The Phenomena of Oracles
A painting by John Williams Waterhouse depicting eight priestesses in a temple of prophecy. The painting is known as ‘Consulting the Oracle’.
In my life, I can safely say that there are only two people I totally and completely trust and that is my Root Guru His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, and my Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Since Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is no longer around and I cannot seek his advice, I have relied on Dorje Shugden all the way, which is also what Kyabje Zong Rinpoche had advised me to do.
My way of connecting with Dorje Shugden is via oracles. Throughout my life, whenever I have faced tremendous obstacles or am at the juncture of an important decision that could potentially benefit many, I have sought Dorje Shugden’s blessings and timely advice through the oracles that are qualified to take trance of him. And what is interesting is that regardless of whichever Dorje Shugden oracle I seek answers from, his advice is always rooted in Dharma. Never once has Dorje Shugden ever given me advice that seeks to harm or hurt people. His advice is always to help, to benefit and to assist, and to do as much as possible for others.
It is also through these oracles that my students have been able to connect with Dorje Shugden too. Many of you will remember the historic occasion during which Dorje Shugden took trance in the Venerable 7th Panglung Kuten in Kechara Forest Retreat in 2015. It was then that Dorje Shugden himself blessed the assembled crowd of over 700 students and friends as well as the entirety of Kechara Forest Retreat with his presence and energies. He was very kind and stayed for over an hour, even giving a Dharma teaching to the congregation which I had the great merits to translate.
His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was a great devotee of Dorje Shugden. This renowned tantric master trained Dorje Shugden oracles such as the Choyang Kuten and the Gameng Kuten.
The institution of oracles is not limited to the practice of Dorje Shugden. Although people may find the tradition of oracles to be strange or somewhat beyond belief, all cultures, societies and races have relied on oracles at one point or another throughout history, and oracles have played extremely important roles over the course of human existence.
Even within Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners of all sects have relied on oracles and continue to rely on them for both their spiritual and mundane affairs. It is with this in mind that I wanted to share with all of you a brief overview of the phenomena of oracles, and just how important they have been to peoples from all over the world. I hope you enjoy learning about this mystical institution that bridges our world and that of the divine.
Tsem Rinpoche
Oracles of the West
The two greatest ancient cultures from the West, the Greeks and Romans, relied heavily on oracles. They believed the world was filled with gods, goddesses and many other types of beings. Oracles were a method for humans to communicate with these beings and receive advice on all aspects of life.
Oracles have played a major part in Western history, although most of that history has been today forgotten by the world. The two greatest cultures in the ancient history of Europe, the Greeks and the Romans, both relied heavily on oracles. These two cultures played an important role in the development of all aspects of life in the West, such as literature, poetry, language, mathematics, science, philosophy, agriculture, economy and religion. These achievements, it seems, went hand in hand with their reliance on oracles.
These oracular figures, who played major roles within their respective societies, continue to invoke mystery and awe among classicists and those with a penchant for history. Such scholars will recognise quite easily how otherworldly beings and the realm of the divine were an intrinsic part of everyday Greco-Roman life. The Greco-Romans saw the hand of the gods and other supernatural beings in everything around them, and it was through the oracles that ordinary man and god could interact, speaking to one another directly.
Oracular reliance however, was not unique to Ancient Europe and examples of highly revered and influential oracles can be found in many other ancient civilisations, including Asia Minor, the ancient Near East, and Africa.
The Delphic Oracles: High Priestesses at the Temple of Apollo
The most famous oracle in ancient Greece by far was the oracle at Delphi, more correctly known as the Pythia. Based at a temple dedicated to Apollo (the God of sun, truth, music, healing, poetry, and prophecy), the oracle was always a high priestess who took trance and gave pronouncements to supplicants on topics that ranged from state governance all the way to personal relationships.
Before the temple was dedicated to Apollo, it was dedicated to Gaia, the Greek Goddess of the Earth and Mother to all life. It was also sacred to Poseidon, God of the seas, water, earthquakes and horses. While the temple existed in some form from around 1400 BCE, it was not until between 580-570 BCE that the oracles first appear in historical records.
Apollo, the Greek God of the sun, healing and truth was one of the most popular gods of ancient Greece, whose divine presence would enter the Pythia oracles.
According to earlier myths, a goat herder named Coretas one day realised that a goat of his had fallen into a crack in the earth and was acting strangely. Climbing into the chasm to save his goat, he found himself filled with a divine presence and recounted seeing the past, present and future as one. Excited by his discovery, he quickly shared the chasm’s ability with the local villagers. As more and more people came to experience the power of the chasm for themselves, some accidentally fell into the chasm while in trance and perished. From then on, it was decided that only a young woman would be allowed to experience the divine. Eventually, this woman would become the oracle of the gods and utter their pronouncements.
Though the temple and surrounding area was dedicated to Gaia at the time, the oracles of Delphi were recognised to be taking trance of Themis, the Goddess of the divine and natural law, fairness in dealing with others, and customs; as well as Phoebe, the Goddess of the Moon. Legend has it that Apollo, the grandson of Phoebe, seized the temple by defeating the Python, a giant snake-like creature that lived in the centre of the earth. Python was the daughter of Gaia and was fiercely protective of the area, as it was said to be the navel of the earth. The area’s importance was marked by a stone, called the omphalos. After vanquishing the monstrous creature, Apollo seized the temple dedicated to Gaia, and laid claim to her oracles. From then on, the oracles were said to have taken trance of none other than Apollo himself.
The Pythia oracles were the high priestesses of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. While in trance they would utter prophecies and give advice that shaped the Hellenic world.
In alternate legends, Apollo was gifted the oracle by his grandmother, the Goddess Phoebe. Once Python was defeated, her carcass lay exposed to the powers of Hyperion, the God of the day, and began to decompose. The area was thus given the Greek name Pytho which means ‘to rot’ due to the sickly sweet smell of her decomposition. The oracle at Delphi, the Pythia, therefore derived her name from Pytho, which was later renamed to Delphi.
The high priestesses who acted as the oracles of Apollo were originally young unmarried women. To take trance, they would sit upon a gilded tripod above a fissure in the earth that emitted gaseous vapours. While under the influence of these gases, they were said to have the divine presence of Apollo enter them and answer questions or give prophecies. These women were said to be the purest among the priestesses at the temple, and were expected to give up family life and external responsibilities. Their position granted many freedoms, such as exemption from taxation, a life of liberty, a house, a salary and many gifts from supplicants seeking answers. This was something not afforded to women at the time, according to the prevailing values of a predominantly patriarchal society. However, the trances took a heavy toll on the oracles, often shortening their lives due to the physical strain of both the negative effects from inhaling noxious fumes from the earth, and by Apollo inhabiting their bodies. It is said that at the end of a trance session, the oracle would be drenched in sweat and panting like someone who had just run a marathon.
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece, where the Pythia oracles took trance.
The institution of the Pythia oracles became the most famous and eminent of all the oracles in the ancient West from the 7th century BCE to the 4th century CE. Thanks to the Greek Empire which spanned large swathes of the ancient world, the Pythia rose to become the most consulted oracle during this period. People from all over the ancient world came to seek her advice and she became the most written about, even being immortalised in poetry such as the 33 Homeric Hymns.
