Question asked by Anonymous
Dear Pastor, Hello I have few questions. And thank you for taking the time to read and answer these 😀
A: What are the name mantras of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche,Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche?
B: Who/What is Red Garuda and what is their Mantra?
C: Since Kalarupa is the protector of many practices, one of them specifically being Yamantaka. Does this mean that Kalarupa's practice require initiation?
D: When we get to the part where we say "Om Shapta Ah Hum" etc. During our daily practice, do we ring the bell?
E: My altar is really small due to my conditions but I manage to fit the 8 sensory offerings on 3 small bowls. I was wondering if it is okay. Now, to continue on the sensory offerings, the candle I offer is never lit, does it still count as light offering? And for my food offering I have a candy in a wrapper, does it still need to be replaced daily, even though it's still in the wrapper?
F: What is the Bön Religion/Belief? Is it qualified as a part of Buddhism or are not?
Thank you so much Pastor!! I hope you are doing well! OM AH GURU KIRTI DATSA SHASANAH DHARA VIRYA SIDDHI HUM HUM 💛
Dear Anonymous,
A. Name mantras of lamas:
Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche: OM AH GURU BENZADHARA METRI SHASANA DHARA KARMA SARWA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche: OM AH GURU BENZADHARA SUMATI JANA SHASANA DHARA SAMUDRA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche: OM AH GURU BENZADHARA SUMATI BIRYA MUNI SHASANA DONZA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
B. Red Garuda is a deity that is not commonly practiced within our tradition. So, we do not have much information about the deity or the mantra. However, we have a thangka that shows another form of Garuda available here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/a-powerful-healer-avalokiteshvara-simhananda. It doesn’t have much information, but the form shown in the thangka is known as Shabala Garuda.
C. The full form of Kalarupa’s practice does require initiation. However, there are some prayers that you can do to Kalarupa without initiation. One is here together with the mantra that you can recite: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#27. We also have an article about Kalarupa here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/kalarupa.html
D. Yes, during your daily sadhana, when you recite Om Shapta Ah Hum, you ring the bell.
E. For your altar, if you are using a real candle, then during your prayers it should be lit. However, you can use a small electric (battery powered) candle instead, and leave it on all the time. That what I do for my own altar. For the food offering, if you are using multiple wrapped candies, then it’s okay to leave them on the altar for a while. There is no need to replace them daily. But just be careful of insects or ants if they candies are very sweet!
F. The Bon religion is actually the indigenous religion of Tibet before the introduction of Buddhism from India. It does not fall under Buddhism. It is a religion in an of itself.
I hope all these answers help. Thank you!