THIS IS ME IN HOLLYWOOD IN THE 80′S
This is a picture of me taken in the 80′s in Hollywood, California where I lived. I don’t even remember who took the photo now.
My step-parents didn’t allow me to do Dharma or get involved with the centre. I ran away like three times and on the third time I was successful. My step-parents didn’t try to get me back anymore. I left New Jersey at 16 and hitchiked across the United States on my own to California. I had like US$50 and bought cheap apples to eat on the way and slept outside. It was really cold at night. I wanted to go to Hawaii, but didn’t have money in California so just stayed in Hollywood, worked and lived in the dharma centre called Thubten Dhargye Ling or TDL. It was headed by a great master named Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. I loved him very much. He passed away recently. That is where I met Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who changed my whole life. He acknowledged I am a Tulku.
Had done some extras parts for Paramount Pictures and voiceover work and asked to do light modelling. But I was very into the Dharma Centre (Thubten Dhargye Ling) and wanted to be there. I wanted Dharma.
I asked Zong Rinpoche for a divination once in Thubten Dhargye Ling. I didn’t know which one I should do to benefit the Dharma. To be an actor/singer or monk. I just wanted to really benefit the dharma I thought at that time. I asked can I be a actor or singer so I can support the monasteries or should I become a monk? Zong Rinpoche did divination with dice (powerful) and said if I do anything in front of the camera I will make it big and successful, but it would be more beneficial if I become a monk. So there and then I swore to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche that I would be a monk. So he cut a part of my hair and accepted my promise.
It’s weird because I got calls from casting agent with Paramount Pictures a few times after that. The secretary of Thubten Dhargye Ling kept losing the contacts. The casting agent was Joyce and she called three times and left voice messages on the centre’s answering machine. And three times the secretary of the centre heard the message, pressed the wrong button and erased and said to me ‘SORRY’ and I was like ok…..and lost the contact.
A few years later, I did a voiceover for extra money and met Joyce. She was an attractive, freindly, well dressed Black lady. She said to me, oh my god, you are the kid I was trying to contact to help with the sets for Golden Child movie with Eddie Murphy. Why didn’t you return my calls!!?? I was like, well there’s this person in charge of the phones where I stayed and well….Joyce was like I tried so many times to get you. I heard about you and wanted to meet you she said to me….wow! Joyce was very nice though…wish I can meet up with her again and say hi. I forgot her last name though.
I’d be walking down Sunset Blvd or Melrose Blvd and get stopped and be given cards to do all types of modelling jobs of which some were very weird but interesting now that I look back. I doubt I would get any modelling jobs now even if I camped out on Sunset, heheeheheh.
Tsem Tulku
Wow, nice pic Rinpoche!
At first glance, Rinpoche looked like James Dean
Thank you for your biography. Very precious stories!
There is someone named Joyce Upson-Webb who worked in Production on the movie The Golden Child as a script supervisor: second unit, Los Angeles.
i loved reading this… thank you for sharing, Rinpoche.
dear Mima,
thanks for the research. I think that is the joyce I met over 20 years back. I wish I can get a photo of her to confirm.
How kind of you to look it up for me.
Tsem Tulku
Kechara media & Publications have the great fortune of having this very photo in our office – the large framed photo rests above us in the editorial room where the Chinese and English writers sit.
It’s an apt and very special reminder every single day that we go into the office of this perfect balance that Rinpoche brings to us – that of bringing Dharma into our lives without changing who we are: old, young, fat, thin, clubbing queen, computer nerd, fashionista, party animal, business woman, book editor… Dharma finds its perfect place in every person.
Rinpoche you have always been like this picture… Looking at your picture then we would never thought you were a Rinpoche, and looking at you now your even more exciting in person, not what the man in robes package people expect you to be.
keep breaking
concepts
I Love the blog~!
I LOVE THIS BLOG! We all love to read about Rinpoche’s life.
David
I agree with everyone else…the blog has been a real treat and I enjoy learning more about you and your Dharma activities.
Please keep the posts coming.
I got a small part in a Spanish Horror Movie back in 1969. I worked an old 18th century morgue from Sunset to Sunrise. I went to school with a Anthony Pizzo, who wrote the movies, “Breaking Away” & “Rudi”, all shot in Indiana and Bloomington, my hometown. I was in birth class with Bruce Rubin, who wrote, “Ghost” & “Jacobs Ladder”.
Andy’s movies are rated in the Top All Time Best Family Movies. Check them out! The bikeriding in Bloomington, setting the stage for building a Tibetan Cultural Center and a Monastery. The Higlands of Southern Indiana are so mellow and scenic with the Heartland of Hardwoods on the hills and slopes, The Indians thought this area only suitable for Shamans and Visions.
Los Angles the City Of Angels[lol]. You were lucky to get out of there with the skin on your bones.{hoho]
Love Your Books
Love Your Style
Dharma will Flourish
Like never Before
Thom Canada
There is a scene is ‘Kundun’, where the entire screen is filled for about 15 seconds with the smiling face of Jamyang Lama. One of the monks I secured visas and brought to house in Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang Choktrul Rinpoche’s First Monastery in the United States.
Jamyang Lama is a dwarf, but very powerful with his love for the Dharma. The Kunten Lama was installed as the Lama of Dagom Geden Tensung Ling Monastery and still resides with about 15 others monks. They have spread the Dharma to the four other cities in the Midwestern United States in a few brief years. It was foretold that this Monastery would benefit millions and millons of people over the next few hundred years. H.H.Kyabje Zong Rinpoche visited and gave us his Blessings. I enjoyed his company immensely and he left a lasting impression on me forever. We went swimming and I threw him up in the air over my head and threw him to splash down with laughter and giggling, smiling a big grin he would ask for it again and again. Water is such a joyful element. I love it!
The Dharma knows no boundaries, neither political or theological will ever shake the Foundation to Practice the Dharma given to us by Our Supreme Lord Buddha.
I really am enjoying witnessing the creations y’all are making in Malaysia, Nepal and the Whole World. As the Little Locomotive said aproaching the moutainous grades, ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! Chugchug!
