Cittamani Tara

By Pastor David Lai | May 13, 2024 | Views: 18,609

Cittamani Tara with forms of Tara at the chakras (Painted by Lama Thubten Yeshe; Photo by Dionne Wilson)

(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David)

Dear Friends,

Cittamani Tara is one of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s three main practices that was conferred upon H. E. Tsem Rinpoche in Thubten Dhargye Ling in 1984. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche mainly practiced Heruka Cakrasamvara, Vajrayogini and Cittamani Tara intensely throughout his life and this is therefore one of his heart practices. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was great master of both Sutra and Tantra of course.

Recently, Tsem Rinpoche had requested me to write about Cittamani Tara and so I did a bit of research to learn more, in particular the origins of Tara and the background of this practice. To my knowledge, the Gelug lineage is founded on the premise of scholarship, logic and reasoning as well as tracing all teachings and practices back to a valid source that is usually from the enlightened Indian masters or Buddha Himself. Therefore, Cittamani Tara is a unique tantra because it was originally derived from the visionary experience of a Gelug yogi, Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. This goes to show the efficacy of the Gelug tradition to develop highly attained masters that are capable of pure visions of deities and astral travel to pure lands. This Cittamani Tara tantra originally received from Tara herself to Takpu Gargyi Wangpo directly is very widespread within the Gelug tradition. There is the inner, outer and secret initiations of this practice. Tsem Rinpoche recalled Kyabje Zong Rinpoche saying most monks in Sera, Gaden and Drepung have the inner and outer initiations of this special Tara, but those with the secret initiation of Cittamani Tara is rare. This Cittamani Tara is the highest yoga form (Maha-annutara) of Tara which can confer enlightenment within one lifetime. It belongs to the mother tantra class. Zong Rinpoche also said that an image of Tara is so holy, that no blessings are required. Once a Tibetan man brought a small Tara tsatsa (clay image) to Zong Rinpoche to bless. Zong Rinpoche refused to do so saying as long as it’s Tara’s image, it is automatically very holy without any consecration necessary. The image of mother Tara is extremely blessed for anyone to view, contemplate and meditate on.

Within this article, I explore the unique qualities of Cittamani Tantra, the origins of Mother Tara, the biographical details of the great yogi and founder of the Cittamani Tara cycle and a very thought-provoking and exciting Question & Answer section that you should not miss which draws parallels with a ‘controversial’ practice and deity. This Question & Answer section will be very thought provoking for you. I think it is educational for all of us to learn about this unique cycle of Tara’s practice that is within our lineage. I hope you enjoy reading and learning up on this practice. I myself learned much more in the process of research and grateful for the opportunity to do so. I present this all to you and with great appreciation towards my fellow research comrades Pastor Niral, Martin Chow, Joy Kam and Pastor Jean Ai who contributed much help.

I dedicate this post to the long life of all great masters of all lineages, the growth of the general Buddha Dharma, my parents, Kecharians, Zamkar, all practitioners of sacred Tara and last but not least my spiritual mentor Tsem Rinpoche.

Pastor David Lai

www.davidlai.me

Introduction
Origins
Lineage Guru
Cittamani Tara
Images
Downloads
Conclusion
Questions & Answers

Brief Introduction

A beautiful statue of the Buddha Tara. Click to enlarge.

The Cittamani Tara cycle of teachings in the Gelug tradition is a unique lineage of Tara’s practice that is based on the pure vision of the great Tara-siddha Takpu Gargyi Chokyi Wangchuk. This great master had pure visions of Tara and received the initiation and commentary of the practice directly from her.

Within the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, there are many lineages and practices relating to Tara but a great majority of them belong to the lower Kriya Tantra class, which is a powerful preparation for higher tantric practices but does not bring one directly to enlightenment.

On the other hand, the Cittamani cycle of Tara teachings belongs to the Highest Yoga Tantra class, which is also known as Maha Annuttara Yoga Tantra class. This means that the teachings consist of the generation and completion stages together with the accompanying empowerments. In simple terms, Cittamani Tara’s practice is able to bring a practitioner directly to enlightenment.

In brief, the generation stage or Kyerim in Tibetan is a realization of creative yoga just before attaining the actual completion stage. This is done by mentally generating oneself as the deity Tara (in the case of the Cittamani Tara cycle) and one’s immediate surroundings as the deity’s mandala. In contrast, the completion stage or Dzogrim in Tibetan is the realizations developed via the manipulation of the psychic winds and by entering, abiding, and dissolving within the central channel through the force of meditation and thereby achieving Tantric attainments and enlightenment itself.

Therefore, the Cittamani Tara cycle contains all the necessary elements of highest yoga tantra that can propel one directly to enlightenment itself. This practice has since been widely diffused within the Gelug tradition by great lineage holders.

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An image depicting the 21 Taras. These various forms of Tara are commonly prayed to in the Tibetan Tradition.

Origins of Tara Tantras

The Golden Rosary, the origin of the Tara Tantras by Taranatha gives an account of a previous incarnation of Tara as a Bodhisattva on the verge of Buddhahood. She lived countless eons ago in another world system called ‘Manifold Light’. In that world, there was a Buddha by the name of ‘Dundubhisvara’ who manifested full enlightenment and turned the wheel of Dharma to fortunate disciples.

At the same time, there was also a ruling monarch living in the world system that had a virtuous daughter by the name of Yeshe Dawa, who developed great faith in that Buddha’s teachings. She made countless offerings to the Buddha along with his retinue of disciples and generated great merit for a long time. Consequently, she generated Bodhichitta, the mind of enlightenment. On one occasion, the Buddha’s disciples told her, “ You should use this merit and pray that you will be transformed into a man in a future life in accordance to the teachings as it is more befitting.”

Yeshe Dawa replied, “In the ultimate sense, there is no distinction between male and female. The attachment to the label of male and female is meaningless…”

Then, she vowed, “Therefore, there are many who wish for enlightenment in the form of a man but none who work to accomplish the welfare of living beings in the form of a woman. Therefore, I shall work for the welfare of all beings in the body of a woman until all samsara is emptied.” Then, it was said that Yeshe Dawa redoubled her efforts and entered concentration meditation and attained the state where ‘Dharma is Unproduced’ and then achieved the state of ‘Liberating All’. She became fully awakened and was henceforth became known as Tara, the Savioress.

Also in the eon of Bishudha or Nyampar Gyalwa in Tibetan, Tara had sworn before the Buddha Amoghasiddhi that she would protect all beings from fear, specifically the 8 Fears and so forth. Then, she entered a deep concentration called ‘Destroying Demons’ and liberated countless beings and subdued innumerable hordes of demons.

Then, in the eon called ‘Unobstructed’, all the Buddhas in the ten directions issued forth rays of light on the ordained monk by the name of ‘Radiance of Stainless Light’ and he was the incarnation of Arya Avalokiteshvara. Then, Tara was said to have arisen from the heart of Avalokiteshvara. It is said that Avalokiteshvara and Tara resided on the Potala Mountain in the southern direction. Therefore, there was this close connection between Avalokiteshvara and Tara since that time.

Henceforth, many scholars and siddhas of the India and Tibet, specifically the old Kadampa and Gelug masters came under her care. Throughout history, there have been many tantras and sadhanas that emerged and from these sacred texts, the great Indian master Nagarjuna and other scholars and siddhas of India and Tibet composed even more cycle of sadhanas, ritual texts, praises and so forth. From this ocean of texts on Tara, the most profound teachings on Tara were directly bestowed by Mother Tara upon the great siddha, Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo which came to be known as ‘Cittamani’.

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Takpu Kelsang Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk

Takpu Kelsang Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk (1765-1792) is also known as Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. He is known to be an emanation of Arya Holder of the Lotus, Avalokiteshvara. Unfortunately, very few biographical material of this great lama survives.

However, his spiritual legacy is still very much alive and is widely practiced by many High Lamas, Geshes and ordinary monks throughout the Gelug tradition. According to a source, a list of his teachers includes the famous Longdol Lama, the Second Jamyang Zhepa and the Fifth On Gyalse Rinpoche. The Takpu incarnation also has another identity based on his extraordinary visionary experiences and goes known by the name Gargyi Wangpo.

This lama’s collected works is still in print and spans five volumes of written works. However, the most famous and widely circulated is one volume that is bound by the ‘seal of secrecy’ and called the Thirteen Pure Visions of Takpu. It contains his visionary teachings including sadhanas and writings on the Five-deity Amitayus, Hayagriva, Gyalwa Gyatso, Cittamani Tara and so forth. The Takpu line of incarnations is famous for their visionary experiences and ability to astral travel to pure lands in order to receive teachings.

In particular, the Takpu incarnations are known to have pure visions of Tara and receive direct teachings from her. In a previous incarnation as Lobsang Tenpai Gyeltsen (1714-1762), he painted an image of Tara and henceforth, he was never without a vision of Tara and was not only able to perceive her golden face but was able to receive advice, teachings and complete oral instructions and transmissions. Additionally, it was the incarnation of Takpu Gargyi Wangpo, that composed the most commonly used generation stage sadhana of Cittamani Tara in use today.

The immediate incarnations after Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk were relatively low key, and it would be his later incarnation as Takpu Pemavajra or Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub (1876 – 1935) who would achieve remarkable and super-extraordinary feats that would influence the Gelug lineage significantly until today. Takpu Pemavajra also had visions of Tara and was particularly known for his ability to astral travel to pure lands. He received the lineage of Cittamani Tara and become its primary lineage holder, disseminating it to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

Of particular note regarding this incarnation is an important incident regarding the practice of Dorje Shugden. It was also this great master, Takpu Pemavajra who on the request of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, entered deep meditation and astral-travelled to Tushita. This was done in order to receive the initiation and commentary on the practice of Dorje Shugden from Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen by way of Lama Tsongkhapa. This great lama received the complete practice of Dorje Shugden in Tushita pure land. This practice was then passed to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche who composed commentaries and it became the mainstay of the Dorje Shugden practice and pujas available and widespread today. Dorje Shugden’s lineage, practice and meditations stem from this Takpu Rinpoche as well as the Cittamani Tara cycle of teachings widespread today.

Ngawang Lobsang Jampal Tempe Ngudrop (a.k.a Takpu Pemavajra)

Lineage Gurus of the Cittamani Tara Practice:

Tag-pu-wa, Gar-gyi Wangpo (a.k.a Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo)
Ra-la, Lobsang Tenpe Ngudrop
Yong-dzin Yeshe Gyatso
Shar-tse, Ngawang Tsultrim
Je-drung, Lobsang Tenzin
Zhap-drung, Ngawang Gelek Tempe Gyaltsen
Tag-pu, Ngawang Lobsang Jampal Tempe Ngudrop (a.k.a Takpu Pemavajra)
Je Pa-bong-ka, Jampa Tenzin Tinley Gyatso
Kyab-je Song Rinpoche, Losang Tsöndru

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Cittamani Tara

A depiction of Cittamani Tara. Click to enlarge.

The Takpu line of incarnations had an uncommon and extraordinary relationship with the Goddess Tara. In the initiation text, it states that in the morning of the 15th day of Saka Dawa, the master and siddha, Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk entered deep concentration and astral traveled to Potala and had audience with Arya Tara. The master first supplicated the venerable mother with an offering of the inner, outer and secret mandalas. In accepting the offering, the Venerable Mother bestowed the profound teachings and initiation of what would become known as Cittamani cycle of teachings. He later took down notes and this became the lineage of the commentary of Cittamani Tara.

Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk later incarnation was Takpu Pemavajra Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub who was also a lineage holder of the Cittamani teachings, and also the teacher of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. Pabongka Rinpoche received the Cittamani practice from his teacher and further wrote notes, which combined with the commentary of his teacher on the practice became the basis of a whole tradition of Cittamani Tara practice. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche had also classified Cittamani Tara as Mother Tantra.

According to the Gelug tradition, Anuttarayoga Tantra is divided into two divisions – father tantra or pagyud in Tibetan and mother tantra or magyud in Tibetan. Father Tantric practices involves primarily on the manipulation of the psychic winds in order to arise in a subtle form known as illusory body and this is the immediate cause for achieving the Buddha’s body. On the other hand, mother tantric practices focuses on the practices to attain clear light mental state while focusing on the blissful awareness of emptiness. This is also the immediate cause for achieving a Buddha’s mind or Dharmakaya.

Some examples of father tantra are the Guhyasamaja and Vajrabhairava, which is also known as the Yamantaka tantra. Some examples of mother tantra are the Chakrasamvara, Hevajra, Kalachakra and Vajrayogini. On its own, the blessing initiation of Cittamani Tara is not enough for a practitioner to engage in the practice. As a prerequisite, a practitioner should receive another highest yoga tantric initiation beforehand, preferably from the same Mother Tantra class as Cittamani Tara.

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Tara Images for Download

Green Tara

Dream Tara

White Tara

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Downloads

Listed here are links to all materials included in this blog post, for your downloading convenience. Please note that due to the large file sizes, downloads may take a little time to complete:

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Conclusion

Yellow Tara, another form of Tara. Click to enlarge.

In writing this article, I learned a lot on Cittamani Tara and how unique this cycle of Tara’s practice is amongst other traditions. It has also led me to appreciate that it is uniquely a highest yoga tantric practice just like Vajrayogini. What is unusual is that it has a very short lineage that nevertheless is undoubted in its efficacy as the highest tantric training that incredibly began with a siddha’s vision of Tara. An equivalent and later collaboration between the Takpu siddha and another enlightened deity would forge the lineage of Dorje Shugden that was descended from Lama Tsongkhapa and Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen in Tushita. Hence, it seems that many practices within our tradition have divine origins and yet they are effective as any other older and more established lineages and practices.

PS – Thank you very much to Pastor Niral, Martin Chow, Joy Kam and Pastor Jean Ai

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Questions & Answers – Parallels with Dorje Shugden

His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives Cittamani Tara initiation. Click to enlarge.

In researching about Cittamani Tara, I have come to realize that the lineage holders of this practice also taught and proliferated Dorje Shugden as well. In fact, the incarnation of Takpu Gargyi Wangpo, Takpu Pemavajra on the behest of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche astral traveled to Tushita to receive the initiation and teachings on the cycle of Dorje Shugden’s practice. This connection has manifold implications and the following Questions and Answers serve to present these implications in an orderly manner so people understand them and would be properly empowered come to their own valid and educated conclusions, specifically on the legitimacy of the Dorje Shugden practice. I did not have the initial intention to connect Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden when I wrote this article. I have only discovered the connection after doing some research. I hope this section will shed light on this issue for many people.

1. In tantric practices, what are the most essential elements that must be present for the practice to be considered authentic, and for the transmission of the practice to be blessed and effective?

Within tantra, a practice must have a lineage and we should be able to trace the teachings back to a valid source, which is an originating deity or Buddha via a line of qualified masters of the tradition/school. If the tantric practice today has a lineage, then it is considered a qualified practice to be passed on.

This Cittamani Tara practice was taught by Tara herself to Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. The practice was then passed through the safe hands of a line of qualified masters who are propitiated at the beginning of the daily sadhana. This component of daily sadhana practice is held in common throughout all Highest Tantra Yoga practices. The blessings to gain attainments from engaging in the practice is passed from the deity through these masters. Therefore it is necessary to have complete faith and conviction in these lamas for our practice to be successful.

If a practice that is transmitted does not have a lineage, it is not valid. This is because all Buddhist practices must trace back to an enlightened being. Enlightened beings taught their practices and their blessings are carried through the uninterrupted lineage of authentic practitioners, who necessarily have to have their refuge in the Three Jewels intact. If a particular practice does not have a genuine lineage, then despite the most strident effort of the practitioner, the practice would not be effective in gaining any attainment, let alone enlightenment. Practicing something that would not give any results is useless as there would be no progress in our spiritual path. Therefore, knowing that the lineage of any teaching or practice goes back to a correct and valid source is of paramount importance for faith and confidence in our practice.

2. In an authentic tantric practice with a lineage, how can the practice be invalidated and the blessings of the deity and lineage masters become void?

The foundation of all Buddhist practices, is the keeping of one’s Refuge Vows made to the Three Jewels. It is through the keeping of this set of vows by both the lineage masters and the practitioners that the blessings of the deity and lineage masters continue to flow.

All Buddhist practices, including tantric practices are built on and depend on the keeping of one’s refuge vows, which includes abstaining from seeking refuge in unenlightened beings. This is because the effectiveness and power of all practices comes from keeping refuge in enlightened beings. If a lineage holder through whom the blessings of the lineage flows was to break his refuge vows, for example, by taking refuge in unenlightened beings, then the practices he or she passes on are negated and void of the power needed for the practice to be successful.

Therefore for the Cittamani Tara practice to be so treasured today and regarded as a precious gem of the Gelug tradition and for many to have received the transmission and practiced successfully, it is an indication that the lineage master’s vows are intact and the blessings continue to flow.

3. According to some people Dorje Shugden is not an emanation of Manjushri but a demon. If that is true, what are the consequences of propitiating a ‘demon’ for a Buddhist practitioner?

If Dorje Shugden is a demon then he is not an appropriate being to take refuge in according to the Buddhist path. Therefore those who propitiate Dorje Shugden and take refuge in him have broken the very fundamental tenet of taking refuge in the Three Jewels. In other words, they have also negated all Buddhist practices that are based on refuge, including tantric practices.

In addition, masters who have broken their refuge vows will not be able to transmit any other tantric lineages or Buddhist practices because once refuge in the Three Jewels is negated, all practices including tantric ones are invalidated. Following this logic, since a person’s practice has been invalidated, they cannot pass a legitimate practice with the authority of the lineage on to another person. Even if they go through the prayers, practices and rituals of empowerments, the lineage of the particular practice would be void and the practice ineffective regardless of how much effort a practitioner applies. That means the practitioner is going against the core of the Buddha’s teachings and no longer a Buddhist.

