Water Louse
Descriptions:
- Greenish color and semi-transparent
- 2-3mm in size
- Swims in water very fast
- Multiple legs (looks similar to the land tic except color/transparent bodies)
- Attaches themselves to tropical fish and sucks their blood until death
- Very fast swimmers
- Lays eggs very quick
- They come from the pet stores from infested fish tanks
- louse (singular) lice (plural)
- Can be seen with naked eye. They look like dark green/dark spots on the fishes, and if you look close, they move.
Three days ago Fm and Joy bought fish from a careless seller in Cheras. When the lionheads came back they were infested with these lice which multiplies at incredibly super fast speed. They attach themselves to the pearlscale/lionhead fishes, sucks their blood leaving dark lesions on the fishes until death. We had a professional come last night to inspect the pond. He came around 10:30PM and worked with some of our people until 2AM physically picking up each fish (I’ve over 200 fishes) and removing the lice from their bodies. Medicines had to be added to the pond which takes full effect in 3-5 days after louse removal. If you don’t remove the lice, the fishes will die. The fear is there are many eggs floating in the water still ready to hatch. We have removed the fishes from the pond and put them in a few large quarantine tanks. They have to be observed for the next few days carefully and medication continued. Many have died.
I told Fm and Joy they have to check carefully what they buy. As they are the ones who went to buy the fishes. That day, Joy brought back the batch of fishes and I took a look and rejected them because they had spots on them. I told Joy she has to check carefully and not simply buy and then just get the job done. She returned the fishes unopened to the pet store and brought ANOTHER SMALLER BATCH back, and that’s when the louse problem started it seems.
Half the ladrang people were at the ladrang with many kind volunteers stringing pearls for Vajra Yogini statues last night and the other half of the ladrang was at my place removing lice from the poor fishes. Fm was at home without informing anyone early to sleep while everyone worked. I had a few people wake him up and he joined the rest of the ladrang team to help finally. Fm usually leaves people behind to sleep. It’s ‘interesting’ to blog all the facets of my happenings and the people around me. I have very interesting people around me. Some are very sincere, dharmic and hardworking and some are on a different thinking zone. Some you just inform once and they remember. Some you can remind them the same things for ten years now and repeat hundreds of times and they still ‘forget’.
Beng Kooi was instrumental in working with the professional until late to learn about medication, catching the fishes, removing the louse from their bodies. She works super hard as usual. Su Ming, Jp, Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Jean Ai, Monlam, Bonita were also here working super super super hard removing the all the lice. James and Shin were here too. Joy came over later to assist as she was painting a statue. Bonita and Monlam work very hard all the time. You don’t have to tell them much at all. They just do it. Jean Ai and Su Ming are another two students who are sincere, fast and very hardworking….it’s unnecessary to scold them because they just do their best always. I appreciate all these people who cared so much for other beings in this case the fishes and worked hard to help release them from the louse. The hardworkers I mentioned always work hard in all situations I must say…it’s incredible…they just give their all.
Whenever you buy fishes, you must check very carefully for louse. It is good to have a extra quarantine tank separate from your main tank with the other fishes. Put them in quarantine tank and observe/medicate if necessary BEFORE mixing new fishes in your main tank for a few days. This prevents infection to the other fishes and easier to medicate. You don’t have to medicate the healthy fishes. The quarantine tank must have plenty of oxygen and in some cases you put a filter with no carbon (must check with qualified pet stores) so the carbon does not absorb the medication. Some medication, the carbon is ok. Check first.
I have never seen these water lice ever in my life or heard of them. It was a shock to see them. When we plucked them off and put them in a bottle, they live for days and just swim super fast. This picture was taken of them last night.
I hope the remaining pearlscales/lionheads survive, as I was very distressed and still am. I am very worried. For each fish that died because of our carelesness, we put holy water on their little bodies and recited Medicine Buddha mantras onto them. May they take a good rebirth.
Tsem Rinpoche
PS I thank the students like Beng Kooi, Monlam, Pastor Loh Seng Piow, Jp, Bonita who will be monitoring the survivor fishes for the next few days until they are well. I appreciate their care so very much.
The three dark green spots you see are lice which has killed this poor little pearlscale. They sucked his blood until his dead.
