There isn’t a Tibetan Buddhist in the world who hasn’t heard of the recent controversies surrounding the practice of the Protector Deity Dorje Shugden. Since the Dalai Lama banned the practice, it has been the most talked about issue within the Buddhist world.
The Dalai Lama and his supporters claim that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit and praying to him is equal to praying to a spirit, which destroys the basis of our most basic Buddhist refuge vows and commitments, and creates heavy, negative karma. They claim that the worship of Dorje Shugden will result in practitioners’ eventual misfortunes, shortening of the Dalai Lama’s life and the failure of the cause for Tibetan independence.
If this is REALLY the case, then we would like to point out the very serious consequences that this has for the future of Buddhist practice, especially within the Gelug school:
The Consequences for Tantra in the Gelugpa school
1) We are told that anyone who practices Dorje Shugden has lost their refuge. If they have lost their refuge, this means they have also lost their basis of all three sets of vows: Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and Tantra. If they have lost the basis of all their vows and samaya, then all their practices will degenerate and bring no result. These practices include all their sadhanas, Tsog, tantric meditations, pujas, rituals and divinations. It means that the people who practice Dorje Shugden have broken everything that is sacred and pure. Therefore, they cannot be considered Buddhists anymore, let alone accomplish their practices, and they have sealed their fate in the three lower realms for an immeasurable amount of time.
2) Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, the Panchen Lamas and thousands of other elite Buddhist masters such as Kyabje Ling Rinpoche have practiced Dorje Shugden or at least respected him very much. If we follow the same line of thought, it means these lamas have also broken their refuge, have not practiced correctly and are therefore not correct objects of refuge for us anymore; we cannot consider them as qualified lineage teachers or rely on them. Nor can we accept, receive or practice with confidence any of the tantric lineages they have passed to us. As such, all tantric lineages become null and ineffective.
Within the tantras of the Gelug school, lamas such as Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche are a part of the lineage lamas we recite supplication prayers to daily. For example, in the 13-Deity and Solitary Yamantaka sadhanas, there are 40 lamas whose names we recite and request for their blessings. It is important that we recite these supplications to our root and lineage lamas to absorb their blessings into our practice.
All the sadhanas of Vajrayogini, Heruka, Yamantaka and Guhyasamaja that are taught and practiced within the Gelug school today all include Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche within the prayers to the lineage lamas. How is this possible if they have all broken their refuge and are now in the 3 lower realms? How can we be taking refuge and requesting blessings from beings that are not correct objects of refuge? In fact, the Short Solitary-Yamantaka sadhana and the 6-Session Guru Yoga were composed by Pabongka Rinpoche – this is recited by every Gelug tantric initiate daily. The only currently used long and short Vajrayogini sadhana within the Gelugpa school, and the commentaries on Vajrayogini and Yamantaka were also composed by Pabongka Rinpoche. That would mean every high Gelugpa lama and learned Geshe have been stripped of all their attainments.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has received the bulk of his tantric practices from these very root and lineage lamas, and is now initiating thousands of people into these same practices. For example, the practice of Kalachakra he bestows on countless people every year comes directly from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. Since Kyabje Ling Rinpoche respected and has written prayers to Dorje Shugden, how can he be a fit lineage lama? And therefore, how can the Kalachakra lineage of the Dalai Lama be correct and bear results if we do the practice when the source is stained?
We are led to understand that all Gelug sadhanas today are therefore nullified and empty of blessings, and we should stop them immediately. After all, it cannot be that the lineage lamas broke their refuge only in one aspect but remained pure in all their other practices. Once you have broken your refuge, which is the basis of all other vows and commitments, it applies to one’s entire practice. It is thus logical for us to say that NOBODY alive in the Gelugpa lineage today, including the Dalai Lama, has attainments or a potent lineage because they have all obtained their teachings and practices from a broken, tainted lineage of teachers.
