Dear friend,

Please read 50 Verses of Guru Devotion by Ashvagosha, Lam Rim by Pabongka Rinpoche, Fulfillment of All Hopes (in English) by Tsongkapa published by Wisdom Publications and it will answer all your questions thoroughly. After reading, if you have questions, I will try to help you.

Your questions are very important and excellent.

Tsem Rinpoche

Dear Doreen,

In the beginning it is inevitable. While you are working on yourself, you will have ups and downs and sometimes be put down by others. Or even you put yourself down. But as time goes on, you will GAIN MOMENTUM AND STRENGTH and become better. That is a promise.

Please go the Youtube and see my video called: Don’t Embarrass the Buddhas.

I offer you my sincerest prayers and while on this journey, solicit Lama Tsongkapa. I have a book ( Life and Teachings of Tsong Khapa -Edited by Prof. R. Thurman)
with many praises to Lama Tsongkapa written by great masters. There is one prayer called the Tricosmic Master by Kedrub Rinpoche..you should recite this daily and recite migtzeyma afterwords. Contact Shin of E division to help you get that prayer or book.It is in my library and private collection.

Also contact Ethan of Kechara Care, I would like you to get a consecrated pendant of Lord Tsongkapa to bless you. It will be a gift from me. Wear it daily. And next year try to gift three others with Tsongkapa pendants as a gift from you to do your good deed.

Happy new year with filled spiritual goals fulfilled.

Tsem Rinpoche

Do your best to counter all this karma by going Vegetarian if you are not. Promote animal welfare. Start a animal sanctuary. Start a powerful blog site on this issue. Use social media to bring awareness. Educate others by various means to save and be kind to animals. Live your life for saving these poor beings from being harmed.

Use Medicine Buddha as your main Yidam to achieve this.

These would be good action dharma to counter some karma and create new karma.

Talk is good when action follows…is how I feel.

I thank you for wanting to do something for animals.

Dear Martin,I’ll answer in between your quesions broken down below. Take a look please.

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Dear Rinpoche, what happens to a possessed person in the afterlife if he/she is not cured by a lama before the death ?

A person in the afterlife may not be directly affected by their immediate current life. For example, he may be possessed, but at the time of death, another karma may open and they take a good rebirth. Or they can take a bad rebirth. Nothing is fixed because we have collected karma that is very strong stored, dormant and ready to open from many other lifetimes also beckoning to manifest. I wrote a small book on magic and the like. You can obtain it online or kechara paradise outlets. It will help you.

How exactly he/she will suffer than? With pain? With delusions?

Any negative karma will lead to sufferings. That is a given for everyone possessed or not. Whether a person is possessed or not at the time of death makes a difference but not the only difference and certainly not the only criteria. Karma makes no exceptions for anyone. So we have to see their thoughts, actions and thinking at death to get a clue where they are going next….Also how they lived this life in general.

For how long?

No determined time. For the length of next rebirths, it will be different for everyone in every life.

There are many people who don’t believe that possession exist and they can die without being exorcised at all so I want to know can we help them with prayers ?

You can get the book I wrote in which I talk clearly what one can do..it will be very helpful to you. For now Singdongma, Black Manjushri or Setrap practices continuously will BE VERY HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE CONCERNED. Any of these three are very efficacious for the afflictions of this nature.

If somebody wants to exterminate the Buddhism because he/she is ignorant and evil and then he becomes possessed should we pray for him/her ?

We forgive them and be further inspired to practice more to liberate and help many like them. Pray to Tsongkapa or Setrap would be excellent.

I wish you luck and great blessings.

Dear Irene,

I understand your questions and thank you for it.

Your fundamental perception of the purpose of practice must change. The more you practice, the more you should develop the mind to take on the sufferings of all sentient beings and not just yourself. The results of practice is not running away from sufferings or avoidance of it, but the acceptance of it and for the sake of all others. If you use practice or religion to gain happiness, or material gains or personal peace, then the fundamental motivation would be wrong and hence would not produce the desired results quickly. Read the Lam Rim..important.

