World Of Feng Shui Bukit Raja Christmas Promo!!!

Ninja Assassin

Just came out from watching 'Ninja Assassin'. Before you watch this movie, do not expect good acting or good storyline etc. Just go in and enjoy the action, SFX, and of course Rain, if you are a fan... hehehehe. 

It has all the splashing blood and gore, some very neat action sequence, etc. A good joyride movie for action fans. Enjoy!!! 

What have you achieved???

What did you do in the last 10 years? 

"I had 2 beautiful kids." 

Wow! My dog had puppies too. 

What did you do in the last 10 years?

"I built a house"

Wow! Birds build nests too. 

What have you done for the last 10 years that has any value for yourself or others? Contemplate in meditations & pujas. Don't do Dharma at your convenience. Think of others not yourself. Doing Dharma work is an open statement that you like helping others. If that's all you did in the last 10 years, you are gonna do that for the next 10 years too.

Your karma creates the causes. Don't say you will do Dharma when you have money. It's a cover for greed, fear, insecurity. Infuse spiritual thoughts into your kids minds. If you love your kids you'll give them Dharma. You'll be concerned for them when they grow up & you have passed away. If you don't practice & you push your kids to practice, they won't respect you. Give your kids the best gift, the mind of discernment.

Whatever you have now will be taken away by time, age, impermanence, death. Your body? It will degenerate no matter how disciplined you are. However comfy you are, it won't last. How many things have you lost in life already? It's the nature of existence according to Buddha. You are not evil. You just think your comfort zone will last forever. It won't. You're wrong. 

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Big Bad Wolf Books Sales

Another great book hunting day. Today we went to the Big Bad Wolf Books Sales at Amcorp Mall. Huge crowd with box full of books because no basket is provided. Today bought about RM1100 worth of books for only........... RM210!!!!! Great huh???!!! By far the BEST book hunt!!! 

Below are books to be donated to Kechara House Library. More to come...

Subjective Values and Intrinsic Values

"A blessing is when something occurs to trigger your dormant karma to do something more with your life...." 

There are subjective values & ultimate values. We all have subjective values - things we find valuable according to our needs and habits. If something has subjective value, that means we project value onto that object .The object itself has no true lasting permanent value. 

If something has objective value, then everyone will see value in it. Wealth, popularity, fame, position, money, their value is SUBJECTIVE. Even our precious mother or father, is still subjective. When something has subjective value, from its side, it has no power to give you lasting happiness or comfort. That doesn't mean it can't give you some happiness. But when the item stops being valuable, it is not the fault of the item. It is our own projection changing, eg. relationships. If relationships bring value, everyone with a relationship should be extremely happy.

What we place value upon are created by karma, environment, action, habituation, motivation. People chase after things they place value upon. That in itself is not good or bad. What is bad is your 100% slavish devotion to chasing what you value, thinking falsely that it'll bring you lasting happiness.

Dharma doesn't need your subjective projection to give it value. Its intrinsically valuable. Why? Its ability to bring you out of unhappiness, anger, negative body actions and bad relationships. Dharma can do that for you. Dharma creates respect, self-worth and change your mind to do something more beneficial in life.

Dharma has intrinsic value. Intrinsic value brings unconditional happiness and security. Projected value doesn't bring long lasting happiness and security. Who in their right mind would not appreciate respect, being loved, loving, self worth, a calm mind and true qualities like compassion? 

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

A Christmas Carol 3D

Watched 'A Christmas Carol' in 3D yesterday night in Mid Valley. Our first time watching 3D together. The movie is just ok-ok... nothing to shout about. But because we watched it in 3D, it is quite interesting la...

More books for Kechara House Library!!!

Went to Popular's Warehouse Sales in Summit USJ and bought some books worth RM740 for RM160 ONLY! What a bargain! Mostly are for Kechara House Library. ;)

My November book...

This month's trip to Kinokuniya, managed to get 1 book only: Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, Vol. 5. 

While browsing, chance upon Rinpoche's book 'Peace' on display at the New Arrival Section and 'If Not Now When?' Religion Section. 

2012

Watched the much talked about '2012' yesterday night. It was good and fun entertainment. The part when they are escaping from California is the most exciting. So 'kan cheong'! My favourite poster is the background of the lama on the mountains. Very cool!

New Crystal Mala Beads

Today, suddenly has the motivation to create some nice crystal mala beads for offer. Created 2 6mm Black Onyx, 6mm Red Agate, 6mm Yellow Jasper, 6mm Tiger's Eye and 8mm Turquoise. The offering price of 6mm mala is RM88 and 8mm is RM98.

