Dear Lucas,

You asked a very important question. As a Gelugpa pracitioner Tsem Rinpoche was non-sectarian in the sense that he didn’t see any one sect as being ‘greater’ or ‘higher’ than any other. However, Rinpoche was very staunch in sticking to the practices and teachings of the particular lineage you are practising. The reason for this is because of the path of practice differs between lineages and you can get easily confused. In the end, you reach the same destination – enlightenment, but the route you took there is different from the route someone else took. I remember asking Rinpoche this directly on a number of occasions. So I’ll tell you what he told me.

He gave me one example, which is that the destination we want to reach is enlightenment. Each tradition is a specific road to get there. If you start going down one road, you are told how to practice, what buildings look like on either side, road signs to tell you where you are, etc. It’s very definied. If you try to take another road on the way there (switch to practice according to another tradition) then you are going to get confused, the buildings on either side are different, the sign posts are different, the path of practice is different. So before you set off down the road, decide which route you want to take, decide which lineage/tradition you want to follow, and then go all the way with it. Only then will we get to the destination of enlightenment without getting confused and in the fastest time possible.

Rinpoche said it was good to learn how different lineages practice, etc. But in terms of personal practice, stick to whichever tradition are already praciting. I remember a few times, some pracitioners were considering switching to the Gelug tradition, but they had formal commitments from their own tradition. Rinpoche encouraged them to continue the pracitice of their own tradition instead and gave them advice on how they could make their pracitice and faith in that tradition stronger. I hope that helps.

Dear Corey,

Thanks for your question. We do have some Vajra Yogini statues available here: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/buddhas Hope you find what you are looking for. Thank you.

Dear Jae B,

Thank you for your question. Since you quite new to the path, as a daily practice you can recite the Praises to 21 Taras with as many Tara mantras as you would like. This would be really beneficial. You can just recite the text and while reciting think of Green Tara and ask her for blessings. You can find the prayer here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#17

Tara is incredible powerful. As you do her prayer and mantra request her from your heart to help open up your spiritual path and provide the conditions necessary to find the help and guidance that you need. She is very in this regard and is known to be extremely quick in help us. Hope that helps.

If you are able it would be good to set up a small altar to her and make offerings to her daily. Even a printed and framed picture of her will be good. We have some images for download here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html

Hope this helps. Thank you.

Hi Duy,

Yes of course you can offer coffee to Dorje Shugden. In fact, we can offer any type of beverage to Dorje Shugden. Any offering made from the heart he will accept as being sincere.

I know people who offering him cola, juice, other softdrinks, etc. They are all offerings made from the heart.

Dear Jake,

Guru Rinpoche did have multiple consorts, but you must realise that they were not ordinary women. In their own right they were highly realised beings. Through their practice together both Guru Rinpoche and his sacred consorts achieved incredible feats, helped countless sentient beings, and taught the Dharma.

As part of the Gelug tradition, we don’t learn a lot about Guru Rinpoche, but yes he did practice Karmamudra with them. But that just goes to show his high level of practice and that of his consorts. In the Gelug tradition we are taught that Karmamudra practice should only be practiced by the highest level calibre practitioners. If not, then all it does is increase desire. Hence in the Gelug tradition physical Karmamudra practice is not practiced. Instead it is done with a Jnanamudra, or visualised consort.

Hope that helps. Thanks.

Dear Lee,

The points listed in the prayer refer to specific commitments/samayas that are formally promised during tantric initiation, specifically of deities belonging to the Highest Yoga Tantra class. When you receive those initiations, there are many commitments/samayas to be kept in order to be successful in the practice of that particular deity.

For those without such intiations, they can just read these lines and practice the Dharma to best of their ability. All of the points mentioned are only commitments for those with the highest type of intiations. For now, in your case, just continue to develop faith, practice the teachings to transform your mind, make as many offerings as you can and help others. All of these, plus reciting the sutra, will help to progress your spiritual path and created the causes for you to receive the higher practices in the future. I hope this helps you. Thank you.

Dear Karola,

The Chinese zodiac calculator and the other horoscope/fortune calculators on our website are for general reference, so that they help people to understand more about themselves (weaknesses and strengths), and also how to interact or develop their relationships with others in a more meaningful and harmonious way. Although horoscopes do provide valuable information, they are more an influencing factor rather than a decisive factor.

The principles of compatibility in the Chinese zodiac are not restricted to intimate relationships, such as that between husband and wife, it also affects friendship, business partners, etc. Compatibility examines the effect one sign has on another. Having said that, families with the most harmonious compatibility (for example, a dog parent with a rabbit child) can still have arguments and splits due to influence from other factors. Every child (sign) within the Chinese zodiac has its own potential and negative characteristics, and can be influenced by family values, upbringing and traumatic events. Signs that clash or deemed incompatible in a family environment may also be brought into submission or made peaceful by focusing on harmony and eradicating negative behaviours.