3) H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself has said that he does the Yamantaka, Guhyasamaya and Heruka sadhanas daily. This is according to the advice of Tsongkhapa who recommended these three sadhanas to his followers during this degenerate Kaliyuga age. Since His Holiness does the 3 Kingly Sadhanas every day, he would also be supplicating these same lamas who are apparently not worthy of our prayers and refuge anymore. This includes Pabongka Rinpoche and His Holiness’ own Gurus Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche. This means that the Dalai Lama is also doing practices which have no correct basis or blessings, and therefore should have no attainments. Either the lineage lamas are attained and without fault, or they are ordinary beings without blessings – which one is it?
In fact, it is safe to say that the whole Gelugpa tantric system is now faulted. When there is a break in the lineage of lamas, this would mean that the practices are now invalid and without lineal blessings. The practices are nullified and should be considered ineffective. Is that what we are to believe from now on?
The Consequences for Sutra in the Gelugpa school
4) We must also consider the sutra teachings and practices: Thousands of elite, qualified and very high learned Geshes have arisen from the three pillars of learning (Gaden, Sera and Drepung Monasteries) over the last 600 years. Within that time, Dorje Shugden practice has been very strong and highly respected over the last 350 years in all three monasteries. In fact, his images, statues and thangkas are prevalent throughout these three great pillars within their prayer halls, khangtsens and private ladrangs. So over the last 350 years, thousands of qualified Geshes and monks have practiced Dorje Shugden, or received their sutra and scriptural trainings from other Geshes and high lamas who practiced Dorje Shugden. In fact, within the three pillars, the teachers and disciples who practice Dorje Shugden are so intertwined that to remove one and say that he is not qualified would cause the whole monastic system to collapse with a huge domino effect.
If we consider that Dorje Shugden practitioners have all broken their refuge and are no longer true Buddhists or true objects of refuge, then all these Geshes and high lamas are not qualified to teach in any way; their thousands of students over the last 350 years have been relying on unqualified sources and receiving teachings from impure teachers. Their students henceforth are therefore monks with no true basis of refuge… if they are monks at all now. In fact, Ordination vows passed on would be invalid. Therefore, it is possible that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and thousands of monks in the three pillars are not truly ordained Sangha. Also, since they engage in wrong “spirit” practices and are not real Buddhists, we can assume that once they pass away, they would take rebirth in the 3 lower realms.
Even if the current monks and Geshes have abandoned the practice of Dorje Shugden, their teachers and lineage teachers of the past did the practice and are therefore not considered true or correct Buddhists. For example, Lama Yeshe practiced Dorje Shugden all his life until he passed away and many teachings were passed from him to his close disciple Lama Zopa. Lama Zopa has given up the practice now but this still makes him unqualified as his teacher did not give up the practice. Which Gelugpa lama now, of the 21st century, has not received teachings either directly from Trijang Rinpoche himself or through his lineage? All these lamas must therefore be considered unqualified.
All the monks of the three pillars now are therefore continuing to receive scriptural and sutra teachings from incorrect, impure sources. Hence, there are no longer any pure, unbroken blessings or lineage in Gaden, Sera and Drepung today. If this is the case, the three monasteries should stop teaching immediately and close down completely. It would be very wrong to continue spreading broken lineages, broken samaya and teachings from unqualified teachers.
If we continue to uphold this illogical ban we are also invalidating 600 years of attained masters and their lineages; we are considering the three great pillars of knowledge and practice as unnecessary and void of results. As we have shown clearly, to state that the single practice of Dorje Shugden is not true to Buddhism has very far-reaching consequences. It means that everything being taught and practiced in the Gelugpa school of Buddhism today – including all personal teachings, practices and advice of the 14th Dalai Lama – are baseless, incorrect, impure and devoid of blessings. Actually, the whole Gelugpa lineage should be eliminated from the landscape of Buddhism. In this case, should we now consider that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and all other Gelug teachers are ill qualified?
