Dear Jason,

Thank you for your question about this opportunity you have been presented with. Buddhist practice deals with the mind, therefore the practices within it seek to curb various mental states that are damaging to oneself, and this includes sexual desire. You have mentioned that you have tried many meditations in the past to help with this, could you explain a little more about those that you have tried, for how long did you practice, and if they had any affects or not? This can give an indication if you should continue with these practices or try other methods.

As for the Vajrayogini and Heruka empowerments, they are of the Highest Yoga Tantra class and therefore are very serious practices that have tremendous benefit on one’s spiritual path if practiced sincerely and properly. The vows and commitments are an integral part of this. In preparation for this you should contact either the centre or the Guru that will be bestowing the empowerment and ask about the various commitments that one needs to keep after receiving this.

Once knowing what this would entail, if you have serious doubts as to whether or not you can sincerely hold these vows, it would be better to train yourself to be able to keep these vows and commitments rather than taking the empowerments and then breaking your vows. You can read and study the Lam Rim, or Stages on the Path to Enlightenment, teachings to prepare yourself for higher empowerments. The best method however would be to consult your Guru or teacher and discuss with them your current situation, and if the empowerment you have been given the opportunity to attend are suitable for you at this moment in time. If it is not, then the path for you would be to train yourself until you are ready to receive the empowerment in the future. I hope this helps you on your spiritual path and please do feel free to ask more.

Thank you.

Dear Eli Levine,

Thank you for your question. Once Returners are beings who have purified enough of their karma, both negative and positive to only need to take rebirth once again in the Six Realms to progress in their spiritual journey. This is a high stage of realisation within Samsaric existence, so these beings would know that they are at such a stage of spiritual development. According to the Theravadan tradition, this means that such beings have significantly lessened their Three Poisons: ignorance, desire/attachment and hatred/jealousy. As they have done so, when they do take rebirth they do not engage in actions from these three, which would necessarily lead to more negative karma.

Once Returners have identified the correct view of existence, and operate from this, namely that we are bound by our karma and that the only way to be free is to achieve enlightenment; within the path, they are no longer attached to various rituals of practice but can practice the teachings without use of them and; they have no doubt about the Buddha’s various teachings whatsoever. They have also lessened both their desire/attachment and hatred/jealousy to a great extent.

In order to have a greater understanding of these you must study the numerous Theravadan texts that describe this process in greater detail. However if one had achieved this state, they would necessarily know that they are on this particular stage of existence. If you are not sure that you reached this path, it means that you probably haven’t. Even though it is said that Once Returners have only one more rebirth, this is only true in the sense that they have only one rebirth within the Six Realms of existence. In fact once you have reached the stage of a Once Returner, you actually have to take rebirth a maximum of seven more times, of which on is in the Six Realms. Therefore attaining the stage of a Once Returner does not mean that your spiritual journey ends there, it is just a stage of realisation along a path of many. In the Buddhist scriptures the next stage after that of a Once Returner is not Buddhahood, but the stage of a Non-Returner, after this is the stage of an Arhat and following that one can achieve the state of enlightenment. This is from a Theravada viewpoint, however in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the ten stages of a Bodhisattva are more often discussed and illuminated upon. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Alex,

Thank you for your question, which is very philosophical in nature. You are absolutely right in stating that in Buddhist logic, all things must have its causes and conditions to arise. As you say, the earth or even the whole of what we know as the Six Realms (god realm, demi-god realm, human realm, animal realm, hungry-ghost realm and hell realm) came into existence at a long-distant point in the past. This came about from the collective karma of all sentient beings.

Your question is, how did this earth (or existence of the Six Realms) come about, given that it didn’t exist before, therefore humans and other sentient beings would not have been able to create any karma since there was no earth for humans to exist?

Before this current universe of ours, by that I mean the entirety of existence as it stands, there was another universe within which sentient beings created karma. Then the previous universe came to end, which was followed by a long period of ‘emptiness’ or ‘nothingness’ in which nothing existed. Due to the latent karmic potentials of unenlightened beings, our current universe came into being. Within this universe, over time the earth was created and the conditions were such that life arose. This is not a one-off process.

