The Liaisons Council of His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche was introduced in 2006. Due to the kindness of our Spiritual Guide, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, the Liaisonship structure was put in place to help the organisation function more efficiently and effectively on an operational level. The concept of this structure stems from the monastic institution of the great Gaden Monastery, which was adopted hundreds of years ago and endures until today.

The position of a Head Liaison in the monastery is called the Chang Tso, who reports directly to the Abbot of the monastery. The position of Chang Tso is held in high regard in the monastery and requires extreme dedication of highly trained monks who are fully responsible for all related matters in each department. Each High Lama also has liaisons or Chang Tsos who assist him in his works.

In Kechara, a Liaisons Council has been established to carry forth the spiritual work of His Eminence.

At the Setrap Chapel in Kechara House 2, where the liaisons' swearing-in ceremony is conducted

What do the Liaisons do?

The Liaisons’ role here is to assist our Spiritual Guide, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in sharing the Buddhadharma with as many people as possible.

Their individual portfolios vary as they work in different departments but they all contribute in the following ways:

• Fulfil His Eminence’s spiritual direction and vision through the realisation and manifestation of works, activities, projects and even “products” such as books, websites, Buddhist images and items, etc
• Assist and arrange programmes and events throughout Kechara for students and friends to connect to the sacred teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa
• Develop and expand existing departments’ activities, projects and reach
• Create and develop new departments to bring the Dharma to more people.

Setrap, in front of whom all Liaisons pledge their allegiance to Kechara and Dharma

How is the Liaisons Council set up?

The Liaisons Council is under the Spiritual Guidance of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Within the Council, there are three tiers:

[1] Liaison

A Liaison is fully responsible for carrying out Dharma work and activities within the organisation. A Liaison has full voting rights, is a representative of His Eminence, and works closely and directly with him to bring his spiritual vision and direction to fruition through the various activities and projects of Kechara.

[2] Associate

An Associate aspires to be a Liaison. S/he is invited to provide ideas, take initiative and has voting privileges. Associates are responsible for decisions made and are able to represent Rinpoche only with the Liaisons’ approval and guidance.

[3] Apprentice

An Apprentice aspires to be an Associate and eventually to be a Liaison. An Apprentice is invited to provide ideas and take initiative but is not directly responsible for decisions made and is unable to represent Rinpoche in any capacity. Apprentices are not entitled to a vote.

Who are the Board of Directors?

The Board of Directors (BODs) comprises of six Liaisons. They are legal positions appointed under the Kechara House Buddhist Association’s Constitution.

Directors are elected by Liaisons’ Council Members subject to the approval of the Spiritual Guide and serve for a term of four years. All Directors must be full Liaisons.

The BODs acts as advisers to Kechara on the following aspects:

• Disciplinary issues
• Legal matters
• Monitoring business / financial management of the organisation
• To receive instructions / submit qualified reports to the Liaisons’ Council and Rinpoche as and when requested
• To assist all departments in setting up management systems and advising on fundamentals of good corporate governance without deviating from the spiritual goals
• To assist department heads to resolve problems when requested pertaining to good work ethics and smooth workflow with the aim of achieving efficiency, transparency and accountability.

How does a person join the Liaisons’ Council?

Potential candidates with relevant experience and skills are nominated by Liaisons and voted in to join the Council as either an Associate or as an Apprentice. The person is then formally invited to accept the privileged position. His Eminence is not involved in this process although final nominations are presented to him for his blessings.

The maximum number of Associates should be 20% of the current number of Liaisons at the time of nomination. The same limit applies to the number of Apprentices. New Associates and Apprentices can be nominated every six months if necessary.

Mentors

Each Associate and Apprentice is assigned two mentors from within the Liaisons’ Council. One of the mentors should be a Liaison who is in the same department with or works closely with the Apprentice or Associate. The role of the mentors is to closely nurture, guide and groom the aspirants to eventually become Liaisons.

