Kechara House (http://www.kecharahouse.com)is the Malaysian affiliate of Gaden Shartse Monastery in India. This centre was founded in 2000 by H. E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, a recognised reincarnated teacher of Gaden Monastery who was ordained by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama in 1987. Gaden monastery in India currently houses 3000 monks and susbsists completely on donations (http://gadenshartsetour.org/gaden_monastery.htm)

The programme includes:

* Stand up comedian by Harith Iskandar & Company (no need to intro la)
* Music Hilites from M-Opera Concert (they recently had their shows in
Istana Budaya in April- (http://kakiseni.com.my/events/theatre/ODA5MA.html )
* Fashion show (the designer not confirmed which yet)
* Musicians & singing performance by Marcus & Friends, Felicia Phua
* Dancing under the stars

Time & Date: Friday 16th June 2006, Shangri-la Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Dress Code: Black Tie affair

The event's participation is by dinner tables, from RM3000 (for max 10 people) to Main-title sponsor RM75,000.

They also have the souvenir/ advertisement programme from RM500 (half full run of page) to RM5000 (inside front). Last year they did a fund-raising for Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia and raised RM250, 000 through a Teresa Teng Concert @ Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Else, you can also donate from RM100 onwards.

Please help so that dharma can flourish :) This will ensure people like me, instead of

a) getting drunk at some KTV or clubs in KL (and later adding to the number of drunk drivers on the road, hehe !!)

or

b) adding to the congestion of the shopping malls/cinemas on weekends (queing up in front of you at the cashier counter, or getting the last 'best seats' so you are left with the lousy seats in the cinema :P !!!)

I get to spend some time to learn about how to benefit others and develop compassion every week. Ok, I promise to be a better driver and allow you to overtake me on the road and not curse you :) Seriously, if everyone I let to 'cut' me everyday on the Federal Highway in front of Angkasapuri and in front of Midvalley pay me RM1, I would be able to afford a table on my own of RM3000! Too bad they don't :(

Tashi Delek!

The Eight Freedom

You are free from :
1) being born in the hells
2) being born as a preta (hungry ghost)
3) being born as an animal
4) being born as a barbarian
5) being born as a long-life god
6) being born as a heretic
7) being born where no Buddha has descended
8) being born as a fool

The Ten Richnesses
You are:
1) being born as a human being
2) being born in a religious country
3) being born with perfect organs
4) being free of the five extreme actions
5) having devotion to the teachings
6) being born when a Buddha has descended
7) being born when the teachings have been revealed
8) being born when the complete teachings exist
9) being able to follow the teachings
10) having the necessary conditions to practice Dharma

(Source: Perfect Freedom: The Great Value of Being Human by Lama Zopa Rinpoche)