The Priests and Priestesses of Dodona
Though the Pythia eventually became the most famous oracle of antiquity, her fame was preceded by another group of oracles. The priests and priestesses of Dodona, located on the slopes of Mount Tomaros, were of particular importance to the people of Greece, long before the Pythia at Delphi arose to preeminence. Dodona was a holy grove of oak or beech trees particularly sacred to Zeus, the king of the gods, and his consort Dione, not particularly worshipped elsewhere or often conflated with Hera, Zeus’s main consort. According to the ancient writer Herodotus, the oracle was created after two black doves flew from Thebes in Egypt. One of the doves landed in Libya and founded the sanctuary of Zeus Ammon. The other settled on an oak tree in Dodona, founding the sacred grove to Zeus.
Dodona was once a grove of trees sacred to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. It was here that the priests and priestesses deciphered Zeus’s voice in the wind. A single tree has been planted in the ruins, a simple reminder of the temple’s great past.
The oracles at Dodona were simple and were very close to nature, sleeping outdoors in the grove amidst the trees. They were said to be filled with a presence that allowed them to decipher Zeus’s voice, divined through the rustling of tree leaves or the clinking of bronze objects that were hung on tree branches, somewhat similar to wind chimes. These noises were believed to be Zeus’s voice and the oracles were said to understand the sounds well enough to give prophecy and advice to supplicants who came seeking help.
Though not considered as important as Delphi, the sacred grove enjoyed rich patronage. Many kings built or re-built temples to Zeus and Dione, erected an amphitheater and held both musical and theatrical festivals there in celebration. However, the violent turbulence of political, societal and religious change took its toll on the sacred grove, including its sacking by the Aetolians and the Romans. The temples were destroyed and much of the grove was cut down during successive waves of conquerors until by the 2nd Century, all that remained was a single oak tree. The final blow came when Emperor Theodosius, a staunch Christian, banned all pagan religions and closed all pagan temples. His zealousness went as far as cutting down the last sacred oak tree in the holy grove of Dodona. With this, the tradition of the Dodona Oracles was lost.
The remnants of the magnificent amphitheater at Dodona.
The Sibyls
Just as the Greeks had their oracles, so did the Romans. The Sibyls were women who gave prophecies and advice while in frenzied states. This group of oracles derived their name from a female oracle and prophetess named Sibyl, who facilitated the trance of the god Apollo, just like the Pythia of Delphi. Rather than an oracle to a particular deity, there were many sibyls who are said to have been under the influence of or were possessed by chthonic deities (gods, goddesses or spirits who live underground or in the underworld).
The Sibyls were chosen by a particular god or being to be their messengers. The most famous of them all was the Cumaean Sibyl, who dedicated herself to the god Apollo. She composed the Oracula Sibyllina, nine books of prophecy which even predicted the fall of the Roman Empire. The Cumaean Sibyl was highly regarded by the early Christians during the Middle Ages, as some of her prophecies were taken to predict the birth of Jesus Christ. Her image was even prominently featured by Michelangelo in his murals on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, the official residence of the Pope.
The Delphic Sibyl, one of five Sibyls depicted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
Examples of other Sibyls include the Erythraean Sibyl in what is modern-day Turkey and the Delphic Sibyl who, according to the Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias, was born out of the union between a man and a goddess. She came to reside at Delphi before the Pythia became famous, at a time before the legendary events of the Trojan War. The Sibyls, however, were controversial figures in both Greek and Roman societies as many of their predictions did not prove to be correct. Even so, they remained in high regard within both societies, people’s beliefs, and the religious systems of the time.
The Stygian Witches
Often maligned in plays, movies, theatre and popular literature, the Stygian Witches, or more correctly the Graeae, were daughters of the Sea God Phorcys and the Goddess Ceto. They were sisters to the Gorgons named Stheno and Euryale who were immortal, and the more famous Medusa. While the Gorgons were ferocious creatures with living snakes for hair and the power to turn to stone anyone who had the misfortune of gazing into their eyes, the Graeae were much more. They were immensely beautiful goddesses who disguised themselves as old ladies. Sharing only one eye between themselves, Pemphredo, Enyo and Deino were able to see into the past, present and future, giving advice and prophecies to those they met. They also shared only one tooth between the three of them.
The Graeae, also known as the Stygian Witches, have often been maligned in movies and modern literature. However, these oracles were actually very beautiful goddesses.
According to legend, the hero Perseus stole their eye and, holding it ransom, demanded to know the whereabouts of Medusa. In other legends, he instead asked for the whereabouts of the objects needed to kill Medusa. Known for their powers and mastery over the elements, the Graeae were both respected and feared. These mythical oracles still strike fear into the heart of man and were the basis of the Three Witches in William Shakespeare’s iconic play, Macbeth.
Oracles of the East
Oracles not only played a major role in Western society but have also been heavily relied upon in the East.
Similar to the history of oracles in the West, oracles also had important roles in Eastern cultures and continue to do so. Among the Chinese and Indian communities and their associated diasporas, these oracles are most commonly referred to as mediums. They take trance of various deities to predict the future, give advice or performing acts of healing.
Mediums of the Nine Emperor Gods
Mediums within Chinese culture are widespread and not confined to a handful of individuals. Taking trance of deities such as the Nine Emperor Gods, other Taoist deities, or even deities local to a particular area, these mediums intercede in the lives of devotees and supplicants. They provide aid however they can, from creating talismans known as ‘fu’ to accepting offerings and bestowing good fortune. Mediums are often consulted for purposes of spiritual protection, improving wealth, enhancing relations, dispelling sorcery or black magic, and for any number of other reasons. These oracles or mediums continue to be relied on heavily even until today, highlighting their centrality to Chinese beliefs.
It is very common to see mediums take trance during the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods, celebrated among the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia. This festival is based on the ancient Taoist veneration of the Nine Emperor Gods, comprising the seven stars from the Northern Big Dipper constellation known as Ursa Major, and two other invisible stars. These deities are thought to preside over the movement of the heavenly bodies and coordinate the lives and deaths of mortals. The festival celebrates the welcoming of the Nine Emperor Gods and lasts for nine days.
During the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods, many mediums take trance to bestow good fortune and remove negative influences in the lives of adherents.
During this time, especially in Thailand, people invite the spirits of the various gods to inhabit their bodies. This is usually restricted to unmarried men and women without families, and both groups need to be pure in character. Adopting a vegetarian diet, these people undergo many rituals to protect themselves during the festival, including flagellation and bodily mutilation. When in trance, these mediums are surrounded by a team of assistants who help keep their wounds clean and support those who have pierced their bodies with heavier objects. Walking across fire and sharp blades is a common sight during this festival.
Parades are also a common feature during the festival, where the deities taking trance in the medium may tour the local surroundings. On this parade, they will accept offerings laid out on small tables in front of houses and businesses, as well as bestow blessings and benedictions to those gathered.
Mediums of the Hindu Gods and Goddess
As in other Asian cultures, oracles or mediums play a pivotal role in Indian culture. These mediums take trance of various gods, goddesses and beings, from the highest classification to the lowest. They are relied upon in times of need to provide advice, blessings, and even healing the sick. Even amongst the Indian diaspora in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Australia, people continue to consult these oracles for means of personal and secular betterment. They rely on these oracles in conjunction with reliance on modern institutions, merging both contemporary and traditional lifestyles.
Mediums play an important role in the Indian Hindu tradition, allowing practitioners a direct connection with the divine.
These mediums mainly take trance of various local and high goddesses, although they are also known to take trance of gods and other male beings as well. One of the best known festivals during which mediums take trance is the Thaipusam Festival, celebrated all around the world. This festival mirrors the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods in that mediums adopt a vegetarian diet and undergo periods of ritual purification before the actual trance. In trance, they can be seen piercing their bodies, walking over fire and performing other seemingly otherworldly feats.
