no.more.cavesAPRIL - JUNE 2009 The Internal Memo For Today’s Spiritual Seeker For In-House Circulation & Non-Muslims Only/Not For Circulation/Not For Sale The main altar in Kechara Lounge brings all of Lama Tsongkhapa’s blessings to everyone who steps THE FIRST through its doors. STEP TO GOING GLOBAL THE KECHARA ORGANISATION TAKES ITS FIRST STEP OUT OF MALAYSIA AS IT SETS UP ITS NEW HOME IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL. ebruary 15 2009 marked an historic a mere concept into a moment for Kechara as our new beautiful, full-fledged F branch, Kechara Lounge, was reality. officially opened in Kathmandu, Nepal. As the first outlet of its This was a huge step for the Kechara kind in the entire Boudha organisation as it marked the opening of area, Kechara Lounge seeks our first initiative beyond Malaysian shores. to bring a breath of fresh air to the Kechara Lounge is situated at the international spiritual scene of Boudha Stupa circuit which is among Kathmandu. In line with the whole the most famous pilgrimage sites in the organisation’s modern approach Buddhist world. The magnificent Stupa to spirituality, the lounge strives to with its benevolent Buddha eyes is the merge ancient Buddhist teachings focal point for the millions of pilgrims who with a brand new, 21st-Century sensibility file round its ancient stone path. Opening and aesthetic. We are going places! most prominent sites; Rinpoche’s DVDs a branch of our organisation right in the Kechara Lounge was spearheaded are being given away for free in frequently heart of this iconic site will bring our Lama, by Ladrang Liaison Chuah Su Ming and visited restaurants and outlets. H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and all Kechara is a Tsem Ladrang initiative to introduce Tsem Ladrang has also established a activities to millions of international pilgrims. pilgrims to Rinpoche and the Kechara branch in Kathmandu, where it is set to Rinpoche had mentioned during a organisation. It is designed for pilgrims to do massive work to bring Dharma to the pilgrimage trip in October 2008 that it hang out, read books by Rinpoche and people there... and everywhere. Already, would be very nice to have a branch of learn about our organisation while relaxing a team is in place to acquire land for the Kechara at Boudha. His students were in the comfortable lounge. building of a retreat centre in Kathmandu, struck by the idea and immediately set Pilgrims can also engage in their own that will cater to spiritual seekers and deep about looking for an appropriate location. prayers, meditations, prostrations and practice. With the blessings of our Lama, an mantra recitations while looking out at the All these efforts by the hard-working ideal spot manifested. After months of breathtaking view of the stupa. Just as Ladrang team and the continued support renovation guided by the continuous the beautiful stupa gathers pilgrims from of friends everywhere are directed towards hard work of Liaison Chuah Su Ming and around the world, it is hoped that Kechara the achievement of something far bigger supported by various Kechara members, Lounge will gather pilgrims towards and more beneficial: the manifestation of this beautiful lounge has opened its doors finding their spiritual path with the Kechara retreat centres both in Nepal and Malaysia. to the world! organisation in Malaysia. From there, we hope, hundreds and The opening day itself saw a flurry of To support the goals of Kechara thousands of people will be benefitted highly-charged activity. The whole Kechara Lounge, other initiatives are being by the opportunity to engage in spiritual Media & Publications team and Kechara implemented in Kathmandu to promote practice and find lasting happiness. House’s COO and Liaison Yap Yoke Fui Rinpoche’s teachings and Kechara’s work. All it starts with is a good wish. flew in specially to attend the opening; Posters now ride on the backs of rickshaws other guests comprised the many, many through Thamel, where many tourists Many more stories about our wonderful local Nepalese people who gather; large posters and banners have efforts in Nepal can be read on helped us transform Kechara Lounge from been erected at some of Kathmandu’s www.kechara.com FROM THE EDITOR “Not a single person is dispensible to me.” – H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche FLYING FAR Dear Readers, We want to hear from you! Everyone at the no more caves team is extremely excited about this quarter’s nmc is brought to you by the Kechara Buddhist organisation. For more information about Kechara, its issue because of all the news that’s in it! Kechara is going many places and this branches and activities, please contact us. issue looks at where we’re leaving our footprints in the world. Our Kechara Paradise outlets are doing road shows all over the country (see Kechara page 8), we’ve set up a lounge in Kathmandu (Page 1) and we’re launching H.E. Lot 21-1 & 23-1, Jalan PJU 1/3G, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s latest book in London (Page 6). The efforts of the many Sunwaymas Commercial Center, people throughout the organisation are really bearing fruit now as we go global. 