Dear Sir, what was your mindset when you were tweeting the following on March 2, 2010:
http://twitter.com/loggedout/profile/tsemtulku?max_id=12276993496&page=38&twttr=true
“Be a loser – We don’t do our work well but we want respect. We don’t care about others or animals but we want care.
Be a loser – We are sneaky but we want others to be straight. We lie but we want others to tell the truth.
Be a loser – We never accomplish anything but when we are taught new ways, we don’t adopt [them]. We have to be watched but we resent it.
Be a loser – We know very little yet when given advice, we resent it.
Be a loser – We are a burden to others but we don’t want to carry any responsibilities.”
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing. I love this. Looking good in Hollywood!
Dearest Rinpoche,
There was another Joyce Robinson (now known as Joyce Agu) who worked as a Casting Director during the time when you were in Hollywood. She was not listed as the Casting Director of Golden Child but was an active Casting Agent and Actor then and now. Perhaps this is the person? There are lots of photos on the internet of her if you google her name Joyce Agu.
Much love… Andrew
Dear Rinpoche,
You have shared many times with us your hard times in USA and now you blog it to share with the world.
We in Malaysia are very fortunate that you have chosen to be ordained. Now we are being benefited for your profound dharma teaching as predicted by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
Thank you so much Rinpoche.
Love always,
Henry Ooi
Thank you for sharing a little bit about your 80′s story with us. The contrast between Rinpoche’s “James Dean” look and Rinpoche in Sangha robes is a lesson in itself: Who or what we portray on the outside does not define and limit i) who we are on the inside and ii) what we can create through the choices of our minds. Despite the significant external difference, Rinpoche’s internal commitment and love for the Dharma has remain as stable as the victory banners. As a consequence, Rinpoche has benefited sentient beings as shown by Rinpoche’s vast results through Rinpoche’s various Departments.
In this post, I also learn that Rinpoche had an opportunity to fame and wealth in the ultimate dream destination – Hollywood. Yet, Rinpoche gave all that up because of Guru Devotion and the precious Dharma. With this kind reminder, I realize the priceless-ness of pure Dharma and will not take for granted my “easy and sacrifice-free” access to the Dharma that was made available through the kindness of my Guru.
Thank you again Rinpoche!
What I LOVE about Rinpoche biography is that Rinpoche was not taken to the monastery on a palanquin at a young age and being look after by the monks compared to the other High Lamas. Instead Rinpoche live a very difficult life compare to all of us. Rinpoche went through hunger, pain, physical and emotional abuse through his childhood and teen years. AND YET, nothing affects Rinpoche and HIS purpose. That is very INSPIRATIONAL. Please read more on Rinpoche’s bio at http://www.kechara.com/rinpoche/biography/
What is inspiring about Rinpoche’s story is that all the abuse, pain and sufferings that Rinpoche went through is for the sake of Dharma and not due to Rinpoche’s bad karma. If we think deeper, since Rinpoche has stressed about control of rebirth, I feel Rinpoche chosed this life for a deeper reason. For most of us, we go through a lot of pain and sufferings due to our own bad karmas and selfishness. Then only we do Dharma. It’s the other way round. I am speaking mostly on my behalf.
Rinpoche is destined to be amongst us to teach and guide us. I felt the presence of the protection of our protector, Setrapchen. Rinpoche did not get to connect on the phone with Joyce, the casting agent of Hollywood is the work of our Protector. If Rinpoche had picked up that call he would not have been here with us here today. He would be some kind of big time Hollywood star making big bucks; perhaps he would be the big time sponsor of Gaden, Drepung , Sera Monastery as well as H.H. the 14th Dalai Dalai. We are extremely fortunately Rinpoche is with us here today!
Otherwise, there would not be a Kechara House and 12 other departments today. One of Rinpoche’s endeavours in this region is to promote world peace through vegetarianism. Vegetarianism prevents animal cruelty, reduce globlal warming, environmental care, instill moral discipline for a kinder personality and for the better health of community. In the aspect of social responsibility, Rinpoche has also taken the role to feed the poor and finding job for them through Kechara Soup Kitchen. This is to name a few of his accomplishments and I am certain, it will not just stop here. The list will go on and on…….
He is amazingly compasionate!
Dearest: Rinpoche
You look FANTASTIC on this photo, and i LOVE it. As an ordinary person young and good looking, mostly will rather to choose to be a celebrity, BUT Rinpoche You are very very SPECIAL. Because of YOUR KINDNESS AND COMPASSION, Rinpoche You rather choosen to become a monk and went thru all difficulties,the purpose is to benefit all sentient beings. I really ADMIRE Rinpoche.
Rinpoche use to give us dharma teachings,keep on reminding us must let go our selfish mind and attachment . May i pray that under Rinpoche’s guidence and care, i am able to realize better and put into practice,and share with others how inportant we need mind transformation.
Love: angel
No matter how many time listen about rinpoche childhood story, I always has tear corner at my eye. Rinpoche is real living example for the dharma practitioner. For dharma, he has sacrificed so much; left his step parent home from New Jersey hitchhiked to California and stayed at Thubten Dhargye Ling. In between he’s slept at the street and beg for the food when his hungry. Even stayed at the dharma center, rinpoche has to work few part time jobs to support himself. He never gave up his dharma practice, consistent in his dharma practice until he become fully ordained monk at India Gaden Shartse monastry.
These are all the good qualities which encourage me never give up dharma easily. Rinpoche always show many love and kindness to many of his student even for other people when they need help. Although rinpoche was abuse by the nanny and step parent take of him. His unhappy childhood never cause him become unhappy people. He’s always tries many ways to help people and make other happy. His is the real lama always try to liberate many sentient being.
