Jeffrey Gan believes it was karmic affinity that led him to Kechara. How else, he says, could you explain the incredible timing with which he was offered a position at Kechara Oasis? He had entered the catering business after nine years in advertising. Just as his catering business failed, and he was on the lookout for a new job, Kechara Oasis asked him to join their team. Now a student of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and after four months with Kechara Oasis, Jeffrey says he has never been happier.

Tell us about yourself Jeffrey, how would you describe yourself? What were you doing before you came into Kechara?

I would describe myself as an outgoing, level-headed, people-orientated person. I suppose you could say my temperament suits both the catering and advertising industry, which I worked in for nine years! I am also an animal and nature lover so I’m relishing this opportunity to work in a vegetarian restaurant.

So how did you make a connection with Kechara? What attracted you to the organisation and the centre?

My connection with Kechara began four years ago when I visited Kechara Paradise 1Utama to buy Dzi beads. Instead, I left with a copy of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s Dharma CD! I was attracted to Kechara for two reasons, the first obviously being Rinpoche and the second, an urge to learn Buddhism.

What is it about Dharma that you like? Why did you join Dharma work?

I like Dharma because it shows us how to become better, happier people. By doing Dharma, I can learn to transform my mind – with my mind transformed, I will be a happier person and when I am happier, everything and everyone around me will be happier. Basically, by doing Dharma, I can benefit others!

You were just leaving behind a failed business when you were asked to make Dharma your career. Did you have doubts when you first started?

Of course, I had many doubts. My doubts were mainly related to career advancement, pay increments, that kind of thing. My doubts were also fuelled by the ups and downs in my Dharma practice, which were due to my wrong view on a lot of things.

Now that you have been with Kechara Oasis for four months, where do you see yourself in five years’ time? Where do you see the future of Kechara?

I will still be with Kechara but my role may have changed by then… perhaps by that time, I will be a Lamrim teacher, or be busy providing food for the thousands of visitors to our future retreat centre, Kechara World Peace Centre! Whatever my role will be, I believe that Kechara will become the largest Buddhist organisation in Malaysia and will go on to benefit many more people.