If this is the debate on Dorje Shugden today, then we had better be prepared for what it really means for the entirety of our practices now and in the future. Whatever practice we choose isn’t just a simple choice. It carries far heavier consequences than what the Dalai Lama has simplified as just being a choice that is ‘up to you’.
Below are some examples of prayers to Dorje Shugden (and his entourage) written by highly qualified, elite, lineage teachers:
- Nyirtoe by Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang
- Offerings, Praises, Fulfillment and Requests to Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Dragri Dorje Chang
- Incense (sang) Offering Prayer to Dorje Shugden by Ganden Serkong Dorje Chang
- Praise to Dorje Shugden called Praise to the Indestructible Protector by Kyabje Dagpo Dorje Chang
- Request for Activity of Gyalchen Shugden called Universal World Peace Prayer for All by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche
- Invoking Ratna Shugden on a Horse for Wealth by Zemey Rinpoche
- Request of Activities of Protectors by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
- Praise to Khache Marpo called Praise to Yaksha Khache Marpo, the Doctrine’s Watchman by the 5th Dalai Lama
- Invocation to Lord Namkar Barzin
- Prayer to Gyelchen Dorje Shugden called Melody of the Unceasing Vajra by the 5th Dalai Lama
- Melody of the Unceasing Vajra by the 14th Dalai Lama
All prayers can be viewed in full on the website DorjeShugden.com
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Jungney Doraemon
September 3, 2012
The more buddhists debate over the practices of other buddhism sects, the more defilement it is being evoked.
According to some adherents, it is correct to consider Dorje Shugden as an emanation of Manjushri but not one who shows the aspect of a worldly being.
The form of Dorje Shugden is supposed to reveal the complete stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra, and such qualities are not possessed by the forms of worldly beings. Dorje Shugden appears as a fully ordained monk to show that the practice of pure moral discipline is essential for those who wish to attain enlightenment. In his left hand, he holds a human heart to symbolize great compassion and spontaneous great bliss – the essence of all the stages of the vast path of Sutra and Tantra. His round yellow hat (Tib. sakshu) represents the view of Nagarjuna, and the wave-shaped sword (Tib. chula) in his right hand teaches us to sever ignorance, the root of samsara, with the sharp blade of wisdom (like the sword held aloft by Manjushri and Je Tsongkhapa).
This is the essence of all the stages of the profound path of Sutra and Tantra. He rides a snow lion, symbolizing the four fearlessnesses of a Buddha. Even Dorje Shugden’s form reveals the complete stages of the path of Sutra and Tantra, and such qualities are not possessed by the forms of worldly beings.
Big Uncle
September 6, 2012
I am flabbergasted because I am simply amazed at the anonymous writer who wrote this article. The article implies heavy consequences for those advocating and enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden. I have heard most people talk about the nasty things (which are not true) about Dorje Shugden but few really understand the Protector’s history and lineage.
After reading this article, I find that the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition is undermined by the Dorje Shugden ban. The very fact that these lamas who advocated Dorje Shugden practice in the first place like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche are the main Gelug lineage lamas of our time. That means that they are the foremost holders of the Gelug tradition and every teaching from them should be faultless. However, the ban implies that the lineage lamas themselves made a huge mistake about Dorje Shugden.
If the lineage lamas made a mistake about something as important as a Dharma Protector, then they could have made a mistake about all other important lineage teachings as well. That’s a very dangerous path to tread because all the other practices and teachings within the Gelug tradition could have been a mistake as well because there’s no Lama within the Gelug tradition that has not directly or indirectly received teachings, lineages and so forth from these great lamas.
That means many important lineage teachings like the Lamrim and Tantric practices like Vajrayogini, Yamantaka and Heruka that descend from these great Lamas could also be wrong. Some like the Vajrayogini sadhana were composed by Pabongka Rinpoche based upon divine visions he has of her. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama continues to teach and pass these teachings down and some like the Vajrayogini Sadhana is the same sadhana that the Dalai Lama recites every single day.
