Dear Dirji,

We are sorry, but we do not understand your question. Perhaps because you asked using the english phoenetics of the word. If possible, please post again using either the English translation of the word or using the Tibetan script, so that we can help you properly.

Thank you.

Dear Marc,

Thank you for your question. You can find a translation of the meaning of Tsem Rinpoche’s name mantra on Kechara’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=683136630510067. Hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Rojal,

We can understand that you feel this way, and seeing the illusion of life should definitely motivate us to want to achieve something more spiritual. In the past when people asked Tsem Rinpoche the same question, he used to tell people a couple of things:

> The first is that there are two methods to deal with our spiritual path. The first is to physically renounce everything and go into the wilderness, like Buddha Shakyamuni and Milarepa did. To cut yourself from everyone and everything and meditate continuously for years until you achieve realisation. But this is very hard to do in our day and age. We still need to have contact with people, there are the necessities of life to think about. Rinpoche said we need to think about things from a practice angle also. It takes a very great level of practitioner with an immense store of merit to be able to do this successfully.

> The second method is to keep living within our a community and use them as a support for the transformation of the mind and spiritual progress. For example, that it why we have monasteries and nunneries, or Dharma centres and organisations to help with spiritual practice. This method is more measured, but you can still gain the same results. This is the more practical method. Especially according to the Mahayana path of practice, Bodhisattvas need to practice certain qualities in our minds and we progress towards enlightenment. Such qualities include the Six Perfections, but if we are not around others, how do we practice them? In order to practice generosity, we need others to be generous towards. In order to practice patience, we need others to be patient towards. In order to practice morality and ethics, we need to be in situations to be able to practice our vows. Enlightened beings like Buddha and Milarepa were able to do all of this in their minds during meditation but as mentioned before they were already high level pracitioners with immense merit. For example, Buddha Shakyamuni had three countless aeons of consistent practice life time after life time until his achieved enlightenment.

> Another thing that Rinpoche shared, that while understanding the drawbacks of life and the benefits of becoming enlightened, a lot of the time what happens these days is that it is mixed up with emotion due to the challenges of life. People are looking for an escape, but not an escape from samsara into enlightenment, but simple an escape from their current problems. The need for escape, known as renunciation in Buddhism, is not to simply escape samsara, but developed in a certain way through contemplation and meditation. When we have such feelings, we should analyse them to see if they are in accord with the teachings and the methods of developing true renunciation. Many people also have a unrealistic way of thinking about physical renunciation and the spiritual path in general. Most people think it is easy, but it is not, is difficult because we need to deal with our minds, our emotions, our traumas, etc, from countless lives. If we don’t have a firm foundation in Dharma practice and transformation before we attempt something like Buddha Shakyamuni or Milarepa, we will give up after a while because we find it too hard. And perhaps give up spiritual practice because the path did not actually match our expectations. So the key is to be as realistic as possible about our spiritual path.

So our advice, rather than give up everything, as you may have family or other responsibilities, is to use your current situation to transform your mind, to practice the teachings right now in life, so that you can start progressing along the spiritual life. The best way to do this is to practice the Lamrim teachings, which give you a firm roadmap of how and what to practice in a sequential manner. Giving up everything is not necessary to make real progress on the spiritual path, as outlined in the Lamrim, but sustained and consistent practice is the key. Then use the situations in your life to actualise that transformation. We hope this helps.

Dear Jason,

Thank you for your question. We are very happy to hear that Tsem Rinpoche’s Dharma talks have inspired you, especially to practice patience and kindness towards others. Please do keep it up, the benefits of both qualities are immense and are central to spiritual transformation.

We should always try our best to practice both patience and kindness, but sometimes practising it in the way we think may not be the best option. For example, in the case that you mentioned, it is not having the right effect on your own mind and also you are enabling your co-worker to exhibit negative behaviours as well.

