Jamie Khoo

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Liaison of Kechara Media & Publications

Having graduated with an MA in English Literature from University of York, I came back to Malaysia to work as a journalist with The Star newspaper and freelance writer for magazines and publications around Malaysia.

I first connected with the Kechara organisation and Rinpoche in 2005 through freelance writing projects. Over time, and with much encouragement and learning from Rinpoche and the whole Kechara family, I became much more involved with the centre’s many departments and activities. I am now the Senior Editor of Kechara Media & Publications, which strives to bring Rinpoche’s teachings to the world through publications and diverse media.

It’s taken a while to get here though. Finding my feet in Dharma and the organisation came with its many, many distractions. Prior to joining Kechara, I lived the sort of glamorous lifestyle that I think many could only dream of: as a freelance writer, I had time to do whatever I chose; I had no financial worries and I had youth on my side. The world was at my feet! Why would I need meditation and inner peace?

But after many years of drinking, dancing, partying, playing and shopping, I did start to wonder if that’s all there is. Eventually, glamour gets tiresome. Spiritual, beneficial ways of living began to wink at me, to offer something far more meaningful. Meeting Rinpoche and the many amazing students around him at the time showed me a totally different perspective at exactly the right time. Rinpoche’s message that you can be spiritual without having to give up being who you are or the way you live appealed deeply to me. You can have your cake and eat it too! Be fun, fabulous and deeply beneficial to the many people you meet every day of your life. It took me three years to get here: from volunteer to KMP writer to KMP senior editor and now, Liaison and this has been the most enriching path I’ve stepped onto.

When you work in a Dharma organisation, every moment is part of a modern-day spiritual retreat and presents opportunities for learning and happiness. As a member of the Liaisons Council, I also have the incredible honour of working directly to bring these lessons learnt from Rinpoche to the world.

Every day as a Liaison presents itself as a challenge. I’ve found myself put into situations and dealing with things that I would never have done before and I have to learn to deal with it, no matter how much I hate it or find it difficult. This could mean anything from overseeing construction in Nepal to raising funds to cleaning toilets to managing an international book launch in London. Having come from a background where I’ve never had to do anything I didn’t want to do, this presents itself as a huge challenge… or a chance to grow, depending on how you choose to see it.

 

Portfolio

  • Senior Editor, Kechara Media & Publications
  • Head of Manjushri Class, Kechara Education Committee

 

Background

Education

  • MA in English Literature, University of York, United Kingdom

 

Previous work experience

  • The Star newspaper (Education Desk): Journalist
  • Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s biography: Researcher and writer


Freelance contributions

  • Harper’s Bazaar, Malaysia
  • Haven (The Edge group of publications)
  • Going Places (Malaysian Airlines magazine)
  • HOT magazine
  • Hello! magazine, Malaysia
  • OK magazine, Malaysia
  • Female magazine
  • venusbuzz.com
  • Continued freelance contributions to The Star

 

Contact

Email: [email protected]

 
 

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7 Responses to Jamie Khoo

  1. Mr Hang Phoo & Cheng Kee invites Tsongkhapa home! | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] Mr Hang Pho and Cheng Kee are friends of Datuk Khoo, Datin Khoo and their daughter Jamie. Cheng Kee told them that she has actually known about Lama Tsongkhapa during her travel to Tibet. [...]

    October 3, 2010 at 2:48 am
  2. Lunch Atop A Skyscraper…Kechara Style! | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] that they are on the 1st floor of the new gompa hehe.. The gompa is currently under renovation and Jamie Khoo (aka Paris), David Lai, Kok Yek Yee and Susan Lim are lending a helping hand towards the speedy [...]

    October 3, 2010 at 12:18 pm
  3. World Renowned Spiritual Healer-Author Anne Jones | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] Sunday, they visited…Anne had been introduced to Kechara by Liaison Jamie Khoo and her mother Datin Jennifer. After having read many of Kechara’s books Anne was intrigued [...]

    October 9, 2010 at 5:27 am
  4. Kechara’s 13 Departments (Part 1) | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] Senior Editor and member of the KAS working committee, Jamie Khoo explains, “We wish for KAS to be a place where animals can roam free, and able to live their [...]

    October 10, 2010 at 2:18 am
  5. Minks in Sweden | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] of my students, Jamie Khoo (liaison and senior editor in KMP), sent this to me over Facebook. It shows us how even people from [...]

