David's Space...

A Moving Account of Gaden Monastery In Tibet

(This account of Gaden Monastery was given in Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen's biography in http://www.tdling.org/teacher. The description is so vivid, I had tears well up in my eyes just from reading it. Wow!)

Geshe-la set out on the thirty-three day trek across twenty-five mountain passes, the only monk in a party of fifteen merchants and pilgrims. Near Lhasa, they stopped near Gaden Monastery where some monks invited Geshe-la for tea the following day. The next morning as he climbed the hill toward Gaden, he saw the great monastery for the first time looking as though it would touch the sky. He wept tears of joy and knew without question that it was here, and not Sera, where he would continue his studies. That day was the anniversary of Lama Tsong Khapa's enlightenment. In the evening the light offerings of butter lamps and the sound of chanting filled every room in the monastery and Geshe-la felt deeply moved by its spiritual atmosphere.

He joined Shartse College, one of Gaden's two main colleges. The abbot at that time was the late Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who took a special interest in the young monk's progress. Geshe Gyeltsen studied logic, wisdom, compassion, ethics, phenomenology and mind training at Gaden for twenty years and later became a teacher of junior monks.

                Geshe Tultim Gyeltsen

         H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche's Guru

Christmas Controversy.

I love Christmas. I know it is over along with Boxing Day and I know some of you guys are still reeling from a hang over after all the drunken binges, partying and holidaying. Well, I myself didn't get much of a chance to party except for a nice massage on Christmas eve. That was better than any party for me. Anyhow, I was doing a little bit of reading on the origins of Christmas on Wikipedia, which I felt compelled to share... hehe... I found it quite amusing really...

Throughout the holiday's history, Christmas has been the subject of both controversy and criticism from a wide variety of different sources. The first documented Christmas controversy was Christian-led, and began during the English Interregnum, when England was ruled by a Puritan Parliament. Puritans (including those who fled to America) sought to remove the remaining pagan elements of Christmas. During this period, the English Parliament banned the celebration of Christmas entirely, considering it "a popish festival with no biblical justification", and a time of wasteful and immoral behavior.

Controversy and criticism continues in the present-day, where some Christian and non-Christians have claimed that an affront to Christmas (dubbed a "war on Christmas" by some) is ongoing. In the United States there has been a tendency to replace the greeting Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have initiated court cases to bar the display of images and other material referring to Christmas from public property, including schools. Such groups argue that government-funded displays of Christmas imagery and traditions violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the establishment by Congress of a national religion. In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lynch vs. Donnelly that a Christmas display (which included a Nativity scene) owned and displayed by the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island did not violate the First Amendment. In November 2009, the Federal appeals court in Philadelphia endorsed a school district's ban on the singing of Christmas carols.

In the private sphere also, it has been alleged that any specific mention of the term "Christmas" or its religious aspects was being increasingly censored, avoided, or discouraged by a number of advertisers and retailers. In response, the American Family Association and other groups have organized boycotts of individual retailers.[116] In the United Kingdom there have also been some controversies, one of the most famous being the temporary promotion of the Christmas period as Winterval by Birmingham City Council in 1998. There were also protests in November 2009 when the city of Dundee promoted its celebrations as the Winter Night Light festival, initially with no specific Christmas references.

Happy Holidays and Enjoy the Year End! 

(I took that picture from Time Magazine's World's Craziest Light Displays and this one is taken from the Bronx, New York www.time.com)

For the Love of Buddha statues...

Last Saturday, Kechara Paradise had a stock party of all the Buddha images and stuff that they have brought back from a recent trip overseas. It was held at the new Kechara House Gompa. It was really exciting and beautiful collection of sacred statues. Here are some of my favourite statues that I wished I could invite back home. 

A small 7 inch antique Manjushri statue.... Just beautiful! 

Manjushri is the Buddha of Wisdom and if we pray to Manjushri, we will be blessed with excellent memory, sharp mind, creativity and empowering speech that is clear and precise in its meaning. I love Manjushri and my lack of these qualities is perhaps why I love him so much...

