Look Who it Was Random video

马来西亚NTV7电视台报道：克切拉/詹杜固活佛授任讲法师仪式

2,323 views · Published 30 October 2011 · 2:09 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: Tsem Rinpoche · 2011 · Nonprofits & Activism

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http://www.kechara.com

On the 24th of October, in conjunction with my 46th Birthday, Kechara House celebrated the first ever Buddhist Pastor Ordination Ceremony! It was a full day celebration from 9am till 11 pm. Many activities were carried out prior to the pastor ordination which was held at night

So what are Pastors?... What is their purpose?

Pastors are lay people who are committed to their spiritual practice. They are similar to monks, however they have pre-existing obligations that they still need to fulfill such as their family, commitments etc.

In the vinaya, it is said that if we hold the vows of a monk or nun today, even for just a day, the amount of merits generated is equivalent to holding the monk vows for one lifetime during Buddha's lifetime.

Nowadays, it is very difficult for people to take on monk or nun vows. This is due to the many many distractions available in our time.  However, just because people in this day and age are unwilling (or are unable) to become a sangha member, it does not mean they still cannot benefit people by learning and teaching the dharma. This is the purpose of ordaining Pastors in Kechara for them to guide and share their dharma experience with others.

At 8.15 pm, I gave a short dharma talk about impermanence for about 1 hour and then the pastor ordination ceremony began. I started by asking if any of them have any doubts, which they replied, 'None'. The vows were then bestowed upon them, and we proceeded to the hair cutting ceremony. They came dressed in their lay clothes; they then left the main prayer hall and changed into their pastor uniforms for the very first time. When they reentered the hall, I gave them each a Buddha Shakyamuni pendant specially designed for the Pastors. They were designed by Kechara Discovery. Datuk May Phng, President of Kechara House then presented each of the 4 Pastors with an offering on behalf of Kechara House.

Wearing their pastor uniform and pendant, a dedication prayer was done to seal the ceremony. The Pastors were then presented with an official certificate which certifies that they are allowed to perform the necessary rituals and to spread the dharma.

As there were Sangha members from different Buddhist traditions  present, I took the opportunity to present them with offerings. It is always good to give offerings to Sangha members as it generates an immense amount of merits. 2 Tara statues were offered to Ani Dolma and Lama Sonam Phuntsok, a Tsongkhapa statue was offered to Y.B. Datin Paduka Mother Mangalam Iyaswamy Iyer, and 3 fasting Buddhas were offered to Ven. Ratanasiri Nayaka Maha Thera - Chief Monk of Seck Kia Eenh temple in Malacca, Ven. Sing Kan - Abbess of Sam Poh Thong temple, and Ven Fa Xun, also of Sam Poh Tong temple. I am very honoured to have them present in the auspicious ceremony.

The day started out a little differently... in the morning, a few of my students wanted to give me a birthday present and went to the Kepong Metropolitan Park to release 388 birds and 388 kgs of fish. I'm very glad for their initiative and thoughtfulness. Many of my students from abroad came to attend the ceremony and joined in with the animal liberation too.

There were 12 students and friends who came from Shanghai. They mentioned how they had always read about the animal liberation activities in Kechara, but had never participated in one before. As their first time, they mentioned to the other Kecharians how they enjoyed it!

I am very glad that Kechara finally has Pastors to conduct dharma classes in Kechara. I would like to congratulate these four dedicated individuals, to always keep true to their pastor vows and benefit any living being they come across with. May they always be close to dharma.

Tsem Rinpoche

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