Question asked by .. .. ..
Dear Rinpoche,
I wonder if I can ask you something – I’ve been thinking about things which have happened, my life etc and I would really like to start doing some prostrations, but there are a few things I wondered about. I live in a very small place, which is fine, but it makes doing full length prostrations almost impossible, and I wondered if it would be ok to do the shorter ones – to begin with until things change. I also wonder how important it is to do prostrations in front of something physical, as I feel that it is more important to stabilise at the moment, and make sure it is an internal thing – like genuine, rather than making it external – maybe I could put up a picture of one teacher, or something like that – but lastly and perhaps more importantly , I wonder if I am getting ahead of myself – and this is the sort of thing you wait do, when you are under the advice and guidance of a teacher. please feel free to answer any way ;- ) with so many many thanks for your time!
Dear .. .. ..,
It is wonderful you wish to start prostrations. If you do short length ones or long length ones, both are ok. But in a prostration retreat, only the long ones are counted.
A picture of Buddha, Tsongkapa or Tara is good enough on the wall. Other rites, offerings, etc enhance the prostrations only.
You can download sacred pictures here: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/downloads
You can do prostrations any time with or without a teacher. It is not getting ahead of yourself at all. There are many practices that can be done without a teacher. I have given teachings on how to do prostrations and it is on the youtube.
Any general practices associated with Three Jewels is beneficial.
I wish you success. TR