Dear Jean,

Thank you for your question. As Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being, he is always compassionate. This means he always listens to our prayers. So, if our prayers are not answered, this is actually due to something that is holding us back from receiving his help. In actual fact, what is stopping him from helping us as he wants to do, is our negative karma.

Everything we go through in our lives, all the situations we face, are all due to karma accumulated from earlier in this life and from countless previous lives. Therefore the only way to overcome life’s challenges and to allow Dorje Shugden to help us more is to overcome this negative karma.

There are many ways to overcome this negative karma, you can either engage in purification practices or alternatively you can engage in the Dorje Shugden practice more strongly. If you engage in the practice more, this has two benefits. The first is that Dorje Shugden’s practice is itself very good at purifying our karma. This is the main purpose of the kawang/kanshag prayer, which can be repeated many times. This is a very quick method in purifying our negative karma that is stopping us from achieving our goal. The second is that we develop a closer connection with Dorje Shugden. If we engage in the practice regularly, the connection is strengthened.

The key here is consistency. It is like when we meet a person for the first time. The more time we spend with them, the more we talk, the closer we get. In the end we become very good friends, and we know that they will always be there for us when we need their help. Similarly, when we engage in the practice of Dorje Shugden on a daily or regularly basis, the connection is strengthened. When we have a strong connection and then make prayers because we need help, they will be answered, as long as the purpose is beneficial and does not harm anyone. As long as we have a good motivation and we have a strong connection with Dorje Shugden, he will definitely help us because he is an enlightened beings who always cares for us. I hope this helps.

Thank you

Dear Lobsang Chogyel,

Thank you for your question. His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche does not have any firm plans to travel to Canada for teachings purposes. However it is definitely possible than he can come in the future. Thank you.

Question asked by Jason
I’m having troubles with student loans and getting money for school what practices should I do
–

Dear Jason,

Thank you for your question. I’m happy to hear that you would like to go to school, but am sorry that you are having troubles with the student loans. Within Tibetan Buddhism there are many methods to create conducive conditions and this includes having financial means to achieve our aims, as long as they will be beneficial. These methods work by purifying negative karma that holds us back, while at the same time creating spiritual merit that is beneficial in both our secular and spiritual lives.

If I may, I would like to suggest that you engage in the practice of Gyenze. This is the increase form of the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden. This means that this form and practice has the specific benefit of increasing conducive conditions in our life, and this includes the increasing of our financial means. You can find the practice and commentary here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html

After reading the above post, you can proceed to set up an altar to Gyenze if you wish, or add an image of Gyenze to your existing altar if you already have one. You should then engage in the practice of Gyenze to draw the energies of increase into your life which will help you be more successful in your student loan applications.

Just as the Buddha has taught, and like I mentioned earlier, each and every one of the situations we face in life is the result of karma. Karma is created by performing an action, whether through psychical actions, the way in which we speak, or even how we think. These necessarily create the causes for either something good or bad to happen to us in the future. It is said that for the cause of wealth or smoothness in financial matters to arise, is actually being a generous person. This doesn’t just means psychical generosity, but generosity of our time, love, care and compassion for others as well. Therefore in order to alleviate such undesirable situations, we need to develop a generous mind that gives easily. This should be kept in mind when engaging in the practice of Gyenze, as it will help boost your practice, and aid in having the situation resolved quickly. I hope this helps.

Thank you

Dear John Robert Nigel Bishop,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. There could be a number of reasons that you are going through these experiences. What concerns me is the feeling you had towards the end of your experience and seeing the creepy eyeball. If you have had similar experiences in the past I would like to suggest seeking professional medical help. Even if you have not, it would still be advisable for you to seek professional help to rule out any untoward causes, or seek treatment on the off chance.

Any experiences we go through in life is actually due to the results of our karma, which we have accumulated from earlier in this life, or from previous lifetimes. These not only affect the situations we go through in life but also how we deal with them. That is the reason why Buddhism places such an emphasis on understanding karma. You can find out more from this article and video: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/discovering-yourself-a-teaching-on-karma-mindstream.html. This article and video are excellent in explaining why we go through certain situations and that how we react in such situations also affects our future. This is one the fundamentals of Buddhist practice.