Buddhist cosmology states that our universe is not the first, nor will it be the last, there have been many universes in the past and there will continue to be many in the future, as long as sentient beings have karma. That is why in Buddhism we have the term ‘countless lifetimes.’ This is because have had many previous lives, not only in this universe, but previous universes as well. There is no point in time from which we ultimately existed, since there was no beginning point in time. The understanding of this is linked with the understanding of emptiness, as meditation on this is a path that leads us realise we have no inherent existence. Within Buddhism this is achieve through meditation on the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/53605.html).

Similarly we talk about cyclic rebirth or cyclic existence, but we only think about it in terms of what currently exists in our universe. Buddhism teaches that such cyclic rebirth also occurred in previous universes, and will occur in future universes, so it is termed ‘endless cyclic existence.’ The only possible way to break out of the cycle is to attain the state of a fully-enlightened being, a Buddha. Once this stage is reached, we actually transcend existence altogether. I hope this explanation helps.

Thank you.

Dear Khi,

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you have had these experiences. From what you mentioned it could be the result of some sort of energy disturbance during you meditation experience that let has caused this however this could also be caused by karma from a previous lifetime which is effecting you physically.

Whatever the case may be, may I suggest that you engage in the practice of Trakze coupled with any medical treatment you may be receiving. Buddhist practices shouldn’t be used as replacement, but as a complimentary method to enhance the healing process.

In the case that the voices you hear are due to other beings, the practice of Trakze will protect you for these beings and lessen the effects. If you are hearing these voices as the results of your karma then this practice is also very beneficial is it purifies the karma that causes this to occur.

Trakze is the wrathful form of Dorje Shugden. You can find more about the Trakze practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Thorim,

Yes, of course you can engage in the sadhana of White Manjushri several times a day. It is very beneficial practice to engage in and done with sincerity and effort can have a very real and positive impact in one’s life. In fact within a retreat environment, the sadhana would be engaged in four times a day with long periods of mantra recitation.

I would suggest, if you have the time instead of doing it multiple times however, you can spend more time in reciting and accumulating more of the White Manjushri mantra. As mantras are the energies of the Buddha in the form of sound, concentrating on the recitation of the mantra calls forth the energies of the Buddhas and creates a beneficial impact on the mind.

White Manjushri is especially beneficial in calming the mind, gaining clarity and purifying our negative delusions and ignorance. You can find the White Manjushri sadhana here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/white-manjushri-sadhana.html. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Lee,

Thank you for your question, I am glad that through His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s knowledge and wisdom that you are able to benefit from this website.

Whatever happens in our lives is due to karma created from either previous lives or actions from earlier on in this life. As such whatever you are facing at the moment is indeed due to karma. In this case your karma, and that of the your wife-to-be. However karma can be changed, through our own efforts, therefore it is only the cause. How we deal with the situation and overcome any difficulties is the key.

Within Buddhist practices, there are many methods in which one can engage in to achieve something in life, as a means to achieve the necessary conditions to progress in our spiritual path as well as to make our lives smoother.

In this case, I would like to suggest that you engage in the practices of Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden. These two practices have a very beneficial impact in our lives when practiced sincerely and wholehearted, you will definitely see an improvement.

You can follow this link to see the prayers I suggest you engage in, and should be done daily: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden

The practice for Lama Tsongkhapa is excellent for calming the mind, allowing us to function better and more logically, as such it is great for people who have a lot of stress in their lives. In fact this practice is a core practice within the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Secondly, the practice of Dorje Shugden is great for removing obstacles for both our secular and spiritual lives, and it also allows invokes the enlightened energies to create the conducive conditions that we require in life.

Engaging in both this practice will help you tremendously. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear H_K,

I am very happy to read this question from you. It shows that you are understanding the Dharma well and that you are progressing along your spiritual path. You are absolutely right that those who behave in this way, and are seemingly enjoying their good karma, will suffer in their future lives.

