Dear Simona,

Thank you for your question. This section of the blog is not usually answered by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, but is answered by the Kechara Pastors. If I may I would like to answer this question for you.

In regards to learning about karma, there are a couple of posts here on this blog that may help you:

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/discovering-yourself-a-teaching-on-karma-mindstream.html

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tendencies.html

Karma is explained in the text entitled Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche. This is the core text currently used for study in the Kechara House Dharma classes, and is very beneficial to learn from. If you would like a copy you can order one online here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/lamrim-liberation-in-the-palm-of-your-hand.

I am sorry to read that you have this negative energy around you. It is good that you are practicing Guru Yoga. This is very beneficial for you, however you may want to consider engaging in the daily practice of the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden as well. There is a whole section of this blog dedicated to Dorje Shugden. To read more, click here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/dorje-shugden. The practice of Dorje Shugden is very beneficial in helping to remove all sorts of obstacles and this includes negative energies that may be surrounding us, as well as creating conducive conditions so that we do well in life.

There is a combined daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga and Dorje Shugden, which you can find here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/category/practice/sadhanas.

Alternatively, if you would like a physical copy, you can order one online here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/diamond-path. This practice is very beneficial and will help your situation a lot. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Kenneth Daviknes Hansen,

Thank you for your question. I’m very happy that you have read the post on the Vajrayogini Tea Offering (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tea-offering-to-vajrayogini-for-the-1st-time.html). This offering is very beneficial for practitioners, whether one has Highest Tantric initiation or not. In fact as the post mentions, anyone can make this particular offering to Vajrayogini.

With regards to tantric prayers, they are mostly composed to be recited by those who have received tantric initiation. Since this prayer is tantric in nature, it therefore contains tantric elements. One of these elements is the generation or visualisation aspect of the practice.

When engaging in tantric meditation, there are two ways in which one visualises the deity in question. The first is called ‘front-generation’ during which one visualises the deity in front of oneself during the prayer. This is the visualisation that those without initiation engage in. The second is called ‘self-generation’. This is the visualisation that those with initiation engage in, after learning how to do so from a qualified guru. This involves the practitioner visualising his or herself as the particular deity, in this case it is Vajrayogini.

When the prayer refers to “I visualize myself as the deity at the center of the dharmachakra” it is referring to the tantric element of the practitioner visualising him or herself as Vajrayogini. If you have tantric initiation, you should consult the guru who gave you the initiation as how to best to practice this offering. If you are not an initiate then you simply visualise Vajrayogini in front of you. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Ms Yap,

I’m very sorry but your question did not post properly. Please try again when you are able.

Thank you.

Dear Gracias,

I am sorry to hear that you had negative experiences in your relationship. These sorts of feelings can be difficult to overcome but it can definitely be done. If I may, I would like to suggest that you engage in the daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga. You can find an excellent commentary to the practice by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html.

You can find the prayers here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tsongkhapa-prayers.html#1. Please note that the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa is also known as Gaden Lhagyama.

The daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga is one of the most integral practices on the path within the Gelug tradition of Buddhism. It invokes on the energies and blessings of the enlightened beings to calm our minds so that we can overcome any negative feelings we may be suffering from. This will help tremendously with what you are going through. When you start the practice, you should continue on a daily basis and you will see a great improvement, not only with your current negative feelings but more as well.

If you would like, you can also engage in mental quiescence meditation. This practice can be found Pabongka Rinpoche’s Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, which is available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/lamrim-liberation-in-the-palm-of-your-hand. This book covers the entire path of Buddhist practice. This mediation practice will help calm your mind, bringing you clarity and focus in daily life, so will help over these negative feelings also.

If you would like, there is also a box set available to help you begin your practice, which includes a good introductory book to the practice, a prayer book and an image of Lama Tsongkhapa as well, available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tsongkhapa-boxset-english or at any of our Kechara Paradise outlets. I hope this help.

Thank you.

Dear Ping,

Thank you for your question. I am unsure of which chapter in the Lotus Sutra you are referring and as such cannot give a definitive answer. However when we first begin on the path of the Bodhisattva is may be difficult for us to control our minds and avoid thoughts that can create negative karma. Being around such people may be a hindrance on the path if one’s mind is not firm.

Traditionally practitioners would have engaged in retreats in order to the see the faults of samsara for long periods of time. But that cannot always be possible for the modern day practitioner due to family responsibilities, etc. However it is very beneficial for practitioners to engage in short retreat from time to time. Together with learning the Dharma this will have a beneficial impact on the mind.

