FAQS – About Dorje Shugden’s Practice
Where did Dorje Shugden’s practice come from? Dorje Shugden arose as the principal Protector of Lama Tsongkhapa’s doctrine about 350 years ago, at the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, who composed the first verses of praise to him. However, the common lineage and practice that is being followed throughout the world today is more…
FAQs – About Dorje Shugden
Who is Dorje Shugden? Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri, the Enlightened Buddha of Wisdom. He arose as a Dharma Protector about 350 years ago especially to protect Nagarjuna’s Middle View, as taught by Lama Tsongkhapa. He is often considered to be a Protector of the Gelugpa lineage but actually, he protects all…
FAQs about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama (Part 3 of 3)
(Read Part 1 and Part 2) Q: What prevents anyone from practising it anyway in his/her privacy? A: In theory there is nothing to stop people practising ‘in secret’, but as part of his campaign to remove the practice from Tibetan society, each person either has been forced to swear an oath to Palden Lhamo…
FAQs about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama (Part 2 of 3)
(Read Part 1 and Part 3) Q: What are the politics behind the ban by the Dalai Lama and what may have prompted him to issue such a ban? In 1961 the Dalai Lama tried to become the supreme head of Tibetan Buddhism by merging all the schools of Buddhism into one (a position never…
FAQs about Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama (Part 1 of 3)
(Read Part 2 and Part 3) Someone wrote in with some searching questions and has already received some good replies in the comments section from Tibetans and Westerners (see article below, Dalai Lama Demonstration Down Under). I thought I would include some longer replies here, courtesy of Lineageholder, in the hope that these will clarify…