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We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.
They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth. It is proved by experience. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.
It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice.
It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness. To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it. Together we make diversity so beautiful.
I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours No point explaining repeatedly. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become.
When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views.
I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do. If you love me, I'll always be in your heart If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest. Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.
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Just enter your comments in the space below. Remember Me. I am of Tibetan-Mongolian ancestry. I now reside in beautiful Malaysia as spiritual advisor to Kechara.
Because of my background I have a wide spectrum of interests and decided to share all of this in tsemrinpoche. I have many varied posts and hope you will enjoy and perhaps gain some benefits. I humbly welcome you here. Blogging on TsemRinpoche. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche 36 H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche 31 H. Growing up with Rinpoche: Rinpoche the playful Oct 18, Growing up with Rinpoche: Taking spiritual pain away Sep 24, Sep 2, Nov 30, Whose Version of God is Right? Jul 14, Ucchusma Nov 27, Growing up with Rinpoche: Christmas with Rinpoche Dec 28, Extremely Secret Hayagriva Nov 27, The Emerald Forest Nov 27, Good News!
Jun 6, Nov 28, Grand statues around the world Jan 12, The Great Guru Rinpoche Nov 27, Venerable Vajrayogini Nov 28, The Ferocious Yamantaka Nov 27, If you have any dharma questions, ask a Pastor at Kechara Dec 9, One of the most convincing eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot Jan 26, The glowing star power of Fei Fei Sun Mar 28, Freedom is Near Nov 27, Growing up with Rinpoche: Making kindness an attitude Jan 23, Animals Show Love for Humans Jan 4, Stories from a Chela — Unconditional Love Jun 17, Why so rude?
Nov 8, Views: 1, Nov 1, Views: 5, Should Tibetans use Chinese flag? Oct 18, Views: The Tree Oct 8, Views: 22, Xyla was threatened and Twitter still stayed quiet Oct 4, Views: 1, The Stairs Sep 24, Views: 26, Tsa-Tsas are nice! Sep 13, Views: 2, Introduction to the Six Perfections Sep 12, Views: The Lady in Red Sep 8, Views: 1, Tsem Rinpoche draws cartoons Sep 6, Views: 1, Burning Eyes Aug 25, Views: 23, Aug 21, Views: Fauvistic Dorje Shugden Aug 16, Views: 1, Who is Kache Marpo Aug 2, Views: 8, Should there be a separate autonomous Dorje Shugden state?
Part 1 Jul 26, Views: 5, Spotted in a Sandstorm Jul 25, Views: 1, Part 2 Jul 19, Views: 10, Jun 30, Views: Jun 13, Views: Who are the Freemasons? Jun 8, Views: 7, Must Watch. Blog Chat Etiquette These are some simple guidelines to make the blog chat room a positive, enjoyable and enlightening experience for everyone.
Be Patient Give the room a chance to answer you. Be Relevant This is the blog of H. Be polite Avoid the use of language or attitudes which may be offensive to others. Please let this be a conducive space for discussions, both light and profound. The Kechara Forest Retreat is a unique holistic retreat centre focused on the total wellness of body, mind and spirit.
This is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration in a natural forest environment. At Kechara Forest Retreat, we are committed to give back to society through instilling the next generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion. For more information, please read here english , here chinese , or the official site: retreat.
Kechara Pastor Tat Ming is conducting a blessing prayer for a traveling tour bus at our holy place, Kechara Forest Join us this weekend, Saturday, From 9. Group picture of the end of the Inner Peace Retreat, June View All Photos. Sarassitham Thursday, Nov Thank you for giving us knowledge to free ourselves from bad karma.
If we want to help the animals and reduce their suffering, we should stop eating meat. Their existence is not to serve human. Hope people are conscious and aware on what are they eating. Whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, food should be taken in the right quantities and to ensure there are enough nutrients to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Otherwise, food can kill and destroy us. Sarassitham Tuesday, Nov 9. Thank you for the sharing. Interesting to note that Quinoa is a good protein substitute. In fact it appears to be a complete protein meal by itself. I loved the tasty looking recipes and going to try them, may be with some local herbs and favourites like, mint, coriander leaves and spring onion toppings.