4. In recent times, those who oppose Dorje Shugden have accused the deity to be a demon. Seeing that Takpu Pemavajra is a key component of the Dorje Shugden lineage and practice, how does this impact on the validity of the Cittamani Tara?

Lama Zopa gives Cittamani Tara initiation. Click to enlarge.

According to the history of Dorje Shugden practice it was Takpu Pemavajra who astral-travelled to Tushita and received the practice of Dorje Shugden via Lama Tsongkhapa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen. At the same time, Takpu Pemavajra is also an important lama within the lineage of Cittamani Tara practice, through whom the sole Cittamani Tara practice as it is transmitted in the Gelugpa tradition, is traced.

If those who oppose Dorje Shugden were to claim that its practitioners have broken their refuge and therefore invalidated all their practices, then by the same logic, Takpu Pemavajra would have also broke his refuge. If that is so, then the practice of Cittamani Tara he transmitted and is practiced today within the Gelug tradition, is an invalid practice that does not carry the blessings of Tara at all. It cannot lead a person to enlightenment as the lineage itself was broken when Takpu Pemavajra started practicing Dorje Shugden.

By extension of the same logic, if the Cittamani Tara lineage passed by Takpu Pemavajra to Pabongka Rinpoche is invalid, then all the lineage practices passed by Pabongka Rinpoche to Trijang Rinpoche and from Trijang Rinpoche to all his students are similarly invalid.

Why then would anyone in the modern era want to receive the Cittamani Tara from any lama including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama who would then have received an invalidated practice from his teacher?

Conversely, if someone of Takpu Pemavajra’s caliber and attainment can directly perceive Tara and receive teachings from her, then surely he can differentiate between a Buddha and a demon and would know if Dorje Shugden was in fact a demon. Takpu Pemavajra cannot have selective omniscience that applies when it comes to the Cittamani Tara and suddenly lapses when it comes to Dorje Shugden.

On the other hand, if such an attained lama had made a mistake about Dorje Shugden, he could have been mistaken about Cittamani Tara as well. The room for doubt would have no end. Therefore, we either believe that Takpu Pemavajra did travel to Tushita to receive the initiation and teachings on Dorje Shugden and his previous incarnation did receive Cittamani teachings from a pure vision of Tara herself or we believe that Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden are invalid and mistaken practices. In the end, we choose to believe that Dorje Shugden and Cittamani Tara are valid and authentic practices that have tremendous blessings. That is why the Dalai Lama himself and Lama Zopa continue to give Cittamani Tara initiations and teachings.

5. Why do people still accept and practice the Cittamani Tara which they regard as sacred, if it has been transmitted via lineal masters who were also prominent Dorje Shugden lamas? Why regard the practice as effective, powerful and holy when it is supposed to have come through the passage of unholy lamas which broken refuge vows, if accusations against Dorje Shugden are to be believed?

The lineage lamas of the Cittamani Tara beginning with Takpu Pemavajra, to Pabongka Rinpoche, and then Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche all practiced Dorje Shugden. Doesn’t that mean that the Cittamani practice they passed on since are all invalidated?

Following the above logic, since the practice of Cittamani Tara has passed through the lineage lamas who are also lineage lamas of Dorje Shugden’s practice, it is invalid. Takpu Pemavajra passed both lineages to Pabongka Rinpoche, who in turn passed them to Trijang Rinpoche, who in turn passed them to Zong Rinpoche. It is through either Trijang Rinpoche or Zong Rinpoche that the practice was transmitted to the current masters of the Gelug lineage. Since the time of Takpu Pemavajra, through the aforementioned lamas, the practice must be considered to be invalid due to their practice of Dorje Shugden. Logically, one therefore reaches the conclusion that the practice as it exists today is completely annulled so those who continue to practice Cittamani Tara would not gain any result from their practice. Since the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa continue to give initiation, it must be that the practice is effective. Since Cittamani Tara practice is effective and beneficial, it must also mean that Dorje Shugden’s practice is effective and beneficial as well. This is because both lineages are taught and proliferated by the same lineage holders. This fact becomes clear when one examines the fact that Cittamani Tara is widely accepted and proliferated throughout the Gelug tradition on those who accept Dorje Shugden as Manjushri and those who do not.

6. Given the fact His Holiness the Dalai Lama is both a practitioner of Cittamani Tara and has given Cittamani initiations, what does this in effect say about the Cittamani Tara lineage masters who are also the lineage masters of Dorje Shugden’s practice?

In propagating the Cittamani Tara practice, the Dalai Lama is in fact endorsing the validity of the lineage and the lineage masters from Takpu Pemavajra to Pabongka Rinpoche to Trijang Rinpoche to His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. The Dalai Lama is saying that there masters have kept their refuge and all other vows intact and that is why the lineage blessings and power for the Cittamani continue to flow through them.

It is therefore surprising that they would accuse Dorje Shugden as being a demonic and refuge-destroying practice seeing that it also come through the same lineage lamas. It must mean that the Dalai Lama does not actually see these lineage lamas as having made a mistake or wrong about Dorje Shugden. In the end, the false accusations against Dorje Shugden is completely negated by the Dalai Lama’s endorsement of the Cittamani Tara.

7. If a lineage lama is said to practice and propagate a demonic practice and hence is said to have broken his refuge vows, would this invalidate all the practices, lineages and transmissions he has bestowed to others?

Yes. If a particular lama is accused of having broken his refuge vows by practicing a demonic practice such as Dorje Shugden is wrongly said to be, then all sutric and tantric practices which the lama has passed on becomes annulled. That means that by virtue of their Dorje Shugden practice, all the practices that Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche propagated also are also invalid. Any tantric practice that came through a set of lineage masters which includes any Dorje Shugden lama are accordingly invalid. There are no exceptions and certain lineage lamas cannot simply be removed and for the lineage to still continue. If a bridge across a river has been removed, how can anything pass?

Therefore the attack on Dorje Shugden claiming it to be a demon and lamas practicing Dorje Shugden to be lamas with broken refuges is in fact an assault on the entire Gelug tradition. If the accusations are to be upheld then all practices and lineages transmitted by Shugden lamas are similarly invalid. One cannot just pick and choose that one practice is invalid and mistaken while another is authentic and beneficial. Thus, the false charges against the Dorje Shugden practice is not an attack on a single protector practice but on the legitimacy of the entire Gelug lineage in the modern era.

8. Why would Tara bestow her practice to someone who would become a refuge vow breaker and contaminate her holy practice?

Tara, a fully enlightened and therefore she is an omniscient being who operates from ultimate compassion for all sentient beings, following simple logic would not bestow such a profound practice on someone who would later break their refuge in a later incarnation. Takpu Gargyi Wangpo who received the practice of Cittamani Tara, and Takpu Pemavajra who received the practice of Dorje Shugden are of the same mindstream. It does not make sense that Tara would knowingly bestow such an important practice to someone who would later invalidate the practice. Following this logic, those who claim Dorje Shugden is a demon and his practice breaks one’s refuge, are indirectly also calling into question the enlightened nature of the glorious mother Tara. This is another important point and therefore, it would seem that Mother Tara herself is indirectly validating Dorje Shugden’s practice because she would have the clairvoyance to see that the incarnation of the lama she is revealing the practice to would one day propagate Dorje Shugden.

9. What are the possible conclusions we can draw from this obvious contradiction – that Cittamani Tara is regarded as good and Dorje Shugden bad even though both practices come through the same lineage lamas.

Logically, we can only conclude as follows:

(i) If we accept that Takpu Pemavajra is a ‘defiled’ lama with broken refuge, both the Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden practices are bad and not valid. It would mean that many other tantric lineages and teachings associated with other Dorje Shugden lamas like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and many others are invalid and wrong as well. If this is the case, then why does His Holiness the Dalai Lama transmit and pass on practices that have been invalidated due to reasons defined by the Dalai Lama himself. This view would jeopardize the entire Gelug lineage and is therefore highly unlikely.

(ii) If we take the view that the Cittamani Tara remains a valid and powerful practice with a pure and unbroken lineage, it means that Takpu Pemavajra is faultless. If this is so, then how can the Dorje Shugden practice be bad? It must be that Dorje Shugden is a beneficial and authentic practice just like that of Cittamani Tara practice because these both lineages share the same lineage holders who definitely perceived the benefit that can be derived from these practices. And if it is not bad, then the accusations made against the Protector must be lies.

For us, we believe in option (ii) and that Dorje Shugden and Cittamani Tara are both authentic and extremely beneficial practices. There is no doubt about that if we examine the facts that is presented by the questions and answers

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Commentaries

WARNING: Do not recite, read or practice any of the prayers and commentaries in this blog post unless you have receive the initiation of Cittamani Tara. The materials here are presented ONLY for your information and knowledge, so that you have an understanding of the depth and breadth of Cittamani Tara’s practice.

Zong Rinpoche
Gelek Rinpoche
Lama Yeshe
Geshe Tsephel

His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s Commentary

His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was born in 1905 in Nangsang, Kham, Tibet. His root Guru was His Holiness Trijang Dorje Chang, who was the junior tutor of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Zong Rinpoche was a highly realised Gelug Lama, erudite scholar, accomplished meditator and practitioner. He completed his Geshe examinations with the highest honours of a Geshe Lharampa degree followed by his examinations at the Gyutö Tantric College with outstanding results. He was known to be a master in philosophical debate and a sharp analyst.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche served as the Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery for nine years till 1946. Under his guidance, Gaden Shartse reached new exemplary standards of monastic discipline and scholarship, and there was a great increase in interest in Tantra and rituals. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche entered into clear light in 1984.

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/ZongRinpoche1of4.mp4

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His Eminence Gelek Rinpoche’s Commentary

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His Eminence Gelek Rinpoche was born in 1939 in Lhasa, Tibet. He was recognised as a reincarnate lama at the age of 4 and was subsequently educated in Drepung Monastery. Gelek Rinpoche is well known for his powers of memory, intellectual judgment and penetrating insight. He was director of Tibet House in Delhi, India and conducted over 1000 interviews in compiling an oral history of the fall of Tibet. He later edited and printed over 170 volumes of rare Tibetan manuscripts that would have otherwise been lost to humanity.

In the late 1970s, Gelek Rinpoche was requested by his teachers to teach Western students. Since then, he has taught Buddhist practitioners around the world. In 1988, Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche created Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan (United States) where he continues to teach until today.

Go to Lama Yeshe’s Commentary >>

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Venerable Lama Yeshe’s Commentary

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Lama Yeshe was born in 1935 in Tibet and entered Sera Monastery at the age of six. During his time there, he received teachings from many illustrious lamas such as Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He co-founded Kopan Monastery in 1969 and later founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in 1975. Lama Yeshe passed into clear light in 1984. He is credited with being one of the lamas to proliferate Buddhism in the West at a time when very few other Tibetan Buddhist monks thought it possible.

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Venerable Geshe Tsephel’s Commentary

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His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Writings

His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was born in 1901 in Tsel Gungtang, Central Tibet. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche met His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche when he was young and became Pabongka Rinpoche’s closest disciple. In 1919, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche received the Geshe Lharampa degree from His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama.

An erudite scholar and prolific author, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche composed a great number of texts and prayers that continue to be used by Gelug practitioners all over the world today. He is especially famous for compiling and editing the seminal text “Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand”, based on notes taken during Pabongka Rinpoche’s 24-day teachings on the Lamrim. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche taught tirelessly throughout his life, his most famous student inarguably His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for whom he was the junior tutor. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was appointed into this position in 1953.

As a master who was considered the “teacher of teachers”, you would be hard-pressed to find a senior Gelug lama today who has not been touched by Trijang Rinpoche’s kindness and teachings. This great master considered to be an emanation of Vajrayogini passed into clear light in 1981.

Sgrol Ma’i Chos Skor
Sgrol Ma’i Chos Skor
Self-Initiation

Sgrol Ma’i Chos Skor (Tara’s Cycle of Teachings)

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Go to His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Condensed Four-Mandala Ritual of Cittamani Tara >>

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His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Condensed Four-Mandala Ritual of Cittamani Tara

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His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Self-Initiation of Chittamani Tara entitled: A new moon destroying faults, downfalls and obscurations

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H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s Handwritten Transliteration of the Cittamani Tara Prayers

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Cittamani Tara Prayers from H.E. Zasep Rinpoche

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His Eminence Zasep Jamseng Rinpoche was born in 1948 in Kham, Tibet. He was recognised by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama as the 13th incarnation of Lama Konchog Tenzin of Muru Monastery. In 1975, Zasep Rinpoche left India to study in Thailand where he joined the monks of a forest monastery, living and studying with them for 18 months. He then travelled to Australia, translating for Tibetan-speaking lamas for many years. Since that time, Zasep Rinpoche has been opening, developing and teaching in Dharma centers all around the world. In 1999, Venerable Zasep Rinpoche created the Gaden for the West organisation. These days, Zasep Rinpoche is primarily based in Nelson, BC (Canada).

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Cittamani Tara Sadhana from Venerable Lama Yeshe

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Go to Cittamani Tara Retreat Sadhana from Venerable Lama Yeshe >>

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Cittamani Tara Retreat Sadhana from Venerable Lama Yeshe

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Go to Cittamani Tara Prayers from Dechen Ling Press >>

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Cittamani Tara Prayers from Dechen Ling Press

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Go to the Lu Mé Ma Prayers by Losang Tenpai Gyaltsen >>

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Lu Mé Ma Prayers by Losang Tenpai Gyaltsen

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Go to the Stairways Towards liberation: Extraordinary Cittamani Tara Guru Yoga Tantra >>

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sgrol ma cittamaṇi la brten pa’i thun mong ma yin pa’i la ma’i rnal ‘byor thar par bgrod pa’i them skas zhes bya ba bzhug so (Stairways Towards liberation: Extraordinary Cittamani Tara Guru Yoga Tantra)

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Additional Prayers to Tara

The prayers in this section do not require initiation into the practice of Tara in order for the practitioner to recite them.

Black Tara, a wrathful manifestation of the Goddess Tara. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more beautiful thangkas.

For more interesting information:

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110 Responses to Cittamani Tara

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Balachandran on Jun 20, 2019 at 2:21 pm

மந்திரச் சொற்கள் அனைத்தும் புனிதமானவை. புத்தரை மந்திரங்கள் வழி வழிபடுகிறோம். மந்திரங்கள் தெய்வ வழிபாட்டிற்கு மிக முக்கியமானவையாக கருதப்படுகிறது. அவற்றை அடிக்கடி உச்சரிப்பதன் வழி மனதில் சந்தோசம் ஏற்படும், பாதுகாப்பு அதிகரிக்கும், அவருடைய ஆசியும் கிட்டும். ஆகவே மகா காப்பாளரான டோர்ஜே ஷுக்டேனின் மந்திரங்களை உச்சரித்து நன்மை பெறுங்கள். அவருடைய பல்வேறு மந்திரங்கள் கீழ்வருமாறு கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

டோஜே ஷுக்டேனின் தலையாய மந்திரம்:
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா சோஹா.

மனம் அமைதி பெற
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா சாந்தி சித்தி ஹங்

ஆரோக்கியத்துடன் இருக்க
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா ஆயுள் சித்தி ஹங்

தேவையான நல்லதைப் பெற
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா புன்னிய சித்தி ஹங்

நற்குணங்களை வழங்குவதற்கு
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா வாஷம் குரு ஹோ

சகல பாதுகாப்புக்காகவும்
ஓம் பென்சா விகி பிதானா ரக்ய ரக்ய ஹங்

அதிகம் தெரிந்துகொள்ள:https://bit.ly/2XsAdGo

Paul Yap on Jan 2, 2019 at 2:35 pm

After reading this article, I realised that the practice of Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden are both stem from the same lineage master Takpu Pemavajra, which was later passed down to Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and other Gelug Masters. I understand that all lineage must have an authentic source and valid teachers. As both Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden have been validated for that, it is safe and beneficial for the practitioners in pursuing their practices.

The Goddess Mother Tara is extremely beautiful, soft and with a radiant smile, she is easily accepted for religious or aesthetic reasons. Understand that the practice of Cittamani Tara enable one to achieve enlightenment in one life time, I pray that everyone would have the affinity to receive her practice.

Valentina Suhendra on Dec 10, 2018 at 11:13 am

Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.

Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA

Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG

Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG

Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG

Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO

Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG

https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4

Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 26, 2018 at 12:43 pm

Dear friends,

Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.

You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.

Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.

May you be safe, protected and blessed.

Tsem Rinpoche

More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6

More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n

Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M

—

亲爱的朋友们，

西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡班杂维格毗札那娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。

要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。

以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。

愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。

尊贵的詹杜固仁波切

更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG

更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN

第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M

Pastor Niral Patel on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:30 am

“The 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche of Bhutan and Dorje Shugden” blog post which was published June 8, 2018 already has exactly at the moment 152,744 views!! Over 150k views!!! Amazing!! The views will keep growing as time elapses of course.

This indicates many Bhutanse and Buddhists around the world will now know that Dorje Shugden is connected to Bhutan and their Kagyu Lineage. Dorje Shugden was promoted by the highest lama of Bhutan namely the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche himself. So Dorje Shugden will help and protect anyone and is not sectarian as they accuse him to be. People in the Kagyu school of Buddhism also practised Dorje Shugden and Dorje Shugden assisted them lovingly. Dorje Shugden being an emanation of Manjushri will help anyone who calls upon him regardless of their background and religion.

Good job to our writers, researchers, editors, technical team, supporting team and Kechara people who promoted this blog post on social media. Now more will come to understand how pervasive Dorje Shugden is in all the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism although the Tibetan leadership in-exile tries to hide this truth. Thank you everyone for promoting Dorje Shugden to benefit many. We were all very harmonious before the unethical ban against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Since the inception of the ban in 1996, there has been no benefits and instead so much disharmony among Tibetan Buddhists around the world. Many hundreds have spoken up about this point where we want harmony back. There should never be a ban against any spiritual practice.

