I was introduced to the practice of Dorje Shugden more than fifteen years ago and I have kept up with the practice until today. I thank my kind and compassionate lama for this wonderful practice without which I would not have progressed as quickly in the study and practice of Buddhism.
Back when my lama gave me the practice, he said that I should call upon Dorje Shugden and rely on him when faced with difficulties in life. And I did. After all, Dorje Shugden is The Uncommon Dharma Protector, the Enlightened One who manifested to protect the Dharma during difficult times like now when distractions are plenty.
For instance, a few years ago I was hospitalized with a viral infection, a common yet potentially life threatening disease without a known cure. All the doctors could do was to hook me up to IVs and prescribe plenty of rest so that my body could regain its strength and for my immune system to kick in.
I prayed hard, rested well and listened to the doctors and nurses’ advice. Within three days, my blood palette count practically returned to normal. I was discharged on the fourth day with a clean bill of health. The doctors and nurses were amazed with my swift recovery. Of course, they attributed the success to their advanced medical attention and to my cooperation. But I knew Dorje Shugden played a big part in it.
There were also many instances when I was in deep financial trouble and I prayed fervently to Dorje Shugden, requesting Him to help me ride through the difficult times by removing some of my obstacles. Sure, I had to put in a lot of effort too but there were some insurmountable odds that were stacked heavily against me. There was no way that I could have physically and humanly pulled through without divine intervention and assistance from Dorje Shugden.
Yes, I should not depend on Dorje Shugden for mundane affairs. But just like everyone else, when I was faced with life threatening situations, I prayed and asked Him for help; when I was faced with financial problems, again I prayed and asked Him for help. For I firmly believe that Dorje Shugden helps and assists Dharma practitioners like me, relieving me of sufferings albeit temporarily, so that I can continue on the Dharma path.
Now my business is stable, my relationship with my family is good, my health is good. I have the right conditions to continue with my Dharma learning and practices. I say these are opportune conditions provided through the compassionate love, care and protection from my beloved lama and my enlightened Dharma protector, Dorje Shugden.
In the past, I would never hesitate to explain Dorje Shugden’s practice to those who wish to know more. But with the ban enforced by the Dalai Lama and blindly carried out by his more than eager followers in the Central Tibetan Administration and beyond, it makes sharing of this wonderful Dharma Protector’s practice very difficult.
Not only has the ban made the practice of Dorje Shugden very dangerous for the Tibetan people, it has also greatly affected non-Tibetans around the world. I was refused entry to a Dharma teaching by a visiting Geshe in the country where I live. I was told the reason is because I was a Dorje Shugden follower. How absurd is that? A dog has a better chance to receive Dharma from such Dharma centers.
Buddhism is a religion that is supposed to teach loving kindness, tolerance, generosity, etc. but the Dalai Lama is now turning it into a cult. How can the world just sit by and allow the Dalai Lama to enforce a ban on one of the most established Vajrayana Buddhist practices and instead declare it to be demon worship? Moreover there are people who with blind faith follow and enforce what the Dalai Lama says. If these undemocratic actions are not considered to be inhumane acts that infringe on religious freedom, what is?
It is getting more difficult to share Vajrayana Buddhism with my friends and the people I meet. This is just one of the many obstacles that this ridiculous ban has created for the propagation of Dharma. Therefore it is imperative that the ban be lifted so many more will receive the benefits that I have through practice and reliance on Dorje Shugden.
The world must know of the unfair and unjust religious ban imposed by the Dalai Lama. A ban that infringes on religious freedom; a ban that has brought untold sufferings to people who have been practicing for decades; a ban that leaves most Tibetans between a rock and a hard place.
Some are voicing their right to religious freedom through peaceful demonstrations, others have started websites to provide more information about the truth. For those who are not able to do these things, you may talk to your friends and co workers about how the practice of and reliance on Dorje Shugden has benefited you.
And for those who are not Buddhist, please look at how innocent people are being deprived of their religious freedom. All because of what the Dalai Lama has done i.e. creating a ban on a religious practice which is enforced by the Central Tibetan Administration in such a manner that has negatively affected the lives of Tibetans and non-Tibetans alike.
All I am asking is that I, and millions of people worldwide, be left in peace without fear of bodily harm to continue with our practice of Dorje Shugden.
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Eli
September 22, 2014
With the amount of people Dorje Shugden has helped since his appearance 400 years he should deserve the Nobel Peace Prize or something to that effect. ANyways this is rejoicing news for everyone.