Samfoonheei Tuesday, Nov 9. Beautiful song by Barbara Streisand. A picture is worth a thousand words but a memory is priceless. It can be beautiful and can be painful, no matter how much suffering one went through, one will never wanted to let go of those sweet memories. Our memory is a more perfect world than the universe. Life will move on, but at least these memories are forever.
No matter how much suffering we went through, beautiful memories will always remain. The most beautiful things are not associated with wealth but memories and moments. Some memories are unforgettable remaining ever vivid. Each happiness of yesterday is a memory of tomorrow. Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing. Thailand has many gleaming temples and revered Buddha images. The Golden Buddha gold sculpture dated back to the 13th century is a place worth visiting. The attraction of this temple is undoubtedly the impressive gold Buddha.
Pious Buddhists describe this statue as reflecting the true nature of the Buddha, and visitors from all over the world come to marvel at the beauty of this ancient treasure. The colour of gold is important in the Buddhist mysticism, symbolising happiness and good health. It is a tremendous blessing merely looking at it. I have not visited this yet , would love to one of this days. Yes compassion is priority, I do agree with this.
As said by 14 th Dalai Lama ……If we want others to be happy, practice compassion. If we want to be happy, practice compassion. Well compassion is to look beyond our own pain, to see and feel the pain of others. When we give compassion, the receiver feel happy and so do we the giver will be happy too.
But with a heart of pure kindness, it is possible to feel empathy. We could use our voice for kindness, our ears for compassion, our hands for charity, our mind for truth, and our heart for love.
Compassion is about giving all the love, care, kindness and encouragement for someone who really needed. In life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some and humor along the journey. Give as much as we could as compassion is an action word with no boundaries at all.
Thank you Rinpoche for these inspiring worth words which will inspire me to give more. Sarassitham Monday, Nov 8. A very touching article. Not only the dirt poor but very rich are plagued by drugs from the sickness of isolation. I agree, that communication is a subtle tool to gap the bridge between the emotionally disturbed and the very depressed. Only a concerned and kinder society can help to fight the drug war. Samfoonheei Sunday, Nov 7. Looking at the picture of the panda seeking solace after the earthquake in Japan tells us all.
All I can say it is really scare and traumatic experience for this poor panda. Even if we as human would be terrifying as well.
Animals do have feelings as human. Japan is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so much so they do record many earthquakes. Its sad to see the effect , rather damages done after math of a quake through the pictures in this post. Its so bad that the roads is torn apart. May those affected residents have recovered from these traumatic quake.
Stay strong. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is one of the first westerners to be ordained as a nun in the Tibetan tradition. An English woman who came to India where she gave teachings English for a few months before meeting her root lama. She is best known for being one of the very few Western yoginis trained in the East.
She stayed in a remote cave in the Himalayas over 13, feet up, for 12 years in strict meditation retreat. Very inspiring, she survived all the hardship staying all by herself in raging blizzards, freezing cold weather. Tenzin Palmo has taken on the cause of equal rights and opportunities for Buddhist nuns.
The lack of nun given opportunities to study, she decided to raise funds to build a nunnery for nuns as advice by her root teacher. In support of this, she spent several years travelling the world fundraising for a new Buddhist nunnery. While travelling , she gave teachings and later she become an icon.
Soon the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery was built which is opened with the purpose of giving education and training to women. Inspiring read. The offering of a khata, or white scarf, in greeting is perhaps one of the best well known Tibetan customary traditions.
It is an auspicious symbol. There are many meanings behind each exchanging greetings in the form of offering khatas. In Tibet, it is customary to offer a white Khata scarf as a gift or even hung on the top of the shrine and the Buddhist Thangka paintings. It symbolizes purity, goodwill, auspiciousness, compassion, sincerity, loyalty, and respect to the other party. It means differently in different situations. Glad to know all this details as it means differently in different situations.