The Mahashri Sutra

What is the Mahashri Sutra?
The Mahashri Sutra (Tibetan: Pal-chhen-mo’i Do) is a Buddhist Sutra based around the recitation of the names of the female Buddha known as Mahashri.

What are the benefits?
It is said that one can attain great wealth by reciting this Sutra. It is also said that one can purify countless lifetimes of negative karma as well as attracting the protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Recite:

I PAY HOMAGE TO ALL THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS!

Thus have I heard: at one time, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror, the Blessed One, was abiding in Sukhavati. Then, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the powerful lord,  the noble Avalokiteshvara turned towards the Blessed One, went to the place where the Blessed One was, prostrated at the noble feet of the Blessed One, touching his head to the ground, and, circumambulating the Blessed One three times, sat down to one side.

Then, beholding Mahashri, the Blessed One spoke these words to the powerful lord, the noble Avalokiteshvara:

“If any fully-ordained monk, fully-ordained nun, novice monk, novice nun, or anyone else should come to keep, to read, to write down, or to have others write down the 12 Names of Mahashri, then, their poverty will be eliminated, and they will become wealthy. Moreover, all the assemblies of unified mandalas will also pray likewise for them in a similar fashion, all of them saying, ‘May it come to be!’.”

Then, the Blessed One, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror bestowed the 12 Names of Mahashri:

PAL-DEN-MA

She Who is Endowed with Splendor

PAL-TRI-MA
She Who is Auspiciously Resplendent

PADMAY-T’HRENG-CHEN
Possessor of A Rosary of Lotuses

NOR-GYI-DAG-MO
Lady-Lord of Riches

KAR-MO
She Who is White

DRAG-PA-CHHEN-MO
She Who is Greatly Renowned

PAD-MAY-CHEN
Lotus Eye

JEY-PA-MO
She Who Makes Things Happen

OD-CHHEN-MO
She of Great Light

ZAY-JIN-MA
She Who Gives Food

RIN-PO-CHHE-RAB-JIN-MO
She Who Wholeheartedly Gives Precious Gems

PAL-CHHEN-MO
She Who is Greatly Resplendent

The mantra 
SYADYATHEDANA DZINIGRINI SARVA ARTHA SADHANI
SHASHINA ALAGA SHIMANA
NASHAYA SIDDHANATU MANTRA PADEY SVAHA
OM BIGUNI BARAMASU BHAGE SVAHA

If anyone should recite this three times, they will be victorious over all disharmonious circumstances. They will become endowed with excellent fortune. They will become endowed with not knowing the exhaustion of wealth.

Furthermore, everyone will give rise to an attitude which regards them as their own child, will be delighted by them, and will act in accordance with their commands.

If one should constantly read this unceasingly, then even if Brahma commits wrathful actions, one will be unharmed, and will come to serve under many Buddhas!”

The Transcendent Conqueror spoke these words, and the Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the powerful lord, the noble Avalokiteshvara rejoiced; he thoroughly praised the noble speech of the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror.

THE MAHASHRI SUTRA IS COMPLETE.


Translated by Erick Sherab Zangpo.

Beautiful Mantras To Bless Animals

For your beloved pets, or animals you come across, its very beneficial to recite the Medicine Buddha mantra: TAYATHA OM BEKANZE BEKANZE MAHA BEKANZE BEKANZE RANDZA SAMUGATHE SOHA 

Recite it loud enough so that they can hear, and then blow on them gently. You can do this everyday or whenever. Same procedure for Namgyalma's mantra: OM DROOM SOHA which is very beneficial as well.

You can also do Manjushri's mantra: OM AH RA BA TSA NA DHI and Tara's mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA they are also very beneficial.

If convenient, it is good to place consecrated stupas or lam rim books on their heads. All of this will help to plant precious blessed karmic seeds in their mind streams so in the future the seeds will open, affording them a rebirth with capabilities to practice Dharma.

Since you love your pets or feel compassion for animals, this is a good way to help them and plant seeds. 

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

MORE Notable Advice from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

"If you get attention by being mean, try being nice, YOU'LL GET A LOT MORE ATTENTION. If you want attention and that's why you are mean, try being nice, the attention never stops!!!" 

"If you really regret, saying sorry is a start, but continue with action. Foreclosure on your self cherishing mind is the best type of real estate deal. Saying sorry but repeating the action again means you are buying time for the wrong reasons."

"Please stop thinking the world is stupid, it's just you are not smart enough. Lose the bad intent, selfish mind, lazy excuses et al." 

