Dear Bhavisha,

Thank you for your interesting question. In short, yes there is a difference. Either way, when we practise we still get benefit though.

When practising without initiation, we call upon the energies of that deity to affect a change in our lives, through developing certain qualities or general spiritual development.

Initiation plants a special blessing or energy in our mind stream so that we can generate ourselves as the deity we are practising and engage in their full practices, meditation etc. Without this type of blessing from the initiation, it is not possible to practise these deeper meditations. In fact if you try to practise the deeper meditations without the initiation, there can be negative consequences because you don’t have that blessing/energy in your mindstream. In addition, there are many more vows a person must take, sadhana commitments which cannot be broken, etc.

However, there are practises that you can do without initiation. The majority of practices on this blog for example you can practise without intiation (unless there is a warning not to practise without the initiation). The prayers and practises in general shared by Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara fall under this category, so they are safe to be practised by anyone.

Both the practices of Manjushri and Saraswati are excellent. Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of our lineage, relied heavily on both these practises in his personal practice. They are very effective. I wish you luck, may you gain the blessings of both Manjushri and Saraswati and become close to them in your spiritual journey. Thank you.

Dear Rojal Poudel,

Thank you for your question. It’s a little too much to be able to explain in such a short reply, but in general there is no shortcut. You have to put in the work, practice, mediation, mind transformation, etc.

Within our tradition, the Lamrim teachings are the central path of practice for everyone, so it’s good to start there. But before you get to the Lamrim, you should already have a basic foundation of Buddhist practice, ideas, concepts, etc.

Even the Lamrim however cannot lead you to enlightenment in this life alone, unless you practise extremely hard and generate a lot of merit and purify a lot of karma. That is why tantric practice is important. If practised well, you can achieve enlightenment in this very lifetime through the practice of tantra.

I hope this helps. If you are interested in Buddhism, you can find more information throughout this blog to help you on your spiritual journey.

Thank you.

Dear Tsheten Yangzom,

You can consult any of the following pages to try and aswer your questions. I hope this helps. Thank you:

Tibetan Astrology:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/tibetan-astrology/tibetan-astrology.html

Chinese Zodiac:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-chinese-zodiac.html

Dear Lee,

Thanks for your interesting questions.

The Sherab Nyingpo combined with Sengdongma practice is actually a puja known as Dukkar Se Sum. It is the practice of Heart Sutra, Dukkar and Sengdongma combined. All these of these deities/practices are very well-known to help avert obstacles, supernatural and mundane, secular and spiritual. The puja is very popular in our Gelug tradition because it is extremely effective. Since it’s three obstacle-removing practices in one puja it’s very powerful. You can see a thangka of the deities together here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/the-powerful-trio-dukkar-se-sum

The Heart Sutra on the ultimate level can help you realise emptiness, which is the highest teaching in Buddhism, and is the key to attaining full enlightenment. This is done by meditating on the meaning of the Heart Sutra, but in order to reach that level, you need to have meditated on and gained realisation into other Dharma topics first. As mentioned above the practice is also extremely effective in removing obstacles.

You can read more about the practice of the 21 Taras here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/suryaguptas-21-taras.html

Both Namer Barzin and Methar are protectors in the retinue of Dorje Shugden, so they can be propitiated to help fulfil the roles of a Dharma Protector. The best would be to engage in Dorje Shugden’s practice and then their practice. But even if you want to engage in their practice alone, you can do so, there is not issue.

More about Namkha Barzin: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/invocation-to-namkar-barzin.html
More about Methar: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/methar-of-tengyeling-monastery.html
(Above two links include their prayers)

Yes, there are many offering prayers to Setrap and Kache Marpo:

Kache Marpo: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/who-is-kache-marpo.html

Setrap:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#28

Setrap Box Set:
https://www.vajrasecrets.com/setrap-box-set-english

I hope all this helps to answer your questions!

Dear Sirius,

Traditionally speaking we wouldn’t highlight Dharma texts, but due to the way that we learn, study and understand these days, it is okay to do so.

Tsem Rinpoche recommended that if wanted to highlight, write on the texts, to get two copies of the text. One to keep on the altar, with the proper respect we should afford to Dharma texts, and another one that we can study from, highlight, etc. But even the copy we use for study should be treated with respect, not kept with non-Dharma texts, etc.

If we really cannot have two texts, then to get a notebook to write things in rather that write on the text itself.

Hope that helps to answer your questions!

Dear Deitrich,

Tsem Rinpoche set up the Kechara Buddhist Organisation in such as way that there is no singular spiritual successor. The secular aspects of the organisation are run by a managament committee, where as the spiritual side is handled by the Sangha/Pastors that Rinpoche trained for spiritual matters. We are also aided by many high lamas, senior geshes and monks of our lineage for spiritual matters. Thank you.

