Healing
Introduction
The fast-paced lifestyle in modern and cosmopolitan country like Singapore is taking a toll on people. Many come to our temple not only to seek relief from mental stress, but also for advices on how to overcome physical pains and aches. While our Lama teaches the Buddhadharma to provide nourishments covering all aspects of life, there is an immediate need to help in the overcoming of physical and bodily pains and sicknesses. In addition, the neighbourhood where our temple is located has many poor and aged senior citizens, many needing medical attention for problems due to old age and sickness.
We therefore aim to become a Healing Temple through a holistic and integrated approach of providing physical, mental and spiritual care to alleviate sufferings and improve the overall quality of life for everybody who seeks our help.
For a start, we are running free Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultation, acupuncture, and massage sessions every 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Thursday & Sunday night @ 8 - 10pm. Chinese medicine is also dispensed free of charge.
Also Reiki healing sessions are conducted on every Sundays 2pm to 4pm from 2011 onwards. These are also free of charge. Plans are in the pipeline to include counseling, alternative healing, qi gong and yoga when we have more funds and qualified people.
The Buddha is the ultimate doctor. To provide the conditions for us to be a healing temple, we have a life-sized Medicine Buddha Rupa.
We also have the rupa of Mig Chenresig, a special form of Chenresig, to aid all those with problems with the eyes, especially in Singapore where so many young people are already suffering from problems of poor sight.
TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been practiced for more than five thousand years. It considers the mind-body-spirit as a single integrated entity for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Treatments are aimed at the root causes of sicknesses rather than the symptoms.
TCM is gaining popularity as an alternative form of healing in Singapore, compared to western medical practices. Because of its use of natural medicinal herbs, acupuncture, massage, qi gong etc, it is considered to be less harmful to the body.
We have two TCM physicians volunteering in our temple to perform the following services:
1. TCM consultation
2. Acupuncture
3. Orthopedic massage
4. General massage
Free medicines are dispensed when required. These sessions are available twice a week on Thursday night at 7 - 9pm and Sunday night at 8pm to 10pm.
Please note that our clinics are free but if you can afford it we request donations to cover costs. We try to focus on providing this care for the elderly and destitute, and treatment is on a first come first served basis. If you do come and find it is a long queue, we do apologise in advance and thank you for your patience.
Alternative Healing
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a non-religious/ denominational healing technique that originated in Tibet several thousand years ago. It was rediscovered in the 1800's by Dr Mikao Usui - a Japanese educator in Kyoto, Japan. Mikao Usui's system for personal development and self-healing has helped thousands of people to experience these changes, and Reiki is a system that will work for anyone, no matter what your background.
Reiki, which means "Universal Life Energy", is a gentle non-invasive treatment which is fast gaining popularity. It is a universal source of energy which impacts the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. Whether by itself or in combination with other healing modalities, Reiki has been successfully utilized to relieve minor aches and pains to alleviating major illnesses. Reiki is simply the channeling of this free-flowing, intelligent and loving energy that exists all around us without the fuss or concerns of herb or drug interactions; muscle manipulation or months or years of anatomy education.
One has to go through an attunement to tap on this universal, free-flowing life energy or Reiki that is all around us, and channel it either to heal the self or others. Attunement (the ability to utilize Reiki energy for oneself or on others) workshops normally require two days. There are 3 levels in Usui Reiki with the student being allowed to assimilate and integrate the Reiki energy at each level before proceeding to the next stage.
It is learnt in 3 stages or levels:
A: Level One- Allows the student to perform Hands-on Healing on a physical level
A: Level Two- Enables the practitioner to perform Distant or Absentee healing which is much more powerful and faster than Level One. The practitioner is taught the symbols which are central to this energy system and the ability to project healing through time and space
A: Level Three- Prepares the practitioner for the responsibility of being a certified Reiki Master
From 2011 onwards :
Free Reiki healing sessions are conducted on
every Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm in our temple.
Level One Reiki class is going to begin soon. Please approach the temple staff for the registration form.
