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 October 2017
Family and Relationships > Having a Baby > Abortion
A student had an abortion many years ago and wished to purify the bad karma. She had read the advice Rinpoche gave other women and had recited the Vajra Cutter Sutra 500 times, as well as the King of Prayers and other Buddhist...
Sangha (Monks and Nuns) > Ordination Advice > Requesting Ordination
A student wrote requesting ordination and explained how he saw samsara. Rinpoche’s advice included comments about the hardship caused by the custom of dowry in India and Nepal.
Death and Transitions > Caring for Others at the Time of Death > Practices at the Time of Death
A student’s mother was close to passing away. Rinpoche gave this advice on practices to do during and after death. Rinpoche also suggested building a stupa and advised that we collect unbelievable merit just by seeing holy objects, and we collect...
Working for the Dharma > Serving as Center Director > Advice to Center Directors
Rinpoche wrote this letter to a new director at an FPMT center.
Working for the Dharma > Advice to Dharma Centers > Practice Advice for Centers
There was a rumor that someone at a Dharma center had a weapon. Rinpoche gave this advice.
Working for the Dharma > Teaching Dharma > Teaching Dharma
A student wrote asking whether to teach or do practices. Rinpoche checked and advised the following.
Advices posted during the month of September 2017
Sickness and Health > Addictions and Mental Illness > Acute Mental Illness
A student wrote to Rinpoche about a mental illness, which included paranoia and hearing voices. Rinpoche advised these practices.
Family and Relationships > Relationship Problems > Disharmony in the Family
This method for improving harmony in the family was an oral instruction from Rinpoche, who translated the text at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2007. Scribe Jean Luc Castagner. Lightly edited by Sandra Smith.
Death and Transitions > Practices for the Deceased > Prayers and Practices for the Deceased
A student asked Rinpoche what he could do for his mother who had passed away. He had dreams that she needed more help. Rinpoche checked and advised the following.
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Spirit Harm
This advice was given to help student who experienced naga or spirit harm.
Sickness and Health > Healing and Pacifying Illness > Practices for Pacifying Sickness
Pujas and practices for a student with health obstacles.
Sickness and Health > Brain and Nervous System > Neurological Disorders
A student had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease (ALS), a progressive terminal illness. The student wrote that if the disease progressed as expected, he would still have the capacity to make a connection with the guru that could help with...
Holy Objects > Monasteries and Stupas > Monasteries
The monastery gives Sangha a place to abide, where they can study and practice, and where they can subdue and protect the mind more easily. Rinpoche advised that those who build holy objects, temples and monasteries collect great merit that...
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Lamrim Study and Practice > The Path to Enlightenment
Rinpoche offered this advice about lamrim study and preliminary practices in response to a student’s request.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Lamrim Study and Practice > The Path to Enlightenment
Rinpoche offered this advice about preliminaries and lamrim meditation to a student who had asked for life practices. Rinpoche also related the story of Milarepa as an example of someone who had achieved enlightenment quickly.
Buddhist Practices > General Practice Advice > Practices for Life
A student requested life practices. Rinpoche advised the following.
Advices posted during the month of August 2017
Working for the Dharma > Service and Support of the Dharma > Rinpoche's Thank-you Cards, Letters and Gifts
This card was written to thank an old student for their service at the center.
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Overcoming Obstacles
This handwritten note was given to a student who was experiencing many obstacles and difficulties.
Sickness and Health > Cancer > Breast Cancer
A student had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. One breast and various lymph nodes had been removed, and she was slowly recovering from the operation. However, the cancer was a very aggressive type and her doctor said it could return at...
Buddhist Practices > Protection from Spirit Harm > Protection from Spirit Harm
A student wrote to thank Rinpoche for his advice and for a mantra for spirit harm that she had found beneficial. The student’s letter and Rinpoche’s response are below.
Holy Objects > Relics > Blessings of the Relics
Rinpoche sent this letter to a center in Brazil that had hosted the Maitreya Relic Tour.
Buddhist Practices > Vows and Commitments > Taking Vows
Rinpoche typed this letter himself when he heard that thirty young people were taking eight Mahayana precepts at a center on Chokhor Duchen, one of the four great holy days when merit is multiplied. Lightly edited by Ven. Holly Ansett and Sandra...
Contemporary Issues > Politics and Conflict > Prayers for Peace
Rinpoche offered this advice following the 2016 presidential election in the United States. Transcribed by Ven. Holly Ansett on November 14, 2016, and edited by Nicolas Ribush.
Meditation and Retreat Advice > Calm Abiding Practice > Calm Abiding (Shi-nä) Practice
Rinpoche offered this advice and encouragement to a student who had received extensive private teachings on lamrim and calm abiding [Tib: shi-nä].
Buddhist Practices > Purification Practices > Nyung Näs
Rinpoche explained the importance of purification and advised nyung nä and lamrim as the main practices for a new student.