Sandra
September 23, 2014
I agree to the said that with the ban a lot of people have the difficulty to learn the Shudgen practice. Some even worst that just because they are Shudgen practitioners, they have been refuse to the dharma teaching. Our ultimate purpose to the protector practice is to remove the obstacle in order to learn the dharma, so in whatsoever way that the centre should not blind faith to follow the ban and reject those people for the dharma teaching. Dharma centre ultimate purpose is for the teaching. How could they reject people for those purpose just because the ban. This is ridiculous and defeat the purpose of dharma centre. There is no doubt the Shudgen practice can benefit a lot of people, just because of the ban and now slow down the spread of the practice.
Now is the time for those people to wake up and realise that not follow any said with blind faith and create more unnecessary hardship to others.
Icy
September 23, 2014
It should be more than the Nobel Peace Prize award to Dorje Shugden. Which Dharmapala can withstand and survive the great burden of blame and disparagement who is being made into a political warfare weapon? Of course it is none other than our beloved Dorje Shugden who is the Wisdom Buddha!
Jamyang Sonam
September 28, 2014
Thank you admin for posting this testimonial and reminding us the needs to lift the ban now. Dorje Shugden practice has directly and indirectly benefited many people, i myself included.
it is not the benefit that we reap from Dorje Shugden practice that bless us to remove our worldly obstacles, but it is to enable us to learn Dharma and applying it to our daily life and benefit others, and also prepare us for our death.
The lies after lies by the CTA has cause not only trouble but also violent against the Dorje Shugden Shugden practitioner who just want to practice in peace, definitely something wrong with the CTA and the ban by HH Dalai Lama, because DS practitioner kept being attacked for such a simple reason, practice!
ronykhan
October 6, 2014
Thank you for sharing your testimonial. There should be a column specially set up for testimonials; where those who have benefitted one way or another either directly or indirectly should be able to share their experiences. I personally have benefiited too from this great Protector; and have seen many around me whose Dharma has grown exponentially in them via the teachings and care from Dorje Shugden !
SabrinaS
August 8, 2016
Thank you for sharing your story and personal experiences of the benefit from practising Protector Dorje Shugden. I, too had felt the benefits of his practise and would share with people whenever I can. However, due to the unjust ban by the Dalai Lama who wrongly accused the enlightened Dorje Shugden as “spirit”, many that I share with would question the controversy and prefer to stay away from such a contradictory religion. Therefore the ban had not only created segregation and abuses on practitioners, it has prevented many people from receiving the dharma as they shied away from trouble and confusion. The image of Buddhism being a peaceful, non-violent and compassionate religion had been destroyed by the Dalai Lama’s illogical ban and CTA’s actions of instigating harm and abuse of Shugden practitioners. May the Dalai Lama swift gain his true buddha nature of Avalokitesvara to lift the ban and restore the faith of all practitioners.
Sierra
December 9, 2016
Well put. Right is right whoever speaks it. As the Buddha taught universal truth is indisputable. Ban is wrong for whatever the reason. It deprives some people of their freedom. In this case, the ban on Dorje Shugden is a ban that deprives the practitioners their religious freedom.
Thank you for sharing.
Sherabz
February 28, 2017
Thank you for this sharing.
It is very true that when we rely on Dorje Shugden and do the practice consistently, Dorje Shugden is definitely will help us to purify our bodies and minds. Dorje Shugden practice is powerful as he is able to ease our suffering and obstacles that was manifest from our negative karma and provides us the conducive conditions eg will help us in develop wisdom so that we can achieve spiritual potential.
bambi
August 1, 2018
The ban matters to all Dorje Shugden practitioners.No exception coz DL say so & his followers blindly follow.No logic no truth no facts.Ppl don’t research follow only coz they don’t care abt others.You are right is getting hard to talk practice coz ppl thinking Tibetan Buddhism is a cult.My friends don’t talk religion to me coz they don’t want to get involve with cult.Those who know me will know I am not coz action speak louder than word.Dorje Shugden help me many times.I become less angry & learn many things make me better person.Buddha teach ppl become better Dorje Shugden ban is opposite.Ppl become angry & discrimination happen everywhere no religious freedom for many.Cta never do anything there is no peace & stability among their ppl.What is the point having admin coz they don’t do any good only promote bad things.
