on this blog truely is a joy!
JJ, you have my support always, and read for yourself, how many wonderful comments people have left on this blogpost. Many people who knew you for years now are rejoicing with you.
I look forward to more talks from you. JJ, you are a wonderful Dharma teacher and can be a tremendous benefit to many. Rinpoche and all of us loves you very much. Remember that always.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU JJ. I REJOICED IN YOU!
It is all because of RINPOCHE’S LOVING CARE, KINDNESS AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU YOU BECAME A FIRST DHARMA TEACHER IN KECHARA HOUSE. PLEASE KEEP IT UP! JJ BOLEH!
I came to know JJ about 5 to 6 years ago. He has come a long way. JJ is young and has lots of potential. He is intelligent, has lots of Dharma knowledge in his imprint. I am inspired by him!
I totally agreed with what Henry said about JJ. He can be beneficial to teach Dharma. He speaks very well, when Rinpoche asked Dharma questions, he just answered them very quickly and correctly. His is good!
Again JJ, ALL THE BEST TO YOU, AND I’M PROUD OF YOU!
Love, angel
Dear JJ,
I really enjoyed your dharma talk on Lord Dharmapala Setrup and his practice. You were very clear and calm. It was very easy for me to understand what you were teaching. From your teaching, I now know the history of Lord Dharmapala Setrup better and I also just realized my visualization during my prayers are all wrong. Haha. Thank goodness you had the courage to come out in front of all of us and share the teachings of the practice with us. May Lord Dharmapala Setrup guide you to become a great Dharma teacher and benefit many sentient beings.
With folded hands,
Wee Liang
i remembered that many years back when JJ was younger and still playful like other young boy, in that time he just joined in Kechara House and Rinpoche has asked him to memorize the guru yoga practice of lama tsongkhapa, then rinpoche asked him to chant in the public and he did it quite well. Incredible!! It shows how strong of his Dharma imprint.
We have withnessed how enthusiasm to learn dharma and how intelligent he is, he has full knowledge about what the meaning that represent each of buddhas and general Dharma knowledge that he able to explain very well to us.
With rinpoche great compassion, jj has been nutured and trained under Rinpoche guidance while he does his ‘dharma work’ in ladrang during this past few years. And he has showed his improvement and transform of his actions and mind, he is more mature and willing to do things to benefit other.
Congratualtions JJ!! for your first sucessful public talk at Kechara house. I looking forward for your 2nd talk. You will be one of the great teacher in KWPC. Keep it up..JJ
I rejoice with JJ for his achievement to be a Dharma teacher for furure KWPC. When I listen to him talk at the opening of Setrap Retreat. feel happy same time sad. When I see JJ up there giving his dharma talk. I wish BIBI could be up there too to make me proud of him as JJ had made his family proud. I still remember the many times JJ had been reprimanded by Rinpoche. And I did not understand Rinpoche has polished JJ into some one who can benefit a lot of people in the future with his knowledge of dharma.
I am there when JJ gave this dharma talk about Setrap.What i can said is it doesn’t sound like he is doing this first time,he was so calm and steady,details and clear.
I only met JJ twice, first time was when i visited ladrang and 2nd time was during Rinpoche visit SP grandma at Penang hospital.What i knew is he’s from Penang too,and he didn’t talk much.I rejoice for you ,JJ ,your dharma talk was so successful and benefited many people.It is the best gift you gave to your mother and sister!
I look forward to your dharma talk in future at KWPC!
I agree with everyone’s comments about JJ here. Yes, JJ is young and from the traditional religious background we come from, it is unheard of that a young 26 year old lay person gives teachings in a temple. Rinpoche has started a tradition here and break all conventional norm that YOUNG LAY PEOPLE CAN TEACH TOO! What a powerful precedent set and message to all the old uncles and aunties who are still enveloped in the outer trappings of religion. And judging from the response that night after JJ’s talk, I dare say everyone endorses and supports this breed of young talented boys and girls to share their knowledge. JJ didnt just regurgitate the words but spoke confidently and clearly. He was well prepared and spoke with conviction. Congratulations JJ for arrivin at this stage of your practice. I look forward to more talks from you!
