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Kechara is a progressive spiritual organisation that seeks to create an awakened community that comes together in service of others. Founded in 2000 by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, we strive to steer the wheel of compassion in a fresh new perspective, through modern methods steeped in spiritual tradition.
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Our Vision

We make Buddhism more accessible as a life philosophy that helps you live a more meaningful and fulfilled existence.

Our Mission

We show how the Buddhist way of life can help you in a practical and useful way to develop inner peace, love, wisdom and happiness.
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Our Promise

We offer a spiritual guide through Buddhist philosophy and teachings, taking you on a journey of self discovery and enlightenment, by helping you find ways to manage life’s challenges in the world today.

 

WHAT WE DO
We Help
open the path to a life filled with meaning, fulfilment, peace, happiness, self-empowerment and ultimately towards enlightenment.
We Show
how Buddha's way can help people navigate difficulties in life regardless of creed, colour, gender or age.
We Make
Buddha's practical and logical philosophies more accessible to all in a contemporary manner.
We Ensure
that Buddhism's principles, values and practices are taught in a sensible and simple approach making it relevant to people of this modern time.
We Enable
a closer and more open connection between our spiritual guides and students.
We Empower
people through authentic teachings and proper assistance with the availability of multi-lingual information, programmes, products, services and classes.
We Envision
a learning hub for Tibetan Buddhist education underpinned by the Gaden tradition which is renowned for its preservation of Buddhist sutric studies, tantric practices and especially the preservation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings on Buddhist doctrines.
OUR PEOPLE

Meet the Committee

PASTOR KOK YEK YEE

President

BIO

JP THONG

Vice President

BIO

CHUAH SU MING

Secretary

BIO

PHNG LI KIM

Treasurer

BIO

OOI BENG KOOI

Committee Member

BIO

LEW KWAN LENG

Committee Member

BIO

PASTOR CHIA SONG PENG

Committee Member

BIO

PASTOR LANSE CHIAH

Committee Member

BIO

WILLIAM CHUA

Committee Member

BIO

OUR IMPACT

Milestones

Firsts

  • Founded Malaysia’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple — Kechara Forest Retreat
  • Created the world’s largest Dorje Shugden statue
  • Created Malaysia’s first traditional Tibetan Relic Stupa
  • Established the first Buddhist Pastorship in Malaysia
  • Established South East Asia’s first Tibetan Buddhist puja service conducted by lay practitioners
  • Established the first Himalayan arts studio in South East Asia
  • Performed the first oracular trance of Dorje Shugden conducted by lay practitioners
  • Completed the world’s first English translation of Guidebook to Shambhala (Tib. Shambha la’i lam yig) by His Holiness the 6th Panchen Lama

Spiritual Milestones

  • 100,000 visitors welcomed to Kechara Forest Retreat
  • 16,000 life-changing pujas conducted
  • 5,000 hours of teachings
  • 4,000 articles and 50 books published in English and Chinese
  • 600 articles and 100 videos published on Dorje Shugden’s practice through Dorje Shugden Works & Archives
  • 500 pieces of sacred spiritual art commissioned

Charitable Milestones

  • 1.3 million meals served through Kechara Soup Kitchen
  • 150,000 individuals and 18,000 families helped through Kechara Food Bank
  • 2.2 million kilograms of food staples delivered to deserving recipients and NGOs
  • RM85,000 income generated through empowerment programmes
  • 150 single mothers and at-risk women empowered through skill set training

Online Milestones

  • 22 million views on TsemRinpoche.com
  • 10 million views on Youtube
  • 550,000 online community members
  • 2,500 Dharma queries answered
  • 700 live videos broadcasted since 2020
WE'RE HUMBLED BY THESE

Awards

2019
The Brand Laureate Award for CSR Brand Leadership
For ‘Sustenance & Medical Aid Relief’
2018
World CSR Leadership Award

For ‘Excellence & Leadership in Poverty Alleviation’

2014
Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Awards
For ‘Poverty & Hunger Relief’ at both individual and organisational levels
2012
EUROPA Sustainability Award

In the ‘Welfare’ category
Awarded by the European Union–Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry

2012
Malaysian NGO Award

Second runner-up
Awarded by UK-based Resource Alliance

2010
Boh Cameronian Arts Awards

Our dance production Legend of the Conch Shell won five awards:
 

  • Best Set Design
  • Best Featured Performer
  • Best Choreographer in a Feature-Length Work
  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Music & Sound Design
2010
Hospitality Asia Platinum Award

Top 10 in ‘Best Casual Dining Restaurant’

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Our Lineage