Tsem Rinpoche

Blog post- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=160863

—

于2018年6月8日发表的《不丹国第四世夏仲仁波切与多杰雄登》的博文至今已经有 152,744次的浏览量！！也就是超过了15万次的浏览量！！这个数字肯定还会随着时间而增长。

这表示很多不丹人和全世界的佛教徒现在已经知道了多杰雄登和不丹以及他们的噶举派传承是有紧密联系的。多杰雄登是被不丹的最高级别的喇嘛夏仲仁波切本身所推崇的。这显示了多杰雄登是会帮助和保护任何人的，而祂不是像他人所指控那样的充满宗派主义。佛教的噶举派的修行者也修持多杰雄登，而多杰雄登也很怀爱地帮助他们。多杰雄登是文殊菩萨的化身，祂将无视任何宗教和背景地去帮助任何召唤祈请祂的人们。

我们的写作、搜集资料，编辑、技术、辅助等的人员们和推广这篇博文的克切拉人们，你们做得好！虽然流亡藏人领袖们尝试掩盖事实，但现在更多的人将了解到多杰雄登在所有藏传佛教的传承中是多么的普及了。感谢大家努力推广多杰雄登以造福大众。在这个不道德的多杰雄登禁令出现之前，我们都是很和谐融洽的。自从禁令在1996年开始之后，它为全世界的藏传佛教徒没有带来任何利益，而只有更多的不和谐。成千上万的人已经对该禁令发声，要求重建和谐。对于任何心灵修行，是从来就不该有任何禁令的。

詹杜固仁波切

博文网址: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/l/cn/dorje-shugden/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden-cn.html

Beatrix Ooi on Nov 25, 2018 at 1:26 am

His Eminence Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is in Lhasa visiting. He is visiting the 350-year-old Trode Khangsar chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden. He is paying homage to the powerful statue of Dorje Shugden housed in this sacred chapel. Both the chapel and statue of Dorje Shugden were commissioned by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama. The Great 5th Dalai Lama also composed a prayer to be recited daily to Dorje Shugden.

Dagom Rinpoche’s previous lives were great masters, scholars and practitioners of Dorje Shugden. Now this new incarnation of Dagom Rinpoche is offering gold on the face of Dorje Shugden in homage and worship to this very sacred statue of Dorje Shugden housed in Lhasa for the last 350 years. This is a very traditional Tibetan method of paying homage to holy images, which is by offering gold with prayers.

The Tibetan leadership wrongly says if you practise Dorje Shugden you will take rebirth into the three lower realms. Hundreds of lamas from the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa schools of Buddhism have practised Dorje Shugden and their incarnations returned. Many of the incarnations are recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. So this shows if you practise Dorje Shugden, only benefits come and no harm will come. The very fact Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is back, is clear evidence that Dorje Shugden’s practice is beneficial.

May Dagom Rinpoche’s current incarnation live a very long life.

Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com

YouTube High resolution video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbGknXcLbo

Trode Khangsar – A 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148[/color]

_____

尊贵的扎贡仁波切的现任转世正在拜访拉萨。他拜访了一座供奉给多杰雄登并且拥有350年历史的护法殿”布旦康萨”。他在向这座神圣护法殿里的强大多杰雄登像顶礼。该座护法殿和多杰雄登圣像是由第五世达赖喇嘛指示而造的。伟大的第五世达赖喇嘛也亲笔撰写了多杰雄登的每日祈愿文。

扎贡仁波切的前几世都是伟大的上师，学者兼多杰雄登的修持者。现在扎贡仁波切的现任转世在为这尊已经安奉在拉萨350年并且非常神圣的多杰雄登圣像的脸上供养金漆，以示顶礼和膜拜。这种供养金并祈愿的做法是西藏为圣像顶礼非常传统的做法。

流亡藏人领袖们说如果你修持多杰雄登就将投生三恶道，那是错误的。佛教派系——萨迦派、噶举派、格鲁派的上百名喇嘛们都修持了多杰雄登，而且他们也都转世回来了，而其中有很多转世还是达赖喇嘛亲自认证的。这明显显示了如果你修持多杰雄登，是百利无一弊的。扎贡仁波切转世回来了，就已经是很确凿的证据显示多杰雄登的修持是有利的。

愿今世的扎贡仁波切健康长寿。

詹杜固仁波切
blog.sina.com.cn/zhandugu

YouTube高清视频- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbGknXcLbo

拉萨400年历史的多杰雄登护法殿—布旦康萨- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148

https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1543075725.mp4

Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 23, 2018 at 4:18 am

Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden

This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.

The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.

Tsem Rinpoche

DS-MO-choyang.pdf

Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 20, 2018 at 2:16 pm

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.

A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.

So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.

Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?

Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.

What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.

So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?

Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.

And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

—–

OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES

rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so

BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)

O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.

In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!

Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.

He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:

O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!

He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).

His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:

Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:

In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.

In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.

In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’

I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!

For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.

May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!

Prof Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24th 1996

Panchen-Sonam-Dragpa-Overview-of-Buddhist-Tantra-6.pdf

Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 20, 2018 at 12:43 pm

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.

A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.

So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.

Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?

Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.

What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.

So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?

Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.

And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

—–

OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES

rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so

BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)

O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.

In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!

Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.

He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:

O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!

He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).

His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:

Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:

In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.

In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.

In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’

I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!

For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”

Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.

May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!

Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996

Panchen-Sonam-Dragpa-Overview-of-Buddhist-Tantra-1.pdf

JOY KAM on Nov 20, 2018 at 3:18 am

All enlightened beings are worthy of homage and worship. They are the best beings to take refuge in and we should offer them our prayers as we can put our full confidence in them. Of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I personally find that Manjushri is extremely important. This is because what keeps us in samsara (cyclic rebirth) is our total ignorance and misunderstanding of the reality of existence. What is necessary to penetrate this deep ignorance that keeps us bound in a perpetual state of reincarnation is wisdom. We need many types of wisdom which can be acquired by relying on Manjushri as our yidam (meditational deity). By focusing on his meditation, practice, mantra and path we can gain wisdom in order to have the tool to penetrate the reality of existence. Therefore, Manjushri is an extremely important Buddha for us to focus on and take refuge in.

Tsem Rinpoche

(Photograph: this is the beautiful outdoor Manjushri statue who is in a teaching pose. He is floating above a koi fish pond nestled among lush greenery in Kechara Forest Retreat, Malaysia)

每一位觉者都能成为我们朝拜、膜拜的对象。他们是我们至高、至好的皈依，我们应该向他们做祈请，并且对他们生起全然的信念。在众佛菩萨之中，我个人认为文殊菩萨极为重要。这是因为使我们身陷娑婆（轮回）的是我们自身的无明，以及对实相的曲解。智慧是一种必要，它能穿透我们深不见底的无明，那个使我们受困于无止境投生的无明。我们需要多种智慧，而依止文殊菩萨作为我们的本尊，即能使我们成就多种智慧。透过文殊菩萨的观想、修持法门、心咒及修行道路，我们能成就智慧，拥有了知实相的“器具”。故此，专注于文殊菩萨的修持法门、皈依他，对我们而言都极为重要。

詹杜固仁波切

（相片：这尊户外文殊菩萨像呈转法轮姿。他被茂密的草木环绕，安坐在马来西亚克切拉禅修林的鱼池之上。）

Wai Meng Wan on Nov 9, 2018 at 2:11 pm

The people who criticize Dorje Shugden, quite a number of them are practitioners of Cittamani Tara, a powerful example is His Holiness the 14th the Dalai Lama. Tagphu line of incarnation brought the Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden practice from the purelands.

If Dorje Shugden practice can be wrong, then so can the Cittamani Tara practice.

Tsem Rinpoche on Oct 20, 2018 at 1:13 am

Tara the Infallible (Praise to Tara)

Homage to Guru Arya-Tara!

1. Three Infallible Jewels of Refuge combined
In one, Divine Mother Whose nature is Compassion,
I bow to You from my heart! Till I’m enlightened,
Support me, I pray, with the hook of Your Compassion!

2. I call the Jewels as witness – from not just my mouth,
But the depth of my innermost heart and bones, I pray –
Think of me somewhat! Show me Your smiling face!
Loving One, grant me the nectar of Your Speech!

3. Others cheat us with their made-up teachings,
Selling Dharma for money that’s marked by impermanence,
Proclaiming ignorance knowledge, puffed up with pride
Through the eight worldly Dharmas, Gurus great and small.

4. Since I cannot trust such Friends of degenerate times,
The principal Guru of mine is You Yourself.
Inspire me, Mother of the nature of love!
Arouse Your great power of Compassion! Think of me!

5. Relied on as Refuge, none of them will deceive us;
But, seeing the ways of this degenerate age,
Most Buddhas sink down into the bliss of Nirvana;
Some, though compassionate, have weak karmic connection.

6. Since I have no other Yidam deity,
My principal Deity is You Yourself.
Grant me siddhis, Mother of loving nature!
Arouse Your great power of compassion! Think of me!

7. Most protectors don’t show their powers and skills –
Disgusted with their practitioners, they do not act.
Others, proud of worldly fame, may be
Good for a while, but cheat us in the end.

8. Since I cannot trust protectors such as these,
My principal Protector is You Yourself.
Fulfill the Activities, Mother of loving nature!
Arouse Your great power of Compassion! Think of me!

9. Common worldly riches, the meaning like the name,
Arouse defilements and bind one in Samsara.
What jewels, except the Aryas, though they grant wishes,
Can let me take even a sesame seed when I die?

10. Since I cannot trust illusory riches,
The principal wealth I have is You Yourself.
Grant my desires, O Mother of loving nature!
Arouse Your great power of compassion! Think of me!

11. Not fit to be trusted even for one day,
Their thoughts determinedly set on misbehaviour,
Just acting friendly, these friends of no virtue
Play the friend when they wish, the enemy when they don’t.

12. Since I cannot trust these friends of degenerate times,
The principal friend of mine is You Yourself.
Be close to me, O Mother of loving nature!
Arouse Your great power of compassion! Think of me!

13. In short, my Guru, my Deity and Protector,
My Refuge, dwelling, food, wealth, friends and all
Everything whatsoever I wish, You are;
So make me accomplish everything easily!

14. Let me stop also my present stubborn mind,
And rouse the Compassion that even on coming to give
A billion times for every being’s sake
My body and life tires not – inspire me thus!

15. The uprooter of Samsara’s maker, self-grasping,
The deep Middle Way, so hard to understand,
Avoiding all errors of the two extremes,
Pure Right View – Please inspire me to realise it!

16. Wishing, for sentient beings’ sake, to win Buddhahood,
Let me not think for a moment of my own pleasure,
But dedicating all virtues to beings and Doctrine,
Perfect my renounced Bodhi-mind – inspire me thus!

17. Rich in the Aryas’ Treasures, faith and the rest,
Let me become the best of Buddha-sons, able
To keep the smallest precept taught by the Conquerors,
Never contemptuous of it – inspire me thus!

18. In outward behaviour keeping the Hearer’s conduct,
Let me, in inward belief, revere the Profound
Vajrayana, and practice the Two-Stage Path,
So winning Enlightenment swiftly – inspire me thus!

19. Whether I’m happy or troubled, whether things
Go well or badly for me, whatever I do
You know about it, Venerable Tara, so
Think of me lovingly, my only mother!

20. Myself and all the beings with hopes of me
I offer to You, Venerable Tara!
Make us Your own, and to the highest Pure Land
Make us go quickly, with no births intervening!

21. My mothers, who do not follow the Conquerors’ teachings,
All mother sentient beings, whoever they are –
With Your hook of compassionate skilful means
Please transform their minds into Dharma!

22. Reciting this at morning, noon and night,
And bearing in mind Venerable Tara,
Let all sentient beings with hopes of me
Be born in whatever Pure Land they desire!

23. May every member of the Three Precious Jewels,
Especially the Venerable Mother, compassionate-natured,
Look after me till I reach the point of Enlightenment
Letting me conquer quickly the four Maras’ hosts!

——————————————————————————

Praise To The 21 Taras

From your sublime abode at the Potala
O Tara – born from the green letter TAM
Whose light rescues all beings –
Come with your retinue, I beg you.

The gods and demi-gods bow
To your lotus feet, O Tara,
You who rescue all who are destitute
To you, Mother Tara, I pay homage.

OM JE TSUN MA PAG MA DROL MA LA CHAG TSEL LO
OM Homage to the Venerable Arya Tara.

1. Praising Tara by her life story
Homage to Tara, The Swift One, The Heroine,
Whose eyes are like a flash of lightning,
Who arose from the opening of a lotus,
Born from the tears of the Protector of The Three Worlds.

2. Praising Tara by the brightness and radiance of her face
Homage to you with a face like a hundred full moons in autumn,
Gathered together into one,
Blazing with brilliant light,
Like a thousand constellations.

3. Praising Tara by her colour, what she holds and her causes
Homage to you who are bluish gold,
Your hand perfectly adorned with a lotus flower;
Who arose from practicing Giving, Moral discipline,
Patience, Effort, Concentration and Wisdom.

4. Praising Tara by her being honoured by the Conquerors and the Bodhisattvas
Homage to you who surmount the Tathagathas’ Ushnishas,
Whose victorious actions are limitless
Who are greatly honoured by the Sons of Conquerors,
Who have attained every perfection.

5. Praising Tara by her subduing unfavourable conditions
Homage to you who with letters TUTTARA and HUM
Fill the realms of desire, direction and space.
With the seven worlds beneath your feet,
You are able to draw all beings to bliss.

6. Praising Tara by her being worshipped by the great worldly gods
Homage to you who are worshipped by Indra, Agni, Brahma,
Vayu, and the other mighty gods;
And before whom the host of evil spirits,
Zombies, smell eaters and givers of harm respectfully offer praise.

7. Praising Tara by her destroying opponents
Homage to you who by saying TRA (trey) and PHAT
Completely destroy the obstructions of the enemies.
You suppress with your right leg drawn in and your left extended,
And blaze with a fierce and raging fire.

8. Praising Tara by her purifying demons and the two obstructions
Homage to TURE, extremely fearsome one,
Who completely destroys the chief of demons,
With a wrathful expression on your lotus face
You vanquish all foes without exception.

9. Praising Tara by the object she holds in her right and left hands
Homage to you whose fingers adorn your heart
With the mudra symbolising the Three Precious Jewels,
Adorned with a wheel of all directions,
Whose radiant light outshines all.

10. Praising Tara by her crown ornament and the sound of her laughter
Homage to you whose very joyful and shining crown ornament
Radiates a garland of light.
Who with your mirthful laughter of TUTTARA,
Subdue the demons and worldly gods.

11. Praising Tara by her accomplishing divine actions through the ten directional guardians
Homage to you who are able to summon
All the directional guardians and their retinues.
Frowning and shaking, with the letter HUM,
You rescue all from their misfortune.

12. Praising Tara by her crown ornament
Homage to you with a crescent moon adorning your crown,
And all your ornaments shining brightly;
With Amitabha in your top-knot
Eternally radiating light.

13. Praising Tara by her wrathful posture
Homage to you who dwells amidst a garland of flames
Like the fire at the end of an eon.
With your right leg extended and left drawn in,
You destroy the hosts of obstructions of those who delight in the Dharma Wheel.

14. Praising Tara by the light that radiates from the letter HUM
Homage to you who strike the ground with the palm of your hand,
And stamp it with your foot.
With a wrathful glance and a letter HUM
You subdue all seven levels.

15. Praising Tara by her Dharmakaya Aspect
Homage to you who are happy, virtuous and peaceful,
Within the sphere of the peace of Nirvana,
Fully endowed with SOHA and OM,
You completely destroy heavy evil actions.

16. Praising Tara by her divine actions of peaceful and wrathful Mantras
Homage to you who completely subdue the obstructions
Of those who delight in the Dharma Wheel,
Rescuing with the array of the ten-letter mantra
And the knowledge letter HUM.

17. Praising Tara by her divine actions of wrathfully shaking the three worlds
Homage to TURE, stamping your feet
Born from the seed in the aspect of HUM
Who cause Mount Meru, Mandhara and Vindhya,
And all three worlds to shake.

18. Praising Tara by her divine actions of dispelling internal and external poisons
Homage to you who hold in your hand
A moon, the lake of the gods
Saying TARA twice and the letter PHAT,
You completely dispel all poisons.

19. Praising Tara by her divine actions of dispelling conflicts and bad dreams
Homage to you who are honoured by the kings of the hosts of gods,
And the gods and the kinnaras,
Through your joyful and shining pervasive armour,
All conflicts and bad dreams are dispelled.

20. Praising Tara by her divine actions of dispelling diseases
Homage to you whose two eyes are like the sun and the full moon,
Radiate a pure and clear light
Say HARA twice and TUTTARA
You dispel the most violent, infections diseases.

21. Praising Tara by her divine actions of subduing evil spirits and zombies
Homage to you who have the perfect power of pacifying
Through your blessings of the Three Thatnesses;
Subduer of the hosts of evil spirits, zombies and givers of harm
O TURE, most excellent and supreme! (3x)

Mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA (108x or more)

https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html

(Painting of Tara by a Mongolian artist)

Chris on Oct 8, 2018 at 1:30 am

Cittamani Tara is the highest form of Tara practice that belongs to the Maha-Anuttara Yoga tantra which is the highest form of tantra. Tantra in this category can lead us to enlightenment in 1 lifetime if practiced correctly. This practice was given to Tagpu Pemavajra by Tara herself via his vision. It is very unusual for a practice that does not a lineage can be traced back to Buddha Shakyamuni to be accepted by the Gelug lineage. Furthermore, this practice comes from a vision of a lama and be accepted is even more surprising because Gelug lamas are very strict about showing off supernatural ability.