In essence, yes Bodhisattvas are supposed to be friends with everyone regardless of who these people are, but we must remember that in order to be their friends without agenda or motive, we must first be able to tame our own mind sufficiently so that our own Dharma practice is strong. Then we can of course be their friend and help them as best we can, which is after all what a Bodhisattva is supposed to do. Bodhisattvas are supposed to help people but this can only be achieved at its greatest potentials when we have studied the Dharma and have firm conviction in our practice. That is why it says that Bodhisattva should not associate with these people, because at the beginning they may lead us away from the Dharma and cause us to create negative karma. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Vilicia,

For the pronounciation of the this mantra, please click on this link to the Gyenze teaching video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xofKtpVjxns. Watch from minute 4:13. Here Pastor Jean Ai recites both the long and short mantras to Gyenze. The mantra you have asked about is the short mantra for Gyenze.

As for the visualisation it would be good for you to follow the Gyenze practice post here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html and recite the long mantra. This will have a very beneficial in your life.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Thorim,

Thank you for your question. For the visualisation first you can develop a very clear image of Chenresig in front of you. As you become more used to the image you can then visualise light emanating out from Chenresig. These lights then bathe your entire body, giving you sense of calmness and compassion.

The further and extensive visualisations require initiation into the practice. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Nicole,

Yes of course. Kechara’s Puja House team can perform a Sitatapatra Puja for you and your family. If you are not in Malaysia, you can visit this website and order the puja online: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/dukkar-puja-fund-for-legal-affairs.

If you are in Malaysia you can come to Kechara House in Petaling Jaya and order the puja in person. Alternatively you can phone Kechara House (+60 3-7803 3908) and mention that you would like to sponsor a Sitatapatra puja, also known as Dukkar puja.

When you order online or talk to us in person, don’t forget to give us your dedication for the puja. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Val,

Unfortunately your question did not post properly again. May I suggest you type the question and then copy and paste it into the box when you are posting? It may be easier that way. Thank you.

Dear Val,

Unfortunately your question did not post properly. Please try to ask the question again when you can. Thank you.

Dear Aai,

Thank you for your question. As you know in Buddhism we do not go for refuge with any being apart from the enlightened Buddhas. As such there are various ways to remedy this. If you have taken refuge with a Guru before, you should humbly request to re-take your refuge vows with this same Guru. You can also engage in a refuge retreat, contemplating the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and the benefits of going for refuge. This retreat would be an accumulation of 100,000 recitations of the either the refuge mantra:

NAMO GURU BEH
NAMO BUDDHA YA
NAMO DHARMA YA
NAMO SANGHA YA (3x)

I take refuge in the Guru
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha (3x)

or the refuge mantra with the bodhicitta motivation:

SANG GYE CHO DANG TSOG KYI CHOG NAM LA
JANG CHUB BAR DU DAG NI KYAB SU CHI
DAG GI JIN SOK GYI PAY SO NAM KYI
DRO LA PAN CHIR SANG GYE DRUB PAR SHOG (3x)

I take refuge until I am enlightened in the Buddhas, the Dharma and the Sangha. By the positive potential I create by practising generosity and the other far-reaching attitudes, may I attain Buddhahood in order to benefit all sentient beings. (3x)

You can also read up on the benefits of taking refuge to fully understand what taking refuge means and the benefits of doing so. Here is a short article that may help you: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/taking-refuge-by-pabongka-rinpoche.html

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Lobsang,

I am very happy to read that you have received the Chakrasamvara empowerment. You should keep your samaya with your Guru pure and intact, as well as keeping the vows and commitments you have taken during the empowerment. If you do this then you will see a definite transformation of your mind and circumstances for the better.

There is nothing ‘wrong’ with the practice itself if you have received it from a qualified Guru and are keeping the vows and commitments intact. What can cause these obstacles to arise is the actual purification of the negative karma itself. When engaging in purification practices, our negative karma can ripen but under controlled circumstances rather than due to external causes and conditions, over which we have no control. In the case of the purification, this karma needs to be purified, so it can manifest in its most mild form. Hence when we engage in purification practices these things can happen.

However, some people may find this a bad situation. This is not correct, because as due to the nature of samsara we are effected by karma in some form or another. What matters here is that this karma is purified so that we can progress on our spiritual journey.

When you facing these difficulties the key here is to continue in the purification practices strongly, this way the karma that causes these situations to occur is purified quicker and you are not affected by them. This way we this negative karma can never affect us again in the future. You should engage strongly in the main sadhana of Chakrasamvara strongly as well.