Whether or not the experiences are medical, spiritual, or supernatural in origin, they come about due to the results of karma. However, karma is not fixed, it is fluid and it can change. To do this we must apply our own efforts to transform the situation into one that is more beneficial.

For example, if you feel that the experiences you went through are due to an external entity affecting you in some way, such as spirit disturbances, there are a number of things you can do to prevent this from happening again:

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/paranormal-protection.html
This article outline some preventive measures that may be useful.

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html
This comprehensive post outlines the theory behind deity practice focused towards the protection against black magic and spirit harm, and well as the practice itself. This practice is very unique and the spiritual aid that is generated is tremendous. Many people have had really tremendous success in using this practice to overcome this type of affliction.

Other forms of Buddhist deity practices will also help in this situation, but the above practice of Trakze is one of the most effective and quickest methods to see a real change in your life.

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/gallery/buddha-images-high-resolution/dssungkhorhighres.jpg
This is known as the Dorje Shugden Sungkhor. It is a type of talisman that is placed above the entrance door to your home or office and provides excellent protection from disturbances caused by beings from the spirit realm. We have provided it here in high resolution format so that you can easily download and print it out to use. I hope all this will help you.

Thank you

Dear Sudish,

Thank you for your question. It is nice to see you here. The experience you have been having may be the result of a connection with the Buddha Vajrayogini, or having heard her name or seen her image in a previous life. Vajrayogini is actually Gautama Buddha in a different form. Vajrayogini manifested in this form to show and teach us a swift path to enlightenment, and that is through the path of tantra. Vajrayogini’s practice specifically aids practitioners through transforming desire and attachment.

You can read more about Vajrayogini on this section: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/vajra-yogini

Here is a comprehensive introduction to Vajrayogini: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/vajrayogini-the-powerful-divine-red-lady.html

If you would like, you can set up an altar to Vajrayogini and engage in the practices in the above article to create a deeper connection. Her actual practice requires initiation from a qualified guru, however the prayers listed in the article can be practiced to create a stronger connection for the future when you can receive the initiation if you so wish. Please read the above article and you will have a better understanding as to who Vajrayogini is. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Ann,

Thank you for your question. Yes, you can set up an altar in your living room. It is preferable to have your altar in its own dedicated room in your house, but for most people this is not a practical solution these days. Therefore, you can place your altar anywhere that is respectful (such as not in the bathroom), and in a place that is dedicated for this purpose (in that you do not mix other non-Dharma items with the statues or offerings items).

If you do keep your altar in your living room, as long as you are ok with it then it is fine. This is because even seeing a Buddha images plants beneficial imprints into the mind stream. Therefore when you guests walking near that altar the images of the Buddhas will bless them as well as you and your house. Therefore there is nothing wrong with having the altar in the living room as long as you are ok with yourself, as some people prefer to keep their altar private.

Here is the link to a video which you might find useful as you set up an altar, it also explains how to prostrate properly, and make offerings: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/how-to-set-up-altar-make-offerings-prostrate-to-the-buddha-meditate-etc.html. I hope this helps.

Thanks.

Dear Charlie Klarsfeld,

Thank you for your question, it’s good to see you here. Yes, Buddhists believe that a person has had countless or endless rebirths, and will continue suffering in an uncontrolled cycle of life and rebirth due to ones karma, until one attains enlightenment, known as nirvana.

The Buddhist concept of nirvana is similar to the Hindu concept of moksha or mukti. Nirvana is state that is outside of the cycle of suffering, as such in this state there is no suffering, no ego, no negative emotions. In fact it is an all-knowing state, in which you know everything as the limits to your knowledge have been removed, it is also an all-loving state in that you love all sentient beings still stuck in the cycle of suffering, and want to help them.

The Hindu concept of moksha means liberation, and mukti means freedom. Again it refers to a state in which one is free from the cycle of suffering. However there is a difference, in that Hindus believe that this state is being one with God. You basically return to your real nature which is God. Buddhists however to place emphasis or believe in God, but the transformation of the mind to achieve the state out of suffering. I hope this helps.

Thank you

Dear Doma,

Thank you for your question. Keeping a pet such as a dog will not necessarily bring you good luck or wealth. All sentient beings have their own karma, and this is accumulated from previous lives. Since we have had countless previous lives we are bound to have made some sort of karmic connection with our pets before, and that would have manifested in this life by having this particular pet.

