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
Holy Objects > Pilgrimage > Advice on Pilgrimage
Rinpoche gave this advice about Swayambunath, a sacred site in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sickness and Health > Healing and Pacifying Illness > Practices for Protection and Healing
Rinpoche observed that there were health obstacles for a center’s resident teacher that year, and for a student in the following year. Rinpoche advised these practices to remove the obstacles.
Compassion and Bodhicitta > Bodhicitta > Advice on Developing Bodhicitta
A student was worried that newcomers would misunderstand a verse on bodhicitta from the practice booklet Method to Transform and see this verse as acceptance of abusive behavior. The student felt that beginners may reject Buddhism and...
Working for the Dharma > Serving as Center Director > Advice to Center Directors
Rinpoche gave this succinct advice about priorities when serving as director of a Dharma center.
Sutras, Mantras and Root Texts > Mantras > Mantra Recitations
Rinpoche advised these meditations and visualizations for students reciting the Amitayus long-life mantra. This mantra is beneficial for the long life of our teachers as well as for our own good health, long life and realizations. Rinpoche also...
Negative Emotions > Delusions > Anger
Rinpoche warns that getting angry with a bodhisattva, a buddha or the guru for even one second destroys all our merit, results in an unfortunate rebirth and delays our realizations for thousands of eons. [Rinpoche gave this advice along with...
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.
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Various Infections
Rinpoche sent this advice encouraging people at the Dharma center to offer aid to those affected by COVID-19 who need help with basic food, etc. Rinpoche gave examples of people who had recovered from cancer and other problems after practicing...
Buddhist Practices > General Practice Advice > General Practice Advice from Rinpoche
After completing 300,000 prostrations, a student asked Rinpoche what to do next. Rinpoche advised eight nyung näs each year and three million OM MANI PADME HUM mantras with strong bodhicitta motivation. Rinpoche also advised how...
Advices posted during the month of December 2020
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 > Practice Advice for Centers
Rinpoche advised these pujas for students at a Dharma center so they could create the karma to get an apartment.
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 > FPMT Service
A letter from Lama Zopa Rinpoche for the FPMT Annual Review 2019.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > 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
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...
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. [Please note: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence...
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.
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.
