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 2024
Sickness and Health > Cancer > Various Cancers
A student wrote that they had been diagnosed with borderline ovarian cancer. Rinpoche gave this advice about painting buddha images, the benefits of blessing strings, powerful mantras that could help and how to meditate on...
Sickness and Health > Cancer > Breast Cancer
Rinpoche gave this advice to a student who asked Rinpoche for life practices and advice for breast cancer.
Contemporary Issues > Dharma in Daily Life > Attitude to Work
Rinpoche sent this letter to a relative about their motivation for going to work. Rinpoche emphasized the importance of a pure motivation, cherishing others who are most dear, most precious and most kind.
Buddhist Practices > Practicing in Prison > Advice for Prisoners
A student in prison asked Rinpoche to be his guru and how to practice in prison. Rinpoche sent this advice about using thought transformation to escape the inner prison of attachment, anger and ignorance. Rinpoche also advised recitation of both...
Contemporary Issues > Politics and Conflict > Advice and Practices for Various Countries
This advice, with quotations about karma and intention, was given to a student from Russia who was very upset about the current war.
Advices posted during the month of August 2024
Holy Objects > Advice on Holy Objects > Prayer Flags
Rinpoche gave this advice on how to add protections to the Gyaltsen Tsemö Pungyen prayer flags. Written by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and edited for ease of reading by Holly Ansett. Second light edit by Sandra Smith.
Working for the Dharma > Service and Support of the Dharma > Rinpoche's Thank-you Cards, Letters and Gifts
Rinpoche sent this message to a student who was very close to passing away and had written to confess and apologize.
Contemporary Issues > Practices for Success > Buying and Selling Property
A student asked Rinpoche about buying a property that would be suitable for building a house for retreat. Rinpoche checked and advised the following practices.
Path to Enlightenment (lamrim) > Guru Devotion > Offering Service to the Guru
A student wrote to give Rinpoche an update and mentioned all the obstacles they had been experiencing.
Sickness and Health > Infectious Diseases > Hepatitis
A student had Hepatitis C for thirty years and asked Rinpoche for advice on how to treat it.
Sickness and Health > Healing and Pacifying Illness > Eliminating Life Obstacles
This advice was given to a teacher who had serious prostate problems and life obstacles.
Sickness and Health > Operations > Practices Before Surgery
A student with health obstacles was going to have a nasal operation for their breathing. Rinpoche advised these practices.
Emptiness > Advice on Emptiness Practice > Emptiness Meditation
Rinpoche advised the importance of emptiness meditation in this letter for a student who asked about retreat and practice.
Compassion and Bodhicitta > Mind Training (lo-jong) > Transforming Problems
A student wrote about her mother, who was suffering from anxiety disorder and depression, brought on by worry about high blood pressure and vertigo. Rinpoche sent this advice about transforming problems.
Buddhist Practices > Purification Practices > Nyung Näs
Rinpoche gave this advice to students who had contracted COVID-19 during a nyung nä retreat hosted by the Dharma center.
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.