1. The more you practice purification and the more problems arise or the same problems arise IS A VERY GOOD SIGN..AN EXECELLENT SIGN INDEED.
Why? Because the karma is coming out and you are experiencing it now. I give you an example. If you have to lose a handphone, is it better to lose it in the middle of the city during daylight or to lose it at midnight in a dark and lonely forest when you are alone? Losing the phone is the same, but the environmental situation can dramatically alter the situation and how much more sufferings it entails. It is much better to ‘suffer’ out the karma HERE AND NOW. Be grateful for that. The environment now is better to experience the karma. As Trijang Rinpoche says, we suffer nothing that the cause was not created by ourselves….

2. Along with your practice is to read, watch teachings and learn up more on the very purpose of Buddhistic practice. Learn up more on dharma is very important…very important for you and everyone. Suffering is ever present in every sector of samsara and as long as you are here without control you have to expect it..feel lucky you can recognize it and have an opportunity to do something about it with perseverance patiently. The karmas can take more than one lifetime to purify because we’ve had thousands of hundreds of thousands of lifetimes for sure.

3. Once you reach certain stages in meditation you can perceive former lives and what you did and the karma that was accummulated for what you are experiencing now.. Until then, the Buddha would never lie or be mistaken. The mountains may be destroyed, great trees die and the oceans may dry up, but the perfect Tathagata can never be wrong. All causes for His lack of perfect perception has been eliminated. So trust the Buddha and take refuge in Him by relying on the path He took.

4. Meditate on the problems of ppl in poverty stricken countries or with horrible incurable diseases, or ppl who are born to be hurt, beaten, killed. Meditate on others’ problems and how immense it is and ask their problems come to you and you may suffer it for them. Develop that type of mind..that type of mind would be powerful to purify karma faster. The mind that practices for others is the correct mind of practice THAT WOULD GAIN RESULTS. Please read Milarepa’s biography.

5.Whatever methods you have engaged in before dharma didn’t work, so if you do dharma and long term it will work.. Add Setrap to your practice. You will be fine in the end…you’ll see..I wish you well sincerely from my heart, from my soul, from my being…may your sufferings and wrong perceptions come to me please…may it be so.

I wish you well and continue without expectation of material or personal results, practice with results that you can do more for others. All sufferings of this life is just to be continued into future lives as they were carried to the present from the past if left UNPURIFIED AND UNCHECKED.

Tsem Rinpoche

I have the most affinity with Buddha Shakyamuni I would think. He is the beginning and the end for the Buddhism of our era. All other Buddhas arose because of Him and his turning the dharma wheel. All Schools of Buddhism, all Buddhist teachings be it vispassana or the powerful tantric deities arose because of Him.

I am indebted to Shakyamuni. Seeing his form in statues, pictures, drawings and thangkas since I was very young has brought me chills up and down my spine..even now.

Two books:

1. My biography
2. Why I don’t like teaching

Those are in the pipeline for now..thanks

If you think in your heart this is my guru and commit, then it is your guru.

If you go through a formal refuge ceremony with a teacher then they are your guru.

If you formally request and the teacher accepts then he is your guru.

If in your heart you feel this is the right teacher among all your teachers and you choose this person, then you hold the commitments, they he is your root guru.

These are the different methods..Good luck to you always..

Read the book:

Fulfillment of All Hopes by Tsongkapa -Wisdom Publications….

This book will be very good for you..it is about the relations with a teacher.

Requiring a previous initiation prior to Vajra Yogini does not mean it is not equal. It is totally equal. Let me explain using Sacred Vajra Yogini as an example.

1. Sacred Vajra Yogini (VY) is a more condensed and easier practice of the Heruka/Vajra Yogini combined tantra.. for information sake the Heruka/Vajra Yogini tantra will be referred to just as Heruka tantra. They are one. Their practices are combined within the Heruka tantra of which there are many lineages… The Heruka tantra is long, many entourage deities, lots of visualizations, recitation takes much time, many complicated mantras/rituals/procedures. Just reciting the sadhana without visualization can take up to two hours daily if you are fast.

So in the past ppl made time for it..now ppl make time for not being able to practice.

Although Heruka is a very powerful and efficacious practice alot is required. When we mention Heruka practice or tantra, Vy is automatically included within it. So in order not to lose the efficaciousness of the Heruka practice during degenerate times such as now when we don’t make time for these practices, Heruka practice condensed is Vy. All of Vy’s practice, mantras, visualizations, rituals are derived from Heruka/VY combined. So if you were to do just the recitation of Vy sadhana daily, perhaps it will take just 45 mins. Much more managable. Also the visualizations are much easier but just as powerful and effective as Heruka’s.

