Can Tibetan Lamas Make Mistakes?
Dear friends around the world,
The Shugden issue has been painful and getting worse and it’s not coming to a conclusion on it’s own. I am not here to criticize His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I am not here to degrade, berate or insinuate anything. I would like to bring forth three debates to help you think about the Shugden issue deeper. In the Gelug Monasteries debate is an integral part of learning, retaining and understanding the Buddha’s teachings. So I laid out three possible debate scenarios for you. Therefore whatever is in the questions and in the answers is not definite but it is just thoughts I had. I would like all of you to read through it carefully and not be offended by what I say because no matter what I say, I still have the deepest respect for the Dalai Lama and my faith is unwavering in him, my teachers, my practice and my protector. I choose the middle way. I cannot bring myself to dislike anyone and not any of my teachers of which His Holiness is one of them. Having respect and faith in my teachers does not mean I cannot respectfully question them on their decisions I don’t understand or I deem may not be beneficial. According to Gurupancasika text, I can respectfully question my teachers including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Some find it impossible to have faith in Lamas who worship Shugden, the Dalai Lama and Shugden himself simultaneously. I don’t have a problem with that. I can respect all three.
Having said that, my samaya with the Dalai Lama is just as important as with other Lamas I have taken teachings from. In fact the practices I have received from other Lamas, no other Lamas including the Dalai Lama has the right to override. The Dalai Lama cannot tell me to give up this or that practice conferred to me by another Lama. I follow my Lama not because they are famous or powerful but because they made a difference in my life. Therefore I respectfully continue my practices and I hope the Dalai Lama will one day soon bring an amicable conclusion to this Shugden issue affecting millions and has torn apart monasteries, monks and communities around the world. My samaya with my other teachers besides the Dalai Lama is just as important as my samaya with the Dalai Lama. But the Dalai Lama does not override them just because he is our secular leader or high in rank. Rank has no place in spiritual practices and who I follow as a guru.
We would like an amicable solution. May Shugden practicing leaders meet soon with the Tibetan leadership to bring an end to the conflict and a win-win situation for all. In all conflicts, right or wrong, it is important for both sides to sit and speak face to face. The leaders of the various Shugden communities have written and requested to see H.H. the Dalai Lama on this issue since 1996. But no word from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his private office for a meeting so far. The meeting can be in Dharamsala at His Holiness’ palace or a chosen place according to his wishes.
This problem will not go away and it was not started by the Shugden community. Shugden has been practiced by millions for four hundred years and the practice will continue. It cannot suddenly be wrong or damaging just because His Holiness says so. What about the hundreds of other great lamas who say Shugden is beneficial? Are they all wrong? On what basis are they all wrong? Because they don’t have high rank or status? His Holiness speaking against Shugden at many public venues hurts the sentiments of many people and we would like to have peaceful dialogue and request His Holiness to realize the damage his speech is causing to many please.
If the Dalai Lama can ‘forgive’ the Communist and all the damage done in Tibet why not ‘forgive’ the Shugden people and meet. Certainly the Shugden people have done much less ‘damage’ in Tibet and elsewhere. In fact no damage. Have reconciliation already. In any country if there is conflict and one side is willing to meet the leaders to resolve, it would behoove the leaders to meet and resolve the conflict as soon as possible. I hope very much His Holiness or the Tibetan leadership will meet the leaders of the Shugden communities and resolve this issue in a win-win situation for both sides. Only good can come from this meeting.
Today’s leaders should not speak against any religious faith, practice or path. Speaking against someone’s faith creates bans especially if the speaker is influential. It is up to the individual. It is not helpful and it segregates people. It creates barriers and we already have enough conflicts in our world.
Please read the three debate scenarios carefully and see if this Shugden issue/ban has any logic from whichever angle you look at it. Contemplate deeper on these three scenarios please. In debates you can pose question that seem disrespectful, but your purpose is not be rude, but to understand a situation better by seeing it from all possible perspectives. I wish you well.
Tsem Rinpoche
SCENARIO 1:
- Can the Gurus make mistakes?
No. - Can all Gurus make mistakes?
No. - Can the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
No. - Can all Lamas make mistakes and the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
No. - Which lamas can mistakes and which Lamas cannot make mistakes?
All Lamas cannot make mistakes. - Is it possible all Lamas can make mistakes?
No. - Is it that only the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes and all other Lamas can make mistakes? If so why?
No. - Is the Dalai Lama the only Lama who has the highest attainments?
No. - When another Lama becomes attained, do they equal the Dalai Lama or not?
Yes. - If other attained Lamas cannot equal the Dalai Lama, then are there different levels of Buddhahood? You mean some Buddhas are higher than others?
