I have been edging to write this for the longest time to share this view of what has been both draining my well-being as well as empowering my spiritual self to clear the frustration and negative emotions arising from this unfortunate spiritual suppression.
Loving Shugden
“At the early time, entering into the teaching of the Tathagata,
you rose in the form of Vinaya-holding Bhikshu,
thus you protect all the teachings of the Sravaka-Pitaka without exception, I prostrate to you.”
As we all know and agree that Dorje Shugden is by no fault an enlightened Being of the highest nature. Openly portraying himself as the sacred protector of Manjunatha Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings, he had vowed to arise as an UNCOMMON protector of the sublime Gaden lineage. This form which He has dutifully taken in order to serve his Spiritual Master with the interest to preserve the holy lineage which is unmistakenly clear and lucidly outlines the path to Supreme Enlightenment.
It is therefore with great responsibility that this noble monk, Je Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen in his lifetime chose to arise during his murder as this uncommon protector. The controversies surrounding this historical figure today has lead to many uncalled for mental anguish and material deprivation. The ban since its conceptualization and beginning has pushed Tibetan Buddhism especially the lineage of the Gaden tradition to the forefront. Both negative and positive feedback has been received by the media and people around the world which denotes the amount of care and hate people have for this deity.
The current result; people have heard about Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, Lamas, Rinpoches, Geshes, and of course Dorje Shugden. Without any doubt it has triggered in the recipient’s mind that such things exist. Those who are concerned showed signs of care which triggers the dormant compassion in them, allowing a seed of liberation in the form of Compassion and Love to sprout in barren grounds of today’s world of advanced technology. Those who show hate and malice towards the deity, lineage masters and that of the tradition collects a certain amount of negative karma but in nature connects with the Buddha nature within. A Buddha is a Buddha, any thought of hatred or malice would not harm Him, but only plant seeds of enlightenment for the future. Either way things will work out fine.
The ancient Kadampa masters always tells us to think with broad and expansiveness of the mind, look further into the future and we shall be able to do more to benefit others. Such is the nature of an enlightened Mind which we need to badly nurture. This thought coupled with compassion and skillful means brings us yonder to a world better known as Bliss. The wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden’s encompassing qualities of body, speech, mind, qualities and activities renders such an amazing chance for sentient beings who are sunk in the seas of Samsara to be able to obtain his sacred blessing in this way. He is therefore a Buddha WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION!
Je Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, HH Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, HH Zong Dorje Chang, HH Zemey Dorje Chang are lineage masters without fault in conduct and practice which we can see living proofs of what these masters have contributed towards the people of Tibet and humanity in itself. The spread of the untainted doctrine of Lama Tsongkhapa through these masters of which have benefitted thousands in India, China, Mongolia and Tibet during the prime time of their life has made so much impact in the minds of those who receive their teachings. Today, we see their lineage grow through hardworking living masters who have transformed from practice and perfected them before passing onto others whom in turn made a huge impact in their life. How is this possible? The enlightened mind works in reference to the happiness of other people and not on the self. Hence, the protector of these highly evolved beings is definitely a Buddha of great Compassion!
Within a short span of time and given the geographical and demographical set downs of Tibet, the practice of Dorje Shugden has definitely outshone many older teachings which had originated in Tibet. During times of hardship when the people and their religion was put down badly to the point of extermination, Dorje Shugden held these people within the folds of his robes and ensured them safety. Such is the display of his unfeigned powers of protection. A good example was Dorje Shugden’s powers in shielding the Dalai Lama on HH’s escape from Lhasa to India. Without doubt Dorje Shugden’s powers have ensured a nation in exile to have a spiritual leader today. Definitely to be able to protect the Dalai Lama from the Red Guard would not only mean skillful magical powers but the merit to put on hold negative karma from ripening on the people who will be without a refuge in the world. Dorje Shugden is the wrathful King of Dharma Protectors in which we can take refuge for whatever obstacles we may face for His might is infallible!
Uncommon in any tradition of Buddhism, Dorje Shugden arises to teach when the Dharma is degenerating. True to his predecessor’s personalities, Dorje Shugden is a master of both Sutras and Tantric teachings. On top of that, he is the sacred holder of the Vinaya which is the root of all Buddhist texts, views and attainments. From time to time through his emanations, trances and magical manifestations, Dorje Shugden has arisen and will arise to propagate the special view of Je Tsongkhapa. From here we can see that Dorje Shugden does not only support other Lamas and Rinpoche’s well being for them to spread the sacred Dharma, he takes it upon himself to do the job at times. This makes him a very special being and protector because he provides the SAME PROTECTION to both Dharma and sentient beings.
Recollecting the above few points which I have highlighted, it is safe for us to accept and love Dorje Shugden. A protector Buddha with characteristics such as I’ve mentioned above would not harm anyone regardless who they are. If they cannot harm beings such as Trijang Rinpoche, why would He want to harm HHDL and the cause of Tibet? If he is so malicious, it would be right for Trijang Rinpoche, the junior tutor of HHDL to warn us also. If Trijang Rinpoche is wrong, HHDL will have to be wrong also! And there goes the rest of the world of Buddhism.
Loving Dorje Shugden means to embrace the teachings of his spiritual master, Je Tsongkhapa. By practicing the paths of Lojong(Mind Transformation), Lamrim(Stages of the Path) and Mahamudra(the Great Seal) one delights the heart of Dorje Shugden and we will be blessed. A demon would not require this of us to make him happy. A demon would only want flesh and blood from jealousy and malice to destroy ourselves and the people around us. Love, for many of us is attachment, love for Dorje Shugden is Liberation.