In this case, actually practising kindness would not be to become a pushover, taking more responsibilities, etc. This isn’t beneficial for your or the co-worker. So here, practising kindness would actually be not to allow the person to do such things, but it should be practised with patience and not out of emotion. So you would do this in a very skilfful manner. The best would be to have a talk with your co-worker in a very calm manner and explain how you are feeling and how they are making you feel in the work environment, and try to sort out the situation before it progresses. Especially since you are having such thoughts of anger and the posibility of lashing out.

Practicing kindness and patience is not at all become a push over or allowing others to skip out on their responsibilities, etc. We really hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Sok,

Kusha grass and Durva grass are two different types of grass, they are not the same.

Kusha grass is also known as halfa grass, big cordgrass, or salt reed-grass. Its scientific name is Desmostachya Bipinnata. In shape, each blade of grass is long and straight.

Durva grass is also known as bermuda grass. Its scientific name is Cynodon Dactylon. In shape, each blade looks segmented and has smaller leaves sprouting from it.

You can google the scientific name to see the difference between the two.

Generally, they can be bought at Indian religious stores if there are any nearby where you live. Alternatively, if you live in Asia, you can buy a traditional grass broom, which you can substitue for the Kusha grass. It is a close relative of Kusha grass and the lamas have said that it can be used as substitue if you cannot find the actual grass.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Bhavisha,

Local deities are not enlightened. They are sentient beings who look after or take care of a specific area. There are different names for these types of beings, such as local deities, Land God, Landowner deities, etc. They belong to the God Realm, but as other beings in the god realm, they are not enlightened. Hope this helps.

Dear Rojal,

Nice to see you back here!

Shamatha is a tool, basically through this meditation you develop single pointed concentration. But after developing that, you use it to engage in Vipashyana meditation, otherwise known as Special Insight.

Different traditions have different version of Special Insight. In our tradition, we use this type of meditation to analyse what we call “emptiness.” The teachings on the emptiness are the actual teaching that leads to enlightenment. All other teachings or practices help to prepare your mind to be able to do this.

Shamatha comes in, because the topic of emptiness is so deep, that we need single-pointed concentration to analyse it. If we don’t have this type of concentration, we will not be able to understand emptiness. Hence, shamatha and vipashyana meditation are used in tandem to achieve enlightenment.

This may seem a little abstract. The Lamrim teachings go into this in a lot of detail. They can be found in the chapters dealing with the Concentration and Wisdom as part of the Six Perfections in the Great Scope sections of the Lamrim.

Hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for your question. There is no one heart disciple of Tsem Rinpoche. This usually refers to specific person who carries on the teachings and practices of a particular teacher. Tsem Rinpoche wanted something different for Kechara, hence we carry on his teachings and practices as a group, rather than one specific person.

Rinpoche trained his students, who are either Sangha, Pastors or senior students in various ways of continuing his teachings, especially through the work that they do. In this way, we continue Rinpoche’s teachings as a group rather than any one heart disciple.

Hope that this helps. Thank you.

Dear Sirius,

Thank you for your question. In terms of practice, you are doing a lot. We are very happy to read that you are doing all these beneficial practices. They will be very beneficial for you. What you are doing is very good already, the only thing that I would say is to make the Dorje Shugden sadhana consistent as well as the others. If you are doing the short Diamond Path sadhana, it includes the Vajrasatta meditations, so you don’t have to do it separately.

We just have some points to help you improve your practice:

> First is whenever you do any of the practices, is it vital to make sure you take refuge, generate bodhicitta and practice the four immeasurables before each session. And then at the end of the session, make sure to dedicate. This seals the merit generated from your practice. This is very important as if we don’t have the correct motivation at the beginning and dedicate it at the end, since the merit is not sealed, the positive potential is destroyed when we have disturbing emotions, especially anger.
> The second is to be consistent in your practices and do them daily. If you cannot be consistent with the practices you are doing at the moment, then reduce what you are doing to make it simple, for example just the Diamond Path (which includes Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga anyway). Then once you are consistent daily, later you can slow add in other practices and become consistent with them.
> The third is to keep revising the teachings on these practices, understand the motivation, deepen your visualisations, etc.

