Random Questions
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear friends around the world,
The Kechara Pastors are asked many questions by sincere spiritual seekers from all over the world. These questions range from those on Buddhist practice and philosophy to general advice on various situations in life. I wanted to share with all of you just some of these questions and the replies given by our team of Pastors. The questions below were answered by Pastor Niral Patel. If you want your questions answered you can do so here. Do have a read and learn something from these random questions.
Tsem Rinpoche
What are your views on the Mahayana Bodhisattva Cundi?
The Bodhisattva Cundi is considered to be an emanation of Chenresig by some. In any case she is closely related to Chenresig as she is mentioned in the Karandavyuha Sutra. This sutra centers on Chenresig and is the sutra in which Chenresig’s mantra of ‘Om Mani Peme Hung’ was first taught. In the sutra, Buddha explains the benefits of Cundi. She is a Bodhisattva that has the ability to heal, both physically and mentally.
How do you pronounce Manjushri’s mantra?
At Kechara, we have been taught by His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche to recite Manjushri’s mantra as
OM AH RA BA TSA NA DHI
What is the Buddhist perspective of New Age religions, witchcraft and Wicca?
From a Buddhist perspective those who practise witchcraft, New Age religions and Wicca are not bad people, as some other religions label them. There are many religions in the world and everybody has the right to practice what they want to. That is a human right.
There are many beings such as gods, demi-gods and spirits that exist and people can contact them for help. However from a Buddhist perspective these beings cannot help you to achieve enlightenment and thereby end your suffering forever. These beings are powerful and can help in worldly affairs and higher states of being within samsara. From a Buddhist perspective only the Buddhas can help you transcend all forms of existence within samsara and achieve enlightenment.
There is mantra to bless meat before eating. Can this same mantra clean other foods such as fast food, potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions, etc?
The mantra to bless meat is only used to bless meat. This mantra purifies the fault of eating meat (the non-virtue of killing) and blesses the mindstream of the animal. This does not extend to the purification of other food, such as vegetables, roots, etc.
Mantras would not be able to ‘clean’ foods because they are of a samsaric nature. For example, in the case of meat, even though you have purified the karmic effects of eating it, you are still physically eating meat. Therefore it will still effect your body. The mantra can only purify the karmic fault of eating the meat and not the physical effect of eating meat.
Some of the food you have mentioned actually alters the psychic winds within our body and has an effect on us physically. This food cannot be ‘cleaned’ as such, karmically speaking. If unwholesome actions were engaged in when producing the vegetables, then when you eat it, you also bear some karmic responsibility. In this case, blessing the food with mantras will cleanse the karmic effect of eating it.
The best way to use eating food on the path however, is to offer the first portion of whatever we eat or drink to the Buddhas. This way, the physical act of eating turns into something meritorious as we make an offering to the enlightened beings. For example, we can offer the first portion of our food onto the altar as an offering. Or we can recite prayers before we start eating, thinking that the food has been offered to the Buddhas and they have accepted the offering. Then when we are eating we think that we are eating simply to sustain our bodies. This will cut attachment to food as well.
Food offering prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa:
OM AH HUM (3x)
GANGCHEN SHING TAI SOLJE TSONGKHAPA
NGOTOB RIGPAI WANGCHUNG GYALTSAB JE
DONGA TENPAI DAGPO KHEDRUB JE
GYALWA YABSE SUMLA CHOPA BUL
Can you visualise prayer wheels and will they have the same effect as normal prayer wheels?
As for prayer wheels I have never come across a practice before in which they are visualised. I do not think they will have the same effect as physical prayer wheels. This is because prayer wheels exists physically, the mantras are actually written down. Therefore when you turn the prayer wheel the energies are sent out into the environment from the physical mantra. If we visualise this, there is no physical basis for this. If you recite mantras however, they have a physical basis which is sound. Therefore reciting mantras will also have the same benefit as turning a prayer wheel.
How is one free desire when you have the desire to be from desire?
In regards to your question about desire, this is a very good question. Here you are asking questions in regards to the nature of existence, belonging to the wisdom teachings. Yes, on an ordinary level we have a desire to be free of desire. On the path, we need to develop this desire so that we can engage in virtuous practice. However at the end of the path we need to have the realisation that all desire is part of samsara. When we realise that, we realise the true nature of existence. At that point we have no more desire because we have reached the highest potential – Buddhahood.
I read that you cannot sing on auspicious days such as Wesak. If that is the case, does that include chanting mantras and prayers?
In regards to singing on certain holy days, this is actually to do with precepts one can take during these days. All activities that exist within samsara can either be virtuous, non-virtuous or neutral. When we sing, we usually do so for entertainment. Entertainment, while not negative itself does not improve our situation within samsara, it is not an activity that leads us out of samsara. On these holy days, practitioners take the eight precepts. These precepts are so the practitioners refrain from engaging in actions that do not bring spiritual benefit. As they only engage in virtuous actions on these days, they generate merit that leads to enlightenment.