Regards,
Chia
Young Rinpoche in tight jeans and leather jacket was just like any other teenager in the ‘80s but the difference was Rinpoche already had aspirations to be in Dharma. How he went against his step-parents and running away from home was just atypical of youngsters at that time. He braved all weather conditions and struggled on … and found his guru who changed his life. Had it not been for Rinpoche’s courage and wish to serve the Dharma, we would not be the lucky lot to have him as our Spritual Guide. Thank you Rinpoche for taking that 1st step out of the house and putting both legs into Dharma. You alone have changed the lives of so many, and I am one of them. You have taught me that if one person (You) can change the lives of so many, what more if many more people join in the “crusade”.
At a young age, Rinpoche already had the aspiration to be in dharma. Although Rinpoche faced so many difficulties and had been abused by his parents for his love to dharma, Rinpoche did not take the easy way out to be a Hollywood star, but had followed his Guru’s instructions by choosing to be a monk which is more beneficial than being an actor.
We are very fortunate to have Rinpoche here with us in Malaysia to guide and help us in our spiritual path and to help transformed the lives of so many people. It is always very inspirational to read Rinpoche’s biography to propel us further in our own dharma practice.
Rinpoche may dress like us, walk like us, sound like us and even go through some of the same experiences as us, but Rinpoche is nothing like us. This is something that stands out vividly every time I read or hear Rinpoche’s life story. Rinpoche was offered plenty of opportunities towards personal fame, wealth and gain. However, Rinpoche chose to serve the world instead of just serving himself. Rinpoche chose the harder life over the easy life, all for the Dharma because Rinpoche realizes that serving others is more supreme than just indulging in his own needs, desires or wants. More than anything else, Rinpoche knows that only with Dharma can everyone be saved. Therefore, Rinpoche has given up his own life in order for us to have everlasting happiness – which is the life of loving kindness and wisdom. In our everyday life, we can’t even give up our bad moods or anger or dislikes for someone else, and yet Rinpoche has done so much. It makes me think much deeper about what my life has been all about and what I need to do to transform myself. Being with Rinpoche, watching Rinpoche is very much like witnessing the Lamrim unfold before my very eyes. I will not lose this precious opportunity and will work harder to improve. Thank you so much, Rinpoche.
Before Rinpoche became a monk he was staying in the centre in Los Angeles called Thubten Dargje Ling. He had run away from his parents because he was not allowed to practice Dharma in his step parents house. He was abused when they found out that he goes to any dharma center. He had no money. So he had to stay in Hollywood and stayed in the dharma center to do part-time work. Rinpoche was a very attractive man then. He was asked to do modeling. He was not sure whether to do modeling or become a monk to benefit the dharma center more. He has asked Zong Rinpoche to do divination. Zong Rinpoche became a monk and now Kechara House can benefit more people with him as our permanent Spiritual Director. He came to Malaysia sent by Lati Rinpoche to raise funds for Ganden Monastery monks.
*thubten dhargye ling
HE Tsem Rinpoche reflects the teachings in the Lamrin.
It is said that a person will be born good looking if they have planted certain good karmic seeds in their previous lives. Rinpoche was that when he was young. Due to the strong imprints in his past Buddhistic teachings and practise, he would have achieved certain stages of enlightenment and with such mind, he can choose to return to the world as a rich and powerful influential person.
However he did nothing of that sort. Instead he choose to re-live differently by choosing the harder path to live through samsara like anyone of us so he can be able to understand our present lifestyle, behaviors and minds to benefit us in layman Dharma teachings.
We at Kechara is very blessed by the Buddhas for them to send Rinpoche to this part of the world to help us.
I know i posted already but i have a big mouth… and so:
The LA stories are my most favourite stories about a time when Rinpoche finally had the freedom to practise Dharma, receive teachings and finally connect to Zong Rinpoche and Gaden Monastery. There is something spectacular in knowing how Rinpoche just so spontaneously connected to these great teachers, lineage and monastery in the most unlikely places – the hedonistic 1980s of Los Angeles and a suburb in New Jersey! This could only be the result of some powerful karma, Rinpoche’s strong aspirational prayers from a previous life and of course, the imprints of a most powerful being.
In the heart of all the 1980s, madonna, discos, late night parties, Rinpoche never lost his focus and passion for Dharma. No matter how late he got home, he would still stay up to finish his sadhana. Sometimes, he would even come home at about 2am to do his sadhana, and then go out again to the next party! That’s real dedication of a level that many of us should be aspiring towards.
It is also proof that we can do Dharma no matter how “busy” we are or whatever we’re doing. Rinpoche was working 3 jobs simultaneously, serving his Guru, had a full social life… but he never gave up his commitments, or forgot his sadhana and service to the Dharma centre. It shows us more strongly than ever that it is never about whether we can do it or not – it is how much we want it.
Have you every heard of any 16 year olds, running away to be in Dharma?! ZERO in my experience. I’ve heard common stories of 16 year olds, running away for relationships, addictions, etc… but not for Dharma. Well, the only other person I know of who escaped from home was Prince Siddharta, and for the same reason!
Rinpoche did not have any support from his family, on top of that, he received persecutions in the form of physical, mental, emotional abuse yet he did not allow that experience to deter him in anyway. That says alot as to Rinpoche’s focus in life and how he wish to use his life. Whatabout me and you? What is our focus and priority in life? We have beautiful Kechara House today.
If Rinpoche didn’t pursuit Dharma, we would NOT have Kechara House organisation and the many opportunities to learn and practice. Let’s serve others via Kechara House just like how Rinpoche served his beloved Guru before via Thubten Dhargye Ling when he was a teenager.
Rinpoche’s teenage years in LA is especially inspiring because of Rinpoche’s seemingly ordinary outlook yet Rinpoche’s extraordinary motivation. LA is probably the last place anyone would go to find spirituality yet in that sprawling city of makebelieve and hollywood dreams, Rinpoche managed to find Thubten Dhargye Ling and the great Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen who introduced him to his root Guru, HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
Even though the teenage Rinpoche loved clubbing, he would never fail to do his daily sadhanas. A group of us who are working on Rinpoche’s biography interviewed some of Rinpoche’s old friends who knew Rinpoche in LA. One of them was a lady called Diane who told us that even after a night out, Rinpoche would call her at home and they would literally do their sadhanas together on the phone! She also told us that even though Rinpoche would go out clubbing, somehow, he would end up talking to Dharma to people they met in the clubs. These stories really reflect Rinpoche’s true nature and priorities in life, which was his love for the Dharma and wishing to benefit others. Do read more about Rinpoche’s life in LA here http://tsemtulku.com/biography/living-in-la/.