No. - Can the Dalai Lama’s Gurus make mistakes and the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes?
No. - If the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes, why did he learn Dharma from Gurus who can make mistakes?
No, Dalai Lama’s Gurus cannot make mistakes. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus can make mistakes, did they make other mistakes besides passing the Dorje Shugden practice to the Dalai Lama and the world?
No. - Is it possible other things the Dalai Lama is teaching has mistakes, as they were given by his Gurus who can make mistakes?
No. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus cannot make mistakes, why is the Shugden practice a mistake?
It is not a mistake. - Which Lama or authority determines which Lama is above mistakes and which can make mistakes?
No Lamas makes mistakes. - Does being a spiritual head by turn, election or birth determine you can be free of mistakes?
No. - Has the Dalai Lama made other mistakes?
No. - If the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, have his previous incarnations made mistakes?
No. - Why do the sentiments and opinions of the Dalai Lama override every other Lama?
It does not. - Why does every Tibetan Buddhist have to have clean samaya with the Dalai Lama and not other gurus? Why does samaya with the Dalai Lama override samaya with all other Gurus?
It should not. - Can you (the reader) make a mistake? Who told you this Lama cannot make mistakes, and is mistake-free? On what authority did they tell you?
The reader can make mistakes. - If the Lama does not make mistakes, can he manifest mistakes?
Yes. - Do highly attained Lamas that are mistake-free have to always have high rank or be in positions of power, or can they be humble hermits?
Can be without positions of power.
SCENARIO 2:
- Can the Gurus make mistakes?
Yes. - Can all Gurus make mistakes?
Yes. - Can the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
Yes. - Can all Lamas make mistakes and the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
Yes. - Which lamas can mistakes and which Lamas cannot make mistakes?
All Lamas can make mistakes. - Is it possible all Lamas can make mistakes?
Yes. - Is it that only the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes and all other Lamas can make mistakes? If so why?
All Lamas including the Dalai Lama can make mistakes. - Is the Dalai Lama the only Lama who has the highest attainments?
No. - When another Lama becomes attained, do they equal the Dalai Lama or not?
Yes. - If other attained Lamas cannot equal the Dalai Lama, then are there different levels of Buddhahood? You mean some Buddhas are higher than others?
All attained Lamas are equal. - Can the Dalai Lama’s Gurus make mistakes and the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes?
Yes, the Dalai Lama’s Gurus can make mistakes and the Dalai Lama can also make mistakes. - If the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes, why did he learn Dharma from Gurus who can make mistakes?
The Dalai Lama can make mistakes. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus can make mistakes, did they make other mistakes besides passing the Dorje Shugden practice to the Dalai Lama and the world?
Yes. - Is it possible other things the Dalai Lama is teaching has mistakes, as they were given by his Gurus who can make mistakes?
Yes. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus cannot make mistakes, why is the Shugden practice a mistake?
The Dalai Lama’s Gurus can make mistakes. Therefore, Shugden practice is a mistake, as well as all other teachings and advices that the Dalai Lama is giving could be mistaken because they were given to him by the Gurus. - Which Lama or authority determines which Lama is above mistakes and which can make mistakes?
None, because they can all make mistakes. - Does being a spiritual head by turn, election or birth determine you can be free of mistakes?
Yes, if you are elected into position, you must be perfect. If you are born into your position such as a tulku, you are free of mistakes. If you ascend to a position by turn, you are free of mistakes. In other words, if you are in any position of power, you are free of mistakes, which includes the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama and etc. - Has the Dalai Lama made other mistakes?
Yes. - If the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, have his previous incarnations made mistakes?
Yes, because it is the same mind that is incarnating. - Why do the sentiments and opinions of the Dalai Lama override every other Lama?
It should not because he can make mistakes. - Why does every Tibetan Buddhist have to have clean samaya with the Dalai Lama and not other gurus? Why does samaya with the Dalai Lama override samaya with all other Gurus?
Samaya with the Dalai Lama should not override other Gurus because the Dalai Lama can make mistakes. Therefore, samaya with our individual gurus should be more important than to the Dalai Lama. By what authority does the samaya with the Dalai Lama overrides the samaya with other Lamas? - Can you (the reader) make a mistake? Who told you this Lama cannot make mistakes, and is mistake-free? On what authority did they tell you?
Yes, the reader can make mistakes. All Lamas can make mistakes. No Lama can have spiritual authority over another Lama because all Lamas can make mistakes. - If the Lama does not make mistakes, can he manifest mistakes?
Yes. - Do highly attained Lamas that are mistake-free have to always have high rank or be in positions of power, or can they be humble hermits?
All Lamas make mistakes regardless of their position or high rank. Therefore, rank and position does not preclude mistakes.