> In regards to your meditation, if you are doing breathing or concentration meditation, again, revise the teachings again and again to make your practice stronger and understand where you are on your meditational path.
> You can also spend some time every day, maybe five or ten minutes contemplating the Lamrim teachings step by step. This itself is extremely transformational and will propel you along the spiritual path.

In regards to what else to study or read, here is a very good article: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/books-that-are-a-must-read.html

If you consider Tsem Rinpoche to be your spiritual teacher, there are thousands of hours of teachings on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoTg0Wc5q3Gnz8ej3ETCdMQ You can watch and re-watch them to deepen your understanding and practice.

I hope all of this helps.

Dear Alby,

The physical form representations of the Buddhas, including statues, are very special as each form of a Buddha represents not only the path to enlightenment, but the state of enlightenment itself. In fact, even just seeing a Buddha image plants imprints in our minds that will open when the conditions are right, to help us further along our spiritual path. So they are powerful and protective in and of themselves, as long as they have been created according to correct iconography. This last point is very important.

That being said, images or statues are just pieces of metal or clay, etc. When statues are consecrated, they actually become the embodiement of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). That’s why making offerings and doing any virtuous activity (even cleaning them) generates merit for your spiritual journey. As embodiments of the Three Jewels there is no way that they can be possessed by spirits that haunt the owner of the statue.

Traditionally, statues are made to be hollow and then filled with certain mantras and holy items, then consecrated. Following the traditional method will be the most effective to bless your statue properly.

If your statue is hollow, at Kechara we offer a service to fill your statue properly with the correct mantras, etc. The service is part of Kechara Saraswati Arts. You can find out more here: https://www.kechara.com/services/buddhist-art/

We also have DIY kits available if you cannot send your statue in and would like to do it yourself:
https://www.vajrasecrets.com/mantra-rolls-complete
[Please note these mantras are inserted into specific parts of the statue, you can contact Vajrasecrets through the website to get more information on how to fill the statue yourself]
https://www.vajrasecrets.com/mantra-rolls-anywhere
[These mantras can be inserted anywhere within the statue]

If you cannot do any of these, then at the very least, you should insert something into the statue so that it is not completely hollow. This can be a piece of paper with the mantra OM AH HUM written on it (either Tibetan or English is fine). Then roll this up and place in the statue. Otherwise you can use a pearl or semi-precious stone, etc.

While statues themselves have protective power, when they are left empty there is a certain type of spirit that come to reside inside a statue as it is completely hollow. It’s a spirit that likes hollow places. However, this type of spirit is not usually malicious or harmful. But that is one of the reasons a statue is never left hollow.

Once the filling is done, the traditional ceremonies of consecration known as Soongdrup Puja (to bless the insertion items) and the Rabney Puja (to fully consecrate the statues) are performed, which we also offer https://www.vajrasecrets.com/rabney-soongdrup-consecration-puja-fund

For those who cannot have the pujas done for whatever reason, you can actually bless the statues yourself. A comprehensive guide and the prayers necessary for doing this are available here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/how-to-bless-buddha-images-yourself.html

Given all of this, yes there is a type of spirit that can inhabit statues, but only if they are completely empty and not consecrated (whether by a monk, lay practitioner, yourself, it doesn’t matter). But this type of spirit cannot haunt the person, etc, in that sense. It simply resides in the statue.

The reason why statues are blessed or consecrated is so that they embody the Three Jewels, they become immense objects of merit making and protection from spirits, negativity, etc. So, if you do have a statue or are thinking of an inviting a statue, the best would be to have it filled and consecrated properly. However, even if you cannot, you can do the blessing yourself. There is no need to worry about a statue being haunted if not consecrated by a monk before you invite it or bring home.

In fact, if you have a personal practice, at the end of your practice you can dissolve your visualisation into the statue, to bless it. This actually makes your statue much more powerful than consecration alone. You basically bless your statue through your own daily practice.