This is one of the most poignant posts about Rinpoche’s family that I have read. We all have strong feelings about our mothers – somehow the link with our mothers is often stronger, maybe because we were in our mother’s body for the first nine months of our lives. From no fault of Rinpoche, he is ostracised by his mother.
While Rinpoche has suffered so much from his being abandoned by his birth mother, mistreated by his first and second foster families and the ensuing confusion over his real identity, Rinpoche has transformed his anguish into a Dharma teaching.
Instead of blaming his parents, childhood or circumstances, Rinpoche always stresses that he has no ill-feelings towards them because they did the best they could under their own circumstances. Rinpoche tells us that we should not blame our past circumstances for our shortcomings or failures and instead, take responsibility for our present in order to create our future.
I doubt many of us would reveal so much about ourselves especially when there are lots of unhappy moments in our history.
Rinpoche’s family history n bio makes him real and serves the purpose of inspiring us that even though the odds were against him , as long as one has purpose and clear about it ,what seems impossible becomes possible.He never gave up to walk the holy path and never stopped creating the causes for it to happen.
A lot of us probably have better circumstances which should have given us a head start in our spiritual journey but we wasted the opportunities.At the slightest encounter of difficulties,we give up and blame others and the world, wallowing in self pity and excuses.
Unless we can truly forgive ,like Rinpoche to his parents, we will not be able to move on and will remain bitter for life.
There is much for us to reflect and learn from his examples here.
Dear Rinpoche,
You’re life is so intriguing in so many ways. With even the most erratic of circumstance and turbulent twists and turns, you’ve shown us that it is always possible to remain strong in the Dharma without exception.
You’re example is extremely refreshing as a spiritual guide, and as much respect as I have for the likes of Jesus, I don’t think he had many model agencies chasing after him…
Though, I’m quite sure that if you went back, there’d be offers of a photoshoot on your return!
Thank you for being such a inspiration for us all, and thank you for your openness and warm sincerity.
Kindest Regards,
Sandy
For once , I would like to thank the secretary of Thubten Dhargye Ling for not practicing mindfulness. Can’t imagine where all the “monsters” of KH would be if he were to pass the contact number of Paramount Studio to young Burcha Bugayeff.
Every time I read Rinpoche’s life story , I can’t help feeling this is really like fiction. Anyone that has gone through what Rinpoche went through would be emotionally scared only a mind with powerful imprints of spiritual attainments can come out untouched and on top of it become even stronger.
I hope one day we can make a movie based on Rinpoche’s life story….
This movie will be screened to all visitors at KWPC to inspire people.
Rinpoche’s journey to learn dharma was never easy during the young age. It’s really inspired me because Rinpoche has chosen this challenging way to meet the dharma. This could be one of the ways to teach us to appreciate the condition that we have and what to wait or waste. Through the hard time Rinpoche never give up and never show any anger but show love & care instead. Not being an actor should be a destined. Rinpoche compassion, devotion and guru samaya is unbreakable like a vajra. I believe Rinpoche doesn’t need to do so but this is Rinpoche compassion and ways of teaching. Using Rinpoche real life experience to make people realize. Rinpoche is a real Mahasiddha. I prostrate.
Thank you for the teaching Rinpoche.
There is no doubt that Dharmapala Setrap Chen had a hand in Rinpoche not getting the call from Joyce, the casting agent with Paramount Pictures. Should Rinpoche had gotten that call Rinpoche would have become some one famous in Hollywood and the big screens.
Rinpoche’s strong imprints from previous incarnations and Rinpoche’s strong motivation in wanting to learn and practice the dharma had the upper hand too.
No matter what difficulties, obstacles and physical abuse that Rinpoche endured while hitch-hiking from New Jersey to California, never once had Rinpoche lost sight of Rinpoche’s dream of wanting to learn the dharma. Also due to strong Guru Devotion, Rinpoche had met some of the most elite high lamas in USA like Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who changed Rinpoche’s whole life!
Despite all the attractions Hollywood can offer, Rinpoche chose to be ordained in the monastery. A lucky and auspicious event for us the lucky ones in Malaysia!
Thank you very much, Rinpoche, for being here for every one of us!
I’m glad Rinpoche did not become an actor. Otherwise, there would be no Kechara House, no KWPC, no dharma for many of us. It is our good karma also to meet Rinpoche and have some purpose in life. I agree with what the others in the above posts said about Rinpoche putting dharma first. When he went to clubs it was to bring dharma to people, not to enjoy himself. His life is an example of how one can overcome hardships and obstacles if one is sincere about practising dharma. I think everyone has learned something from Rinpoche’s autobiography. I learned not to be afraid.
I couldn’t agree more with what Paris and Yoke Fui had said regarding Rinpoche. We are so lucky that you didn’t get the contact and also we are so fortunate that Rinpoche’s decided to take the hard road so one can be a monk and be beneficial to so many of us here in Malaysia and beyond. It is just so rare to find a monk or Lama like Rinpoche who grew up in the land of distraction like America and work oneself upstream to India to become a monk. I find that point most inspirational because there is nothing in Rinpoche’s culture or upbringing that encourages that.
I guess that is why, Rinpoche is so highly regarded in the monastery. Even in Gaden monastery, Rinpoche did not settle to be just one of the monks but actively sought to assist the monks and find sponsorship by writing hundreds of letters a month. In every part of Rinpoche’s life, there is just so much to be inspired by. So please write more about your life and share with all of us. It is really very inspirational.
many suffered and fallen. a few suffered and became stronger. these are people who have seen real life and understand each lessons, instead of being in despair and questioning, “why me?” and with their strength and wisdom, they spread to others in hope they will not turn to darkness but to continue spreading goodness to the world.