This lionhead has survived the attack of the lice so far. Near his eye, you can see a gaping black hole and a line, that is where the lice was sucking him and eating him at the same time. We were able to resuce this lionhead in time. Lionheads are so gentle. I hope he will live now that the parasites have been physically removed. The parasites are very vicious. They attack the head, the fins and the underside. Leave very big lesions.
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Thank you for extending knowledge of how the water lice looks like or how to prevent it from spreading. Reading this article , give me new knowledge to learn more about it.
There are times when we all must make difficult decisions regarding killing. I, personally support whatever decisions you make with regard to these horrible animals.Once again thank you for this article
First time coming across this name water louse, not of I have known at all. The Water Louse scientific name is Asellus aquaticus related to wood lice. Well, it can be found in garden ponds, stagnant water pools and slow running streams. Reading this old post , give me new knowledge to learn more about it. I think I have seen before but not sure what it was call till I read this post. They can breed all year round, living among decaying roots and leaves. Some advice from this post, when buying fishes, we must check carefully for louse. Or else the rest of fish in our tank will be infected. Looks scary from what I see from the pictures……tinny lics. Shocking to know that sucks the fish’s blood leaving dark lesions on the fishes until death.
It’s incredible team works , removing the all the lice from 200 fishes which were bought from a careless seller in Cheras. Kudos to those Kecharians involved.
Thank you for this informative sharing.
Wow, this is the first time I had heard of or seen an water louse. Those poor fishes are just like dogs who gets the ticks and lice but being bigger, they are more able to cope. However, some dogs develop tick fever if the tick is infected. Thank you Rinpoche for this article which will help many towards learning what to look out for when we do buy fishes for our home.
It is incredible how smart Oser girl is. She can steal the treat away from Dharma boy and so casually. Wow. She is so smart. A must watch short video!! Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQcQh3S12U&feature=youtu.be
Mumu boy was Tsem Rinpoche’s little Schnauzer. Partly because of Mumu Kechara was started and you must find out why that is. Do read more and see very cute adorable pictures: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=122472
Tsem Rinpoche’s two adorable cute Schnauzer dogs Oser girl (white) and Dharma boy up to their various antics. Short videos that will warm up your day and give you a ‘cute attack!’ Enjoy!
“Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnausers Oser and Dharma trying their luck”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGD7CtNmnuI
“Tsem Rinpoche’s adorable Schnauzers Oser and Dharma have a challenge!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX1UdH7IjQ8
“Friendly Encounter”-Oser and Dharma meet Johnny & Casper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVFk77PAOYk
“Friendly Encounter”-Soer & Dharma meet Johnny & Casper (2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkuXAcveV0E
“Tsem Rinpoche’s Pet Schnauzer Oser’s Treat Time!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ANtRnEFREA
“Tsem Rinpoche’s doggie Oser girl and Dharma boy getting treats”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMUWYvWk3no
“Dharma fights Chip! Showdown between Tsem Rinpoche’s pet Schnauzer and a dog on wheels!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmGg6g8waNg
“Dharma & Oser Getting Treats in Playhouse”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2dp8Fm87CQ
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
Oh and by the way, I’m a veterinary nurse, so if you ever have any questions about your pets, I would be glad to help.
Dear Rinpoche, I had an experience with these fish lice several months ago, so I feel your pain. They came in on a Ryukin, a Dragon-Eye Goldfish and a fantail Goldfish. I did the same thing, picking the lice off each fish and then treating them with metronidazole to heal the wounds and CyroPro to kill any life stages of the lice that could have been remaining in the water. I lost a couple of the goldfish but thankfully was able to save one of them. So later, I bought more goldfish and thankfully they were healthy. It is so sad. I hope that in the next life beings won’t all have to eat each other and make each other sick.
Dear Rinpoche, I hope the fishes are healthy. It must have hurt when the lice are sucking and eating the fishes. I wish that all animals are vegetarians and may the parasites vanished from this world because I don’t want to see animals getting hurt.
This is very scary. I have never read or studied about one of those parasites. It must be not a good feeling to have 4-5 blood suckers sucking your blood,I feel so bad for the fishes.The fish sellers must really take good care of the fishes in their shops, they feel pain too. It’s not good to cause pain to the fishes.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
oh my goodness.. i thought louse were limited to furry animals until now. and they seem more vicious than the normal louse we see… it must have been really tricky to take louse off the slippery fish! Luckily these infested fish were the ones chosen, instead of the healthy ones, otherwise they would probably have to continue to be plagued by the louse in the pet store and die. Thank you to all who helped save the fishes!