Reading this post again to refresh my understandings. Samfoonheei Friday, Nov 5. Kecharian were fortunate given a chance to offer Dana to them. They were taken a tour round Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, visiting the holy sites. Rejoice for those who are able to offer them a delicious lunch and offer them some traditional items as Dana to bring home.
Making offerings to the Sangha is extremely powerful as we could generate tremendous amounts of merit. Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Nepal which was probably built during the 14th century. Located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu. Its massive mandala makes it as one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world. Following the Chinese invasion in , many Tibetans came to this largest stupa which today has become one of the most important centre of Tibetan Buddhism.
Then, he turned back south to reach highway 9, then he went west toward the direction of California. Within 45 minutes he got a ride from ayear old blond lady who was half American Indian and her year old boyfriend. The lady also ran away from home the day before because her parents were not happy with her relationship with her young boyfriend. Burcha told her that he was looking for Weenatchee.
The lady said she had never heard of Weenatchee before. In the end, Burcha never got to meet Weenatchee. The young Burcha was wondering whether his personal Buddha deities prevented him to meet Weenatchee because if he did, Weenatchee would not have led Burcha to the place where he was supposed to go. The house was located in Monterey Park.
Miraculously Burcha was given the permission to stay with Bob. Burcha was relieved. He was free. Bob encouraged his cousin to complete his studies.
His financial situation was so bad that Burcha often ate old unsold food out of sheer hunger. Sometimes, for extra money, he would help Bob, who worked as a contractor. However, Bob did not make things easy for Burcha because he wanted to encourage his cousin to return to New Jersey. When Burcha was 17 years old, living with Bob was not conducive anymore for him.
Thus, Burcha moved out to a studio apartment in Los Angeles that he shared with ayear-old flatmate. The flatmate was a nice person, but he was addicted to substances. When the flatmate was under the influence, he would become a totally different person.
Burcha would come home to find all the shades pulled down. His flatmate was lying down on his bed, sweating, smelling and under the influence. When Burcha suggested his flatmate to lower the volume, he became very unhappy. When Burcha wanted to open the shades so light could come in, the flatmate protested vehemently. Thus, Burcha would come home to a dark apartment with Fleetwood Mac playing super loud, and his flatmate lying on his bed sweating. Burcha used to escape from the dark sweaty apartment and wander the LA streets.
However, Burcha liked his flatmate because he was a nice person when he was not under the influence. He could not understand how someone could become a different person when suffering from addiction. Without any financial support from his family or friends, Burcha had to work hard to make ends meet. After high school, Burcha got a-day-job from Monday to Saturday and, at the same time, continued to work at McDonalds in the evening four times a week.
He also got a third job hanging clothes at a department store three times a week. All these jobs paid a minimum wage of just USD 3. The grueling schedule of hour days eventually took its toll, and Burcha had to quit his job at McDonalds despite his financial hardship. Later, Burcha focused on his job at Fotomat at the Sunset Boulevard branch and soon became the top area sales person. Then, he was promoted to the area manager position, and was responsible for five branches. He befriended everyone including prostitutes, hippies, punks and all types of interesting people and talked to them about Dharma.
The autumn after he arrived in Los Angeles, Burcha searched for a Dharma center where he could do his sadhana. Then, Burcha found the University of Oriental Studies in a phonebook and decided to visit thinking that they have an altar.
There, he met Dr. When they arrived, the front door was locked, they went through the back door. The inside of the center, was carpeted in maroon with yellow curtains on the windows and beautiful thangkas on the walls. There was a throne of H. The resident abbot and the renowned master, Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen, was seated on the floor cushion. Burcha prostrated to him, and Dr.
