Painting Dzambala and Vajrayogini
As a child and teenager, I use to spend hundreds of hours painting the Buddhas, mountains, caves, forests and meditators in forests… I loved painting them. I connected with them and felt their presence so strongly in my mind, I had to paint them… I use to listen to Simon & Garfunkel or the Beatles while I painted. I always thought I was born too late. I wanted to be a flower child of the 60′s, and have a cause to work towards and be spiritual like the flower children… I use to draw pictures of Buddhas of all sizes to give people to wear or keep as protection. I knew in my mind, having a Buddha was the greatest protection… no one told me, I just believed… I just knew..
Well it’s been 30 years since I painted my last picture. The last time was when I painted a picture of Buddha Vajradhara and it won the painting contest throughout Freehold Township High School in my High school days in New Jersey. There was a contest throughout the whole school and I won first place to my surprise… many in the school never saw a Buddha nevermind Vajradhara Buddha!! My large painting of Vajradhara was displayed for weeks at the front of the school office for all to see. I was happy as I knew it would bless everyone who saw Vajradhara. Everyone thought it was nice, but they kept asking me who was the Blue man or why is the Buddha blue… hehehe. Imagine a poster size painting of Vajradhara hanging in the middle of a high school with hundreds of kids and staff in middle of a small town in New Jersey??? Hehehe…
Girlie Ooi is a long time and devoted student of mine of over 10 years. She has been single-handedly taking care of her infirmed/aged mom and aunt for over 20 years. She takes care of their every need and it was very beautiful to me. Recently after serving her mother and aunt devotedly for years, the two old ladies passed away peacefully. Girlie was heartbroken. But I wanted Girlie to know she did all that she could and went beyond the call of duty, love and expectation. Thank you Girlie… I like when people care and take care of others very much. I never had the chance to care for my parents or grandparents… too bad for me….
I called Dato’ Ruby to arrange a special lunch at Kechara Oasis’ new branch (lots of private rooms) and invite close friends and relations of Girlie. I wanted to celebrate Girlie’s love, devotion and dedication towards her mother and aunt. Her sacrifice done with love… I wanted to say thank you to Girlie for being such a good daughter and niece. I felt someone had to thank her.
I racked my brains thinking what special gift I can offer her on this special occasion. I had Henry show me all the Dzambala statues in all of our Kechara Paradise outlets. Wonderful staff like Albert sent text pictures of the Dzambalas they had in the outlets which are beautiful, but I decided to paint a Dzambala instead. I am untrained as an artist and never studied for it. I just paint. My paintings are not great, but it’s from my heart.
So the evening before the special lunch I started painting… I had Joy and James helping me with cleaning brushes and mixing paints etc.. and I started around 1 am and completed the next morning around 7 am…I did a prayer to consecrate the painting and had Joy and James go and frame it in time for the lunch. They did a great framing job. It was presented to Girlie and I was told she likes it…
After the Dzambala I decided to paint some abstract Vajra Yoginis and Taras. I did around 7 pieces I think… it was late… At the corner of the painting I composed some thoughts and insights also… and had them framed. They were displayed in Kechara… I don’t know what I want to do with them yet?? Still thinking…
Tsem Rinpoche
Starting at 1 Am….was excited to start and was glad to have something special for Girlie…
I also painted abstract Vajra Yoginis after completing Dzambala early in the morning…..
A message with each Vajra Yogini abstract as I did several at a time…..
The Special Lunch for Girlie
An appreciation lunch for Girlie Ooi from me at Kechara Oasis
Ms Girlie Ooi, a long time student of mine, has spent most of the past 20+ years taking care of her sick and infirmed aunt and mother. She has sacrificed her own personal space, pursuits, her wishes, and aspirations to take care of these old ladies whom she loves dearly. Recently both the mother and the aunt had passed away comfortably and not alone because of Girlie’s hard work and dedication. I wanted to celebrate Girlie’s immense humanity and taking on her responsibility for decades so well. So I had arranged this special lunch for her with family and friends. I wanted to tell Girlie how much I appreciate what she has done. I send my prayers, my love and my deep respects to her. Tsem Rinpoche
A happy appreciation lunch at Kechara Oasis for Girlie Ooi.
Dear Rinpoche,
Seeing Rinpoche painting Dzambala and Vajrayogini so effortlessly and gracefully, reminds me of how I used to struggle during the many painting retreats I was assinged to.