Hence, we know how reliable Tagphu Pemavajra is for Cittamani Tara to be accepted into the mainstream of Tibetan Buddhism. If he is reliable on Cittamani Tara, he must be reliable on Dorje Shugden practice too! It was him that went to Tushita heaven upon his disciple, Pabongka Rinpoche’s request to retrieve Dorje Shugden practice.

If Cittamani Tara is accepted by many and proven to be effective by many high lamas, it is not logical to say Dorje Shugden is a demon practice because a demon practitioner is unable to come up with an authentic and powerful tantra system such the Cittamani Tara. Hence, saying Dorje Shugden is a demon practice is totally unrealistic.

Valentina Suhendra on Oct 6, 2018 at 4:37 pm

A Daily Request for Wealth, Peace and Protection

Composed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche

In the heavens there are myriad manifestations of the divine. All those manifestations specifically show us different aspects of divinity in order to be of benefit to all living beings. All the rupakaya forms of the divine have compassion, skillful means and wisdom. We invoke upon them whether we are happy, sad, down, lost, fulfilled, confused, empty, and during the whole range of emotions we constantly experience due to an untrained mind.

Understanding our nature, Great Wisdom Being Dorje Shugden, therefore all the more so, please hold us close to your bosom as an only child to a parent.

Though the manifestations of the divine need no offerings and gifts from us, we offer you supreme Manjushri Dorje Shugden a libation of tea, incense and mantras, in order to ask you to bless us, to be a part of our lives, to abide in our dwellings and to give us signs, omens and portents of both good and bad. When the negative arises, quell them immediately. Please increase the positive for my weary and worn mind as I lay my hopes in you.

When difficulties, problems and confusion arise, we ask you, who is but the culmination of all that is powerful, holy and omniscient to bless myself, family, loved ones, environment and even my pets. May I see wisdom, find hope, and be at peace.

I request you, O Divine Bhagavān Dorje Shugden, who wears a round dome hat and the three robes of a saffroned bhikshu, who wields a sword of liberty, justice and wisdom and clutches a wish-fulfilling jewel, who rides on a supreme lion of subjugation of all that is negative, to fulfill my wishes. I understand my wishes may not be the best, so I surrender to your wisdom for the outcome though it may not be what I have in mind. Please bless myself and everyone that we may enter into the supreme city of liberation.

Great Bhagavān Dorje Shugden, I request you sincerely from my heart to be a part of my life, bless my home, and grant me wisdom, solace and comfort, that I might be of service to others without agenda, and that I may focus out onto others and not be fixated on myself, creating more problems for all that I hold dear.

Bless me to become kinder, wiser, more compassionate, tolerant and very forgiving to all those who hurt and love me. In order to become close to you, Dorje Shugden, we must surrender the banal. We must abandon fixed views, projections and rigidity. Lastly, in my final moment when I leave this plane of existence, only the positive actions I have done will matter as everything and everyone will be left behind. Let me realise this and act upon this now! At this crucial moment, please may I have a vision of yourself, the powerful and merciful Dorje Shugden, to take me to where I may course in the sky to continue my journey of spiritual waxing.

I offer you saffron-coloured tea and my faith to fulfill my prayers and gain siddhis. By reciting your mantra, may healing, peace, love, long life, protection and perfect view of sunyata arise.

Mantra of fulfillment, peace and wisdom:

OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA

(It is good to recite this mantra daily as much as you like or your timing allows.)

I dedicate this supreme heartfelt prayer to the all-knowing Celestial and Supreme Protector Dorje Shugden, that I may quickly become a being of light, compassion, love and enlightenment.

Please play the audio included here to follow along with the prayer.

OR

Follow on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-OSudd323A

For more information, go to: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=61394

https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1538813324.mp4

Palmo on Sep 27, 2018 at 1:35 am

It is funny how Cittamani Tara is being revered as one of the most precious teachings while Dorje Shugden is being condemned as being a demon practice when both of the practice comes from the same lama.

If Dorje Shugden practice is a demon practice this means that Tagpu Lama is a spirit practitioner and all his practice will be deemed as spirit practice. How can we accept a practice from a spirit practitioner? It is not logical for us to accept Cittamani Tara and reject Dorje Shugden because they come from same Lama. The Lama cannot be wrong on Dorje Shugden if he is correct on Cittamani Tara practice. It is not possible.

Chris on Sep 23, 2018 at 5:20 pm

Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor David for sharing with us the history of this profound teachings and how powerful it is. This practice is so powerful and even Gelupa lamas that are very strict on the lineage of teachings also accepted it when it comes supernatural experiences of Lama Taphu Pemavajra. Usually, they are against teachings that do not have authentic lineages that comes from the historical Buddha. Their acceptance means that the lama that proliferates the teaching is credible and the effectiveness of the teaching is very prominent.

Similarly, Dorje Shugden teachings come in the same manner. The same High Lama who got the teaching of Cittamani Tara from his supernatural experience, got Dorje Shugden teaching when he astral travelled to Tushita heaven. The teachings are directly from Dorje Shugden himself manifested under the throne of the great Lama Tsongkhapa. Many Cittamani tara lamas practices Dorje Shugden and they still get high attainments.

Hence, Dorje Shugden practice is not a practice that comes out of nowhere uncredited. The practice came from a highly attained Lama, who went to Tushit heaven to get it from Dorje Shugden himself. It is an authentic teaching and practice.

Pastor Shin Tan on Sep 19, 2018 at 11:05 pm

Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be

Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)

In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be

For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html

Abby Foo on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:30 pm

Great article to understand about Cittamani Tara. Information about this deity is rare, so, a big thank you to Rinpoche and Pastor David for composing and compiling all the information.

Cittamani Tara practice is known to be very powerful, look at the lineage lamas who practice it. I have deep faith in that. Our faith in Buddha’s teachings is coming from, we are able to see how the lineage lamas changed people’s lives, how they practiced compassion and wisdom, and how they can sacrifice themselves for others. This shows how the meditation of a certain deity/practice bears results and the Buddha’s teachings are valid. Since there are so many great lamas practice a certain deity/practice and they all gain results, it will be a waste of time to have doubt in the practice/deity.

Also, those high lamas that practiced Cittamani Tara also practiced Dorje Shugden. I am sure they practiced other deities/sets of practices too. What I don’t understand is, why pick on Dorje Shugden? If the Dalai Lama recognised the practice of Cittamani Tara and says it is good, then why pick on Dorje Shugden? They were the same lamas who practiced Cittamani Tara, and of course, the Buddha’s teachings too!

Therefore to say Dorje Shugden is not fit for Buddhist practitioners to practice is unfair. It is unreasonable too.

Jacinta Goh on Sep 19, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Thank you Pastor David Lai on the detail descriptions about Cittamani Tara.

The first time I’ve heard about this practice was when Rinpoche giving teaching and one of the students asked about this practice (in Youtube). As one of the highest forms of Tara in Annutarayoga tantra form, Cittamani Tara is deemed very precious and I’ve heard Rinpoche saying that practicing Cittamani Tara with commitments is quicker than any other form Tara as it can confers Enlightenment in one lifetime. There is three types of it, which is outer, inner and secret form of Cittamani Tara initiations as mentioned by Pastor David in the article above. Those with the secret initiation of Cittamani Tara is rare ( it has no words and by mind transmission only whereby the Lama gives you the meditation and we just practice it but cannot be written down ). The result is swift and efficacious, can only be conferred to those eligible practitioners *wow! I hope many Kecharians will be able to receive this initiations from Rinpoche as H.E the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche has received it from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
1:03:40 https://youtu.be/KTD9IkWo5zg

The Q&A section really thought-provoking and it’s kind like a “debunk” section especially for those who opposes Dorje Shugden practices. How can on one hand we can accept and propagate Cittamani Tara practices and yet on another hand, we refuse to accept Dorje Shugden practices whereby both practices also propitiate the SAME Lineage MASTERS?

I chose to believe that Dorje Shugden is a valid practice as I have faith in the our Lineage Masters. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David.

Joy Kam on Aug 13, 2018 at 2:15 am

His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama

Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.

After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.

The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.

His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.

Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.

Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.

The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.

See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb

Edward Ooi on Aug 10, 2018 at 5:04 am

For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.

Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.

Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-

1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-

– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.

2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.

3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.

4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.

5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.

6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.

7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.

These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.

Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570

Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422

Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424

Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698

*Stand not included

Joy Kam on Jul 25, 2018 at 1:44 am

Amazing post!!!!!

Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J

Tsem Rinpoche

Pastor Adeline Woon on Jul 23, 2018 at 4:08 am

Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche

Joy Kam on Jul 17, 2018 at 9:02 pm

Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.

Pastor Loh Seng Piow on Jun 15, 2018 at 11:02 pm

This incredible White Tara was discovered in Indonesia. It is said to be 800 years old and made by Nagarjuna. A local person Mr. Supriyono dreamed of a bluish red dragon surrounding the village and splashing down into the well before finding Her. This beautiful White Tara was discovered in Indonesia. See video: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96dW0Ms1oR0

Valentina Suhendra on Oct 23, 2017 at 12:13 am

Great message every Tibetan especially must read!

MartinC on Feb 9, 2017 at 5:33 am

This comment by Suzy on Rinpoche’s YouTube channel is a sign of change in the people’s understanding and perception of the holy Dorje Shugdenpractice-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s. It has been twenty years of negative propaganda but now many people are beginning to see past the false rhetoric to see the divine goodness of the Protector. This is something to rejoice in.

Anne Ong on Dec 17, 2016 at 8:52 pm

Thank you very much Rinpoche,Pastor David,Martin,Pastor Jean Ai,Pastor Niral and Joy Kam for sharing this wonderful research and write up on Cittamani Tara lineage and practice. I always feel very blessed to see Mother Tara for many personal reasons. I hope to have the merits to receive the Cittamani Tara practice to benefit others in the future. _/\_

Tsem Rinpoche on Sep 15, 2016 at 3:17 am

Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, Tibet

Over 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.

The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.

When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.

This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.

I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.

This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.

Tsem Rinpoche

Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html

Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM

__________________________________

The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje Shugden

HUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!

Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!

Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!

Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!

Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!

From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden

Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html

Brad Penney on Sep 9, 2016 at 2:30 am

Thanks for posting the article – always interested in hearing about Tara.

- Joy Kam on Sep 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm
  
  Dear Brad,
  Thank you very for your comment here and it is nice to know that you liked this wonderful blog post of Tara. I am also an avid fan of Mother Tara 🙂
  
  This blog post took a lot of effort and research from Pastor David and a few of our very devoted writers to compile and put together as much information as possible about this great sacred tantric teaching for the sake of benefiting others like your good self.
  
  Here are two more beautiful blog post on Tara which I hope you will enjoy them and do share with us more about what you think and feel after reading these post… may it be of great benefit to you and may Tara bless you always.
  
  Homage to the Supreme Mother Tara: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/homage-to-the-supreme-mother-tara.html
  
  Tara: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/letters-cards-gifts/kensur-rinpoches-gift.html
  
Wan Wai Meng on Aug 30, 2016 at 1:51 am

We are indeed blessed to have come across the teachings of Cittamani Tara. We are blessed to even hear about such a practice, this is due to the kindness of Tsem Rinpoche who allowed the blog to mention about such a holy and effacacious practice.

I like the fact that from Takpu Pemavajra, the Dorje Shugden practice was brought back to be disseminated by Je Pabongka and Takpu Pemavajra was also a key lineage holder of Cittamani Tara. The logic presented in this article is flawless, A realised master who astral travels, cannot in one instance bring back enlightened practices next moment he brings back practices that are in the nature demonic.

Doreen Teoh on Jun 20, 2016 at 10:02 pm

In this blog, it has been clearly stated the teachings of Cittamani Tara has been passed down by great masters and Guru who has hold their refuge vows and as such the practice of Cittamani Tara is a pure lineage. As such, the Cittamani Tara lineage of masters who practices is the same as Dorje Shugden’s masters. Conclusion is that the dispute that Dorje Shugden is a spirit is NOT A VALID fact at all.

Thank you Pastor David and team for this research and publishing of this blog, and hope it will clear the wrong accusation of the Dorje Shugden’s practise as a spirit practice.

graceleong on Jun 20, 2016 at 7:16 pm

I have been a student of Tsem Rinpoche for six years now. Throughout the journey there are endless of surprises that leaves me in awe as to how highly attained my Guru is and how rare and precious is the lineage I belong to. I humbly apologize for my immense ignorance before. I am certain I am still ignorant on many matters but whatever my kind Guru has taught and shared I will treasure with all my heart and work hard on gaining merits to be able to put them into practice to propel my faith and ability to be of help to others.

** CITTAMANI TARA is the highest yoga form (Maha-annutara) of Tara which can confer enlightenment within one lifetime. This practice was conferred upon H. E. Tsem Rinpoche in Thubten Dhargye Ling in 1984.

** VAJRAYOGINI is a representation of complete Buddhahood in female form, whose practices are associated with the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Anuttarayoga Tantra. The practice of Vajrayogini is only for the very fortunate and if practiced correctly can lead to Buddhahood in this very lifetime. This practice was first conferred to Rinpoche when he was 14 years old by Kensur Lobsang Tharchin Rinpoche,at Howell, New Jersey and again by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, who had received it from His Guru, H.H.Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, who in turn received it from H.H. Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche !!

** DORJE SHUGDEN Protector practice is the most suitable protector practice in these degenerate times; just like that of Vajrayogini practice is the best practice in these times to rid our desires and delusions. Takpu Pemavajra on the behest of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche astral traveled to Tushita to receive the initiation and teachings on the cycle of Dorje Shugden’s practice, the same Takpu lineage that received the Cittamani Tara tantra practice taught directly by TARA herself. Dorje Shugden practice was also conferred to Rinpoche by H.H Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
Another very important point to note is that this practice of Dorje Shugden is authentic and beneficial as it comes from the same line as Cittamani Tara and Vajrayogini practices. There is no possiblity of it being a demon practice !!

I have only very briefly listed down the potent and precious teachings which my Guru have received from his Gurus which in other words we as students have the opportunity to receive too, if we practice correctly.
If this is not the most precious rebirth which is ???
Thank you Rinpoche !!

yikming on Jun 20, 2016 at 1:04 am

This article is eye opening for me especially in depth on the origin of Cittamani Tara and its relationship to the great masters and to Dorje Shugden. One of the primary Lineage Holder of Cittamani Tara, Takpu Pemavajra had initiation and practice of Dorje Shugden from Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen, which i believe has clairvoyance and would be able to serve him to evaluate if Dorje Shugden practice is right. This research was detail to indicate the origin of Cittamani Tara from Tara (Enlighten) all the way to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and to Tsem Rinpoche; unbroken. Also amazing and powerful that Cittamani Tara practice can gain enlightenment within one lifetime. Thanks for the indepth research and sharing.

Shane Jayasuriya on Jun 20, 2016 at 12:11 am

Dear Pastor David, Thank you for this article about Cittamani Tara. Really excited to learn and practice in this precious life time this precious teachings. _/\_

Sofi on Jun 19, 2016 at 3:24 pm

Beautiful and holy Tara is from another world system called “Manifold Light”. How amazing is that! Many times I have hear of the possibility of other world system and now Mother Tara is the confirmation. I love her view
“In the ultimate sense, there is no distinction between male and female. The attachment to the label of male and female is meaningless…”. To me it simply shows that she has gone beyond the distinction of duality. Irregardless of whether its male or female, a mind in practise needs both essence, Wisdom and Boddhicitta.

H.H. Zong Rinpoche says any images of Tara is automatically blessed which to me shows the level of Tara’s compassion towards us and her closeness with us. She has made it easy for us to access her help and care.

Tara herself had given The Cittamani Tara practise to Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo. Cittamani Tara practise is the highest tantric practise known as Maha-annutara yoga. His incarnation of the same mindstream, Tagpu Pemavajra passed the practise to Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo who passed it to Trijang Dorje Chang who in turn passed to the 14th Dalai Lama. This is the same Cittamani Tara practise that the Dalai Lama has given to many many people over the years. For this practise to be effective, it is important to receive blessings from the whole line of lineage Gurus.

Therefore when the Dalai Lama ban the Protector Dorje Shugden calling him a “Spirit”, he is effectively dismissing the lineage masters. It was at the request of Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo that his Guru Tagpu Pemavajra astral travelled to Tushita Pure Land to receive the whole complete practise of Dorje Shugden from Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s main disciples and also one of the previous lives of Dorje Shugden. If Dorje Shugden was a “Spirit” then the attainment quality of Tagpu Pemavajra will be questionable, as well as the attainments of Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo and Trijang Dorje Chang.

In other words, the qualities of these attained masters are questionable in regards to Dorje Shugden practise and yet impeccable when it comes the highest tantric practise Cittamani Tara yoga. Does that make any sense? One minute the Guru is wrong and the next he is enlightened. If Dorje Shugden is a “Spirit” then the Dalai Lama in giving the Cittamani Tara practises to the thousands of people over the years until today had giving a practise without any blessings from the lineage Gurus. Or if he gives the practises believing there are still blessings from the lineage Gurus, then Dorje Shugden too is not a spirit and he should lift the ban which was created on no proven basis.

With folded hands, the Dalai Lama please manifest your true Buddha nature now and lift the ban on Dorje Shugden without creating more damage to the pure names of the enlightened lineage Masters that had brought us such precious practises to help us out of samsara.

