There's No Way But Up

My furry little white housemate Zamkar is 14 years old and that’s 98 years in doggy years. Although he is a perpetually youthful looking little fella but he has cataract in his right eye. In fact, Paul Yap his owner could not bear to have Zamkar put under the knife for this so he became…

Rinpoche had a commissioned a series of thangkas and amongst them was one that depicted Dorje Neljorma Uchedma – the severed head goddess. She is an awe-inspiring figure who graphically decapitates herself only to release three jets of blood that falls into her own mouth as well as two other attendant figures. Rinpoche called for…

It was early Friday morning and I was just wrapping up on some work here in Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) when H. E. Tsem Rinpoche called Pastor Jean Ai, Pastor Niral Patel and myself into his room. Rinpoche spoke about a few things and midway through the conversation, he told us that he would like…

As part of the writers’ team, a few of us (Pastor Niral, Pastor Jean Ai and Beatrix) get to meet Rinpoche on a regular basis to discuss the latest happenings and work assignments. Then, there are days that are spent with Rinpoche just watching what would seemingly be random movie snippets and documentaries. Rinpoche is…

Me and my dad in Nepal on a pilgrimage in 2016 My father passed away several weeks ago and I was fortunate because I had the opportunity to be by his side for several weeks prior to his passing. My father had jaundice due to advance stage of cancer and the doctors basically said it…

The first time I have ever heard of Dorje Shugden’s name was when I had the fortune to visit Tsem Rinpoche’s house more than a decade ago. I had just gotten to know Rinpoche long enough that he would invite me over to his place. At that time, Kechara House was not established yet. I…

Rinpoche had been working closely with a few of us on a number of projects. For Rinpoche, a project is not just a job. It is also a means by which Rinpoche is able to work with our internal issues simultaneously. It is obvious that all of us are heavily influenced by our parents during…

I am not psychic and so, I don’t have the ‘third’ eye to see spirits like the way some people do. I guess I just happen to be in the wrong place and in the wrong time. The first time, I ever saw a ghost… a REAL ghost mind you – was when I was…

Just a couple of weeks ago, H. E. Tsem Rinpoche felt that it was time to promote my books and I, as a lay pastor and author. Before I knew it, there was a whirlwind of planning for a photo shoot session in Kechara Forest Retreat. Rinpoche quickly formulated the look and feel of the entire project…

Way back in 2012, I recall these 2 original cabin containers. sitting under these white canopies. The one on the left is where Rinpoche’s cabin is and the one on the right is Rinpoche’s assistant’s cabin. Rinpoche’s sacred cabin is not a focal point in KFR as a holy spot and from where everything began….

Yesterday, I was hanging out with Rinpoche in his room and Pastor Jay Jae came walking in with a huge poster of the Himalayas (the exact picture is above here). He was going to mount the picture onto a frameless board. Unfortunately, the picture was a hue too dark and so the poster had to…

My parents and me From time to time, Rinpoche had pointed out to me that, I am very much like my parents especially my mom. Well, Rinpoche does not really know my parents but he catch glimpses when I tell him about my parents. Rinpoche is pretty good at profiling people this way. Whatever is…

Beautiful statue of Yellow Manjushri with his gentle hands in the Dharmacakra mudra. Yellow Manjushri bestows the wisdom to teach/share the Dharma I love Manjushri! I think I got this infatuation from Rinpoche. But anyway, I do have to acknowledge the fact that any Buddha practice that helps me to be smart would be my…

I was sitting with Rinpoche just the other day and we were talking. Somehow, the conversation drifted towards the conclusion that my rage had lessened. Rinpoche remarked that fortunately, I had listened to most of his advice and as a result, I had lessened my rage. I agreed but I felt that I still had some…

Just a couple days ago, I was with Rinpoche, Pastor Moh Mei, Pastor Jean Ai, Pastor Niral, William and Jean Mei and we were cruising towards West Hollywood. It was late and so the only thing that was still opened was this rainbow bookstore on Santa Monica. After browsing, shopping and taking touristy pictures, we…

Lately, I have been playing nurse and caretaker to Paul Yap while he is healing from a severe slipped disc condition. He has been going for TCM Tuina massage treatments and the doctor prescribed walking, swimming and hot spring baths. He recommended the nearest hot spring and that’s in Selayang, one of the outskirts of…

I have written a book relationships based upon the fantastic observation and teachings of Tsem Rinpoche in the book Conversations In Love. I may not be an expert but I do have some sort of experience being in a toxic relationship. It’s kinda funny talking about this as a man but what the heck, its…

Let’s be honest. I am not really a great animal lover. However, I love Zamkar. He’s an all-white Schnauzer that belongs to Paul, my housemate and confidante. Naturally, they are both in the picture above that I recently took of them. Zamkar loves it when daddy tickles his tummy and when he does that, Zamkar…

The Stobaughs’ in their younger days.  I came across this amazing story on Facebook recently and I was quite touched by it. I am not really a romantic although I have written a book on Love called Conversations in Love. I know! This is kinda contradictory. But anyway, the wisdom in this book is really…

Smashing Pumpkins…then… Just saw a few pictures of people ravelling in a Smashing Pumpkins concert that’s playing in town right now. Damn! I missed smashing pumpkins again! They were here in the late 90s I think and I wanted to go but couldn’t. I can’t remember why but it was either I didn’t have the…

America is hardly the place you would associate with the impoverished. After a whole decade of a stellar economy, America is really hitting it hard on a downward trend these days and this documentary highlights the lives of 3 different kids experiencing life in a bad economy. In all honesty, I feel for these kids……

It’s been awhile since I last posted on this blog and I just received a wonderful sharing by Rinpoche just the other day. Rinpoche had been sharing a lot lately about gratitude on social media and he explained what dawned on him recently. He noticed that friends and students who transform and take on more…

Look! This is Zamkar! We call him Zamky baby or sometimes Zamky monster or just monster. (when he poops indiscriminately) He is my fourth housemate in Heruka House. This housemate is unique because he runs on all fours and the whole house is like one big toilet for him. However, he is much better these…