MY GRANDMOTHER

14 Responses to MY GRANDMOTHER

1. 

   Tsetchi on Mar 12, 2010 at 2:46 am

   She was so beautiful !

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2. 

   Beng Kooi on Jul 4, 2010 at 2:16 am

   I love it when Rinpoche tells us about his childhood days in Taiwan and New Jersey, when Rinpoche and his grandmother still spent a fair amount of time together. His grandmother was one of the few people who was kind to him when he was a child, and used to bring him treats of toys, clothes and candy. She would also visit him often to make sure he was ok.
   Rinpoche’s grandmother passed away in an old folks home in Taiwan – she didnt have many visitors and her last weeks would probably have been lonely and quiet. Rinpoche actually went to visit her in Taiwan and was very upset because she was all alone yet he could not do anything to improve her quality of life because he didnt have much money at that time.
   Rinpoche has recently spoken about his wish to start an old folks home sometime in the future, in dedication to his grandmother’s memory and so that the elderly may have a safe place where they will be cared for and loved until their last days. It is by Rinpoche’s example just like the one above, that we are all reminded to treasure and repay the kindness of our parents and grandparents.
   See these photos of Rinpoche’s grandmother: http://www.kechara.com/rinpoche/biography/4-a-childhood-in-taiwan/

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3. 

   Elena on Jul 4, 2010 at 6:49 am

   Tsetchi, she was a beautiful lady inside and out, and Beng’s comment tells us why.
   Maybe it’s just my experience, but grandmothers tend to be lovely people who put up with a lot for the sake of their families, but always do it with such smiling faces and so much grace. They show us dharma without wearing robes. I know my grandmother was like that, a very beautiful graceful lady, who smiled despite everything. My mother set up and sponsored Tara House in dedication of my grandmother, before KH was even established so the members then would have somewhere to gather. I remember those days when during dharma teachings, there really wasn’t enough space – we would all cram into the tiny townhouse, and there’d be people filling up every available area, sitting on the stairs, in the backrooms, on top of each other…actually, kind of like KH1 now, which is why we’re expanding to the new gompa!
   I think everything about Rinpoche’s life, from beginning up to the current moment, has been for the Dharma and he has transformed all of his experiences to teach us Dharma, and give us the opportunity to practise Dharma…which is kindness. His grandmother’s suffering in her old age has inspired him to set up an old folks’ home, just like how his experiences as a homeless teenager inspired him to set up Kechara Soup Kitchen.
   Anyway, I hope we all treasure our grandmothers who give us so much, and ask for so little. If there’s anyone I miss now, it’s my grandmother who filled my childhood with many happy memories, as did Rinpoche’s grandmother do for his.

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4. 

   Sharon Saw on Jul 4, 2010 at 10:13 pm

   I have just celebrated my grandmother’s 91st birthday and dread the inevitable day when she leaves this realm. I can imagine how much Rinpoche misses his grandmother, especially as she was one of the few people in his childhood who truly loved him and showed him affection.
   Rinpoche had a challenging childhood and you can see more pictures and read about his parents and grandparents here: (http://tsemtulku.com/biography/royal-descent/)
   I found the photos of Rinpoche with his grandmother in an old folks home (http://tsemtulku.com/biography/a-childhood-in-taiwan/) very touching. It’s very sad when old folks, like Rinpoche’s grandmother, are not well looked after or do not have visitors. We too will grow old one day (hopefully), and I very much support Rinpoche’s wish to have an old folks home in the future as I hope to be there in my sunset years too – with my Dharma family!

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5. 

   Paris on Jul 5, 2010 at 6:33 pm

   A real lady, a real queen – someone who truly cared for people.
   It was Rinpoche’s grandmother who taught him his first prayer, OM MANI PEME HUNG, and who showed him the first bit of kindness in his life. Her visits to his foster family (where he was often abused, neglected and not fed) were the few precious moments of respite and happiness that he can still remember to this day.
   She was quite cheeky too – perhaps a little of that passed on to Rinpoche now! It was her who would slip in little hints of who Rinpoche really was and his family. She would tell him directly, “I’m your grandmother!” in between conversations hen no one was listening.

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6. 

   Tsem Tulku Rinpoche on Jul 5, 2010 at 6:40 pm

   Dear Paris,
   When your a kid, not many people are genuinely kind or loving of you, or make you feel you really belong, then when someone does give you those feelings,YOU NEVER FORGET.
   That’s what my grandma gave me. I missed her all my life for it.
   I try to give that feeling to everyone now because it is so needed.
   Tsem Tulku

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7. 