Pruden introduced them. Geshe-la was a lay-person then. He wore a long outfit in maroon with a mandarin collar. Geshe La looked at the teenager and asked if he had received initiations before. Burcha replied that he had so Geshe La allowed him to join the Tsok.
Burcha went home to collect his sadhana and ritual implements and joined the Tsok puja that night at TDL. Burcha did not immediately take Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen as his teacher, because he already had Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin as his teacher.
He also asked permission to take Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen as his teacher. You have my permission to stay and listen to Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen.
Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen advised Burcha to call his stepparents to apologize in order to cut off the negative karmic connection. Burcha obeyed his teacher and called his parents several times. Sometimes Dana did not want to talk to him, but the most important thing is he tried. When he was 16 years old, Burcha wanted to get a job near the center.
But he was not too qualified for the available positions. Thus, Burcha went to Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen and informed him of his wish. Geshe La showed him a Dorje Shugden thangka and advised Burcha to pray to him so everything will be fine.
Trijang Rinpoche. The text contains the practice, the lineage, the history, the background, the rituals, the meditations, the mantra of the Protector Dorje Shugden. He did not want to practice too many Dharma protectors because he was afraid that it would be confusing for him. As it was not conducive to live outside the center, Burcha decided to move in and rent a room at TDL.
In February , he finally moved into the center. Burcha was very happy to live in the heart of Dharma. In year , Theyear old Burcha met H. Upon sight, Burcha immediately recognized Zong Rinpoche as his root teacher and developed faith and devotion toward him. Kensur Rinpoche gave his permission with a condition that Burcha should continue to do the practice previously given by him. Burcha was hurt when he heard about this, and he became even determined to serve Zong Rinpoche well.
Everyday for the next six months, he devotedly and diligently served Zong Rinpoche tirelessly. After he served Zong Rinpoche, he served Geshe La. If there were any leftovers, he would always ask permission to eat them because he believed that his teacher was an enlightened being and that his leftovers were blessed.
If he had time, he would also clean up the kitchen and put everything away before going to work. Burcha later recalled,. Sometimes, I would wash his silverware twice. I would put everything away in a special place so no one could touch his items.
I even put up a sign in case anybody made a mistake. This was an opportunity to serve my teacher. After he returned from work around PM, Burcha would start preparing dinner for everyone.
He would also prepare tea the way Zong Rinpoche liked it, with the right amount of diabetic sugar. And I would kiss his feet because I read in an Indian tantric manual that to show the deepest respect to someone very high is to touch the lowest part of [his] body. Rinpoche made it a game after a while. He would show me his foot, and when I tried to grab it, he would quickly pull it back and laugh! When I grabbed it, I would put it on my head, and I would kiss it.
Tibetans do not kiss. I did it because I had grown up with American culture. It was my way to show my reverence to him because I could not speak his language. Burcha also assisted Zong Rinpoche during private audiences and Dharma teachings.
During the audience, he would stay nearby quietly and as alert as possible. He would make sure that Zong Rinpoche is never alone. Before Zong Rinpoche sat on his throne, Burcha would make sure that everything is straightened. After Zong Rinpoche sat, Burcha would not leave his side. The young Tsem Rinpoche with H.
Zong Rinpoche in Yucca Valley, California. They were there for two blissful weeks to receive empowerment of Vajrayogini and full commentary explanations. Tsem Rinpoche was also serving as the attendant to Zong Rinpoche. One day, Burcha felt that he should choose between Palden Lhamo and Dorje Shugden, and he only wanted to practice one protector.
So he asked Zong Rinpoche,. Can you please give me your advice which Dharma Protector I should choose for the rest of my life to remove obstacles of my Dharma practice? Burcha : [Folded his hands] Please give me your Dharma Protector.
Sogtae is when the Lama introduces you to Dorje Shugden, in a symbolic way, join hands with Dorje Shugden, and Dorje Shugden gives you his heart and gives you his blessings and gives you his commitment to protect you.
