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Serving the spiritual community

SPIRITUAL PIONEERS

What is a Pastor?

Pastors bridge the gap between the ordained Sangha and the everyday practitioner. These ordinary people have taken an extraordinary step to dedicate their lives to their spirituality and the spirituality of others.

Buddhist pastors are almost unheard of globally much less in Malaysia. Hence, when our founder, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche first conceptualised the system of Buddhist pastorship, he pioneered a unique role suitable for today’s conditions. This role bridges the ordained and the laity, where the lay person is not part of the monastic order but is empowered to disseminate the teachings of Buddhism. 

In modern times when it is difficult for ordinary people to take on the discipline of a monk or nun, pastors can carry on the lineage and teachings to the next generation. They are more approachable and more familiar with contemporary culture and the problems that lay people face. Hence, pastors can make Buddha’s wisdom accessible to more people by giving spiritual guidance and sharing knowledge. In this way, the Dharma is preserved and made available to busy spiritual seekers.

We have two types of pastors.

1. Lay pastors — people who are committed to their spiritual practice but have pre-existing obligations to family and other responsibilities.

2. Sangha-to-be — people who are aspiring to become fully ordained members of the Sangha (monastic community) in the near future.

Our first Buddhist pastors were ordained by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on October 24, 2011.

WHO THEY ARE

Meet Our Pastors

PASTOR KOK YEK YEE

Head Pastor
President of Kechara House

GEN LOBSANG PHULJUNG

Novice Monk
Senior Writer & Editor

ANI LOBSANG DROLMA

Novice Nun
Puja Team Lead

ANI LOBSANG PELMO

Novice Nun
Dharma Shop Advisor

ANI LOBSANG CHOKYI

Novice Nun
Senior Artist & Writer

PASTOR CHIA SONG PENG

Sangha-to-be
Registrar of Marriage

PASTOR HENRY OOI

Soup Kitchen President
Foundation Trustee

PASTOR LOH SENG PIOW

Sangha-to-be
Foundation Trustee

PASTOR DAVID LAI

Author
Senior Writer

PASTOR LIM TAT MING

Sangha-to-be
Puja Team Lead

PASTOR ALBERT RATCHAGA

Dharma Store Manager

PASTOR ADELINE WOON

Sangha-to-be
Dharma Shop Advisor

PASTOR LANSE CHIAH

Senior Translator & Editor

PASTOR ANTOINETTE KASS

Sangha-to-be
Puja Team Member

PASTOR LIM HAN NEE

Buddhist Pastor

PASTOR PATSY GOOI

Soup Kitchen Committee Member

TOUCHING LIVES

Pastors in Action

Our pastors are available day and night, seven days a week, to assist anyone in need of spiritual help. Apart from their day-to-day responsibilities, a pastor’s duties include:

40
Buddhist prayers + rituals
41
Blessing ceremonies
42
Dharma classes & talks
43
Giving vows & precepts
3
Advice & spiritual support
44
Marriage registration
45
Buddhist baptism
46
Hospital visits
47
Bereavement + last rites
Above all, pastors inspire others through their good conduct, integrity, dedication and selflessness. If you’d like to help our pastors touch the lives of more people, please support a pastor.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Becoming a Pastor

To become a pastor, candidates are required to complete various levels of spiritual training and education. Aspiring pastors must also be prepared to hold the refuge and pastor vows. After the appointment is approved by our committee, new pastors are ordained in a traditional ceremony for an auspicious start to their new roles.

If you would like to serve the spiritual community as a pastor, please contact us for more information.

Your giving can change lives.

Support a pastor so they can continue benefitting others.