This is a 3-feet handsome Maitreya that is plated with silver and comes at a extremely powerful merit increasing price of RM108,000. I don't normally admire Maitreya but this image is rather unique and regal. Maitreya's name literally means Great Love and he is the future Buddha-to-be hence, his unusual sitting position, which is reminiscent of a reigning king instead of Bodhisattva. (Actually, he is depicted as the reigning Bodhisattva on the divine throne of Tushita) Having the statue of him and praying to him creates the cause for us to be reborn within his very circle of disciples when his time to descend on to earth comes. 

I love these Vajrayogini statues, especially the Sukhasiddhi form of Vajrayogini on the right. She is the amazing divine mother who kills our ego along with its negative karma and habituations and gives birth to us as fully enlightened Buddhas from her sacred womb. I have a similar statue at home that I invited many years ago from Kechara Paradise.

Vajrayogini in mid-flight. She totally transcends over the ego and takes us to inner and outer Kechara Paradise. What a beautiful object of refuge and prayer!

This is Arya Amoghapasa Lokeshvara and he is a multi-armed form of Avalokiteshvara that seems to have been popular in Nepal, China, Tibet and Japan since the middle ages. The name suggests that he is the Lord of the world with infallible noose which leads suffering beings to enlightenment.

Amoghapasa has one face and wears a saffron skirt. Amoghapasa Lokeshvara has eight hands with the right hands showing the gesture of fearlessness, the boon granting gesture, the noose and holding the string of beads while the left hands holding a trident, a scripture, a white lotus and a water pot.

Amoghapasa Lokeshvara has three divine eyes looking into the 3 major realms of existence of form, formless and desire realms. His first right hand in Abhaya Mudra symbolizes that one who practices the Dharma sincerely is protected from falling into lower realms. The second right hand displaying Varada Mudra shows that those who practice and generate compassion and Bodhichitta receive all desirable objects and conditions. The third hand holding Amoghapasa or infallible noose symbolizes that he has infallible skill and means to convert ignorant sentient beings onto the path of liberation. The fourth right hand holding a rosary signifies that by the recitation of the six syllable mantras of Avalokiteshvara, one frees oneself from the bondage of samsara.

Again among four left hands, one holding a water pot signifies that he has the capacity of empowering all the sentient beings into Buddhahood. The second left hand holding a lotus signifies that he frees the sentient beings residing in hell realms from the suffering of intense heat and cold just like a lotus emerges from muddy water. The third left hand holding a trident signifies that he purifies three poisons of sentient beings i.e. desire, hatred and ignorance. The fourth left hand holding a scripture signifies that he imparts wisdom to the devotees and thereby they attain liberation from cyclic existence.

Lokeshvara Amoghapasa's description taken from http://www.shakyastatues.com/statue/amoghapasalokeshvara

and most of the pictures are courtesy of Peter Hoh

Enter the Lama's World....

Here is the grand audience room of H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in the new KH Gompa. This is where he meets guests and so the throne is knee-high to make it more 'accessible' to talk with people privately. The silver staff on the left side is a monk's staff to denote the Lama is the holder of the Vinaya or monk vows. The thangka behind is a unique one depicting Lama Tsongkhapa (with the yellow hat) on an elephant with 5 emanations of Manjushri above and various other Buddhist deities around them. An antique Buddha of wealth and generosity, Dzambala sits aptly and grandly on the side table. The yellow Tsongkhapa robes are placed on his seat symbolic of the Lama's presence and his ritual implements are humbly covered with a blue cloth cover so as not to advertise the Lama's Tantric attainments or supernatural powers. 

The back of the room has a row of nice seats for a comfortable and private audience. Powerful and elegant black and white images of the lineage Lamas line the walls depicting Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (left), Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche (middle) and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche (right). The thangka depicts a beautiful red Vajrayogini. 