You give back to Dorje Shugden that you will hold him as your principal Dharma Protector until you achieve Bodhicitta. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gave Dorje Shugden sogtae to three people at one time. There were 60 to 80 people who wanted to get the sogtae. Thus, the event took all day.
Burcha went up with two other persons and received the initiation. Puja in Gaden Shartse Monastery with H. Click on image to enlarge. Sometimes, Geshe La would do the puja twice a month. Burcha often helped to prepare torma and the rituals. Based on his experiences of practicing Dorje Shugden since year , he and his Dharma friends have never prayed to Dorje Shugden so that other lineages would be hurt. They have never prayed to Dorje Shugden so that even our enemies or perceived enemies would be hurt.
In other words, to get enlightened. When a teacher gave the practice, and the students promised, they should just do it and maintain their integrity. Burcha made a commitment to Zong Rinpoche. He swore to him that whatever practices he gave him, inclusive of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden, he would practice until the end of his life. One day, Burcha was standing at a bus stop waiting for the bus when a large blue car pulled up and started honking. The driver of the car was Diana.
She had met him on the bus a few times and chatted briefly. Diane spotted Burcha at the bus stop so she decided to stop and offered him a ride to work. Burcha agreed and hopped in. Despite their age difference, Burcha and Diana became friends. Diana volunteered at the center to help cook and clean. She eventually took refuge with Zong Rinpoche. Burcha helped Diana to set up the altar at her home.
On one of his birthdays, Diana presented Burcha with a box and asked him to open it on the spot. Inside the box, he found USD At the time Burcha was making approximately USD a month and struggling to make ends meet. Diana was not a wealthy person as well. She worked part time in a deli and was struggling to raise her four sons. Burcha rejected the gift thinking that Diana needed it more than him. But she insisted. Burcha was very touched with this kindness.
Burcha and Diana became lifelong friends. Some of her sons were older than Burcha. After dinner, Burcha helped Diana to wash the dishes. One day, after the dinner, Burcha told Diana:. Burcha: We cooked the food, we serve them and now we have to do the dishes.
They are taking advantage of you. Diana: Dancing? Burcha: Oh ya… I know places in Hollywood. We go dancing. At the time, Burcha liked to visit clubs, particularly lesbian clubs because nobody would bother him or making passes at him there.
Every time he went out, Burcha managed to talk to several people about the Dharma and eventually bring them to the center. Zong Rinpoche performed an auspicious hair-cutting ceremony on Tsem Rinpoche, which was a symbolic act to mark the first step to ordination. He has done a Mongolian voice over for a puppet show and was paid USD and the subsequent royalties for a-one-hour work. It was very exciting for a struggling teenager who only made around USD per month.
Zong Rinpoche: You have a very powerful karma to be in front of the camera. Burcha: As a singer or an actor? Burcha: What would be better for me, to be an actor or a monk? Zong Rinpoche: You will make it in front of camera but you will be more beneficial if you take ordination. Burcha immediately folded his hand to his teacher and promised that he would go to the Monastery and become a monk. Zong Rinpoche then invited him to Gaden Monastery and stay in his ladrang.
On the same evening, Zong Rinpoche performed an auspicious hair-cutting ceremony, which was a symbolic act to mark the first step to ordination.
Zong Rinpoche also verbally recognized Burcha as the reincarnated of a high lama. Zong Rinpoche shortly before he left for India. This was to be the last time, Tsem Rinpoche saw his root teacher. Six months after he arrived, Zong Rinpoche left Los Angeles.
Burcha was saddened by his departure. On 15 November , Zong Rinpoche passed away. For Burcha, the day began with the usual routine of serving breakfast, tidying up and leaving for work.
While he was working at the launderette, he received a phone call from a center member who informed him that Zong Rinpoche had entered clear light at 80 years old. Burcha met H. This Lama cried whenever he spoke about the suffering of others.
This is similar to the ever-weeping Bodhisattva Sadaprarudita in the Prajnaparamita Sutras. Upon learning that Burcha was planning to become ordained, His Holiness advised him to recite Heart Sutra daily. Burcha received the initiation of Deity Yamantaka and Manjushri from this great master. Although Burcha had decided to go to India, he could not go immediately.