This is because as they are enjoying life with all its benefits, they are actually using up their good karma. This means that in their future lives they no longer have this good karma to receive benefit from. As their good karma diminishes, it means that their bad karma can overwhelm the good, leading to very negative circumstances in their future lives.

Coupled with this, as they are in the midst of enjoying their good karma, if they are not benefiting others but only themselves, if they are not behaving well, they are self-centred, they hurt others physically or emotionally, they are actually generating negative karma to suffer from in the future. Coupled with the fact that they are using up their good karma, this can lead to a very negative life in their future rebirth in any of the Six Realms of Samsara.

You are right that we should generate compassion for such people. For our own practice, this leads us to transform our minds, so we stop blaming others who hurt others, and also overcoming our feelings of jealousy if we are attached to their nice lives. When we contemplate the suffering of others who have harmed us, who we are jealous of or those we hate, we are able to let go of these emotions that affect us so negatively. If we are able to and in a situation to do so, we should actually try to help them. But his sort of situation is rare to be in. But we must make an effort to help them if we can. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Kee,

I am very sorry to read of the situation you are going through. This is a very difficult situation to be in, and it is easy to get caught up in all the worry. However, in order to handle situations like this, we must ensure we keep a calm and stable mind. If we get caught up in the worry and stress, we cannot begin to think properly and this may give get in the way of our efforts to remedy the situation.

The Buddhas and Dharma protectors are ultimately compassionate beings, and always act for our benefit. However there is only one thing that can block their help and assistance, and this is actually our own negative karma that we have accumulated from previous lifetimes. This negative karma acts as a wall against the help and blessings of the enlightened beings. Therefore within Buddhist practice, it states that there are two necessary components to reach enlightenment, and that is the accumulation of merit and purification of negative karma.

When we engage in purification practices, we will find that the other practices we engage in have more affect in our lives because the negative karma that acts as block for the enlightened beings to help us is lessened. In fact, Dorje Shugden’s practice is very beneficial in purifying this karma.

In regards to financial problems and the necessary conditions and resources that we need in our lives, Dorje Shugden has manifested in the form of Gyenze. In this form, Dorje Shugden’s practice has the specific benefit of purifying the karma that stops us from having the financial means and resources that we need in our lives. On the other hand, Gyenze’s practice also creates the merits to receive the resources needed. Perhaps you can start to engage in the practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html

Not only is this form of Dorje Shugden extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate financial troubles and resources, but also increase one’s life and also merits. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Lunezia,

Thank you for your question. The Nam Myoho Renge Kyo mantra also known as the O-Daimoku belongs to the Nichiren traditions of the Japanese Mahayana branch of Buddhism. It is a very powerful mantra, essentially praising the knowledge and power contained within the holy Lotus Sutra, which Nichiren Buddhists consider to contain the entire teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Mantras form an integral part of the tradition and lineage they are practiced in. Traditionally it is advised that we do not mix traditions or even lineages. This is not to say the mantra or other traditions are not valid, but simply that we can get confused in our practice. Traditionally one concentrates on the recitation of a particular mantra. In Nichiren Buddhism this is the O-Daimoku and in other traditions which have many mantras, such as Tibetan Buddhism, this mantra is usually assigned by the Guru. Mantras do not exists independently, they will always be links to other practices, modes of Buddhist investigation into the nature of the mind and of existence, as well as a particular path on the spiritual path towards enlightenment.

If we mix traditions or lineages, then we are in danger of becoming confused in our practice. This occurs because each tradition explains the methods in which to use mantras and their meaning to Buddhist practice in different ways, suited to the practitioners of that particular tradition. For example, think of two different paths to the same destination. It would be better that we follow one and get to our destination, rather than keep switching between the two paths and perhaps get lost or take a very long time to reach the destination. Both paths have been tried and tested in the efficiency to achieve enlightenment.