Samayakeeper
August 1, 2018
The ban on Dorje Shugden practice by the Dalai Lama is not just about whether Dorje Shugden is a demon or a devil, it is not just about Dorje Shugden may harm the Dalai Lama, it is not just about being an obstacle to the Free Tibet movement or autonomy. It is about politics, politics that spanned for decades, centuries. The Tibetan leadership back then and now were jealous and afraid of Dorje Shugden before he arose as the Protector. Many written works and testimonies attest to this. The Tibetan government back then in old Tibet, way before the Cultural Revolution, did their best to eradicate Dorje Shugden and his previous incarnations history. The current Central Tibetan Admin are trying to do the same. Even at the cost of the harm and suffering inflicted upon their own people, living inside Tibet, living in India, living outside these two countries. While this is going on, we see and hear the Dalai Lama going around preaching loving kindness. And we have Lobsang Sangay also talking about similar things – what is he, the so called leader of the CTA or leader of the sangha?
Tenzin K
August 1, 2018
Dorje Shugden has helped many people in many ways. Due to the unjust ban it restrict many great Lamas to benefit many people through this practice.
Shugden ban has created many suffering to many people around the world and I have not heard a single person even spoke about the benefit of this ban. Have anyone heard anything or anyone shared the upside of this ban?
Chidook
August 1, 2018
Religion is freedom choices for all people. The accusation of practicing Dorje Shugden as demonic, bad spirits by the CTA and said that it may shorten DL life, is totally out of proves. Seeing HH still healthy and travelling around, if said that DS will harm his life. Was this logical? Many people received benefits from this practice as Dorje Shugden helps and more people are believing and trusting him. CTA uses ban on religious practice as scapegoat of their failing leadership which causes schism among spiritual practices. Due to CTA greed of power and money, had hurt, harm so much Tibetans leaving Tibet for good cause. Do CTA really have compassion? No, because compassion don’t bring them any “wealth”(material).
Tianni
August 1, 2018
@Chidook, yes agreed that compassion can not bring any wealth to benefit CTA. Moreover with this ban, CTA had all the reason to cover their failure.I personally experience friends unfriend me because i am sugden practitioner. They don’t even find out whats happening but just blindly accepted what Dalai Lama said. However, after so many years, some of them has found out the truth and starting practice and benefit from it. This prove that Dorje Shugden practice benefiting everyone.
Tenzin Sangye
August 1, 2018
I am one of many of them received help from Dorje Shugden. I totally agree what had share from this post. The ban of Dorje Shugden should lifted as soon as possible. This is totally not true about Dorje Shugden can harm people and his evil spirit.when you get know more about Dorje Shugden practice, you will find his practise is not wrong and have long story of high lama such as Kyeje Trijang rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche and Sakya lineage lama who relian on him. How can they be wrong
Pema
August 1, 2018
We are very fortunate to have met with Dorje Shugden and be able to practice this powerful protector’s mantra and prayers.
I hope that the unfair ban against Dorje Shugden will be removed as soon as possible. No religious practice should be banned as it is a personal choice and the CTA who pretends to be democratic is for sure aware about this.
Belinda Mae
August 2, 2018
Yes I agree that Dorje Shugden helped a lot of people through their difficult times and situations because he is a Dharma protector and he help to clear any obstacles that arises in our spiritual path. Putting a ban to this practice does not make any sense because Dorje Shugden is not a demo nor evil spirit.
Dondrup Shugden
August 2, 2018
I have been practising Dorje Shugden for more than 20 years and the blessings bestowed upon me by this Enlightened Protector had been numerous and I know that the flow of blessings will never stop because of His compassion and care for me.
Yes the Ban matters to me due to many reasons. The main one being since the imposition of the Ban to propagate Dorje Shugden is very difficult and many people will miss the opportunity to be guided so protectively in their lives. What a shame that is.
Secondly, my friends who knows that I practise Dorje Shugden are misinformed and continuously try to enrol me into another religion or another Buddhist tradition. This is very disturbing.
Even as a non Tibetan, I suffer such discrimination and I am grieved by CTA’s ban which is illegal and must be lifted.
Jing Jing
August 8, 2018
Thank you for sharing. Your story touches my heart. I believe whoever read this have the same feeling as you. Having the same situation with me here. Something very sacred and precious to us, that we can share and help many people suddenly because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, things became so difficult. How can discrimination happen in the Buddhists community some more by the highest spiritual head. I will continue to share Dorje Shugden prcatie because he really help many people over come difficult condition in their life. We all should continue to share no matter what.
Belinda Mae
August 12, 2018
I totally agree what the writer say. Dorje Shugden indeed helps a lot when a practitioner calls upon him for assistance. With the ban imposed on Dorje Shugden’s practice, some friends will have negative views on what I practice. I have to even becareful with who I share the Dorje Shugden’s practice with. I really hope this ban will be lifted soon so that less people will suffer.