Dear Rinpoche ,
Thank you for sharing your young time experiences with us , you go through so much suffer because you want dharha so much and you hitchhiked from New Jersey to California during your 16 years old and met you root guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche at Thubten Dhargye Ling who change your life and you choose to be monk instead of an actor because your guru said your guru said that you will benefit other if you become a monk .
Thank you for decide to stay and teaching dharma in Malaysia , you build kechara house (http://www.kechara.com/) and 13 dept for difference mind to practice dharma without go through same tough experiences like you .
Yours sincerely ,
Wong kok thai
When I met rinpoche in 2001, Rinpoche was in his layman clothes. He was slim, tall and was wearing tight jeans exactly like in this photo, except his hair was shorter. His assitant told me that he was a monk but just dressed in layman clothes for a reason. I thought to myself , a monk?
This is our Rinpoche. He is who he is. Nothing can stop his wish to be close to the Dharma. Imagine what we would be doing at the age of 16? How many times Rinpoche was offered opportunities to persue personal fame and wealth? He just loved to work in the dharma center. This is already a clear sign that Rinpoche has very strong Dharmic imprints. Though I strongly believe that even if he would have chosen the glamour path in the Hollywood, he would still be sharing dharma with all the bitchy samsaric celebrities. It will be only our lost here in Malaysia.
Rinpoche has shared with some of us that all that he wanted at that time was to run away from his family and go to California where he thought he would get a job and earned enough money to buy himself a plane ticket to India, to be back to the monastery. His encounter with his root guru, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was a turning point in his life. When the divination came out that he should go to india and became a monk, he said yes without any hesitation. His guru devotion is undeniable, it is this guru devotion that always stand out vividly whenever I think of Rinpoche.
Rinpoche come across as a great master with a holy mission that he wants to accomplish so much so to benefit many in a fastest space of time if can. He epitomizes the true meaning of selflessness, compassion and loving care. He chose to come back under such difficult circumstances, to endure broken homes, exile, abuse, torment, resistance and violent attempts to deny him dharma practice. His strength of character, persistence and absolute faith made him what he is today, a prominent, inspiring, humorous and no nonsense guru who is also a true friend. Rinpoche’s command of English, together with his modern style of transmitting teachings, without diluting any of the essence of the ancient teachings, makes learning easier and so much more fun. He is not afraid to use whatever methods necessary that is beneficial to the practice of dharma.
My deepest gratitude to HE Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for his understanding, loving care, patience and guidance in leading us along this spiritual path.
When I was first asked to sit in an audience and the first time I would meet Rinpoche, I thought ok, it’ll be like a meeting with the Chairman in a boardroom. I expected to see a monk, a holy man in robes who would come in and preach. I would be just another face in the crowd, although it would be hard to miss me, for obvious reasons. The first thing Rinpoche did when he sat down was to look straight at me and say..”Deborah?…” “Hi”… with a little wave. The gesture caught me totally by surprise. Good thing I was sitting down. I immediately felt welcomed and at ease by Rinpoche and listening to him throughout the night was very entertaining and eventful. He knew just how to cater to the surrounding and how to reach his audience through his words and wisdom. Kechara is gifted and blessed to have Rinpoche with them
What an inspiring story. Rinpoche wasn’t born into a throne but lived a teenage life full of challenges. Faced with so many different scenarios and decisions, Rinpoche consistently choose the path of dharma. Choices that weren’t forced but made out of love for the dharma. Is it because of those choices that we now have the fortune to be cared for , thought for and guided for by Rinpoche. It all started with a choice. I do hope that I would have the courage and blessing to be able to make the same choices that would benefit me and others in the future
Dear Ngeow
I like the point you brought up…about how Rinpoche truly forgive his parents. Many of us will reveal the unhappy stories and replay it in our heads like a broken record. Then worse still, we play out these negative actions on to people in our lives..be it our partners, children or friends. The cycle never ends!
Rinpoche certainly doesn’t have memory lapse but instead, he forgive, and use the lesson to do all he can so others do no experience what he went through. I remember Rinpoche’s advice that the person in front of us now that we are acting out is NOT THAT person who hurt us long ago.. THAT person could have been long gone…but we allow it to still be alive in us and control every aspect of our lives. Why do we do that? Just STOP.
Yes, Yoke Fui, we must make a documentary of Rinpoche’s life story from the pictorial biography that is being done now. It will be so interesting. A picture paints a thousand words, but a film paints a million words! Every great being has a film done on their life story and trust me, none I have seen can be as inspiring as our Rinpoche’s life story; errrr, maybe Mahatma’s Gandhi’s. I watched it three times and each was almost 3 hours and was in awe thoroughout the movie. Imagine this: in KWPC, visitors go into a theatre to watch this documentary for say 20 mins, then walk into a gallery to view a pictorial life story (to reinforce what they just watched) followed by the humble beginnings of KH till the manifestation of KWPC. How exciting!
Reading Tsem Rinpoche life story regardless 70’s or 80’s. There were infused with Dharma and strong GURU DEVOTION. The consistency in practicing dharma and guru devotion throughout whole life of Rinpoche.
Tsem Rinpoche has the great merits to meet his root guru Zong Rinpoche,
What a big change in between an actor/singer or monk? Even Tsem Rinpoche intention to became actor was to support the monasteries, he just wanted to benefit the dharma.
From this scenario, i realised Rinpoche did the same advice to the students sometimesj, if your business is good and even you are not 100% in dharma but your business can support the dharma. Ripoche may advice certain students, he or she best to quit his wordly job and be 100% in dharma.
We are so grateful to meet Tsem Rinpoche and he shows us the path to be spiritual and yet do not need to change outwardly.
I think that the reason why Rinpoche would make it big as an actor is because Rinpoche is street smart, hyper-observant of people’s behaviour and have an uncanny ability to mimic certain believable character quirks. On top of the, Rinpoche have a fantastic memory for scripts and could improvise very well.