At the end of the day, the ban undermines not just the spiritual authority of the lineage Lamas but the whole Gelug tradition as well. I find this a very compelling logic to dispel the basis of the Dorje Shugden ban. After reading this, I think the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition would be in trouble if the ban continues to be enforced.
Therefore, there’s much urgency that people come to understand the gravity of the Dorje Shugden ban and how it implicates the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition as a whole.
tenpa
September 6, 2012
Its sad, even now you have’t stopped lying yet, there is a shugden monastery just in front of my house and they have never stopped, no one is coming to ban them. its just that when a geluk lama, who don’t follow shugden is teachings, they don’t go to receive teachings and vice versa, i mean whats the point of receiving a teaching from someone who you don’t listen to, especially wangs and lung where samaya is very important.
About Penchen Lama practicing shugden, even his holiness Dalai Lama did practice shugden but later when he realize, it is wrong he stopped. Its Buddha Dharma not some cult dharma, every mistake can be amended and every being’s buddha nature can be purified with the correct causes and conditions. just like the cause of greed for power and wealth made phapongka destroy many nyingma monasteries and kill many monks or just like the cause like greed and ego that let zeamey to write that cult book that caused so many problem for the pure dharma lineage of Je Tsongkhapa. Don’t worry about geluk Lineage, we have pure khadampa teachers like Ling Rinpoche, Rating Rinpoche and Of cause His Holiness Dalai lama. No matter what Geluk will never die and flourish even more around the world no matter what you do.
Dekyi
September 6, 2012
Dear Tenpa,
It is sad you didn’t understand the whole message of this article. Your comment shows clearly you better read the article a few times again.
His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche can never convert any Nyingma Monasteries. What power does he have to convert over? He cannot force them. He is not the King or ruler. He cannot force them to convert. This rumour is silly and unfounded and you perpetuating the rumour shows you are not here to practice Dharma but to listen to gossip.
If there was conversion, then it is the monks themselves who are unstable and not learned to be so flighty. Contemplate deeper.
I am a Tibetan and I also know the inside story. And Pabongka Rinpoche was a lama of the highest caliber. Samkyi Mikyaba as the HH Dalai Lama has said.
Jungney Doaremon
September 6, 2012
The writer did not even know the term Buddhists / Buddhism means, purely based on externalist point of view to distract both buddhists and non buddhists.
Q
September 7, 2012
The “Has the Gelug lineage lost its effectiveness?” article on dorjeshugden.com is a very sophisticated article written in an authoritative style by a well focused and informed writer. Syntax, word choice, and flow of ideas are generally outstanding. Development of the article is very good, with sufficient ideas, facts and examples to support what the author wishes to get across to the readers, all points are largely supported by undeniable truth and facts that is well documented in various scholastic sources. It is clear that the author wishes to put his point across without swaying the readers to his viewpoint, instead it is composed in such a way to encourage the readers to think deeper and examine the truth behind the issue that was discussed. This can be seen as the author leaves an open conclusion for the readers to decide, through linking in with a recent article of the same nature.
The ban on Dorje Shugden practice has been one of the most talked about and debated topic, regardless of the school of Buddhism, this is a well known issue within the Buddhist world. Despite the ban, many people continue to be faithful to Dorje Shugden practice, keeping the lineage that was passed down from their Gurus although they face the dangers of being ostracized and even death threats. This is a very admirable quality in a Buddhist practitioner, having unconditioned guru devotion is one of the pinnacle in Tibetan Buddhist practice; however these faithful practitioners, instead of being respected for their firmness in upholding the traditions passed down by their root Guru, to the contrary, they were beaten down physically, mentally and spiritually by many pro-Dalai Lamaists and even the CTA.