Rinpoche, I am very sorry for the fishes and for your loss of beings that you care for with such tenderness of heart. It is wonderful that you have students with such willingness to help others however they can. May hatred, abuse and blood-sucking in every form – literal and figurative – cease.
I have only heard of lice in human hair but not in fishes. Thank you Rinpoche for extending knowledge of how the water lice looks like or how to prevent it from spreading. And also how to prevent it from spreading and how to take care of the fishes if they are infected. We are in a Dharma Centre with people who practice Dharma and also with a Rinpoche who cares for Animals and fishes. In the normal circumstances these fishes would not have been saved and treated. And should they die there would be prayers said for their good rebirth. These group of fishes are very lucky although they may have suffered from invested with lice.
This is terrifying news. I never heard of this sort of parasite before. Now, I know that these parasites could be infecting tons of fish in the world. I guess it is the fish’s bad karma to have to be murdered in such a horrible fashion. I wish that these fishes will have a better future life.
Rinpoche is one of the most compassionate person i’ve ever met. Rinpoche uses skillful means to train His students. Like the saying goes, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, that’s precisely how things are.
At times, Rinpoche might be fierce with some students or seemingly ’embarassing’ them publicly, these are Rinpoche’s skillful means in helping His students to change and improve, knocking of their ‘ego’ trips and becoming a humble person. Whatever ways Rinpoche chooses, it’s always to the benefits of His students.
Rinpoche is extremely compassionate towards animals as well and always giving them the best environment for them to live in. Buddhas statues or images are placed near these animals to plant seeds in them in the future to meet the dharma. Who else will even think about this? Where else could you find such person around you. To Rinpoche, regardless you are human or animals, everyone deserves a chance to be ‘saved’.
Thank you Rinpoche for always showing us the ways to be better person to benefit others.
Scenarios:
Rid the lice and keep the pets.
Keep the lice and rid the pets.
Do nothing and let the pets die. Then when the pets die, the lice die. No more blood to ingest.
However we do it, there’s negative karma.
Just do the best we can.
Our centre years back was infested with rats. They were everywhere. In the roofs, cabinets, floors, patio, and every corner/crevice. It went on for many months.
We set cage traps for them and caught many and then drove them faraway to release. But they were multiplying very fast and there was the threat of the health dept and we couldn’t catch all of them.
We consulted our resident Tibetan teacher and he distressfully agreed understanding the bigger consequences of not exterminating them. We counted around 200-250 dead rats after extermination. Some of them were huge. We lived in a neighborhoud where the houses are pretty close to eachother. We had to inform our neighbours and make sure our rats didn’t spread to them.
If we did not exterminate, they would have rapdily multiplied to 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and so on. We would have put the all the neighbours at serious health risk and many more rats would have to be exterminated eventually by law. It was a very difficult situation, but what are our choices. To choose as best as we can in the circumstances.
We made prayers for the rats. And I am sure Rinpoche made prayers for the lice.
Dear everyone,
Sorry for the singular/plural error.
Was in a rush, asked a student nearby for the name of this water parasite and was given the name louse. Have never heard of them before. And so I wrote it as such. Now I know louse is singular and plural is lice. Thanks. Tsem Rinpoche
why do people think that sucking someone elses blood is more meaningless than other activities? compared to watching a movie,driving an hour to get your faviourite food, shopping, working out for 2hrs in a gym to get a beautiful body, etc etc.
Once after hearing the teachings on the 6 realms of existence by Karma Chagme Rinp, I asked why do the hell beings in the hill of Shamali keep climbing the trees of blades and swords when they have been doing this for hundreds of yrs and suffered exactly the same consequences for HUNDRED of yrs? And he said “you think what YOU are doing is meaningful, thats why we dont have to practice the dharma.” Its was a great reckoning for myself.
Dear D. Ogyen,
“I also did not imply he was not correct in doing this in the manner he chose, that was not part of my observation. Simply again, pointing out the obvious for food for thought. People are smart, make up their own minds.”