"What's really exciting is when people like you for YOU! So just be yourself." 

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Respect All!!!

Whatever religion you like, GO FOR IT. But never CRITICIZE another religion or sect. Why? May not be for you, but it don't make it wrong. Whatever school of Buddhism you like, GO ALL THE WAY! Prove it's efficacy by your TRANSFORMATION not criticism of another school. Whatever Dharma centre you find suitable, PLEASE GET INVOLVED but not at the expense of putting down another center.

Putting down another Dharma center just shows you are insecure about the Dharma center you choose. And numbers mean quality to you. The person that teaches you the Dharma is a 'Buddha' to you. Whether your teacher is H. H. Dalai Lama or a simple monk, respect all, criticize none.

Why compare which Dharma teacher is better and criticize another Dharma teacher? It shows you don't REALLY RESPECT YOUR TEACHER. Criticizing another Teacher to prove to someone YOUR teacher's GREAT, has the opposite effect for the intelligent.

Are Dharma teachers above criticism? No. But are you above criticism? No. Solution: Keep quiet & practice. Do Dharma students sometimes need criticism? Yes. Leave it to their teachers. You just practice. Why do you learn Dharma? To get information-ammunition to be quick witted to find faults in other sects or teachers? If so, wrong. 

Of course you may criticize others. When? WHEN YOU ARE PERFECT. When you are hanging off a cross or enlightened under bodhi tree. Otherwise... quiet. When 'should' you criticize other people? When You & Shakyamuni are totally equal. But then, what you say, wouldn't be harmful would it? 

Why should you limit yourself to MANY TEACHERS? When you can learn from one? The point, up to the individual and their needs. No hard fast rules. Even if your guru is very famous, an another isn't, that doesn't give you the right to put another person's center or teacher down. If you criticize another guru, you are criticizing your own guru inadvertently. Why? Because you show people how he didn't teach you correctly.

Don't run around quoting saints like Dalai Lama to criticize another person. You are just using them for your selfish narrow views. Don't criticize any religions, sects ,teachers & doctrines. Practice religion correctly by developing love and acceptance for others.

Whatever others pray to whether it's God, Tsongkapa, Shakyamuni, Tara, Saints, or a tree. Let them. Kindness is our REAL God or Buddha & goal. PICK THE FORM OF BUDDHA YOU LIKE. Never criticize different Buddhas forms or manifestations. If you do, you limit a Buddha's abilities. Never quote the negativities of a disgruntled student of Dharma to justify your own ego, selfishness and fears.

"A Dharma centre is like an ocean with few big grand whales who do their best & many 'small' fishes that don't. Follow the whales."

According to Lam Rim, criticism of any part of Buddha's teachings, equals the demerit of killing of 1,000 Buddhas. Don't quote from scriptures in order to have authority to pinpoint another & put them down. You are putting yourself down. 

Today go through the whole day without criticizing anyone. Do that for today. Challenge yourself positively

It doesn't matter who follows which guru, practice, deity or lineage. So long as they are following something. Better than nothing. To each person, their guru is the living Buddha to them. Don't criticize anyone's guru. Criticize your own criticism. Everyone doesn't have to follow what you are following to validate what you are doing. Nor do you need to validate what their doing. 

When you accept what others are following, then your mind becomes lighter. Your practice takes on real dimensions. Rejoice for others. Don't worry if others criticize you, your teacher, lineage, & practice. Follow the voice inside of you. The more you are criticized, the stronger you become. What makes you stronger? Criticism makes you look at yourself honestly & accept yourself.

A good way to hurt others in Dharma is to attack their teacher, lineage or center. By the way, that is the best way to hurt yourself too. You need to know your teacher or lineage is right for you, then go all the way. Every lineage has attained beings who practiced. Who knows, as time goes by, more Buddhist lineages may spring forth to benefit more groups of people in future. Let it be & rejoice. 

If you want any sort of attainments or results from practice in this life, have to cultivate acceptance, holding vows and realization of impermanence. Acceptance is spiritual quality because it helps you to forgive yourself & others' perceived wrongs. It makes you not holier than thou. Since time began there's been differences within people. Until the end of time, it will remain the same. So in between, just accept.

Whoever has helped you in the past, don't forget them. Reconnect with them. Express your gratitude to them or their descendants. Find all those who've helped you in past. Never forget them. Remember & pass them a gift. Life is about gratitude & kindness. 