Coupled with this you can engage in the practice of a Dharma protector such as Dorje Shugden. As you have received the Chakrasamvara, you should ask your Guru about the particular Dharma protectors associated with this practice. Each major tantric practice has certain Dharma protectors associated with it that aid practitioners to clear obstacles and create conducive conditions for the particular deity practice. You can actually engage in any Dharma protector practice, but it would be best for you to consult you Guru as he/she may assign you a specific Dharma protector to practice. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for the question, it seems that you have a lot of faith in Lama Tsongkhapa which is very good. If you engage in the practice every day it will have great benefit in your life leading to real transformation.

In regards to offerings there is no ‘best’ set of offerings to make to Lama Tsongkhapa or any Buddha for that matter. Any offering made from sincerely from the heart will generate merit for you on your spiritual path.

To start with it is best to make a set of eight sensory offerings, which is the most common set of offerings and is actually very beneficial on our spiritual path. In fact, most offerings made for various prayers, rituals and offerings comprise of elements from the sensory offerings.

The offerings are usually set up as eight offering bowls that contain various offering items:

1. Water for drinking: there are eight qualities to water – it is cooling, sweet, light, soft, pure/clear, free from impurities, easy on the stomach, and is soothing to the throat. The benefits that one generates is pure ethics, you will always have good quality food and drink to live, one’s mind will become very fluid, flexible, clear and alert, one’s obscurations will be purified, one will develop good and pleasant speech, and one will be free of illness. This first offering is very auspicious.

2. Water for washing: This is offered to the Buddhas to symbolically wash their feet, as was custom in ancient India when welcoming guests. This symbolises that we are inviting the energies of the Buddhas into our lives and as the feet are the lowest part of the body, we are humbling ourselves before them. It is through this offering that we purify our negative karma, represented by washing the feet of the Buddhas.

3. Flowers: this symbolises the beauty of samsara which is impermanent in nature. Offering flowers creates the merits to realise emptiness and the inherent non-existent nature of samsara, while also creating the conditions to be reborn in places and situations that are conducive to continuing our Dharma practice in future lives if we do not achieve enlightenment in this life. It also represents the development of generosity. When someone gives us flowers, since they are nice, we want to keep them for ourselves, therefore they signify miserliness. By offering them up to the Buddhas, we create the causes to develop generosity instead.

4. Incense: the scent from the incense represents the holding of one’s vows, promises and the development of integrity in one’s life. This is important as holding vows and promises are a very effective method in purifying negative karma and the generation of merit that is necessary on our spiritual path. In essence it creates the causes to have good ethics and moral discipline.

5. Light: just like a candle or lamp dispels darkness, this offering creates the conditions to develop wisdom which dispels the darkness of ignorance. When we have wisdom, we are able to be more patient, which is necessary on the spiritual path and a transformation of the mind.

6. Perfume: which was anointed on the clothes in ancient India represents joyous effort and perseverance. These are qualities one needs in life to achieve anything in both secular life but most importantly also in spiritual life.

7. Food: the offering of food represents sustenance and this creates the causes to be reborn in places where is it easy to acquire what we need to have a good livelihood, as well as creating the cause to gain the results of spiritual practice, which are realisations and ultimately enlightenment.

8: Sound: this is represented by a musical instrument, most often a conch shell. It creates the causes to attain wisdom that understands existence and leads to enlightenment. Take a guitar for example, we hear the sound when someone plays the instrument, but if we examine it the sound does not come from one place, the guitar, the strings, the fingers that pluck the strings, the person that plays the guitar, the person that made the guitar, etc. If we mediate on this we can realise that nothing exists inherently and relies on causes and conditions, which can lead us to the understanding of the concept of emptiness. This is represented by sound, which comes into existence based on causes and conditions, and then ends and disappears, as with all phenomena.

This set of offerings, although very common is very profound and has a great many benefits. I have only listed some of them here. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Jinnah,

Thank you for your question. In regards to the Pratimoksha vows, if you are referring to the monastic ordination vows, then yes masturbation does break the vows. Monks and nuns are expected to follow the vows of celibacy, even with oneself.

If by Pratimoksha vows, you are referring to the Refuge or the Layman vows, please see the answer to Jinpa below. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Jinpa,

Thank you for your question. For those with monastic ordination vows, then yes masturbation is considered sexual misconduct and actually breaks one’s ordination vows.

