Divinations with Dawa Chhodak Rinpoche
Helpful Resources
For Requesting Or Receiving A Divination
In this section we have included some information and resources regarding the various types of Buddhist practices that may be suggested in your divination. This is not a complete list; rather, we've selected some of the more common practices that arise in the mirror as solutions for a variety of problems. Included are brief outlines of the practices, articles which describe them in more detail, and links to locate some resources for obtaining certain items or arranging to have ceremonies done. We will continue to add more resources to this section in the future, so stay tuned!
Prayer Flags
The Tibetan prayer flags and Dharma banners that are available through Radiant Heart have all been reviewed and approved by Lama Dawa. Raising prayer flags is as an offering that benefits all beings. The blessings of the wisdom deities, auspicious symbols, prayers and mantras printed on the flags are carried on the wind increasing happiness and good fortune across the countryside. Planting prayer flags is an act of generosity that generates much merit.
Please visit the Radiant Heart Website to learn more about Prayer Flags and find out how to obtain one for your personal use.
Please see the authoritative article, The Prayer Flag Tradition — by Timothy Clark, for more information.
Tibetan Medicine
Tibetan Medicine is a comprehensive science that has been generating a lot of attention in the past decade for its effectiveness and harmless methods of treating disease. There are numerous books in print on the subject, so it is not necessary to go into detail here. If your divination has specified certain Tibetan herbal remedies, you can contact a Tibetan doctor in your area and request to obtain the medicines that were indicated in your mirror divination. Or, you can log onto these websites:
- www.Tibetan-Medicine.org
- The website for the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Men-tse Khang) in India. They carry a full line of Tibetan herbal medicines available on-line.
- www.TibetanHerbalHealing.com
- The website for Amchi Bhutti, a Tibetan physician in the United States.
Divine Images
Often it is beneficial to display certain images, either religious paintings or statues, in one's home in order to dispel negative influences or to draw beneficent influences. There are many on-line stores which carry Buddhist paintings (thankas) or statues. Here is a partial list of links. A web search should locate a store in your country or area.
- www.Dharmaware.com- Woodstock, New York
- www.TibetanSpirit.com- Frederick, Maryland
- www.TibetanTreasures.com- California
- www.DharmaTreasures.com- California
- www.NamseBangdzo.com- New York
- www.Windhorse.com- United Kingdom (UK)
Butter Lamp Offerings
In the Buddhist tradition, butter lamps symbolize the clarity of wisdom. Offering butter lamps creates harmony, and generates merit while promoting success, prosperity, longevity, and world peace, as well as helping to avert obstacles, pacify the upheaval of the five elements, and heal disease. When offered on behalf of the deceased, prayers are usually recited for their liberation in the Bardo and rebirth in a Pureland.
Traditionally, mass butterlamp offerings are done at the sacred holy Buddhist pilgrimage sites, such as Bodhgaya, India, or the great stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal. Most monasteries have a special hall with rows and rows of shelves for offering thousands of butterlamps. Pilgrims typically offer butterlamps as part of their practice.
In the U.S., Kagyu Thubten Choling, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in New York has such a house for burning many butterlamps. To sponsor the burning of butter lamps through their monastery, log on to their website: www.kagyu.com and click on the "Tong-cho " button under "Offerings and Prayer Requests" for information.
Treasure Vases
Treasure Vases and Earth Vases are special vessels that contain precious relics, gems, mantras, herbs, medicines and other special substances arranged in a certain way. These vases can be kept in one's home, on the shrine, or buried in the ground to bless the area. Treasure vases are used to stabilize earth energies and restore harmony to an area that has been destroyed. Treasure vases can also be used to magnetize wealth energy, or the energy of prosperity.
In the U.S., Treasure and Earth Vases are made available through Lama Kunga at www.ewamchoden.org
Yantras
Yantras function in the same way as amulets, except that yantra images are displayed on the wall instead of being folded up and worn. They are beneficial in attracting certain positive vibrations to a location, which can most most helpful in situations such as restoring harmony to a family, Sangha or group of people, drawing customers to a business, dispelling obstructive forces, or overall well-being.
Many yantra designs can be found in books, websites, or Dharma shops. Some yantras are very specific. Yantras should also be consecrated by a qualified Lama. If you have trouble locating the image you need, you may contact us at:
to see if we have them in stock.
Amulets
Tibetan amulets are a special variety of amulet which have been used for thousands of years. They are usually 'prescribed' and made by the Lama to address specific life issues, such as health, happiness, prosperity, success or victory, protection and attraction. Tibetan amulets have long been prized for their efficacy and power. Traditionally, Tibetans would wear them around their neck, usually encased in a 'gau' or special locket made of precious metals and jewels, or sewn into cloth pouches to be worn next to the body.