This is not to say that there is only one correct lineage, on the contrary, it is said that Buddha Shakyamuni taught 84,000 different methods to achieve enlightenment, as such in my mind the Nichiren Buddhist traditions and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions are both valid paths to enlightenment. However if we practice one of these methods and achieve results which is enlightened attainments it is better and more effective than practicing two or more and run the risk of confusing ourselves or our practices. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Thorim,

Thank you for your question. As you have mentioned, in the Anguttara Nikaya, also known as the Gradual Collection or Numerical Discourses, which belongs to the Pali Tipitaka of the Theravadan Buddhist tradition, it does indeed mention that one can expect to receive eleven blessings from the practice of loving kindness and compassion. For those who do not know, I will list them out here:

1. One sleeps peacefully.
2. One awakens peacefully.
3. One does not have bad dreams.
4. One is liked and dear to human beings.
5. One is liked and dear to non-human beings.
6. One will be protected from Devas,
7. One cannot be harmed by fire, poison, and weapons.
8. One’s mind becomes easily concentrated.
9. One’s facial expression will be serene.
10. One will die unconfused.
11. If one does not reach higher states, one will at least be born in the realm of Brahma.

In the example you have mentioned, yes this does mean that one can be physically protected from these forms of harm when practicing loving kindness and compassion, or more precisely, not affected by them. For your second example, yes a highly attained master can be shot at but the bullets will not affect him or her.

Many people, even Buddhists, would find this hard to believe. However I always tell people to take the life story of the Buddha as the perfect story to illustrate this point. When Buddha was under the Bodhi tree during his meditations which resulted in his complete enlightenment, he was not only tempted by Mara and his daughters but was also attacked by the armies of Mara. However, try as they would, none of their weapons could harm the Buddha. In fact even the arrows they shot towards the Buddha turned to flower petals and landed at the Buddha’s feet. At this point the Buddha was not fully enlightened yet, but had reached a level at which he could no longer be harmed by any weapon.

How this was achieve was because during the Buddha’s meditations he had purified his karma to be harmed by weapons and such. Similarly when we practice loving kindness and compassion, with the right motivation, our negative karma is purified and our positive karma and merits are multiplied, propelling us on our spiritual journey.

Merely thinking that we are compassionate, however, is not enough for this to be accomplished. We must be sincere in our efforts to develop this compassion, cultivate it, practice compassion often making it our foundational practice, and properly undertake the practice of compassionate acts and thoughts. Once we do this, which is not impossible otherwise no one would have achieved higher states of mind and ultimately enlightenment, we will receive such benefits. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Adiyadorj,

Thank you for your question and I am very happy to hear of the birth of your child. The word ‘Siddhi’ means spiritual attainment in the Sanskrit language and has indeed been used as a girl’s name in India. However the meaning of the word is very beautiful and auspicious.

Within Tibetan culture, there is a tradition of asking one’s lama to name one’s child. This is a practice that has continued up until today, therefore if you would like another name for your child then if you have a lama you could request him/her for one.

Even though the name has been used as girls name in the past, that doesn’t mean that the name only has to be used for girls. Therefore if you like the name, please keep using it for your baby boy.

Thank you.

Dear Thorim,

Yes, there are practices that help with this situation. In fact all practices within Buddhism effect a beneficial change in one’s mind. The best practice for this would be the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, known as the Gaden Lhagyama in Tibetan. I myself have experienced the tremendous benefits of this practice. If engaged in with faith and conviction then this practice can really transform your life. In fact the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa is one of the central practices within the Gelug tradition, from the beginner to the most advanced practitioner. It is a practice which includes both sutric aspects and tantric aspects that can be practiced without initiation, so is very beneficial in one’s life.

Lama Tsongkhapa’s practice has too many benefits to list them all here, but in essence as the emanation of Manjushri, Chenresig and Vajrapani, his practice bestows wisdom, compassion and spiritual power. This practice leads to a more calmer and stable mind, which counters any anxiety you are facing.