Dear Anonimo,

1. No there is nothing wrong with throwing the rice away, because it is just something you are offering the incense on top of. However, traditionally, you can actually just burn the incense on top of the ash from previous incense. This will allow the incense to actually burn when you light it instead of using rice. But of course this is a little bit more messy and you will need to clean around it regularly if the ash falls out, etc.

2. You can keep your mala on your altar no problem. Use it when you are doing your prayers and then put it back on your altar. If you actually offer your mala as an offering, then better not to use it as a normal mala. Keep it on the altar as a fixed offering.

3. Yes you can make offerings to the Buddha image you made yourself, that is not an issue at all. If you can, then you can bless your image yourself also, then when you make offerings, you know for sure that the enlightened beings are there in the image that you made. Here is the link of how to do it: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/how-to-bless-buddha-images-yourself.html

Hopw all of this helps! Thank you.

Dear Om,

I guess when you say Vajraguru mantra, you are refering to Guru Rinpoche’s mantra?

I would suggest that you engage in the practice of Sengdongma, known as Simhamukha in Sanskrit. You can find the practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/protection-from-black-magic-and-spirits.html

It is quite short but very effective. You should add her image to your shrine at home and make offerings every day, like fruits, candles, incense etc. More is explained in the article. You have to do the prayer and at least 108 mantras daily, the effect will not be instant, so you have to be consistent with it daily and you will be protected and your obstacles will be removed. You will receive her blessings for sure if you are consistent in your practice.

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Irwanto,

Thanks for your question. Actually, the motivation that was mentioned is exactly that you want to save people from suffering. They are one and the same, what Tsem Rinpoche said and what the other source says.

I’ll give an example of a white lie, if you see someone running away from a murderer and then the murderer comes up to you and asks you which way the victim went, you would tell a white lie and say you didn’t see or perhaps you tell the murderer the wrong direction. In that instance, what is motivation it is to ensure that the victim is not harmed, that they do not suffer.

When it comes to us telling the truth, then yes we also need to keep our vows and commitments of not lying, then we should tell the truth. However, this always depends on the situation. If the truth is painful for that person now, but can help that person to transform so that it leads to less suffering in the future then we should tell the truth. However, it is not as simple as just that. There are other factors involved as well, for example, being skilfull. If you are not skilfull, you could hurt the other person so much that it’s causes lasting emotional damage.

Speaking straight and telling the truth are two different things. There are many ways of telling the truth, but doing so in a manner that does not hurt others. “speaking straight” is not always the correct way of doing things, but that doesn’t mean you have to tell lies, it’s just how you tell the truth that matters because the delivery of a message can also cause suffering. It must be done in a skilful way. I hope that helps.

Dear Pii,

Here are list of some of the auspicious days during 2024:

Losar – February 10
Chotrul Duchen or Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations – February 24
Saga Dawa Duchen – May 23
Wesak – May 22 (Malaysia)
Chokhor Duchen – July 9
Dorje Shugden Day – August 24
Lhabab Duchen – November 22
Gaden Ngamchoe or Tsongkhapa Day – December 25

You can read more about the significance of these auspicious dates here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/auspicious-days.html

Hope that helps! Thank you.

Hello Learner,

Very happy to hear you have the Diamond Path. You do not need initiation to engage in the Diamond Path prayers, they can be done by any one. In fact, it’s a good practice to take as your daily prayers.

If you are doing the short sadhana, where it is written to do 3 times you can do more of the mantras, kawang etc., not problem and it will be good for you. However, some parts for example torma offering mantras, are only done 3 times. If doing the condensed version, where it says to 3 times, you can do more.

If you are doing the mantras of other deities:

> Recite after you finish the Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa (for the short version – the first version in the book)
> Recite after the Migtsema (for the condensed sadhana – which is at the back of the book)
> If you are reciting the mantras of other Dharma Protectors then recite before the Dedication of either version (short or condensed).

I hope this helps! Thank you.

Dear Suk Bir Tamang,

We have two pages which you may find useful:

1. Chinese Zodiac
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/horoscopes/the-chinese-zodiac.html

2. Tibetan Astrology
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/tibetan-astrology/tibetan-astrology.html

Each page can be used to calculate your birth astrology, whether your zodiac is Chinese Astrology or your birth Mewa in Tibetan Astrology. Then you can use that information to calculate what 2024 will be like for you accordingly. The year calculators are also on the same page.

Please remember, that nothing in astrology is set in stone, because these planetary influences are due to karma. Karma can be changed or enhanced through various types of practices, for example Tibetan Astrology will give certain practices to do to help overcome obstacles and enhance any good influences. You will find this information in the same pages as your birth astrology calculations. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Karma Euden,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, I don’t have the clairvoyance to answer your question. However, from the Buddhist teachings, anything is possible given the correct conditions. From a spiritual perspective, these conditions are your motivation, your good karma and your merits, as well as your own efforts.