IF PEOPLE ARE SMART AS YOU BELIEVE, THEY DON’T NEED YOU TO POINT IT OUT. FOR YOU TO POINT IT OUT IS ASSUMING PPL ARE NOT SMART AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MISTAKES. I CAN THINK FOR MYSELF AND I DON’T SEE ANYTHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH WHAT RINPOCHE HAS POSTED.
“What seemed slightly harsh to me is that the water lice never. a. got properly given their plural name, like Rinpoche couldn’t be bothered to get this word right that he’s using when he’s speaking of someone who mindlessly left, seemed curious and telling. b. it seemed that favoring the fish over the lice was emotional attachment to the fish, but what… who cares about the lice?”
WHY IS IT HARSH THAT WATER LICE NEVER GOT THEIR PROPER NAME. IF IT WAS A MISTAKE, THEN IT’S NOT DISPRESPECT AS IT’S NOT INTENTIONAL. WHY DO YOU ASSUME IT’S INTENTIONAL? IF YOU REALLY WAS THAT CARING YOU WOULD HAVE SENT A PRIVATE EMAIL AS LISTED ON FRONT PAGE OF THIS BLOG/WEBSITES TO HIS ASSISTANTS TO INFORM OF THE GRAMMATICAL ERROR. AND THE ERROR IS NOT A BIG DEAL AND YOU MADE MORE NOTHING FROM NOTHING.
I AM SORRY, BUT IT’S EASY FOR YOU TO STAND BEHIND A NAME WITHOUT A FACE OR CONTACT AND JUST WRITE WHAT YOU WANT. RINPOCHE IS OPEN WITH WHO HE IS. I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU POINTED OUT AT ALL. RINPOCHE HAS SPENT SO MUCH TIME FOR SO MANY ON THIS BLOG AND YOU JUST FIND MISTAKES?
IF YOU HAVE A DOG, A CAT, A BIRD, OR FISHES AND THEY HAVE TICKS, WHAT DO YOU DO? LET THEM STAY AND HARM YOUR PET? OR DO YOU LET THE TICKS INFECT THEM AND PERHAPS KILL THE PET EVENTUALLY? HAVE YOU REACHED THAT LEVEL OF EQUANAMITY? DO YOU LET THE TICKS COLLECT BAD KARMA TO KILL? IF YOU WERE TO LEAVE EVERYTHING NATURAL AND ACCORDING TO NATURE, THEN NEXT TIME YOU, YOUR MOM, DAD, FAMILY, SPOUSE, FRIENDS, FAMILY GET TICKS, GET SICK, GET BITTEN BY ANY INSECTS, LET IT BE. DO NOT SEEK ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. JUST LET IT RUN IT’S NATURAL COURSE. IF YOU OR ANYONE GET BACTERIAL INFECTIONS OR ANYTHING, DO NOT TAKE MEDICATIONS, JUST LET IT RUN IT’S COURSE. DO NOT KILL THE BACTERIA OR ANY HARMFUL AGENTS IN YOUR BODY. DO NOT INCUR THE BAD KARMA TO KILL THEM.
IN SAMSARA, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IT IS BAD KARMA. IT’S JUST THE LESSER. THAT IS THE NATURE OF OUR EXISTENCE AT OUR LEVEL. THINK ABOUT IT. I THINK SAVING THE FISHES WAS A CHOICE VEN RINPOCHE HAD TO MAKE KNOWING THE CONSEQUENCES EITHER WAY. EITHER WAY IT’S BAD KARMA AND SOMETHING GETS HARMED.
YOU ARE RIGHT, I AM A SMART PERSON AND CAN FIGURE THAT OUT.
“I am not saying he did not, simply that it was not portrayed in the slightest in the telling of the entry and it seemed contrary to Rinpoche’s consistent “save life,” especially since the fish were bought at a market bred for the enjoyment of people.”