SCENARIO 3:
- Can the Gurus make mistakes?
Some gurus are highly attained and they cannot make mistakes while some gurus who are ordinary are subject to making mistakes. - Can all Gurus make mistakes?
Only some gurus make mistakes depending on their learning, practice, sharpness and attainments. - Can the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
No, he cannot. - Can all Lamas make mistakes and the Dalai Lama make mistakes?
Some Lamas make mistakes but the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes. Is the Dalai Lama an exception? - Which lamas can mistakes and which Lamas cannot make mistakes?
Learned, practiced, sharp and attained Lamas cannot make mistakes. - Is it possible all Lamas can make mistakes?
No, there are Lamas who cannot make mistakes. Whether they do or not is based on their learning, practice, sharpness and attainment. - Is it that only the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes and all other Lamas can make mistakes? If so why?
It is illogical to say that only the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes and every other Lama can make mistakes. There are many other lamas who are very learned and attained. The Dalai Lama cannot be the only one. Position, power and rank do not preclude making mistakes.Hence, samaya with the Dalai Lama is not the most important but samaya with our root gurus is. So is it wrong to ask us to give up Shugden and break our samaya with our Gurus? You think. - Is the Dalai Lama the only Lama who has the highest attainments?
No, because when you become attained, whether it is the stages of a Bodhisattva (from 1st to 10th level) or Buddhahood, all attainments are the same. In other words, all Buddhas are equal therefore all attained Lamas are equal regardless of rank, position and status. Attainments do not differ from one to another. Otherwise there will be inequality between Buddhas, which is illogical. - When another Lama becomes attained, do they equal the Dalai Lama or not?
Yes, they do in attainments because attainments do not differ from one to another. If they are equal in attainments, then status, rank and secular position do not matter. - If other attained Lamas cannot equal the Dalai Lama, then are there different levels of Buddhahood? You mean some Buddhas are higher than others?
Of course not. All attained lamas see the truth of samsara, have achieved Bodhicitta and emptiness. Therefore, their attainments should be the same. - Can the Dalai Lama’s Gurus make mistakes and the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes?
If the Dalai Lama’s gurus can make mistakes, therefore mistaken teachings can be transmitted to the Dalai Lama, which is not limited to Shugden practice. Therefore, there are potentially more mistaken teachings the Dalai Lama has given the public. It is illogical to say in the 40 years his teachers taught him, no other mistakes are made since his Gurus can make mistakes. Therefore, by default, the Dalai Lama can be giving other mistaken teachings without knowing.So if Shugden practice is a mistake, there is a high possibility Dalai Lama is transmitting other faulty teachings. Why is only Shugden the only mistake from mistaken teachers?Or the Dalai Lama’s teachers cannot be mistaken and therefore the ban against Shugden is wrong because his teachers cannot be mistaken.
- If the Dalai Lama cannot make mistakes, why did he learn Dharma from Gurus who can make mistakes?
The Dalai Lama’s tutors cannot make mistakes because in a country full of attained, learned, practiced beings, they would not choose the lowest teachers in the land to be the Dalai Lama’s tutors. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus can make mistakes, did they make other mistakes besides passing the Dorje Shugden practice to the Dalai Lama and the world?
If we want to say they can make mistakes, then definitely they have passed other faulty teachings to the Dalai Lama and in turn, the Dalai Lama is passing more faulty teachings knowingly or unknowingly. You decide. - Is it possible other things the Dalai Lama is teaching has mistakes, as they were given by his Gurus who can make mistakes?
If we wish to believe his gurus can make mistakes, then we have to conclude the Dalai Lama can make mistakes. How can the Dalai Lama be more attained than his gurus? Then wouldn’t they be learning from him instead? If the Dalai Lama ‘s gurus cannot make mistakes, then again the Shugden practice passed to the Dalai Lama cannot be a mistake. Either all can have possibilities of mistakes or none. You decide. - If the Dalai Lama’s Gurus cannot make mistakes, why is the Shugden practice a mistake?
Precisely. - Which Lama or authority determines which Lama is above mistakes and which can make mistakes?
Even the highest authority such as the Dalai Lama had to get his knowledge from his teachers. If his teachers are faulty then by default, his information and knowledge will be faulty. Therefore the Dalai Lama can make mistakes. Which school of Buddhism is the Dalai Lama the head of? Each school has their own head. So by right, the Dalai Lama is not the highest authority but just the most well known. He was also the secular leader. Can secular leaders make mistakes or not? Do you wish to view the Dalai Lama as the ex-King of Tibet or as a Lama? As the king (which is secular), he can make mistakes. As a highly attained lama he cannot. How do you come to terms with this dual role? Is the Dalai Lama a secular leader who can make mistakes or a high lama who cannot? If he is a secular leader, then the Shugden ban can be wrong. If he is a high lama, then the ban is still not correct, would you not conclude? Can other high lamas with same attainments make mistakes such as his gurus? - Does being a spiritual head by turn, election or birth determine you can be free of mistakes?