I hope this information helps. Thank you.

Dear Rojal,

Thanks for your question.

Generally, there are three types of dreams as described below. Most of us only experience the first type, unless we progress on the spiritual path.

1.⁠ ⁠Samsaric dreams: these arise from karma and karmic traces in the mind. This also includes emotions, memories, etc. The meaning we find in these dreams are imputed by the dreamer, and not inherent in the dream. This also applies to waking life. We impute meaning onto situations and circumstances, rather than the meaning being inherent to the circumstance. It is like reading a book. Words in the book are just marks on paper, however, because we use our sense of meaning, we make a meaning out of it. However, this is always open to interpretation. For example, if you tell your dream to two people, they can interpret the meaning very differently, even though you told them the exact same details.

2.⁠ ⁠Clarity dreams: These dreams occur when you are fairly progressed in meditational practices and can carry this into the dream state. These dreams arise not from the emotions, or memories, etc., but from more subtler forms of karma and delusions. However, just like in waking mediational practice, you are not affected by the images or thoughts that appear to you. You simply let them appear and then pass. At this stage you are aware that you are dreaming while in the dream.

3.⁠ ⁠Clear Light dreams: In the advanced tantric practices, there are teachings called dream yoga. The object of these is to achieve the clear light dreams, which are very difficult to achieve and take years and years of intense practice. The most important clear light mind that arises is actually at the time of our death, if we are trained enough in this very subtle state, we can actually control where we take rebirth. If we are more experienced in this state, then we can actually use it to meditate on the teachings and achieve enlightenment. Clear light dreams are a “lesser” type of clear light mind, that helps practitioners prepare for the time of death.

When we have an auspicious dream such as of our teacher, our practice, the Buddhas and enlightened beings, etc., even though this is auspicious, it is still more than likely to be just a samsaric dream. Because it is a samsaric dream most people would dismiss it as being just a normal dream arising from the subconscious. But it is a very auspicious type of dream, because it shows that the Dharma and virtuous imprints are beginning to take root in your life. When you learn the Dharma and more importantly put the Dharma into practice in your life and transform to become a more compassionate person, the Buddhas themselves will bless you.

Such dreams are indications that you are on the either planting very positive seeds into your mind, or seeds from previous lives are opening, or that you are on the right path of studying the Dharma and that the enlightened beings are blessing you to continue on your spiritual journey. Such dreams are your subconscious telling you that you are on the right path.

Usually when you have a dream of an enlightened being, it is usually one that you are familiar with. If it is not, then it could be due to imprints from previous lives. In any case, when you have an auspicious dream, don’t hold on to it and tell everyone you have dreams of Buddhas. Instead, think to yourself, no matter what the reason, I am extremely fortunate to have been blessed to see the holy form of an enlightened being in my dream. And use that to fuel your practice of transformation.

I hope that this message helps.

Dear Lee,

Protector Rice:
> Protector rice is commonly used to relieve spiritual disturbances or to dispel negative energies in an area, especially when burned or placed over doorways.
> Protector rice can also be placed in water (along with other holy rilbus), imbuing the water with the same powerful potential. The water can then be used to bathe for healing, protection and blessings, especially for those with physical or mental aliments.
> For cases of negative interferences, lay two lit incense sticks parallel to each other. Then place one or two protector rice grains across the top of the incense sticks so that it starts to burn. This will invoke the presence of the Protector in the affected area.
> Insert into Buddha statues and stupas for consecration and increased positive potential.
> Encase and wear around the neck for a continuous supply of positive energy and protection.
> Place in luggage for a safe journey and to help prevent untoward incidents.
> Place in the mouth of a dying person or animal to help them pass on peacefully.
> Place in the mouth of a deceased person or animal to help them take a better rebirth.
> Put into bathing water to relieve skin problems and for general protection.

