Associate Liaison Of Kechara Media & Publications

As far back as I can remember, I have been interested in spirituality. However, I was only able to get hold of reading materials to quench my curiosity when I was nine and one of the books I found was on Tibetan Buddhism. I was extremely fascinated and interested in it but I did not have the fortune to study any further. Instead, I immersed myself into the study of the readily available Christian faith. At 17, while at pre-college in Toronto, I became an active Christian missionary and continued in it when I moved to the US. I also participated in foreign mission work which included travelling to Jamaica and Ghana, Africa.

Having lived in the US for 12 years, I decided to return to Malaysia during the dotcom crash in the year 2000. A corporate career was fairly secure, leaving me much leisure time to hang out with friends. While on the surface, I was having fun, I had many spiritual questions still hanging over my head and the familiar intense feeling of emptiness still lingered no matter what I did.

In 2005, Sharon Saw invited me to a stock party in Kechara House (KH1). I went along, not knowing what to expect. There were so many types of statues, singing bowls, ritual items etc. but what caught my eye was the magnificent teaching throne. The very same evening, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche came to KH1. From what I was told by the assistants, this was a surprise visit.

On this first encounter, Rinpoche smiled, shook my hand, looked straight into my eyes and said "Lama Tsongkhapa has work for you to do, a lot of work..." Up until then, I had not heard the name and had no idea who Lama Tsongkhapa was. That night, Rinpoche gave a teaching on Buddha Tara. What I heard totally captured my mind. I found what I heard to be logical and it resonated well with me. Most of all, I found the substance of the teaching to be ultimately empowering through a very practical approach to produce a better person, and subsequently to be of benefit to others. I was addicted and wanted to know who Lama Tsongkhapa was whom this lineage stems from. I left for the US the very next day for a business trip with the biography of Lama Tsongkhapa.

In 2007, I joined the Kechara organisation as a Liaison. My portfolio was twofold - as one of the personal assistants to Rinpoche in Tsem Ladrang and also a Liaison at Kechara Media & Publications (KMP). My portfolio has since been streamlined to focus specifically on developing KMP and bringing its work global.

It is a great honour to be able to serve a being as extraordinary as Rinpoche. Because Rinpoche's wish to benefit others is truly great, I am challenged on a personal level to grow and transform in tandem. In order to make the organisation grow, Liaisons are directly challenged in all facets of their lives, to learn to develop ourselves before we can be of use to others.

On the work level, the Liaisons are extensions of Rinpoche. Often, Liaisons find themselves in the firing line and in seeming "conflict" with students from all walks of life and past experiences. Though, in these situations, opportunities present themselves for us to learn to be more skillful.

Committing to liaisonship is about committing to developing and fostering human values which ultimately brings happiness. I am committed to my liaisonship as Rinpoche's whole life's motivation is about bringing about true and lasting happiness to others. It is by Rinpoche's blessings that we have a group of Liaisons today who support each other in our personal development and pioneering work to spread the holy Dharma and establish Lama Tsongkhapa's lineage in this region.

Portfolio

• Associate Liaison and e-Communications Manager of Kechara Media & Publications
• Member of the Education Committee

Background

Armed with a Masters in Instructional Design from the University of Alabama (USA), Susan Lim worked at various companies, including a dotcom and a consulting company and the US Coastguard base while in the US. On her return to Malaysia, she enjoyed a corporate career at Intel Malaysia, where she excelled for six years.

She joined KMP in early 2007, bringing her experience in strategic and tactical planning from the corporate world as well as her instructional design skills which naturally lend themselves to producing materials people can learn from to benefit themselves and others.

In 2009, she became the e-Communications Manager of KMP and strives to bring Rinpoche's teachings to a global audience. In particular, she enjoys spearheading new products and market segments for KMP and developing KMP's online sales channel.

Above all, she treasures the opportunity to learn Dharma and apply it on a daily basis.

CONTACT

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