Sometimes if the karmic connection is unique, having a dog would indeed bring you good luck and wealth. This would be because the karmic energy of the dog being around you, would trigger open karmic potentials from previous lives to get these sorts of things. However this is a rare case.

Dogs have both positive and negative energy just like ourselves and all sentient beings in samsara. Therefore having a dog does not always mean that there will be positive energy in our lives.

That being said, dogs are known as man’s best friend for a reason, and that is because as an animal they are said to be emotionally close to humans. But our motivation behind getting a dogs should be higher. Rather than think that by having them, we will get good luck, we should always keep compassion for them in our minds. They have been born in a form that cannot do all the things we are humans can. Therefore, you should care for your dog, treat them well, plant the seeds of Dharma in their minds so that in their future lives the will benefit, and look after them very well. By doing this you become a responsible dog owner, and benefit the pet, as well as yourself as you develop more compassion towards other sentient beings. I hope this helps.

Thanks

Dear Jason,

Thank you for your interesting question. Names are given by a guru during two important events during a person’s spiritual journey. The first is during the refuge ceremony, which is the formal ceremony in which the guru accepts you as a student. The second is a Vajrayana or tantric name, which is kept secret. This is given to a person during the empowerment ritual of tantric initiation. Therefore in order to receive a tantric name you would need to receive the empowerment of a deity and keep the associated daily practice commitments. Before the initiation, you would also need to request the guru to bestow on you a tantric name during the initiation. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Dongho,

Thank you for your question and it’s nice to see you back here. In regards to Pehar, this is not the first time that I have heard of this prophecy. However Pehar is still highly regarded in the Gelugpa tradition, even though he is a worldly Dharma protector. This is because, even though he is a worldly being he was subdued by a Buddha (Guru Rinpoche) and made an oath to serve the Dharma. In fact he is considered to be on the path of a Bodhisattva, and is highly attained himself. There are even prophecies that he is close to gaining full enlightenment, at which point Dorje Shugden will take his place as the chief protector of the Tibetan people.

In regards to the Dalai Lama, we still regard him as the emanation of Avalokitesvara. This is not a claim he made himself, but was recognised as such by many great lamas of the past, including those who practiced Dorje Shugden. In fact, one of his tutors Trijang Rinpoche (himself a great devotee of Dorje Shugden) told his students never to deride His Holiness the Dalai Lama because he is the emanation of Avaolkiteshvara.

Different people have differing views on these issues, however as Buddhists we believe that we are all bound by karma, and a logical extension of that is that we view the world through the filtered lens of our perception and conceptions of how things should be. This even applies to the Buddhas and the Dharma itself. Since we have conceptions about something, when we come across something that does not fit this conception, then we begin to have doubts. For example, sometimes since we hear or read things about the Dalai Lama that does not fall into our conceptions of how he should behave, we start to have doubts. But this is because our minds are not at a certain level to see who he really is or to see the true intentions behind his behaviour. However one thing for sure is that his own tutors, great masters who are also considered emanation of the enlightened beings have stated that his is the true incarnation of Chenresig. This has been mirrored by many other great masters over the course of history.

Since you have already taken refuge under a Sakya teacher, you should go all the way with the practices you have received or will receive in the future. Please be steadfast in your guru devotion and practice as well as you can, transforming your mind for the better. This has been stated by Vajradhara himself.

As for Mahakala Panjarnata, he is an emanation of the Avalokiteshvara. He was the special protector of Nalanda Monastery in India, and is also the protector of the Hayagriva cycle of tantras. The stick he carries is actually an ancient wooden gong. Within the monasteries this was struck to call the monks and nuns to prayers, attend teachings or any other daily activity. However it can also be used as a magical club, which is the form that Panjaranata Mahakala is holding. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Sony,

Please do tell us how we can help you. Please fill out this question form again telling us why you need help. We will reply to help you for sure.

Dear Eric,

Thank you for your question. Death meditation is indeed very powerful, in fact His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche has advised his students on numerous occasions to practise death meditation regularly. Doing this lessens ones attraction to samsaric activities and generates a conviction to overcome samsara through the practise of the Dharma. When engaged in properly it becomes a very powerful meditation technique. In fact Tsem Rinpoche advised students to engage in this meditation every day for at least 5 minutes.