You can find the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tsongkhapa-prayers.html#1. There are a lot of other prayers to Lama Tsongkhapa available on this page, if you have the time you can read through them and recite those that you like. I really like ‘A Song Rapidly Invoking Blessings’. I have recited this regularly ever since learning about Lama Tsongkhapa.

There is a video commentary by His Eminence 25th Tsem Rinpoche for this practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html

There is a whole section of this blog dedicated to Lama Tsongkhapa with many and varied articles on the life, practice and significance of the practice. Click here to read: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/tsongkhapa.

If you would like to know more about Lama Tsongkhapa, there is a book entitled ‘Tsongkhapa – a powerful guide to a spiritual practice’ and a box set to help start your practice available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-a-simple-guide-to-a-powerful-practice and here http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-boxset-english.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Bradley,

Thank you for your question. The verse you are referring to is the first verse of the Praise to Dorje Shugden:

“Though gone to the state of the Sugatas countless aeons ago,
In order to benefit the teachings and migrators, as whatever tames beings,
Your hundreds of emanations are endowed with the 27 enlightened activities;
Praise to the pervading lord, mighty Dorje Shugden.”

These twenty-seven enlightened activities are enumerated in the last verses of Chapter Eight of the Abhisamayalankara taught by Maitreya to Arya Asanga. It is commonly called the Ornament of Clear Realisation in English. This text is of great importance to most Tibetan Buddhist lineages and in the Lam Rim Chenmo, or Great Stages on the Path to Enlightenment, Lama Tsongkhapa actually states that it is the root text of the Lam Rim tradition as founded by Jowo Dipamkara Atisha. This text is still one the five great texts studied by monks in the Geshe programme throughout Gelug monasteries. A thorough explanation of these twenty-seven points is a topic of intense philosophical study, however I have listed them below:

1. The enlightened being performs deeds that appease beings in the Six Realms (God Realm, Demi-god Realm, Human Realm, Animal Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm and Hell Realm).
2. Bringing sentient beings to the Dharma using four ways: generosity, using good speech, training them according to their level of intelligence and in stages, and by practicing what they teach.
3. Having the understanding of what defilements are and the methods of purifying them.
4. The true character of their activities for the benefit of all sentient beings, which is from the basis of realising that all sentient beings do not exist inherently.
5. The practice of the Six Perfections: generosity, morality, patience, joyous effort, concentration and wisdom.
6. Teaching the virtuous path to Buddhahood, which is the abandonment of the 10 non-virtues: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, harsh words, idle talk, covetousness, ill-will and wrong view.
7. The practice of insight into the emptiness of all phenomena.
8. The non-dual nature of all phenomena.
9. The understanding that all dharmas as being merely conventional symbols.
10. The insight into the absence of a basis in all dharmas.
11. The maturing of living beings along their spiritual path through skilful means.
12. The path of a Bodhisattva.
13. The systematic effort to block all inclinations to make realistic assumptions.
14. The attainment of enlightenment.
15. A residence in various Buddha-fields.
16. Displaying the form of a being who is to take only one more rebirth, thereby ensuring the attainment of enlightenment.
17. Working tireless for the benefit of all sentient beings in cyclic existence.
18. The virtuous acts which consist in looking after all beings.
19. The limbs of enlightenment.
20. The condition in which the fruits of his actions are never lost, diminish or extinguished.
21. The vision of true reality, knowing all phenomena of experience.
22. The forsaking of all perverted views.
23. The cognition which allows the understanding of the method which allows him to forsake the perverted views assuming the absence of all entities.
24. The state of complete purity.
25. The ability to have various forms to engage in various activities, which results from his pure condition.
26. The comprehension of the non-distinction between conditioned and unconditioned phenomena.
27. Nirvana – full and complete enlightenment.

When listing them out completely, it can get somewhat overwhelming to understand how this relates to us as practitioners. In order to make them more relatable, they have been categorised into three parts, which make us understand them better:

1. Activities through which the Buddhas bring beings to the Dharma.
2. Activities through which the Buddhas help sentient beings to practice the Dharma.
3. Activities through which the Buddhas help sentient beings to achieve enlightenment.