All those who have hurt you. Remember the pain & RESOLVE NEVER TO DO THAT TO ANYONE. Lesson learned is wisdom. There's no such thing as revenge. It's just endless cycle that comes back to you again. 'Happiness' from revenge is only in movies. All those who betrayed you allowed you to check what your real relationship was with them. Forgive them. Accept the lesson. Grow. Everyone has been the target of betrayal because we have sown the seed of karma for it in the past. Cut if off by letting go. 

May H. H. Dalai Lama, Avalokitesvara from the snowy range bless us with pure view, kindness, & penetrative insights. 

When you want to criticize, count how many times that day you have criticism. That is your Dharma to work on. Flying in the sky & controlling weather are cool. But gaining the attainments of not criticizing others brings peace everywhere. 

I was hurt as a child. Grew up angry. Met my guru as teenager, He said let go, it's karma, I did, that's when I entered real Dharma. I grew up hurt. My step parents adopted me for wrong reasons. I was hurt. They were hurt. Guru told me to forgive. I did so. THANK YOU GURU.

My world crashed down in my teens, MY GURU H. H. ZONG RINPOCHE PASSED AWAY. I was in L.A. I honored my promises to Him anyways. Honoring my promises to Zong Rinpoche literally took my life another direction. From Los Angeles to Gaden in India. I'm glad I did.

When put you down because of your lineage or teacher, just look inside, see if your teacher inspired you to practice. If so that's what matters. Parents, friends, society, concepts may 'betray' you, but that doesn't give you the cause to retaliate. Accepting karma heals. 

"Be the strength because you have light inside of you. Don't blame & always look for the light. BE THE LIGHT NOW." 

Whatever form of Buddha you decide to worship, it is fine. Buddha has many manifestations. No matter what others think or don't. Tsongkapa, Shakyamuni, Vajrayogini, Amitabah, Guru Rinpoche, Tara CONTAINS THE same BUDDHA MIND. That's what matters, not their form.

Tsongkapa is NOT Gelug. Guru Rinpoche ISN'T Nyingma. Amitabah Himself isn't Mahayana. Tara's not Kadampa. We label them as so. Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Zen, Mahayana, Kadampa, Theravadin HAS NO TRUE LABELS from their side. We label & create differences.

Tsongkapa, Guru Rinpoche, Shakyamuni, Tara has no lineage they belong to or not belong. We even use them to express our bias. Buddha mind may change outer forms, but it is the same to benefit others. Our bias can take many forms too. Recognize bias.

Your criticism isn't going to change my faith in my guru, lineage, deities. Neither is mine to you. So let's just practice & be friends. Give peace a chance? Give all lineages a chance? Differences will continue as long as ego exists. So fight the ego NOT THE DIFFERENCES. 

Why are you unhappy? Because the whole world is wrong? Or your view of it? Change your view, the world follows. Hatred's the natural result of the unnatural ego. Loving kindness is the natural effect of the natural state of mind. Anger is unnatural. Kindness is natural. Hence a Buddha therefore may exist. 

Making money only as the way to happiness is a view shared by people who has never experienced true happiness. 

Why are you depressed? Because things didn't go YOUR WAY AGAIN? Try letting go of your way and try it another way. You can heal. How many times have you been depressed in this lifetime? Why? It's a red flag from your Buddha nature saying try another way!!!

You are not old or young to do or not do anything if you look at yourself within a continuous flow of thousands of rebirths. PRACTICE. Yellow hat, red hat, black hat, no hat makes no difference once you are a Buddha. Let's focus on that & put the hats away. If Shakyamuni appeared, what color hat He'd wear? What lineage would ascribe Himself to be? Northern or Southern Buddhism? None! If Shakyamuni appeared, would He choose: Thai monk robes? Tibetan? Chinese? Japanese? I guess whatever the weather suited Him? 

I'm in Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, Theravadin, Kagyu, sounds like more labels in a Dharma that says there are no labels. Why fight for labels and win hallow victories. Go for the real wrestling match, pin the ego down!! 

I hate the whole world & love my anger. I hate my anger & love the whole world. Number two sounds better huh? I'm sorry I'm Asian & you hate me. I'm sorry I'm black, white, brown, red & you hate me. Maybe you should try hating your hate? I'm sorry you hate me because I'm Gelugpa. I didn't even know I was Gelugpa till you started hating me. I thought I was Buddhist.

When I was growing up, they told me I was created in the image of the Divine? So I asked them if His Divine-ness would be Tibetan? I'm told I have a Buddha 'inside' of me. But my guru said my 'pocket' too small, both Buddha & ego can't fit. Lose one! When I was growing up in New Jersey kids in school said I should just shut up & eat my rice. LOL. But Tibetans eat tsampa. Was hard growing up in New Jersey & trying to be what I am not. Only felt at home WHEN I MET DALAI LAMA & put my robes on! 