Oracles of the Protector Deities
Protector deities, such as Kalarupa, are beings that provide sincere Buddhist practitioners with protection, remove obstacles they face and create conducive conditions for their spiritual practice.
As we have seen, the tradition of consulting oracles for both worldly and spiritual reasons has been widely practised since ancient times. However, in today’s world, the practice is in danger of dying out completely in many cultures around the world, especially amongst the major world religions and in the West. However, Tibetan Buddhism is somewhat unique in this aspect as the tradition of consulting oracles continues to play a major role in the lives of its practitioners.
Known in Tibetan as ‘kuten’ (literally meaning ‘physical basis’), these oracles take trance of particular deities or beings to interact with and give advice to others. This entails the mind and energies of a particular being temporarily inhabiting the body of the oracle for a period of time. This being can be a spirit, naga (a particular class of snake spirit), and so forth; or even a higher level being such as a god or protector deity. Once the trance is over and the being leaves the body, the oracle regains their ordinary consciousness.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, oracles can be lay or ordained practitioners who are blessed and trained to take trance by a qualified guru or teacher. This helps to consecrate and clear the oracles’ psychic energy channels. Meditational practices aid this process so that a protector deity can easily enter the oracle’s body.
Potential oracles can be identified in a number of ways. Some are chosen by a Dharma Protector who takes spontaneous trance in them. Others are given indications via dreams and other signs that they have been selected to be an oracle. Sometimes a person may be appointed to become an oracle by a guru, or the candidate may themselves make a request to be trained as one. Whatever the method of choosing the oracle, the candidate nevertheless still requires training under a qualified guru learned in the various methods of training oracles. While Tibetan Buddhist oracles can take trance at any time or in any place, official trances usually occur at an appointed time and place according to oracular tradition.
Oracles in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, oracles provide a direct connection to divine and protective beings. Therefore it is through relying on qualified and authentic oracles that we are able to receive blessings and advice for our various needs. In the absence of oracles, practitioners without higher spiritual attainments would be bereft of the immense benefit of communicating with the deities directly.
The Dorje Shugden oracle statue in Kechara Forest Retreat, Malaysia
Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, oracles take trance of the various Dharma Protectors, both subdued, unenlightened beings oath-bound to aid practitioners, or enlightened beings who have emanated in the form of a Protector to fulfil a specific task. These beings are charged with the sacred task of removing obstacles and providing divine protection along a practitioner’s spiritual journey towards enlightenment.
Oracles themselves are highly blessed because it is through their body that they facilitate direct contact between a Dharma Protector and practitioners. While in trance of an oracle, Dharma Protectors give advice on both spiritual and worldly matters in times of uncertainty. They bestow blessings and even perform miraculous acts of healing, ridding those who are ill of their various afflictions. On a higher level, enlightened Dharma protectors such as Dorje Shugden also bestow spiritual teachings that lead sentient beings out of the suffering of cyclic existence and aid them on the journey towards liberation.
The Protective Deities
Oracles are therefore an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture in general. Over the course of centuries, Tibet was shaped by Buddhism as cultural institutions such as politics and language (the Tibetan script was created to translate Sanskrit Buddhist texts) became intrinsically linked to religious practices. The traditional of oracles is likewise linked to a variety of institutions including both religious and political spheres.
For example the Tibetan government, headed until recently by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has traditionally consulted the following deities in trance of oracles for matters of state:
- Dorje Drakden, commonly referred to as Nechung/Pehar. He is the speech emanation of Pehar Gyalpo and takes trance of the Nechung Oracle.
- Shin Ja Chen, who is the qualities emanation of Pehar Gyalpo. He takes trance of the Gadong Oracle.
- Tenma and her 11 sister goddesses, who take trance of the Tenma Oracle.
Similarly and more importantly, oracles have been relied on within the religious sphere, in the monastic setting, and for matters relating to religious practice and spiritual evolution. Such deities invoked for this reason include:
- Dorje Shugden
- Kache Marpo
- Yuma Gyalchen
- Setrap Chen
- Shiptak Gyenye
- Dorje Yudronma
In interceding to benefit the lives of practitioners, these deities as well as many others show their compassion in the case where they are enlightened, or adhere to the oaths they made if they are worldly oath-bound deities. In doing so, they fulfil their spiritual role to support practitioners in whatever way they can.
From the viewpoint of Buddhist philosophy, the existence of an enlightened being manifesting as a Dharma Protector is to aid practitioners, and the prayers and mantras used to invoke them are for this very same reason. For those who do not believe the enlightened beings can take trance of oracles, they limit the potential of enlightened beings. In doing so, they negate the very reason that these beings would manifest as Dharma Protectors – to benefit beings on the virtuous and transformative path in any way possible.
Oracular Trance
Within the practices of Buddhist Tantra, it is believed that we have a complex network of 72,000 psychic energy channels spread throughout the entire body. These psychic channels converge and intertwine at various points in the body known as ‘chakras’. Five of these are of particular importance and are located at the crown of the head; the throat; the heart; the navel; and at the tip of one’s secret organ.
Chakras are points in the body where the psychic energy channels loop or knot around each other. Opening these chakras allows deities to enter an oracle’s body.
Chakras are often portrayed as lotuses in art or in visualisation techniques, and are depicted as having multiple petals. Common depictions of the important chakras have 32 or 64 petals. These petals actually represent the number of energy channels that converge at that particular chakra. This is because they are tightly intertwined or knotted 32 or 64 times and thus resemble a lotus blossom.
During trance, when a being or Dharma Protector takes possession of the body, these chakras are opened either by meditation or by force. However, there are people whose chakras are naturally easier to open, and they are therefore easier to train as oracles.
Psychic energies called ‘lung’ in Tibetan, ‘qi’ in Chinese, or ‘prana’ in Sanskrit travel along the vast network of psychic channels that are laid out throughout the body. The psychic energies regulate bodily function and it is believed that the mind rides on top of these energies as well. In Buddhist Tantra, the recitation of mantras combined with visualisation regulates these vital energies in order to purify karma and develop spiritual attainments. For a potential oracle, the training as recommended by the guru is very important to prepare the psychic channels for trance.
Training to Take Trance
For a potential oracle, the training begins by receiving refuge from the guru. By receiving refuge, the candidate is protected from negative beings that may enter and cause harm. The guru then performs a ritual called ‘tsa ko’ to open the chakras and psychic energy channels of the oracle. This allows the higher beings to enter the oracle, while in turn blocking negative beings from entering.
Following this, the lama bestows the empowerment of Lama Tsongkhapa, and the candidate engages in a retreat on the practice combined with the practice of Lama Chopa, also known as Guru Puja. This is where one engages in the meditation of Lama Tsongkhapa with the recitation of the Migtsema mantra and the Lama Chopa liturgies. This is done with all the required offerings and tormas (ritual cakes offered to the deities) needed for the usual four sessions of retreat a day. The duration of the retreat is the time needed to complete 100,000 Migtsema recitations, normally around a month and a half to two months.
Engaging in various Tantric retreats, including the retreat of Lama Tsongkhapa, is a pre-requisite for the oracle to have steady and clear trances of the protector deities.
After that, the candidate receives either the Yamantaka or Hayagriva initiation and then engages in a retreat on the deity for four sessions a day until he has completed one million recitations of the main mantra and 100,000 for each of the other mantras. In the case of Yamantaka, there is one main mantra and three other mantras. This retreat takes approximately a month and a half to two months if it is done well. Yamantaka retreat is known to extend one’s life, remove all interferences such as malevolent spirits and so forth, and the psychic channels are charged with Yamantaka’s blessings and cleared in preparation for clear and steady trance. After retreat, trainee oracles return to the lama to see if it is necessary to enter into another retreat.
