View and Search Online Advice Book
Below is a listing of advices in the Online Advice Book. They are sorted and grouped by the date posted on our website, with the most recent additions showing first. You can enter a keyword to search for advices containing that term.
Advices posted during the month of November 2022
This practice advice was given to a student who had cancer of the rectum.
Rinpoche sent this advice to a student whose young daughter was concerned about cows and how they were being harmed.
A student wrote about erosions on their face which had become worse over the past few months. There was stinging pain and daily blisters due to the condition.
Rinpoche advised a student that if tantric practice is done with desire and attachment, then it will never become the cause of enlightenment. Rinpoche explained the importance of first practicing lamrim and having realizations of the three...
This advice about Medicine Buddha practice was sent to a student who had prostate cancer that was progressing.
This advice was given to a student who asked Rinpoche how to benefit her children. Edited by Ven. Joan Nicell.
Advices posted during the month of October 2022
A student had been experiencing spontaneous thoughts of ill will and of harming the guru. The student didn’t know if the cause of the disturbing thoughts was physiological or spirit harm, and they felt the wish to harm was coming from an external...
A student wrote that the tenant in their rental house refused to leave and was suing them. They said the tenant was lying about their actions.
Rinpoche sent this advice about karma to a student who was having difficulties with tenants who owed thousands of dollars in rent and property damage. The tenants were eventually evicted, but the student found it difficult to generate compassion...
A student wanted to build a stupa and asked Rinpoche about a location. Rinpoche advised it should be well-made and beautified and built in a public place where it can benefit many sentient beings.
After finishing the six-year Basic Program, a student wrote to ask Rinpoche what they should do next. Rinpoche advised the importance of lamrim study and practice.
This advice was given during an intense heatwave in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in June–July 2021. Rinpoche said to look at the difficulties as an opportunity to purify negative karma and cultivate bodhicitta. Rinpoche also...
Rinpoche sent this heart advice to someone who had been ordained and had recently disrobed.
A student wrote that her son had sustained a traumatic brain injury and had developed psychosis and obsessive behavior. Her relationship with her son was difficult, however, he had a connection with the Dharma and with Rinpoche. The student also...
A student wrote to Rinpoche about a family member who was diagnosed with gioblastoma multiforme, a fast-growing brain tumor, and had just three to six months to live, or up to two years if he had radiation and chemotherapy. He had a...
A student wrote that they saw Rinpoche’s kindness to animals at a retreat and cried afterwards. The student told Rinpoche about the activities they were now doing to benefit animals and said they had the opportunity to lecture large groups and...
Advices posted during the month of September 2022
A student confessed that Rinpoche was initially their least favorite person and apologized for criticizing him whilst traveling in India and Nepal. The student also felt they were a troublemaker at the Dharma center and had caused problems for...
In this advice, Rinpoche recommends purifying negative karma with daily Vajrasattva practice, just as the wise ones have done. This is the second part of a letter sent to a student who had criticized the guru and caused problems at the Dharma...
A student was upset because her partner had gone to live with someone else. Rinpoche advised that we have all been suffering from beginningless rebirths and the key to peace and happiness is giving up the self-cherishing mind.
Rinpoche offered this advice about the correct way to practice Highest Yoga Tantra, by first accomplishing generation stage and then practicing completion stage. Rinpoche also emphasized the importance of lamrim study and practice.
Rinpoche had advised a student to complete 300,000 mandala offerings (ngondro), but they could not continue due to chronic neck pain and stiffness after an accident. The student had tried to follow Rinpoche’s advice but was physically...
A student had been diagnosed with lupus and advanced fibromyalgia. The medication was very strong, affecting many inner organs, the nervous system and general health. Rinpoche checked and advised the following.
Rinpoche checked and advised these practices for a student with life obstacles.
Rinpoche offered this practice advice to a student who had uterine cancer and was going to have an operation. The student also wrote that she had two abortions when she was younger and now strongly regretted doing that.
This advice was given to a longtime student who asked about health obstacles.