There is another view of the audience room showing a powerful painted Setrap thangka. I remember Rinpoche mentioned this thangka is very blessed and had displayed miraculous signs before. 

Last part of the little audience room is the dragon carpet. The Tibetan term for the dragon (Tib. 'brug but pronounced drug) refers to the sound of thunder. It is a powerful sign of imperial power and magnificence of the Chinese emperors. This symbolism is brought over to the Dharma to signify the majestic power and awe of the Dharma. The colour yellow on the dragon signify increase of the Dharma and coupled with the symbolism of the dragon, it is a befitting offering to a Lama. It is like saying may the majestic power and awe of our Lama's teachings touch the lives of many who come and meet him for the Dharma. May his works flourish and may it bring much benefit.

A Cave Hideaway

After the brief visit to the Arowana fish farm, we had a delicious vegetarian lunch and planned our visit to Kek Look Tong cave temple. We were rather worried because it started to rain midway through our meal but it died down not long after. So, Seng Piow armed with his GPS 'thing-a-magic' led the way. Rinpoche teased Wai Meng all the way because he was born in Ipoh but hardly knew the roads and so his 'GPS' just didn't work. (He He!)

We parked near the entrance of the cave and quickly noticed the large yawning mouth of the cave. Next to the cave is a large Kuan Yin statue standing serenely in the middle of a little man-made pond. We tossed coins at Kuan Yin's feet only to discover there is actually a little pot for that reason. However, only Wai Meng and Monlam managed to get a coin to rest on Kuan Yin's lotus with KWPC in mind of course. It is a Chinese belief that those who coins enter the little pot or onto Kuan Yin's feet, she will fulfill a wish. There were lots of beautiful and ethereal koi fishes swimming around the placid pool. 

 

After joking and teasing, we entered into the cave and what we saw took our breath away. The sheer immensity of the cave and the cool breeze blowing right through was refreshing. The floor was completely cemented and part of the walls are layered with marble. Across the main hall is an altar enshrining 3 rather refined statues of 3 Taoist patriachs.

We took a flight of steps towards a deeper part of the cave that brought us eventually to a bright shining exit. Just before the mouth of the exit is 3 rather beautiful Chinese statues of Buddha Vairochana flanked by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra and Manjushri upon 3 pedestals! I love the refined detail of these statues! Just check out the picture of Manjushri and me. I dunno why I love Manjushri so much and so I gave a really big fat smile just for Manjushri. (Maybe because I am just stupid and Manjushri is wisdom... Get it?)

There was a Weituo (A Chinese Protector, emanation of Vajrapani) and a Chinese emanation of Maitreya as the fat laughing Buddha. Rinpoche paid obeisance to him and we walked towards the light and what emerged was a Shangrila-like green garden guarded by magnificent limestone mountains. All of us went wow! I certainly didn't expect this! It was like we have discovered the hidden kingdom of Shambala! 

 

We could hear the birds chirping, insects creaking away and the low humming sound of the nearby factory almost spoilt the whole natural setting. As we walk around the lake, we could see a large pylon nearby that brought the place down a little. Nonetheless, the garden was still very well maintained and we got ourselves settled in a Chinese pavilion for a puja. 

Just before the puja, Rinpoche told us of his plans for Kechara Animal Sanctuary and how much Sara had affected him. He said he is taking a bank loan and going ahead although he has very little financial support for his plans. He said he was held back by fears and worries before but seeing Sara suffer, he felt selfish and decided to go full-steam ahead. He told all of us to do the same with ourselves and not let small hurdles and setbacks hold us back because years down the line, we would regret not putting our best and the huge setbacks and problems would seem small and insignificant. 

Somewhere along the line, Rinpoche taught us how to propitiate Setrap in times of danger or when we are in a haunted location. The following is the visualisation that Rinpoche taught and I am repeating here to the best of my memory...