2. There are parts of Vy’s practice that is so condensed you must get the Heruka initiation prior in order to practice the condensed version. Why because receiving the extended version, you do not need to do the extended version, you can just do the condensed version in VY’s practice. Hence it is not a matter of equality, but planting the seeds to practice the condensed version. And also receiving permission to practice. Permission in this case does not mean Vy needs Heruka’s permission. It means Vy’s practice IS the condensed version of Heruka, so when you are doing Vy, you are actually doing the complete Heruka practice. Heruka is male and Vajra Yogini is female, but that is just manifested rupakaya not their true forms. Buddhas may change forms according to situation and need. Hence there is no ‘sex’ or ‘gender’ in their manifestations. It is like saying Heruka is chair and Vy is table…not better or worse. One is not more holy or powerful than the other. Vy’s tantra does not need Heruka’s initiation prior because she is female or lower. She is ‘not’ female in the traditional gender sense. She is a path to enlightenment manifesting as a female for our convenience. So her condensed path derives from Heruka, hence you are doing Heruka in condensed form when practicing Vy.

Some tantras require a prior initiation of another tantra not because they are a condensed version but because they have paths and attainments that need to be planted in your mindstream that may not be contained in the initiation of the tantra you are practicing. All tantric deities are equal but presentation differ according to need, so some may look as if they are lacking. But the deities are not. For example, when someone is very sick, and White Tara appears to them and gives them instructions to heal, this becomes a sadhana. It can be passed down as so. But within this practice/tantra it does not contain the paths to enlightenment obviously, but more for immediate healing. Hence this tantra would look less superior to let’s say Vy DUE TO PRESENTATION. But from Tara and Vy’s side, they are exactly equal.

I hope this information helps you.

For example, before you receive a protector practice such as Kalarupa or Pelden Hlamo, it is recommended you get Yamantaka prior. One of the purpose is for protector practice to be ultimately fully beneficial, you need to do your Yidam very well and transform from within, then you can ‘order’ the protectors to assist you.

Pelden Hlamo is certainly equal to Yamantaka on the ultimate level, but on the presentation of practice, their function is different.

Much good wishes for the tantras to flourish inwardly and outwardly. Good luck…

How creative and nice to know. Thank you for your efforts. I like creative and asthetically pleasing things.

Dear Winnie,

I would like to visit one day. I don’t like travelling at all and avoid it as much as possible.

Because my relatives in Xianjiang in fact called today (Dec 24th, 2010) are always asking me to visit. I have many blood relatives there from my mother’s side.

If I do go, I will visit with Paul of Kechara Discovery Dept who arranges many of my trips from this Dept.

Keep close to them.

Dear Maxwell,

Science is based on observation. Not everything is observable. The expounding of the tantras are on many levels. Whether scientists can pinpoint a date of their beginning or not does not make the tantras valid or not valid. Many scientific findings are changed over time as science is by men also and men make mistakes as they are limited.

Some phenomenas are beyond scientific capabilities but that does not make them not exist.

If you want to heal the sick, you need to study and graduate as a doctor otherwise it is wishful thinking.

To be a Buddha is to be liberated from one’s own shackles of delusions and illusions so one can serve others better. Otherwise it us one delusionary being leading another… Being liberated is not ‘liberation’ from the problems of samsara others are enduring. Being liberated is getting one’s ‘degree’ to fully qualify one to benefit others fully and eternally.

When one’s liberated you may appear in a thousand places as a thousand beings (arhat, yidam, beggar, housewife, etc) simultaneously with zero limits of space, time, form and dimensions. You have no borders and parameters.

You only negate your own suffering by having the true motivation of liberating others. Bodhicitta. Without this, liberating others and oneself is just thinking without much causes.

English and Tibetan.

Thanks.

Dear Devon,

The practices I have recommended was for the individual. You do not take the combined advice of 15 individuals and ask how can one person do it all. That is not the intent. So do not make it that way.

You pick what you like from the above and what fits your time and come up with a practical program that fits your life. That would suit you better.

Good luck.

1. The name Ge I was given as a toddler was the name of my adopted Taiwan family. The name and family has nothing much to do with my ancestry. But I had to be registered and my real family name could not be used. It was kept a secret, so any name was used.

2. Iska Minh is the name I would of had if my mother kept me and her family accepted me at the time. This is my original and family Mongolian name.

