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 July 2024
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Various Infections
This advice was for a student who had a tick bite and symptoms of Lyme disease (unconfirmed).
Buddhist Practices > General Practice Advice > Quotations and Sayings
The following is a quotation by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Black Magic
A student wrote that many bad things had happened, including a long-term relationship ending, losing his job and all his money. He couldn’t find a job even though he was very skilled, and it seemed like something was blocking him.
Death and Transitions > Practices for the Deceased > Prayers and Practices for the Deceased
A student whose partner had passed away asked what could be done for them to have a fortunate rebirth. Rinpoche advised these practices.
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Spirit Harm
A student’s teenage daughter had suddenly started having seizures, but it was not epilepsy. Doctors couldn’t find a cause and had recommended a strong drug. Rinpoche indicated it was spirit harm.
Working for the Dharma > Advice to Dharma Centers > New Centers and Projects
There were obstacles regarding the purchase of a property for a new Dharma center. Rinpoche advised these practices to remove the obstacles.
Death and Transitions > Preparing Oneself for Death > Preparing for Death
Rinpoche gave this advice on the five powers to be practiced near the time of death to a student who was very close to dying from cancer. Rinpoche advised the importance of confession and renewing vows when death is imminent, and recommended...
Holy Objects > Advice on Holy Objects > Prayer Wheels
A student wrote that she and her friend wanted to make a prayer wheel for the ocean in Vietnam, with one billion OM MANI PADME HUM mantras inside. There is a very long coastline in Vietnam and many sentient beings are caught by Vietnamese...
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Guru Devotion > Obstacles to Guru Devotion
Rinpoche advised that when we see mistakes in the virtuous friend, we should abandon that thought like poison.
Sickness and Health > Cancer > Practice Advice for Cancer
A student was seriously ill with cancer and asked Rinpoche for practice advice. She also asked about her mother, who had mistreated her when she was young.
Advices posted during the month of June 2024
Sickness and Health > Brain and Nervous System > Epilepsy
Rinpoche said to please keep this as general advice for someone who suddenly starts having seizures, as something to try first.
Sickness and Health > Healing and Pacifying Illness > Eliminating Life Obstacles
Rinpoche advised these practices for the long life of one lama.
Sangha (Monks and Nuns) > Practice Advice for Sangha > Sangha Practice Advice
Some nuns were starting a nunnery and had gathered to stay there for one month. They asked Rinpoche what practices they should do as a group.
Sickness and Health > Healing and Pacifying Illness > Practices for Protection and Healing
Rinpoche gave this advice to a student whose father was very sick. The student had also asked she should do to remove obstacles to a pilgrimage.
Death and Transitions > Preparing Oneself for Death > Preparing for Death
Rinpoche sent this advice to a longtime student who was having a serious operation. Rinpoche advised the motivation for the death time and explained various practices we can do to prolong our life. Rinpoche said “This advice is to help people. It...
Holy Objects > Making Offerings > Offering Practices
Rinpoche advised these pujas for a student’s mother who was very sick, and explained the benefits of making offerings to Sangha. This advice was handwritten by Rinpoche and lightly edited for ease of reading.
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Buying and Selling Property
A student had been unable to sell their house for a long time and asked Rinpoche for advice.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Guru Devotion > Confession to the Guru
Rinpoche sent this advice to a student who confessed that she had made a mistake at one of the centers.
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Buying and Selling Property
Two students had been trying to sell their house for many years, so they could move and learn Dharma. They asked Rinpoche about moving, also what to study and whether they should study shamatha.
Advices posted during the month of May 2024
Buddhist Practices > Preliminary Practices > Prostrations
An ordained student asked Rinpoche for life practices. Rinpoche advised that prostrations while reciting the Thirty-five Buddhas’ names is an important practice in Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition.
Buddhist Practices > General Practice Advice > Practices for Life
A student requested lifetime practices and asked Rinpoche to be their teacher, to help and guide them. The student wrote that after befriending a Buddhist nun, they had rediscovered their interest in Tibetan Buddhism and had connected with books...
Buddhist Practices > Advice for New Students > Advice for New Students
Rinpoche sent this letter and a photo of the Twenty-one Taras to a new student he had recently met.
Contemporary Issues > Court Cases and Legal Action > Legal Proceedings
A student wrote that there had been ongoing disputes within the family business. After years of legal proceedings, disgruntled business partners had launched a major lawsuit and threatened criminal charges. The student asked Rinpoche for advice...
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Possessed by Spirits
A student wrote about a young relative who had tried to take their own life several times over the past year. The young person blocked out the self-harm episodes afterwards and didn’t remember much of what had happened. They were on medication...
Sickness and Health > Cancer > Tumors
A student had an inoperable brain tumor and was given a lifespan of three months. Rinpoche met with the student and also gave the following advice.