If a spiritual head is by turn, then naturally you get some good ones and some not so good ones. It’s chance.If it’s by election, same. If it’s by birth, same unless you want to say some are divine births of highly realized beings who are attained. But again, is the Dalai Lama the only highly realized being? Is he the only one who does not make mistakes in a country such as Tibet, which is filled with scholars, meditation masters, Geshes, teachers and high lamas? - Has the Dalai Lama made other mistakes?
It depends on which version you choose to believe. Do you believe the Dalai Lama is free of mistakes or mistake-free? If he can make mistakes, then fine, the Shugden ban can be right or wrong. If he is mistake-free, then the Shugden ban is correct. But is the Dalai Lama the only Lama who is mistake-free? How about the great previous Panchen Lama, a learned scholar and master who practiced Shugden with thousands of other great lama who also practiced Shugden, past and present? Can the Dalai Lama be the only attained master in Tibet, and everyone else is not attained and subject to mistakes? You decide. - If the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, have his previous incarnations made mistakes?
Since his previous incarnations are of the same mind stream, it is possible he can make mistakes. If his previous lives are attained, then no mistakes can be made. Again, is the Dalai Lama the only Lama of that caliber? You decide. Is it that only one person in Tibet (the Dalai Lama) is that attained and no one else is? Is that logical? - Why do the sentiments and opinions of the Dalai Lama override every other Lama?
Why does every Tibetan and non-Tibetan Buddhist have to be only concerned with the samaya to the Dalai Lama? What happens if we have taken no teachings from him? Then there is no samaya? If we have taken teachings from the Dalai Lama and other Shugden Lamas, why does our samaya with the Dalai Lama override all other Lamas? Why do we have to abandon teachings from another Lama in favor of the Dalai Lama? Is that to say that all other Lamas do not matter? You decide.If all other Lamas do not matter, why even have others gurus? Close down all monasteries and only learn from the Dalai Lama. Then if there is a new incarnation of the Dalai Lama, who do you choose to tutor him since all other Lamas do not matter because they can make mistakes. - Why does every Tibetan Buddhist have to have clean samaya with the Dalai Lama and not other gurus? Why does samaya with the Dalai Lama override samaya with all other Gurus?
To any scholar, debate master, learned beings, attained beings and anyone with perhaps just simple common sense, all gurus matter. Therefore all samaya with all gurus matter and are equally important. Therefore the Dalai Lama should not override all other gurus perhaps? You decide. - Can you (the reader) make a mistake? Who told you this Lama cannot make mistakes, and is mistake-free? On what authority did they tell you?
Yes, the public or I can make a mistake. Who told you the Dalai Lama or any Lama is mistake-free or not mistake-free? Only the Dalai Lama told you he is mistake-free perhaps? Does he authorize himself to be above all Lamas including his personal tutors of 40 years? You decide.Is he above all other Lamas because of his learning, status or political position? If learning, does this mean no other lamas have the same learning as the Dalai Lama? Does status grant immunity to mistakes? Are political figures exempt from mistakes? Name me one single political figure in the history of mankind who is mistake-free. Is the Dalai Lama the only political figure in world history who is mistake-free? You choose which direction you wish to go but be consistent all the way. If we choose to say the Dalai Lama is mistake-free because he is a highly attained being, then we have to conclude he is not the only one. Therefore, if many highly attained beings practiced Shugden, then Shugden practice cannot be wrong? You decide. - If the Lama does not make mistakes, can he manifest mistakes?
All enlightened beings can manifest mistakes for a higher purpose as they have no ego. For example when Lord Buddha taught, he was the teacher and student. He emanated amongst the crowd to ask questions to benefit the audience. Why? Because the audience would not have the knowledge to ask. Hence enlightened beings can manifest conflict for a higher purpose. Perhaps the Dalai Lama is doing this for Shugden practice? You decide. - Do highly attained Lamas that are mistake-free have to always have high rank or be in positions of power, or can they be humble hermits?
Highly attained beings come in all shapes, colors, genders and levels. Therefore even if the Dalai Lama is the King. His attainments can be the same as one who is a simple hermit and who has no political power. In other words, just because he is the Dalai Lama does not mean all other Lamas’ teachings are wrong or correct. So, just because the Dalai Lama says Shugden is bad and his gurus said it is good, who shall we listen to and based on what? You decide.