The chanting of mantras and prayers, however, is a virtuous activity. Therefore this does not apply to this precept. This is because the chanting of mantras and prayers is a virtuous activity that aids in the attainment of enlightenment.
Is the name mantra for His Holiness the Dalai Lama the same in all his incarnations?
In regards to the name mantra of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the mantra is not the same for each incarnation. The reason being is that the mantra actually contains the name of His Holiness in its Sanskrit form. As the Tibetan language was formulated to translate and preserve the Dharma from the Sanskrit sources, the meaning of the words are exactly the same. For example, in the name mantra of His Holiness are ‘Shasana Dhara’ (‘Tenzin’ in Tibetan) and ‘Samudra’ (‘Gyatso’ in Tibetan). Tenzin Gyatso is part of His Holiness’s name. Therefore the holy name mantras are different for each successive incarnation.
Is it ok to recite the mantras of a specific deity to their emanations? For example, chanting Manjushri’s mantra to Dorje Shugden.
In regards to reciting mantras of a specific deity to their emanations, of course you can do this. After all they are one and the same on the ultimate level. It is just that their forms are different to help you in different ways. That said, if you want to receive the benefits of that particular emanation, then it is better to recite the actual mantra of that particular emanation.
For example, Manjushri’s manta is very beneficial for developing wisdom and Dorje Shugden’s mantra is very beneficial for removing obstacles and creating conducive conditions. By all means you can recite Manjushri’s mantra to Dorje Shugden, however in terms of clearing obstacles, Dorje Shugden’s mantra would be better as that is why Manjushri arose in that particular form. Here we see the compassion of the enlightened beings, who are always emanating into various forms to help sentient beings in many different ways.
What is the Buddhist view of the occult, Freemasons or the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn?
In regards to practices such as Freemasons, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, etc., from a Buddhist perspective they are like the New Age or Wicca traditions that you mentioned earlier. They are not wrong or right, they just attain the various highest states of samsaric existence. According to a Buddhist perspective, only by achieving enlightenment, can one truly transcend samsaric existence.
Can you visualise offerings instead of offering them physically, and is there such as thing as an astral temple?
Yes, offerings can be visualised. In fact within many sadhanas one is to visualise offerings as vast as space being offered up to the Buddhas. This generates tremendous merit for one’s spiritual journey. There is no such thing as an astral temple, however the Buddha’s do have pure lands where their forms reside.
If practitioners shouldn’t eat meat, then how come certain masters of the past ate meat, like Milarepa?
In regards to your question about the great masters of the past who ate meat, this is actually one of their attainments. For example, you and me are ordinary people, we are bound by karma and cause and effect. The great enlightened beings of the past ate meat. But by them doing so they actually benefited the beings whose flesh they ate. Just like the blessing meat mantra blesses the mind of the animals that were killed, the great masters eating the meat of animals blesses them due to the power of their attainment.
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That’s interesting with those questions and answers range on Buddhist practice and philosophy to general advice on various situations in life, we learn some knowledge. Reading and learning something from these random questions asked.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing .
Rinpoche la i have a one question? I am in very big trouble i.e from my body it always smell very bad even after bathing. I don’t why? I feel hesitate, ashamed, nervous,extremely sad, frustrate and bad. Plz rinpoche la could u give me best suggestions. Plz rinpoche la i am totally helpless. I am born in 21 aug 2000.
Good answers in return of this question with genuine arguments and telling the whole
thing concerning that.
Those periodic opportunities when I decide to have a junk food treat”, I often end up obtaining put off by fats … like I simply cannot take on my own to devote nonetheless a lot of fats on one little bit of hamburger.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastors for having such a section for us to learn.
Thank you for the sharing, a detail and precise answer to all the questions that most people need to know. I always check the Ask a question section from time to time. From there is easier to understand and learn on the common Buddhist knowledge.
Thank you Rinpoche for this article. Thank you Pastor Niral for the answers to the questions. I did learn a thing or two from this article although some of the things I already know.
With folded palms,
Vivian
I like how Buddhists see other religions, there’s no right or wrong religion or good or bad religions. Everyone should be free to practice what they believe. The difference is that Buddhists teachings lead the followers to enlightenment while other beings have the capability to fulfil our secular requests. As long as the religion is not teaching us to inflict pain onto another person or being, is promoting compassion, tolerance and all other positive qualities, people should be free to practise it.
Good questions been asked and good answers given by Pastor Niral. Thank you Pastor we could learn some knowledge from it and helping those in seeking spirituality in Buddhism like me.Well what we learn,we could apply it in our daily life….for example the food offering prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa..
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for sharing this.
Great Q&A section for individuals who wish to know more about Buddhadharma. I’m sure that if we explore more deeply in Buddhadharma, there will be more interesting questions arise.
At the mean time, along the way when we receive the great knowledges from Buddhadharma, we should spend times to understand them,then,apply them on our daily lives Hence,we could transform and be a better person with better motivations to live as a human being.