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MALAYSIA. Recently, there’s also been a huge explosion of activity and buzz over at t +603 7803 3908 f +603 7803 3108 YouTube, where Kechara has been shaking things up all over the borderless e [email protected] w www.kechara.com world of the Internet. To date, we have 171 videos, featuring Rinpoche’s fantastic teachings, documentaries, video journals of our many events and behind-the- KH Committee scenes insights into the Kechara organisation. We’d love you to be a part of all President: Datin Ng Wee Chin this exciting, progressive e-family – join in and leave a comment on any of our Vice president: Dato Jeffrey Ng videos. Visit www.youtube.com and search for ”tsemtulku” Committee members: Dr Chua Choon Yew, Eric Choong, Dr. Tikfu Gee, Bill Keith, Dr Ming Hui Ying, But ultimately, no matter how far we go or how wide we spread our wings, we Julia Tan, Tan Sio Chian shan’t forget that we’re still in the “business” of people. As Rinpoche shared with some students at a recent event, “Not a single person is dispensible – in the Kechara Administrator spiritual sense – to me.” Lim Tat Ming, [email protected], All that we do at Kechara, under Rinpoche’s ever compassionate spiritual +603 7803 3908 guidance, is to bring the benefit of Buddhist teachings to others. No matter how For further details of all Kechara departments and glamourous, or wild, or fun things may seem at Kechara, the bottom line is about contacts, please refer to reaching out to people in different ways and extending a warm hug to every www.kechara.com single person that we come into contact with. This is with the hope that they can apply the teachings, gain different perspectives and eventually, find lasting Who’s who in the cave happiness. Spiritual guide: H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche This is not the only way but it is certainly one way that we have found to bring Editorial advisor: Susan Lim Editor: Jamie Khoo tremendous benefit to ourselves and the people around us. Now, if we could Contributors: David Lai, Loo Leat Thium and only share that same joy with the whole wide world! Sharon Saw Photography: Justin Ripley and Chris Tan With love and prayers, Designer: Rosalind Tann Jamie Khoo Printer: Lim Weng Wah Brothers Printing Press Editor Sdn. Bhd. DHARMA IN ACTION COMPASSIONATE DINING THE OPENING OF A NEW RESTAURANT UNDER THE KECHARA BANNER SHOWS MALAYSIANS HOW ENRICHING AND VARIED VEGETARIAN DINING CAN BE. Clockwise from top left One of Kechara Oasis’ signature dishes, Vietnamese spring rolls. Yes, it really is all vegetarian! Liaisons and friends celebrate the opening of the restaurant in January with a hearty “lo sang”! few months ago, H.E. Tsem Tulku KO was officially opened by our Lama Rinpoche suggested to one of his H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche on January 21 this senior students Irene Lim that she year and the event was honoured by other A Tsem Rinpoche and should open a vegetarian restaurant. Irene distinguished guests, Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Victor Irene Lim, at the opening immediately agreed without hesitation. Wee, the Economic Advisor to the Malaysian of Kechara Oasis. Irene had never run a restaurant before, Ministry of Finance and Datin Catherine Lai. but she took this as a challenge. She always There, His Eminence shared how happy he wishes to fulfil instructions from Rinpoche, a was that Kechara was opening a vegetarian Guru who she has followed devotedly for 20 restaurant to promote care for animals. This way, years. we directly create the causes to have a large She did extensive research on the restaurant animal shelter in future to help more animals. business, found cooks, took them on taste- With KO, we can now have delicious testing trips to Nepal and Taiwan, located a food, promote a healthy, vegetarian diet, place in Jaya One and oversaw all renovations. support our own Kechara organisation Now Kechara Oasis (KO) is fully complete and and continue to promote our Lama’s has been open for orders for almost half a year works throughout the region. Time The new-age vegetarian restaurant seeks to eat up! to promote vegetarianism in line with Buddhist teachings on not harming sentient beings. The Check out more creative and hard-working chefs constantly look of Kechara Oasis’ for new and interesting ways of cooking and tantalising treats at presenting the dishes – it’s hard for you not to www.kecharaoasis.com want to be vegetarian! Take the time to feast at Kechara Oasis! Find them at: D-21-LG1 & D-19-LG1, Block D, Jaya One, No.