First, we visualise lights from a multitude of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas flow forth and merge into Setrap. From Setrap's image, red lights flow forth and make a multitude of offerings back to all these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Then little red Setraps emerge from these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the form of red lights that flow into the crown of our heads and fill every part of our body with red light. This red light overflows from the pores of the body and completely envelopes our body in a red bubble.  

This visualisation is to be accompanied by the recitation of Setrap's mantra. After Rinpoche taught this visualisation, we did our puja and black tea to Setrap. Just before we left, Rinpoche noticed this tree and mentioned that he really like trees like this one that spreads its branches generously all over. I think he mentioned that he would like trees like this in his Ladrang. 

We took a slow stroll back to the car while enjoying the green vegetation and Rinpoche cheerfully telling us what Buddha statue he would place at almost every corner of the park! He told us many unusual ideas and even asked for a few ideas from us. However, I really liked his idea of a large Balinese stone-carved Tara statue that is smiling and overgrown with moss. 

That's all folks! This is a last silly grin from me and the Kek Look Thong stork saying good bye for now...

Billions of Buddhas in One

Enshrined within the new KH Gompa are three large statues of Lama Tsongkhapa, Vajrayogini and Setrap. Combined, there would be a staggering 493.4 billion Buddha images within these three statues. These images are actually stored upon 27 hard disks collectively and placed within the statues. 

Here are how the actual Buddha images (stored within the hard disk) look like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manjushri - 48.3 billion images                            Lama Tsongkhapa - 30.8 Billion

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

   Vajrayogini - 30.7 Billion Images                     Dukkar - 41.9 Billion Images

 

 

 

Buddha Shakyamuni - 35 Billion Images      Amitabha Buddha - 37.8 Billion Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Setrap - 46.1 Billion Images                     Yamantaka - 175.5 Billion

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche's hand written Vajrayogini mantra - 47.3 Billion

According to the Buddha, just looking at a line drawing of the image of a Buddha in anger will plant a seed of enlightenment in the mind stream of the beholder. Just imagine the merit accumulated if we were to make offerings, prostrations and prayers to this image instead. Now, multiply that by 493.4 billion times for all the 3 Statues in the new KH Gompa and that is a whole lot of merits! Hence, each time we prostrate, make offerings and prayers to the 3 statues, the blessings will be multiplied billions of times over. All this merit is accumulated in relations towards a enlightened body of a Buddha.

That means we create the direct cause towards attaining a Buddha body ourselves. So what does that mean?

By 'attaining a Buddha body', we purify lifetimes of negative karma related to the body - killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, etc. In that way, we attain longevity (a long life), a body free of disease, charismatic, beautiful to look at (especially in future lives) and attain success in worldly and especially spiritual endeavours. We also attain the 112 major and minor marks of a perfect Buddha body. That means we would have understood, realised and embody the entire Lamrim (Entire teachings of the Buddha that is presented in stages by Atisha and Lama Tsongkhapa) because the body of each Buddha contains the roadmap of the entire Lamrim. 

Therefore, the tradition of filling the statues of Buddhas with billions of images and mantras are meant to create as much merits towards achieving a Buddha body for those who supplicate, prostrate, make offerings, prayers and recite mantras towards these holy statues.  

Much Ado About Future Buddhas

I was at a fantastic Liaison's meeting yesterday and just before the meeting began, Rinpoche gave a wonderful little explanation about how the Buddhas will manifest on the very same spot and how we can connect with them in our future lives. He said Buddhist thought matches scientific explanations of the Big Bang and the evolution of the Universe.

The descendent of the Bodhi tree Buddha sat under in Bodhgaya

There will be 1,000 Samyaksam Buddhas that will appear in our fortunate eon. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni is the fourth Buddha and Maitreya will be next in line. Samyaksam is just an epithet to mean Buddhas that will manifest the 12 deeds of a fully enlightened Buddha and will appear on the very same spot in Bodhgaya. So sceptics will wonder how does a Buddha manifest on the very same spot because the planet might have exploded by then.