I THINK RINPOCHE DOES SAVE LIVES CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY. MUCH MORE THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON. AT THE SAME TIME, JUST LIKE ANYONE, RINPOCHE HAS TO MAKE CHOICES THAT ARE DIFFICULT SOMETIMES. IF THE HOUSE IS INFESTED WITH COCKROACHES, TERMITES, TICKS, THEN THE KARMA IS THERE, BUT THERE IS NO CHOICE BUT TO TERMINATE THEM. THEY WILL MULTIPLY TREMENDOUSLY AND START TO INFECT THE NEIGHBOURS AND HEALTH OF EVERYONE CONCERNED. IT IS AGAINST GOVT HEALTH CODES TO LET THE INFESTATION GROW WHERE I LIVE. SO THEN IF ALL THE NEIGHBOURS ARE INFECTED, THEN THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE TERMINATION OF THESE BEINGS BY SO MANY MORE PPL LATER ON. THE KARMA IS HEAVIER. SO I THINK RINPOCHE IS KIND ENOUGH TO ‘TAKE ON THE KARMA’ HIMSELF AND STOP IT AT THE BEGINNING.
YOU JUST IMPLIED ASSUMPTION RINPOCHE BOUGHT THE FISHES FOR HIS PERSONAL ENJOYMENT. YOU DO NOT PRESENT ANOTHER REASON FOR HIS KEEPING OF FISHES. YOU ‘LEAD’ THE THOUSANDS WHO READ THIS TO THINK THE SAME.
THESE BEINGS (FISHES)TOOK REBIRTH IN THIS SITUATION. IF RINPOCHE COMPASSIONATELY PURCHASED THEM, THEY WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER LIFE. THEY EVEN SWIM AROUND THE BUDDHAS (READ THE POST ON THE FISH POND) PLANTING IMPRINTS FOR THEIR FUTURE LIVES. THEY WILL BE CARED FOR, MANTRAS BLOWN ON THEIR FOOD, LOVED, FED WELL, NOT ABUSED, NOT ABANDONED AND EVEN HAVE DHARMA SEEDS PLANTED IN THEIR MINDS. I THINK THEIR FUTURES IS MUCH BETTER WITH RINPOCHE AND THEY WERE LUCKY TO BE TAKEN IN BY RINPOCHE. MANY HIGH LAMAS OF TIBET HAVE PETS SUCH AS FISHES, DOGS, BIRDS, ETC.
PREVIOUS KARMAPA HAD HUGE AVIARIES IN RUMTEK. HH DALAI LAMA KEPT FISHES IN NORBULINGKA IN TIBET AND DOGS NOW. ETC ETC. MAYBE OTHER PPL BUY THE FISHES FOR ENJOYMENT, BUT RINPOCHE WE DO NOT ASSUME BOUGHT THEM FOR ENJOYMENT. HOW DO WE KNOW? WE DON’T.
“I’m ignorant and not a Rinpoche, so I’m sure Rinpoche has his reasons to do what he does, I simply observe the obvious that appears to thousands who don’t know him personally and could easily see this contradiction lending some open questions about the value of the life that wasn’t ‘favored’ being lost. The water lice.”
YOU OPENLY SAY YOU ARE IGNORANT AND NOT A RINPOCHE. BUT YOU OPENLY ‘SPEAK UP FOR THOUSANDS WHAT IS OBVIOUS’. THAT SOUNDS NICE, BUT SORRY OGYEN, IT IS NOT NICE. YOU DON’T KNOW RINPOCHE PERSONALLY EITHER SO YOU SHOULDN’T JUDGE EITHER WAY. YOU POINT TO CONTRADICTION, BUT YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IN SAMSARA BY NATURE IS CONTRADICTORY. SO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES. ALL CHOICES HAVE THE NEGATIVE SIDE. THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE KARMA WE ARE STUCK WITH AT THIS TIME. IF A TIGER KILLS AND EATS, A DEER DIES. IF WE STOP THE TIGER AND THE DEER LIVES, THEN THE TIGER DIES. THAT IS THE NATURE OF OUR EXISTENCE. EVERYTHING WE DO IS CONTAMINATED, SO WE HAVE JUST DO THE BEST WE CAN AND SLOWLY MOVE UP IN OUR GROWTH. I THINK RINPOCHE MADE A CHOICE THAT WE ARE ALL FACED WITH FROM TIME TO TIME AND HE SHARED IT WITH US.