Jennifer Yuen on Jun 19, 2016 at 12:21 am

Thank you Pastor David and team for this clear explanation on Cittamani Tara. This practice is indeed very precious in the Gelug Lineage as the great master Takpu Gargyi Chokyi Wangchuk received it directly from Tara herself and this practice can lead one to enlightenment within one lifetime. But what caught more of my attention while reading the article was the fact that the reincarnation of this great Gelug master, Takpu Pemavajra being the lineage holder of the Cittamani teachings, also astral travelled to Tushita and received Dorje Shugden practice. If this being the case, the conclusion can only be that Dorje Shugden is enlightened. For one to claim Dorje Shugden is a demon, Takpu Pemavajra would have broken his refuge vows which is the basis of all Buddhist practices and hence would not have passed this treasured practice on to Pabongka Rinpoche successfully. The flow of blessings from the Lineage Gurus which is important for tantric practice would not have continued. Why would the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa be giving initiation of this practice then?

Choong on Jun 18, 2016 at 3:13 am

The strength of a chain is its weakest link.

By calling Dorje Shugden a demon, HH Dalai Lama has instantly demolished the core of the Gelug lineage.

There is no more lineage, the lineage is broken, the apples have rot.

There is no point practising, no point getting transmissions and empowerment from Gelug lineage masters because the lineage line has been breached by a demon.

Samantha on Jun 18, 2016 at 12:38 am

I am truly excited to learn all these information on all these valuable teachings which came from our lineage. This has further affirmed my conviction that all the things that i have learned have truly been very beneficial despite all the call on the ban on Dorje Shugden. This has also further motivates me to try and put what i learnt into practice as much as i could.

- Pastor Shin Tan on Jun 18, 2016 at 5:43 am
  
  Dear Samantha,
  Thank you for your comment. Pastor David and the writers team have worked very hard to compile information for this post as well as other posts on the tsemrinpoche.com
  
  The ban on Dorje Shugden, if you read more into it, you will know it’s not a religious issue but a political one. You can find out more in this post, “The Buddhist Divide – An Unholy Campaign against Religious Freedom” here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/the-buddhist-divide-an-unholy-campaign-against-religious-freedom.html
  
  Do visit the blog and check out more posts under the Buddhas, Dharma & Practice section here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/buddhas-dharma
  
  You can also join us for our weekly Saturday blogchat, 11AM – 12PM (GMT +8) or FRIDAY 7 – 8PM (PST) at https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/chat
  
CK Leong on Jun 18, 2016 at 12:26 am

Thank you Pastor David and team that did the research. Tara being an alien from different dimensions really expand my thought. Pabongka and Trijang Rinpoche practices Cittamani Tara and DS. The fact that Dalai Lama propagate Cittamani but ban DS is very conflicting. It does not reflect well and the basis taken to ban DS is questionable.

- Martin on Jun 18, 2016 at 2:14 am
  
  Ck,
  
  You touched on a very vital point. The fact that His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as Lama Zopa, who have both renounced Dorje Shugden and by default, the lamas who believed in and practiced Dorje Shugden, AND YET give initiations on the Cittamani Tara, does not make any sense. The lineage gurus of the Cittamani Tara are the very same ones as that of Dorje Shugden.
  
  So how can the lineage blessings for the Cittamnai Tara still flow though Tagpu Pemavajra and indeed Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo and Trijang Dorje Chang, if they are supposed to have broken their Refuge Vows as the result of their worship of a ‘demon’ (as Shugden is accused to be).
  
  IF Dorje Shugden is truly a demon, then the lineage of Dorje Shugden is corrupted and defunct and no blessings of the Gelug lineage lamas can come through them. That would also mean that the Cittamani Tara and Vajrayogini tantras have no power any longer because of the Shugden ‘corruption’ of the lineage.
  
  Both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa’s continuing propagation of the Cittamani Tara confirms their trust in the purity of the lineage lama, which is the lineage of Dorje Shugden.
  
  You cannot insist that a glass is broken for water and yet unbroken for tea. It just doesn’t add up. But then again, the Dorje Shugden ban never many any spiritual sense, only political ones.
  
Fong on Jun 18, 2016 at 12:13 am

Thank you, Pastor David for the comprehensive article, as always.

I like the tracing of the lineage from Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo also known as Takpu Gargyi Wangpo who from the Takpu line of incarnation. From this same line of incarnation, Tag-pu, Ngawang Lobsang Jampal Tempe Ngudrop (a.k.a Takpu Pemavajra) also gave us Dorje Shugden practice. All this is channelled into the vessel, Pabongka Rinpoche a great and attained master who taught the Lamrim.

The other interesting point is that the deities themselves gave the practice, that is, Cittamani Tara practice was given by Tara herself to Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo and Dorje Shugden practice was given by Dorje Shugden himself to Takpu Pemavajra. So, both practice came from the same line of incarnation which means it is from the same mindstream.

And, to have this practices given through Pabongka Rinpoche only enhances it. So, we cannot say the masters made a mistake with one and was fantastic with the other. If Cittamani Tara practice is a very efficacious, then one cannot say the other practice which is Dorje Shugden is demonic. This definitely strengthens my faith in my practice.

Wei Theng on Jun 15, 2016 at 7:01 am

Thank you Pastor David for sharing this detailed sharing on Cittamani.

I am clearer that It is not logical to say Dorje Shugden is a demon if Cittamani practice is recognised as a sacred practice especially in the Gelug lineage.

If DS is a demon,
i. then all high lama who practice it, including Takpu Pemavajra (a lineage master of Cittamani practice), have broken their refuge vows.
ii. if Takpu Pemavajra has broken his refuge vows, then the Cittamani practice would be invalidated too.
iii. Why would Tara who are enlightened would pass the sacred practice of Cittamani to Takpu Gargyi Wangpo who is the same mind stream with Takpu Pemavajra if Takpu Pemavajra will be “tainting” the Cittamani practice by doing Dorje Shugden practice if Dorje Shugden is a demon? Not logical for an enlightened being like Tara that she cannot foresee that right?
iv. If Cittamani practice is invalidated, all the practices from Takpu Pemavajra to Pabongka Rinpoche to Trajang Rinpoche and to all his students including HH Dalai Lama will be invalidated too. Then we can also say 90% or all of Gelug lineage and practices are invalid too. How would this possible?

Following the above logic thinking, I can see that Dorje Shugden is not a demon and we can practice it. Or else, Cittamani practice and the whole Gelug lineage is also not valid any more. Scary right?

Cynthia Lee on Jun 7, 2016 at 5:21 am

Thank you Pastor David for the extensive research and write-up on Cittamani Tara.

Cittamani Tara is indeed an important practice to preserve as a means to one’s enlightenment. If what Dalai Lama says is really really TRUE, that Dorje Shugden is indeed a demon, then it jeopardise the Cittamani Tara practice and the whole gelug lineage.

There’s just way too many cons in relations to believing DS is a demon.
1. To believe DS is a demon, all the lineage lamas who practiced DS since Tagpu Pemavajra has broken their refuge vows and is not qualified to pass on any Buddhist practice. They are not even monks.
2. To believe DS is a demon, the whole Gelug lineage is invalid. There is no blessings in one’s practice and brings NO RESULTS.
3. To believe DS is a demon, the Cittamani Tara practice which His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other lamas like Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave has no blessings.
4. To believe DS is a demon, one is indirectly challenging Tara’s clairvoyance because Tara chose to bestowed teachings, advice and oral transmission to a “refuge vow breaker” and “demon worshipper”

In conclusion, for Cittamani Tara to be effective, one must believe there is a bigger picture and Dorje Shugden is NOT a demon. Otherwise, why would Dalai Lama give teachings and empowerment of a practice which came from a lama who taught both Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden?

Pastor Yek Yee(月谊讲法师) on Jun 5, 2016 at 3:10 am

Many people feel very proud or pride when they are received initiation, however they forgot the real meaning after the ceremony. Many didn’t continue their practice because they cannot continuous the practice or feel bored about it? After few months everyone will focus on diving and also neglected and can just simple like this.

I remembered Rinpoche said that if we joined in the initiation ceremony, if we are appreciated it and thought it is so precious and will follow accordingly Guru said. Then it is considered a real initiation ceremony. If in your mind, you thinking this is only a normal ceremony then it will be a ceremony and nothing special.

And another key point is if we are practice tantra, the only way to achieve high attainment is we have a strong and pure Guru devotion. In many different teachings, Rinpoche too mentioned about high attainment resulted from strong Guru Devotion. Only your Guru can bring you go to enlightenment no matter how smart or how intelligent you are…if you maintain good relationship with our Guru, we will gain high attainment in spiritual path very easily.

After I read through “Cittamani Tara”post from H.E.The 25th Tsem Rinpoche, I went to check out few Rinpoche teaching which talked a tantra and Guru Devotion, one of the teaching is “Advice to a Yamataka initiation” (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/advice-to-a-yamantaka-initiation.html), Rinpoche repeated emphasize the importance of Guru devotion. Rinpoche’s teaching really sprinkled my mind very strongly. I am appreciated all the hard word from Rinpoche and writers who made this blog grow, I received a lot of Dharma knowledge from the post.

Thank you!

Cynthia Ng on Jun 4, 2016 at 5:41 pm

感谢Pastor David的分享。

在此文章中我了解到Cittamani 法门是属于最高瑜伽密续法，它有三个灌顶，分别为内、外和秘密持修。这是大成就者Takpu Gargyi Wangpo穿梭到净土从度母中直接接受灌顶与持修法，这位大师也是闻名于度母大成就者。因此，这个加持力是非常强大的因为这是直接从度母接受的修持法。Cittamani 的来源源自于度母本身，持修法门可以带领我们到证悟。至尊宋仁波切说任何度母的佛像都具有加持力,不需要特别被加持。

最高瑜伽密续法门需要拥有强烈的上师依止心，这也是我们达到大成就的最基础，因为当我们有强大的上师依止心的时候，我们就会得到来自于上师与整个传承的加持力。

Cittamani的持修法被Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche 和Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche成功的在传授，而这两位转世高僧都是多杰雄登修持者。为何其他非多杰雄登格鲁派传承上师还继续持修Cittamani法门呢？至到今天我们可以看到达赖喇嘛和索巴喇嘛仍在传授cittamani这意味着这个修持法是有效的。这也意味着，多杰雄登实践必须是有效益的因为这也是来自于同一个传承。

Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche请求Tagpu进入禅定穿梭去到Tushita去找Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen接受多杰雄登的灌顶与修持法门，Cittamani塔拉的传承来自Takpu Pemavajra，所以和多杰雄登的传承是一样的。在此说明此修持法是很纯正和加持力也很大。如果说多杰雄登是邪灵的话，那么Cittamani 修持法门也不纯正，这是不可能也不合逻辑的。

这清楚地表明，多杰雄登是不是所谓的邪灵？？肯定不是，现实上，多杰雄登是文殊菩萨的化身。

Elisha Lynn Tang Sue Ming on Jun 4, 2016 at 11:32 am

Thank you for writing such a good article. Appreciate it a lot.

- Pastor Shin Tan on Jun 6, 2016 at 12:54 am
  
  Dear Elisha,
  I’m glad you like this excellent article by Pastor David. You can read other posts by Pastor David Lai here:
  https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/author/davidlai
  
  There is also a very comprehensive article by Pastor Niral Patel on “Dharma Protectors of Tibetan Buddhism” at: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dharma-protectors-of-tibetan-buddhism.html
  
  Hope to see you leave more comments 🙂 !
  
sweekeong on Jun 3, 2016 at 8:11 am

Thank you Pastor David for your research on Cittamani Tara. It is heartwarming and cool, if I may say so, that Tara has become enlightened in her world system and emanate herself in this world system. I have heard that she is considered an ‘alien’ to our world, now I understand why it is stated so.

What is interesting though is the Q&A you have written. The fact that Takpo reincarnations can have visions and astral travel to learn and transmit the special teachings and practices to his students. Both Dorje Shugden and Cittamani Tara practices where taught by him and he became the lineage holders. The fact is Takpo Pemavajra (Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub) practice Cittamani Tara and gain results. Otherwise the blessings wouldn’t be transmitted to his disciples.

Then he must gain results from practicing Dorje Shugden too. Otherwise how can one have results from one practice and none from another practice?

If both Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden are at the opposite ends, one beneficial vs one non-beneficial, how can he obtained any results from such contradiction? It is like killing and saving done together. It is like holding vows and breaking vows together. Can he do both at the same time? Therefore it is either both practices are beneficial or both practices are non-beneficial. Thus I concluded from my discussion with others.

Wah Ying on Jun 3, 2016 at 1:38 am

Dear Pastor David,

Thanks for the extensive research and clear presentation of facts and Q&A for this article. This is an article worth reading by many practitioners especially who are pro or against Dorje Shugden practice. Some of the points that stood up for me are:

*It’s quite impossible for Tara who has clairvoyance to confer Cittamani Tara practice to a lineage master who will in his future incarnation breaks his refuge vows and take refuge in a demon practice. If this would happen, the Cittamani Tara will not last.

*For one to denounce Dorje Shugden as demon practice, but Cittamani Tara as good and powerful, is ilogical, since both practices were passed down by the same lineage masters. Either one accepts both are good or both are bad. No selective. We are not able to skip some lineage lamas to keep the lineage blessing alive, it’s just like impossible to keep having internet connection connected but with in between the optic fiber there are some main missing links.

*The logic presented on arguing the fallacy people have on Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden practices are clear. Many would make understood by these, unless one choose to keep being selective and remain close on the discussion. I believe HH Dalai Lama would not not able to know these logic.

*Therefore, HH Dalai Lama as an emanation of Cherenzig must believe that Dorje Shugden and Cittamani Tara are valid and authentic practices that have tremendous blessings. There His Holinesshimself and Lama Zopa continue to give Cittamani Tara initiations and teachings.

Thank you.

Lew on Jun 2, 2016 at 7:57 pm

Dear Pastor David,

Thank you for sharing this articles about Cittamani Tara. This is indeed quite special because it is based on pure vision which is not so common in Gelug lineage.

I would like to share a bit about what I heard from Rinpoche about difference between Lower and Higher tantra. Rinpoche said that lower is not because the practice is not powerful or less effective. Lower tantra is focus more on the body, therefore it would seem to be more “strict”, as to what you cannot do, etc, for example abstain from meat, etc. Lower tantra is to prepare the practitioners to receive Higher tantras, which is focusing on the mind. I hope this very brief sharing can help some to understand the difference.

To me, the “bonus” of reading this article is seeing the hardwriting of Tsem Rinpoche about the Tara practice 🙂

CindyH on Jun 2, 2016 at 6:03 pm

Thank you Pastor David and team for such an informative article. It has not only educated me on the origins and intricacies of the Cittamani Tara practice but also highlights yet again, the hollowness of the claim that Dorje Shugden is an unenlightened spirit or demon. Taking into account the source and lineage of both teachings as well as the circumstances of the selective propitiation of one (Cittamani Tara) over the discrimination of another (Dorje Shugden), it is illogical for such cherry-picking of practice by the Dalai Lama. In particular, if Dorje Shugden really is a demon, then the high Lamas of past and present who has propitiated or still is propitiating Dorje Shugden would have broken their refuge vows and if those high Lamas have indeed broken their refuge vow, the sutric and tantric practices which such Lamas have passed on would accordingly be invalid and the lineage blessings would be broken. There just is no two ways about it. The implication then goes beyond smearing the name of a single protector practice but bringing upon the entire Gelug lineage into disrepute.

bengkooi on Jun 2, 2016 at 5:49 pm

Pastor David,
This is a very significant article which I hope many people will read. In particular, you did a great job in the Q&A section to explain clearly and logically –

1. why there is a fundamental conflict in criticizing the lineage lamas for practicing Dorje Shugden and at the same time calling upon their blessings in Cittamani Tara or other practices.

2. why it is counter intuitive to think that Tara would invalidate her lineage by passing on the Cittamani Tara practice to a lama who would destroy it later in another incarnation.

3. why according to the lineal rules it is not possible for Dorje Shugden to be a worldly spirit without shaking the foundations of the entire Gelug lineage

4. why it is illogical to say our lineage lamas are wrong about Dorje Shugden yet trust every other practice they pass on

5. Most interestingly, to me, is how your point about how His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is actively transmitting the teachings that he received from His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche while at the same time condemning Dorje Shugden to be a demon. Given that Trijang Rinpoche was an active proponent of Dorje Shugden’s practice, and now that we understand clearly how the lineal blessings work, it is improbable to believe that the Dalai Lama does not see that Dorje Shugden being a demon would invalidate nearly 100% of the Gelug teachings and lineages. Thus, for him to still label Dorje Shugden a demon signifies to me that there is something else afoot and that the Dalai Lama does not truly believe Dorje Shugden to be a demon as he claims. This is one of the standout points for me.

In any case, the above combined with your explanations on how the blessings of the lineage are transmitted and of how the refuge vows are the root of all other attainments and vows will equip open-minded readers with the knowledge and tools to understand how they are drawing upon the blessings of past lineage masters when they do their sadhanas daily, and to assess the Dorje Shugden controversy through the eyes of logic and wisdom.

I truly hope that everyone who comes to read this article, whether you are for or against Dorje Shugden, digests the information here carefully, verifies it, checks it, researches it and then comes to a justifiable and logical conclusion of the current Dorje Shugden issue. If you are in agreement, please share your thoughts here. If you are NOT in agreement, please also share your reasoning here so that we may have open, civil and knowledge-based dialogue.