But I am truely grateful to Rinpoche for opening up this little artistic seed in me, which as it has proved to have brought much happiness, peace, scerenity and stability in my life.
Painting buddhas and deities can be very adictive, as in my case. I can paint without feeling tired and yarning for sleep. I am very tempted to pick up my paint brushes again and I think I will…..
Girlie Ooi is surely a very fortunate student to have received this one and only one Dzambala painting from Rinpoche.And indeed she does well deserve it. The esscence of Dzambala practice is actually teaching us to be generous, and Girlie has indeed generously scarficed all these years taking care of her mother and her auntie, without complaints. I salute to her!
Thank you.
Dearest Rinpoche, I’ve always admire people who can draw. Their talent applied effortlessly without trying hard to make it look good. Was fortunate enough to see Rinpoche’s painting in person at Kechara Oasis when it was presented to Girlie. My daughter loves to draw, cut, design and everything else that has colors… So proud of her…
Am happy to be able to celebrate Rinpoche’s love for Girlie at Kechara Oasis Viva Home (food was superb) with family and friends. Thank you Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche,beautiful work for a beautiful cause.Many blessings always!!
Even though Rinpoche has not painted for almost 30 years yet Rinpoche has not lost the artistic skill and can still draw and paint so well. I was one of the fortunate one who was able to celebrate this special occasion with Girlie in Kechara Oasis and I must say that the painting of Dzambala is beautiful…a painting that comes from the heart.
Taking good care of her mom and aunt single handedly while working for dharma is really amazing. As people get older, they tend to be sensitve and at times worried about their remaining life i.e. would the children abandon them, etc. Taking care of elderly people means that one has to take care not only the physical well being of the person but also their mental state. The situaton is even more stressful should the person who takes care of the elderly family members is not financially viable. Yet ms girlie ooi is able to do so for 20 years and contribute to dharma at the same time. She is truly my hero. I rejoice for her receiving the sacred Dzambala painting from Rinpoche. My parents are already in their 70s and 60s and their physical and mental health would become vulnerable as the days go by and im I’m the only person in the world as I’m the only son in the family. I hope that i’ll have the courage and strength to live the life as good as ms. Girlie. She is my hero.
To Girlie, I rejoice and I admire your endeavour, patient and sacrifice you have made to take care your mom and aunt till passing. You have shown us that we should show our love and kindness to our parents in their living years and not when they have departed. Thank you, Girlie.
Thank you Rinpoche for an inspirational blog post of an amazing person. What’s great is that I know Girlie and have seen from time to time she takes her aunt and mum out for dinners in SS2. What a loyal and inspirational person she is! How fortunate that she has met the Dharma and so her great service to her mother and aunt can be dedicated. Over the years, I noticed how Dzambala, her practice have opened her up and made her a much lighter person. She has automatically become a joy to be with wherever she go.
Like the other Dharma brothers and sisters, i rejoice in Sister Girlie’s effort. In this age where selfishness permeates the mind of many; especially young people who learn from selfish adults and corrupt leaders, Sister Girlie not only proves that there is still hope, but she is a great example. She is a living example of the spirit of the ’24 Tales of Fillial Piety’ of the Chinese classics ~ a true “jee-cap-see how” daughter and niece!May all be inspired to be grateful to our elders; make sacrifices for the good of others. “kam-sia, kam-sia” Sister Girlie, for blazing the path.
Girlie looks fierce on the outside but inside she is kind. I wish her all the best in her practice. I also hope Rinpoche will continue painting. I like the abstract paintings a lot.
Dearest Rinpoche
Thank you very much for sharing his painting of Dzamala and you make it seems so easy. Girlie herself is a Dzambala to me. She gentle soft spoken and always makes me very comfortable being with her and always allows me to massage her and I enjoy doing that too. I never forget her kindness render to me when I am in at Kechara and I look forward to seeing everyone at Kechara next month. Thank you Rinpoche for making all these possible for us. With Much Love and Respect.
I met with Girlie when I bought my mum to visit KP. I spoke to Girlie a few times later, and I could feel she speaks with concern when talking to others.
Didn’t know that she has such filial dedications to both her mum and aunt. Glad to have met her! 
Wow! Rinpoche’s painting of Dzambala is truly amazing. I have never seen anyone paint as well as Rinpoche. The only person who I can say is comparable is Leonardo Da Vinci. I am saying this as someone who never really appreciated art. Rinpoche’s passion is amazing and when one sees the painting, one can feel how much compassion was put into and can feel the blessings enter the body.