3. Burcha was the name given to me by my adopted American Mongolian family who wanted very badly to be their ‘real’ son. My step father’s name is Burcha so he named me Burcha also. My new American family didn’t want me to know the truth of my past, who I was or that I was adopted. They kept my identity from me as long as they can till I found out gradually by accident.

Thanks for asking.

I was not beaten up. But one of the sponsors there wanted me to make money for the centre and do things exactly his way. He would send me faxes as to what he wanted. He would in meetings ‘democratically’ tell me what I was suppose to do. I was not allowed to visit other centres, have other sponsors, go out with people he did not authorize, my schedule was to be planned and executed by him. He was very wealthy, so he would let the committee (picked by him) to do as he wanted. He told me if I did not follow his instructions then he withdraw all financial help.
It’s a long story, I will talk more in my book in the future…

Dear Werner,

I was having technical problems with this section of my blog, but it is rectified. Yes you did post this question, and I could not answer, but now the problem is solved so I can answer.

I am not involved in politics in any way, anywhere and anytime. I do not know much of the politics of Thailand nor would I get involved.

We all admire different people in the world. Anyone we admire, others can find causes for criticisms or something we don’t like. There is no one I admire that is above criticism in the eyes of the public.

I admire His Holiness Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Gandhi and people found many faults in all of them. So what to do? Stop admiring?

I like the King of Thailand for my own reasons and I have shared them. You have every right to feel the way you do and it is your opinion and I respect it. But I still hold onto freedom of who we admire and I mean no offences to you.

Dear Swallow, I will attempt to answer your sincere questions here.

1. Study the dharma such as Lam Rim, Wheel of Sharp Weapons, Bodhisattva-cha-avatara, 50 verses by Ashvagosha, and Three Principle Paths.

2.Although bodhisattva and tantric vows are secret, it is good to look through them to make sure you can follow.

3. Do your main preliminary practices 100,00 each such as mandala, guru yoga, prostrations, refuge, vajrasattva thoroughly and correctly. If you can do these and complete, you will be more ready for Yamantaka. Study up on them and complete them in the privacy of your home. See your mind through these practices.

4. When you have completed the above, then seek a Yamantaka lama who can confer full commentary teachings on you and you listen fervently. If you can recieve from His Holiness the Dalai Lama then you are very fortunate. If not, other qualified lamas would be good also of course. More important is your practice after recieving this from the lama.

5. If you feel more for Yamantaka, then you do Yamantaka. Yamantaka has many incredible qualities that is same in Vajra Yogini. I recommend VY because it is much simpler with same results.

I wish you luck and for now, you can get an image of Yamantaka for your altar, make offerings and do your preliminary practices in front of this image. This would make powerful affinity with Lord Yamantaka. Also it would be good to recite the WHEEL OF SHARP WEAPONS daily in front of your Yamantaka shrine. Do your prostrations, mandalas, offerings in front of Yamantaka daily. That would be wonderful. I sincerely rejoice for you from the bottom of my heart to have such faith in Lord Yamantaka.

Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom,
I recall you in your peaceful,
wrathful, protective, male, female and mystical forms.

You are undiluted wisdom that realizes reality,
through this realization you cut the bonds of samsara,
in times degenerate, you manifest in ferocious forms
to eliminate our ego which lies undetected like a thief,

In this supreme form as Yamantaka, I bow down to your
feet suppressing the devas, maras and obstacles,
protect me in your divine anger and incinerate my self graping
within your ferocious flames..Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

Dear Ng,

Controlled death was taught by Lord Buddha for all beings not just Rinpoches. So it is available to all who wish to practice.

Controlled death, means controlled bardo and controlled rebirth also. Death, bardo and rebirth teachings is in any of the higher tantric practices. One must recieve the higher tantras with commentaries, hold the commitments, do the practices and hold onto one’s vows strictly to acquire the merits to accomplish the path.

The tantras are not practiced for controlled death but it is one of the side benefits that arise. The purpose of the tantras is to tranform ordinary view into divine view to expedite one’s enlightenment during the degenerate age without losing the chance to this precious human rebirth’s afforded opportunities.

I like your question very much and you are right, there is much more. But the much more is very exciting and very beneficial to yourself and others when you practice and master.

I wish you supreme luck and encourage you to practice dharma all the way. There is nothing in samsara you have not already done…everything is just repetitions…..