When in April 2015 Tsem Tulku Rinpoche announced to the world that Kechara Forest Retreat houses the largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world, it goes without saying that it created ripples across the Tibetan Buddhist communities the world over. Many messages of congratulations poured in, and unfortunately, those of abuse and insults, too, especially on his Facebook Page. It’s not hard to guess that those responsible for the derogatory comments claimed they were defending His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who discourages the worship of Dorje Shugden.

The sorry episode, however, only revealed that Tsem Rinpoche is nothing short of courageous and determined in his defense of dharma. Not only did he remain calm following the online slurs, he went on to make a brilliant series of video clips in which he discussed his experience and history with Gyalchen Dorje Shugden. The lecture is delivered in the light-hearted and sometimes humorous way that seems to be characteristic of this charismatic teacher.

In perfect solidarity with their guru, the Kecharians, the name of Tsem Rinpoche’s students and followers, started making their own Shugden video testimonies. Such a class-act of “coming-out” is a new phenomenon for Dorje Shugden practitioners who have had to hide their identities, especially in countries where open identification with the deity may entail trouble and discrimination.

It is also refreshingly different in the sense that the Shugden testimonies we often witness on news reports are tales of prejudice and suffering. By contrast, the Kecharian testimonies are positive empowering narratives of how Dorje Shugden practice has benefited them.

The success and strength of Kechara can’t be separated from its founder and spiritual guru Tsem Rinpoche who was born October 24, 1965 in Taipei of a Mongolian princess by the name of Dewa Nimbo, a daughter of Prince Palta of Xinjiang. His father was Lobsang Gyatso, a Tibetan official with the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Because Lobsang Gyatso was already married to another woman, both Tsem Rinpoche’s parents were unable to legally get married. In keeping with the conservative environment of the period, his mother didn’t bring him up herself. At seven, he was given up for adoption to a Mongolian couple living in New Jersey, USA.

From an early age, he showed a great interest in Tibetan Buddhist imagery, particularly that of Vajrayogini whom he described as a “red lady.” Although his adoptive parents didn’t approve of his religious leanings, preferring that he study at normative schools, earn a degree and get a “decent” job, the young Rinpoche continued his venture into religion by visiting the local Mongolian temple, Rashi Gempil Ling, where the Abbot Emeritus of Sera Mey Monastery and an accomplished practitioner of the Vajrayogini Tantra, Kensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche, taught. Kensur Rinpoche was a direct disciple of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. It was here, too, that he received teachings from the Dalai Lama in 1979.

Two years later, the 16-year-old ran away from home after an argument with his adoptive father and landed himself in Los Angeles, California. He was fortunate enough to be allowed to live at the Thubten Dhargye Ling dharma center, exchanging board for services within the temple. Here, the young Tsem Rinpoche became a student of Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen. In a moving story, he had called his old teacher Sermey Kensur Lobsang Tharchin in New Jersey to ask permission to become a student of Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen, which was graciously granted by his first guru. So he happily spent the next eight years at Thubten Dhargye Ling.

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche (left) with H.H. Kyabje Zong Dorjechang (right)

Notable during his stay there was his meeting with the guru of his guru, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. When young Tsem Rinpoche heard about Zong Rinpoche’s impending visit to the center, he was very happy. Moreover, he was thrilled to find out he had been assigned to serve the venerable teacher for the next six months.

Tsem Rinpoche recalled in a lecture that he would deliberately put extra food on Zong Rinpoche’s plate in the hope of eating the guru’s leftovers, which he considered blessed food. It was during his six-month service that he received a Yamantaka initiation from his root guru H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche who encouraged him to become a monk. After his root guru returned to India, Tsem Rinpoche met H.H. the Dalai Lama and asked His Holiness to ordain him as a monk. The Dalai Lama, like his root guru, told him to go to India.

In 1987, three years after the passing of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Tsem Rinpoche finally made it to India where he visited Zong Ladrang in Ganden Monastery. Having been ordained by the Dalai Lama, he continued to study at Ganden Shartse, Mundgod, Karnataka, for the next nine years.

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche was recognized as the 72nd Abbot of Ganden Shartse by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

During this time, one of his gurus Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche introduced Tsem Rinpoche as the reincarnation of the 72nd Abbot of Ganden Shartse to H.H. the Dalai Lama, who confirmed his status as a tulku. Another famous teacher who became Tsem Rinpoche’s guru was H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche.

At the suggestion of H.E. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, Tsem Rinpoche went on a fundraising tour in Malaysia where he impressed many Buddhists. Subsequently, he was requested by his students in Malaysia to return and teach there, where he founded Kechara, a Buddhist organization dedicated to the teachings and practices of Dharma, in 2000. Four years later, he also established Kechara House Buddhist Center.

