Without a doubt, Dato’ Eric Tan had a tough time during the first half of his life. Once a millionaire, he lost everything during the economic crisis. Overnight, over one hundred companies within his group closed down and everything was gone.

Even so, his strong faith in his Guru and Protector helped him to start from zero all over again. Working step by step, today Dato’ Tan is a very successful businessman in the Malaysian real estate industry.

Dato’ Tan admitted that without the help and guidance from H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Protector Lord Setrap, he cannot imagine how terrible his situation could have turned out, with the all the ups and downs he encountered over those few years. He is very grateful for Rinpoche and Protector‘s support during the lowest tide in his life.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Protector Setrap in Kechara

Dato’ Tan is a busy man with his business, but he has very strong guru devotion and does his Lord Setrap practice daily without fail, no matter how packed his schedule is, even when he is overseas.

Even though time has passed by quickly over the last ten years, what Rinpoche and Protector’s advice to him has all come true. To him, this proves that Rinpoche is a really a living Buddha/Bodhisattva.

To Dato’ Tan, both Rinpoche and the Protector are one. He feels that Lord Setrap’s manifestation is to comply with Rinpoche’s requests. This is why he has made sure he is consistent with his practice, to achieve swift results. However, he knows that we as students should prioritize Rinpoche because without Rinpoche, our Protector might as well not exist. Guru devotion and faith in Dharma is very crucial to ensure Lord Setrap’s blessings.

Dato’ Tan jokingly mentioned that it is very difficult to do Dharma work without financial support. As a businessman, he has promised to support and assist Rinpoche in spreading Dharma after Lord Setrap helped him through his toughest time.

Dato’ Tan is very serious when talking about his experiences with Lord Setrap. After many years of practice, he describes his relationship with his Protector as being like a close relationship with his mother. When Dato’ Tan prays to the Protector, everything comes naturally as if he is calling his mother back home. When Lord Setrap manifested, he would have goosebumps on the left part of his body as if someone is standing on his left. It may sound as though Dato’ is glorifying Setrap’s power, but this is also what both Dato’ Tan and his wife have experienced over the years.

Tsem Rinpoche with Dato' Eric Tan and wife in Kechara where Rinpoche conducted Dato' Tan's son's wedding in March 2012

Rinpoche conducted Dato' Eric Tan's son's wedding in Kechara in March 2012, with Protector Setrap looking on

Dato' Eric Tan's achievement today: Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall in Melaka

Looking at the results of Dato’ Tan’s entrepreneurship, everything has gone accordingly to the Protector’s prediction. Having endured many experiences over the years, Dato’ Tan has promised himself to be a good disciple and not to let his ignorance overtake devotion to his Guru and Protector because if he did that, every time the results were not positive for him. In this way, he has relented and will fulfil his Guru’s request at his level best.

He spoke about what happened during 1997. At the time, he tried to buy over a company with financial problems. He prayed to Protector Setrap and mentioned that he could only bear losses up to 40million Singapore Dollars. If the amount exceeded, he himself would face a financial crisis. Fortunately, Dato’ Tan managed to buy over the company and lost EXACTLY SGD40million.

Dato’ Tan revealed that without Lord Setrap’s help, his loss would have been much greater. Thus, Dato’ Tan began to believe in Lord Setrap’s power. In 1999, through divination, Rinpoche told Dato’ Tan that he would be facing a huge financial crisis. Rinpoche advised him to forgo all of his companies at that time to ensure the crisis was just temporary, and told him he would get back everything in the near future. But Dato’ Tan was not willing to let go and ignored Rinpoche’s advice.

In 2000, Rinpoche’s prediction came true, and Dato’ Tan’s entire group of companies collapsed, and nothing could be done.

Dato' Eric Tan's achievement today: Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall in Melaka

In 2004, Dato’ Tan was helpless and sought for Rinpoche’s help. Rinpoche advised Dato’ Tan that he has two options for his businesses to recover. His first option was to go to Guang Zhou in China and start with an investment. The second option was to stay in Malaysia and start all over again in Melaka. Due to his long-term business developments in Singapore, Dato’ Tan was not happy with these two options because the two places were not his preferred destinations.

Like a rebellious child, Dato’ Tan insisted on staying in Singapore and as a result, his businesses did not recover. When he had almost reached his limit, one of his friends invited him to try his luck in Melaka, in a holiday resort project involving more than 500 chalets.

Dato’ Tan secretly took up the project without informing Rinpoche and only told Rinpoche when the project was nearing completion. Upon knowing, Rinpoche told him that Lord Setrap manifested and hinted that he would lose this investment. At the same time Rinpoche also advised Dato’ Tan’s friend not to invest further but told him that it was advisable to lend money to Dato’ Tan instead if he really wanted to help.

The Protector’s advice this time confused Dato’ Tan because earlier, the Protector given him the option of developing his career in Melaka. Reaching 80% completion on the project, he could not figure out why the project would fail. As predicted by Rinpoche however, Dato’ Tan lost in his investment again because the bank loan was not approved. This incident again proved Protector’s extremely accurate predictions.

Dato’ Tan was very disappointed but he still diligently continued with his daily practice. Facing the obstacles all the way, Dato’ Tan managed to get a piece of land in Melaka in a most prominent location, and transformed it into a modern shopping mall, which is Dataran Pahlawan today. What he went through before this is really a blessing in disguise. Dato’ Tan managed to get the Protector’s blessing on this piece of land and since then, his work has been free from obstacles.

Another of Dato' Eric Tan's achievements today: Hatten Hotel in Melaka

Dato' Eric Tan's latest project: Hatten City in Melaka

Now that his troubles are gone, Dato’ Tan’s group of companies have been growing stronger. He recalls that Rinpoche told him during their first meeting that Dato’ Tan will face huge obstacles in his career but everything will be smooth later if he can overcome it.

He did not believe it back then due to his strong financial standing but along the way, with all the obstacles he faced, he now strongly believes Rinpoche and Protector’s prediction. He will never forget what Rinpoche told him: “If you truly believe Protector 100%, then you will get 100%! If you believe Protector 50%, then in return you will only get 50%! The concept is very simple and it is up to you to believe it or not!”

Dato' Eric Tan's son explaining to the press the Hatten City project in Melaka

Dato' Eric Tan and sons showcasing the Hatten City project

Dato' Eric Tan's latest project: Hatten City in Melaka (shown here is Melaka's State Governor Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam)