A ladrang is the lama’s residence and private office. It is where he lives, is raised and educated, and from where he does his Dharma activities — granting audiences, giving teachings & initiations, and performing rituals & pujas. Essentially, it is the main venue for his Dharma work to be of great benefit to others.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF TSEM LADRANG
When Kechara Forest Retreat was founded in 2013, the first building to be constructed was the original Tsem Ladrang a.k.a. the Enchanted Forest. However in 2018, Tsem Rinpoche offered his residence to Kechara to be used for programmes and retreats, and decided to spend his final years living and working out of two small adjoining rooms in Dukkar Apartments.

However, these facilities are inadequate to house, raise and educate the incarnation of a high lama, alongside his tutors, study partners, monk attendants and family members. It has become a pressing need to provide a new Ladrang with suitable facilities to raise the young Rinpoche.

PLANT A PEARL OF PROSPERITY
Groundbreaking for the new Tsem Ladrang @ Kechara Forest Retreat begins on 26 Feb, 2025. This auspicious date was chosen after consultation with Venerable Chojila, the 7th Panglung Oracle. It is a day when the elements of Earth & Water meet, which brings youth and great happiness according to Tibetan belief.

On this day, we will be burying pearls surrounding an Earth Vase under Rinpoche’s future living quarters, accompanied by auspicious prayers and offerings. Following this is symbolic groundbreaking to mark the start of this crucial project.

We are offering you a chance to be part of this meaningful endeavour from the very beginning, by sponsoring a pearl at the Ladrang’s foundation. Here are some of the many benefits:

1. Auspicious Beginnings
   Burying the pearls and Earth Vase is the first step in the construction of the new Ladrang. It represents a new beginning and an auspicious connection with Rinpoche’s unmistaken incarnation.
   
   

2. Foundation for the Future
   The Ladrang is where Rinpoche’s incarnation will be raised, educated and benefit others. Planting a pearl at the foundation symbolises our aspiration to support our lama’s incarnation to resume the great deeds of his previous life.
   
   

3. Wealth & Prosperity
   In Buddhism, pearls are one of the seven most precious substances. Offering pearls creates the causes to have inner & outer wealth. It also symbolises relief from suffering and poverty caused by our negative karma.
   
   

4. Peace & Harmony
   The pearls are offered to the Earth Vase which pleases the land deities, nagas and elemental spirits. As a whole, it symbolises the perfect balance of the elements, which creates peace and harmony for all beings.
   
   

We hope you will join us to work hand in hand to create the causes to welcome back Rinpoche’s new incarnation.

Available until Feb 25, 2025 (Tue) 11.59 pm (GMT +8).