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 January 2021
Family and Relationships > Children > Educating Children
Rinpoche advised that teaching the good heart is the most important education for children. By practicing the good heart, they will bring peace and happiness to others throughout their lives. This advice is excerpted from a long letter which you...
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Various Infections
Rinpoche sent this advice encouraging people at the Dharma center to offer aid to those affected by COVID19 who needed help with basic food, etc. Rinpoche gave examples of people who had recovered from cancer and other problems after practicing...
Working for the Dharma > Conflict and Obstacles at the Center > Conflict With Others
Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this advice about resolving complaints and dealing with interpersonal conflict at the Dharma center. Rinpoche said the real enemy and the cause of all our problems is the self-cherishing thought. He explained that...
Buddhist Practices > Daily Practices > Daily Practice Advice
This advice regarding essential daily practices was given to a young student. Rinpoche recommended daily mantras, prayers and bodhicitta motivation. Rinpoche also suggested two lamrim texts as a basis for learning and study.
Advices posted during the month of December 2020
Buddhist Practices > General Practice Advice > General Practice Advice from Rinpoche
A student had finished practices advised by Rinpoche and wrote to request more. Rinpoche thanked the student for the inspiring letter and gave further advice. The student’s letter and Rinpoche’s response are below.
Buddhist Practices > Daily Practices > Daily Practice Advice
Rinpoche sent this letter to a student with daily practice advice including White Tara, The Foundation of All Good Qualities and preliminary practices.
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Various Infections
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India was expecting the return of thousands of migrant workers from countries all over the world, in particular, from the Middle East. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Indian government had asked...
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Overcoming Obstacles
Rinpoche gave this advice to a student who was experiencing many obstacles. The student felt some obstacles may have come from their house.
Working for the Dharma > Service and Support of the Dharma > Rinpoche's Thank-you Cards, Letters and Gifts
Rinpoche wrote this card for a neighbor who had been sending tiny vases of beautiful flowers to Rinpoche when he was doing retreat.
Working for the Dharma > Advice to Dharma Centers > Practice Advice for Centers
Rinpoche advised these pujas for students at a Dharma center so they could create the karma to get an apartment.
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Overcoming Obstacles
A student had been given notice to vacate land after having invested a substantial amount of money in infrastructure on the land. The student asked about pujas to remove obstacles so the lease could be renewed. Rinpoche checked and advised the...
Working for the Dharma > Advice to Dharma Centers > FPMT Service
A letter from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the FPMT Annual Review 2019.
Family and Relationships > Children > Advice for Children
Rinpoche sent this card with advice about the good heart to two children whose parents were also students.
Path to Enlightenment (lam-rim) > Karma > Understanding Karma
In this advice, Rinpoche explains the two types of people: those who appear successful but are actually creating a lot of negative karma, and those who practice Dharma purely but experience many difficulties in this life. This letter was sent to...
Advices posted during the month of November 2020
Contemporary Issues > Natural Disasters > Various Natural Disasters
Rinpoche offered this advice on how the centers and students can benefit those who suffered greatly from the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the tsunamis in Asia.
Holy Objects > Monasteries and Stupas > Stupas
This letter was sent to an old student a few weeks after Rinpoche had manifested a stroke while in Bendigo, Australia, in April 2011. Rinpoche begins with a teaching on transforming sickness and then discusses the legend of Swayambhunath, a...
Negative Emotions > Depression > Feeling Suicidal
A student had become very depressed after her best friend passed away. The depression was severe and the student was thinking about ending her own life. Rinpoche did a mo, a Tibetan system of divination, and advised that the following...
Path to Enlightenment (lam-rim) > Lam-rim Study and Practice > Training the Mind in Lam-rim
A student wrote that she had fallen in love with a monk. Rinpoche responded with advice about renunciation, which can’t co-exist with attachment. Rinpoche also recommended lamrim study and practice, preliminary practices and recitation of 500...
Family and Relationships > Parenting > Parenting Problems
A student’s teenage son was becoming threatening and abusive, and possibly planning to run away from home. Rinpoche checked and gave this advice.
Contemporary Issues > Work and Business Problems > Unemployment
A student had been unable to find a job after looking for work for a long time. The student asked Rinpoche, who spent some time checking and advised the following.
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Spirit Harm
Rinpoche advised that when there is spirit harm or black magic harm, if Rinpoche is not able to check directly, then these practices can always be done.
Meditation and Retreat Advice > Retreats > Long Retreat
A student wrote asking what to do on a one-year retreat. Rinpoche checked what was best for the retreat and advised the following.
Buddhist Practices > Purification Practices > Nyung-näs
A student had completed 375 nyung näs and planned to do one thousand. The student’s letter and Rinpoche’s response are below. Rinpoche suggested sharing the student’s letter, for rejoicing.
Death and Transitions > Preparing Oneself for Death > Preparing for Death
A student was experiencing ill-health, had lost weight and was feeling weak and tired. A geshe had told the student that death was approaching. The student was afraid to die and asked Rinpoche for advice.
Buddhist Practices > Purification Practices > Practices to Purify Negative Karma
Before taking refuge, a student was a commercial fisherman and had killed over 500,000 fish. The student wrote to Rinpoche, who advised several practices for purifying the negative karma of killing. Rinpoche advised how to bless all sentient...