“My apologies for having rocked the boat I mean no disrespect, I only observed this discrepancy. But if it is clearly not an issue, then we must accept it is right because a teacher with influence, and dharma status said so. Part of “thinking for yourself” is also questioning what is JUST presented to you. I was exercising my own natural intelligence and powers of observation, but in no way have filled blanks as to Rinpoche’s intentions. “
THERE WAS NO BOAT TO ROCK, AS RINPOCHE’S BOAT IS PRETTY FIRM FROM WHAT I READ. BUT YOU DO NOT REPRESENT THE THOUSANDS OUT THERE. YOU JUST REPRESENT YOURSELF. CERTAINLY NOT ME. IN THE US WHERE I LIVE, IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD TO LET ANY INSECT INFESTATION REMAIN, WHETHER WE BELIEVE IN KARMA OR NOT, WE HAVE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT INFECTS THE NEIGHBOURS AND GETS OUT OF HAND. I CAN’T TELL THE HEALTH DEPT I AM BUDDHIST AND CANNOT KILL. I AM BUDDHIST AND I DO NOT KILL, BUT IF THE INSECTS START TAKING OVER, I DON’T HAVE A CHOICE BY LAW AND ON MANY PERSPECTIVES AND I KNOW THE KARMA. WHEN I READ THIS ARTICLE, I FELT VERY BAD FOR THE LICE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I UNDERSTOOD THE HARD DECISION RINPOCHE MADE. I AM SURE HE THOUGHT IT OUT. I AM ASSUMING HERE ALSO. I THOUGHT AT THE END IT WAS BLATANTLY HONEST OF RINPOCHE. I HAD READ IN THE QUESTIONS SECTIONS A FEW WEEKS BACK THAT A LADY ASKED RINPOCHE WHAT TO DO ABOUT A INSECT INFESTATION IN HER HOUSE. SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL THE EXTERMINATORS. SO I THINK THIS POST WAS A TEACHING FOR MANY IN THE SAME DILEMMA NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. I SAW THIS POST AS SUCH A SKILLFUL MEANS TO AVOID EVEN HEAVIER KARMA FOR PPL IF THEY LET THE INFESTATION GROW. I THINK IN THIS ARTICLE RINPOCHE HELPED A LOT OF PPL THINK AND TAKE ACTION WHEN NECESSARY.
IF IT IS NOT AN ISSUE, WHY ARE MAKING IT AN ISSUE. IF RINPOCHE IS A TEACHER OF STATUS AND INFLUENCE, THEN TO GET TO THAT POSITION DON’T YOU THINK HE HAS THOUGHT THINGS OUT MANY TIMES TO BENEFIT OTHERS? POSTS LIKE THIS JUST HELPS US TO MOVE ON AND DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO EVEN IF IT INCURS NEGATIVE KARMA BUT LESS HARM IN THE LONG RUN.
YOU CAN QUESTION AS YOU LIKE. BUT QUESTIONING AND CRITICISM ARE DIFFERENT. YOU SHOULD THINK FOR YOURSELF, BUT ARE YOU THINKING OR CRITICIZING. I AM OFFENDED BY YOUR COMMENTS, BECAUSE I THINK YOU AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED THE WORST. YOU HAVE EXERCISED YOUR NATURAL INTELLIGENCE AND THAT IS GOOD, AND YOU ARE RIGHT, I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE IN ANY WAY FILLED THE BLANKS TO RINPOCHE’S INTENTIONS, SO PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME.
“A curious choice of environment for a public review of your students. Did the water lice get prayers as well for better rebirth?”
WHY DO YOU ASSUME RINPOCHE IS PUBLICLY REVIEWING HIS STUDENTS? (HE PUBLICLY COMPLIMENTS THEM ALWAYS. I AM SURE NOT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT) WHEN WE WRITE OUR BLOGS OR PERSONAL JOURNALS, WE CAN MENTION WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US AND THE PPL AROUND US. IT IS JUST A STATEMENT OF EVENTS. THE END.
I’VE GONE ON TRIPS AND THE TOURIST SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE, OR A COUNTER PERSON WAS VERY CARELESS AND IF I MENTION THIS, I AM NOT CRITICIZING THEM, BUT RECALLING THE EVENTS.
HAVEN’T YOU READ THE ENDLESS ‘CRITICAL’ COMMENTS HH DALAI LAMA HAS FOR THE CHINESE GOVT? I DON’T FEEL HE IS CRITICIZING BUT STATING WHAT HE SEES AND THE SITUATION AS HE PERCIEVE IT. I DON’T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HE SAYS, BUT MOST OF IT IS OK. SO IF RINPOCHE HERE MENTIONS HIS STUDENTS DIDN’T CHECK OR SLEPT LATE OR WHAT NOT, IT IS JUST A MENTION OF EVENTS AND HOW IT HAPPENED AND WHAT HAPPENED. I DON’T ASSUME MORE.