The Woman, The Healing Oracle
Many people have benefited from the miraculous activities of the Healing Oracle currently serving in Thekchen Choling (Singapore). From simple headaches to terminal illnesses like cancer, the Healing Oracle has provided comfort and care to the many people who have sought her help. But just how many of us know the woman who serves as the medium for the healing deities?
Dewdrops recently caught up with 56-year old Tsering Dolma, with the help of Bodhi the translator, on her second visit to Thekchen Choling to find out what drives this compassionate and gentle-spoken lady in her service as a medium to the Healing Oracle.
Dewdrops: When did you first discover your calling as a medium?
Doma-la: I was 26 at that time and did not understand why had a series of strange dreams and often felt strangely giddy and heavy-limbed. My father then brought me to Stagna Monastery where I met Lama Tashi Thampel there and head of the Monastery. He interpreted that it was deity coming into me and told me that I had been chosen to be the medium for the Oracle.
Dewdrops: What went through your mind then?
Doma-la: I was very scared and didn’t know what to expect. But I trusted my lama and followed his advice. I had to go through months of training which included retreats. I also did many prostrations and meditation practices and completed a two-year course in four months. After that, I was told that I was ready to help people.
Dewdrops: Do you remember the first patient you performed healing on?
Doma-la: It’s been so long ago that I cannot remember. But I remember feeling very happy that the Oracle was able to help the person through me. Back then, I used to see about 80 people a session.
Dewdrops: So how did you get to know Thekchen Choling? How did you meet Lama Thubten Namdrol Dorje?
Doma-la: I met Lama in Ladakh in June 2009*. I first saw him at a healing ceremony and when he asked me to come to Singapore to help people, I was very happy and agreed.
*Lama had gone on a pilgrimage to Ladakh to present the Buddha’s relics to the people of Ladakh. The relics are now housed in Jamtse Ling in Leh, Ladakh.
Dewdrops: When did you first visit Thekchen Choling and what was your impression of Singapore and Thekchen Choling?
Doma-la: I first came in Dec 2009 and I thought Singapore was very beautiful and clean. I felt very comfortable in Thekchen Choling. People lead busy lives now and it is hard to practice spirituality so it’s good that people in Thekchen Choling are taking time to learn more about the Dharma and discover their spiritual side.
Dewdrops: Do you remember anything that happens to you during the healing sessions?
Doma-la: No, I don’t remember anything that happens when I’m in trance. Only when the Oracle leaves my body that I become myself again.
Dewdrops: So you don’t remember or notice what is sucked out from the patients during the sessions?
Doma-la: No.
Bodhi: Usually, when the Oracle is beginning to leave her body, I will quickly wrap up the residues of the healing and throw it away. It can be really smelly and dirty and I don’t want Doma-la to have to see it.
Dewdrops: It’s not a pleasant job and you have also been the medium for the Healing Oracle for 30 years. Do you ever get tired?
Doma-la: Only lately have I been feeling a little tired after each session because age is catching up. But when I think of the people that need the Oracle’s help, it is enough to give me strength again and I don’t feel tired anymore. I am happy that I can help people and as long as I can bring benefit to people, I will continue to be the medium.
Dewdrops: Is there any advice you can give to readers and Thekchen Choling members?
Doma-la: I just want to say that you are all lucky to have Thekchen Choling and to have met a kind teacher in Lama Thubten Namdrol Dorje. It is important to continue to learn Dharma from him and grow spiritually.
Dewdrops: Thank you Doma-la. On behalf of Thekchen Choling (Singapore) and all you have benefited, we thank you for giving of yourself to be the medium for the Healing Oracle. We realise it is not an easy job but because of your selflessness and strong wish to help others, you continue being the medium. Thank you and please continue to benefit all sentient beings as long as you can. May all be auspicious!
Volunteer & Sponsorship
Looking for a Healing Support Group? Having a heart to want to connect to more people? If you would like to volunteer or donate towards our Free Medicine Fund, please do contact Sherry Lim at 6466 3720.
Click here to see our healing team in session.