Tibetan amulets are made from yantra and mandala images printed on paper and then specially painted with precious substances, with the Sanskrit seed syllables painted in gold. Then they are wrapped in threads of the five elemental colors using an ancient method of binding the energies. Afterwards they are consecrated by the Lama. Once they have been consecrated, they are considered to be a living force with a specific field of action.
How do amulets work?
According to tantric philosophy, all subtle and gross vibrations existing in the phenomenal world can be expressed as primordial sounds, or seed syllables, which combine to form mantras. These seed syllables are then configured within sacred geometrical designs. The inherent power of the yantra is then 'activated' through the Lama's empowerment. The resulting yantra or mandala images are filled with vibrational potency, having an effect of attraction or repulsion in the specific field of its action. Finally, this is conjoined with the wearer's faith and respect. The power or effectiveness of an amulet is dependant on: 1. careful preparation of the amulet, using good quality renderings of the designs, applying the proper substances and gold and wrapping it using specific methods. 2. The Lama's authority and ability to empower objects, 3. the faith and confidence of the one who is wearing the amulet.
Although most amulets are to be worn, there are some kinds of specialized amulets that are concealed in a safe place where it will not be disturbed, or some amulets related to wealth should be kept in one's wallet or safe.
Where can I get my amulets?
You can request an authorized Lama to make your amulet. Simply give them the information in the divination. You need to find a Lama who is qualified and knowledgeable in the art of preparing amulets. Beware of mass-manufactured amulets that are sold only for their beautiful thread-work designs. Be sure the amulet has been prepared according to the specifications listed above.
If you cannot find a qualified Lama to make your amulet, you may request Lama Dawa to make the amulet(s) for you. Lama Dawa uses the Kha-du Gong-gya system of 108 amulets. If you would like to request Lama Dawa to prepare your amulet, please send your email request to:
Buddhist Ceremonies or Pujas
The Buddhist tradition is rich with skilful methods to address our life's problems. Due to the great compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the great lineage masters, there are innumerable ways to bring about positive outcomes as well as dispel the negative or adversarial circumstances in our lives.
Buddhist ceremonies, or 'pujas' can be divided into three main categories:
- Reading of Sutras
- Making Offerings
- Specialized tantric rites
1) Reading Sutras or Buddhist scriptures
In Buddhist countries, it is common for the laity to sponsor the reading of Buddhist Sutras in the Monasteries. By commissioning the monks or nuns to read sacred scriptures on their behalf, positive energy is generated and due to the act of sponsorship, much merit and positive energy is directed towards the sponsor.
Sutra readings are traditionally performed at important junctures in one's life, such as the death of a loved one. Reading Sutras are one of the main activities of the monastic community and is a way for them to serve others. Often a family will invite a monk or group of monks or nuns to their residence and commission them to read Sutras all day to raise the positive vibrations in their homes and families. Although the merit is always dedicated for the benefit of all beings, the one who sponsors the readings have a direct link with the energies generated and can use that energy to accomplish their wishes.
To sponsor the reading of Sutras, you will need to contact a Buddhist monastery and inform them that you wish to sponsor the readings of such and such Sutra, and ask what the recommended donation would be. Your donation will be used to purchase any supplies, pay for the food and drink for the practitioners and offer a donation for their time and services.
2) Offering ceremonies
Offering ceremonies are elaborate rituals or "Tsog" offerings that are performed in a monastery or by a group of practitioners. They require many food items, ritual instruments and the making of tormas or ritual offering cakes. Sometimes they may take several days to complete, depending on the type of offering pujas being done.
Some types of offering ceremonies are burnt offerings or smoke offerings where certain substances are burned in a fire and offered throughout space while a liturgy is chanted.
3) Specialized tantric rites
In some instances, the performance of specialized tantric rites are required to address one's situation. These rites can only be performed by advanced tantrikas or Ngakpas who are skilled in that particular kind of practice.
Offering ceremonies and tantric rites are actualized through the use of 1. the proper substances, 2. The energy of mantra, 3. The use of mudra, and 4. the practitioner's level of samadhi (meditation). They cannot be performed by anyone. They must be performed by practitioners who have successfully completed the prerequisites and retreats, who hold that lineage and are in good standing with the lineage and teachers, and who have been trained to perform such ceremonies.
Please Note: It has come to our attention that there have been unqualified practitioners who are performing these ceremonies under Lama Dawa Rinpoche's name. Rinpoche strongly advises that if you need to have a special ceremony performed to please contact us for his reccommendations. Otherwise, he cannot be responsible for the results.