About Tsem Ladrang    

Tsem Ladrang is the residence and private office of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, and the headquarters of the KECHARA organisation. The word Ladrang literally consists of two words, ‘la’ which means lama and ‘drang’ which means residence.

Traditionally, all high Lamas will have a Ladrang which administers to the Lama’s secular work so he can teach the Dharma. The Ladrang also functions to ensure the continuity of the Lama’s work after his passing and is maintained to await the Lama’s next incarnation.

The Ladrang is administered by a team of dedicated and committed students. Ultimately, the Ladrang takes care of all secular matters of the Lama and the centre, to relieve the Lama of mundane duties so that he can focus solely on teaching and spreading the Dharma.

Tsem Ladrang’s Kitchen is not just a kitchen that operates and served H.E. Tsem Rinpoche only. If you have been to Tsem Ladrang you will know that the Ladrang's kitchen is always buzzing with activities because food is another act of compassion which Rinpoche advocates strongly. 

Very often Rinpoche would request for the kitchen to cook up hot meals to serve students or staffs who are working late at night. When someone is ill, the Ladrang kitchen will swing into action to prepare suitable healing foods for those who are sick. Even contractors and suppliers that come to the Ladrang is always served with at least a cold drink and a snack. Hence, Tsem Ladrang's kitchen is always ready to serve just about anyone who comes to the Ladrang. 

Giving food to others is one of the most basic acts of human kindness and care. It is a way of reaching out to others and making them feel loved, belonged and appreciated. Therefore, Tsem Ladrang's kitchen is literally a labour of love for others. There were many times Rinpoche himself would actually cook and serve his students and staffs. 

Tsem Ladrang kitchen is definitely no ordinary kitchen... it is another method used to help us care and to focus out on others and not just ourselves. This is what Rinpoche is trying to teach and train us - to focus out on others instead of the "I". To slowly bit by bit strip off our self-cherishing mind through many unconventional, modern, creative methods and to practise compassion. Hence, Tsem Ladrang kitchen is just one small aspect of Rinpoche many skilful methods to teach us to be better, kinder human beings. 

How you can help?

There are many costs involved in running a kitchen. Tsem Ladrang's kitchen has very similar expenditures as a restaurant except we do not charge anyone for the food we served. In return, we receive a person’s appreciative smile, a "thank you" that we made their day seem brighter and their stomachs full.  

If you're a Buddhist, you would be happy to know that sponsoring the Lama’s kitchen is another form of Dana offering.

Dana is an act of generosity, intended to develop selflessness and overcome greed and desires. Although dana commonly refers to the offering of a meal, it can also refer to an offering of other basic necessities to a monk or a nun.

"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds." ~ Buddha Shakyamuni

Do it wholeheartedly and feel happy that you have made an offering. Know that in your offering, you are creating the causes for lifetimes of happiness for yourself and your loved ones. 

”Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous. We experience joy in the actual act of giving something. And we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given." ~ Buddha Shakyamuni

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this, for your kind consideration and for your gift in sponsoring Tsem Ladrang's kitchen.

Your sponsorship can be a monthly or one-time sponsorship. Please email me if you wish to make a monthly sponsorship to help the Ladrang. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information.