In the case of an oracle of Dorje Shugden, after completing a Yamantaka or Hayagriva retreat, trainees will then need to receive the life-entrustment (sogtae) of Dorje Shugden and engage in a retreat on the practice. Dorje Shugden retreat requires four important components – Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga, Lama Chopa, Yamantaka sadhana, and the Dorje Shugden liturgies. Therefore, the oracle-in-training engages in these four liturgies during retreat, complete with the offerings and tormas for four sessions a day. During retreat, trainees complete anywhere from between 1 to 10 million Dorje Shugden mantras, over a period of three to four months.
During retreat, the guru summons the oracle-in-training from time to time so that he can perform a ‘chabtrul ritual’ to purify the trainee oracle’s chakras and psychic channels. He will also invoke Dorje Shugden and his entourage to enter the trainee oracle. Sometimes, Dorje Shugden himself enters for a short while but more often than not, it is usually the entourage deities who enter to further purify and unblock the trainee’s psychic channels. In the beginning, the oracle-in-training does not take trance unless in the presence of the guru to ensure that it is the correct deity who is entering the oracle. The guru will then continue to bless, advise and guide the oracle in training and at times, the guru may prescribe further retreats of Yamantaka, Hayagriva or even Vajrapani to further prepare the oracle-in-training so that he or she can become a fully qualified oracle.
Those who take trance of the protector deities, in this case the enlightened Protector Dorje Shugden, are very blessed. This is because they are able to facilitate direct contact between enlightened deity and practitioner, thus allowing the Protector to give advice, bless and heal people of their various afflictions. On a higher level, oracles in trance of enlightened deities can even give teachings that lead sentient beings out of their suffering and aid them on their spiritual journey towards enlightenment.
Dorje Shugden Oracles
Out of his enlightened compassion, Dorje Shugden has many oracles in whom he takes trance to aid practitioners. Many of these oracles are famous for their flawless trances, during which their bodies facilitate Dorje Shugden to give clear advice, bestow blessings, and perform miraculous works.
Choyang Kuten:
The holy Choyang Kuten. Here we see him taking trance of the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden at Madhyamaka Centre, where he gave teachings and initiations.
The Choyang Kuten was trained, observed and authorised by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He was known for taking incredible trances that were so smooth and peaceful that to the untrained eye, it seemed as if it was the oracle himself talking. There were however, many signs that Dorje Shugden had entered, not in the least that the oracle was an ordinary lay man with no knowledge of religious rituals or teachings. Yet, while in trance of Dorje Shugden in peaceful form, he was able to deliver deeply philosophical Dharma teachings and even confer initiations of deity practices.
Up until 1950, the Choyang Kuten resided in Phagri Monastery, Tibet. After escaping Tibet, he first settled in Buxa, North India and then re-settled in Gaden Monastery, South India. The Choyang Kuten was famous not only among the Tibetans in India, but all over the world. He even traveled to England where he was hosted by his nephew, His Eminence Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. It was there that he took trance of Dorje Shugden who entered in his peaceful form. During this trance, Dorje Shugden gave Dharma teachings, composed a Long Life Prayer for Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, and even bestowed the initiation of Chenrezig.
The Choyang Kuten preparing to take trance of wrathful Dorje Shugden (left), and in trance (right).
6th Panglung Kuten
The 6th Panglung Kuten lived in Tibet, was trained by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, and was a highly influential oracle. Living in Panglung Ritroe, the hermitage of the Panglung Rinpoches, he took trance of Dorje Shugden, Kache Marpo and various other high level protectors. The lineage of the Panglung oracles is hereditary, which means that the title is passed from one oracle to the next. Therefore when the 6th Panglung Kuten passed away, his title and position was passed to the next Panglung Kuten, in this case, his son who became the 7th to hold the title.
The 6th Panglung Oracle was very famous for giving extremely clear prophesies that were highly accurate and treasured by many. In fact, in 1959, when the question arose for whether the Dalai Lama should leave or remain in Tibet, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche consulted Dorje Shugden through the 6th Panglung Oracle. Dorje Shugden performed a Vajra Dance to clear obstacles, handed over his sword and instructed the Dalai Lama to leave Tibet immediately. He even instructed that the escape party should carry his sword at the head of the convoy, waving it three times before they embarked, to ensure a safe and successful trip. This is how Dorje Shugden aided the Dalai Lama into exile in India, from where the Dalai Lama was able to spread Buddhism worldwide.
7th Panglung Kuten
The 7th Panglung Kuten, originally from Sera Monastery, was personally trained, consecrated and authorised as an oracle by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. His other teacher was Domo Geshe Rinpoche. The 7th Panglung Kuten takes trance of Dorje Shugden, Kache Marpo, Setrap, and other Dharma protectors.
Son of the 6th Panglung Kuten, the famous oracle of Dorje Shugden performing the black tea offering before a trance session in Kechara Forest Retreat.
On June 21, 2015, the Panglung Kuten took trance of Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo in Wisdom Hall, Kechara Forest Retreat (Malaysia). During the trance session, over 700 people had the privilege and merit to meet and receive blessings from two powerful Dharma Protectors.
On December 25, 2016, the Panglung Kuten once again returned to Kechara Forest Retreat, at which point the Kechara Organisation under the instructions of Tsem Rinpoche had the merits to offer him a newly constructed Panglung Ritroe, the official residence of the Panglung line of oracles. This was in commemoration of the original Panglung Ritroe of Tibet, which was home to the Panglung Rinpoches and the lineage of Panglung oracles. It was also where the 6th Panglung Oracle had advised that the Dalai Lama leave Tibet in 1959.
The 7th Panglung Kuten in trance of Dorje Shugden, who performed a Vajra Dance to clear obstacles, at Kechara Forest Retreat
Oracle of Dungkar Monastery
The Dungkar Oracle in wrathful trance of Dorje Shugden (left) and peaceful trance of Dorje Shugden (right).
Dungkar Monastery is the traditional set of Domo Geshe Rinpoche. As such, the oracle of Dungkar Monastery was trained, consecrated and authorised by Domo Geshe Rinpoche himself. It was under Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s direction that Dungkar Monastery became the seat of this particular oracle, whose fame led people to come from all over Tibet in order to consult him. This oracle could take trance of Dorje Shugden, Kache Marpo and Namkar Barzin, a Mongolian acolyte of Dorje Shugden who was installed in the Protector’s entourage after being subdued by Domo Geshe Rinpoche himself. An interesting point to note is that it was through this oracle that Lama Zopa Rinpoche was confirmed as a tulku, or reincarnated Buddhist master.
Gameng Kuten
The Gameng Kuten is a student of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche. When he was in his early teens, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche predicted that he would become an oracle of Dorje Shugden when he was older. This prophecy came to pass, with the Gameng Kuten being officially recognised as the Dorje Shugden oracle of Gaden Monastery, shortly before the ban on the practice of Dorje Shugden was imposed by the Tibetan government in-exile. His first set of oracles clothes were sewn by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche himself.
These days, the Gameng Kuten is based primarily in America and as such, is also referred to as Ari Kuten, meaning ‘American oracle’. In 2014, with the support of the local Tibetan and Mongolian laity, the Gameng Kuten opened Gaden Kachoe Shing, a large Dharma centre located in Bloomington, Indiana (USA).
Simla Kuten
The Simla Kuten in full trance in the presence of Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.
The Simla Kuten was a student of Kyabje Ling Rinpoche who lived and served in Ling Rinpoche’s ladrang (house) for over 15 years. He was blessed, trained and authorised as an oracle by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche.