Kyabje Denma Gonsa Rinpoche
on guru devotion
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DenmaGonsaRinpocheGuruDevotion.mp4
Translation:
At this time, we see guru devotion in the great monasteries, it is like a vessel leaking. At this time, in the four great monasteries, I see the first [in guru devotion] is Tashi Lhunpo. I am not flattering. The better one is Tashi Lhunpo monks.
Before, Sera has a lot of monks joining…
(video breaks abruptly)
…What I am teaching you today, this is correct or not correct, you must examine. If it is correct, you must practice. If it is not correct, then you can discard it. That is okay.
In brief, you all must carefully examine Lama Tsongkhapa’s Dharma. Apart from that, at this time, Lama Tsongkhapa’s Dharma is like a butter lamp in the strong wind. It has very nearly extinguished, like that. Now you all must carefully examine Lama Tsongkhapa’s Dharma, must carefully examine Lama Tsongkhapa’s Dharma. Do you understand?
If you practise the Protector [referring to Dorje Shugden], you do the practice. If you don’t practise, you don’t do the practice. This is no problem. If you practise, say it very clearly – “I do the practice.” If you don’t practice, say it very clearly – “I don’t do the practice.” Don’t be two-faced.
Must have unity and solidarity. Do you understand? Then good. Then it will be useful that we are monks and stay in the big monasteries. [meaning if they are monks but have no unity, it will not be useful]
At night, all our virtues we must dedicate to enlightenment and the growth of Buddha Dharma, and all the holy masters’ long life, and make aspirational prayers for the growth of Lama Tsongkhapa’s combined sutric and tantric Dharma and for it to remain for a long time. Do you understand?
And if you are a Dorje Shugden practitioner, make aspirational prayers for Dorje Shugden’s blessings to spread all around the world. If you are not a Dorje Shugden practitioner, make aspirational prayers for all protectors’ blessings to be timely and for the Buddha Dharma to grow.
Then good. Then all of you work towards mental unity and pure vows. Please practise well. That’s all, thank you. Finish.
For more related articles of interest and importance: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/dorje-shugden
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Dorje Shugden has been practiced by millions hundred years ago. Many high attained Lamas, great masters has practiced Dorje Shugden before the ban which include HH Dalai Lama himself. As Dorje Shugden comes from a great lineage of fully enlightened beings including great and highly attained practitioners. It cannot be wrong then. The Dorje Shugden controversy has been painful and not coming to a conclusion all these years. It had affected millions with monasteries, monks and families around the world been torn apart. Friends become unknown to each other, discrimination, disharmony among everyone then. Well…may one day HH Dalai Lama could dissolved this controversy and get all to be united and harmony. Interesting post to read and understand better of the current situation within the different debate scenarios.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
I think the Dalai Lama can make a mistake.
The Dorje Shugden controversy has long overdue. It has caused hardships , sufferings, disharmony, discrimination and so forth among the Tibetans . Dorje Shugden practitioners and non- practitioners everywhere around the world has suffered for decades. Many high attained Lamas has practiced Dorje Shugden for 400 years before the ban and they cannot be wrong. Reading those questions and answers will give us a better understanding. Interesting read…..the truth is the truth.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
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
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
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
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants 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
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
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
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.
The Dorje Shugden controversy has cause much pain and suffering affecting millions among the communities around the world. Due to illogical ban by the Tibetan leadership in exile many families , monks and monasteries are torn apart. Dorje Shugden has been practiced by millions for four hundred years. Many high attained Lamas has practiced Dorje Shugden before the ban which include HH Dalai Lama himself. It cannot suddenly be wrong . Reading the three debate scenarios , the Dorje Shugden controversy are not just bigoted and autocratic, they are also illogical. May the ban be lifted soon for the sake of all practitioners and non practitioners . I hope HH Dalai Lama will resolve this issue soon peacefully.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
This is a powerful picture of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, Kensur Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and the current incarnation of Trijang Rinpoche meeting together in the year 2000 when Trijang Rinpoche was 18. All three lamas are Dorje Shugden practitioners. In fact Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen was the one that first encouraged my practice of Dorje Shugden when I was 16 years old when I joined his beautiful Thubten Dhargye Ling centre in Los Angeles. I lived with Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen for 8 years before proceeding to Gaden Monastery in South India. Later Kyabje Zong Rinpoche came to our Los Angeles centre and granted sogtae (permission ceremony) to practice Dorje Shugden for life as requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen had tremendous faith in Trijang Rinpoche. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was innovative, dedicated and very much focused on bringing dharma to many. He had tremendous faith in Dorje Shugden as I had the honour to meet him many times. He would seek advice from Dorje Shugden many times via the oracle of Gaden Monastery. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen and Kensur Kyabje Lati Rinpoche have since passed away while the current Trijang Rinpoche is a perfect lineage holder and practitioner of Dharma while he keeps Dorje Shugden as his personal protector as he has done so for many lifetimes. This is a powerful and beautiful picture of three great lamas of Buddha’s lineage and also of Gaden Monastery.