Well, science offers a very intriguing explanation to this point. According to the theory of the Big Bang, the Universe will reach a state where all matter will implode, ending the lives of all stars and planets. Then, it will explode and breathe new life to new stars and planets. Thus, the spot in Bodhgaya would have reconstituted into a new planet again with new life, intelligent life and a future Buddha will manifest on that very spot in the universe.

Why? The very spot had been chosen by the Buddhas and is a very important portal from which they will manifest in the future. So how do we ensure that we will be amongst his very closest students? We create the causes now and that is through our action motivated by our intention. Rinpoche explained that we should do Dharma work sincerely and not consider it work and put our full heart into it. If we do, we create powerful merits and karma necessary and when we do our practice, it will seal our powerful karma and merit to take rebirth amongst the next Buddha's closest disciples. This means we perform our daily Sadhana and maintaining our Guru Samaya is absolutely essential ingredients for all this to manifest. 

All the stars and planets will reappear and we will take rebirth amongst them again (Unless you become fully enlightened by then... Nah, not likely). Imagine an ET version of you and me? We might have antennas instead of ears then. Haha! What about an ET Buddha? Way cool!

Bhaisajyaguru - The Medicine Guru!

Lady luck must have been shining down on me because I received an sms invitation to H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche's 'cave' last night. (I know Rinpoche would probably laugh at my apparent enthusiasm!) When I got there, he told me that I will be joining him in a Medicine Buddha puja for sick Mumu - his sick Schnautzer.

Monlam, Fat Monk and Wendy was there like little busy bees flitting back and forth. We laid out 8 sets of tormas and sensory offerings for the puja and fresh water and candle offering to a sacred image of Medicine Buddha. Just before we began Puja, Seng Piow, Rinpoche's attendant came home and we were all set for Puja. Just before Puja, Rinpoche gave an incredible explanation of the text and practice which I will explain here to the best of my memory...

The author of this particular puja text is attributed to the omniscient Panchen Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (picture on the left), the sole spiritual guide of the 5th Dalai Lama and also the author of the ethereal and sublime Lama Chopa text. Therefore, it is beyond a doubt an authentic ritual that the great Panchen had condensed from the original, more extensive Medicine Puja text.

Rinpoche explained that the power of this puja is derived from merely reciting and making specific offerings according to tradition to all 8 of the Medicine Buddhas (which includes the historical Buddha Shakyamuni). Each of the Medicine Buddhas hold a specific power and benefit due to specific vows they held when they were Bodhisattvas threading on the path of practice. Therefore, just reciting the names of the Medicine Buddhas in English, Chinese, Tibetan or Sanskrit invokes the power of their vows to fruition unto us. Hence, this Medicine Buddha practice is familiar and well-liked by the Chinese Mahayana tradition that has a long history of a similar practice to take rebirth in Buddha Amitabha's paradise (Western Pureland). 

This beautiful practice is basically reciting the names of each Buddha, recalling their physical attributes, praising their qualities, making offerings, requesting them to remember their vows and dedication. The Buddhas don't need help with the recollection of their vows but it is a practice from our side to create the merit for their perfected vows to fruition upon us. 

The Benefits of each of the 8 Medicine Buddhas

1. Suparikirti-tanamasriraja (Skt) or Buddha Renowned Glorious King of Excellent Signs

Avert contagious diseases, executions, harm from criminals and spirits, be reborn with sound body and mind (so we don't take rebirth as a mute or a retard and this is not a joke!), purify negative karma, not take rebirth in the 3 lower realms, experience happiness again in future lives, avert the negative karma of experiencing hunger, thirst and poverty, harm from dangerous animals, have the ability to pacify those overwhelmed with anger (always a peacemaker and resolve other people's conflicts) and have the karma to experience wealth power, and good health. 

