Question asked by Le Nhat Khang
Dear Pastors!
I have a questions regarding Dharma Protectors practice:
1. My guru not yet to sign for me a personal Dharmapalas and unlucky, I'm not so close to my guru to request my guru to sign me a Dharmapala but nowaday, I'm still do my practices, prayers and offerings to Dorje Shugden regularly as he's my guru's main Dharmapala practices for his temple and Sangha.
For my side no need to say that I'm one of students very very devotion, trust, faith and believe in my Guru and Dorje Shugden are ONE and I also have strong faith and connect to Palden Lhamo because she is also my guru's secret and personal Dharmapalas across my guru's lineage without interruption and I'm also fell in love with her practices.
I have a wish also combine my daily Dorje Shugden practices and Palden Lhamo together.
How i can do this?
I heard some rumour that Palden Lhamo practices not so fast or quickly assistance same as Dorje Shugden.
Is it true? With my faith when Dorje Shugden and Palden Lhamo are same that how can be someone can compare each of them? Who is faster help or delay? I hope you can help me explain to understand.
2. I had recieve a gift from my friend that Za Rahula chakra.
What's benifits of Za Rahula chakra?
What is his function to help sentient being?
3. If we can pray to Namkar Barzin or Methar, do we can pray to Pehar same as Namkar Barzin and Methar?
Thank you so much.
Dear Le Nhat Khang,
Thank you for your questions.
1. Yes, you can definitely practice both Dorje Shugden and Pelden Lhamo. The way to do this is to finish Dorje Shugden’s practice and then engage in Pelden Lhamo’s practice. Then complete the prayers with a completion dedication. You can read Palden Lhamo’s practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#26
Palden Lhasa’s assistance is not as quick as Dorje Shugden’s practice because of a number of reasons, one is time. This is because Saraswati emanated as Palden Lhamo aeons ago, our karma connection with her is less than with Dorje Shugden. Dharma Protectors use that karmic connection to aid us quickly, otherwise we would need to rely on a great amount of merit to be able to receive their help. Secondly, Manjushri emanated as Dorje Shugden within samsara, so his physical form is closer to us, meaning he is quicker to help us and it takes less effort to receive his help. That does not mean that both Dorje Shugden and Palden Lhamo are not equal in terms of what they are capable of doing. Both are enlightened beings manifesting as Dharma Protector. The difference is actually on our side. Hence, Dorje Shugden’s practice is considered faster than other Dharma Protectors. However, if you put in the effort and transformation, the other Dharma Protectors can definitely help us in the same manner as Dorje Shugden. However, the effort we need to put in is more with Palden Lhamo’s practice.
2. In regards to Za Rahula, you can read more about him on this article: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dharma-protectors-of-tibetan-buddhism.html
3. Both Namkar Barzin and Methar are directly in the retinue of Dorje Shugden, which means there is no way that they can negatively harm us as they are controlled and directed by Dorje Shugden. Pehar, although a very high level being is not in the retinue of an enlightened Dharma Protector. He is very effective as a Dharma Protector, but due to his worldly nature it takes the close permission and guidance from highly qualified Lama to be able to engage in his practice. Of the many Dharma Protectors out there, it is better to rely on the enlightened Dharma Protectors unless we have been assigned the practice of a worldly Dharma Protector, under the compassionate and watchful eye of our lama to ensure that nothing goes wrong, even if the chances of it going wrong are slim. With enlightened Dharma Protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Dorje Shugden, there is absolutely no chance of anything going wrong because they are enlightened, and the beings in their retinue are controlled by them, as in the case of Namkar Barzin and Methar. I hope this helps answer your questions. Thank you.