~Tsem Rinpoche
The Shugden ban issue has been many years a disturbance for Dorje Shugden practitioners. Many people look up to Dalai Lama and because His Holiness is such an authority, many had the misconception that Shugden practice is wrong and should therefore stop practicing it. This misconception has been there for years and Shugden communities have been asking Dalai Lama for a face-to-face talk since 1996 and no words from His Holiness so far. We all know there is always a way to resolve as long as all parties involved are willing to take a step to reconcile. If we can see clearly that the Shugden issue is just the prejudice, a mistake, and everyone can stop condemning or criticizing, the suffering for Shugden practitioners will become less. Hopefully one day Dalai Lama could meet Shugden communities, lift the Shugden ban and bring an amicable conclusion to all Shugden practitioners.
For the sake of simplicity, I will just use the male gender in this comment but of course it could be a he or she.
It is very difficult for a student of any religious teacher to know for sure whether the teacher is real or fake. The particular religion he teaches may also be real or fake. Even real or fake is subjective. How real is real and how fake is fake? How do you define real or fake?
Every teacher has his own methods. As with any teacher, he is in a position of power. Since a student is learning from the teacher, he is supposed to follow his advice in order to achieve the particular religious goal. Can a student resist? I suppose it depends on how far the student wants to go with that teacher or that religion being taught.
The most important yardstick I think, is to check the source of the teachings and better, also the lineage of the teacher. If the teaching is strictly in reference to scripture that has an authentic lineage and the teacher also has a pure lineage, then chances of going wrong is minimised. Is he asking the student to commit non-virtue? Universally, it is accepted that killing, lying, stealing etc are non-virtues.
Once you get that out of the way, there is then the method of teaching. One method does not fit all. If after trying for some time and the student feels that is not what he wants or is uncomfortable with it, for whatever reason, then he should take his leave. But it is not wise for him to discredit the teacher he is leaving, say he is fake, say he makes mistakes etc. After all, fake/right/wrong is subjective after all isn’t it? How do you know for sure, and at whose yardstick? Do you have the mind to check and confirm, unless you think you are smarter than the teacher?
The fact is, we don’t know. If somebody else’s teacher does or says something, we can agree or disagree, but that’s it. It is not our business to conclude he is right or wrong or made a mistake. We don’t know the context within which the action or decision was made. We also don’t know the scope or time-frame. Perhaps, we are thinking in the time-frame of one week, one month or one life-time. Perhaps the teacher is acting on the basis of several eons, several world systems other than just our immediate visible circle. We don’t know. Since we don’t know, it is better to reserve judgement.
This is a very thought provoking questions and answers. One can rely on the questions to figure out about the DS ban.
And see very clearly all the issues at stake. Whether one goes to this side or that side after this, is not so important. Whats really important is to check these very well prepared questions, have a go if the questions are illogical to one then one can ignore it. But if it makes sense that food for thought.
I find the three sets of hypothetical debate /argument interesting and it sharpens my understanding of the actual heart of the matter.
If even high lamas ,like the Dalai Lama and his gurus, can make mistakes, it will lead to great chaos and confusion. Not only is there a possibility that the 400 year practice of Shugden is a mistake,but also all the teachings of high Lamas including the Dalai Lama’s teachers ,could contain mistakes. It follows that the Dalai Lama’s teachings which have incorporated his gurus’ teachings would be severely flawed, which is ridiculous.
Hence, we can conclude (as in the 3rd scenario of a hypothetical debate)that all attained Lamas, including the Dalai Lama, cannot make mistakes. So the Dalai Lama did not make a mistake when he chose to practice Dorje Shugden given him by his Guru Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Later however, out of compassion,he manifested mistakes, like saying that Dorje Shugden practice was harmful to him, and this led to the ban on Shugden practice.
Hence, we can thus conclude that the Dorje Shugden practice is not a mistaken practice, because it was practiced for 400 years by highly attained Lamas, who cannot have made a mistake.Hence the ban on Shugden practice is needless and should be lifted to end the suffering of Shugden practitioners from the discrimination and persecution following the ban.
This is such a wonderful change. People who take the time to research and think logically about the Dorje Shugden issue can easily see past the prejudice. I am seeing more and more of this shift away from blind hatred of something people do not comprehend. Very happy for Suzy.