In essence, all the emanations of Dorje Shugden display the above twenty-seven activities. In brief these bring people to the Dharma, help beings practice the Dharma and ultimately help beings gain full and complete enlightenment themselves. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear T,

Both insomnia and fatigue can be caused by a worried or stressed mind, if not from physical exhaustion. In this case, one needs to calm the mind and relax the body in order to ease insomnia and fatigue. There are many techniques that can help with this. I’ll mention two here.

The first is mental quiescence meditation or single pointed concentration meditation. Even with this there are many methods you can use, but to make it simple, you can use the breath as your focus. This is known as breathing meditation. To practice this, sit in a quiet place either cross legged or in a chair if you prefer. And simply become aware of your breathing, concentrating on the space between your upper lip and your nose. Gently become aware of breathing in and out. If any thought comes into your mind, do not get carried away with the thought, but simply bring your focus back to your breathing and let the thought disappear by itself.

There are other more advanced methods once you are familiar with breathing meditation, which can be found in texts such as Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche (Day 21), which concentrates on a visualised image of Buddha Shakyamuni instead of the breath. But one things to remember is that meditation can be difficult for people, so it is better to start with short sessions, not longer than 5-10 minutes at first. Gradually over time you will be able to increase this time frame. The key to meditation is to consistently engage in it every day. This shouldn’t be difficult because it is only 5-10 minutes long.

The second is to engage in the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, concentrating on the recitation of the Mig Tse Ma mantra. This is an extremely beneficial practice as it invokes upon the energies and blessings of Lama Tsongkhapa, and helps to significantly calm the mind, even if we are not consciously aware how troubled our mind is. Concentrating on the mantra recitation also acts as focus for single pointed concentration as well. You can watch a commentary to this practice by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html. If you are interested in this practice, there is a box set which can help you start the practice available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-boxset-english and a written commentary available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-a-simple-guide-to-a-powerful-practice. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Thorim,

For the visualisations of the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, during which you recite the Mig Tse Ma mantra, His Eminence 25th Tsem Rinpoche has given a very good commentary on the practice, available to watch here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html

The most common forms of visualisations for this practice can be found in the book ‘TSONGKHAPA – A Simple Guide to a Powerful Practice’ which is available at any Kechara Paradise outlet in Malaysia, or can be invited only here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-a-simple-guide-to-a-powerful-practice. This includes the visualisations on gaining the Seven Wisdoms, as well as other visualisations. These visualisations are excellent, as they not only help a person achieve meditative stabilisation, but invoke the blessings and energy of Lama Tsongkhapa.

As for the Sadhana, it does not need to be recited in Tibetan. It can be recited in English or any other language. In fact, I would suggest, as you start your practice that you recite in the language you are familiar with, as you will be able to understand the words and meaning of each verse clearer. Later on, if you want, you can start reciting in Tibetan. Sadhanas and especially mantras should be recited out aloud, but softly. Sadhanas and mantras are not recited in the mind, but spoken. For mantras as they are the form of the Buddhas in sound, they should be softly vocalised. I hope this helps.

Dear Ming,

Thank you for your question. Traditionally it is advised that we do not mix traditions or even lineages. There is a very valid reason for this, if we mix traditions or lineages then we are in the danger of becoming confused in our practice. This occurs because each lineage or tradition explains the path of practice in different ways, suited to the practitioners of that particular tradition. For example, think of both as separate paths to the same destination. It would be better that we follow one and get to our destination, rather than keep switching between the two paths and perhaps get lost or take a very long time to reach the destination. Both paths have been tried and tested in their efficiency to achieve enlightenment.

This is not to say that there is only one correct lineage, on the contrary, it is said that Buddha Shakyamuni taught 84,000 different methods to achieve enlightenment, as such both the Han style Vajrayana and Tibetan Vajrayana are both valid paths to enlightenment. However if we practice one of these methods and achieve results which is enlightened attainments it is better and more effective than practicing two or more and run the risk of confusing ourselves or our practices. I hope this helps.