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden Oracles
Oracles provide a direct connection to the divine. Here we see His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche paying his respects to Dorje Shugden, who has taken trance in the 7th Panglung Kuten in Kechara Forest Retreat.
His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche has a very close and special connection with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. This is exemplified by his closeness to Dorje Shugden when in trance of various oracles. In the videos below we see examples of such closeness.
In 2015, Kechara Forest Retreat in Malaysia was blessed to receive and host the 7th Panglung Kuten. The oracle came to engage in various prayers and rituals for the growth of Kechara and the Dharma in general, as directed by the advice of Dorje Shugden. It was during this visit that Dorje Shugden took trance in front of over 700 people gathered to seek his blessings.
Dorje Shugden Oracle taking trance in Kechara Forest Retreat (21 June 2015)
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DorjeShugdenOracleInTrance.mp4
In the video above, you can see the close relationship between His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden in their body language and the respectful manner in which they communicate with each other.
Tsem Rinpoche and Oracles
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TsemRinpocheAndOracles.mp4
The video above shows Tsem Rinpoche’s closeness to Dorje Shugden through three separate oracles, two of whom took spontaneous trance and greeted Tsem Rinpoche as close friends would. The first is the Sera Oracle. When Tsem Rinpoche was visiting Tibet, it came to be known that he was in Lhasa. The Sera Monastery oracle-in-training, the changtso (liaison) of His Eminence Denma Gonsa Rinpoche and a few other monks arrived to have an audience with Tsem Rinpoche. It was during this audience that Dorje Shugden suddenly entered the oracle-in-training. During the trance, Dorje Shugden requested Tsem Rinpoche to bless the oracle, in particular to bless his speech because the oracle, at that point, had not yet manifested the ability to speak while in trance.
The second is of a monk from Nyemo Gyelche Monastery. During an impromptu and unplanned visit to the monastery, Tsem Rinpoche was greeted by a monk who took spontaneous trance of Dorje Shugden. Once again, this event marks the incredibly warm and loving relationship that Tsem Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden share.
Other Tibetan Buddhist Oracles
Dorje Shugden is not the only Protector who takes trance of qualified oracles, as the tradition pervades not only the religious sphere of Tibetan culture but politics as well. Here are some examples of other notable oracles in the Tibetan community.
Nechung Oracle
The Nechung Oracle is the primary state oracle of Tibet and takes trance of Dorje Drakden, the speech emanation of Pehar Gyalpo or Nechung. Pehar Gyalpo is a powerful spirit with origins in Persia, who came to Tibet with traders along the ancient Silk Road. Having been oath-bound by Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, he came to serve the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government.
Over the centuries, Nechung’s primary role has been developed to give advice to the Tibetan government. In the modern day and age however, many argue that the Tibetan government in-exile should no longer rely on advice from the deity, but rather on more democratic principles.
Many Tibetans also claim that the oracle no longer takes trance of Dorje Drakden, but of a malicious spirit who arose to cause discord within the Tibetan government and destroy them from within. Named Nyatrul, he was a human in his previous life who was falsely implicated, brutally tortured and killed by the Tibetan government in pre-1959 Tibet. Overwhelmed with thoughts of revenge at the time of his traumatic death, he arose as a raging spirit, hell-bent on the demise of the Tibetan government.
Gadong Oracle
The Gadong Oracle is the second highest of the Tibetan state oracles and facilitates the trance of Shin Ja Chen, the qualities emanation of Pehar Gyalpo. Like the Nechung Oracle, the Gadong Oracle is important in the political sphere of Tibetan culture.
Whilst the Nechung Oracles are monks, the Gadong lineage of oracles are laymen, and the ability to take trance of Shin Ja Chen as well as the position is hereditary, passing from father to son. Interestingly, the last Gadong Oracle never spoke while in trance of Shin Ja Chen. As such Shin Ja Chen did not manifest his ability to help guide the Tibetan people and their leadership.
Lamo Tsangpa Oracle
The third of Tibet’s state oracles is Lamo Tsangpa, who takes trance of Tsangpa Karpo, also known as White Brahma, the peaceful manifestation of Setrap Chen. Like the Gadong Oracle, the lineage of this oracular tradition is hereditary and similarly, the previous Lamo Tsangpa Oracle was not known to speak in trance. Up until today, Tsangpa Karpo has not yet decided to manifest his oracle from among the previous oracle’s sons.
Tenma Oracle
This female oracle takes trance of the goddess Tenma and her 11 sisters. In recent times, she has been afforded a close relationship with the Dalai Lama due to her authentic trances. Though not a state oracle, she can often be seen at all events in which the state oracles are invoked, where rites for the invocation of Tenma are also performed.
Dorje Yudronma Oracle
The sacred oracle of Dorje Yudronma taking spontaneous trance
This oracle took trance of the protective goddess of Gyutö Tantric College, Dorje Yudronma, and was well known for her ability to heal the sick. Rather than a state oracle, she served the community, healing and blessing many, and was beloved by all for her ability to take authentic trance of the goddess. Sadly, she has since passed away.
Gyalchen Karma Trinley Oracle
This oracle takes trance of the worldly deity Gyalchen Karma Trinley. He is invoked within the Nyingma tradition and has even taken trance at Sera Jey Monastery where he made offerings to the Three Jewels, high lamas and the assembled Sangha.
Conclusion
The phenomena of oracles, as we have seen, has been part and parcel of human existence since the earliest records. From the ancient civilisations of the West to the mystical traditions of the East, oracles have played a major part in the lives of people throughout history. Though many have forgotten this history which has been lost to the sands of time, the importance of oracles in shaping human culture and thought cannot be underestimated.
Even within Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners of all sects have relied on oracles and the tradition continues to live on to provide sincere people the necessary communion with the divine, and the ability to receive blessings, healing and advice on the spiritual path. The phenomena of oracles brings the intangible realm of the divine into our ordinary lives, filling us with a sense of renewed strength on the journey to Enlightenment.
Sources:
- https://blogs.uoregon.edu/rel399f14drreis/2014/11/04/magic-cult-and-oracles-in-ancient-rome/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodona
- https://www.ancient.eu/Dodona/
- http://ancient-greece.org/history/dodona.html
- http://cityfullofgods.weebly.com/the-oracle-of-dodona.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibyl
- https://blogs.uoregon.edu/rel399f14drreis/2014/11/04/magic-cult-and-oracles-in-ancient-rome/
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sibyl-Greek-legendary-figure
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeae
- http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Graiai.html
- http://justwicca.com/stygian-witches/
- http://kevinsung.org/2010/04/differences-between-clash-of-the-titans-and-greek-mythology/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Emperor_Gods_Festival
- https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/g/19276/
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
Disclaimer: The text above was sourced from legitimate book-hosting services offering texts for free download. It is made available here for purely educational, non-commercial purposes.
For more interesting information:
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- Discovering Yourself: A Teaching on Karma & Mindstream
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- Nechung – The Retiring Devil of Tibet
- The Spirit Nyatrul: Magic, Mischief and Misery
- Methar of Tengyeling Monastery
- Dorje Shugden Category
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Interesting article. In the old days there were hundreds of oracles that served as mediums for different spirits. …such as the Nechung Oracle and Dorje Shugden . They were consulted on all important occasions. Oracle tradition goes back to the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama. During important events the Oracle would appear in religious ceremonies in Lhasa. We are blessed watching these rare videos featuring Oracles. Oracles have played, and will continue to play, an important part in religion, doctrine, and prophecy. The phenomenon of oracles still remains till today. The Oracle tradition has traces in pre-Buddhist traditions of shamanism and exorcism. The practice is mysterious, most of its aspects were kept secret until the recent years. When visiting the temple, one will see a different side of Tibetan religion and culture. Oracles serve as a guide for Tibetans in political decisions, predictions about natural forces, and so forth. Their answers are taken seriously by Tibetans and high-standing political and religious individuals.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for this interesting post.