Having two mentors ensures more care and a balanced objectivity in guiding and assessing the development of the aspirants.

Review Period

Associates and Apprentices are reviewed by their mentors every six months and recommended for promotion to the next level of either Liaison or Associate respectively. Apprentices do not necessarily progress to being Associates, while Associates would be expected to progress to become full-fledged Liaisons in due course.

If, for any reason, one or both of the mentors do not feel that the individual is suitable for promotion yet, they may recommend an extension of the assessment period, after which mentors and HODs will submit another report and Liaisons can vote again.

A swearing-in ceremony being conducted for Apprentice David Lai and Associate Phng Li Kim

The swearing-in

After anyone is voted into the Liaisons’ Council, all members of the Council gather with the new members for a swearing-in ceremony to our organisation’s Dharma Protector Setrap.

There, the newly-elected Liaisons state that they dedicate their life, work and efforts towards the Dharma and to bringing Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings and vision to this region.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the Liaisons then do a puja together, including:

• Guru Yoga
• Prayer and serkym offering to Dharma Protector Setrap
• King of Prayers
• The Prayer of the Virtuous Beginning, Middle and End
• Collective recitation of 20,000 Setrap mantras
• Dedication prayers
• Yonten Shigyurma

As a Liaisonship is not just a job, but a spiritual commitment to our Lama, the Three Jewels, our centre and our own practice, the swearing-in ceremony affirms our lifelong allegiance and commitment to the Dharma. Existing Liaisons take this opportunity to remind themselves of what they need to do and reaffirm their commitment.

Ultimately, by this pledge, Liaisons make the deepest and strongest commitment to themselves – their mind transformation, practice and eventually, Enlightenment.

Swearing in to Setrap

The first act of egolessness

On the same day after the swearing-in ceremony, the newly-elected Liaisons release as many birds as they wish at a park. They recite mantras as they release the birds.

This is a celebration of the new Liaisons’ investiture and symbolic that by their Liaisonships, may they release many beings from unhappiness and hopelessness.

Rinpoche explained: “[By releasing birds] may you also release your own ego, anger, jealousy, stinginess, laziness, narrow-mindeness so that you will be more effective to lead, be an example and be a pillar within our Dharma community to make the doctrine of Buddha grow to all who come in contact with you. As the birds fly to freedom, may your mind find freedom in the state of egolessness.”

What qualities should a Liaison have?

Among the many talents and skills which the Liaisons bring to the organisation, the most important qualities that all Liaisons should possess are:

• honesty
• integrity
• the altruistic wish to benefit others
• tenacity
• commitment
• loyalty to Rinpoche, to the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa and to the Kechara organisation.

Further, all Liaisons:

• Must have taken Refuge with H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
• Must have Guru Devotion, integrity and honesty
• Must be Life Members of Kechara House.

How a Liaisonship is a lifelong retreat

It may not be feasible or practical for many of us to go into isolated retreat at this time and place. Instead, being a Liaison provides us the rare and incredible opportunity to engage in equally deep practice to realise the Dharma teachings and bring them to others.

By a Liaison’s commitment to the growth of Dharma, s/he regards her / his position as Liaison not just as a job but as spiritual practice. Whatever they do in their Dharma work is not for themselves or any personal gain, but entirely for the benefit of others.

Every challenge s/he encounters “on the job” is not viewed as difficult but as an opportunity for practice, mind transformation and bringing benefit, help or relief to another person.

Taking refuge during the swearing-in ceremony

How do Liaisons work with Rinpoche?

The Liaisons work directly with Rinpoche, often having departmental or individual meetings with him to brainstorm and discuss various matters throughout the organisation.

Rinpoche gives much advice and insight into the spiritual aspects of the work involved, as well as sets the spiritual direction and goals that we wish to accomplish.

