ho ho Mindy!
Good to see you here (I was the one who passed you the brochure at Sarah's store!)
I know what you mean about the politics - it is hard to disentangle the two at the moment and although it can be confusing, it is also helpful to know about it as many practitioners' spiritual path and practice has seen grave interruptions and obstacles by the politics that have arisen.
I was not keen on the politics myself either - but ironically, it was through the politics that I learnt the various different debates and sides of argument that eventually lead me to understanding more about both Dorje Shugden as a fully enlightened being, and about Dharma & Buddhist practice in general.
As with all Buddhist practices, we are taught not to just jump into something and take it and then abandon it halfway. We are encouraged to read up, study and debate until we gain a firm understanding and strong enough faith to want to pursue and commit to this practice. the benefit you will receive back from the practice will then be even greater if you have a firmer basis in your understanding.
As you are a "starter", I would recommend the following:
- read the "I am new here" section, which also has links within it to other useful articles:
http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=3556- this might lead you to other Dorje Shugden websites also which provides much good history and background information on Dorje Shugden's lineage, his previous incarnations, explanations on his iconography and imagery.
- do read some of the articles under the section "the ban". (the nice people here have organised the articles nicely so all politics are in one section!)
- I highly recommend checking out the "Great Masters" section also for some inspiration! Lots of beautiful stories and photographs of the masters of old who were known DS practitioners and highly revered Dharma teachers.
- if you'd like to incorporate some of DS's prayers in your daily meditations, check out the section on prayers. I'd recommend prayer by the 5th dalai lama (
http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?page_id=341) or melody of the unceasing vajra by 14th dalai lama (
http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?page_id=346)
- lastly, i know it's a lot to catch up on and read, but I do recommend reading through different threads on the forum and also asking questions if you don't understand. That's the best way to learn and people here will also be keen to help answer your question - we love a good debate!