Thank you

tong sun sun on Jun 2, 2016 at 1:16 am

感恩仁波切和Pastor David 分享如意摩尼度母的事故与修持法。
在开始学习佛法的初始只知道度母是观音的化身，观音的眼泪化现而来。除此还有21度母和21 度母赞。殊不知如意摩尼度母有如此殊圣修持，而且还是许多高僧所修持的密续对象。如果精进修持，坚守对上师的依止心，坚守门派的传承，我们是可以在这一世里努力修持而得到怔悟。但并不是所有的度母修持都可以达到怔悟. 唯独如意摩尼度母。
在追溯格鲁的传承里当年Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk 是在一个Saka Dawa的日子进入了深层禅定而到了观音净土从而得到了度母的加持教诲和灌顶从而展开了格鲁派里高密续修持至今。
Takpo PelmaVajra 入定到兜率天祈请多杰雄登和宗喀巴大师给予祈愿文并和度母灌顶教诲传授至尊嘉杰帕绷喀仁波切，而尊嘉杰帕绷喀仁波切把这两法门发扬光大。直至今日还有许多高僧传授灌顶这法门，那如果说多杰雄登的修持是错的那为何如意摩尼度母法门还可以继续传授而这法门和多杰雄登法门是同相连的？？

Pastor Tat Ming on Jun 1, 2016 at 11:34 pm

Dorje Shugden definitely is NOT a spirit as alleged by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (HHDL) !

If Dorje Shugden is a spirit as alleged, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche would have broken his refuge vows for propitiating Dorje Shugden. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s broken refuge vows would have rendered all his other teachings passed to HHDL as invalid. This includes the treasured Chittamani Tara practice which is still being transmitted widely by HHDL and other non-Dorje Shugden Gelug Lineage lamas today. Many practise Chittamani Tara successfully and have received its transmission from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche who are devoted and strong Dorje Shugden practitioners.

Why would HHDL and other non-Dorje Shugden Gelug Lineage lamas continue to practise Chittamani Tara if this practice had lost its blessing from Buddha Tara and invalidated by Dorje Shugden lineage masters?

This indicates that the Chittamani Tara lineage masters’ refuge vows are intact and blessings of the practice continues to flow. In that case, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche who is both the Chittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden lineage holders has not broken his refuge vows. This clearly indicate that Dorje Shugden is not a spirit as alleged. In reality, Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Buddha Manjushri.

- Pastor Elena Khong Jean Ai on Jun 2, 2016 at 4:19 am
  
  Pastor Tat Ming, when you say this – “Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s broken refuge vows would have rendered all his other teachings passed to HHDL as invalid.” – you bring up a very important point. Not only is are the lineages for the teachings broken, but also the lineage for vows too since refuge vows are the basis for all other vows.
  
  Some people accuse Dorje Shugden practitioners of breaking their samaya by maintaining the practice and not giving it up. If their accusations are to be believed, it means that Trijang Rinpoche broke his refuge vows by relying on Dorje Shugden. Since he broke his refuge vows, he also broke his ordination vows because refuge vows are the foundation of all other vows.
  
  This means that when Trijang Rinpoche gave the Dalai Lama his ordination vows in 1942 and 1954, Trijang Rinpoche wasn’t even a Buddhist (let alone a monk) in order to give the ordination vows. Which means the Dalai Lama did not actually receive ordination vows and so for the last 74 years, the Dalai Lama wasn’t actually a monk (IF those people’s accusations are to be believed).
  
  This ALSO means that since the Dalai Lama was never a monk, every monk he himself ordained did not actually receive ordination vows because he never had the monk vows to begin with.
  
  So are Gaden, Sera and Drepung filled with people playing dress-up in monks robes?
  
  I wish anti-Shugden people would understand that once they start accusing Shugden practitioners of breaking refuge vows and samaya because we won’t give up the practice, they start down a very slippery and dangerous slope of debasing the entire Gelug tradition because the core which is our sangha are essentially without blessings.
  
Jill Yam on Jun 1, 2016 at 9:20 pm

What I understand from this post is that the Cittamani Tara practice was taught by Tara herself to the great Siddha Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. And this practice is passed down from Deity to great Masters.

1)Takpu Gargyi Wangpo then passed to his incarnation Takpu Pemavajra who astral travel to Tushita to receive the teachings of Cittamani Tara and also Dorje Shugden via Lama Tsongkhapa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen. If Takpu Pemavajra passed the lineage of Cittamani Tara to Kyabje Pabongka is valid then the practice of Dorje Shugden should be valid too.

2) If someone like Takpu Pemavajra of high attainment can directly perceive Tara and receive teachings from Her, surely He can differentiate between a Buddha and a Demon.

3) If Takpu Pemavajra had made a mistake about Dorje Shugden then he can also make a mistake on Cittamani Tara as well.

4) The lineage Lamas of Cittamani Tara practice begins with Takpu Gargyi Wangpo to Takpu Pemavajra to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and also Dalai Lama.
All these highly attained Lamas practiced Dorje Shugden as well.

5) Till today you can see that The Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa are still giving Cittamani Tara initiation which means this practice is effective. This also meant that the practice of Dorje Shugden must be effective and beneficial as well as it comes from the same lineage.

6) The Dalai Lama practicing of Cittamani Tara is actually endorsing the validity of the lineage and lineage Masters starting from Takpu Pemavajra.

7) Both practices are passed from Guru to disciples shows strong Guru Devotion.

8) Guru devotion is the foundation of all realisation and the blessings for the practices comes when we have strong Guru Devotion which otherwise is not valid.

Therefore I strongly believe that Dorje Shugden is an Enlightened Being from the above mentioned post and His practice is from a pure lineage.

Thank you.

Chong Pee Bee on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Dear Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai,

My further understand of on this article after reading through the Q & A session.

The Cittamani Tara practice is so treasured today and is regarded as a precious gem of the Gelug tradition and many have received the transmission and practiced successfully. This has indicated that the lineage master’s vows are intact and the blessings continue to flow

For a Tantra practice, the most essential elements that must be presence for the practise to be authentic, is that the lineage must be able to be tracked back to the source of the enlightenment being and the 3 Jewels refuge vow must be intact and unbroken.

Cittamani Tara lineage passed by Takpu Pemavajra to Pabongka Rinpoche, from Pabongka Rinpoche to Trijang Rinpoche and from Trijang Rinpoche to all his students, same does the Dorje Shugden practice, it is passed by Takpu Remavajra to Pabongka Rinpoche, and so on until Trijang Rinpoche and all his students.

If Cittamani Tara is valid and endorsed, why not Dorje Shugden practise?
If Dorje Shugden is a demon, then lineage masters would be taken refuge to the the spirit and have broken their 3 Jewels refuge vows. Therefore, their Cittamani Tara practise will be void and invalid. However, Why Cittamani Tara has been treasured and successfully practised?

For me.  Cittamani Tara is effective and successfully practised because the lineage masters did not broke their vows while practising Dorje Shugden. This is because Dorje Shugden is not a Demon but is an enlightening beings

Thank you
Pee Bee Chong

Chris Chong on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Dear Pastor David,

Thank you for this article about this sacred Cittamani Tara lineage and practice. It is very informative .

This is what I had learnt.

1. Cittamani Tara tantra is the highest yoga tantra which can bring us to enlightenment in one life time only. There are many other Tara tantra out there but this is the most powerful one.

2. The source of Cittamani Tara comes from Arya Tara herself. Tagpu Gargyi Wangpo astral travelled to Potala pure land and received this practice from Arya Tara. Hence, the blessings of this practice is extremely powerful which is directly from the deity.

3. Another Tagpu incarnation also did similar deed which is Tagpu Pemavajra. Upon the request of his student Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, he astral travelled to Tushita Heaven to receive the practice of Dorje Shugden from Dulzin Drakpa Gyletsen himself. Hence, this blessings of Dorje Shugden practice is also very pure and strong.

4. Tantric practice emphasise on Guru Devotion alot. In fact, it is the primary factor that one’s practice succeeds or fails. Without Guru Devotion, all efforts of practising will become void.

5. Both Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden practices came from Tagpu lineages. If Dorje Shugden is a demon, then the whole lineage will be deemed as demon practitioners. Naturally, the validity of Cittamani Tara practice will have doubt as well. But why all high lamas still practising Cittamani Tara while they condemn Dorje Shugden. It is illogical. Hence, Dorje Shugden is not a demon.

Chris

Frederick Law on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:54 am

It was through Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche who request his Guru Takpu Pemavajra who then entered deep meditation and astral travel to Tushita Heaven in quest to receive receive the initiation and commentary on the practice of Dorje Shugden from Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen, who refer to His own Guru Lama Tsongkhapa, this show the humility of this great attain Master and who has great Guru Devotion.

Tagpu Pemavajra received complete practice of Dorje Shugden, hence it was passed down to Kyabje Pabongkha Rinpoche and from whom Dorje Shugden commentaries, Pujas and practice flourished and wide spread over the world.

From this article we can clearly see the uniqueness of Cittamani Tara tantra where Siddha Tagpu line of reincarnation has pure vision of Tara and the ability to astral travel to pure land to receive teaching. It was through Tagpu Pemavajra Rinpoche we are blessed with Dorje Shugden practice.

By understanding this, we can see that Cittamani Tara is a High Yoga Tantra Practice which is special to Gelugpa Tradition which was passed down by Tagpu Rinpoche line of reincarnation. Since Tagpu Rinpoche received Dorje Shudgen practice directly from Lama Tsongkhapa, how could Dorje Shugden practice be wrong? if it was wrong, that means the practice of Cittamani Tara is wrong and invalid.

But this isn’t the case, as this practice has valid source and lineage. what is more important is that no matter if it is Cittamani Tara tantric Practice or even Dorje Shugden practice, Guru Devotion and good Samaya with out Guru is utmost importance, because the attainment stems from our Guru blessing.

Callista on Jun 1, 2016 at 12:41 am

Thank you everyone for the effort.

From what I read, may it be the article, Q&A section and comments.
I’m pretty sure that I am on the right track to know and learn more about the great Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.

Chong Pee Bee on May 31, 2016 at 1:27 pm

Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai,

Here is my understanding on the article :

Cittamani Tara is one of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s three main practices (Heruka Cakrasamvara, Vajrayogini and Cittamani Tara) that was conferred upon H. E. Tsem Rinpoche in Thubten Dhargye Ling in 1984.

Cittamani Tara is a unique tantra because it was originally derived from the visionary experience of a Gelug yogi, Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. This great master had pure visions of Tara and received the initiation and commentary of the practice directly from Tara

Cittamani Tara is rare and it is the highest yoga form (Maha-annutara) of Tara which can confer enlightenment within one lifetime

The later incarnation of Takpu Gargyi, Takpu Pemavajra also had visions of Tara and was particularly known for his ability to astral travel to pure lands the Gelug lineage significantly until today. He received the lineage of Cittamani Tara and become its primary lineage holder, disseminating it to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.

Under the request of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Takpu Pemavajra entered deep meditation and astral-travelled to Toshiba in order to receive the initiative practise and commentary on the practise of Dorje Shugden from Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen by way of Lama Tsongkhapa.

Takpu Pemavajra received the complete practice of Dorje Shugden in Tushita pure land. This practice was then passed to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche who composed commentaries and it became the mainstay of the Dorje Shugden practice and pujas available and widespread today.

Thank you
Pee Bee

Uncle Lai on May 30, 2016 at 9:45 pm

Thank you Pastor David for publishing the article on Cittamani Tara. It is very interesting to note that every practice there is an origin and can be traced back to the origin which is passed down from Guru to student and is considered authentic.

So is also the practice of Dorje Shugden which is taught by our Guru to us and we cannot give up the practice of Dorje Shugden because it is like disobey our Guru and how can we get result like this?

Victoria Lam on May 30, 2016 at 9:36 pm

Thank you Pastor David for the interesting article of Cittramani Tara. It’s very important for us to learn and understand of the Tantric practice from Gelug Lineage. Hence, the first lineage master who is Takpu Kelsang Garwayu Chokyi Wangchuk (1765-1792) received the Tantra practice directly from Tara. Therefore, he continuously pass on to 7th Guru of the Gelug Lineage, Takpu Pemavajra who is Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Guru.

Thank you to all attained High Lamas and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for the teachings and benefits us with Dorje Shugden practice with the same Lineage practices. May all sentient being benefits and fall in Faiths with practices.

Humbly bow down with folded hands
Victoria.

Kien Wong on May 30, 2016 at 9:34 pm

Thanks for the wonderful write up on Cittamani Tara. It is always so important to know the background of the practice and and where the lineage are. Because we need to invoke the blessing of the lineage master and to get the results from the practice. As H.H. Dalai Lama ban Dorje shugden practice, at the same time it’s come from the same lineage of Cittamani Tara practice. In this condition, how to invoke the blessing from the lineage master. Since H.H. Dalai Lama teachers are Dorje Shugden practioners which is in the ban list. So, question is how to invoke the blessing from the lineage master and get the results? Thank you

Hank Ng on May 30, 2016 at 9:29 pm

First time heard about Cittamani Tara and I found it very difficult to fully understand this great sharing by just look at the superficial information on the first page, lately I get to know more about it through blog chat session together with other KSDS teachers at Kechara house, I will spent more time to look into those interest topic which induce much curiosity. Thank you Pastor Adeline and Tsem Rinpoche for your none stop sharing. For those Chinese group student, just to let you know the Mandarin name for Cittamani Tara is actually 如意摩尼度母。

Lin Mun on May 30, 2016 at 9:25 pm

Thank you Pastor David for sharing the Cittamani Tara in detailed.

My understanding from this article is as follows :

1) Cittamani Tara is a one of the tantric practice.
2) A tantric practice is a transmission of a pure lineage and with guru devotion.
3) All Buddhist practices, including tantric practices are built on and depend on the keeping of one’s refuge vows.
4) I do not agree on the accusation that Dorje Shugden is a demon. It is a practice that is transmitted from the a pure lineage, so how can it be wrong. It does not make sense that all high lamas that practice Dorje Shugden is wrong because it is being transmitted from their Guru.

I hope more people will understanding that the ban on Dorje Shugden is not right and the accusation is wrong.

Stella Cheang on May 30, 2016 at 9:19 pm

Cittamani Tara is an important practice, not because of the mere status of the teaching that belongs to the highest yoga tantra, but also because of the lineage masters. In order for Cittamani Tara’s tantric practice to lead to attainments, practitioner has to invoke the blessing of all the lineage Gurus. But since some of the lineage Gurus practice the teaching of Dorje Shugden, who had been nullified by HHDL and the Tibetan in Exile leadership, then the Cittamani Tara lineage teaching will not be valid. If the teaching of Cittamani Tara is invalid, then why would HHDL and high lamas Gelugpa School went around the world to give initiation of Cittamani Tara? This is something serious for us to ponder on.

Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this rich article; it is thought provoking when we draw parallel with Dorje Shugden practice.

Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang

Ray Thing on May 30, 2016 at 9:10 pm

Hi pastor David Lai,
From the share above, i just reliaise if we don’t have the correct teaching or lineage from the origin guru (Cittamani tara) no matter how hard we learn, also will get wrong.

Alice Tay on May 18, 2016 at 12:37 am

感谢仁波切和Pastor David分享此篇关于一位女性终究成为救度众生的证悟者，Cittamani Tara。在此分享关于此篇博文的想法：

1. 如果一个修持法没有纯正的传承，尽管修持者付出多么的努力，也是不能达到任何成就。

2. Cittamani Tara的法门是可以帮助修持者直接通往达到证悟。据说，此法门其中重要的传承人之一是Takpu Pemavajra。而Takpu Pemavajra也是负责前往兜率天，从宗喀巴大师和杜津扎巴坚赞那里得到多杰雄登的传授法。之后，Takpu Pemavajra将这两法门传授于至尊嘉杰帕绷喀仁波切，然后嘉杰赤江仁波切。如果现在说持修多杰雄登是错的，那么持修Cittamani Tara也应该是错的。但是，达赖尊者还是继续给Cittamani Tara的灌顶和教法。这不是自相矛盾吗？

希望有缘看到此篇博文的人可以深思熟虑，看看目前多杰雄登的争议是不是到时候要停止了。

Tara fan on May 2, 2016 at 12:06 am

Hello,
Tara was widely popularized to Tibet by the The Great Atisha,mother Tara appeared many times reminding the great Atisha on attaining swift enlightenment through practising bodhicitta, through the kadhampa lineage , praises to the 21 Tara was composed in Sakya, Kagyu, Gelugpa , and Nyingma lineages. The Sakya lineage prayers to tara always begin with invocation of the lord of sutra and Tantra-The Great Atisha, Dipamkara Atisha. The story of Atisha relying upon Tara can be found in Liberation in The Palm of your hand by Pabongkha Rinpoche.

So Kin Hoe (KISG) on Apr 24, 2016 at 11:27 pm

Thank you Pastor David Lai, Pastor Niral, Martin Chow, Joy Kam and Pastor Jean Ai for spending much time and energies to carry out the research and shared the informative article of Cittamani Tara. We are truly fortunate and blessed to learn the Dharma from an authentic and unbroken lineage through our kind Guru. From the Questions and Answers section, it is clearly proven that all the lineage masters who had passed on the Cittamani Tara practice, were also practicing Dorje Shugden throughout their entire lifetime. Hence, Cittamani Tara practice cannot contradict with Dorje Shugden practice as both practices were being practiced and passed on through the authentic qualified high masters in Gelugpa lineage. I sincerely pray that everyone will think and speak logically to end the ban of Dorje Shugden practice so that all buddhists can be united as one to spread the Buddha Dharma to the ten directions for the benefits of all sentient beings.

Thank you with folded hands,
kin hoe

Khoo Hou Haw on Apr 22, 2016 at 11:29 pm

Thank you Pastor David Lai for such a wonderful and detailed article about Cittamani Tara.

Personally I feel that the Questions and Answers section is a part that everyome shouldn’t missed. It provides a lot of information and answered a lot of my doubts in the validity of the lineage of Dorje Shugden.

Thanks to all the attained High Lama including His Holiness Dalai Lama who has been propitiating the practice of Cittamani Tara, which came from the exact same lineage holders of the practice of Dorje Shugden. This made me have a even stronger faith that the practice of Dorje Shugden is indeed a validated and qualified practice that will bring benefits to the practitioners.