Dorje Shugden was widely practiced in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and even practiced (if not respected) by other traditions such as the Sakyas, Nyigmas and Kagyus. Being the most effective protector of our time, it is not strange that many high reincarnated lamas practices and have unmovable faith in Dorje Shugden as the protector of the Gelug tradition. Dorje Shugden was so revered and well loved by holy masters such as H.H. Ling Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Dragri Dorje Chang and many more; that they composed beautiful poems in praise of Dorje Shugden, perpetuating His holy blessings for the flourish of Je Tsongkhapa’s lineage to the world.
Although the freedom of practicing Dorje Shugden can be fought through human rights activities, in this article, the focus is purely directed to Buddhist practitioners to show them that with debate and proof; denying the supremacy of Dorje Shugden as an enlightened Dharma protector directly jeopardize the standing of the Gelug tradition in infinite ways. The effects of banning Dorje Shugden practice although it has a severe impact on lay practitioners such as denying them the rights of religious freedom and their tradition of revering the King of Protectors; however it is a much different story for ordained monks and those with Tantric practices of the Gelug lineage, for proclaiming Dorje Shugden as an unenlightened being would cut the very root of the lineage blessings and wither all Dharma practice that came 350 years ago when Dorje Shugden was first practiced.
The truth is, prohibiting or downgrading Dorje Shugden and His holy practice does not only affect Dorje Shugden practitioners. In reality, those who have given up his practice do not live a happy spiritual life either. Their constant deep seated fear and anger towards DS practitioners has led them to conduct many misdeeds, including laying hands on ordained monks and destroying the lives of families who practices Dorje Shugden; these deeds were well documented and the oppression has gained international attention.
Putting aside the morale downfall of pro-dalai lamaist and the CTA; the sanctity of their spiritual practice is not preserved either due to this ban. Proclaiming Dorje Shugden practice as invalid is similar to destroying the very core of Gelug practice as it would mean that all the lineage masters from 350 years ago, which we pay homage to (including the Dalai Lama and other great masters of our time) is at fault.
The Dalai Lama and the CTA has announced publicly, that those who practice Dorje Shugden have lost their refuge vows, which is the very foundation of receiving all higher practices. If one has lost the very basic vows they made, the 3 higher set of vows will also automatically be nullified. In Tibetan Buddhism, taking the set of vows is the most important aspect to gain the blessings of the lineage and for learned monks to pass down the tradition to the newer generation. The lineage system in Tibetan Buddhism tells us where the teaching comes from and approves the authenticity of the teaching, in fact it is so important that before any Dharma teaching can commence, the Dharma teacher have to mention from where and when he or she has received this teaching, and then explain the lineage of which how that particular teaching has been passed down all the way back to Shakyamuni’s time.
Since all who practices Dorje Shugden have lost their refuge vows, that would make all the great masters of the Gelug tradition from 350 years ago has lost their refuge vows too, leaving a huge void within the lineage system. However, that seems to be not the case as in the supplication prayers recited daily by all Buddhists contains the names of Trijang Rinpoche and Pabongka Rinpoche, both whom are well known to be strong Dorje Shugden practitioners. The question here is based on the selectiveness of the application of this ban, that the double standards and hypocrisy towards Dorje Shugden practice is illogical. If Dorje Shugden followers lose their refuge vows just like how the Dalai Lama and CTA claims, then such claims should apply even to the great masters that once practiced it in the past. The laws of the universe is after similar to karma, no one is spared from the truth, if it is the real truth.
If great masters like Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche and many others, have lost their refuge; then they are no longer qualified to teach the Dharma, because refuge vows is the very basis of all vows, therefore they would have lost their monk vows too. If they are no longer able to teach the Dharma then all of their commentaries, compositions, and Khamtsens should be removed from the monasteries. Their holy stupa which contains these great master’s relics too must be removed from Gaden Shartse Monastery. But this is not the case; in fact their holy stupas are constantly being restored, and Buddhists still strongly believe them to be enlightened masters. The contradictory actions towards this claim is just too immense, no wonder there is constant unrest among the Tibetan community, since their leaders passes comments about this sensitive issue in such flippant ways.
