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 September 2019
Holy Objects > Advice on Holy Objects > Amulets and Blessing Strings
Rinpoche wrote this letter to accompany Lama Atisha’s Protection Stupa, which can be worn on the body or displayed in your house or Dharma center.
Compassion and Bodhicitta > Mind Training (lo-jong) > Transforming Problems
This advice on how to transform problems was given to a student who was staying in Bodhgaya, where the weather is extremely hot in summer.
Advices posted during the month of August 2019
Sickness and Health > Operations > Practices Before Surgery
A student needed an operation to remove the colon and asked Rinpoche if it was beneficial to have it done in the next three to six months or if there were obstacles. The student asked if there was a puja or practice for the operation to be...
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Hepatitis
A student with Hepatitis B and C asked Rinpoche for advice.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Guru Devotion > Obstacles to Guru Devotion
A student asked Rinpoche about the best practice for clearing away obstacles with the gurus.
Sickness and Health > Addictions and Mental Illness > Acute Mental Illness
Relatives of a teenager with serious mental health issues wrote to Rinpoche for advice. The girl had suicidal thoughts, strange posturing and was very thin as she ate almost nothing. She had ceased school and other activities and had asked to go...
Lineage Lamas > His Holiness the Dalai Lama > The Qualities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Rinpoche sent this letter to a center director and geshe, thanking them for arranging an all-night recitation of Praises to the Twenty-one Taras dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Sangha (Monks and Nuns) > Ordination Advice > Giving up Vows
An ordained student wrote that his father had died and left a large debt that he had to take care of. The student asked Rinpoche whether he should disrobe, get a job and pay off the debt or continue as a monk even though he would have to work for...
Family and Relationships > Children > Advice for Children
Rinpoche wrote this letter to a student’s nine-year-old son who had memorized the Three Principal Aspects of the Path and sent a video to Rinpoche of...
Sutras, Mantras and Root Texts > Sutras and Sutra Commentaries > Arya Sanghata Sutra
Rinpoche explained the benefits of reciting the Arya Sanghata Sutra in this practice advice given to a new student. Rinpoche also recommended lamrim study and practice.
Holy Objects > Pilgrimage > Advice on Pilgrimage
Rinpoche gave this advice on how to meditate at Maratika, a sacred place associated with Padmasambhava, in a remote region of Nepal. [You can read more about Maratika here.]
Working for the Dharma > Serving as Center Director > Disharmony at the Center
Rinpoche sent this letter to a center director with suggestions for bringing harmony to the Dharma center. Rinpoche also explained what it means to be a Buddhist.
Advices posted during the month of July 2019
Sutras, Mantras and Root Texts > Sutras and Sutra Commentaries > Various Sutras
A student had recited the Long Life Sutra fifty times and asked Rinpoche what practices to do next.
Death and Transitions > Preparing Oneself for Death > Preparing for Death
A long-time student was close to passing away due to cancer and had written to Rinpoche just to connect with him. Rinpoche sent this reply back with instructions on powa, the transference of consciousness at the moment of death.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Guru Devotion > Confession to the Guru
A student confessed becoming impatient and upset while attending one of Rinpoche’s teachings. Rinpoche advised how to purify any negative karma collected.
Sutras, Mantras and Root Texts > Sutras and Sutra Commentaries > Various Sutras
A student wrote to Rinpoche after reciting the Heart Sutra one thousand times for another student who had died recently. Rinpoche sent this advice.
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Black Magic
A student wrote to Rinpoche about the disturbing thoughts and emotions which were causing her a lot of suffering. She was thinking about committing suicide to escape the terrible thoughts, fears and voices in her head.
Sutras, Mantras and Root Texts > Sutras and Sutra Commentaries > Sutra of Golden Light
Rinpoche sent this letter to a student who was sick and had life obstacles. Rinpoche advised the student to recite the Sutra of Golden Light as much as possible, while always making sure to read it for the benefit of all sentient beings...
Sickness and Health > General Illnesses > Children's Illnesses
A student wrote that she was six months pregnant, however, at a recent checkup her baby was found to have a rare developmental abnormality. There are only fifty cases of this condition worldwide. The student asked Rinpoche if any prayers could be...
Family and Relationships > Having a Baby > Practices for Pregnancy and Birth
A student wrote that his wife was about to give birth and asked if there were obstacles as the baby was overdue.
Sickness and Health > Addictions and Mental Illness > Acute Mental Illness
This advice was given to a mother whose daughter was very sick with anorexia and was suffering. She was also not listening to her mother and refused to talk to her.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Lamrim Study and Practice > The Path to Enlightenment
A student wrote that they had tried something many times and were unsucessful. The student asked Rinpoche if that was the universe saying it wasn’t right for them. Rinpoche gave this advice on becoming free from samsara, cyclic existence.
Sickness and Health > Transforming Pain and Illness > Handling Illness
Rinpoche sent this advice about thought transformation to a student who was very sick in hospital. Rinpoche also commented on the statues that the student had made for the organization.
Advices posted during the month of June 2019
Sickness and Health > General Illnesses > Various Illnesses
A student with diabetes and thyroid malfunction was overweight and asked Rinpoche for advice, as doctors had recommended losing weight before undergoing surgery.
Sickness and Health > Cardiovascular and Respiratory > Cardiovascular Disease
A student had a heart attack and asked Rinpoche for advice on what practices to do.
