FAQ (frequently asked questions)

If you don't have Phowa, it is also good to do the Meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light with the Mantra OM AMI DEWA HRIH, to imagine the Red Buddha above the head of the person and that the most beautiful place one can imagine is there - and that the dead one develops the wish to go there. You can also put a picture of the Red Buddha at a place where the deceased spent a lot of time. Good is also to do something beneficial in the name of your friend or relative, which has a positive influence on their karma.
And if you have the feeling it might disturb the dead one, it would be better to avoid handling matters of inheritance during the first 7 weeks or going through and distributing their personal belongings.

Please do Phowa yourself if you can, this is always the best. With your close connection you can reach your friend very well and be of great help now. If you have the possibility, the best is to do Phowa in the first 30 minutes after death. Then again a very good moment to do Phowa is after 68 -72 hours after death. Other good days to do Phowa are the same weekday of the death, full or new moon. Phowa can only be done until 49 days after death and best is to do it in the first 3 weeks. You can also do Phowa several times, even after Lama Ole did Phowa and the dead one's mind is already in the pure lands. Then, doing Phowa is a blessing and good experience for all involved.

It is good to do Phowa together with the friends who had a connection and knew the deceased. Normally only the ones who have attended a Phowa course can be present. However, if the parents or other close relatives really wish to be present during the practice they can do so, but then don't mention the inner visualization and do the sending up inwardly without the sounds.

No, but they can do the meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light with the Mantra OM AMI DEWA HRIH, imagine the Red Buddha above the head of the person and that the most beautiful place one can imagine is there - and develop the wish to go there. However, if the parents or other close relatives really wish to be present during the practice they can do so, but then don't mention the inner visualization and do the sending up inwardly without the sounds. In any case, they can also put a picture of the Red Buddha at a place where the deceased one spent a lot of time and do something beneficial in the name of their relative, which has a positive influence on their karma.

Generally it is said that for a mind coming from the realm of animals - which cannot think abstract - going into a pure land is very unlikely, but a good rebirth is very possible, maybe even as a human with a connection to the Dharma. However, in rare cases, if the connection to the one who does Phowa is very strong, one can even succeed to bring the animal all the way through, because they have less concepts and can thus follow easier. Under all circumstances, Lama Ole will make wishes.

Generally Lama Ole advises to send Phowa-request only for close relatives and friends of yours, for people who have a connection to Lama Ole or if you are asked to do so. Also we do not want to convert anyone, once they are dead although their whole life they consciously chose something else than Buddhism. Especially famous people can be quite torn around because so many people think of them once they died. However, Lama Ole will have the person at the next Phowa session and will give the Phowa practice as an offer and if you have Phowa, you can do the same.

Phowa can only be done until maximum 49 days after death so it is very important to send Phowa requests to Lama Ole as soon as possible, also because Lama Ole is on tour all the time and cannot always do Phowa immediately. Also it is best if he can do it during Phowa courses for which we collect the requests if the timeframe allows. If you ask Lama Ole to do Phowa for a person who died longer ago then 49 days, Lama Ole will make good wishes for them and will send the information to Asia where Karmapa's monks will also do a special practice to help.

Generally Lama Ole advises to send Phowa-request only for close relatives and friends of yours, for people who have a connection to Lama Ole or if you are asked to do so.

If you have a picture it is good to send us. It is easier for Lama Ole to do Phowa when he has a picture of the person. Details about how to upload can be found in the Info Area. Please send us a picture of the face and make sure that no one else is visible on that photo. However, if you don't have a picture, this is no problem. Most important for Lama Ole to make contact during Phowa is the full name and maybe a short explanation about the person from you.

Please look up Lama Ole's travelpan:
www.diamondway-buddhism.org/pdf/travelplan.pdf