Dear Chan,

Thank you for informing us that the number for Venerable Chow is not in service. I have searched online and have not found a new number to contact Venerable Chow. I will make some inquiries and update here if I find a new contact number. Thank you for your offering to donate to her cause. We must always care for all sentient beings, to repay their kindness and to develop compassion.

Dear Lee,

I am sorry to hear that you have been going through tough times. When we experience difficulties in our life, it is due to our negative karma manifesting. This karma is immeasurable, having been accumulated over many countless lifetimes, and we experience the obstacles because a set of conditions has triggered this negative karma. Sometimes when reciting mantras, negative karma can open up, as mantras are effective in purifying negative karma. When our negative karma manifests however and we experience difficulties, instead of being frustrated or upset, the high lamas teach us to rejoice that this karma is manifesting and therefore we never have to experience it again. What’s more, this negative karma manifests while we are under the protection of our Guru and the Three Jewels, so we do not experience it as severely as we otherwise might have.

For example, if we have the karma to meet with a fatal car accident, perhaps we do get into a car accident. But thanks to the merit accumulated from our mantra recitation (which connects us to the protection of, for example Dorje Shugden), we only walk away with a few cuts and bruises, but we do not die. The karma was there and had to be purified; we would have to experience it in some way and at some point but what is worse, to experience the karma as a minor car accident in this life, or to experience it in our next life where we may be reborn in a hell realm?

Hence relying on the Buddhas and engaging in the recitation of mantras does not mean that our entire life will immediately be free from negative experiences. Relying on the Buddhas means that we learn the methods to stop ourselves from creating futher negative karma, as well as the methods to purify negative karma. One such method is that of mantra recitations which are recommended by the Buddha himself, as well as every other attained master since then. It does not make sense that they would recommend to us any activity that is ultimately harmful to us. The Buddhas are by definition compassionate beings and mantras are actually the energies of the Buddhas in the form of sound. Therefore according to Buddhist logic, the use of mantras can never truly harm you. In fact they will always try to benefit you, but can only do so depending on our karma.

Buddhist practitioners, rather than see difficulties as something negative, actually take these experiences to train the mind to become centred and withstand various circumstances so we can experience personal growth. Therefore in essence, it is not that the Buddhas are not strong any more, but that one’s own negative karma can stop the Buddhas from helping us. Therefore the purification of karma is very important.

I am glad that you believe in karma and so are living virtuously. This is something everyone should aspire to, regardless of the level of conviction they have in the Buddhas. If you would like to start reciting the mantra again, can I suggestion that you recite the mantra of Dorje Shugden: OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA. As Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector, his energies actually make our life smoother, and significantly lessen the negative effects of our karma. I really hope this short explanation helps.

You may also find this link useful in explaining the purpose and benefits of reciting mantras, to aid in your learning: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/mantras-holy-words-of-power.html.

Dear Thorim,

When you are starting out in either meditation or mantra recitation, the balance between the two is entirely up to you and how much time you can spare in your daily life. Both have very beneficial results.

You can indeed take the mantra recitation as the main practice, in fact the mantra is considered one of the most important aspects of daily practice, as it is through mantra that we are able to invoke upon the enlightened energies of the Buddhas. In traditional Tibetan Buddhist retreats, one actually concentrates on the mantra and accumulates a certain amount, typically 100,000. This is however for an intensive retreat setting.

Depending on the type of meditation you are engaging, the recitation of mantra can be used as the main part of the practice. For example to develop single pointed concentration, many people concentrate on counting the breath, or concentrate on an object. However you can also concentrate on the sound of the mantra. So you can develop single-pointed concentration. This can be coupled with various visualisations during the mantra recitations as well.

In essence there is no set balance between the two, as mantra recitation can actually be used as a form of meditation, while at the same time invoking the enlightened energies of the Buddhas.