Here’s the link to Suzy’s comment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing with us three possibilities on whether Lama can make mistakes. Scenario 1 and 2 are consistent with the argument throughout; either we agree with Lamas can make mistake or not, and apply with consistency on the effects or subsequent questions of the opinions, respectively. For example, if we say all Lamas cannot make mistake, therefore HHDL and his teachers also cannot make mistake, and their teachings are not wrong. If we say all Lamas can make mistake, then HHDL and his teachers also can make mistake, and their teachings are all wrong. We should not form flip-flop opinions, selecting answers that are convenience or suitable to the situation that makes sense to us. For we are not all-knowing, what makes sense to us may not be correct and far-sighted. This reminds me of the teaching in Buddhism; Ultimate Truth and Relative Truth. While this is not about the teaching of Ultimate Truth or Relative Truth, but we should apply the methodology to seek for answers that can withstand the test of time and all scenarios, which should be distinctive from circumstantial reasonings.
I am just reading a christian priest, on msn, had to do some orgie. He was wrong… so olso tibetan etc munks can do mistakes. We are all human after all. That is the reason why we have places to go where you can have info concerning something. Olso for religion.
Dear Rinpoche, please allow me to make an observation regarding:
23. If the lama does not make mistakes, can he manifest mistakes?
Yes.
This statement is likely the most contentious of all the logical truths in this article. Two propositions may sum up the likely contention among readers/practitioners.
1. The Lama is to be viewed as a Buddha, hence are meant to be perfect, and therefore may not act any less than that.
The more accurate view one should have of one’s lama is that their nature is that of an enlightened being manifesting in ordinary aspect to teach and guide us on the path toward enlightenment.
Therefore, “ooops” or mistakes will be part of the repertoire of a lama. Indeed most often, the early student will only feel the contention mentioned above but through experience and some realization, he will understand the need to manifest mistakes sometimes.
2. How do we know if the lama is a qualified one if mistakes can be regarded as just manifestations and not “real” mistakes due to incompetence?
This is why it is the advice to check out a lama for as long as it takes for you to gain confidence. This confidence is extremely important for if one cannot even find one guru in whom one has confidence in, then one will be still mired in the wrong concept that Buddhas do not have all the qualities as are explained in the teachings. It would be difficult to progress without this confidence.
With folded hands,
Choong
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, TibetOver 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
__________________________________
The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje ShugdenHUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
My mind reading power is mis cast so my thought has been spread all over the world if you have any solution to reverse or maked shield on it please reply me back
I hope Tibetan leadership will stop contradicting itself and discriminating based on faith, for the benefit of Tibetan people.
I watched for a while, and eventually had to call out to him to find out what was going on.
“What are you doing?” I shouted.
“Rowing a boat, of course!” he replied.
“But you are not in a boat” I called back.
“I am not?!” he yelled, looking panic-stricken; and then started swimming as hard as he could.
I can commit mistakes a-plenty, but I am not deterred by them, I go on committing them — because if I start thinking that no mistake has to be committed then I cannot relate to you what I want to relate. Then I will have to be absolutely silent, because the truth that I have known can only be related if I am ready to commit many mistakes. Then too it is not related as it is.
A telephone operator in San Francisco says that the city’s Chinatown receives fewer calls than any other area of similar size in the city. And with a straight face she explained the reason: “I guess there are so many people named Wing and Wong that people are afraid they will wing the wong number.”
I am not afraid — I go on winging the wong number! And it is not only that I can commit mistakes…the world is proof enough that God also commits mistakes. Otherwise, do you think you would have had any chance of being here in the world?
Mulla Nasruddin was speaking to Morarjibhai Desai. Seeing Mulla Nasruddin in orange, Morarjibhai Desai was obviously annoyed. He said to Nasruddin, “Mulla, what turned you on to Rajneesh?”
‘The day I saw him walking out with his hands folded, I knew then that God exists,” replied Mulla.
Morarji, looking at Mulla from the corner of his eye, asked, “Hmmm, and what do you feel when you see me?”
Mulla said, “That God can also make mistakes.” Osho
In enlightenment, is it not that ‘All Is As It Should Be’ throughout the universe!, is this why one seeks to understand, and is this perhaps the lesson that the Dalai Lama is teaching us by not responding? We are all on the same path, at times this path is straight and true, and at another, the path is difficult and twisting, yet it is always The Path.
There are many questions to be answered on our path! is not the lesson that, as sentient beings, we are all vulnerable to error? even if the answer is before us, we are unable to see! Return to your meditations, and contemplate the concept, ‘in all things there is truth! Namaste.
