On the first day of 2021, Chagmay Rimpoche has the following greetings for us: Dear dharma brothers and sisters of Hong Kong： The year 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, yet if we look at it in a different aspect, it has definitely made us more awakened on the precious existence of ours, and how we should value it through the understanding of the Buddhas teaching. The pandemic is a great obstacle but we if we can turn obstacle into a valuable lesson learned and through it gain wisdom, obstacle can be useful means as well. In this new year I wish all of you stronger Devotion, Respect and Samaya to the Three Jewels. Happy New Year! ️
Q: What should one do when one is almost passing away?
A:
I think the question should start with, How should we live? And how should we die?
If we live a life with content, being happy with what we have and not having desire to have more; to see everyone as a friend and to be kind; to be a good example and influence people with positiveness…. this is how we should live.
One should also gain knowledge, wisdom and experience from the experiences life gives us. If that is how we live life then one should not have not much problem dying
Q：Are there still merits when one recites prayers without focus ( mind travels elsewhere )?
A: There is a popular story related to this. Once a dog was chasing a pig round and round a stupa and because of that, they both got liberation. Of course, we cannot know how karma works but it seems like for the dog and the pig their karma was that last bit of purification.
Q ：What does “ consecration of Buddha statue “ mean?If statue is not consecrated can we still place it on shrine ?
A:Consecration of statues are considered making the statue alive, alive as in Inviting the wisdom aspect and welcoming it to the statue.There are ways to place the mantra scrolls inside of the statue. The mantra scrolls represent the Body, Speech, Mind, The upper body, the midsection of the body, the lower part of the body, purification and aspirations of the Buddha.
If my child is naughty can I spank him? There are always skilful methods to teach a child but a spanking is needed sometimes haha” as long as you are not spanking with anger but with good intentions is ok according to dharma. Good Luck!
If I cannot visualize the Tibetan seed syllable clearly what can I do? Instead of the seed syllable of the structure visualize the sound of the seed syllable.
This is a very important question. we should preform rituals for the 49th day. It is believed that every 7 day from the death until the 49 day the mind somehow blacks out and wakes up again and during that time the mind most awakened and pure. so it is important for family members to be aware of this and to accumulate merits, pray, recite mantras and make dedications.
What to do when there are riots, should I call the police?
The problem with people is that when there is something going on, especially this big, we always tend to be drawn to what’s happening and forget what we are doing and get sucked into a different mindset. Calling the police might be the most common sense thing to do but what then? Your mindset still continues where it’s not supposed to be and only grows, what we should do is to reflect on the Four Thoughts, Precious Human Body, Impermanence, Karma and The Sufferings of Samsara. From this we can get a different perspective, create positiveness and continue with our spiritual path.
Tashi delek to all the dharma brothers and sisters. Since this was adviced by H.H. The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and we as students have been practicing the recitation of The Mantra, I’m so pleased to know that 75 people have come together and accumulated 56,902 mantras of Thousand arms chenrigzig. We putting our Body, Speech and Mind towards the practice as one will definitely make a matter, a cause, an effect and many merits. I know that many people are struggling these days, work wise and also mental wise because of what’s been happening to Hong Kong for the past many months. Please be strong everyone! These hard times are the time when we have to be wise and use our spiritual knowledge to understand things happening around us and not to adapt ourselves with the emotions and head to the wrong direction. Be Vigilant with your emotions, Be Mindful and have Awareness and lastly please stay safe everyone.
Omze la, lama Tandin and myself rejoices to all your efforts.
If you come across a dead insect or accidentally kill one the best thing to do is recite Amitabha mantra and blow on the dead insect and make dedications.
What should I do in face of corona virus? This is a very difficult time we face and to take all the precautions is needed. If you have dharma pills you should take them, if you don’t have Centre has them you can always come and get it. wearing blessed items around our neck, and to recite the 1000 arm chenrigzig mantra
I guess it depends wether if there is a (A)invasion of whatever kind of insects or (B)Just some passer by. If it’s A then best call a pest control and after that accumulate merits like life release or pujas dedicated for the insects.
If it’s B then try the kindest way to let them out of your home.