He needed to stay back in Los Angeles to work, pay off his credit card debt and save money for his trip to India. Robert had also wanted to become a monk, but out of respect for his mother, he did not. Their rent helped the center financially. One day after Tsog, Burcha was cleaning up the center.
Robert approached Burcha and asked him in a firm, direct, and slightly questioning manner. Robert: So when are you going to India? When are you going to be a monk? You made a promise to Zong Rinpoche. Burcha: Robert look, I want to go to India. I want to be a monk. Robert said: Look, if you were to go to India, how much would it cost you and what do you need to pay off. Burcha then calculated how much he has to pay off including credit card bills, air tickets, passport, and so forth.
Burcha then explained to Robert that he needed about USD 5, Robert: If you had the money, would you go? Robert wrote him a cheque, and Burcha was amazed by this act of generosity.
After that Burcha flew to New Jersey to take care of his passport. He gave notice at work and paid off his credit card debt. In year , Burcha had another audience with H. Geshe Wangyal invited His Holiness to visit, give dharma talk and blessings.
After the meeting, Burcha had a chance to go up and get blessings from His Holiness. At that moment, Burcha asked His Holiness to ordain him. His Holiness agreed. He asked Burcha to come to India, and His Holiness would ordain him.
Burcha held his tears and was in bliss. His uncles, cousins, parents, relatives and friends were there as well. Dana and Boris were not happy. However, Burcha was determined to become ordained regardless of the potential obstacles. Before going to India, Burcha returned to Howell, New Jersey to see his parents for one last time after he confirmed that he is to become a monk. He came back to say goodbye to his stepparents, Dana and Boris, and one or two family members.
Burcha brought Dana red roses, which were her favorite. Burcha spent two days with her and explained what he was going to do. Dana was not accepting, but she was polite and happy that Burcha visited her. However, she did not stop him because Burcha has grown to be a big boy. Dana knew she could not stop him. Dana told him that the moment the robes touched his skin, he would no longer be her son. Burcha was sad, but he was determined to become a monk. He said farewell to his stepparents, Boris and Dana.
That was the last time Burcha saw his stepparents alive. Kensur Rinpoche received Burcha in his room, and he was smiling. He actually showed that he liked Burcha.
You are going to become a monk. When you go and become a monk from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, you must not just go and get the vows. You must generate higher Mahayana motivation.
You must not become a monk for yourself or to escape or to get away from something. You must generate the thought that [you are doing this to] liberate all beings. You need to hold morality. By the practice of morality, you will be able to cut away the negative habits and therefore accomplish the highest goal — enlightenment. So when you go for taking robes with His Holiness, you make sure you generate that motivation to benefit all others.
Before he left, Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin put a khata over his head. In October , Burcha left for India with two bags of his belongings. He was 22 years old when he left TDL, where he had lived for eight years. Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen escorted him to the airport together with several of his close students. Geshe La gave Burcha a khata and his blessings.
Geshe La had been a spiritual father to Burcha since he ran away from New Jersey. This great master was also the one who introduced Burcha to the practice of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.
Once rested, he took ahour bus ride through the rough winding roads, over tough terrains to Dharamsala. He went there to fulfill his promise and receive monastic ordination from H. Dharamsala is an area where the rich Tibetan culture thrives outside of Tibet including traditional painters, restaurants, statue-makers, wood-carvers, schools that teach in Tibetan, traditional Tibetan opera, and dancing events.
Due to the fact that H. Burcha was planning to join Gaden Shartse, since this was the monastery where Kyabje Zong Rinpoche came from. Lobsang Dolma, and aminute walk from H. Dekyi Khangkar, the house and clinic of the famous lady doctor, Dr. Lobsang Dolma.