2. Svaragosaraja (Skt) or Buddha King of Melodious Sound, Brilliant Radiance of Skill, Adorned with Jewels, Moon, and Lotus.

Create the merit to have a strong, stable and undistracted mind (especially beneficial for those who needs constant activity/distraction), have wealth, have the merit to overcome the limited view of reality (so we don't become stuck in negative situations and people due to our fixed views), take rebirth as a human, always attracted to teachings, practice the Dharma, purify mental obscurations, have happiness, always be near our spiritual master, be protected from environmental distractions of our time ( good time, money, pleasure and other modern distractions), spirit harm, untimely death, enemies and averting the karma to take rebirth in places where there is no Dharma, have the merit to always delight in making offerings and formal spiritual practices. 

3. Suvarnabhadradravimala (Skt) or Buddha Stainless Excellent Gold, Great Jewel Who Accomplishes All Vows

Extend one's life, increase one's wealth, fosters a loving mind and hold our vows and practice Bodhichitta.  

4. Asokottamasriraja (Skt) or Buddha Supreme Glory Free from Sorrow

Create the karma to experience long life, have happiness,  be the light to those who suffer the most, be born with a beautiful appearance and purify the karma to experience diseases. 

5. Dharmakirtisagara (Skt) or Buddha Melodious Ocean of Proclaimed Dharma 

Create the merit to have right view and faith in our spiritual masters and Buddha's teachings, have the merit to hear and practice the Dharma (especially Bodhichitta), have wealth, love, long life and be contented. 

6. Abhijyaraja (Skt) or Buddha Delightful King of Clear Knowing, Supreme Wisdom of an Ocean of Dharma

Create the karma to be free of hatred, jealousy and the wish to hurt others, have wealth, purify powerful negative karma and habituations that bring us to lower realms , be free of oppression and have a long healthy life. 

7. Bhaisajyaguru (Skt) or  Buddha Medicine Guru, King of Lapis Light 

Create the merit to become fully enlightened with a Buddha's body, create the merit to practice the Mahayana in every life, hold our vows well, be of sound mind and have a healthy body, health wealth,  be freed from Mara’s noose (anger, jealousy and all negative mental states that makes us suffer) and perverse viewpoints, purify the karma of wrong livelihood that leads to rebirth in lower realms (like butchers, exterminators etc).

8. Buddha Glorious Conqueror Shakyamuni 

(Rinpoche didn't comment but I refered to the text for this benefit) Always receive protection of the 3 Jewels and receive the most sublime guidance and benefits

Last bit of the puja is to praise the Dharma as the most sublime medicine for all our delusions. Before that, Rinpoche asked us, what is cause for all of our medical problems? FM said it was our negative karma. Then Rinpoche said it is actually our self-grasping mind. Understanding this and applying the Dharma becomes the most important medicine for all of us as it heals right at the root of all our problems. 

Right at the end, Wendy asked a series of questions regarding Medicine Buddha Puja practice and its place in Tantric practice. Rinpoche responded that Medicine Buddha practice is lower Tantra and that means it become a powerful preliminary to Higher Tantras like Vajrayogini that ultimately takes us to Enlightenment. All of us were simply awed by Rinpoche's explanation that evening and everyone present remarked that the explanation revolutionised our whole view of Medicine Buddha and his place in our practice. He is not just an ordinary healing deity. 

Rinpoche mentioned towards the end that is why Medicine Buddha is such a powerful and efficacious practice to bless ourselves, heal ourselves and can even be recited on animals, dead carcases and even bones to plant powerful blessings. 

Strange & Sexy Gift From America

Alas, Paris and Sharon Saw are back in KMP office today after a 3 week hiatus. Naturally, they were touring America like a rockstar troupe. Well, not everything is rock'n'roll as they were doing some serious interviews and research on Rinpoche's background in America. The research, video footage, photos and contacts would lead to amazing biographies of Rinpoche and an amazing documentary. (I can't wait! It is going to be awesome to know what Rinpoche went through.)