Entourage mantras:
When you invoke on certain deities, they come with an entourage, hence when you recite the entourage mantra, you are invoking on them also to aid you. You can read more about Dorje Shugden’s entourage here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/the-entourage-of-the-king-dorje-shugden

Blessing Buddha images:
In regards to blessing Buddha images yourself, you can read more about how to do it here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/how-to-bless-buddha-images-yourself.html

Dear Rojal,

Thank you for your message. You can find out more about Rinpoche’s Parinirvana here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/the-parinirvana-of-kyabje-tsem-rinpoche.html

It is quite a comprehensive article that details what happened.

Hope this helps.

Dear Skylar,

I’m very sorry to read that you had to go through such experiences. It must have been quite scary. In regards to your belief, from your message it comes across as that you might not have really thought about and decided which spiritual path to follow. Tsem Rinpoche always used to say that regarding our spiritual path, first we must always do our research into its belief’s and practices. Then when we have found one that resonates with us, we follow it all the way. Doing so doesn’t mean that we have complete faith in it from the very beginning. As human beings, we will always have some form of doubt in things, but as you practice that path, whatever it may be, then over time these doubts become less and less. Even in the most difficult times, if we have practised well, our faith will be strong.

In your case, it seems you are grappling with Buddhism and Christianity, and that is fine, but in order to progress spiritually, you will need to decide which of the two that you really want to follow from your heart. Both are valid, both are wonderful spiritual paths.

In regards to your experience both Chenrezig’s mantra and Green Tara’s mantra are definitely powerful, but they won’t necessarily have the effect you were looking for (which is to help you with the nightmares and sleep paralysis) unless you already had quite a close connection with them through consistent practice. Does this mean that they cannot help you? Of course not, they are both Buddhas, but the way in which their practices manifested were not to help in this situation first. There practices manifested primarily for the development of compassion and swift assistance in general respectively. If you have been doing their practice with consistency, faith and concentration, then of course they can help in such situations.

However, for these types of situations, the mantras of other deities are more effective as the practices of these deities manifested to help with this very type of situation. For example, the mantra and practice of Dukkar is very effective for both nightmares and sleep paralysis. Dukkar’s mantra is OM SITA TA PA TREY HUM PHET. Her practice has the primary benefit of helping with such issues. That being said, even if you practice Dukkar, eventually she will also help you to develop compassion, etc, also.

I hope this helps answer your question. You have our prayers to not encouter such situations again, and for progress on your chosen spiritual path.

Dear Brendon,

Regarding what to do with Serkym, different traditions or lineages have different ways of discarding the tea once offered. In Kechara, Tsem Rinpoche taught that you can drink a very small sip as an offering. But the majority should be discarded, preferably outside in a clean area that is natural, such as on grass, in the plants or by a tree. If you really cannot do that, then you can discard the serkym in a clean sink in your house, but never in your bathroom. The same applies for tea offered to Vajra Yogini or any other deity. Hope that helps to answer your question.

Hi Lee,

In a nutshel, “Om” invokves the enlightened mind of Setrap, “Maha Yakcha” meanings Great Yaksha (Setrap manifests as a Yaksha general), “Tsa” is a syllable associated Setrap and “Soha” means asking for great blessings and attainments. Tsem Rinpoche goes over the full meaning in his teaching called Setrap Superstar, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/InTFjv-ggjo?si=WH_aJYZZXKhmxwIF Please note there are 4 parts to the teaching.

In relation to the miracle stories, yes there are quite a few. Here are some:

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/the-miracles-of-dorje-shugden.html

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/behind-the-scenes/miracles-of-tsem-rinpoche-10.html

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/behind-the-scenes/miracles-of-tsem-rinpoche-12.html

Hope all of this helps!

Dear Ree,

Thank you for your question. Buddhism and activism is definitely compatible, but in a very specific way. Though Green Tara is considered the embodiement of “compassion in action” and that she is associated with swift activity, the practice of compassion in action is much more broader in Buddhism, especially the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. It is bascially core to Bodhisattva practice, stemming from compassion in action helping beings physically, all the way to helping getting them enlightened. But Tara (all forms of Tara actually) embody this.