The evening he arrived in Dharamsala, Burcha was sick and feverish from the bus ride up the winding journey. However, he heard that the incarnation of H. Kyabje Pabongka Chocktrul Rinpoche had just arrived and was staying in Dr. Burcha immediately gathered the bottles of vitamins he brought from the United States and a small kuyong monetary offering and went next door to Dekyi Khangkar. Burcha remembered coming across a picture book on Tibet when he was in Los Angeles.
Inside that book, he chanced upon a picture of H. He could not stop staring at the picture. Burcha instantly felt tremendous faith in this Lama. He photocopied and framed the picture of Pabongka Rinpoche, which he kept on his shrine. The incarnation of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche was 12 years old at the time.
Upon meeting him, Burcha made the offering of vitamins and kuyong. When you recite the mantra of your protector, remember he is your root teacher.
Burcha registered with the Tibetan Office to request monastic ordination from H. He was told to find two other men who wanted to become monks so they could be ordained together. Fortunately, Burcha was able to find the two other men who wished to become monks, and they made the request together. Burcha was then informed that he needed to wait for approximately two months for his ordination ceremony. During this time, he often saw that many people came to seek treatments from Dr.
Several weeks after he arrived, Burcha had some pus coming out from his male lower region. He did not want to see Dr. Dolma because he feared that the lady doctor would strip him to examine the affected area.
So, Burcha went to the nearby clinic of a male doctor named Dr. Yeshe Dhonden, who was supposed to be the doctor of H. Dhonden stripped Burcha, accused him of being a naughty boy and forced him to confess. Burcha refused since this doctor was not correct. Dhonden gave him some general Tibetan medicine, but Burcha had lost faith in that doctor and therefore threw his medication away. After the un-inspiring treatment by Dr. Dhonden, Burcha went to see Dr. Dolma instead.
Fortunately, Dr. Dolma had a break between seeing her other patients. Burcha introduced himself to the lady doctor, and as she was free and had the time, Dr. Dolma talked to Burcha more. She explained that she made her own medicine, and together with her husband, they would use their jeep to travel to the countryside to collect the necessary herbs and flowers used in Tibetan medicine.
When it came the time for examination, Dr. Dolma did not ask Burcha to take his clothes off. Instead, she read his pulse and declared that Burcha was in fact a healthy young man. Therefore, she advised Burcha to wash himself with a mixture of Dettol and warm water. Burcha followed her advice, and after three days, his medical problem was healed. Burcha and Dr. Amala is an affectionate way to call a mature older lady in the Tibetan language.
Burcha used to go to her clinic and observed her examining a lot of people and diagnosing various illnesses. Dolma often gave free medication to the poor and to the Sangha, in addition to donating food and robes to Gaden Shabten Kang.
She told Burcha that it was the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden who gave her everything she needed, so she had a very deep respect and reverence for the practice. Dolma escaped from Tibet to India in year She had only carried with her Tibetan Medical Tantra books on her back and had to leave her other belongings back in Tibet. When she first arrived in India, she worked as a labourer building roads, breaking rocks and stones, which earnt her very little even to feed herself well.
One day, she and the other workers had an audience with Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Trijang Rinpoche asked her to read his pulse and diagnosed his illness, which she did happily. Following the diagnosis, she traveled into the hills and collected the herbs necessary to prepare the medicine for Trijang Rinpoche to take. Trijang Rinpoche helped Dr. Dolma to set up her clinic and practice. Burcha found out later that Dr. Dolma sold Saraswati pills Yangchai Rilbu , which is well-known to help improve memory.
Yangchai Rilbu is specifically to be taken in the morning with warm water before engaging in Manjushri mantras and prayers. These pills are supposed to move the winds in the body so that your memory improves.
Burcha did not have a lot of money at the time, but the generous Dr. Dolma gave him three months provision of the pills for free. When he was in Dharamsala and waiting for ordination, Burcha wanted to have a thangka painted that depicted Zong Rinpoche with a ray of light emanating from his heart on which both Dorje Shugden and Vajrayogini stood.
