Ngeow Voon Chin has led an accomplished life as a Chartered Civil Engineer. After working for the government for three years, and receiving his professional accreditations, Ngeow had an eight-year foray into the private sector before starting his own property development and construction company. In the 90s, Ngeow became curious about Buddhism. This curiosity developed into commitment, and Ngeow is now Liaison and Head of Kechara Education. He is also on the Board of Directors for Kechara and a member of the Kechara World Peace Centre committee.

What was life before Kechara like, what were you doing? Were you interested in religion before coming to Kechara?

I was doing what most of us do – eat, sleep, make money, keep fit. Although I was missionary-educated and open to becoming Christian, it never happened and it was only in the early 90s that I developed an interest in religion and Buddhism. I had so many questions about Buddha’s teachings, and the bits of knowledge from reading and friends were not enough.

With your strong interest in religion, is Kechara your first encounter with Buddhism? How were you introduced to Kechara?

I was introduced to Tibetan Buddhism through another centre many years ago, and what I learnt there prepared me well for joining Kechara. I came to Kechara via Kechara Paradise SS2, where I saw a picture display of leaders from different religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, etc., which I find wonderful.

So what attracted you to Kechara? Why did you decide to commit yourself to Dharma work?

Kechara appealed to me because of its open-mindedness and the universal messages that H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche promotes. Rinpoche also pushes for Dharma work to be proactive, hence his establishment of the 12 departments. I find this balanced training of study and engagement to be very attractive and beneficial.

You speak about Rinpoche with affection and respect. What is it about Rinpoche and his methods that you like?

Rinpoche is a real Guru without pretensions and fear. He is always thinking of how to bring people into Dharma using activities that suit individual dispositions. Most centres focus on studying and praying – what about people who lack such affinity? Rinpoche makes the Dharma I read about in books become real. Whatever he says – painful, joyful or neutral – resonates in me.

Do you think the future is bright for Kechara and for Rinpoche? What do you think the future holds for Kechara?

Kechara will become the cradle and model for a new generation of Buddhists who will keep Buddhism real, practical and relevant. Rinpoche’s dictum that Dharma can be fun and Dharma can be a career, is revolutionary in Malaysia. The challenge is for Kechara and its members to be worthy of being his students and to actualise his vision.