Dalai Lama should set things right
August 13, 2018
Dear Dalai Lama,
Since you started the cruel ban against the 350 year Dorje Shugden practice, how has it benefit your Tibetan society and Buddhism in the world? Things have become worse and most educated Tibetans can see this. They don’t speak out not because they don’t see your ban as wrong, but you instill fear in them and not respect. It is like fear of a dictator. I am sorry to say so. Everyone is divided. There is no harmony. Before your ban there was more harmony and unity.
By enacting the ban, you split the monasteries, split so many families, split regions in Tibet apart, split your disciples from you, split your own gurus from you, split Tibetan Buddhism apart. You have created so much disharmony.
It is not democratic what you have done to ban a religion within your community. You always talk of tolerance and acceptance and democracy and yet you do not accept and tolerate something different from your beliefs. When people practice Dorje Shugden you ostracize them, ban them from seeing you, ban them from using Tibetan facilities. You know you have done that. There are videos that capture your speech and prove this point. You even had people expelled from monasteries just because they practice Dorje Shugden. Some of the monks you expelled have been in the monastery for over 40 years. Many older monks shed tears because of this.
Many young educated Tibetans lost confidence in you as they saw the damage the Dorje Shugden ban created and they lose hope. Many have become free thinkers. They reject what you have done. So many people in the west left Buddhism because of the confusion you created with this ban against Dorje Shugden which is immoral.
You could of had millions of people who practice Dorje Shugden to support, love and follow you, but you scared them away. They are hurt and very disappointed. They loved you and respected you deeply before the ban. It has been 60 years and you have failed to get Tibet back. Your biggest failure is not getting Tibet back after 57 years in exile. Now you are begging China to allow you to return to Tibet to the disappointment of thousands of people who fought for a free Tibet believing in you. So many self-immolated for a free Tibet and now you want Tibet to be a part of China with no referendum from Tibetans. Just like a dictator, you decide on your own. It was your government and you that lost Tibet in the first place. Your policies and style of doing things do not benefit Tibet and Buddhism. You have been the sole ruler of Tibet your whole life and you still have not gotten our country of Tibet back for us. Our families and us are separated. Yet you create more pain by creating a ban to further divide people. Please have compassion.
No other Buddhist leader has banned or condemned any religion except for you. It looks very bad. You are a Nobel laureate and this is not fitting of a laureate. You should unite people and not separate them by religious differences.
You said Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not do right to the Rohingya people in Myanmar due to religious differences, but you are doing the same thing to the Shugden Buddhists within your own society. There is a parallel in this. You separate the Shugden Buddhists from the others in Tibetan society.
You have lost so many people who would have loved and supported you. You have lost so much support around the world. The Shugden Buddhists who love you number in the millions. When you are fast losing support from governments and private people, it will not do you well to lose more.
After you are passed away in the future, the rift you created between the Dorje Shugden and non-Dorje Shugden people will remain for a while and that will be your legacy. Disharmony. You will be remembered for this. Not as a hero but a disharmony creator.
Dorje Shugden will spread and further grow, but you will be no more as you are a human. No one wishes you bad and in fact we hope you have a long and healthy life, but we have lost so much hope and have so much despair because of you. All the hundreds of Dorje Shugden lamas, tulkus and geshes are maturing and there are hundreds of Dorje Shugden monasteries in Tibet who will not give up Dorje Shugden. You have made a mistake. These hundreds of teachers and teachers to be will spread Dorje Shugden further in the future.
The gurus that gave us Dorje Shugden as a spiritual practice and you have called these holy gurus wrong and they are mistaken in giving us Dorje Shugden. How can you insult our gurus whom we respect so much? If they can be wrong, then you can be wrong. Then all gurus can be wrong. So no one needs to listen to any guru? You have created this trend. It is not healthy. Your own gurus practiced Dorje Shugden their whole lives. Your own gurus were exemplary and highly learned.
Dalai Lama you have created so much pain with this ban against so many people due to religion. You are ageing fast. Are you going to do anything about it or stay stubborn, hard and un-moving. You show a smile and preach peace and harmony wherever you go. But will you do the same to your own people? Please rectify the wrong you have done. Please before it is too late. You can create harmony again or you can pass away in the future with this legacy of peace. May you live long and think carefully and admit what was a mistake in having this unethical ban against Dorje Shugden religion.