This was because there was already a prejudice against Dorje Shugden, and the painter did not feel comfortable painting the deity. Following this incident, Burcha met another person in Dharamsala who was a scholar, a reincarnated lama and a translator.
This Lama informed Burcha that he had heard rumors that Dorje Shugden practice was to be curtailed, and the Dalai Lama would speak up about this. After this conversation, Burcha offered a lot of incense sang to Dorje Shugden for three days, as he was upset that something like this could happen. He cried a lot and fell into a slight depression. Thinking about the situation, Burcha could not choose between the Dalai Lama and Zong Rinpoche, from whom he had received the Dorje Shugden sogtae.
At the end of the three days, Burcha talked to another friend, a Tibetan Rinpoche, who advised him to respect both the Dalai Lama and Zong Rinpoche, to keep his practice to himself, and not to speak about the situation.
Burcha thought this was the only logical thing to do. Finally after waiting for over a month and several weeks, Burcha was ordained by H. The ordination lasted about three hours, during which the Dalai Lama gave Burcha an ordination name of Tenzin Zopa.
Thus, from hereon, Burcha will be referred to as Tenzin Zopa. In December , following his ordination, Tenzin Zopa took a bus to Kathmandu, Nepal to attend to matters related to the visa he required to travel to India and stay in Gaden Shartse Monastery long term. One day, Tenzin Zopa was standing on the street of Thamel. A taxi approached with a bearded monk sitting on the front seat. Tenzin Zopa waved, and the taxi stopped.
The bearded monk was H. Gangchen Rinpoche. Gangchen Rinpoche: Who are you? Gangchen Rinpoche: Come to my house this afternoon. Then, Gangchen Rinpoche gave him his address. When Gangchen Rinpoche met Tenzin Zopa in the afternoon, he simply stared at him. Ganchen Rinpoche declared that Tenzin Zopa was the incarnation of a high lama and instructed him to get recognition as such from the monastery and advised him to share his life story with others.
Tenzin Zopa visited Gangchen Rinpoche many times over the years and received many esoteric teachings and initiations from him. He was also frequently asked to give spontaneous talks to an assembled audience, oftentimes on topics he was unfamiliar with. Although Tenzin Zopa was reluctant to teach, he would do so out of Guru Devotion. You are too old-fashioned. It was only years later that Tenzin Zopa realised Gangchen Rinpoche had been preparing him for his role as a Dharma teacher.
Tenzin Zopa ended up staying in Nepal for 1. The nun informed him that he could not meet Lama Zopa without an appointment due to his busy schedule. On the way, he saw Lama Zopa walking back with his entourage from his teachings. Lama Zopa approached Tenzin Zopa because he was standing in the way and asked him some questions. Tenzin Zopa told Lama Zopa that he wished to meet him. Lama Zopa grabbed his hand and brought him upstairs walking passed the nun, who had previously denied him entry.
Tenzin Zopa informed Lama Zopa that he had been waiting for a long time for his visa, and he could not wait any longer because his visa for Nepal was expiring. Tenzin Zopa also asked whether he needed pujas to be performed to expedite the process of acquiring his visa. Lama Zopa performed a divination and told him that perhaps he needed to get a Red Singdongma initiation and do this practice for his problems to clear up so he could travel to Gaden. Tenzin Zopa got up and offered a khata and other offerings to Lama Zopa.
He requested Lama Zopa with a mandala offering to confer him Red Singdongma initiation. Lama Zopa said that he would confer the Red Singdongma initiation within the next few days if necessary because his divination said that there may be another way.
Tenzin Zopa bowed and touched his forehead to the ground. Before he left, Tenzin Zopa informed the nun that he had an appointment with Lama Zopa Rinpoche the next day.
He rushed to meet the officials and was informed that his paperwork had been completed, and he could go to India. Tenzin Zopa was flabbergasted. So he gathered what he could and walked to Kopan because he did not have money for taxi.
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