In regards to a lay person, who has taken the refuge and perhaps even the layman vows, this would depend on the advice of your teacher. In some traditions it is considered to be sexual misconduct and in others it is not. The Buddha never actually prohibited masturbation for a lay person.

That being said there are some very important points to remember when discussing sexual misconduct. The main point of sexual misconduct is that the action does not cause harm, either to others or oneself. So if the particular instance does cause harm then it is considered sexual misconduct.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the action itself if it does not cause harm, however it obviously does encourage more sexual desire. Desire in any form is to be eliminated on the path towards enlightenment as it serves as a cause to remain bound in samsara. As such it can be argued that it does ‘harm’ you because it keeps you in samsara and therefore can be classed as sexual misconduct.

Whatever the case may be what is most important here is that if anyone is engaging in the act then they should work with their own mind to lessen their sexual desire. It is not necessary for a person to engage in masturbation, therefore we can train ourselves not to engage in the act. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Confuses,

You have asked a very good question. When the Guru assigns a particular yidam for a practitioner, as you have rightly mentioned he/she will have judged a person’s characteristics and temperament. This is not done on a surface level. A Guru is a person trained in the various scriptures and practices that deal with the mind, which is what Buddhism is all about, therefore the Guru can see a person’s afflictions on a deeper level. If the Guru is a high level being, or emanation of a Buddha, this is even more so since they would have clairvoyance to see which practice would benefit the person the most. There is other forms of deciding which Yidam to practice, such as through the various forms of divination.

That being said people who are mostly angery and therefore assigned Chenresig as their personal Yidam, will obviously have other afflictions such as jealousy, desire, ignorance etc. However the main affliction is still anger. Therefore it makes sense that the path is practiced to cut this anger, and through this same process the other afflictions will also be overcome. For example, even though you are dealing with anger, you realise that this is due to attachment or aversion to something, then you begin to understand what causes this attachment/aversion and so on…ultimately this will lead to the understanding of emptiness. Therefore it is better to practice one Yidam strongly.

For example, if we think of enlightenment as the destination and the various practices as the roads leading to that destination, it would make sense to find a road and then travel down that road without deviating to reach our destination. This is the same as practicing one Yidam strongly. On the other hand, if we were to continuously switch between roads, then it would take a longer time to reach the destination and we may even end up getting somewhat lost and confused along the way. This is the same as switching between various Yidam practices.

The ultimate goal of all Yidam practices, or any practice within Buddhism for that matter, is the same – to reach enlightenment. Even though there are so many methods it is better to stick with one particular form since practicing many will lead to confusion. All the practices aim to ultimately deal with the highest realisations which are the understanding of emptiness and compassion which cause us to attain enlightenment. Therefore even if the path is different, the destination is the same. Think of two roads leading to the same place, one can go through the city while the other can go through the countryside. Different practices concentrate on different aspects of our delusions but end up with the attainment of enlightenment. There is a famous saying that in Tibet practitioners practice many deities but do not achieve even one, but in India practitioners practice only one and achieve all the deities. This basically means that if we do not concentrate on one particular practice it, we will not be able to accomplish the highest possible result which is enlightenment, or commonly known as ‘achieving’ the same qualities as the deity in question.

I just wanted to clarify one point, the purpose of practicing a particular Yidam is to achieve the highest potential of enlightenment. The qualities that can be developed using these practices are supposed to be aids in this process. Some people think that you just practice Manjushri to gain wisdom in and of itself, but this wisdom gained is supposed to lead you to enlightenment. Take another example, Chenresig is good for those who are angry and can affectively deal with this problem, but the real practice leads to a selfless motivation to benefit all sentient beings, thereby generating compassion, which is then used to achieve enlightenment.

However, in life there are time where we may need help for other reasons, this is when the role of Dharma protectors and Pujas comes into play. For example, we may be practicing Manjushri as our Yidam, but we may encounter spirit harm in which case we can engage in the practice of a Dharma protector such as Trakze (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html) to counter this so that we can continue in our practice of Manjushri without hindrance. In fact certain practices have Dharma protectors who specially aid to help remove outer obstacles and create conducive conditions for the actual practice of the Yidam, so that the practitioner can transform their minds. For example Cittapati (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dharma-protectors-of-tibetan-buddhism.html).

Pujas can also play an important role. For example if we are having financial difficulties, but our Yidam is Chenresig, we can engage in or sponsor Gyenze or Dzambala pujas, which can purify the negative karma causing our difficulties. However, here our main practice is still Chenresig which we engage in to transform our minds. We simple use pujas to overcome a particular situation we are facing during that period.