The oracles serves as a bridge between human and divine. Whether one believes in them or not, it cannot be denied that oracles have played significant roles in many civilisations dating back to ancient Greece. In modern times, the tradition of oracles still endures in within the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon and in many parts of Asia such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
In Malaysia, it is common to see mediums taking trances in Taoist temples. Similar to oracles in Tibetan Buddhism, these mediums give advice regarding businesses, careers, relationships and many do healing as well. Although well-meaning, because these deities who enter the mediums are not fully enlightened, Rinpoche has advised us not to rely on them as they have limited clairvoyance, unlike enlightened beings. Given their limited clairvoyance, their advice may not actually benefit in the long term and may even be harmful.
Thank you, Rinpoche, Pastor Niral and everyone who made this interesting post possible. Indeed really interesting to learn about the different types of oracles from civilisations, cultures and religions.
Dorje Shugden Taking Trance in Peaceful Form
This video has two parts. The first part was filmed in Gaden Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, Karnataka State, South India, and the second part was filmed in Europe.
In the past, Gaden Monastery was home to a very well-known and extremely powerful oracle by the name of Choyang Duldzin Kuten. He was the official oracle of Gaden Monastery and a layman. He was not learned in the Sutras or Tantras, yet he served the monastery very well in his capacity as an oracle.
He took trance of various powerful Dharma Protectors of the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, such as Kache Marpo, Namkar Barzin, Dorje Shugden and Setrap. In Dorje Shugden’s case, he took trance of both the peaceful and wrathful forms of Dorje Shugden.
As everyone knows, Dorje Shugden arose when a very high lama by the name of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, who lived during the time of H.H. the 5th Dalai Lama, took rebirth as a Dharma Protector in order to fulfill the vow he had made in one of his previous lives. This vow was to become a Protector of the Buddhadharma in general and the path of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically. During his lifetime, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen was known as a renowned logician, debater, teacher and Mahasiddha. As a result of holding his vows, he achieved high states of spiritual attainment.
When Dorje Shugden takes trance in a fully trained oracle, he can appear in two distinct forms, allowing others to not only receive his blessings in person but also free themselves from the emotional baggage that exists today.
In his peaceful form, he appears dressed in the clothes of a high lama. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche has mentioned this clearly. For Dorje Shugden’s peaceful form, the oracle wears the golden hat of Lama Tsongkhapa and the three robes of a fully ordained monk. While in trance, he speaks like a human would to another human. It is only when Dorje Shugden is entering the oracle and when he is leaving that we see a visible change. At all other times in between, he speaks very smoothly and very calmly. He is able to give initiations, perform rituals and prayers, answer questions clairvoyantly and also do purifications.
For Dorje Shugden’s wrathful form, the oracle wears the wrathful regalia of a high level Dharma Protector. He is not able to remain long in this state due to the wrathful nature of this emanation.
In this video, you will see the famous Gaden Shartse oracle Choyang Duldzin Kuten, who was authorised and blessed by Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Zong Dorje Chang to be the official oracle of Dorje Shugden. Here you can see him taking trance in the Gyelchen Tenkhang, which was built by Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
There are many lamas, students and disciples seeking audience, blessings and advice from Dorje Shugden in his peaceful form. You’ll see Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s personal attendant Kungo Palden-la, Gangchen Rinpoche and Tsem Rinpoche in attendance.
During the 2nd part of the video, you will see Dorje Shugden taking trance. At [23:34], you can see the Protector entering the oracle as he is invoked. At [33:09], you will see him leaving the oracle after giving advice and blessings to all. As he leaves, he makes prayers for everyone to achieve Bodhicitta.
Timestamps of note in the video:
12.52 – Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche
13:01 – Tsem Rinpoche
13:09 – Kungo Palden-la, personal attendant of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche
19.49 – Tsem Rinpoche
21.20 – Choyang Dulzin Kuten in Europe, getting ready to take peaceful trance of Dorje Shugden
32:46 – Dorje Shugden doing prayers and dedications for the benefit of those who sought audience. Here, he is about to leave the oracle’s body.
To watch the video on YouTube click here.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DorjeShugdenTakingTranceInPeacefulForm.mp4
Very interesting article. The interplay of religion in state functions and the importance accorded to it by way of officially recognised oracles makes for a complex yet vibrant understanding of Tibetan culture.
Thank you for sharing Pastor Shin!
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
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
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
Here are some interesting videos of oracles from the Himalayan region. These oracles take trance of local deities who aid their surrounding communities by healing people of their illnesses and solve their problems. In these videos you can see the deities take trance of their oracles and perform rituals to heal and even physically suck out illnesses from people’s bodies.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/LhamoTheOracle.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HimalayanOracle.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/AlternativeMedicineOracle.mp4
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
Interesting article …….. Oracles have played a major part in the lives of people of different faith throughout history. Each and other practice rely on oracles for various reasons. The purpose of the oracles is not just to foretell the future but as protectors and sometimes used as healers. In ancient times , western oracles of the Greeks and the Romans, both depend on oracles in the development of all aspects of life. Each oracles are quite different and unique in their own way in each cultures and communities. These oracles are referred to as mediums in some cultures. I have seen oracles or medium in Taoist taking trance but not in Tibetan Buddhism oracles , I do wish I have the merits to see one . For those people at Kechara Forest Retreat they were indeed fortunate to see one and received blessings from two powerful Dharma Protectors. Its an awesome life time experience for them to be in the presence of the great Dorje Shugden that was in 2015. Here Dorje Shugden is an enlightened protector.
Oracles have played, and will continue to play, an important part in religion, doctrine, and prophecy. The phenomenon of oracles still remains till today.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting post.
Medicine Buddha puja encourages healing of all levels – physical, mental and emotional healing for those in need.
High resolution file of this thangka is available for download for all dharma practitioners around the world and for those who just want sacred images in their environment. Enjoy, be blessed and share this with others.
Here is the link to free download of this image and many other images: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html?nggpage=7
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
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
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Regarding Goddess Yudroma and her oracle in Dharamsala
1. I have met this oracle several times in Dharamsala. She gives very accurate predictions. I have experienced this myself.
2. She is a gentle Yudroma goddess riding on a horse and she is white in color and takes trance quite easily in this official oracle lady that lived in Dharamsala. When you go meet her, you have to bring milk and yogurt. She takes 7 sips of the milk when she first arrives and recites a host of prayers before we can consult her. We have the honor to offer her the milk to gather affinity with her.
3. She, the oracle lady became well known as over several decades ago, a western hiker was lost in the Dharamsala hills. The goddess was consulted via this oracle and Yudroma then correctly told them where to find the hiker and the hiker was found and life saved. After that she became very well known in Dharamsala.
4. Yudroma the goddess is one of the main protectors of the Gelug Gyuto Tantric Monastery in Dharamsala. They have relied on her for hundreds of years since Tibet. The monks often ask the lady oracle to take trance and through her consult Yudroma.
5. She would be pleased in this video because people are helping Gyuto Monastery, her dominion. Perhaps she is the one that brought the Australian sponsors to help in the first place in her own mystical methods.