FOR ME I FEEL IT IS IMPRESSIVE THAT RINPOCHE MENTIONS THE GOOD AND ‘BAD’ OF LIFE/SITUATIONS/EVENTS. NOT EVERYTHING IS HUNKY DORY AND PERFECT, SO JUST WRITE AS IT IS. FOR ME I FIND THIS STYLE APPEALING. SOMETIMES UNCOMFORTABLE BUT MOSTLY APPEALING.
I FIND WHAT YOU WROTE CRITICAL AND OFFENSIVE AND I AM SORRY FOR THAT. YOU ARE RIGHT, WRITTEN LANGUAGE IS FLAT SO PERHAPS I AM ASSUMING THE WORST ABOUT YOU AS YOU HAVE DONE WITH RINPOCHE.
I MEAN NO OFFENSE TO YOU OGYEN. BUT MYSELF AND OUR DHARMA COMMUNITY READ RINPOCHE’S BLOG AND TEACHINGS AS WE DON’T HAVE A RESIDENT TEACHER AND IT BENEFITS US SO MUCH. I FOUND SOME THINGS IN WHAT RINPOCHE EXPRESSES CONFUSING AT TIMES ALSO, BUT I ASSUME THE BEST BECAUSE I HAVE BENEFITTED MORE THAN ANY ‘HARM’ ARISING FROM MY CONFUSION. I DO NOT KNOW RINPOCHE AND HOPE TO MEET HIM ONE DAY, BUT UNTIL THEN, I KNOW I HAVE BENEFITTED FROM MOST OF WHAT IS ON THE BLOG.
I USE MY CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE TO GUAGE THE WRITINGS, BUT I CAN’T ASSUME RINPOCHE’S THOUGHTS AND MOTIVATIONS, BUT THINK THE BEST BECAUSE NINE OUT OF TEN TIMES, WHAT RINPOCHE WRITES HITS HOME AND BENEFITS. SO I AM NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION. I DON’T THINK RINPOCHE IS PORTRAYING PERFECTION SO I DON’T ASSUME IT ONTO HIM. I THINK RINPOCHE FROM HIS WRITINGS IS A WARM, CARING, KNOWLEDGEABLE, SINCERE, HARDWORKING PERSON AND HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE IN THE DHARMA AND NOW SHARING IT. I FEEL HE DOES THE BEST HE CAN TO BE WHO HE IS. I THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE IT AT THAT.
AGAIN NO OFFENSE, BUT I AM ONE OF THE MASSES READING THIS BLOG DAILY AND IT REALLY HELPS ME SO MUCH. SO I DECIDED TO EXPRESS WHAT I FEEL HERE.
KARMA S.
I am not a big fan of anything that sucks blood out of other sentient beings. So, I can’t imagine how bad a karma one must have incurred throughout many lifetimes to arrive to such a fate. Perhaps, it took lifetimes of just criticising others or putting others down for whatever reason, or being judgemental and negative to the point of downright bitter and resentful. May be.
Personally, I have always appreciate Rinpoche’s kind teachings. I say, kind, because Rinpoche’s teachings can be translated and incorporated in every aspect of life, any environment, in any situation. It took me a while, but I am beginning to see that “Dharma is life and life is Dharma”.
Every situation, any environment and anyone whom we meet present a chance for great learning and transformation.
Whether one gets it or not, it shows in their actions, speech and mind set. Of course, the results in their every day lives speak the loudest of them all.
I thank Rinpoche deeply for always taking the time and trouble to teach us, to show us how we can learn and grow in our every day lives.
Eminence, Dharma Prince,
It seems as if you are doing everything right with these horrible parasites. Prayers to you and your team, who are attempting to save these beautiful creatures from these monstrous parasites.
I know that you do not “wish harm” on the parasites, but it is not appropriate to let them kill fish, which we have made a “promise” to, by bringing them home.
There are times when we all must make difficult decisions regarding killing. I, personally support whatever decisions you make with regard to these horrible animals.
Love, and prayers for the recovery of your beautiful fishes,
–Tom
Mannn… that’s so sad. I read up on water lice and immediately felt really sorry for the fishes.