Therefore, it is better to practice one particular Yidam all the way to achieve enlightenment. I hope this explanation helps.

Thank you.

Dear Samuel Collins,

I’m very sorry to read that you have been afflicted by spirit attacks. You have taken great steps already but it seems the spirit attacks are very strong. There are many methods to deal with spirit harm. If I may suggest, please engage in the practice of Trakze. This is the wrathful form of Dorje Shugden whose practice grants very strong and protective energy that can alleviate all forms of spirit harm if engaged in sincerely and regularly.

You can read more about the practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html. This post explains more about spirit harm and the method of Trakze’s practice in detail. This can be engaged in daily and does not require an empowerment.

It is a very powerful practice and a lot of people can attest to their spirit attacks lessening and stopping altogether through this practice. The key to this practice is daily practice and sincerity. It would be good if you read through the entire post to learn as much as possible and begin practice as soon as you can.

Of course, you can come to us here at Kechara. We are here to help you however we can. You can post more questions here or alternatively you can visit us in Kuala Lumpur, where we have our city temple, if you would like to talk in person. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Eli Levine,

Thank you for your reply. As you have mentioned you are not practicing Dorje Shugden and that is perfectly fine. His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara have never said that everyone must practice, simply that this practice is beneficial from our own experiences and that we would like to make this practice available for the world, for those who would like to learn more and practice it.

I am very happy that you are practicing Medicine Buddha and Green Tara, these two are very beneficial as well. You should keep to these practices very strongly and your life will definitely be blessed. If you keep up in your practice and faith you will definitely see the enlightened energies of the Buddha pervade your life and propel you on your spiritual practice.

As for His Holiness the Dalai Lama rejecting Dorje Shugden because the teachings take guru devotion to the extreme, I personally do not agree with this view. Guru devotion is an integral part of any Buddhist tradition, especially within tantric practices throughout all lineages. Dorje Shugden practitioners are simply stating the fact that this practice has been passed to them by their Gurus therefore they cannot simply stop the practice, as according to the tradition of Guru devotion. In fact if other practices were rejected, such as Green Tara and Medicine Buddha, the practitioners who had received this from their Gurus would also claim that they cannot give up the practice as they have a commitment to engage in the practice as promised to their gurus.

From a non-Buddhist perspective, in areas where guru devotion is something foreign this may seem extreme to some because we are not used to it. But is an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism, as is emphasised in the 50 Verses of Guru Devotion by the great Indian master Ashvaghosha. In fact Lama Tsongkhapa even wrote a commentary to this work, which details the guru-disciple relationship. This is not extreme but a necessary part of the path within Tibetan Buddhism, especially tantric practice.

In regards to the purification of this the karma you mention, you can engage in any of the purification practice, such as prostration, Vajrasattva or 35 Confessional Buddhas. This practice are very powerful purification methods, to help purify the karma that we want to be purified. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Alex,

Your question didn’t post properly. Perhaps you can try posting it again?

Dear Eli Levine,

There are a couple of points to consider when thinking about this. The first is that the various stages of realisation and ability have been clearly listed down in the various scriptures according to the paths to enlightenment. For example in Tibetan Buddhism this is the path of the Bodhisattva, which is known to have Ten Stages, divided into the Five Paths. If one is familiar with these stages, then one can gauge themselves when referring to the Ten Stages, and the realisations and abilities that are a result of reaching these stages.

Bodhisattvas and Buddhas do not usually declare themselves as such because they have lessened or completely removed their ego and therefore are extremely humble in their approach. As such there would be no need for them to declare themselves as Buddhas or highly attained beings. Within Tibetan Buddhism, however, there is a tradition of recognising these beings, so that they are able to benefit sentient beings. This recognition is always done by other high level beings manifesting as teachings, those who have gained realisation on the path themselves through practice, or enlightened beings, such as the Dharma protectors in trance of an oracle.

When you have reached higher stages, you know that you have reached these stages. That is enough, there is no need for you to declare yourself as such. And these high level beings would not declare it themselves, as this declaration would be based on the ego.

If you really believe in the Buddha’s teachings – that people can actually gain the same state – then why would you be in doubt about high level beings manifesting as teachers can judge these same states. This to me is a little illogical. Yes doubt can exist, but if you have faith in the Buddhist teachings, then you must also accept that there are beings out there who are in a position to judge the various stages of enlightenment of others, because they have been through the same process. I hope this helps.

Thank you.