Just like how Manjushri manifested himself as one of Shakyamuni’s students to ask questions for the benefit of all other students, I thank all who asked these questions as I have learnt much from this batch of Q & A. One of the questions that stood out for me was the one about Cundi as I have heard of this Bodhisattva before but do not know much about her.
This is another way of learning that I personally find effective as it shows how much I know and provides a rough gauge of my Dharma knowledge. Knowing how much or rather how little I know, I will push myself to do even more reading and studying. Thank you and hope to see more of this.
The answers provided by Rinpoche and Pastor Niral are informative and would definitely help those on the quest in seeking spirituality in Buddhism.
On the Cundi bodhisattva I am quite surprised to learn that Cundi bodhisattva is an emanation of Avalokitesvara the image of both looks very similar with the thousand hands and eyes, what I do notice is that on closer inspection the mudra appears different.
There is a very large temple in Ipoh where one can view a very large image of Cundi bodhisattva, I have visited this temple various times during the seventies and I was pretty much attracted to her because one of my peers during that time were able to take trance of her. Her Buddhist teachings during trance are very philosophical and have extended help to many of my friends from Singapore. Most of my friends who are keen in Cundi bodhisattva are Singaporeans and unfortunately over the years we have not kept in contact.
On the prayer wheel I purchased one in KFR and handed it to my daughter who is moving in to a new university dormitory in Seattle United States and requested her to use it upon arrival she did not use it until a few days later. The day she uses it on the four corners of her dorm and at the same time chanting she felt goosebumps all over her body and after that she was down with fever and chills. Though she has now recovered but I am not too sure the significance on the repercussions of it.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral to share these few questions with clear explanations to clear my doubt especially for the mantra to bless meat before eating.
Hope this Q&A will draw more people to have interest in learning and practice dharma.
Thanks for sharing these Q & A on the website. The questions seem simple but I must admit I had not given that much thought. Very refreshing that someone has put thought to pen and gotten answers.
Thank you Pastor Niral for the clear answers. So, instead of trying to crack out heads and come out with answers that are obscure, we can have a good and clear explanation from the pastors. Just my cup of tea!
Buddhism has always appealed to me as it is logical and any doubts are erased by the Dharma as taught by Shakymuni Buddha.
With clear understanding of Buddhism our faith is built on solid foundation.
It is very kind of HE the 25th Tsem Rinpoche to have “Ask a Pastor” column to assist us on our spiritual path.
The answers by Pastor Niral had been very helpful for me as well.
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor Niral.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for having a section of “Ask a Pastor”. It used to be answered by Rinpoche personally and then now Kechara has a team of knowledgeable Pastors to take in the job. How Wonderful isn’t it? Just like a Buddha wanted to others to be Buddhas as well. Of all the Q&As listed here, I was curious about prayer wheels. Can we just turned the prayer wheels without reciting mantras?
Looks like this Q&As section is very beneficial. It makes us think more. Thank you Rinpoche for this!
Question and Answer is very interesting and effective way to obtain dharma knowledge. Nowadays, people are very busy with secular stuff and less time to read any dharma books or article to obtain dharma knowledge. By having such Q&A posting, many people will easy to acccess and get benefit on dharma knowledge.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for sharing this.I hope more Q&A is future time.
Jason
Thank you Pastor Niral for elucidating answers to these questions. When there are doubts, by asking, we clarify, learn and gain insight. What brought me to Buddhism was, there is a logical answer for everything. Though faith goes a long way in one’s spiritual practice, it is difficult to just depend on faith for everything a religion teaches without clear basis and a logic explanation. If things cannot be explained and one is asked just to accept, believe and have faith, for a thinking person, it is difficult to gain conviction in one’s practice.
Thank you Pastor Niral for the bite size dharma knowledge through the Random Question column. These info is easy to digest and gives different but relevant perspective of Buddha Dharma compared to the dharma text that is meant for mass consumption. Moreover it is very interesting to read the Q&A as some questions draw parallel with other belief which is not familiar to us, like the question on the Buddhist view of the occult. We all learn something new from the Q&A.
Interesting Q&A from the pastors and I am amazed at the variety of subject matter in which people have written in. I love how clear and concise are the answer to these questions. However, on the question on getting rid of desire, I do think it is not being counter-intuitive because in Buddhism, we are specifically targeting desirous attachment.
It’s a very specific type of desire that actually drive us to commit certain actions again and again and thus leading us deeper into our personal samsara and that give rise to rebirth in various realms in samsara as well. Hence, the desire to get rid of desire is different and should not be the target of our practice.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing some of the random questions asked in the “Ask A Pastor”. I quite enjoyed this interesting article as some of the questions are what I would have asked while some of the questions had not even entered my mind but are interesting nevertheless. And I must commend Pastor Niral on his clear explanations that were easy to understand and sufficed the questions. It is a great idea for the Pastors to help with answering the questions that practitioners would have as they progress along their dharmic path and a good way for the Pastors to share their knowledge as Rinpoche had taught. Thank you Rinpoche for always looking for ways that all of us could benefit others and ourselves.