Dear JJ, we met the other day with Peter, Pat and Becky behind KSA. I am so glad I joined you guys for coffee and to hear you explain more about Dharma. Your talk was very informative and very helpful to me. I was able to visualize Tsongkhapa as you spoke and am now able to apply that visualization when we recite Guru Yoga. Thank you for helping me understand the practice of Setrap more. I have also shared your explanation about the importance of taking Refuge with a friend and I hope in the very near future when the opportunity comes, she will take Refuge with Rinpoche. Your bilingual skills will help many many people. Good luck.
Dear JJ, you have done well. Thank you for sharing this with me. Keep up your wonderful work!
Well done JJ!
JJ’s dharma knowledge inspired many people and i noticed that the night all participants were paying attentively to his talk .
I like the part he explained our lineage masters with passion and so clear that must be the imprints he has from his previous lifes. JJ explained to the retreatants that we have 3 points to achieve for this Setrap Retreat. Through his organized and well thoughts explaination, he really made the participates understand the purpose of the setrap retreat.
JJ loves dharma and mastered the iconography of many buddhas and deities too, i remembered during one of Ripoche’s dharma talk , Ripoche gave us quiz with regards Iconography of some buddhas, no one knew the answer except JJ..WOW, he is so young and know so much about dharma. May he become one of the great dharma teacher in this region, to spread tsongkhapa doctrine far and wide.
My first impression of JJ was gentle, caring, easy going and knowledgeable. Basically he is STEADY! And his first public Dharma talk was instead very STEADY, but I was not surprised by that performance as my gut feeling told me that he had it. He was composed, eloquent and witty too, well-equipped to attract the younger Dharma seekers in the future.
JJ, congratulations on your first Dharma talk. Your style and personality will appeal especially to the mass Chinese speaking audience. You will bring them Rinpoche’s brand of Dharma that will benefit them tremendously. May you fulfil your promise to our precious Lama to spread the Holy Dharma and inspire others to follow your footstep. I Rejoice.
It was most unfortunate that I could not be there in person. However with the help of the amazing Kechara in Motion department, I could still watch and benefit from this Dharma talk.
Find out more about this wonderful department and what they do and what they are going to be doing here: http://www.kechara.com/film-video
With regards to JJ’s Dharma talk, my initial thoughts on it are:
1.He came across confident, eloquent and more importantly passionate. He clearly speaks from a depth in his heart. Beautiful!
2.He had planned his notes well. It had good components of a successful presentation. There was a beginning (he made clear from the start the concise topics he was going to talk about in point form), good content interspersed with clear explanations, and ended with a nice referral to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to link his listeners back to the auspicious date of the night – nice touch to continue to interest the mind of his listeners and to drive one last point of the significance of the whole point of the talk, home.
3.He was clearly engaging as he spoke. He constantly looked up and around at his audience.
4.His body language was that of a serious yet approachable speaker who can and will answer any questions his listeners have.
I am very proud of JJ. All of us that know JJ, are without a question of doubt. I cannot wait to see him in a Pastors uniform of which I am confident he will look good in and shoes he can most certainly fit into!
JJ is truly a nice person,who inspired me a lot with his dharma knowledge.When you get to know him,you will love him. When I was lost and out seeking for answers,I sincerely prayed to Kuan Yin to connect me to someone to guide me in my spiritual path and Kuan Yin sent JJ.I am most grateful to him for bringing me into the dharma and Kechara House.His passion and knowledge of dharma have helped a lot of people understand dharma more clearly .Almost every gathering or party ends up with dharma talk and we always love to listen when he shares dharma with us.So much dharma knowledge at such a young age.JJ truly love his family and granduncle very much, a close knit family and they really are very nice.His teaching on Setrap was short, precise and easy for everybody to understand… Be the best teacher and benefit more people in the future.I salute you.Thank you JJ for connecting me with dharma and Rinpoche.