Often, Rinpoche would love to re-enact the emotionally impactual scenes from famous black and white classic movies like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. That is perhaps one of Rinpoche most favourite movie. Although an old classic but the actress were old and the plot and lines were edgy for its time. The two leading actresses hated each other in real life and brought it beautitifully on to the screen. Rinpoche loves powerful acting like that and could do those parts easily.
Many times I heard/read about how highly attain beings can manifest or reincarnate in to many forms. I would brush it aside or just skip through that section. To date I think Rinpoche’s life is one that I found and experienced that could closely match my own concept of manifestation high being.
His early life as a teenager paves the way for his later teaching or could be use as real life case studies by his students.
The photo of his early years in Malaysia/Singapore as skinny as church rats teaches us about renunciations of worldly comforts for Dharma.
His glamorous good looking period shows us how he can manifest into another form to attract spiritual barbarian like many of us. So that no shopping bags would drop and no female barbarian would scream when they met him on the aisle of typical Malaysian low cost apartment…. No one would call the police to report about some weirdo in the neighborhood dress inappropriately!
When I met him in person, He is in semi wrathful form with a “Jangut Kambing”….
Finally few days ago he gives teaching on how we “individualize” ours problem and about how we would suffer due to our “projection” on how things should be… and on what the actual Tibetans beauty concept on Lama’s “holy meat”… His current form!
In short it shows us how he will transform in various from to suite difference need despite of rumors being spread about him just to propagate Dharma. His only intention in this rebirth.
It is so cool to see Rinpoche as a young man this way. Personally for me I find this past image of him so refreshing in many ways for me. Seeing this different version of Rinpoche doesn’t deem him any less normal but has in fact heightened for me his humanity and relevance in this modern age. He has been there, done that. So what he has to say today is ever more powerful and thought provoking, which in turn makes practicing the Dharma ‘happening’. He is to me a Dharma hero and a true ‘American Idol’. Be still my heart.
The 80’s sure look vibrant, fun and fantastic from Rinpoche’s picture. Living in the most hip and happening part of Hollywood, young Rinpoche still managed to keep his commitments, do his practice and prostrations, and at the same time, hang out with his friends. Young Rinpoche can very much focus on his practice, work to support himself, pay his own rent, without any distraction and adults assisting him.
Compare to teenagers in our country, we definitely have it easy! This makes us spoilt and we don’t really appreciate what we have.
Anyway, thank Buddha that the secretary of Thubten Dhargye Ling kept losing Joyce’s contact. Otherwise, the young Rinpoche would have become some famous actor in the US and Kechara along with its beneficial 12 departments would not have manifested here in Malaysia.
PAUL
Dear Rinpoche, my friend in Penang remembers you very well. She said that she remembers Rinpoche’s name because of one of the most impressionable Dharma talks which she attended when she was learning about Buddhism more than 10 years ago was by Rinpoche. However, she was not sure whether it is the same Rinpoche (in her own words) because she looked at some of Rinpoche’s photos in the various websites and that she said you seemed to have put on quite a lot of weight. Your name and talk has left such an imprint on Ping Ling’s mind that she instantly recognized our KP outlet in Penang when she drove past. So I told her she should look at your Blog and see the photo of you in the 80’s! Ping Ling says Buddhism practice has helped in her so many ways and through so many tests. She is now taking her Masters in Buddhism.
I am a mother to a 16 yr old . I cannot imagine doing anything to her that will force her to leave home. I cannot possibly imagine how if my “baby girl” was made to wonder around in a big cold city , hungry and “lost” . It must have been a really dreadful experience for Rinpoche at that moment in life ! So young and lonely !
But fortunately for the existence of Dharma centres to “rescue” Rinpoche and guide you to your real “mission” in life ! It was also a very wise advice from Zong Rinpoche to suggest Rinpoche to be a monk – as the truth is very apparent that you have been(and continue to be) a great INSPIRATION to many many people and a TRUE BENEFIT to all sentient beings !
Sometimes it’s really hard to believe that Rinpoche has gone through such a challenging life, which is just like in the movies where he is the main actor (even the picture here looked like a movie star posing and it’s such a nice picture).
For dharma, Rinpoche had suffered at a very young age, running away (not only once but three times), hitchhiking across the US, slept on the streets with no money and food to eat and working endless jobs just to make ends meet. Well, Rinpoche’s life story really and truly inspires many many people all around the globe. It shows that through perseverance and devotion for his guru and the dharma, one is really able to achieve even the toughest challenges that come along the way in ones life.
Thank you Rinpoche for choosing to become what you are today and spreading the dharma to benefit many sentient beings.
Dear Rinpoche,
I will forever be haunted by the vision of you at 16 running away from home because of your deep love of the Dharma – homeless with 2 bags, one holding all your dharma books and statues and the other the sum total of your worldly possessions, a few items of clothing; how,at night you had to sleep with your shoes on and holding your 2 bags, on an ‘island’ between two flows of heavy traffic of two highways.If you had foolishly slept by the highway, you would have fallen prey to predators of lost young men for drug-trafficking or prostitution.
There was never any contradiction in your choices of a ‘career’- to be an actor or to be a monk,because whatever it was, all that you thought of was your cherished wish to benefit the Dharma. Indeed, today we see you employ your fine skills of acting to bring the profound teachings of the Buddha to all the people of this age so effectively.
Lim Han Nee
Rinpoche’s love for dharma is so great and his perseverance to ‘get’ the dharma he so loved is very encouraging. I would never have been so ‘brave’ eventhough I too have never experienced a good childhood and upbringing and has never been really happy even for a day in my samsaric life. How I wish all can choose and end up doing what we love doing.
Rinpoche’s childhood and trials and turbulent past prepares him well for spreading the dharma because he has seen it all and was able to connect with all walks and all types of people. His good looks helped too. He he. I’ve had friends asking ‘ do you know that there’s a very good looking Tibetan monk….he’s a model before and now he’s the head honcho of this place called Kechara…’. Thats’ how I got to know about Kechara and Rinpoche.