When I wake today, I have a choice: Live according to my ego again or ACCORDING TO LOVING KINDNESS. Hmmm....

I never said I was a Rinpoche. My gurus said so, I asked them are you sure? They said for sure YES. So I just obeyed. I didn't want to go teach or be a 'guru'. My gurus really insisted I go teach. So I did. Just doing the best I can. 

When people say I'm a good person I'm crying with happiness. When they say I'm not, I'm crying too. Which one is it?? When people compliment I'm 'happy'. When they put me down, I'm sad. What's with all these fluctuations? Is it them or me?? It's weird when people say, they are going to find themselves. Is it that hard??

My greatest teacher is Zong Rinpoche, my greatest mistake was believing others sometimes and not Him. When others say my guru is wrong. I just smile. Because I know they are not talking about my guru. When others criticize me, I try to smile. It does hurt, but I know it's not the real me hurting, but that's ego again. 

I've received more criticisms in my life than compliments. Realized how good my karma is because it's prayers manifesting to go egoless. I'm been gasping in samsara's ocean drowning in ego. It's nice to come up for air sometimes & realize there's dry land. 

Where there's misunderstanding of Dharma, may I accept the difficulties to make it clear by various skillful means. The less you criticize others, the more you have confidence in yourself. Buddhahood's everything they said it would be. Worth parting with your long time lover, ego. Bye bye ego. Not gonna miss you! You only cling to what you have to lose eventually. So lose it already!

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

A visit to KAT(Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre) by Tsem Rinpoche

While in Kathmandu this year, came across a wonderful animal shelter in Kathmandu, Nepal called KAT. It was started by a Ms. Jan Salter. Had the privilege to meet Ms. Salter. She was down to earth, direct, very kind, sincere and she really came back to Nepal to just help the animals. I was so moved by her. When we talked we both controlled our tears. She literally got up one day AND MADE UP HER MIND THAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO THIS!! I love that spontaneity and real commitment.

So she is on this rental land. She advertises in the local Kathmandu restaurants and backpackers donate or contribute time to help her. I was getting a pizza in Kathmandu and saw her on the bulletin board.

That's how I went to visit. To see for myself. 

The place was real.

The help they were doing is real.

Ms. Jan is real. 

So I collected some money and went major shopping. Myself and my friends went and got many things they needed. We sponsored food for staff, food for dogs, detergents, mops, buckets, grains, shampoos, etc etc. We even sponsored kennels. Their signboard was too small to be noticed, so we sponsored a whole new signboard and oversaw it being erected. It was fun, fulfilling and I learned.

I decided to continuously support the good cause of KAT and Ms. Jan Salter. I request all of you to do the same. I wanted to start a shelter here also in Kuala Lumpur and I will. Please see what they are doing in KAT, and trust me, they are real. If you are in the area, go and visit. Meet Ms. Salter. SHE IS A WONDERFUL, WARM AND GENUINE HUMAN BEING. My student 'Paris' did a few wonderful write ups.... please go to see one of the articles here. You can find more in our website or if u prefer you can see about KAT on youtube. It was one of the best places I have ever gone to .

Do write them, visit, help and create awareness for KAT anyway you can. Better than just wishing all beings to be happy, do something!

Thanks everyone for reading about KAT. I appreciate the twitter medium to help me create awareness. I thank Beng Kooi to introduce me to twitter.

Sincerely,

Tsem Tulku Rinpoche of Gaden/Kechara House

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Inglourious Basterds

After 3 hours of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds,... 2 THUMBS UP for Tarantino! This guy can really whipped up good movies! It has all the element of a Tarantino movies. As good as Reservoir Dogs. Not to be missed! (if only you are a Tarantino's fans)

What do you get from...

What do you get from serving others???

HAPPINESS!!! 

What do you get from generosity???

Freedom in the bardo. 

What do you get from tolerance???

Popularity, friends & acceptance!!!

What do you get from being kind???

Love & friendship!!!

What do you get from not complaining???

More time to do something constructive!!! 

What do you get from not drinking constantly???

Healthy liver!!!

~tweets from Tsem Rinpoche

I had coffee with...

"I had coffee with Mother Teresa and she told me I have to do more. I said yes ma'am."

"I had coffee with Dalai Lama and he said don't ever mention 'I' in the context of ego. I replied yes sir."