Even the Dalai Lama will not be spared from this broken lineage as both of his root Gurus are strong Dorje Shugden practitioners. Therefore, if the Gelugpa lineage is broken and void of blessings, then all its practitioners should show lack of transformation, and in fact show signs of degeneration. However, that is not the case, for the Dalai Lama has reached millions of people across the globe and changed their lives for the better. That must mean that the lineage is unbroken and, the effectiveness and blessings of these great past Dorje Shugden masters is still intact.
The ban on Dorje Shugden is not just a matter of whether one chooses the Dalai Lama over Dorje Shugden or vice versa. It has a deeper meaning to it and it is one that affects us as Gelugpas no matter which side we take.
Dorje Pakmo
September 9, 2012
After reading this article, I find that the author have written something that cannot be denied. Simpy because the TRUTH cannot be DENIED. It is a well researched article that bring readers on a journey tracing back to the very root of Gelug Lineage and it’s practice. This article is written in a very neutral stand that is not hitting out at anybody but prompting the readers to think, and check the logic of the ban of Dorje Shugden’s practice.
Is it even logical to say that all the Lineage Guru of the Gelug School was wrong about this practice? If yes, then what happened? Have the entire Gelug Lineage been wrong all this while? And if so, then there shouldn’t be any results no matter how well or diligent they practice!
As what Q have said ealier,
“If great masters like Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche and many others, have lost their refuge; then they are no longer qualified to teach the Dharma, because refuge vows is the very basis of all vows, therefore they would have lost their monk vows too. If they are no longer able to teach the Dharma then all of their commentaries, compositions, and Khamtsens should be removed from the monasteries. Their holy stupa which contains these great master’s relics too must be removed from Gaden Shartse Monastery. But this is not the case; in fact their holy stupas are constantly being restored, and Buddhists still strongly believe them to be enlightened masters. The contradictory actions towards this claim is just too immense, no wonder there is constant unrest among the Tibetan community, since their leaders passes comments about this sensitive issue in such flippant ways.
Even the Dalai Lama will not be spared from this broken lineage as both of his root Gurus are strong Dorje Shugden practitioners. Therefore, if the Gelugpa lineage is broken and void of blessings, then all its practitioners should show lack of transformation, and in fact show signs of degeneration. However, that is not the case, for the Dalai Lama has reached millions of people across the globe and changed their lives for the better. That must mean that the lineage is unbroken and, the effectiveness and blessings of these great past Dorje Shugden masters is still intact.”
It’s a very good article for people that do not understand fully the severeness of supporting the ban.
loyal soulja
September 19, 2012
Dekyi la,
I think tenpa is here implying about the fact that the article says BAN imposed on shugden, Which definately is not true. Anyway when you say that you know the inside story what do you mean? Zemay Tulku in his books writes about How Shugden harms people who are practicing nyingma traditions(he even claims Rating Rinpoche was killed by Shugden), Killings and fighting with Nyingma Practitioners in Tibet are very well documented during the time of phapongka in his bit to revive Geluk against the popular REMI movement. More over I don’t think tenpa is talking about conversion of nyingma into buddhism.
Manisha Kudo
December 27, 2013
To outwardly point out that one’s Guru and lineage is wrong about the practice of Dorje Shugden is not something radical in the Western culture because in this time and age, we are encouraged to question, investigate and challenge everything and everyone. However this goes against the very grain of Guru Devotion that is prevalent in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. What the Dalai Lama has done in this instance is that he has applied the Western inquisitorial system to impose the ban but expect devotion from his people regarding his action and direction. When we examine this deeper based on this amazingly well-written essay, if the Dalai Lama could accuse his teachers of being wrong, then he must also be fallible and can be wrong about Dorje Shugden.