6. She is also the protector of Gungru khangtsen in Drepung Gomang monastery in South India.
7. Sadly this lady oracle has passed away and I guess people are perhaps waiting for a new oracle to be chosen by the Yudroma goddess. Haven’t heard anything yet. How lovely this lady served the goddess, monks and monasteries and public through taking trance her whole life. So virtuous of a job. Her body was used to benefit thousands in her lifetime and serve the sangha.
Exciting.
I like oracles because humans can meet the gods directly.
Tsem Rinpoche
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1532845550.mp4
(I have attached a video of her taking trance as well as This is Goddess Yudroma thangka photo. This is a picture of the actual thangka that belonged to the oracle in the video. I got her permission to take this picture when I visited her. The Yudroma thangka was hanging in the room where the oracle takes trance in her house. Thanks. TR)
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
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
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.
A true democracy allows everyone the freedom to exercise their human rights, including the freedom to practise any religion they want. In democratic countries, the government does not interfere with this right. Neither are democratic governments prejudiced against their citizens’ choice of religious belief. They do not force people to stop their religious practice or pass legislation criminalising people because of their religion.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan leadership who are based in Dharamsala are the exception. They are the only so-called ‘democratic’ leadership that puts a stranglehold on its people, persecuting them for their religious beliefs. They deny the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners for simply practicing their religion as they have done for the past 400 years. Dorje Shugden practitioners are ostracised from their own community, denied medical care, education or even employment in government offices. The CTA definitely does not live up to the right to be called a democratic administration, especially when in it inflicts suppression of people’s freedom and disrespects basic human rights.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1523907609.mp4
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1519934791.mp4
Will the CTA (Tibetan govt in exile) and their supporters in East and West say voodoo is evil and cannot be practiced too? Will they advise against Voodoo and say its a demon’s practice and people who practice are bad too? Truth be told, no one has the right to say anything about anyone’s religion. Listen to what this man says in the short snagged clip because he speaks well and with the truth.
Watch the rest of the video on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_syJQBteA
Isn’t this just lovely?! Look at these cute Tibetan kids singing praises to Dorje Shugden during Losar celebration in Tibet! Great blessings to all – Click to watch! ???
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1519938132.mp4
To become an oracle is a life of service to others, in recent times of course in Tibetan Buddhism an oracle need to be trained before they can fulfill their function.
As a Buddhist it is beneficial to have oracles that can provide us advice and dharma talk.
This interesting article of oracle tradition has existing in difference religion from few thousand year. Growing up in Chinese culture, I am quite familiar having medium or oracle in Toaism. Witness many people paying to divine to received advice or help through the oracle.
What stuck in my mind is how oracle tranning in Vajrayana buddhism tradition, it required strong samaya with the guru, holding vow well by doing intence of retreat. In order for oracle body to be purity and clear their chakra to be prepare to holy being to take trance at the oracle body. This is such open eyes for everyone to know about other religion and never critisize others by having oracle in their religion practice.
I first came to know medium when i was 5 years old. The house i stayed pray to a god, the landlord will have a medium take trance session every week. People always asked for “yellow paper” from the medium and burn it in a glass of water and drink it in order to clear their obstacle. And then during the secondary school, my mother met another medium and that is the time we gone through a hard time where we found something wrong with the medium but dare not to do anything because worry he will punish us. Until i came to know Buddhism and introduce it to my mother, that is the time we completely ignore this medium and will not worry anymore about what he will do. With the power of taking refuge to three jewels, nothing bad happened to our family after “unfriend” with the medium. Since then, i have very bad impression of medium and oracles until i came to know the tibetan oracle through video explained by HE Tsem Rinpoche and understand the whole phenomena and accepted it. I were very fortunate to witness Dorje Shugden took trance of the 7th Panglung Oracle in the year 2015 in Kechara Forest Retreat. Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being you can trusted.
Growing up in Malaysia, I am quite familiar with Malaysia Chinese Taoism oracle. I have seen oracle took trance in Taoist deities like Guan Di (关帝), San Tai Zi, Ne Zha (三太子，哪吒), Guan Yin (观音), Ji Gong (济公) etc. I even came across oracle took trance in hell god, Da Bo Ye (大伯爷) and Er Bo Ye (二伯爷). All of those mentioned above, they help people with their worldly needs. Some, if successfully help them to overcome their difficulties, people need to pay back. Ever since I join Kechara, I came to know that oracle take trance in protector to help us to clear obstacle. After reading this article only I know that since ancient Greek and Roman, they already had oracle. I thought it was only in the movie, but it seems it really happened during the ancient time.
As for younger generation now, mainly in Asian countries, many still consult oracle, whenever they face any problem or big decision in life. But I don’t think we can see it anymore in the western countries. As for us, we are very blessed to meet the oracle, Choji-la who took trance in Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo to give us blessing and dharma teaching. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing. ??
We should find chances and when there is any that we can explain to people about oracle especially in term of Tibetan Buddhism because there are many individuals who have no idea about the existence of Oracle within Buddhism and some of them are never taught about it and I am one of them before I joined Kechara, hence, they will have incorrect thinking that Oracle is for gods or spirits according to our Chinese culture and Buddism will not need an Oracle.
The truth is if we do not know one thing, it doesn’t indicate that one is not exist. “What we see may not be real, what is real we may not see.” – Li Kim Phng
When I was young I heard news of mediums and trances but rarely encountered in front of my eyes. I thought it was link with deities and that’s it. Since I practice Dharma, it is very important to have samaya and holding refuge to our Guru. By holding strong refuge, our body, speech and mind will be in controlled and protected. Even a person who easily took trance, received refuge from a Guru he or she will be protected not on the mind and as well as body. ?
This is one of the many things Science haven’t been able to describe and “compute” as yet isnt it? It’s a fascinating topic and I witnessed about a couple of times since young but nothing beats the audience I had along with many Kecharians and guests of Dorje Shugden back in 2015 in Kechara Forest Retreat. The experience is so surreal and just wonder will science be able to prove this in future.
So far I have come to know about Indian, Taoist and Buddhist have oracles / mediums to take trance of Buddhas and also deities. I was quite surprise that even in the ancient time that the Greeks and Romans do have oracles too. Their oracles are quite different and unique compared to other religions. But what I can conclude here is that, through oracles / medium, a person can help with worldly problems and spiritual obstacles.
I personally have witness quite a number of time of the medium or oracle taking trance since young. This phenomena of oracle or medium is very common at my hometown in Klang where there even have procession a few times in a year. It’s quite fascinating to see this and especially where there are many of them taking trance with different deities. Many people will place offering at the car porch or in front of their shop to invite the oracle in trance to bless their premisses.
On some occasion I happen to see people seek help from the oracle/medium and they have to do something or give something in return. As after I have learned the dharma from H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche I started to understand this phenomena better. It’s always advisable to seek help from an enlightened being as it’s for sure we will get pure and genuine assistance. Taking refuge to the 3 jewels is always the best and right choice for long term benefits because the enlightened being ask nothing back but only to benefit us and for us to transform our mind for better. From this we are able to see what is real compassion.
In samsara we will face problem or obstacles but what important is to get the right help for our mind and the rest will definitely fall into place to support us for our good act.
As published here, the history of oracles/mediums is very long and practiced in many countries along with the peoples spiritual belief. It is common in Malaysia to hear of people seeking the assistance of these oracles in hope of solving their worldly problems. These problems range from improving health to seeking wealth, to counter spirit possession to warding off negative energies, and many more.