"I had coffee with Madonna & she said "lose weight to be in my video". And I said ok?... "

"I had coffee with my shrink & he said being happy means doing what you want irregardless of others. I was like, really?"

~some in-between tweets of Tsem Rinpoche

Very nice daily prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa

One of my FAVORITE DAILY PRAYERS to the Tricosmic Ascended Master Yogi Tsongkapa Composed by the 2nd Gaden Tripa.

Spectacular moving & poetic DAILY PRAYER TO BUDDHA TSONGKAPA written by H.H. 7th Dalai Lama. Very nice to recite daily. This prayer, A Song Rapidly Invoking Blessings recite daily 1 time. Followed by 21x migtsema or more, then one round OM AH RA BAZA NADEE. EXCELLENT FOR MEMORY.

People have asked me hundreds of times, what prayer should they do. That is easy & fits into their daily lives. My answer, A Song Rapidly Invoking Blessings. Very poetic & extremely beautiful poem written hundreds of years ago from Tibet.

~ tweets advice from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

YOU ARE IN CONTROL.

Keep your fears if they are useful. If not why keep them? Better to move on, try something new & 'fail' & then try again. You'll make it one day. The only person you need to listen to is yourself. So if you tell yourself you are good enough to be honest, kind & loving. Then just believe yourself. You don't have to listen to others when they put you down. Why? Because they don't know you as well you know yourself. So Believe yourself not negativities.

Causes that make up the 'truth' can be changed. Hence truth can be changed. Nothing is permanent & solid. So Relax & don't be too caught up. Knowing things can change because everything is not solid and real can make you have hope.

When they try to hurt you. Think why is it that they CAN HURT YOU? Because if you don't allow it, they lose their power to hurt you. YOU ARE IN CONTROL. What makes you feel hurt is your wrong perceptions & illusions about another. Just look at people for who they are & not through your expectations.

"All Dharma should be taken as personal advice". ~ King of Dharma Tsongkapa

Expectation is good if your mind is free of wrong perceptions. Until then just be patient, accepting & take it easy. Unless you are enlightened, your perceptions will always be flawed. Hence practicing patience with others & YOURSELF is extremely important.

Relaxing doesn't mean not doing anything about it. It just means to be aware, understand & learn without reacting leading to regret later. You can relax in any situation if you understand the true deceptions in samsara. If thing go badly in samsara, you shouldn't be surprised. But if things go well, THEN YOU SHOULD BE SURPRISED. The nature of existence in samsara is always sufferings eventually. Because the karma to keep it fueled and running is ignorance. Our delusions make us think, do & react in such a way that more negative circumstances are repeated again and again.

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Be truthful even if it hurts in the beginning.

Making others feel bad so you can feel good is illogical. Then they should do the same like you. How does everyone end up then?? Putting people down that is not the same 'level' as you just shows your insecurity. That arises from deep fear. Fear comes from selfishness again.

We don't have to climb Mt Everest to inspire others, sometimes just being ourselves, trying our best & getting to top of a hill is enough. People like to make others feel that they are not good enough. Why? Because that's what they are saying about themselves. Pity them, don't hate them.

Some people may take advantage of your kindness. But that isn't a good reason to stop. Don't forget those that appreciate it also. Who doesn't have fears?? Everyone does. The secret is we also have COURAGE. So focus on courage, & the fear WILL DIMINISH for sure.

"I can't fly, but I can take an airplane. I'm not omniscient, BUT I WILL TRY THE BEST I CAN & GET IT DONE. FULFILLING PROMISES BUILDS INTEGRITY."

Say sorry if you mean it. Because if you do, you wouldn't have to apologize for the same thing twice. Often times people forget what they said, because when they said it, they didn't really mean it. Be sincere. Easier to keep track. You can forget how you said something, but you won't forget why you said it. Be truthful even if it hurts in the beginning. 

If you're hurt by the truth, be grateful. Hiding behind lies even more painful. Anyways, it's not the truth that hurts, it's not living in it. How to overcome fear? To keep doing what is right. Again, again and again. Doing right shouldn't create fear. Doing wrong is the culprit. Accumulated wrongs are what creates fears. Doing the right thing isn't the pain factor, but the fears not wanting to come out is the problem.

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Speech & Criticism

When speaking make sure it is what you mean from your heart. Say it with a smile and care. Speaking or not should depend always on your motivation and the readiness of the listener. Always speak for the benefit of the listener and not your ego. 

