..續本文上一頁 kind of definitive meaning of tathagatagarbha is only within reach by first ground bodhisattvas or higher. Not to mention the eighth ground bodhisattva, I haven”t even entered the path of accumulation. So, as an ordinary person, appearance is not emptiness, and emptiness is not appearance; appearance is contradicted by emptiness. Only by integrating the clear light posited in the third turning of the wheel of Dharma and the emptiness ascertained in the second turning of the wheel of Dharma can we master its original nature. This therefore requires genuine study and practice before we can attain it.

　　(11) Question: In the Han area, there are many bhikkhunis. In contrast, there are not many female monastics in Tibetan Buddhism, and, furthermore, women”s rights in the Tibetan area seem very neglected. May I know how Tibetan Buddhism views women”s rights

　　Answer: There are actually quite a lot of female monastics in the Tibetan area. In our Buddhist institute, there are about two to three thousand male monastics, but there are five to six thousand female monastics.

　　Regarding the bhikkhuni transmissions, Tibetan Buddhism has never had one. Around the end of the twentieth century, some prominent Tibetan masters both in the East and abroad were thinking about importing the bhikkhuni transmissions into the Tibetan area. However, due to lacking various causes and conditions, they temporarily have given up this mission. This doesn”t mean that Tibetan Buddhism discriminates against women; it is only because it lacks the lineage transmissions.

　　This situation has not only happened in Tibetan Buddhism, it has also happened in Thailand. When I went there, I found out that men are allowed to join the program to be a monk for a short time, but the most women can temporarily do is observe the eight precepts. The “inequality” is even worse there.

　　However, as long as women practice with commitment and effort, they can attain enlightenment. There are many eminent great masters in the history of Tibetan Buddhism who are female, such as Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Dakini Machik Labdrön. According to The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Its Fundamentals and History, another dakini named Jomo Menmo, after she performed tsok offering with her two female disciples, they flew just like an eagle to a pure land directly without leaving their body behind.

　　Besides that, women”s rights in the Tibetan area are not exactly as others think they are. Only with certain traditional things are the abilities of women usually not on a par with men”s and we see the differences. Apart from that, their status and rights are not affected.

　　(12) Question: My father doesn”t have sound bodily health; he often has headaches. Every morning, my mother offers a glass of water in front of the Buddha statue and then recites Casket Seal Dharani from the Secret Whole Bodies Relics of all Buddhas Hearts a few times before giving the water to my father. After my father drinks it, he immediately feels that his headache has been eased. However, I wonder if without an empowerment we can recite the mantra

　　 Is my mother doing the right thing

　　Answer: For any mantra, it is better to receive the relevant empowerment before reciting it. However, even if we have no chance of receiving the transmission or permission, the mantra”s effect is still there, and reciting it doesn”t commit a significant fault.

　　At present, whether it is in the Tibetan or Han area, there are many people reciting mantras without having received the transmission; however, after they recite them, they still give rise to some effects and blessings.

　　(13) Question: I have been consistently doing my practice and also offer a lot to charity. However, my physical health continues to be poor. How do you view this situat…

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