It’s like having 3-4 mosquitoes sucking on our blood constantly. Same constant irritation while your blood gets sucked till you die. How horrible is that!!
I feel so sorry for the poor fishes. I heard that they are highly irritated when the water lice is on them, that even after the lice are taken off and they’re cured, they might die from the stress from the ordeal. Poor poor things.
I’m really sorry that Rinpoche had to see Rinpoche’s fishes suffer.
,,,what about the louses who die too???,,,they are sentins beens too,,,,!! They deserve holly water and Medicine Buddha mantras,,,,good luck,,,
Absolutely!
This is what you can do for the louses as a practice of compassion, and we shall keep it simple:
Recite OM MANI PEME HUNG and visualize beautiful white light radiating out of the Buddha of Compassion (Chenrezig) heart enveloping the louses. Then make a profound dedication that they be reborn into Chenrezig’s pure land.
A curious choice of environment for a public review of your students. Did the water lice get prayers as well for better rebirth?
_/|\_
D.Ogyen
Really? I don’t think so – it’s Rinpoche’s blog so isn’t it up to him what he wants to write? 🙂
Besides, if I (we?) accept Rinpoche as correct in everything else he does to train us, why not this too?
x
It is indeed Rinpoche’s blog and I never meant to imply it wasn’t. I simply observed an obvious point which I’m sure I’m not the first to notice, that you take it any way is up to you, I didn’t mean it any way you probably took it anyway. Such is the way of flat mediums like language, you just lunge at ghosts and shadows.
I also did not imply he was not correct in doing this in the manner he chose, that was not part of my observation. Simply again, pointing out the obvious for food for thought. People are smart, make up their own minds.
What seemed slightly harsh to me is that the water lice never. a. got properly given their plural name, like Rinpoche couldn’t be bothered to get this word right that he’s using when he’s speaking of someone who mindlessly left, seemed curious and telling. b. it seemed that favoring the fish over the lice was emotional attachment to the fish, but what… who cares about the lice?
I am not saying he did not, simply that it was not portrayed in the slightest in the telling of the entry and it seemed contrary to Rinpoche’s consistent “save life,” especially since the fish were bought at a market bred for the enjoyment of people.
I’m ignorant and not a Rinpoche, so I’m sure Rinpoche has his reasons to do what he does, I simply observe the obvious that appears to thousands who don’t know him personally and could easily see this contradiction lending some open questions about the value of the life that wasn’t ‘favored’ being lost. The water lice.
As you pointed, his blog, he writes whatever he wants, I just felt that it was an ethical issue he raised, meaning to or not…
My apologies for having rocked the boat I mean no disrespect, I only observed this discrepancy. But if it is clearly not an issue, then we must accept it is right because a teacher with influence, and dharma status said so. Part of “thinking for yourself” is also questioning what is JUST presented to you. I was exercising my own natural intelligence and powers of observation, but in no way have filled blanks as to Rinpoche’s intentions.
I would appreciate a clarification though, if he were so inclined to give one. If not, he owes no one one, especially not me a perfect stranger.
🙂
_/|\_
D.Ogyen
I don’t think it is a big deal that Rinpoche got the plural word for louse wrong. I actually don’t see that there is anything wrong ethically with saving the goldfishes from the water lice that is killing them. How can anybody say that it is favoritism or emotional attachment for a victim when a wrong choice of word is used for a murderer. It doesn’t sound logical and in fact saving the lives of ‘murderers’ would be ethically wrong. That would be like supporting their act of killing.
On the other hand, I think it is very kind of Rinpoche to talk about his students’ faults openly so they will transform and be ready for higher practices. There are not that many people in our lives that care to be so direct with us. In fact, it is Rinpoche’s job as a Lama to challenge his students’ ego with such criticism. Instead of scorning them, we should be inspired by them. In Tibet, direct and wrathful Lamas are highly revered and sought after. Only in degenerate times and in lands where Dharma has not taken root do people criticize such Lamas.
i owned a little fish before and i never heard of these before either.
This louses commonly infecting the goldfishes, so remember never let your goldfishes share the same tank/pool with the Japanese Carps cause it infecting the carps too.
There’s medicine for removing these louses, can be purchased at Japanese Carp Farm.