   Wan Wai Meng on Jul 5, 2010 at 10:09 pm

   When Rinpoche went to Taiwan he met up with his Grandmother who was then quite emaciated, though she had memory lapses she immediately remembered Rinpoche and cried. I’m so glad that Rinpoche’s Grandmother doted on him whenever she could, they weren’t many people who showed love to Rinpoche when he was younger in Taiwan.
   I wish my Grandmother taught me OM MANI PEME HUNG, or that she had some Dharma within her, many things would be so different in our lives. I only knew my maternal grandmother, the rest of my grandparents passed away by the time I was born.

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8. 

   Bonita Khoo on Jul 6, 2010 at 5:21 pm

   Rinpoche’s grandmother was one of the very few people that showed love and kindness to Rinpoche during Rinpoche’s childhood days.
   I remember how Rinpoche cherished the moments when Rinpoche’s grandmother visited Rinpoche, bringing with her toys and most of all the love she has for Rinpoche. These were the very few moments where Rinpoche’s foster parents would show ‘kindness’, to Rinpoche.
   It is a pity Rinpoche’s grandmother past away in an old folks’ home alone. For a lady who has so much love and care for others, she deserves better.
   This showed me no matter how much attachment we have in this world, at our death bed there is nothing we can hold on to except the karma that we have created in our life time.
   No one can help us except the merits and positive karma that we managed to collect. Hence, we should always look at the bigger picture in benefitting other and not dwell so much into the ‘ME’ syndrome that can drag us down to the lower realms!!!

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9. 

   Su Ming on Jul 8, 2010 at 12:56 am

   I love it whenever Rinpoche talks about his grandmother. It’s nice to know that at least Rinpoche has one of his family members who really cared for him.
   I remembered once when Rinpoche told us that his grandmother used to buy gifts for Rinpoche whenever she comes to visit him. And one of the gifts was a cowboy costumes which Rinpoche and his grandmother took a picture together. See
   http://www.kechara.com/rinpoche/biography/4-a-childhood-in-taiwan/
   Also from this article, you can see how frail Rinpoche’s grandmother was when she was in Taiwan before she passed away. This shows no matter how rich, royal, poor or “normal” you are, the law of impermanence applies to everyone. She was a royalty and she passed away in an old folks home in taiwan. I’m so glad that she has the merits for Rinpoche to visit her before she passed away as I know Rinpoche has blessed her,

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10. 

    Irene Lim on Jul 8, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Rinpoche’s grandmother, Queen Dechen was the first person to look after Rinpoche when Rinpoche was born in a hospital in Taipei. Queen Dechen had taken care of infant Rinpoche from the first day he was brought home from the hospital until he was sent to his baby sitter Shih Ma when Queen Dechen could no longer cope. I believe during this period of time when infant Rinpoche was with his grandmother, they have created a special bonding of love between them – a grandmother and grandson. Even if Rinpoche as a Lama has not touched his grandmother’s life this life time, I believe strongly there is always a second time during her next life time as Queen Dechen has created the bonding and merits to be with Rinpoche again and at that time Rinpoche can tremendously help and benefit her.

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11. 

    Sean on Jul 9, 2010 at 7:25 pm

    His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche shows great care and affection towards his grandmother. We should all love our grandparents like that now if they are alive as we cannot see in to the future as they might die very quickly, we do not know what would happen! Usually, the grandparents care for their grandchildren the most. I have seen videos were the grandmother cannot remember her own son and daughter’s name but can remember her granddaughter’s name. Rinpoche’s Grandmother really loved him and sent him to the United States of America so that Rinpoche may have a better life. May Buddha bless her soul !

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12. 

    joey on Jul 9, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    Dear Rinpoche,
    I really find the bit where you wanted to give others what you didint have very moving indeed. Personally i never really encountered real friendship since i was young and most of my friends were either fleeting or wishy washy. They would not hesitate to dump me if they had to get into the favor of another person. And stupid, silly me craved for sincere friendship and demanded from almost anyone who is friendly enough to me but never really wanted to give any back.
    But ever since i met you, i have opened up now to at least give trust, security and friendship to others although not 100% but at least about 70% (the most i can manage now) because……Rinpoche has taught me to give to others what we dont have instead of demanding it. That teaching has changed the direction of my mind and it is now working towards that direction.
    Thank you Rinpoche for your precious teachings. I can feel that with every blogpost and Dharma talk I attend, my mind improves…

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13. 

    Pilar Golbano on Jun 22, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    It is very beautiful. You look a lot like her.

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    • 

      tsemtulku on Jun 22, 2011 at 11:13 pm

      Dear Pilar, Thank you. If you think I look like her, to me it’s a compliment. Thank you. I love her very much. TR

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