Anyway, while traveling, they remembered little old me and got me a bag of blue M&Ms and a book from Bodhi Tree bookstore. Bodhi Tree bookstores is this amazing new age bookstore in Los Angeles that Rinpoche used to visit when he was still living in America. What is amazing is that it still exists! They (Paris) went there and got this rather weird and sexy gift...

Sex, Sin And Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex. 

Wow! It kinda gives a whole new spin on Karma Sutra. I flipped through the inch-thick paperbag to see if there were any pictures of naked people but there were none. (Damn! Too bad! Hehe!) So it is not really a book on sexual positions. It is really what it says it is... A Buddhist perspective on sexuality with some really eye-popping chapter headings. 

Let me name some for you...

1. Are Buddhists Allowed to Jack Off?

2. Saving All Beings...From My Dick! (Sex and the Bodhisattva Vows)

3. Is Orgasm the Highest Form Of Meditation.

4. I F*ck, therefore I am what I F*ck?

Man! Those are really edgy and catchy titles. To top it off, the book is authored by an off-beat caucasian Soto-Zen priest, Brad Warner. It looks like it is going to be an interesting read if I do find the time to read. Anyway, if I do finish the book, you will be sure I will spill the beans here.... 

A big thank you for your strange & sexy gift, Paris & Sharon!

You guys sure know me a little too well to pick a gift that bridges two of my biggest attachments. Gee! I think I am already revealing too much here!!! Haha! 

Buddhism In Malaysia

Back in school, I learned during history class that Hindu-Buddhist beliefs were once widespread throughout the Malay archipelago (that includes modern-day Malaysia). The Indian traders and merchants brought over their beliefs, culture and religion as they were blown over by the Indian Sea winds.

All that changed when the king of Chola from India attacked the Malay kingdom of Kedah in the 11 century. Subsequently, Phra Ong Mahawangsa (who was originally Hindu) became the first Malay ruler to denounce all traditional Indian religions and converted to Islam.  During the golden age of Malacca Sultanate, majority of the Malays converted to Islam. Any survivors of the pre-Islamic-Malay royalty moved to what is now Bali. 

Hence today, Malays are Muslim by default and fortunately, the other races like the Chinese, Indian and other minorities enjoy the freedom of worship. However, modern Buddhism in Malaysia consists of mainly the Theravadan school of Buddhism. This is due to proximity with Thailand and the missionary efforts of the monks of that tradition within the Chinese community. The Chinese were immigrants themselves and they brought a loose folk mixture of Taoist and Buddhist Mahayana beliefs but no real adherence to either. 

Therefore, orthodox Mahayana tradition is a relative newcomer while the Vajrayana or the Tibetan tradition is an even more recent phenomenon. I don't have dates for their arrival into Malaysia but most Tibetan Buddhist centers would not be older than 20 years. Hence, many of these centers are relatively small and underdeveloped.

There is a lot of room for growth but I think a major stumbling block would be from the practitioners themselves. Malaysian monks are few and far in between and rumours of lay students removing and replacing their teachers (who are monks) at whim makes 'real' spread of Buddhism seemed daunting. I guess, these challenges would have been familiar to the Tibetan translators and Indian teachers who brought Buddhism to Tibet.

Fortunately, teachers like H. E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche who came to Malaysia as early as 1992, have realised the situation here and have over the years adapted his teachings and organisation to the local people. Hence, he feels that local lay Buddhist teachers are needed for Buddhism to really expand and grow. Hence, his grand vision of Kechara World Peace Center is to develop local lay teachers and practitioners along with other purposes. This institution will be vital for the development of Buddhism here in Malaysia. 

(PS: The picture shows the statue of Avalokiteshvara Amoghapasha (8-armed Chenrezig/Kuan Yin) found in a Perak tin mine and is now an exhibit in the National Museum. The style dates back to around the 8th-9th century which is during the period of the Malay kingdom of Gangga Negara.)