Love all Lamas
We are fortunate to be able to be reborn in this era where technology has brought our living standards to a point whereby we do not need to endure hardships for our daily needs. Our material needs are pretty much taken care of. Education is affordable though may vary according to our family background but we will not be easily left uncared for. On top of that, we are more fortunate to have met our Spiritual Guide of a valid tradition stemming from Buddha Shakyamuni’s time. If we have such fortune, we should really appreciate and rejoice in the merits which we have amassed over time.
With technology also, we have access to highly evolved beings such as HHDL and Lamas of traditions of Lord Buddha. These traditions sprouted when Dharma was bare in the lands of barbarians and these masters and their patriachs went through hardships and sacrifice to establish the good news of the sacred Dharma in these lands. We need to understand the nature of Dharma which is very precious and not easy to phatom in the minds of the unsown. The amount of love, work, cajoling, beating, punishments etc in order to get the Dharma settled within our mindstream.
Whether their actions are wrathful or peaceful, their motivation is focused in bringing the Dharma, the nectar which is the medicine to heal our sufferings and negative emotions. This is done in order to uplift us and bring us to come to terms with ourselves in peace and happiness. And on a higher level, empower us to empower others with the holy words and practice of the Omniscient Lord Buddha. This is done in order to preserve the wondrous holy Dharma which we have received much benefit from. We need to keep it alive so that the generations that come after us may be able to benefit from it as well.
Different views and points highlighted during the process of teaching and disseminating the Dharma is often misread as means to oppose another party. The differences in teachings are not meant to be contradictory but to be complimentary by the Buddha himself. This is further elucidated by masters of the Middle view such as the great mendicant Nagarjuna, Lord of the Pervasive view. When you structurally put it focused onto smaller things and put people into view on a single subject, we would not be able to achieve harmony in terms of realizing the essence of what these views has been put onto us.
Similarly when we approach one Lama and we are taught one thing but the next Lama whom we meet teaches us something contradicting, we should examine ourselves and not the qualified Lamas. Traditionally, when we engage in practice with one Lama, we should stick to only His Eminence and not move to another without the permission of the first. This is clearly stated in the 50 verses of Guru Devotion. We should not be masters of ourselves and make decisions for our spiritual path without proper consultation and permission from our current gurus. From this, we create causes to be suitable vessels for the Dharma to be in us. Our minds will be at ease and not cluttered from the things we hear. Having dispelling unnecessary obstacles, we create a platform for attainments and realizations to grow within ourselves.
Hence, it is important to LOVE OUR LAMAS and in abiding with their wishes, we create a very harmonious platform for teachers of all traditions to teach their disciples in accordance with their dispositions. This is very essential of today’s world as this would have lessened the sufferings of members of the Sangha who have worked very hard in getting the sacred Dharma to us. By loving our Lamas, we LOVE ALL LAMAS from every tradition and lineage of Lord Buddha disregarding race, color and orientation. Making the Buddhist world a better place to study and gain realization from our practice.
Our minds are weak, hence we need the nectar of our Lama’s speech to empower us to be better people. With concentration and discerning analysis of our Lamas’ words, we are not easily confused and will have the faith to act in accord with our Lama’s wishes to get things done for the happiness of many. The confusion with the Dorje Shugden ban would be easily lifted if it we loved our Lamas without agenda for ourselves. This would have cleared much doubt and confusion with the people of Tibet suffering from the ban. For us watching from the front, we should look deeper into the problem and understand it thoroughly before we jump into any conclusion.
Creating this strong loving platform of awareness, we save many people from undesired state of confusion and unhappiness. I am writing this to create awareness for us to have clean Samayas with our Spiritual Guide for it is through them many attainments will arise in our mind stream. Loving our teacher means we listen to EVERYTHING THEY SAY and follow all the way.
Heal the world
Healing a world damaged and hurt by pollutions of the mind and physical pollution is by far the hardest and most mind boggling task to do in this era and time. Convenience is the great cause for this to happen. The peace which we envision for the world today might not be what we can achieve with our own two hands.
But here’s what I think is possible:
1. Promoting the Gaden tradition:
Our tradition is rich with the fruits of all four schools of Buddhism in Tibet(Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Kadam) we shall promote Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition in accordance with the disposition of the people of today. People from all walks of life should bask in the sunshine of the Gaden tradition. In doing so, we promote spiritual harmony amongst other schools too!
2. Dorje Shugden – Protector of Universal Peace
Like the mother Matzu of China/Taiwan, this deity has been honored by the UNESCO as one of its world peace ambassadors. We can write and promote Dorje Shugden as means of UNIVERSAL PEACE for all.
3. Go Vegetarian
Peace is a result of non-violence, I urge everyone who reads this to dedicate one week of your vegetarian diet towards this cause. Make a prayer to Dorje Shugden and dedicate it to this cause. Earnest prayers coupled with action begets results.
4. Raise awareness of the sufferings of suppression
Monks who are practitioners of Dorje Shugden are suppressed for their religious beliefs, we need to raise awareness about this matter and release these monks from their confusion and mental turmoil.
5. Prayer of Universal Peace
I believe Dorje Shugden promises peace within ourselves and to the people around us whom we love. He is Manjushri, lord of ultimate wisdom who cuts asunder our negative emotions and provides us with the wisdom needed for a better world. Doing his prayer COLLECTIVELY would create the causes for this to happen.
Above are 5 points which I have in mind through this website which we can help achieve Universal Peace and in return create causes for the ban to be lifted. Do take a good read and give your feedback on what we can do to make this happen!
“As no-one desires the slightest suffering
Nor ever has enough of happiness,
There is no difference between myself and others,
So let me make others joyfully happy – bless me thus!”
H1N1