That being said, if we engage in death meditation properly and regularly we will see a very significant shift in our lives, to practice the dharma more, and to be more compassionate people. Rather than ‘getting used’ to it, or numb to the mediation, one actually strengthens the conviction to transformation. There is no risk of becoming numb to the meditation. The meditation itself can be changed to become less routine. For example, you can change your visualisation to include different circumstances that death can occur.

Death meditation is one of the foundational practices necessary to have a real transformation in one’s life. The great masters have all taught that we should engage in this practice on a regular basis, and in fact it also forms a major part of Buddhist tantra, albeit in a different form. However, it just goes to show that you don’t become numb to the practice. I hope this will help you encourage your friend to continue a regular death meditation practice.

Thank you.

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for your question. I am very happy to hear that you would like to visit Kechara Forest Retreat. We do have a short weekend retreat at the moment that runs once a month, but it is an intensive programme. It is known as the Inner Peace retreat, and you can find the details here: http://retreat.kechara.com/. We do not have a current programme scheduled that would match you needs but please do keep an eye out on the page above, to be informed if we do have other suitable programmes coming soon. Alternatively, you can contact Kechara House Front Desk if you would like more information about visiting Kechara Forest Retreat. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Jocelyn,

A retreat is only valid when one engages in an entire retreat session at least once a day. This is the minimum. So every day you need to engage in the entire sadhana of the deity that you are doing the retreat on. So if you are doing a retreat intensively on the weekends, you would still need to do at least one session a day during the week as well, for the retreat to be continuous. Traditionally speaking, close retreats are not done this way, but are engaged in intensively for a periods of time every day until the mantra count or other commitments have been fulfilled. These retreats would necessarily require certain prayers or even rituals to be done to begin and end the retreat. An addition to this would be the fire puja requirement at the end.

Therefore, the sort of retreat you have described will not be considered a close retreat. However, depending on your circumstances and your commitments, it would be advisable to consult with the guru who gave you the empowerment of the deity. This is because the guru would know what would be the best method for you to engage in the retreat. I would strongly suggest for you to seek your guru’s advice. I hope this helps.

Thank you

Dear Jocelyn,

Thank you for your questions. It’s good to see you asking more questions here. For the 64 torma offering to Kalarupa, you don’t actually make 64 separate tormas but one torma, with sections marked off into 64 parts that you use as the offering. You can substitute this for bread and biscuits, in which case, in the centre place one large loaf of bread and around it you place 64 biscuits. The tear drop cuttings are not applicable to this type of torma, as it is a different type of torma than the once that use the tear drop shape. Similarly, it is possible to use a jar of biscuits for the yidam during your retreat.

That being said however, you should consult with the guru who gave you the empowerment of Yamantaka, and if it included permission to engage in the Kalarupa practice from a tantric perspective. This is because the guru would best be able to guide you in your retreat, and sometimes the guru may have instructions for you to engage in the retreat in a more traditional style with actual tormas. This would be for you to create more merit, as it would take you time and effort to make the tormas daily. Please do check with you guru on the above matter to get a proper answer.

Thank you

Dear JC,

Thank you for your interesting questions. Within our tradition, prayer wheels are always rotated clockwise. This is because the mantras are written in a normal manner, hence when rotated in a clockwise manner, if you were to view the syllables of the mantra, you would be reading them in a normal manner. If however, you rotated the prayer wheel counter-clockwise, the mantra would be backwards. Now, when we recite mantras, we do not recite them backwards, so similarly prayer wheels should be rotated clockwise as well.

The practice of the Buddhas would never give off negative energies. The Buddhas, or their sacred mantras giving off negative energies does not make sense from the Buddhist perspective of logic. This is because the Buddhas operate from enlightened compassion, therefore everything they do, and anything associated with them, would necessarily be compassionate and positive. There is no way that it could be negative, or give off negative energy at all.

This may come about from a misunderstanding of tantric practice. In some tantric practices, a certain mantra may be visualised as rotating in a counter-clockwise direction within a larger mantra circle. This is rare but would be done for specific meditational purpose, it is not arbitrary, or negative in any way shape or form.