Li Kheng on Apr 22, 2016 at 9:57 pm

Thank you for this beautiful post. The feminine dignity and strength depicted by Tara is totally awesome! on a very superficial level, it is most empowering to identify that strength, wisdom, spiritual prowess in a feminine form. Recently, I was gifted the book “Cave in the Snow” by Rinpoche. I read Tenzin Palmo’s journey that was spotted with varied and many obstacles simply because she was a women. I felt a stab in the heart when I read the parts where the monks sincerely believed that the female form is an inferior one and that all female practitioner should aspire and dedicate all their merits to taking rebirth as a male. Hence, seeing a delicate figure like Tara exude strength, determination, immovable commitment to gain enlightenment in a female form is most encouraging and liberating.

On another level, I am very grateful to the lineage masters who go through thick and thin to bring us the pure dharma. Not only do they ensure they obtain the teacings from the highest source, i.e. the Buddha or deity themselves, they have to ensure that the channel through which the teachings are passed down (i.e the lineage masters) remain intact and pure. It reminds me to always cherish the teachings I receive as they are the fruits of the greatest compassion and wisdom.

At a deeper level, the continued dissemination of the Cittamani Tara practice by both His Holiness and Lama Zopa reflects their faith in the power of the teaching that will bestow attainments. It is confusing to witness these two condemner of Dorje Shugden practitioners propitiate and propagate the Citamani Tara lineage that is passed down by Takpu Rinpoche, a renowned Dorje Shugden practitioner. If the source is bad, how can SOME practices he teach is good and others bad? The double standard contradicts Buddha’s teachings.

Furthermore, accusations of Dorje Shugden being a devil and evil spirit would invalidate the entire Gelupga lineage because it would mean that Takpu Rinpoche, Pabongkha Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche who practiced Dorje Shugden till their passing broke their fundamental refuge vows. By this, every vow and teaching disseminated and expounded by either of these Gurus have no power and cannot grant attainments. In fact, every monk who took refuge and ordination vows from them are not real monks because how can these masters bestow the blessing of these pure vows when they themselves failed to keep their vows pure and intact.

This is a wonderful read that brings many levels of clarity from the awesomeness of the practice to the impossibility of the CTA’s claims to justify a ban on Dorje Shugden. Again thank you and may this article benefit many others to shed light and bring blessings.

Pammie Yap on Apr 22, 2016 at 9:24 pm

Thank you Pastor David for such an informative post!!

I love this post very much!! I especially like the Q&A section.
If Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk astral travelled to Potala to receive teachings and initiations directly from Arya Tara is right which is still being practiced till today then why did his later incarnation, Takpu Pemavajra Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub who received teachings and initiations directly from Dorje Shugden is wrong??
Why the selectiveness?? Doesn’t make sense.

How can 1 incarnation lineage be correct but the other incarnation’s lineage is wrong?
Until today, there are many high lamas who give Cittamani Tara initiations to hundreds of people BUT since it is of the same lineage then how can Dorje Shugden’s practice be wrong at the same time?

So, if it is wrong, then what attainments will there be from practicing? Since the lineages were passed on to ‘valid’ high lamas, wouldn’t they know whether the the practices are correct or not? Whether there will be attainments or not?

It’s just ‘weird’ that people choose what they want to believe instead of understanding the facts that are present.

I really really do hope that people will get to understand more from this post and all the other posts about Dorje Shugden’s lineage and practice.

Pastor Moh Mei on Apr 22, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes a lot on the source and purity of lineage. One of the important aspect of tracing a Lama’s incarnation line is to strengthen the faith of people that this same mind in life after life has proven to uphold the same virtues and continue to benefit countless sentient beings. Credentials that are not build in only one lifetime but over many lifetimes.

It is said that what have been attained through our spiritual practice is retained life after life. As it was recorded in Takpu Gargyi Wangpo’s case, his ability to astral travel to a pure lands to obtain direct teachings was witnessed not only in one lifetime.

Takpu Gargyi Wangpo went to Potala and received the practice of Cittamani Tara. A few lifetime later, his incarnation Takpu Pemavajra went to Tushita to receive the initiation and teachings on the cycle of Dorje Shugden’s practice. When we believe in karma and reincarnation and hence the incarnation lineage of highly attained Lamas such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama himself and many other great Tibetan Lamas, this belief logically extend to their teachings and practices taught by these Lamas. By the same principle, it is illogical to accept Cittamani Tara practice while rejecting Dorje Shugden practice.

Of course we can and we do often as human choose only to pick and practice what we like and reject what we dislike. But from the point of the practices that were passed down by the Takpu Gargyi Wangpo’s incarnation line, the validity and purity of both practices are the same.

This is a very interesting article indeed that helps provide a very logical insight into how practices originate from and the validity and purity of these practices. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this on the blog and Pastor David & co for the research and write up.

Pastor Chia on Apr 22, 2016 at 8:42 pm

Cittamani Tara article is very interesting and informative.Thank for the Pastor David research and hard working with others writers to put up this article sharing at the blog.

Personally like the question and answer part about origin of Cittamani Tara and lineage holder of this Tantra sharing the same lineage line of Dorje Shugden practitioner from Takpu Kelsang Gargyi Wangpo to Takpu Pemavajra to Je Pabongka to Kyabje Song Rinpoche. Both lineage lama has a vision directly from the Deity itself and pass down the practice until now. But why Cittamani Tara tantra get promoted personally by H.H.Dalai Lama but Dorje Shugden practice get ban because he is devil? What type of logic to explain to people modern world now.It is the lineage lama make a mistake to pass down the practice or something else.By reading this article by Pastor David has given logical point, we should trust the lineage lama and follow both practice has passed down until today.

Mingwen on Apr 22, 2016 at 5:22 pm

Thank you, Rinpoche.
Thank you to Pastor David and team for putting efforts to make this article and the blog extremely informative and beneficial to all.

May all sentient beings able to get in touch with Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden.

May all sentient beings receive dharma and free from all sufferings.

May the Dorje Shugden’s Ban be lifted.

Julia Tan on Apr 22, 2016 at 10:58 am

Thank you Pastor David and the team who are contributed to this article. It is so special because it was originally derived from the visionary experience of Gelug Yogi, Takpu Gargyi Wangpo. And He received from Tara herself.

Many holy masters and mahasidhas received teachings directly from the Buddha and Deities due to their pureness, all these masters achieved high attainments and special power that brought countless people to Dharma. They already achieved Buddhahood. Today Cittamani Tara Tantra teachings, one of the most sacred tantra received directly from Tara herself, passed to Takpu Pemavajra, to Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche and then to our Guru H.E. The 25th Tsem Rinpoche. These holy masters have been giving initiation to countless students. Even until today HHDL and Lama Zopa still giving Cittamani Tara Tantra initiation to many people all over the world.

As we all know for our lineage which is Pabongka Rinpoche to Trijang Rinpoche, to HHDL and Zong Rinpoche and Lama Zopa, to Tsem Rinpoche, when trace all the way back, Pabongka Rinpoche received this from Takpu Pemavajra that also received Dorje Shugden Practice from Dulzin in Tushita Heaven. This is also the practice that we and many other DS practitioners doing all over the world but banned by HHDL because we were told by HHDL this practice is a demon practice.

Well, we are extremely fortunate to have H.E. Tsem Rinpoche as my Guru, who always told us that whatever practices your Guru gives you, first we need to check the lineage, if it is pure. If any of these lineage gurus broke the vows that means whatever this guru has been initiated to the students will achieve no result. Many people do not know about this consequence.

Hence both Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden Practice came from the same master, Takpu Pemavajra. And until today HHDL and Lama Zopa still giving Cittamani Tara initiation, that also mean Cittamani Tara Tantra practice is valid, that also assured me, Dorje Shugden Practice is also valid.

Pastor Henry Ooi on Apr 22, 2016 at 7:48 am

This is a well researched and informative article. Interestingly, Cittamani practice is well accepted within the Gelugpa school but Dorje Shugden practice is not. Yet both practices were taught by the same lama. I find it strange that practitioners of Cittamani Tara who are against the practice of Dorje Shugden find it alright to engage in Cittamani practice. Also The Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa and other lamas are conferring the initiation on Cittamani Tara. But the Dalai Lama has enforced the ban on Dorje Shugden practice. Lama Zopa dharma centers have notices saying Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed to enter their premises for dharma teaching. They even have the notice printed on their entry forms for the public. But both practices originated from the same teacher, Takpu Pemavajra . I wonder why the selectiveness.

nicholas on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:05 am

It’s a wonderful article of Cittamani Tara practice. It’s really interesting to know Yeshe Dawa vowed to work for the welfare of all beings in the body of a woman until all samsara is emptied since many people wish for enlightenment in the form of a man but none who work to accomplish the welfare of living beings in the form of a woman. With such compassion heart this is how she come about as Tara.300

In this post it also point out the important of lineage for a practice. One will gain attainment from their practice from the true lineage. This is a blessing from the lineage and that is why the great Lama has been giving the initiation to many people.

Cittamani Tara practice has a clear lineage that even HH the 14th Dalai Lama acknowledge it else how can he confer the practice to others. But looking at the lineage masters that passes down Cittamani Tara practice they are also the Dorje Shugden Lamas that get the practice from he same lineage. So if isn’t that if everyone agree and acknowledge the lineage master of Cittamani Tara practice is authentic it should be the same as Dorje Shugden practice? So in this case why there are people saying Dorje Shugden practice is wrong or demon?

It doesn’t make sense. How can we be selective in what we want to belief from the same lineage? Blessing from the lineage master is consistent and doesn’t goes by differential of practice base on our preference.

Here, I believe in the benefit of Cittamani Tara practice which has the great blessing from the great lineage masters and at the same time I also believe on Dorje Shugden practice is beneficial as it’s also passed down by the same lineage master.

June Kang on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:46 pm

This is a very informative article, thank you very much Pastor David Lai.

Cittamani Tara linage is so pure and powerful that can lead to be enlightenment in one short life and many high lamas such like The Holiness Dalai Lama , Lama Zopa disseminate the Cittamani Tara teaching and it is the same Guru (Pemavajra) who also received Dorje Shugden practice from Dorje Shugden himself. So if Dorje Shugden is bad and Cittamani Tara is good, how can a lama give two conflicting practices??

By logic and refuge vows, the Cittamani Tara do not have anymore blessing and effective if DS is bad. Therefore how can high lama made mistake. I believe that high lama can not make mistake. They are doing it for the higher purpose to benefit peoples.

chris chong on Apr 18, 2016 at 4:04 pm

Dear Pastor David,

Thank you for you and the team’s effort to come up with this astounding post.

It is very informative and i had learnt alot from this. What stood out to me more is that this linage of the teachings comes directly from the divine deity herself, in this case Mother Tara. Teachings like this are extremely rare and very blessed because the blessings are directly from the deity herself. Another similar example of such teachings is Dorje Shugden practice. The practice is given to Mahasiddha Tagphu Pemavajra by Dorje Shugden himself in Tushita heaven. This signifies the immense blessings and authenticity of the practice and linage.

I am truly blessed to be able to meet with Dorje Shugden lineage in Kechara.

Humbly,
Chris

Yeo Kwai Gin on Apr 17, 2016 at 4:41 am

非常的感谢仁波切，Pastor David Lai和寻找资讯完成这文章的朋友！

Cittamani Tara的持修法门是那么殊胜，几位高成就的大师如帕绷喀仁波切，宗仁波切还有特别是达赖喇嘛尊者，也大力推广持修Cittamani Tara和给予灌顶。而且，Cittamani Tara 的祈愿文是那么的直接的由Takpo Gargyi Wangpo 入定到期净土从度母处亲自抄写回来。就如Takpo PelmaVajra 入定到兜率天祈请多杰雄登和宗喀巴大师给予祈愿文。Takpo Pelma Vajra 乃是Takpo Gargyi Wangpo 的转世，可想他的修行非常的高成就。

持修这崇高的法门，最重要的重点是；

1、传承的重要。
为什么呢？因为如果没有传承的连续追寻，这法门是否定的。我们需要追寻每一位大师和给予灌顶的大师，就如詹杜固仁波切是由祂的根本上师宗仁波切传授，而宗仁波切是由帕绷喀仁波切传授，帕绷喀仁波切也是由Takpo Pelma Vajra所授持的。

2、皈依戒的重要。
皈依戒，为所有戒律的根本，皈依戒破了，所有戒律如菩萨戒，密续戒也就破了，而且，所有的密续修持是必须严守戒律，如果没有了戒律，那么修行上也不会有成就。

在这，就用多杰雄登禁令来思考！！！

达赖尊者大力的推广Cittamani Tara法门与灌顶，但此法门是由Takpo Gargyi Wangpo(Takpo PalmeVajra的前一个转世）所带来的，多杰雄登法门也是Takpo PelmaVajra从兜率天带来的，为何会大力推广一个法门而禁一个法门呢?
大家不妨想想，那是不成立的！

愿，多杰雄登禁令尽早解除，受苦的人民可以离苦得乐！

OM BENZA WIKKI BITTANA SOHA

With Folded Hand
YEO KWAI GIN

Uncle Eddie on Apr 16, 2016 at 4:15 pm

Thanks to Pastor David Lai and the hard working team for providing removal of doubts to the Dorje Shugden controversy in this beautiful, explanatory and thought-provoking write-up! The Q&A were expertedly created to provide and help people to think clearly and overcome their ignorance on the issue, so that twisted and falsely conjured facts could be dedected to disburse all unwarranted accusation. This beautiful well-researched article is indeed an eye-opener for all. May the Lamp of Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings always remain, dispelling the darkness of ignorance of all beings! Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.

Jason on Apr 15, 2016 at 3:57 am

Thanks Rinpoche ,Pastor David and teams to come out with such a good and
informative write up. Cittamani Tara practice is being found by a Gelug yogi ,Takpu Garyi Wangpo.Beside that, his incarnation Takpu Pemavajra is the person astral send to Tushita to receive the Dorje Shugden (DS)initiation and practice via Lama Tsongkhapa and Dulzin Trakpa Gelytsen .
Did Takpu break his vows if DS really a sipirit or demons?if yes, then all the lineages start from Takpu Pemavajra were wrong. But in fact DS is an emanation of manjushri and he is enlightened protector. Dalai Lama still giving initiation on Cittamani Tara practice which means the lineage from Takpu Pemavajra is correct and this practice can benefits sentient beings.
Thanks again Pastor David to have a Q &A session and help me easy understand on Cittamani Tara and DS .

Jason

Pastor Antoinette Kass on Apr 15, 2016 at 12:51 am

Dear Pastor David and team,

This is a beautiful post on the practice of Cittamani Tara. I rejoice for those having the merits to receive this powerful and most precious practice. And I rejoice for this article to be published and benefit many people all over the world.

Indeed, the question and answer part of the article is thought-provoking. We cannot choose by saying the Cittamani Tara practice is correct and the Dorje Shugden practice, coming from the same lineage lamas is wrong. This is against all logic.

Both practices have been passed down from Takpu Pemavajra to Pabongkha Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche to Tsem Rinpoche. Tara is faultless, she is a Buddha and would never pass her practice to the wrong person. As seen, even the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa practice Cittamani Tara. Dorje Shugden, an emanation of Manjushri, Buddha of Wisdom, is coming from the same line of lineage lamas. It is another clear indicator that the accusations towards Dorje Shugden and the ban inflicted on him are wrong and without any basis.

May the ban on Dorje Shugden soon be released.
Thank you,
Pastor Antoinette

Bradley Kassian on Apr 14, 2016 at 6:50 am

Thank you Pastor David for your extensive research on Cittamani Tara. <3 I hope one day to be able to practice this in depth, but until then I'll make offerings and prayers.

Vinnie Tan on Apr 14, 2016 at 6:24 am

This is just such a powerful and educational article. How Tara has became enlightened and said that there is no distinction between male an female in the ultimate sense is just so powerful. It reiterates the fact that everything that has a label on it is all false and projections that we have on different things. Yet, what should be practiced is to let go of that strong projections that we have on things. The way that she became enlightened is as though strong feminism power depicted in the history.

The Q&A is really thought provoking. It is indeed true that if we do not recognise the Dorje Shugden practice, we should not be doing Cittamani Tara practices as well.

How will it be alright to say that the lineage masters is wrong about a certain practice and be tainted because of that, yet the practice that is being passed down from the lineage lamas is still correct? There is only one lineage of the Cittamani Tara practice. How will it be that it is alright for us to do the practice when the masters that have passed down the practice is tainted? If we disregard them as a teacher, how will we be getting the full attainments to the practice. It is impossible as we will no longer be able to get the blessings from all the masters that will lead back to Tara herself.

With lamas that disregard Dorje Shudgen practice like H.H. Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa, why are they still giving Cittamani Tara initiation? If they truly disregard Dorje Shugden practice, they will know that the lamas that are being passed down will not have the full attainments as the practice of Cittamani Tara is tainted as well since the first lineage master for both the Cittamani Tara practice and Dorje Shugden practice is both Takpu Pemavajra. So does that mean that Tara is wrong to give the practice to someone that is “tainted”?

It does not make any sense that as lay people, we will know better then enlightened beings like Tara and the lineage lamas. Telling others that one practice is correct and another practice is wrong.

Thank you so much Pastor David and the team for this beautiful article. It has made me understand so much more and believe that everything that is going on now with regards to the ban is all part of a divine play.

