Dear Wang,
I appreciate your comments. Tsem Rinpoche has hundreds of students and his presence in Malaysia is very strong. He has the largest, most active and most well known Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Malaysia. He has surpassed many other Tibetan Buddhist centres in just a few years because he works hard, close to his students, nurtures them well, give excellent dharma talks in clear precise English, very learned, and very skilful.
Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara are in the National papers almost every two weeks. The press really like Tsem Rinpoche’s various departments.
If you knew why he wore lay clothes and modeled for a few years, you would be amazed and gain even more respect for him. He went through so much struggles that time and had no choice but be in lay clothes for a few years with the permission of his holy lamas in Gaden and the then abbot. They knew he was modeling and was offered model pictures of Rinpoche and they smiled and laughed with amusement. Reasons not to be shared here for now. But I guarantee, very good reasons.
Many people say Tsem Rinpoche’s style is so much like Lama yeshe’s in the 70’s. Lama Yeshe’s style was very appealing for many. Different markets. So many people In Malaysia like Tsem Rinpoche’s style, because the old generation is getting old, and many new generation cannot have the patience of the old style. The old style isn’t bad, but difficult for many in the material world. Many mentalities. So by the success of Tsem Rinpoche we can see many people support and do accept his style. In the end, the results count and he is getting results.
The picture you posted of Tsem Rinpoche is taken back in Los Angeles. He was under 20 when this nice black and white picture was taken. He was offered to model and do things in movies in Hollywood before leaving for India as he is 6ft 2 inches tall, slim and good looking that time. He had to turn down because he was becoming a monk as he promised Zong Rinpoche. As before, now Tsem Rinpoche is working full force and full time to spread the dharma of Lama Tsongkapa. We are lucky there is a successful young Gelug Lama and student of Zong Rinpoche teaching dharma in Malaysia. From Malaysia through youtube and other mediums, he is reaching the world. His books and videos are selling well. He has 13 departments under him in Kechara that are growing and expanding monthly. Literally monthly.
Read his blog :
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/See his websites:
http://tsemtulku.com/http://kechara.com/I pray Tsem Rinpoche lives long and he can bring forth the lineage of Trijang and Zong Rinpoche to a places where their holy names were rarely heard. Tsem Rinpoche is making Trijang, Pabongka and Zong Rinpoche’s names very famous and well known in his region. I rejoice.
thaimonk