Therefore, in regards to mantra circles, most mantras of deities would be represented in a clockwise direction, it has nothing to do with if the practice is wrathful or not. If a mantra is visualised in a counter-clockwise direction, it is due to the actual practice itself.

Therefore, when engaged in the practice of Dharma protectors such as Dorje Shugden, or Palden Lhamo, or Mahakala, the mantra circle within the heart of the deity is visualised according the particular practice. This is usually in a clockwise direction. Even if, according to the particular practice, the mantra is visualised in a counter-clockwise direction, it does not give off negative energy, since these Dharma protectors are the emanations of the enlightened Buddhas.

This is the same with mantra recitation using a mala. The mantras are counted in the same manner as all other Buddhist practices, in that the beads of the mala are pulled towards you for each count of the mantra. We pull the beads towards us because we are inviting the energies of the deities into our lives. The energies of the wrathful deities are not something negative but are positive in aiding us to transform our minds on the path to enlightenment.

Since spinning a prayer wheel counter-clockwise does not create negative energy, because the enlightened beings cannot be harmful or negative, there is nothing wrong in doing so. However, since there is way and method of rotating the prayer wheel clockwise, to ensure that the energies from the syllables of the mantra are projected into the environment in its correct order, you should train yourself to be more mindful of rotating the wheel in the correct manner. This is also an effort in mindfulness as it is a personal practice to benefit others.

Therefore the Chenrezig mantra prayer wheels give off compassionate and beneficial energy into the environment when rotated in the correct manner they are supposed to be. Rotating in a counter-clockwise direction is not a negative action in any way, but you should be more mindful to rotate it in the correct manner. This will aid your practice in two ways, to develop both compassion and mindfulness. I hope these answers help.

Thank you.

Dear Jocelyn,

Thank you for your question. Traditionally, retreats are when one engages in the various meditations and mantra count continuously, without missing even one day in between. If a day is missed in between, then your meditations/mantra count are not considered part of a retreat. This is even more so with tantric retreats that end with a fire puja. These retreats are engaged specially away from modern day activities, etc. In these retreats one concentrates intensively on the practice in order to gain attainments. This is concluded with a fire puja, and this type of retreat is known as a close retreat.

Now, if you have initiation, and want to progress in your practice, then of course, it is advisable that you spend your weekends engaged in intensive practice. You could even set yourself a mantra count that you could gather over a number of intensive weekend practices. However for a retreat to culminate in a fire puja, the traditional procedures of a close retreat need to be followed. This is not to say that practice of Yamantaka is not beneficial, in fact it will further your spiritual journey greatly.

Here are some links to articles on this site that you might find useful in your practice:

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/ra-lotsawa-the-yamantaka-hero.html

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/advice-to-a-yamantaka-initiate.html

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Susan,

Thank you very much for your question. I am happy to read that you have set up space for a wealth cabinet in your house. This is very auspicious, and should include at least one wealth vase or more, and many offerings. At the moment our Puja Team does not offer the Yangdup Puja on an outcall basis. However, you can contact Kechara House Front Desk on +603 7803 3908, or email Frontdesk@Kechara.com. They do offer a Gyenze Dorje Shugden puja, which is as effective as a Yangdup Puja due to the invocation of the enlightened energies of increase, and has the same effects as a Yangdup Puja when blessing items. You should try to arrange for this puja to be performed to consecrate your wealth cabinet. Alternatively, a very powerful puja that you can have sponsored at your house is the Trusol Consecration puja which is very powerful, and invites the energies of the Buddhas. I hope this helps.

Thank you

Dear Sonam Lama,

Thank you for your comment. It is with the blessings of Manjushri and the kindness of the lineage lamas that we have Dorje Shugden’s profound practice to help us on our spiritual paths. At the moment, there are no plans for the monthly puja to be broadcast. However this is not to say that you cannot join us in prayer. In fact prayers to Dorje Shugden are recited daily, as part of our personal practice.

To gain even more benefit from the practice, we encourage other to include the prayers into their personal practice as well. This way you can join us in our prayers, wherever you are around the world, which you can only benefit from. Here is the link to the daily prayers that people in Kechara recite everyday: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden.

It is through these prayers, that we engage in daily, that we create a stronger connection with Dorje Shugden, so that his enlightened energies can come through into our lives, aiding us on our spiritual path to enlightenment. I hope this helps.

Thank you