Congratulation to you JJ ! You are our first young dharma teacher now.
JJ is so lucky to have met Tsem Rinpoche at such a young age and Rinpoche has discovered his potential talent to be a dharma teacher and has trained him to become the first dharma teacher in Kechara House. JJ has personality, a lot of dharma knowledge and he can impart his knowledge to people very well, easy to understand, he spoke as if he has been giving dharma talk regularly and that wasn’t his first public talk, so calm and easy. Study well and learn more to become a famous future dharma teacher to help people.
This is my sincere wish to you JJ. Hope to attend more of your dharma talks soon.
Dear David,
I do remember and cherish the days of the good ol’ KMT days where we had all the time to hang out(simply because I was still in college and u were in the store all day long). We had some sort of dynamics with Buddhism from subjects ranging from history to iconography and eventually philosophy. You are one of the very few people whom I can actually expressively discuss the Dharma with.
I thank you very much for bringing me into Kechara House and connecting me with Rinpoche. Through your kindness, I have benefited with so many hours of teachings, so much care and kindness and the list goes on.
I pray that our journey in this holy path of Dharma together will never stop continue to encourage each other like the days of old with burning passion to change something in us for the better.
much love,
JJ
Dear Sandy,
Thank you for taking time off to read, watch and post your comments on this post. I am very glad that u find some relations with this blog and ur life. It is really life enriching when we know that we can overcome our negative traits and bring ourselves forward in the light and blessings of the Dharma.
Rinpoche has been very kind to me and gave me His all. All the limitless time, effort, care and scolding really made me think and push myself to think out of my boundaries in order to make things change for the better in me.
In Kechara, you are rest assured that everything is passed on with a Dharmic meaning and is never lost. All these are credited to Rinpoche’s brainchild – Kechara. You get to pass your days and nights in the Dharma.
What more aspirations one would want to be reborn in the Western Paradise, when paradise is actually HERE!
I wish u well and do continue with your Dharma practice in noble success.
much care,
JJ
Dear Paris,
All these while you have been very supportive of me and given me all your love and care without wanting anything back. I love our friendship and cherish the times we have together.
I know, I know, I know, I confessed to u before that I wanna find back my previous incarnation and bash him up for making such huge aspirations and prayers to do Dharma in this life time and now I TAKE IT BACK!!! For without Dharma, I really do not know what else I would be doing in life really.
U have a big heart and a soft and loving one as well. Many a times, when I was sick, u wud take me to the doctors and also feed me very well before i plonk myself onto bed. U have many qualities which I admire and which I need to work on myself to be able to be like u!
I’m happy to be ur friend and ur brother in Dharma and to be cared for by u and care for u like my sister from now until KECHARA!!!!
love love love,
JJ
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for your congratulatory words of encouragement. It is definitely an honor to be able to be of service in this way and also a means of giving back to Kechara and Rinpoche whom without these two I would not be who I am today.
I am very happy and inspired too by your tremendous transformation over the past few months which is like that of a bullet train. There are so much things unspoken about your transformation that everyone around u appreciates and loves about you. In these months, u are able to take up so much work in order to benefit our organization and the people who are to come.
The great Bodhisattva Master Shantideva said that the mind is unlimited in making efforts to benefit people. This is so true about u because are taking up so many jobs to renovate and make Kechara a better place to be now.
Now whenever I have anything pertaining to constructions or any fixtures, u’ll be the first person to come to mind:O) I have much to learn from u in this respect.
Thank u again.
Cheers,
JJ
Dear Girlie,
It dawned upon me that u were one of the first few senior people whom I spoke with in the days of Dame Khang in Bandar utama. Your stunning vigilance in ur Dzambala practice overawes us in many ways and that I really need to learn from u and master it from beginning to end.
