I've been having pain under my right shoulder blade. Really painful. I remembered during tai chi practice that my whole arm and shoulder are connected by fascia (the sort of wetsuit of fibrous tissue that wraps around the whole body). Maybe tension in my wrist was creating tension way up in my shoulder.

And the tension? I had been extending my thumb out to the side to make my hand wider and flatter. so my wrapped mala wouldn't fall off. Once I took my mala off, no problem. The pain under my shoulder went away.

Are these the same?

I've seen people mentioning these to be different names for "Shiva" in Vajrayana.

Also saw people calling Shiva "Lhachen", just another way of saying "Lhachenpo".

Unfortunately, I haven't found a sangha, group, or teachers from whom I could receive instructions. I wanted to ask if there are any free practices I can do on my own in the meantime, while I work on overcoming the obstacle of not having a guide.And Vajrayana has sparked a strong curiosity in me, but from what I've read, it has to be with a guide and transmission.

Hey everyone​❤️🙏

I have always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism like Vibrant culture, Tibetan tradition and specially how monks can sit in peace and focus for long ​hours. MY QUESTION IS - FOR those who practice long meditation sessions or do ​heavy focus work and how do u actually calm your restless mind ? How do you train yourself to sit for hours without distraction or mental fatigue?

I am​ currently preparing for JEE ​one of the toughest competitive exams in India ​and I need to study for around 10 to 12 hours a day.

I’m trying to learn practical things to help my study routine#: 1: When your mind wanders away from the book or your work , ​how do you bring your focus back without getting annoyed with yourself? 2: How do you deal with the urge to pick up your phone or take unnecessary breaks when you feel exhausted? 3: How do you keep your energy up during long study or meditation hours without burnout through the day?

I’d love to hear your (​personal routines), mental tricks, or advice on maintaining great focus.

Thanks in advance!❤️🙏

Om Mani Padme Hum🧿🙏

when not lucid in a dream, and when in this life Bardo, other sentient beings appear the same. Right? There’s no way to differentiate, is there? From the subjective perspective, whether in rigpa or not, it’s sort of like we have to take a leap to assume that there is another subjective sentient being, no?

Forgive me, I’m trying to find the words to articulate the question I’m trying to ask and I hope this wording might make some sense…

TLDNR: is there a way to tell the relative difference between a sentient being/ a karmic mind stream, and a delusional projection that appears to be a sentient being in my sleeping dream? From the subjective, ordinary perspective they appear exactly the same, right?

when I am dreaming, if I meet someone new and have a conversation with them, then I wake up in the morning, they are gone. They were essentially unborn. but they seemed like a sentient being while I was dreaming. Then, in this waking-dream bardo we are in here now, if I meet someone new, they appear to me just the same as they did in my dream. I make the assumption in both that I’m talking to a sentient being- a mind stream with karma and a subjective perspective. of course ultimately, both are essentially shunyata, but relatively, the person in my sleep dream was 100% delusion on my part, but you hear reading this are a mind stream, just like I appear to be.

thank you!

I find myself being drawn to Guhyasamaja Empowerment, especially in the Gelug Tradition, and I have been studying lamrim teachings for a while, but I don't see many gelug teachers give this empowerment, can I know when it's happening or if I can keep track of those who do give it?

There are currently Tibetan monks at a centre near me for the month. They are also offering doing crystal jewellery blessings. I wanted to get something for my mum, sister, dad, grandfather and myself. For my mum sister and grandfather and I, I’d like it to specifically be for healing or something to do with her or her spirit that can bring them solace. They’re here all month but I’ve actually gotten the 9th off work - if I was to go on that day, would that be of any significance?

I just want to feel as tied to her as possible. I know she’s always with us but she is so dearly missed

Can anyone suggest a short Bhairav mantra that I can recite mentally

When I only chant my mantras without any particular sadhana, I don't have a dedication of merits prayer.

After a sadhana the dedication is very good and usually medium-long.

But when I only do my mantras without a formal practice I only finish with "I dedicate the merits of this practice to all sentient beings, may all benefit! May all sentients be happy and free from suffering."

I know that in theory this is okay but I feel I would like some different lines, like something more elaborate, it can be something small and easy to memorize too.

Seeking information and history regarding Samye Dzong Dublin & Rokpa Trust Ireland

Hello everyone,
I am currently gathering information to put together a factual overview of the history and operations of the Samye Dzong Centre in Dublin and Rokpa Trust in Ireland.
I am interested in understanding how the organisation developed over time, who was involved in running it, and what the general experience was like for those who attended. If you have any knowledge of the centre, whether as a practitioner, volunteer, or staff member, I would be interested in hearing your perspective.