Brought up in a family who are taoists and a father who changes religion like changing cars, nothing sticks and stays on for long. One day we are taoists another day we are buddhists and another we are born again Christians. Like what the Buddha has said ” nothing is certain but, death is.”
You people out there; consider yourselves very lucky and blessed if you have a guru like Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s works will always be remembered long after he’s gone and his legacy will never be surpassed.
Looks can be deceiving…
Who could imagine a young James Dean’s twin brother in the picture (hehe or is it Andy Lau’s ? ) would choose to be a Buddhist monk! Then again… it’s all in his plan… the mere reason for his running away from New Jersey is to be in Dharma…
If we contemplate it more, we’ll gather that Rinpoche is just continuing his journey to teach Dharma & benefiting others; it’s obvious, as we all know now that he was later confirmed by H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama to be the 72nd Abbot of Gaden Shartse known as Gedun Nyedrak. ( http://tsemtulku.com/biography/brief-biography/ )
For sure he is not a normal person, the exceptional ways how he teach Dharma (not forgetting the hi-tech ‘tools’ he uses like youtube videos, blogs & twitter) and his incomparable compassionate acts towards all (other beings included…) is a proof that he is a real Bodhisattva who takes rebirth again and again just to guide the foolish monsters like me (as Yoke Fui said… definitely!); the ignorant who stubbornly clinging on to short-lived happiness that binds us in this never ending circles of disappointments, anger, greed, pain…
This blog is to tell us we are dealing with a real Lama (Rinpoche) who has a pass. And He’s not embarrassed to share to us all. Even it’s the most difficult time, experiencing poor, hunger and homeless, He’s very determined in finding his goal of his life.
This is Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, my beloved Guru. Coming from such a background, he chooses Malaysia to be his home and teaching Dharma, how fortunate we are to receive it from someone like him, someone with the background and lineage from Gaden Monastery and his root guru Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
I’m lucky to be his student today; otherwise, he might be a superstar by now in Hollywood, haha! ~
The first thing which caught my eye was Rinpoche’s picture, the abundance of hair, high nose, bomber jacket and snazzy jeans – young, handsome and not like a preconceived notion of what a Rinpoche should usually look like!! But of course heading on, the visual recedes and what grabs you is Rinpoche’s dedication in following his Dharmic calling.
I could never imagine myself running away and hitchhiking across the United States! I have driven many years ago across North America and that trans-American journey was more than enough adventure for me! It took us 7 days driving non-stop and I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Rinpoche. His brief description of eating apples, sleeping out in the cold, I think is only the “tip of the iceberg” of what he went through.
Knowing Rinpoche now, I can see in him his immense dedication and I truly believe he can be whatever he chooses to be. It is our good fortune that he chose to be a monk to benefit us and I feel truly blessed he is among us here in Malaysia, giving us what we really need – Compassion! Dharma! Instead of watching another John Wayne?!!
Rinpoche, you will always be MY HOLLYWOOD STAR!
It is no doubt that Rinpoche you are extraordinary and to have such strong Dharma imprint even when you were so young. Your story in not the same like any other Lamas’ because Rinpoche actually was the one who went to look for the Dharma and was not taken a way since birth to become that “Golden Chil”. And I think because of what Rinpoche went through that is why Rinpoche can today touch so many people’s lives, because they can relate to it.
Although Rinpoche is now no longer slim, Rinpoche is giving us the biggest Dharma teaching of our lives where People will Love who you, not how you look because of your Kindness and the love you have shown to others through your none judgmental, unconditional selfless being. And look at Rinpoche now.. I am sure if Joyce ever stumble upon Rinpoche’s website, she will be amazed by who Rinpoche have become today. One day I am sure someone will make a movie on Rinpoche. But in any case you are will always be OUR HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITY! Rinpoche you look like an Asian James Dean in this picture!
Dear Rinpoche,
I have just returned from a visit to my mother,who’s in a nursing home.She’d suffered a stroke a while ago and her condition has been deteriorating quite fast. Yesterday, the Home called to say she was in a critical condition. Late yesterday evening and this morning, she appears to be better.
I feel compelled to respond once again this blog of Rinpoche’s in response to my feelings regarding my mum at this final stage of her life.
Dear Rinpoche, just as you have said that Pabongkha Rinpoche lived the Lamrim, so too do you live the Lamrim and the Dharma.You have ever so often taught us about forgiving others and letting go of the hurt they have inflicted on us.You have also taught us to remember the kindness of our mothers and the people around us.You told us that if not for anything else, we should remember the kindness of our mothers who carried us in their wombs for nine months and suffered all the pain and discomfort that accompanies pregnancy.
You have gone to great lengths to express your gratitude to those who have been kind to you, eg, your paternal grandmother, your uncle and aunt and cousins and friends and above all your Gurus.
Here in this blog,alone, you have expressed your love and devotion to Geshe Tsultrim Gyelsten, your first guru and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, your Root Guru, whom you said , changed your entire life.
You have also shown us how you love and have let go and forgiven those who have hurt you, eg,your Mother who gave you away for adoption, and your stepparents who abused you and refused to let you practice the Dharma.
Dear Rinpoche, as a student of my most precious and compassionate Lama, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to your mother for not aborting you, but instead bore you for nine months and gave birth to you. Without this kind act of hers, all your students here and all over the world and all the people everywhere would not have this precious opportunity of receiving the Dharma from a most powerful and awesomely great teacher.
Dear Rinpoche,you have touched me to look at my mother with great love and deep gratitude for her kindness and love to me and my sister and brother. And I now want to repay her for her kindness through my Guru Devotion and my Dharma practice.
Through you I have learnt to forgive her for the hurt she caused me, in separating me from my paternal grandma who had nurtured me for many years of my childhood and whom I loved/love very much.
Thank you Rinpoche from the bottom of my heart.