In Buddhism, we say that as a bird needs two wings to fly, we need two wings to reach enlightenment. These two wings are compassion and wisdom. So when we engage in compassionate activities, it must always been done with wisdom. For example, before you donate or volunteer in any organisation, make sure you know what they actually do and how they help those who are suffering.

As Buddhists, when engaging in activities helping those in need, injustices or social issues, we wouldn’t just go with the crowd or jump head first into such activities. It always needs to be done with as much wisdom as possible, reasearch properly what is going on, try to understand both sides (even if you don’t agree with the other side), and then engage in compassionate activities to help alleviate the suffering according to our capability.

Tsem Rinpoche always used to say the way to judge whether we should do something is to ask ourselves “Is it beneficial? Will it benefit someone?” Sometimes activism benefits, but some times it doesn’t. So we need to be careful. In terms of charity work, we also need to be careful and do our homework before supporting that particular charity.

Once all of that is out of the way, and we engage in, say charity work, if the situation permits, we try to get involved in the charity we have chosen and actually volunteer our time. A lot of people simply donate or volunteer because it makes them feel good, but as Buddhists when we do so we have to be clear about our motivation.

Donating and volunteering should be conscious acts with compassion as it’s basis, compassion while engaging in the actions with the goal of benefiting others and alleviating them of some form of suffering, whether physical, mental or spiritual. And these acts should add to our development of compassion, because we want to reach the ultimate spiritual form of it which is known as Bodhicitta – the mindset we operate from of reaching enlightenment ourselves so that we can help bring all other beings to the state of enlightenment as well.

This is actually what Green Tara represents, compassion in action (with wisdom) from the lowest form of compassion which is helping others physically, all the way up to leading them to enlightenment. Sorry for the length of the reply, but I really hope this helps you. Thank you.

Dear Bhavisha,

Thank you for your question. From the Buddhist perspective we should only take refuge in enlightened beings, for example the Buddhas and the various meditational and protector deities that we know are enlightened. Apart from the enlightened deities, there are, as you said, many many other gods, spirits, or entities out there.

In Buddhism, the Hindu gods and goddesses are recognised. In fact, they are part of Buddhist cosmology too. However, as Buddhists we do not take refuge in them, we do not put our faith in them. They do however have certain powers or abilities to help or harm people. That’s why in Hinduism if you want help, they go to certain gods and from the darker side, if they want to harm, they also go to the gods to give them the ability.

Even though this is the case, in Buddhism, you can still give offerings to the gods but not take refuge in them. It’s like giving them offerings to make them happy, but you do not take them as your source of refuge.

In certain pujas, we do make offerings to the gods, but Buddhists will not take refuge in them. So it’s okay to make offerings to them, visit their temples, etc., but not to take refuge in them.

Tsem Rinpoche has some students who were bought up Hindu but are not Buddhist now. Rinpoche said that they of course can still visit the temples of the gods, make offerings, etc, but not to reply on them or take refuge in them.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

Dear Tristan,

I’m really to read that you are going through such experiences and have nightmares. I know all of this can be scary, it used to happen to me too.

Tsem Rinpoche has some advice for nightmares and such experiences here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/if-you-have-reoccurring-nightmares-try-this-mantra

Whether it is something that is trying to get into your dreams and causing the other incidents in your house, or if it is just nightmares and normal occurrences but they seem scary, the mantra that Rinpoche talks about will definitely help you.

Watch the video in the link and give it try, it will help. Hope this helps.

Hello Rojal,

Yes we will be having a series of pujas for Tsem Rinpoche’s Parnirvana this year also. All the pujas will be dedicated towards Rinpoche’s Swift Return, and generating merits and purifying our karma to make it so.

Of course, you are very welcome to attend the events. They are open to all. You can check the Kechara events page: https://www.kechara.com/events/ closer to September to see the schedule of the pujas after it has been finalised.

Thank you!

Ps. Hope to see you here during the pujas!