Some Examples of What Liaisons do

A few examples of the many projects that the Liaisons have achieved for the organisation:

• planning the development of new buildings for Kechara House (all Liaisons are involved in planning stages)
• managing Kechara House; the pujas, classes, events and activities (under the leadership of Liaison Yap Yoke Fui)
• acquiring government permits and approvals for the development of Kechara World Peace Centre (under the KWPC executive committee comprising Liaisons Datuk May Phng, JP Thong, Ngeow Voon Chin, Datin Ng Wee Chin and Henry Ooi)
• building of the new Tsem Ladrang (under the leadership of Liaison JP Thong)
• extensive fundraising and acquisition of a building for Kechara Soup Kitchen (under the leadership of Liaison Ruby Khong)
• creation and maintenance of websites, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc (under the leadership of Liaison Ooi Beng Kooi)
• expanding Kechara to Kathmandu via Kechara Lounge and various marketing initiatives (spearheaded by Liaison Chuah Su Ming)
• development of diverse education programmes (under Liaison Ngeow Voon Chin)

What are some of the benefits of being a Liaison?

There are innumerable benefits to serve the Dharma as a Liaison. These include the opportunity to work closely with His Eminence and receive direct guidance from Rinpoche.

In addition, the Liaisons have taken vows to the Dharma Protector; each day that Liaisons carry out their daily Dharma tasks and commitments, they gain tremendous merit which supports their spiritual practice.

What are some of the challenges of being a Liaison?

Demotion of Liaisons

Should a Liaison be found to be in serious infringement of his or her duty, his or her behaviour should be addressed by the Head of Department (HOD) or fellow Liaisons of his / her department.

Should the behaviour continue, it should be addressed by the BODs. If the BODs finds the behaviour to be prevalent and not befitting of a Liaison, a proposal for demotion to Apprentice or Associate should be submitted to the Liaisons’ Council with reasons listed out. A vote should then be carried out by the Council.

Whether the Liaison is demoted to Associate or Apprentice status will be determined by the severity of his / her behaviour.

Demoted Liaisons always have the opportunity to be promoted again subject to assessment by their mentors, as outlined above.

Removal from the Liaisons’ Council

Following a demotion, if the relegated Liaison still does not show any improvement in behaviour, then his / her Head of Department (HOD), fellow departmental Liaisons or the BODs may make a recommendation that he / she be removed from the Liaisons’ Council.

This is a decision that should be made with the consensus of all Liaisons / HOD of a particular department and / or BODs and not arbitrarily decided upon by individuals.

Liaisons, HODs or BODs must submit a detailed account of the incidences leading up to their proposal. This is to be shared with all Liaisons, who then vote for the removal of this Liaison.

A short Setrap puja and serkym offering is performed during the swearing-in ceremony

Reinstatement into the Liaisons’ Council

Liaisons who have been removed from the Liaisons’ Council can be reinstated into the Council after a period of time to be stipulated by the Liaisons. During this time, Liaisons and HOD of his / her department and / or BOD are to observe his / her behaviour.

The BODs, or Liaisons and HOD of the department can make a recommendation to the Liaisons’ Council for the reinstatement of this Liaison as they deem fit. However, all BODs or Liaisons and HOD of this department should be in consensus, and the recommendation should not be made arbitrarily by individuals.

What is a Head of Department and how are they elected?

The Liaisons’ Council also nominates and votes in skilled and committed people to lead departments within the Kechara Organisation. These are Heads of Departments (HODs) and they work hard to develop and expand the Dharma work of their respective department.

HODs may or may not be Liaisons. Those who are not Liaisons do not have any voting privileges.

What do HODs do?

HODs work closely with both His Eminence, Liaisons and all the people within their department to develop activity and work that will fulfil His Eminence’s spiritual visions, goals and the manifestation of Kechara World Peace Centre.

HODs look out for the welfare and spiritual path of all members in their department, while also overseeing aspects such as:

• fundraising / finances
• operations
• special projects
• promotions and marketing
• expansion of the department.