Among Tsem Rinpoche’s passions are nature, the environment and animal welfare. It was in this spirit that he conceived the idea for a rural retreat dedicated to contemplation and union with nature. In 2012, work began on a project that would eventually become the 35-acre Kechara Forest Retreat, where the Wisdom Hall dedicated to Dorje Shugden is located.

The largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world is located in Kechara Forest Retreat, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s Buddhist Organization in Malaysia

Tsem Rinpoche’s unique personal history has in many ways prepared him well for his encounters with the modern world. As a tulku, he represents hundreds of years of Tibetan Buddhist history of continuation. On the other hand, Tsem Rinpoche is a 21st-century lama conversant with technology and the everyday challenges faced by the modern day Buddhist. Both his lineage and his progressive thinking are currently the anchors around which his Kecharians build their lives in dharma. May his auspicious work continue for a long time to come!

Until today, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche continues the practices that were given to him by his teacher, H.H. Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang

The largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world

It is a known fact that many Dorje Shugden lamas, Gelugpa or otherwise, have opted to lay low with their practice ever since the ban on Dorje Shugden was enforced in 1996. However, in recent months, a number of lamas have either revealed their practice or reconnected with other practitioners.

In late 2014, H.E. Zasep Rinpoche, who had been relatively low key about his practice, attended the opening of Gaden Khachoe Shing in Bloomington, Indiana, a Buddhist monastery under the spiritual direction of the Venerable Kuten (Choijin) Lama. While in early 2015, another lama, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche began teaching extensively about Dorje Shugden’s practice on his blog and other online platforms.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has since become progressively more vocal about Dorje Shugden’s practice and the social impact of the ban. He has also unveiled the largest Dorje Shugden statue in the world! The massive 24ft statue is housed in Kechara Forest Retreat, an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

This retreat center is the latest initiative of Kechara, a Buddhist organization founded by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche in the year 2000. Over the span of 15 years, Kechara has established its presence in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal and USA, upholding the precious lineage of Je Tsongkapa through methods both traditional and contemporary. Alongside its efforts to encourage the growth of Buddhadharma through publications, art, multimedia and the Internet, Kechara is also focused on various charitable works in the local community.

H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

History

What would eventually become Kechara Forest Retreat

Rinpoche and a group of us went to view a few pieces of land identified by our search party … The last piece of land to view was along Jalan Chamang, Bentong. We stood on the outside of the land and everyone of us liked it.

Then Rinpoche asked for a sign from our Protector. Without overhead clouds nor lightning and thunder, large drops of rain fell on precisely where we’re standing and then there was no more rain. That was the sign from our Protector.
~ Datuk May Phng, President of Kechara

In early 2012, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and his students set out in search of a piece of land that would eventually house a retreat center from which the lineage and teachings of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition would spread. On that fateful day and on numerous other occasions, many auspicious portents were noted, including drizzles of rain, rainbows, and even an anonymous yet prophetic postcard.

A postcard from an anonymous Mongolian lama, which closely resembled Kechara Forest Retreat.

Kechara Forest Retreat in the early days. The uncanny resemblance is indicative of its potential in furthering Lama Tsongkapa’s lineage and tradition.

Through sheer effort, dedication and the blessings of Dorje Shugden, remarkable progress in the acquisition of land and construction of the initial phases of the retreat center was achieved in less than two years. Today, residents and visitors to Kechara Forest Retreat can enjoy its contemporary facilities including:

• Wisdom Hall (Main prayer hall and protector chapel)
• Tara Walk (Walking meditation path)
• Manjushri Hill (Majestic stone statue of 4-armed Manjushri)
• Vajrayogini Stupa
• The Aviary and Organic Farm
• Dukkar Apartments (Guest accommodation)

Images of Dorje Shugden’s 32-deity entourage

Dorje Shugden pujas are performed monthly according to traditon

Statues of the lineage lamas are prominently displayed in the protector chapel

Throne for the oracle of Dorje Shugden

A chapel to Gyenze or Ratna Shugden, the increase form of Dorje Shugden

We at DorjeShugden.com extend our gratitude to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche for his great works in spearheading the growth of Dorje Shugden’s practice and the Buddhadharma, and bringing it to greater heights. May he live long to continue his activities to spread the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa throughout the world.

How To Get There

Kechara Forest Retreat
Jalan Chamang
Bentong
Pahang
Malaysia

Phone: +603 7803 3908
Website: retreat.kechara.com
Email: retreat@kechara.com

More Pictures of Kechara Forest Retreat

Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, Malaysia

The main prayer hall in Kechara Forest Retreat which is home to the 24ft Dorje Shugden statue

The imposing 24ft Dorje Shugden statue, the largest in the world

Lama Tsongkhapa in a long life form

Vajrayogini Stupa

Four-armed Manjushri

Dukkar Apartments

The aviary

Plans for further expansion are underway