In order to reduce obstacles and create as spiritually best possible conditions, your husband can engage in any merit making practices. This can also include Dharma Protector practices, such as the practice of Dorje Shugden, to increase the success of your business. The practice of Gyezne, the increase form of Dorje Shugden is particularly useful in terms of creating wealth, both material and spiritual. You can find out more about the practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html

I hope this helps you and wish you and your husband all success in the new business.

Thank you.

Dear Phub Zam,

Our fortune cookie page can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/fortune-cookie

Thank you

Dear Learner,

There are many different ways to generate merit. In fact, any Buddhist practice necessarily does two things, first purifies our karma (to a lesser or greater degree depending on the practice itself) and second to generate merits. The generation of merit is more than simply doing something good, that itself creates negative karma.

If you want to learn more about generating merits, you can read the Lamrim teachings. However, in essence, merit is created when you take refuge in the Three Jewels, do a positive action and then seal that action with a dedication. That is why all Buddhist practice begins with taking refuge and then doing a dedication afterwards. Here are just some ways in which you can generate merits:

> Doing daily prayers, pujas, retreats, etc.
> Making offerings
> Meditation
> Helping others who are less fortunate, or are suffering.

The list goes on. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Pali,

Please email Care@Kechara.com and ask to speak to a Pastor. We will be able to help you privately through email.

Thank you.

Hi Joe li jing qiang,

Yes, of course you can rebless your statue yourself. You can follow the instructions on this page: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/how-to-bless-buddha-images-yourself.html

There are three versions of the text, you can use whichever one that you have the time and ability to do. You only need to do one of them.

There is more explained in the article about what you need to do, etc.

Hope that helps.

Thank you.

Hi Charles,

Let me help to answer your questions,

1. There are two ways of doing Serkym. The first way is to pour everything into the Serkym offerings vessel before beginning the prayer itself, and then just reciting the prayer. The second, more traditional method, is to pour a little bit during the 3rd and 4th lines while reciting.

For the verses that repeat, such as the main verse to Setrap, you pour on the 3rd and 4th lines each time you repeat. So for that section, you pour a little bit 21 times if you are repeating the verse 21 times.

2. If you do not have enough time, then it is permissable to recite just the main verse to Setrap, which is the verse you repeat 21 times if reciting the full prayer. So just recite that one verse 21 times and pour for 21 times. If really tight on time, you can do it 7 or 3 times also. However, the benefit from the offering will be less than normal because you put less effort into the practice. I would suggest trying to do the main verse at least 21 times, even if you cannot do the entire prayer. Don’t worry, after some time you will memorise the main offering verse, so you will be able to do it quickly even when time is not on your side for that day.

3. Serkym is usually offered in the traditional two-tiered serkym vessel. If you don’t have one or it’s not easy to get it, you can make your own with what you can get. For example, you can use a big glass bowl and inside that glass bowl, place a wine-glass or goblet inside. The main things is that it should have two tiers, so it overflows from one into the other. It should not overflower from the second one. And you should be new items to use only for this purpose.

In regards to using alcohol instead of tea, generally Tsem Rinpoche recommended to use black tea, how you can use alcohol also. This is generally only offered to protectors however, not meditational deities. So the way Rinpoche taught the VajraYogini tea offering, only tea is used. You can use alcohol for the Setrap serkym, as long as those people you live with, etc. do not develop a wrong view about your practice. If you are living with others who may misunderstand, then better stick to tea.

In regards to using the same jug for both Setrap and Vajra Yogini, it’s better to use two separate jugs, or brewing tea twice in the same jug. This is because each time you make the tea, it’s an offering to a different deity. However, if this is not possible for whatever reason, it’s permissable. There won’t be anything bad that will happen or anything like that.

Hope all these answers help.

Thanks!

Dear Khang,

Of course, it would be very good to help your friend to translate the prayers so he can recite in Vietnamese. We were working with some Vietnamese translators previously actually to translate the prayers, but they didn’t manage to do it. Prayers can be recited in any language. Here in Kechara, some people recite in Tibetan, some in Chinese and some in English. We have people who recite in other languges too. You can do the prayers in any language that you are comfortable with, so it would be good to help your friend translate the prayers. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Irwanto,

Generally, since the tsa tsas are made of clay, they don’t really require much maintenance as they are sturdy and durable. The only things is to clean it with a dry cloth regularly to keep it clean and dust free. This cloth should only be used for cleaning Buddha images and nothing else.

Some people like to have the tsa tsa encased in acrylic to help protect it further, and some people like to encase it in a frame also. But it is entirely up to you, you can just keep it on your altar as it is, which a lot of people do, or you can do something to keep it more protected and clean, such as encasing it. Hope this helps!