    December 6, 2010 at 2:10 pm
  6. KMP moves to New Office!! Beautiful… | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] is an article that Jamie Khoo, liaison and senior editor of KMP, wrote about moving into their new [...]

    March 13, 2011 at 2:42 pm
  7. The Hanging Temple | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

    [...] was sent a forwarded email by Jamie Khoo (liaison and senior editor of KMP). It had a Powerpoint presentation attached to it about The [...]

    May 31, 2011 at 2:00 am

Jamie Khoo

8 June 2009 - 12:21am No Comments

Dharma is not just for people with problems or an ‘unfulfilled’ life. I came into Dharma because Rinpoche showed me how to remain exactly as I was but also become a kinder, more loving person.

Jamie Khoo, 28
Liaison to H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Senior Editor
Kechara Media & Publications
English Manjushri Class Coordinator
Kechara Education

Jamie Khoo has always been a girl with the world at her feet. When she met H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, she was about to start a high-profile job and holidayed in exotic locations. Footloose and fancy-free, Jamie says that she was more concerned about her wardrobe than the pains of others. Things have changed dramatically since that first meeting. Now one of Rinpoche’s Liaisons and the Senior Editor for Kechara Media & Publications, Jamie works hard to bring Rinpoche’s teachings to the world, showing through her work and practice that Dharma begins right where you are, whatever your lifestyle!


So Jamie, the moniker ‘the Dharma Princess’ – how did that come about? Is that how you would describe yourself?

Well, it would definitely be safe to say that I am one of the most spoilt little princesses in the centre! When you don’t have any worries in the world, there is no need to look for spirituality. It was definitely the last thing on my mind when I met H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.


Some people turn to religion when they have problems in life. If you had no worries, why did you feel that Dharma was relevant to you? What attracted you to Dharma?

You’re right, I had no worries but Dharma isn’t just for people with problems or an ‘unfulfilled’ life. I came into Dharma because Rinpoche showed me how to remain exactly as I was but also become a kinder, more loving person. I loved the idea of not having to stop living my life just because I started practising Dharma.


Although you knew you would not have to stop living your life just because you started practising Dharma, did you have any doubts when you first started?

Yes, of course I did! For the first few years, I was very fickle about my spiritual practice. The temptations of samsara are great – you really believe that a new handbag, mascara or third glass of vodka will make you happy forever and ever. Spirituality seemed distant; an ideal requiring way too much time and effort to reach.


Having become so committed to Dharma, and having had the privilege of spending so much time with Rinpoche, what do you understand by spirituality?

From the countless hours he has spent on me – late night walks with other students, teachings, gifts, thousands of SMS’ – Rinpoche has shown me that spirituality is not elusive and mystical. It is something as simple as patience, learning to be joyful, being aware of others around you and being kind.


What about Rinpoche convinced you then? What do you like about Rinpoche, and what do you find so inspiring?

Monks often say that their religion is kindness and I see this lived out in Rinpoche’s every action and word. Through this, kindness has become my greatest aspiration and Kechara gives me the opportunity to develop it. Every moment with Kechara and Rinpoche is spiritual practice, challenging me to cultivate kindness and wisdom for the sake of others’ joy. There can be nothing more meaningful than that.

 
 

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JAMIE KHOO

10 May 2009 - 2:02am No Comments

This was Jamie’s second trip to Nepal. She was very new to Kechara House when she first went on pilgrimage with H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche three years ago in 2005. Now, she’s the English chief editor of Kechara Media and Publications, working hard to bring Rinpoche’s teachings and the Dharma to all corners of the world.

This retreat hut on the way to Guru Rinpoche’s cave in Parphing looks very bare and simple but is a wonderful reminder of where we wish to be eventually: in deep retreat to gain many attainments.

No matter how many times you see it, the enormous, beautiful Boudhanath stupa never fails to take your breath away and fill you up with lovely feelings. The Buddha eyes which face outwards on each of the four sides of the stupa bestow peaceful, benevolent blessings on the whole area and all within.

Many sangha such as this monk sit along the side of Boudhanath stupa, absorbed in their Dharma practices, activity or prayers.

Monks and laypeople alike flock to Boudhanath stupa daily to circumambulate, recite prayers and turn the prayer wheels. It’s a beautiful area, where everyone congregates to do Dharma practice and develop enormous joint support for spirituality.

Buddha stops for a chat with Buddha, at Swayambunath Stupa!

 
 

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