You can read more about yourself, the Water Dog here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-dog-and-the-five-elements.html, as well as your Wood Dragon child here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-dragon-and-the-five-elements.html in order to facilitate better interaction and relationship in the future. Here’s the reference for dog & dragon compatibility: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/relationship-compatibility-for-the-dog.html#dog-dragon

It is believed if you solicit the protector related to your birth during times of obstacles, you can clear your problems faster. If pujas, prayers and mantras are done to them, then it will benefit you during the time when obstacles arise. You can find your protector in relations to the Chinese Zodiac listed here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-buddhist-protectors-of-the-chinese-zodiac.html

There are also some resources here that I think you may find helpful.

1) Raising Nice Kids According to Harvard Scientists
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/raising-nice-kids-according-to-harvard-scientists.html

2) What’s Good For Pregnant Mothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrUK-CMGhTQ

3) Manjushri Mantra & Benefits – Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI8HkG2KYdM

4) Being there for kids the right way…
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/in-forest-with-kids.html

I hope the above information will be beneficial to you, and all the best in the journey of motherhood.

Dear Sirius,

Thanks for your question. There is no need to worry, finding it difficult to visualise is not due to bad karma. It’s because we are simply not used to doing a mental activity in this way. So it takes time to learn how to visualise properly and steadily. It takes practice and develops over time.

At the beginning, when we start practices or meditations that involve visualisation, it is better first to get used to the recitation of the texts we are using. By that I mean, get used to reciting the prayers for that particular practice.

Once we are okay with the recitation of the prayers and or mantras, then move on to the visualisation. First, we should always think strongly that when reciting the prayers, the deities are definitely there with us. They are blessing us and helping us even if we cannot visualise them. You need to feel this from the heart as strongly as possible.

Then we can move on to the actual visualisation. Most practices have quite complicated visualisations. The first thing to do is to focus on the main figure, for example in the Gaden Lhagyama (Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa), it is Lama Tsongkhapa that is the central figure. So we start building up of visualisation of Lama Tsongkhapa over time, every time we do the practice.

Try to get the rough figure and shape of Lama Tsongkhapa, then slowly add in details, for example for a couple of days focus on his face, then once you are able to be steady in your visualisation or it is clear, move on to his hands, his implements, he robes, the lotus and moon cushion, etc. You work on it slowly. Then once you have a steady visualisation of Lama Tsongkhapa, you move on to other aspects of the visualisation. However, the key in any practice is to ensure that the central figure is clear and steady during your meditation.

I hope this helps. Visualisation is something that is not easy for most people, because we simply aren’t used to doing something like this. So, we take it slowly and build up our visualisation over time. No one will be able to do the completely visualisation associated right from the beginning. It takes time and patience. But it is worth is and prepares you for higher practices in the future, as they require a lot of visualisation. It’s best to familiarise our minds with doing this kind of activity in our practice now. I hope all of this helps. Thank you.

Dear Bhavisha,

Forms of Manjushri such as Orange, White and Black that you mentioned are all practised as Yidams or Ishtadevata. None of these forms act as a Dharma Protector. As a Ishtadevata, their sadhanas lead practitioners to enlightenment.

However, Manjushri does emanate into other forms, which are actually Dharma Protectors. For example, Dorje Shugden and Four-Faced Mahakala are both emanations of Manjushri in the form of a Dharma Protector, hence their practices are to help and protect. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Jerry,

Thanks for your question. No, it’s not necessary to do offerings to land spirits and gods, etc. It’s always better to reply on the enlightened beings such as Dorje Shugden rather than asking land dieites or gods for help.

If you would like to pray for someone going to college, please continue doing Dorje Shugden serkym and preferablly the Diamond Path sadhana for them. Doing serkym just once is not enough to clear obstacles for someone’s safety, removal of obstacles, etc, for something as long term as going to college. Ideally the person going to college themself should engage in the daily practice of the Diamond Path, with an altar and offerings. This would be very good for that person. Thank you.

Dear Anonymous,

Chenrezig is defintely real for sure. I personally do not have any experiences of communicating with him. As per the teachings, explained by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche to have an experience with an enlightened being is not as easy as people think. We all have a lot of negative karma and emotion/mental obscurations. These mean we cannot usually actually experience the enlightened beings. In order to have an experience of them, you really need to practice the Dharma and engage in a lot of purification practices. Once such example is Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of our Gelug lineage. He engaged in extensive retreats for years before he was able to experience the deities right there in front of him. They were always there actually, they are all around us and when we call upon them, do prayers, recite mantras, they are there, it’s just that our negative karma, emotional/mental obscurations and our limited perception means that we cannot experience them. In order to that, you really need to engage in spiritual practice, which means transformation of the mind. Once you have spiritual realisations, then you are able to perceive the deities directly.

All of this is in terms of have an ‘experience’ of the deity. However, when we prayer, engage in meditations, etc, they are definitely there to help us. We have to raise our own consciousness to the level that we can see and experience them. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Ugyen,

There may not be a specific meaning to indicate anything. Sometimes we see them in dreams because we are familiar with the deities or practice the deities, or just like the deities. So our subconscious manifests them in our dreams. Other times, it could mean that we have an affinity with them. And at other times it can be a reminder for us to focus on our spiritual practice of transformation.

