As far as I know, this Mahayana sutra entitled “Sutra of the Three Superior Heaps” will purify all types of negative karma. It is important to confess fervently to expiate the sin and apply the four opponent powers: (1) the power of the basis. In this case one has committed a sin in relation to Buddhism/Buddha, so the power of the basis is taking refuge in the Buddha. (2) the power of repudiation. One must regret the action. (3) the power of refraining. One must refrain from committing the misdeed again. Your resolution must be very firm. (4) the power of applying an antidote. Do virtuous acts in order to purify. Do prostrations while reciting the 35 Confessional Buddhas. Engage in a retreat.

Dear Tun Ba Kyu,
Thank you for your question. I suggest you read books on Buddhism to gain more knowledge about the different schools of Buddhism. There are many books that explain clearly the history of Buddhism and how Buddhism branched out into a great diversity of orders, schools of thought and lineages. In Kechara House, for example, we belong to the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Lama Tsongkhapa whose lineage can be traced all the way back to Buddha Shakyamuni. On this blog, there are many articles and videos on Buddhism and also Buddhist practices to overcome anger, greed, jealousy and so on. You can also go to the Blog Chat and discuss Buddhist topics that interest you.

Dear Yap, I am humbled and grateful to have your feedback. TR

Dear Elsie,

I’m sorry to learn about your sister’s illness. As a Buddhist yourself, you must know that this is due to her karma, the result of actions in this life or in previous lives. Whether the illness can be cured or not with medicine and treatment also depends on karma. Doing Medicine Buddha pujas or having pujas done for your sister in a monastery will help a lot. Cancer is usually due to negative karma of the body. It is recommended that she does animal liberation as well as other compassionate activities like donating to animal shelters, and other charities that save lives, for example cancer centres etc. Encourage your sister to do her Christian prayers and show compassion for others by helping or sponsoring charitable organisations.

Dear Patricia L,

I’m very sorry to hear about the accident and the death of the 3 people. Usually, when a person has a violent death, he/she is not able to leave peacefully and will tend to visit the places familiar to him/her. If you are a Buddhist or believe in the compassion of the Buddhas, you can recite the mantra of Avalokiteshvara OM MANI PEME HUNG as many times as possible and dedicate the merits to the deceased. As for Pujas, if you can find a Buddhist centre near your home, you can ask for pujas or prayers to be done for the deceased to help him get a good and swift rebirth.

Dear Mara,
Yes I do. I am on the watch for my behavior patterns I might of inherited from my parents, my peers, my American cultural upbringing, Los Angeles street experience and my dharma center imprints also. I have many imprints and I am on the watch for them. TR

Dear suzie s,

In life we experience all types of suffering continuously. Old age, sickness and death are types of suffering. If you are a Buddhist, but not practising, I recommend that you read an introduction to Buddhism to first understand this religion and see whether it suits you. You can also read His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s books as well as read articles on this blog and watch the videos. There are many teachings that are suitable for people of different ages and lifestyles. You may find something that will help you overcome your grief. As for choosing a practice, I suggest you take your time. Check out the Buddhist centres near your home and go and listen to the teachings. You are also most welcome to come to Kechara House. We have Dharma classes in English and Chinese for adults on Sundays. The address is 3, Jalan PJU 1/3G, SunwayMas Commercial Centre, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: +60378033908.

Dear Elsie,
It is possible that in Tibet, the art of offering water comes from its culture and the custom of offering from left to right. It is similar to the art of tea offering in China. It is just a very polite way of serving the guests whom you want to treat like a VIP. So the practice is the same when offering water to the Buddhas. You are like a servant serving your master or the king.
I’ve not come across any explanation regarding the way water offerings should be cleared. Usually, the instruction is, when we clear, it is from right to left. It could also be part of the local custom. I’ve heard this question being asked before and the reply was, it is not important. So, Elsie, there is no need to worry about how the water is cleared as long as our intention or motivation is sincere.

Dear Ng,
I’ll try to answer your questions from the Buddhist point of view as best I can. First, why is the population in the world increasing? Lama Yeshe (a great Tibetan master) explained the population explosion in the following way: “Like modern science, Buddhism talks about the existence of billions and billions of galaxies. The consciousness of a person born on earth may have come from a galaxy far away, drawn here by the force of karma, which connects that person’s mental energy to this planet. On the other hand, the consciousness of a person dying on this earth may at the time of death be karmically directed to a rebirth in another galaxy, far from here. If more minds are being drawn to earth, the population increases; if fewer, it declines. That does not mean that brand new minds are coming into existence. Each mind taking rebirth here on earth has come from its previous life – perhaps in another galaxy, perhaps on earth itself, but not from nowhere – in accordance with the cyclic nature of worldly existence.”
Secondly, a mosquito, before it became a mosquito, had already accumulated good as well as bad karma in past lives. When its bad karma to be born as a mosquito is finally exhausted, it might be reborn in a higher realm if its previously acquired good karma ripens at the time of death. Animals, birds, insects that have the good fortune to see a Buddha image or circumambulate a Buddha statue, can be reborn as humans and practice Dharma. Beings in the lower realms can create good karma through acts of compassion towards other beings. Animals have been seen to be kind to other animals and humans. Evidence? Just go to Tsem Rinpoche’s Blog here. Even hell beings have kind thoughts towards other hell beings etc. One’s karma, whether positive or negative, is not permanent. Thirdly, is there a being created without any bad karma or merits? No being born in samsara from an uncontrolled rebirth is free of karma, good or bad. Only an enlightened being who can control his rebirth is considered to be free of karma. A Buddha has no karma. I suggest you read up on Buddhism to understand more so that you won’t get confused when your Christian friends ask you questions.