Whatever you say or communicate should benefit the other. If your communications are not beneficial, you are speaking from a place of hiding. Critics show their true intentions by what they criticize you on. Listen to their criticism to know what they are missing in their lives.

If a person has never met you, but they comment on you negatively, they must be psychic or just plain angry. Forgive. If you criticize anyone, make sure you are better than them. But if you criticize, are you better?

More advice from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

It is ok to be in pain for others. It is NOT ok to allow others to be in pain. It is ok to absorb the pain from others. It is not ok for you to give pain to others. Never be the cause of pain for others, why? It is totally opposite of your Buddha potential. Giving pain to others is the 'best' way to lose yourself.

Being depressed is a sign that your mind is stuck in deep selfishness arising from wrong expectations. Why be depressed when there's so many beings to help. Being depressed doesn't even help yourself. 

Self pity doesn't even help the self. Do not PAY FOR HAPPINESS OR WHITE TEETH. One is free and the other doesn't matter. LOL!

Happiness is free. But depression is very expensive. So, be happy. Being depressed is a message you send to the world, you want things your way or else. Very unrealistic. So get real. Volunteering for one charity you like consistently is the best medicine for depression, selfishness & self pity. Go do it! You are not doing anyone a favor when you volunteer for a charity. So be humble. In fact they are helping you to be human. Charitable works are crossing a bridge from selfish mind to altruistic attitude. So do cross the bridge now. 

Why always blame others for what happens in life? Give all decision making to others, then when it goes wrong you can blame. If you make your own decisions, then things go wrong, you can't blame others. Take responsibility & calm the mind. Blaming others is the ugly head of insecurity rearing itself up again.

Are you lonely? Then start to be genuinely kind to others without expectation. It's great you have nice body, slim, good skin, nice features, great hair & money. But are you an altruistic & kind person? THAT MATTERS THE MOST. The most beautiful sometimes are the loneliest. The richest usually are the poorest.

~tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Accepting Differences, Being Yourself, Higher Attainments, etc.

Being spontaneous in helping others is also wonderful. Not everything is logical. Just do it from the heart. You can only respect differences in others when you truly respect yourself. Respecting other races, cultures or traditions is natural when you realize we share the same home: EARTH.

Being prejudice against another because of their skin color shows clearly you don't understand that beneath it all, we are the same. It is more natural to accept differences in people than to make them just like you. 

I may have confidence & like who I am, but it doesn't mean EVERYONE has to be like me. Accepting differences in others IS A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE. If you choose the God theory, then acceptance of differences in others is accepting God. If you choose the karma theory, then acceptance of differences in others is accepting Karma.

Accepting difference in skin color, cultures, & the unique identity of all peoples of this earth is the thought of 'enlightened' mind. I grew up Asian in the US. I was made fun of when I was growing up. I realized I had to accept I am Asian, and then others accepted me. 

I'm sorry that I don't look , talk, and act like you. But I have no choice but TO BE ME. I didn't start out life trying to be different. I just am. I tried to be like you, but I couldn't because I'm not. I have to be me. If being me offends you, then you have to find yourself first before you can accept me.

Sometimes it's hard being who you are because the majority of the people where you live are different. But you just have to be you anyways. If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem. If I can't be you, it doesn't mean you are not good, it just means I am not you. Being comfortable with yourself takes courage. It's worth it. Being someone else who you are not, is a sign of cowardice. Cowardice means you have fears. Address your fears now. Don't let it stay. 

Paradise can be found quite fast if you change your perspective. If we keep thinking earth is just a stopping point to something better, we'll keep destroying our planet. Change the attitude. I traveled around the world to find myself. I wish I knew earlier that it was just looking within me. Would have saved a lot of money. The first time I was told I look good, I was like really? I realize now, I didn't accept me that time.

I'm 'sorry' I'm not you. It's not like I had a choice. I'm sorry you are not like me, you didn't have a choice either. Why do you criticize me that I'm not you? I can do the same... but I chose to accept myself instead. The peace you feel when you can just be you, makes you regret all the stress you endured for years trying to be something else you are not. All the chanting to Buddhas for years can't help you accept you. You just have to realize it's the results of your karma. ACCEPT IT TO MOVE ON.

The best way to impress someone is to just be yourself. The best friends you can have are people that you can be yourself with. Other than that their just acquaintances. Putting all your energy into being a projection is like a movie. It has to end. So just be yourself & better.

When people criticize you for being different, it's because they dare not be themselves. Forgive those that criticize you because you are not the problem. They can't accept themselves and they are suffering. The thing me & Madonna have in common is that we both perform. Be yourself. The thing I don't have in common with Dalai Lama is He is enlightened. But I'll get there. 