Whatever the case it, you should feel good and rejoice. You saw two holy beings in your dreams! If it was just your subconscious or something else, feel happy about it but don’t dwell on it to find meaning etc. Take it as a sign that the enlightened beings are reminding you to practice the Dharma.

Hope that helps. Thank you.

Dear Bhavisha,

Very interesting question. In Buddhism, as taught by our Guru, women can go to Buddhist temples and monasteries when they are on their monthly cycle. It’s no problem at all. They can and should also do their sadhanas too. A sadhana is daily practice and higher practices come with the commitment never to miss even a single day without doing your sadhana. So if a woman stopped doing her sadhana during her monthly cycle, she would break her commitment. So women in Buddhism, are not prohibited from religious activities due to menstuation.

There are however some execptions, for example, it is recommended that menstruating women not enter certain shrines during their cycle. These shrines are to the very wrathful deities and Dharma protectors. The reason being that during menstruation, there are natural energetic processes occuring within a woman’s body. If they are not strong enough energetically, the wrathful energies within the shrine can disrupt the natural processes within their bodies, so they become ill. It’s not to do with the deities being angry or upset, etc. Women who are well practised in their sadhanas and can control the energies in the body can enter the shrines during menstruation. In fact, even if a man’s internal energy is low or not moving correctly and he enters such shrines, the same thing can happen.

For most women, it is not recommened to enter the shrines though there is no actual prohibition against them entering, etc. Such shrines however, don’t really exist outside Tibet, and I have not heard of such things happening in any temple outside of Tibet itself.

In regards to Buddhist nuns, yes, they must continue with their sadhanas and attend pujas in their respective prayer halls and temples as usual. I hope this helps.

Dear Morpheus,

Yes, devas can travel around the universe. They are very powerful beings, the most powerful type of being within Samsara or existence.

Thank you.

Dear Clea,

It’s no problem to pray to Green Tara even if you practice the Theravadin path. You can still pray to her, there is no problem or contradiction. She will help you in your chosen path to liberation.

Yes, visualisation is involved in the Vajrayana path, so you if you are not comfortable with it, then there is no need to visualise. Just pray to Tara from your heart and she will hear you. As with any Buddhist practice whether Theravada or Vajrayana, the most important aspect is to improve yourself, be compassionate and transform your mind. When you do this, she will surely help you when you pray to her.

You have my prayers for success in your spiritual path. Thank you.

Dear Gerard,

Thank you for your lovely messsage. If you would like to create a guru-disciple relationship with Tsem Rinpoche, you can contact Kechara Front Desk. They can arrange to guide you how to take Refuge with Tsem Rinpoche remotely. Tsem Rinpoche trained our Pastors to help people take Refuge with him before he entered Parinirvana. You can contact us here: https://www.kechara.com/contact/ and let them know you are interested in take refuge, and they will guide you how to do so. They will ask you a little more of your background and then guide you through the Refuge Vows and commitments, to make sure you fully understand, then after a while, they will guide you through the ceremony. This will create the guru-disciple bond.

For the Chinese deities, as a Buddhist we do not prostrate to them as they are gods, we only to the Buddhas. If you have an altar, you can place them next to your Buddhist altar, at a slightly lower level. That is the correct way to place them according to Buddhist belief. Thank you.

Dear Lak,

The mantra that you are refering to is known as the ‘Multiplying Mantra’. It is recited at the beginning of all sadhanas and pujas here in Kechara. It is a very common mantra:

OM SAMBHARA SAMBHARA VIMANA SARA MAHA JAVA HUNG
OM MARA MARA VIMANA SARA MAHA JAVA HUNG (7x)

Unfortunately, we do not have a copy of the translation of this particular sutra in English. I’m not sure if the entire sutra has actually been translated or not. Sorry I could not be of more help. Thank you.

Dear Gigi,

Of course. You can engage in any of the purification practices, even if you are not “technically” a Buddhist as you have not taken Refuge. Actually, even for the formal ceremony of Refuge, it’s not the ceremony itself that makes you a Buddhist, but taking Refuge from your heart that matters.

You can engage in any purification practice, for example:

Vajrasattva: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html
[please note since you don’t have initiation, you visualise Vajrasattva by himself, and not with his consort]

35 Confessional Buddhas: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html

Either of these practices are very good. You can choose whichever one that feel more of an affinity with. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Sunny,

Yes, we are aware that His Eminence Panglung Tulku entered clear light last year. We have done prayers for his swift return.

In regards to Yumar Gyalchen/Kache Marpo, they are not Yidams but Dharma Protectors. They are emanations of the Yidam Hayagriva in the form of Protectors. Hence they are practiced as Dharma Protectors, although their natures are enlightened. Hayagriva himself is practiced as a Yidam. I hope that helps. Thank you.