Dear Josh,
I think if you are considering a fulfilling life, perhaps something in conservation? Just a thought. Saving something in our environments, animal, etc? TR

Dear Robyne,

Umze is a Tibetan word for the lead chanter of a puja conducted in the monastery or Dharma centre. In the monastery, the umze is selected because of certain qualities like having a loud voice and the ability to lead a puja well. Usually the appointment is for two years.

Dear Douglas,
I’m very happy that you are interested in Buddhism and would like to learn more. Would you like to come to Kechara House, our Dharma centre? We have Sunday Adults Dharma classes for people who wish to study Buddhism. The new term starts on 16.6.13, from 10am to 12.30pm. There are pastors here who can give you advice on how to start your practice. Meanwhile, do go on H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s Blog here. The articles and videos are actually Rinpoche’s Dharma teachings. You will learn a lot from this blog. Do visit us. Our address is: 7, Jalan PJU 1/3G, SunwayMas Commercial Centre, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel.: 03-78033908. Thank you.

It is extremely painful to lose a child. Some parents are so attached to their child/children that they can’t stop grieving. This is because they cannot let go. Your parents are old and should have a calm and peaceful mind, free of anger and sadness. To help them, you yourself must have a positive, peaceful mind that is free of disturbing emotions. When your father complains, remain calm and peaceful. Tell him you understand how he feels. It will make him calm down. Be kind, sensitive and supportive, especially to your mother. If they like to read, buy them some dharma books, DVDs or CDs that will help them overcome their afflictive emotions. Talk to them more about the other children and grandchildren so they don’t think so much of your departed brother. If you can, do some meritorious deeds on behalf of your brother. It will make them feel better. Time will heal.

Dear Calvin,
There are many causes for one result. So it would be too extensive to name many causes for the autism, but simply the cause resembles the results and vice versa always.

It would be very good to:

1. Set up a large picture/thangka/poster of Manjushri.
2. Simple bowls of water offerings in front. (no candles)
3. Sit them down daily and have them visualize Manjushri’s form for 5 mins or more. Help them to focus and develop concentration. This is good for all kids and adults too.
4. Have them see different parts of Manjushri’s form clearly and perfectly and be able to hold the visualizations clearly also.
5. After the meditation, recite OM AH RA BAZA NADEE for 1-3 malas.
This would be a good exercise.
Good luck.
I wish the best. TR

Thank you for writing in and we are glad to hear your are doing well and wish to be involved. One of the pastors will send you an email soon.

There are many manifestations of the enlightened mind or Buddhas who engages in different activities. We do not do Usnisa Vijaya Dharani prayers and are not able to verify if they are similar. However, doing prayers to the Buddhas will bring about great blessings, no matter which manifestation they are.

All the best Elsie.

Dear Stefan
You might want to take a look at this text for Dukkar http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#dukkar

Yes, one may dissolve the yidam (meditational deity) to our heart channel. It will be good to create the causes to be connected to a Guru.

wishing you all the best

Dear Patrick,

I wish you very much good luck to become a monk. I rejoice for you.

1. Thank you for giving my greetings to H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
2. Read the monk vows carefully to prepare for monkhood.
3. Start acting, living and operating like a monk now. Don’t wait till you become a monk, but start living like one now. So it will be a smooth transition.
4. Have a bodhicitta motivation to become a monk. The motivation is very important. It is what will carry us through till the end of journey successfully.
5. How much money I cannot say as it’s individual and where you are living. Many factors.
6. Learning Tibetan would be an asset.

Being a monk in Europe or in the East (India/Nepal/Asia), the advice would be different.
In general feel happy you are able to take on the holy vows in order to cut the direct grasping to sensory attachments. Sensory attachments bring about the ‘pleasures and pains’ from uniting with the attachments. Creating grasping and then all the emotions arise. From action arise karmas. From karmas, results. Hence samsara. And it goes round and round.
Being a monk will cut sensory attachment directly and quicken our spiritual paths if we hold our vows and develop our mind.
I wish you great great great luck. TR