Joy on Apr 14, 2016 at 6:09 am

I love Tara and all her glory from the first time Rinpoche told me about Her right up till now. She is my Mother and that’s how I view Her. Thank you Rinpoche for getting Pastor David to write this blog post. It certainly was a big project as we try to research and find out which Tagpu Dorje Chang, guru of Pabongkha that received this Cittamani Tara practice directly from Mother Tara herself. Now we know and it is Amazing as this is the same Guru (mindstream) who also received Dorje Shugden practice from DS himself wow! So how can He be accurate with one practice – Cittamani Tara yet mistaken for another – Dorje Shugden? This makes no sense!

I like this Cittamani Tara practice because the unique lineage blessing is so short, making Her blessing more direct and potent for those who fortunate enough to receive Her initiation.

I love Her stories of how She basically chose to always appear in a female form to break the concept of “male” superiority because in reality there is no such thing as male & female. I’ve always told friend who pray and love “Kuan Yin” (Avalokiteshvara) that when you pray to “Kuan Yin”, you’re also indirectly praying to Tara because it could be Tara who comes to help you as she’s made a vow to assist Kuan Yin in saving/helping all sentient beings so she is very close to us always.

I really liked the Q&A section which we’ve created to help people THINK instead of being selected, biased and ignorant. It sure gave me further conviction that Dorje Shugden’s practice is definitely 100% authentic. And whatever lies, stories or twisted facts the CTA says about DS is really just BS. As Rinpopche always tells us knowledge is power, and with that our faith becomes rock solid, unshakable! Thank you!

Pastor Elena Khong Jean Ai on Apr 14, 2016 at 3:45 am

Pastor David,

Thank you for your extensive research. One thing that I have always liked about Tara is the vow she made to achieve enlightenment as a female and to take rebirth “in the body of a woman until all samsara is emptied”. This matches what Rinpoche previously said about the tantric vows, one of which is not to disparage women. Through her example, Tara herself showed that there is no reason to disparage women because women are every bit as capable of achieving enlightenment as men since on an ultimate level, there is no difference between male and female since the mind has no gender or sex. Our mind will take reincarnation over and over again in male bodies, female bodies, male bodies, female bodies…our gender is a manmade and fluid concept, and our sex is impermanent from lifetime to lifetime.

Seriously though, Tara was THE original feminist! Instead of just talking about how unfair the patriarchy is, she proved her point by becoming enlightened. You look at her sitting there all gentle and smiling but underneath, to use a 2015 slang, giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl – you was FIERCE.

And instead of snubbing men and floating off to Potala Heaven and just chilling there (how could she, she was enlightened!), she came back to teach her tantric practices to men, specifically to Tagphu Pemavajra. How can someone like Tagphu Pemavajra have been attained enough to receive visions of Tara, but wrong enough to be mistaken about Dorje Shugden?

How did the great masters after Tagphu Pemavajra rely on Cittamani Tara and gain attainments from the practice, but not have the attainments to see Dorje Shugden’s nature as a so-called demon?

How was it that Cittamani Tara’s practice was deemed fit and genuine by thousands of practitioners, but somehow a so-called demon practice like Dorje Shugden was able to slip under the radar and NO ONE for 400 years realised what was going on until His Holiness the Dalai Lama said something?

It boggles the mind. Either Tara AND Dorje Shugden are good, or Tara AND Dorje Shugden are bad. It can’t be that Tara is good and Dorje Shugden is bad, because the source is the same. If the source is good enough for one (Tara), it must definitely be good enough for the other (Dorje Shugden).

- Sharon Ong on Apr 14, 2016 at 3:01 pm
  
  Dear Pastor David and everyone who worked on this post,
  
  Thank you for this well written and thought provoking write-up. I like the Q & A part very much as it helped with my thought processes. Here are the 2 things that stood out the most to me:-
  
  1) Like Pastor Jean Ai, I love how Tara proved that ANYONE can gain enlightenment. True, a little feminist of me here but it gives us girls hope to gain enlightenment and not just wanting to be reborn as a man so that we can gain enlightenment. After all, at the end of it all, man or woman is just a label.
  
  2) Like his previous incarnation, Takpu Gargyi Chokyi Wangchuk, Takpu Pemavajra too astral-travelled to Tushita and received the practice of Dorje Shugden via Lama Tsongkhapa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen. If Dorje Shugden is a demon, it does not make any sense to have “demon teachings” passed from enlightened beings residing in Tushita to be disseminated to us, right? Surely enlightened beings would only pass teachings that are beneficial to us, to help us gain our own enlightenment.
  
  Through this article, I learnt about Cittamani’s beneficial practice and gained even more faith in my protector.
  
  With folded hands, thank you!
  
Pastor Loh Seng Piow on Apr 14, 2016 at 2:29 am

Thank you Pastor David for your extensive research. This is yet another evidence in support of Dorje Shugden’s practice, the lineage of Cittamani Tara came from Takpu Pemavajra, so is the lineage of Dorje Shugden, so how can Takpu Pemavajra be so right about this Cittamani Tara practice that so many prominent lamas in the world including Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa are practising and spreading it, and yet the same Takpu Pemavajra be so wrong about Dorje Shugden practice that the same lamas including Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa are banning and shunning it? How can such accomplished and attained lama Takpu Pemavajra be spreading Buddha’s practice and Demon’s practice at the same time?

All the false accusations against Dorje Shugden can only convince the unlearned who simply follow with blind faith, as Trijang Rinpoche aptly predicted “A mountain of absurd consequences, previously non-existent distorted ideas, would have to be accepted.” This Cittamani practice and its relation to Dorje Shugden’s practice is yet another irrefutable proof that Dorje Shugden is indeed a Buddha.

Pastor Adeline on Apr 14, 2016 at 12:41 am

Thank you Pastor David and everyone who has helped with the research and back-end works in order for such important and powerful article to be written and published for our benefits. Below are few points I find interesting and happy to have learned from the post:

1) The history of Tara and her vow to attain enlightenment in a female form – This shows how strong the patriarchal system was (is) to the extent of seeing the female form as inferior. One of the Tibetan word for female is “GyeMen”, meaning “lower birth” shows how the system influenced the Tibet society as well. It is good though that tantra is classified in father and mother category which proves that enlightenment is genderless and female can have spiritual attainments as well.

2) The sacred relationship between Avalokiteshvara and Tara – The commonly heard version is that Tara was a teardrop of Avalokiteshvara while in this post it is said to have arisen from the heart of Avalokiteshvara. Either way, both bodhisattvas are closely connected and are compassionate beings emanated for the benefits of all sentient beings.

3) The lineage masters of the Cittamani Tara – There is only one lineage of this practice and the lineage masters consist of Dorje Shugden practitioners, including Takpu Pemavajra who has received the Dorje Shugden practice from Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen in Tushita heaven. This means if we deny the Dorje Shugden practice, there is no way we receive attainment from this tantra practice because we deny the lineage masters to whom we seek for blessings on a daily basis in tantric practices.

4) The method the lineage masters received teachings – Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk and Takpu Pemavajra both received the Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden practice respectively through deep meditation and astral travel to the respective pure lands to receive the teachings from the deity directly. This show how highly attained they are, so by calling Dorje Shugden a demon we deny the masters’ attainments and their teachings directly.

5) The seriousness of the Dorje Shugden ban – This ban is not merely stopping a practice per se, but the Gelug lineage as a whole. The lineage has been passed on for centuries untainted from Lama Tsongkhapa to the lineage masters. If one or many of them are wrong about Dorje Shugden, and if it is true that Dorje Shugden is a demon, then all these masters have broken their refuge vow by worshipping spirit. Refuge vow is the basis for all vow. In another word, the ordained are no longer ordained, and all their practices and commitments are invalid. There should be no Gelug lineage anymore.

There are many more points we can learn from this post and it is definitely worth our while to read and learn. Thank you again for all your efforts.

- Pastor David Lai on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:19 am
  
  Dear P Adeline,
  Thank you for your extensive and well-thought out comment. I appreciate it very much. Your explanations about the etymological meaning of the Tibetan word for female is rather interesting. Although it seems sexist but Tibetan society in general is quite matriarchal in comparison to other asian societies.
  
  Also, as I wrote in the article, mother and father classifications of higher tantra actually has got nothing to do with gender. Mother tantra class belongs to practices that focusses on practices that emphasises clear light and father tantra emphasises illusory body. Just thought I point it out to you.
  
  - Pastor Adeline on Apr 14, 2016 at 5:49 am
    
    Thank you Pastor David for this. Appreciate your reply very much.
    
Pastor Shin on Apr 14, 2016 at 12:26 am

Thank you Pastor David and the team for this comprehensive post on Cittamani Tara, and all the rare reference materials on this Highest Yoga Tantra class of Cittamani cycle of Tara teachings.

Tara is one of the most popular deities worshiped in a majority of Tibetan Buddhist communities throughout the world today, and Tara as a tantric practice remains an important part of Vajrayana Buddhism today.

I have learnt more about the Tara Tantras, including the info that the Takpu incarnations are known to have pure visions of Tara and receive direct teachings from her.

The questions & answers section helped me to understand more about authenticity and validity of a lineage and practice. Not only the lineage of Cittamani Tara, but the sadhanas of Vajrayogini, Heruka, Yamantaka and Guhyasamaja that are taught and practiced within the Gelug school today, all were transmitted and included Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche as the lineage lamas. Hence, all these sadhanas are invalidated due to the fact that the lineage lamas are Dorje Shugden practitioners who have ‘broken their vows’. It’s either these lamas are ‘defiled’ or they are not, and if they are, then Cittamani Tara and many Tantra in the Gelug lineage would be invalidated.

I pray that the CTA would end the Dorje Shugden ban that doesn’t make sense, as if we invalidate the lineage masters due to their practice of Dorje Shugden, then all the teachings/ commentaries/ practices given or taught by current Gelug masters, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama who has received most of his teachings/commentaries/ practices from his (Gelug) tutors Kyabje Trijang & Ling Rinpoche, would also considered ‘defiled’ and hence should not be relied on or practised.

Li Kheng on Apr 13, 2016 at 11:38 pm

It is such an honor to belong to a lineage of great masters whose works were of great contribution to the Gelugpa and Tibetan school of Buddhism and continue to benefit sentient beings up to this day. There is something so very mystical about Takpu Gargyi Wangchuk Rinpoche simply on the basis that he received 2 extremely sacred practices directly from the divine beings in heaven. It is a true and rare blessings to receive a practice that come from such a pure source so recently.

It baffles me that there are people who would want to jeopardize the sanctity of this lineage with no solid proof. As we enter the degenerate age of Kaliyuga as predicted by Buddha Shakyamuni, we should put effort into protecting and preserving the pure dharma and not destroy it. I truly appreciate the Questions and Answers section because it respects the intelligence and genuine heart to learn of the spiritual public. The interactive list of powerful questions and clear, precise and logical answers gave me a clear understanding of how it is impossible that Dorje Shugden is a demon practice, that the entire Gelugpa lineage from the time of Takpu Rinpoche is invalid due to their broke refuge vows. The questions and answer also reveal clearly how His Holiness’ subtle actions to continue teachings the Dharma and giving initiations he received from Trijang Rinpoche as a sign that he still has unwavering faith in his lineage Gurus who were well known for their practice and propagation of Dorje Shugden.

I thank RInpoche, Pastor David and the team responsible for making available this extensive information about Cittamani Tara practice. Also deep appreciation for the precious answers to logical questions that empower us to remain faithful to the Dalai Lama and all our lineage Gurus as well as the teachings they took with them when they escaped Tibet and expounded with the sincerest of motivation to benefit and liberate sentient beings.

Beatrix Ooi on Apr 13, 2016 at 10:57 pm

This is a very powerful article, it is short and sweet yet very educational. I really like the Q&A section, it was very well thought out and written, they are all valid arguments.

Both practises of Cittamani Tara and Dorje Shugden stems from the same lineage master, Takpu Pemavajra. If Dorje Shugden’s practise is impure and stained, how is Cittamani Tara’s lineage ‘valid’ then? It doesn’t make sense to me or anyone, but sadly this is how His Holiness’s camp think. They are trying to ignore the fact that both lineages come from the same master to avoid questions and confrontation. To them, it’s totally ‘logical’ to critise Dorje Shugden practise who was passed down by the very same master that founded the Cittamani Tara practise. Aren’t they directly criticising Tagpu Pemavajra for creating this ‘demonic’ practise? If so, why do they are they still doing Cittamani practise then?

No matter how they debate, they can’t win because it makes no sense and therefore they can only keep brainwashing themselves that it’s fine to think this way. It’s pretty sad in a way because they chose not to see the truth.

Kb thapa on Apr 13, 2016 at 9:24 pm

Thank you pastor David for the complete precious article about Cittamani Tara, as i learned the highest yoga tantra form of Tara, em-powers us to reach enlightenment within this very body, this very life. may many people get benefit from her practice.

Pastor Niral Patel on Apr 13, 2016 at 4:37 pm

This post just goes to the show the extent that Cittamani Tara is practiced within the Gelugpa tradition. Pastor David’s explanation of the practice, and it’s history is concise yet encompassing. Added to this is the incredible amount of practices and commentaries. One that really stands out is Trijang Rinpoche’s Sgrol Ma’i Chos Skor (Tara’s Cycle of Teachings), with over 26 different pujas and practices. This is more than enough evidence that Cittamani Tara’s practice is outstanding, let alone when taken together with the other commentaries buy other eminent masters.

Given that Cittamani Tara’s practice is so important, Pastor David has managed to get this across very well indeed. In light of this as explained by Pastor David in the Q&A section, if there is such emphasis on this practice, then there is clearly something wrong with the claim that Dorje Shugden practice is incorrect. This cannot be because both practices have come down to us from the same source. If we discredit one, then the other is negated if following simple Buddhist logic. But since one is accepted and actively promoted, and the other is being maligned by some people, this doesn’t really jive together. Really interesting, eye opening and though provoking writing. Thank you Pastor David.

Valentina Suhendra on Apr 13, 2016 at 3:40 pm

Dear Pastor David Lai and friends

Thank you for making this precious article available for readers around the world. I like the article very much, especially the questions and answers section. if the lineage masters of Cittamani Tara are the same as the lineage masters of Dorje Shugden, then how can one practice (Dorje Shugden) is deemed bad and the other (Cittamani Tara) is considered good?

For the opponent of Shugden but they themselves are the practitioners of Cittamani Tara, as they have claimed the Shugden lineage lama and the cittamani tara, then they have condemn their lineage masters. What practice can produce results without lineages.

Then, we have to remember that the incarnation of Dorje Shugden lineage masters have come back to resume their work to benefit others. We know the consequences of demon worship is you will be reborn in the lower realm. So if Dorje Shugden is a demon, why the DS lamas came back in perfect human forms?

Just my thought

Valentina

Choong on Apr 13, 2016 at 6:14 am

Thank you Pastor David and all the collaborators for this article. I have a question to ask… Why is Cittamani Tara leaning to her right whilst being classified as Mother Tantra? I’ve not any initiation hence have not read any of the commentaries. Thank you.

- Pastor David Lai on Apr 13, 2016 at 2:44 pm
  
  Hi Choong,
  Thank you for commenting. There is only one Cittamani Tara thangka drawn by Lama Yeshe and she like all traditional depictions of Green Tara, lean towards the left. I do no see any that lean to the right. Remember, the thangka and Tara is facing us and so her left is our right. Furthermore, the iconographical detail is symbolic in nature.
  
  - Choong on Apr 13, 2016 at 7:48 pm
    
    Thank you Pastor David. I read your reply and revisited. Father Tantra deities such as Yamantaka and Guhyasamaja lean to their left, our right. Mother Tantra deities such as Cittamani Tara, Heruka Chakrasamvara, Kalachakra, lean to their right, our left.
    
    I guess I was this morning thinking of Vajrayogini as a comparison to Cittamani Tara, the former who is also Mother Tantra but leaning/looking up to her left. Now this is my new question – Why is Vajrayogini leaning to her left while other Mother Tantras, right?
    
    - Pastor David Lai on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:06 am
      
      Choong,
      I am including pictures of Mother Tantra deities for your reference here. Heruka, Kalacakra and Vajrayogini. You will see that they all lean to their left, which is our right. I believe this answers your question.
      
      - Choong on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:17 am
        
        Thank you. That clears it up.
    - Joy on Apr 14, 2016 at 5:20 am
      
      Because she is beyond all concepts as she has conquered them all… no left nor right just is (?) 🙂

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Cittamani Tara

Brief Introduction

Origins of Tara Tantras

Takpu Kelsang Garwang Chokyi Wangchuk

Lineage Gurus of the Cittamani Tara Practice:

Cittamani Tara

Tara Images for Download

Downloads

Conclusion

Questions & Answers – Parallels with Dorje Shugden

Commentaries

His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s Commentary

His Eminence Gelek Rinpoche’s Commentary

Venerable Lama Yeshe’s Commentary

Venerable Geshe Tsephel’s Commentary

His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Writings

Sgrol Ma’i Chos Skor (Tara’s Cycle of Teachings)

His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Condensed Four-Mandala Ritual of Cittamani Tara

His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche’s Self-Initiation of Chittamani Tara entitled: A new moon destroying faults, downfalls and obscurations

Sadhanas

H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche’s Handwritten Transliteration of the Cittamani Tara Prayers

Cittamani Tara Prayers from H.E. Zasep Rinpoche

Cittamani Tara Sadhana from Venerable Lama Yeshe

Cittamani Tara Retreat Sadhana from Venerable Lama Yeshe

Cittamani Tara Prayers from Dechen Ling Press

Lu Mé Ma Prayers by Losang Tenpai Gyaltsen

sgrol ma cittamaṇi la brten pa’i thun mong ma yin pa’i la ma’i rnal ‘byor thar par bgrod pa’i them skas zhes bya ba bzhug so (Stairways Towards liberation: Extraordinary Cittamani Tara Guru Yoga Tantra)

Additional Prayers to Tara

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110 Responses to Cittamani Tara

Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden

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