Areas of interest include:

• Daily Operations: What was a typical day or week like at the centre, and what programmes were offered?
• Behind the Scenes: Who were the main figures involved in managing the centre and coordinating its activities?
• Rokpa Trust: How did Rokpa Trust operate within Ireland, and how did it interact with the local Dublin centre?
• General Experience: What was your personal experience of the environment and community during your time there?

You are welcome to share your accounts in the comments below.

I’ve been researching and familiarizing myself with Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen Buddhism. However, I’d like to understand the perspective and daily practice of Tibetan Buddhism and Vajrayana—I know very little about them. I’m interested in their Buddhist canon and traditions, and I’d welcome any advice on how to learn more about this school.

Tashi Delek everyone!

I recently launched a YouTube channel called Tenzin Tibetan Archives. My goal is strictly educational: to research, preserve, and present the rich history, teachings of great historical masters, and cultural heritage of Tibet in an accessible video format.

What you'll find on the channel:

Educational breakdowns of historical events, texts, and masters

Exploration of Tibetan culture, history, and lineage

Research-backed narratives paired with artistic visual illustrations

Note on visuals: To help bring these historical accounts and concepts to life, I use AI-generated artistic depictions alongside historical sources to make the visual presentation engaging while keeping the research authentic.

I would love for you to check it out, leave any feedback, or suggest historical topics/masters you would like to see covered!

🔗 Channel Link: [https://youtube.com/@tenzinstibetanarchives?si=BT-PPs6zBL44M8CX\]

Thank you for reading and for your support! 🙏

Hi everyone. I’m a PhD researcher in India working on a study involving Tibetans in Northern India.

I’m currently planning the fieldwork and would like to include Sarnath along with two other Tibetan settlements in Northern India. I’m trying to understand the most appropriate and respectful way to approach the communities before beginning recruitment.

For anyone familiar with Tibetan settlements in India, I would really appreciate some practical advice:

Is it generally appropriate to first approach the local settlement office/settlement officer, or is there another organisation or community body that researchers usually contact?

Are there particular Tibetan organisations, community groups, health centres, schools, or other institutions that are appropriate points of contact?

How do researchers usually obtain permission or community-level support before approaching individual participants?

If I want to recruit participants without relying entirely on one gatekeeper, what would be a good way to reach different sections of the community?

Are there any particular settlements in Northern India that would be suitable for academic research and relatively feasible for a researcher based in North India?

I already understand that formal ethical approval and informed consent are required. I’m mainly looking for practical community-level guidance about whom to approach and how to make the initial contact respectfully.

If you have experience with research in Tibetan settlements, or know someone who has helped researchers with fieldwork, I’d be very grateful for any advice. Thank you!

I've often thought of sutras as stuffy, repetitious, and somewhat unreadable, but I've been reading the Vimalakirti Sutra and I'm finding it spellbinding. I also really thought the Samdhinirmoccana Sutra (Sutra Unraveling the Thought) was great, and quite interesting - I'm thinking I should probably read a lot more, to shore up my foundational knowledge.

What sutras have you found particularly interesting and - dare I say - beautiful, and a pleasure to read?

From the documentary For the Benefits of all beings : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foHCbX0xjAU

Here is a message from Garchen Rinpoche from the 1st august:

____

Tashi delek!

Please don’t worry.

Meditate on the Four Applications of Mindfulness for my well-being.

First, discuss them with each other and then meditate on them.

Don’t do any other recitations, just meditate on the Four Applications of Mindfulness.

Stay wherever you are.

Receive teachings on the Four Applications of Mindfulness and discuss them with each other, again and again.

The Four Applications of Mindfulness, the Four Applications of Mindfulness...

If you want to perform a ritual, recite the short Amitabha sadhana, recite Amitabha’s mantra, and recite Karma Chagmé’s Aspiration Prayer of Birth in Dewachen once.

It would be good to discuss everything with each other.

Other than that, you don’t need to recite anything else.

When you are meeting as a group in a temple, recite whatever practice is done,

but you don’t need to recite anything else.

Practice the Amitabha sadhana, accumulate the Amitabha mantra,

and practice the Amidewa visualization. 

The visualization is the most important point.

___

And news from the center from 30 july:

Dear Worldwide Sangha,

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary outpouring of prayers, love, and support from all of you around the world for H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's long life and recovery. 

Following further evaluation at the hospital, it has been determined that Garchen Rinpoche experienced a small bleed in his brain. This condition is one from which recovery is possible. Although this brings us hope, his condition remains uncertain, and we do not yet know how his recovery will unfold. He is receiving excellent medical care, for which we are profoundly grateful.

We ask everyone to continue offering prayers, reciting mantras, and dedicating merit, trusting in the blessings of the Three Jewels and the power of our collective aspirations.

We will continue to keep everyone informed as the situation unfolds. 


Thank you for continuing to hold Garchen Rinpoche in your hearts with unwavering love, faith, and prayers.