It was indeed an awesome experience to be in the presence of the great Dorje Shugden when He took trance of the 7th Panglung Oracle in the year 2015 in Kechara Forest Retreat. The big difference is that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened protector who not only give prophecy for growth of dharma but He gives dharma discourse during trance via the Oracle. Dorje Shugden is not a spirit or a demon, as wrongly claimed by the Tibetan leadership in Dharamsala, India.
I always find mediums or oracles very fascinating! I often wonder what is it like for the oracles to take trance of Enlightened beings, what really happen to their consciousness and whether they know what is going on. But one thing for sure, the oracles train really hard just to benefit others. Truly selfless!
Since young, I was exposed to the world of mediums. My great aunt was a medium who took trance of a few deities. Whenever there are health problems, my mum would go to a medium and sought for ‘remedies’, even till now. I used to believe that they are the ‘real’ deities who took trance as claimed. But after knowing Buddhism, I found out that those who took trance are not who they say they are.
For those who do not have a Guru, having an oracle who takes trance of an Enlightened being is such a blessing! They are able to receive direct blessings and also able to consult in other matters. And the Buddhas are so kind to even give advice on worldly matters.
This excerpt of the Swiss Television documentary presented in 1988 is a painful reminder of the hypocrisy and the sad reality of the oppression, discrimination, and ostracisation of Dorje Shugden practitioners. For 20 years, Dorje Shugden practitioners have endured this and no one supported their fight as the Tibetan leadership in exile continues to undermine their effort by denying the existence of this ban, and silencing their voice by peer pressure, flooding the media and fooling the general public with accusations that Shugden practitioners are political tools supported by the Chinese government to create discord within the Tibetan community. Please listen to their plea and please share this video far and wide to end this injustice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gis2vaURT40
The reliance on divine power and yearning for supernatural favour have never ceased in human history since the beginning of time. Therefore, the tradition of Oracles taking trance of deities, gods and spirits is ancient and existed in many cultures. As the process of invoking the unseen with supernatural power through the form of trance by the Oracle as a medium has slowly became a rare science, we are lucky that we have the opportunity to be in the presence of Panglung Kuten taking trance of enlightened protector, Dorje Shugden and his ministers, that took place in Kechara Forest Retreat. Through this trance, Dorje Shugden was able to give blessings and prophecies to everyone who otherwise would not have the merits to meet the holy enlightened being. Thank you for this sharing.
Dear Rinpoche,
I love the way on how this article has been put in a way to show that historically, oracles was not an unknown phenomena. In fact, oracles have been integrated in as part of cultural or spiritually. Later on, thank you for letting us in-depth on how Dorje Shugden oracles are being trained in particular and the different oracles that have been in existence. I wonder why some oracles are not known to speak nowadays and looks like only Dorje Shugden oracles are here to stay. Although I do not particularly like the ideas of speaking to oracles (largely due to its authenticity and the fact that I couldn’t even differentiate them among gods or spirits in particular) but it does serve in a way to communicate with higher beings. With this practice, it can help to increase the faith of many whom prefers miracles or spontaneous help from enlightened beings and got them into Dharma path later. For me, I prefer logic and understanding. There’s one point that I am trying to understand in particular where I know that karma is not fixed and hence we can change the course of our direction in life by applying Dharma practices or principles. But then, how come predictions can come to pass when we can change it at any point of time by applying Dharma? In understand that Karma is not fixed and yet can predict it so precisely? Sorry for this silly question but it keeps “hovering” in my head and I do need sometime to grasp this.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Historically, in Western and Eastern cultures oracles do exist to assist in secular, health, wealth and other matters.
To be an oracle, it has to go through stringent training as well as strict vegetarian diet.
What’s more important is there are few oracles that has been authorized and trained by HH Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, HH Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche,HH Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche which practices Dorje Shugden.
As mentioned in this article, out of his enlightened compassion, Dorje Shugden has many oracles in which he takes trance to aid practitioners. Many of these oracles are famous for their flawless trances, during which their bodies facilitate Dorje Shugden to give clear advice, bestow blessings, and perform miraculous works.
As explained in the article, how can Lord Dorje Shugden is a spirit?
My first time meeting an oracle was in my teens when I followed my aunt to a house that has a medium who claimed she was taking trance of the Goddess of Mercy or popularly known as Kuan Yin in Chinese, Chenrezig in Tibetan. It was not very impressive because at that time I was a sceptic and I question the authenticity of the medium trance.
Then when I entered Buddhism I was taught by Rinpoche the difference between Dharma Protectors who are enlightened and not enlightened and those who are authentic or not. Basically, what I learnt was that if they are unenlightened, and not recognised by a qualified Guru, there is a huge possibility these so-called “Gods” that are entering the medium is authentic as no one can verify. I also learnt that true enlightened good protectors who enter a qualified Oracle do it from a whole entire different motivation — usually it is to benefit others and they do not expect any monetary benefit or offerings of a big feast in return, and they usually give you advise that sometimes may not always be what the receiver expects but what is best for the receiver in the long run. Bottom line was, if it is not an enlightened Dharma Protector entering a qualified Oracle, it is best we stay away and not ask them for any favours, because these favours need to be returned and paid back and if you do not, the unenlightened Gods can get angry and get you back, simply because they are unenlightened.
This is truly an interesting subject and anyone interested in Oracles or wish to know more about the unknown mystical of oracles should have a good read. Very informative.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Great write up about phenomena of oracles. My family and I didn’t know Buddhism also takes trance until we saw Chorji-la took trance of Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo in Kechara Forest Retreat. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for this great write up.?
3 years ago, we are very blessed and fortunate as able to connect with Dorje Shugden when Dorje Shugden took trance in the Venerable 7th Panglung Kuten in KFR. About 700 people attended and received the blessings from Dorje Shugden and also dharma teachings and advice from Dorje Shugden about the mind transformation, believe in Buddha and karma, develop a good mind and remember the kindness of others. Whatever advice given by Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden is always rooted in Dharma and he never talked about harming others or asked us to do negative actions. All these showed that Dorje Shugden’s mind is Manjushri.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting post about the oracles and how the oracles can help the people by giving prophecy and advice to them.
History has shown that human were relying on oracles in different traditions centuries ago. Through oracle, devotees were able to seek advices and predictions for varies issues and problems from the divine.
In Tibetan Buddhism, oracle plays an important role in both political and spiritual. Oracles themselves are highly blessed because they offered their physical body as a vehicle for the Dharma Protector to give advices and perform healings. For enlightened Dharma Protector such as Dorje Shugden can bestow dharma teachings through oracle.
It is fascinating to know how much training needed to be a qualified oracle. Candidates are to go through a series of retreats prescribed by qualified Guru to prepare the psychic channels for trance. Retreats are meant for purifying negative karma by doing mantra recitations combined with visualization. The Guru will also summons the oracle-in-training to perform chabtrul ritual to purify the trainee’s chakras and psychic channels and invoke Dorje Shugden or entourage enters to further purify and unblock the trainee’s psychic channels. The trainee will continue receive blessing, advises, and guidance from the compassion Guru until he/she become a fully qualifies oracle.
If we are to check out among us, human beings, many will definitely affirm that they have experienced or seen GHOSTS or SPIRITS. Hardly anyone of us would have seen the enlightened beings such as the Buddhas. Some of us may have dreamt of seeing “Buddhas” and “Gods” but physically seeing is something I have not heard of.
Due to the compassion of the Enlightened Buddhas, oracles exist so that we can feel and experience the presence of Buddhas.
Such is the case for us, students of H.E the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, to have experienced Dorje Shugden through the 7th Panglung Kuten on 21 June 2015. Dorje Shugden gave all 700 of us a beautiful Dharma teaching.