A beautiful lady who has got so much to share, besides learning from you, I have also noticed a great transformation in you which you have let go much of ur insecurities and put ur heart and soul with Rinpoche, Kechara and your Dharma practice in dedication to your mother whom u love dearly.
JJ is but one of the many more Dharma teachers to come to conquer the world of suffering for the people in the future through the inspiring vision of Rinpoche. Dharma teachers will blossom like mushrooms after the rain to bring everyone with hope and light.
Let’s make this happen together:)
cheers,
JJ
Great job JJ
You spoke with great authority and sincerity. I learned a lot from listening to you, and even went back and listened again to see what I may have missed… I am sure you have a terrific future ahead of you teaching the dharma!
Wow, what a great dharma talk from someone so young and knowledgeable. It was clear, precise, well prepared, informative and easy to understand. Truly inspiring! I especially love the part where JJ had explained on the visualisation where he had referenced it to the prayer book and it was of a tremendous help and benefit to all who are doing pujas/retreat.
Quite recently, while I was visiting Ladrang with my two kids, I was one of the few who had the honor to listen to his explanation on the video on the Tibetan Oracles and it had never come to my mind that JJ was this good (I thought he was just a good cook because most of the time, I just see him in Ladrang kitchen). He was so knowledgeable, so sincere, and so full of passion for dharma which had got me in awed. How well Rinpoche had groomed him to be what he is today.
Nevertheless, keep up the good work…can’t wait for more dharma talks from JJ. We need more dharma teachers like JJ if we ever want KWPC to manifest!
Rinpoche has a wide ranging group of students and many are very young. Young people like JJ are very important for the centre as they break the conventionality that everyone have of how life should be. They have the passion for dharma as they can see its benefits and they want to impart this to other people so they benefit too.
I really know JJ a little better last year when I went to help out in the Ladrang and I must say he is very good at cooking too. (Yum…). Good on you JJ.
I recently learnt about Setrap who is the emanation of Amitabha buddha. I always chant Amitabha since young as I come from a Mahayana background. Why can’t I chant His name instead of Om Maha Yakcha Tsa Soha? IS the effect the same? After comtemplating the discussion/ talk by KH members, I realized that the effect is not the same for a beginner like me. Imagine if one can develop the same feelings as he sees a butterfly and a caterpillar, even though one knows that the ugly-looking worm is another form of a young butterfly. Hence, Buddha has many different manifestations to cater for different needs of the sentient beings .
JJ thanks for the sharing. I managed to listen to your dharma talk online while in Penang. The voice transmission is very clear and your explanation is also clear and concise.
Mimi, So glad to know that you can access through justin.tv/kechara to listen to JJ’s 1st dharma talk clearly even though you were not able to go down to the center to participate in the Setrap Retreat.
Patsy..it was so miraculous. As I was thinking about the retreat that moment your SMS came buzzling in about the online TV and I quickly login online to listen.
Yes, i agreed with David, in past one year i really want to jumped to wring his neck. But i know i unable to do that, Why? because he too tall and I am too short:)
JJ and i stayed in Jamyang House. Even though he very young but his dharma knowledge is increditable. When i just join in Kechara, JJ always teached me a lot of knowledge of ritual, prayer and so on. Shin, our another housemate Shin always called him “bomoh”. He is good in ritual.
I have remembered my first water offering was done by JJ’s guidance. I am very apprecaite what he has teached me.
JJ always called me “big sister”, we are quite close. I seem him as my younger brother. He is quite sweet sometime Even though sometime he is naughty, but I still like him very much. I seem him as my brother from first until now.
JJ is very young, his spiritual journey up and down in past three years. I am very happy and feel proud of him when i attended his Setrap’s teaching in last week. My feeling is…wah , JJ really grow up.
I am rejoice JJ become better and better nowadays, I wish he will keep going on become a good dharma teacher which Rinpoche predicted he will in future. JJ keeps it up. You know you can and at the same time be humbly and patient to everyone! I will always support you!!!!