"What I admired so much about Mother Teresa is that she saw God in everyone. God was HERE not in the far distant milky way." ~Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Sometimes being ourselves we need a little help at first, but once we get started, it's addictive!! I like the attitude I have now at 44 then when I was 24. I'm so much more comfortable with myself. Thanks to this thing called experience.

The big difference between Mother Teresa & myself is she loved herself & everyone, I just love myself. Oops!

I told my shrink that Madonna's not calling me for her next video because she knows I sing better. LOL! My shrink told me that being cynical was a natural process of growing. My guru told me that it was wrong projections. Pick? Ok guru.

I woke up this morning & said to myself in the mirror, I AM REALLY GOING TO LIKE YOU TODAY, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. I've stopped trying to convince the world how good I am. I am convincing myself now because when I'm convinced, the world will follow.

Meditation isn't some weird eastern trip. It's just being quiet with yourself & convincing yourself you can be much more because you have worth. Really!

I met H.H. Dalai Lama many times. He kept laughing. I know he wasn't laughing at me because I like myself. LOL! Since young, I've always had a picture of Dalai Lama on my shrine. No one told me to, I just did it. I guess I was attracted to compassion.

Being yourself is one step closer to the actual real enlightenment of a Buddha. So go for it! I've been told I wouldn't be good at what I do, and I believed it. But I decided not to follow a lie. So I continued teaching. I KNOW I can't teach or be like the Dalai Lama, but I know that if I do my best, it would be just good enough. So here I am.

If I could shake Mother Teresa hands, I don't know if I would faint first or shake her hand then faint. Every time I read, hear or contemplate on Mother Teresa's life & works for the last 25 year of my life, I have to control the tears. Every time I looked in the mirror for the last 25 years, I have to control the tears. It's better now. I started to like myself. LOL!

Being humble & accepting that you are not enlightened is not a put down or that you can't be. It's just being honest for who you are AT THE MOMENT. Who I am at the moment may not be as good as the next guy, but it's all impermanent. Accept the truth, rejoice for the next guy, work hard!

The higher your attainments according to tantra, the more humble you become. The more powerful your attainments, the less you need to show or use it unnecessarily. The more advanced your attainments are, the stronger your concern for others will naturally arise. 

How do you check if your practice, meditation & contemplations are bearing fruits? You check how much you think of others & ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. If your actions for others are pervading more of your time than for yourself without agenda, then your spirituality is growing & going right. Mantras compliment your spirituality not replace it. True spirituality is nothing but doing more and more for others irregardless. No matter how much you do for others, & they don't reciprocate is a true test of WHY YOU ARE HELPING OTHERS. True spirituality expects no thanks.

Being depressed because you helped them & they didn't appreciate you means, you weren't doing anything for them, it was for yourself. Wrong thinking. Gratitude is not to be a reward for helping others. The biggest reward is that you feel self worth & giving your life great purpose. Working for others, you should never expect thanks. You should thank others for giving you a chance to serve. Buddha & Jesus never expected thanks! When Jesus died on cross or Buddha taught tirelessly for over 40 years, did they expect a word of thanks?? NO! Because they didn't do it for them.

Aspiring to be someone like Mother Teresa or Dalai Lama isn't far fetched, in fact it is fuel for the soul. When you believe in Buddha truly, it just means you also believe in your true potential. Then taking refuge takes on positive dimensions. 

When I met H.H. Dalai Lama in the US. I asked Him to ordain me. He said "ok!" So I went to India He did it! I've been ordained since 1987 & NO REGRETS! When I was ordained, it took three hours of sitting meditation style, when I got up, legs were numb. H.H. Dalai Lama who ordained me, couldn't stop laughing. I was ordained by H.H. Dalai Lama in Dharamsala December 1987. It's a day I'll treasure by keeping my vows & serving others. I love H.H. Dalai Lama!

~recent tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Lama Tsongkhapa for good Feng Shui!

LAMA TSONGKAPA PARINIRVANA DAY COMING SOON IN DECEMBER... do get ready to do some powerful prayers on that day to dedicate to those near and far. Must get a sacred statue of Tsongkapa filled with mantras, consecrated & placed on your shrine.

Sacred images of Tsongkapa in your home CLEARS AWAY bad feng shui, negative energies and dark influences that can disturb the harmony of your home. The gentle yet powerful golden-light energy of Lord Tsongkapa brings love, rejuvenation, wisdom & growth into our environment.

~ tweets advice from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Hard Rock Hotel Penang