Lim Han Nee
Dear Guruji, thank you for your compassion that weaves into these illusorry plays of each of us here and showing us the way home. I confess that it is really interesting for my mind to find out the ingredients of the courage that you and all the sages or seers or buddhas have demonstrated to search the self or buddha within and set the mind free from attachment to its endless matrix. When I was reading the book of autobiography of a yogi, my heart was wondering to meet a yogi and perhaps learn about what real yoga is without having to search far, and here you are, right in Klang Valley. Dear Rinpoche,Please lead us to enter the sacrad gateway of vajrayana with perfect ease. Thank you, Omh~~
Dearest Rinpoche,
Thank you for choosing to guide us here in Malaysia. It is a real blessing for us to have Rinpoche with us here. Had read Rinpoche’s short bio quite some time ago, and I really felt that Rinpoche had went through a great deal of physical and mental challenge during the younger days. I pay my greatest respect to Rinpoche for able to go through such a challenging childhood and yet Rinpoche did not give up on yourself. It is something not anyone can just do it like their normal daily lifestyle. What Rinpoche had shown us is really telling us how we should be grateful for what he are having now.
We should not be too complacent with our current life as nothing is permanent. We should be thankful and change our mindset to put ourselves into greater cause and help people who are in need. Rinpoche’s blessing and being with us here will definitely make a great impact to Malaysians as we are now moving forward towards Rinpoche’s dream and vision of KWPC.
With folded hands,
Allan
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for having such marvelous blog, for us to understand about Buddhism and the benefit of Puja especially for new people like me.
But, everything went well until today. I was actually trying to bring one of my friend who is lost in direction ( depression ) to Kechara House for Setrap puja. Telling him about Setrap puja can help him to eliminate the negative effects on him. While explaining to this friend, my music school who is also a bud dist barge into our conversation and telling his opinion about puja. His explanation is really mystic.. He told us that puja is just like HIRING BODYGUARD. We can temporary ran away from the past effect( for Setrap is blocking all the other debtors that we have owe them previously ) that we have done and cut down the course that we are going to create. That will not pay back what we have course but to hire bodyguard to block for us..
Well, I’m very new to Buddhism so please help me to understand about this subject.. Thank you again for bringing your teachings to Malaysia and letting me to have connection with Buddhism.
Any Loke
I just found out I’m on the wrong column.. oops.. sorry
Any Loke
Look like and you have turn me back to the ’80s, that’s how I remember the fashion you have. Now you have what you are today , how do you bring this days to your daily life ? You totally religion !” Om mani pah mei hom “
Dear Rinpoche,
It has been slightly less than 2 weeks that I have been here in USA with the Bio Team. Although some of the information that was collected has been repeated across the spectrum of interviews conducted, it doesn’t bore me at all to listen to it over and over again. Instead, it always feels as if I’m hearing it for the first time as I always get the same goose-bump and numbing feelings. It amazes me on how strong Rinpoche’s persistence to do Dharma was and still is; and now I know that alot of the time, coincidence does not imply to the happenings around us. Things mostly happen for a reason; whether we believe it or not, and that reason can be attributed to all the karmic conditions that we have created for ourselves over many of our previous lifetimes, as well as our present one.
Each day, I learn something new about myself, and about other people. Each day, I learn something new for me to advance on my spiritual journey, and that is because I am around people who never fail to teach me. I can see alot of Rinpoche’s virtuous traits being lived out by Rinpoche’s students. It is an honour to experience it first-hand.
I enjoyed my time in Virginia. I mentioned it in the other post as well, but Aunt Meda and the DP girls were very very accommodating and a joy to be around. The White House was a great tourist visit (many thanks to Diane’s husband who arranged it), a slight distraction for us after a week of hardwork, but I am looking forward to the rests of the interviews we have lined up.
It would be nice if you have been a star first and then a monk.
Você sempre foi um menino muito bonito heinnn! Meu ídolo agora e para sempre! Om Om Om…
Dear Rinpoche:
I was borned in Vietnam. I contacted with Buddhist monks when I were the age of 15. My first Buddhist prayer book was Lotus Sutra-觀世音普門品;… then I joined Theravada set. I came to the United State in 1991 with family and Theravada chanting book. Just like you Rinpoche, My parents didn’t allow me to get involved with the temples or monks.
But suprisingly they didn’t mind that I followed the Supreme Master ChingHai with meditation on inner “Light and Sound”. I don’t know when we get along very well. My Parents don’t mind that I go online searching Buddha Dharma and I found your website. Recently, I am really do chanting “Usnisa Vijaya Dharani” from http://www.dharanipitaka.net and http://www.bodetam.org. Thank you for your teaching online.
Dear Rinpoche,
You have to be the coolest Guru in the universe – leather jacket and all. Surprise that Joyce did not try to recruit you for the set in Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Hey hey!
But on a more serious note..they say it is all in the eyes of the beholder. If anyone says that you are any different today compared to your looks in the 80′s then they are suffering from holding a “wrong view”. To the attained/enlightened, the real you remains as GORGEOUS as ever!!!!
I had been viewing your YouTube videos from day one to your most recent, I can truthfully say that the essence of you/your Dharma had completely overshadowed any physical change. Enough said before readers might say I am flattering Rinpoche.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, it’s a great honor to be connected to you. Where is your base in Malaysia, I live in Indonesia, maybe someday I will come to visit you. Om Maha Buddhaya
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up
travesti-tr
The thing about this blog is the culture aspect.I like learning about other cultures.
General news and reviews about your favourite Celebs:
http://www.bizplusnews.blogspot.com
It has always fascinated me to read new blogs and know more…
Felt worth visiting this one.. Good work!
Thank u for posting.
This is a very unique story that you came out of. very inspiring. Thanks for the post
Dear Rinpoche,
Everyone of us are tring our best to eradicate future sufferings and many of us are caliing ourself ‘Buddhist”, however, how depth is the understanding of this religion to them ? I am for one, trying to improve day by day cultivations, can you enlighten me more and how should ‘I’ eradicate ‘I’ knowing that ‘ I ‘ do not exist ?
I like this pic… TTR in reclining Buddha posture. hehe
Wow… what a pic… and a fantastic story Rinpoche… thanks for sharing. A familiar story of choice between worldly and spiritual success- the world is a better place for your choice… thank you.