Let me send You my opinion; from when I contact Your from different years ago I see that from nice monk You become a Dorje Shugden ‘s followa too much. Think that in my home now I’m writing a story on this matter, where two italian came to stay free from everything are involved in this “religious-fight”; let me say that in Italy is indicate as an infiltration of authoriies chineses to stole Your religion…so, that’s what I suggest similar at point one.
Put inside the ground the question for now and for 40 years minimum and reopen this question in different time, in different conditions, when the tension will be over and the part could be in peace. Let the deity of Dorje at single liberty, free but dont’encourage with manifestations pubblic. On 40year after today I’m sure that everything will be changed, for now don’t separate trought yourselves Sorry If You don’t like this, consider that I’m Italian, consider that I understand what I undestand from so many texts I readed….Have a large part of peace in Your soul, Gianni
It does not make sense that an enlightened being can make a real mistake because they have unlimited clairvoyance and can see all possible outcomes of actions. If the Dalai Lama is really enlightened like his followers believe him to be, then he cannot make a mistake.
Also, there cannot be a true conflict between 2 enlightened beings, in this case it would be between the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden. If both beings are equally unlimited clairvoyant, as well as having the equal qualities of compassion and wisdom, then how can they “fight” or resist each other. It does not make sense.
The actions of an enlightened being are so incomprehensible to beings like me who are not clairvoyant at all but I believe that they know what they are doing and trust them fully. Even if on the surface it seems illogical, there are reasons behind their actions. I respect Dalai Lama fully and his actions but I also believe that he knows what he is doing. That is enough for me because there is no benefit in trying to challenge an enlightened being as it would not even be a close contest. It would be like a fetus trying to disprove a well thought out mathematical theorem. No chance at all.
Dear Tsem Rinpoche,
My ego grasping has been painful and getting worse and it’s not coming to a conclusion on its own. I hope the Dalai Lama will one day soon bring an amicable conclusion to this ego grasping issue affecting millions and has torn apart monasteries, monks and communities around the world.
This problem will not go away and it was not started by the ego. Ego grasping has been practiced by millions for four hundred years and the practice will continue. His Holiness speaking against ego grasping at many public venues hurts the sentiments of many people and we would like to have peaceful dialogue and request His Holiness to realize the damage his speech is causing to many please.
If the Dalai Lama can ‘forgive’ the Communist and all the damage done in Tibet why not ‘forgive’ ego grasping people and meet. Certainly ego grasping people have done much less ‘damage’ in Tibet and elsewhere. Please see if this ego grasping issue has any logic from whichever angle you look at it.
In debates you can pose question that seem disrespectful, but your purpose is not be rude, but to understand a situation better by seeing it from all possible perspectives.
I wish you well.
Dear Tsem Rinpoche,
I find your scenarios very one sided and misleading and seems to lead readers into further confusion and angst. Not very helpful at all.
Thanks,
Faye
Perhaps the information is already available but it might help if His Holiness could describe the problem. Given his status, explaining the whole matter to everyone could seem a waste of time. I may have heard that he referred to negative results in his own practice and the possible implication that it took ‘a long time’ for the bad effects to become noticeable to himself. Please check to confirm or deny what I just wrote as I took in the information casually.
From a radical, international and cross-religious perspective I have to wonder whether part of the problem is that Shugden does not blend well with the Christian program. I write that as a possible consideration because when Christianity arrived in Europe, many gods and powerful spirits were met. Those who blended well with Christianity often became Catholic Saints, whereas those who did not were shunned and eliminated as bad gods and evil etc.. I heard of the DL over in the USA where Jesus is quite powerful. Americans spend $$$ on the Dalai Lama. Because of that, I had that type of thought about the matter.
Only a Bodhisattva above the eighth level can not make mistakes; since he reached the irreversible state. A such level Bodhisattva should have special abilities, then it should not be difficult for him to show them. This means that lower-level Bodhisattvas can still make mistakes, but even low-level Bodhisattvas should also have capacities above normal. My observation is that the masters of our time have no special capacities, so do not appear to even be in the bhumis.
INTERESTING DEVELOPEMENT:
We have been informed by our friends in Dharamsala that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA; the de facto head of Tibetans in Exile in India) that they have seen the vulgarities said in the name of being on the Dalai Lama’s defense. Many who can read English in Dharamsala have been horrified that their campaign against Shugden is leading to such vulgarities and attacks on Shugden followers personal lives. CTA had hoped to intimidate Shugden people to give up through fear and violence in the past, but it has worked against them as they represent Dalai Lama a Nobel peace prize winner. People are asking why Dalai Lama does not speak up against the hatred towards Shugden people? CTA in the past have kept quiet about the attacks on Shugden people both physical and verbal but now IT’S DIRECTLY BEING CONNECTED TO THEM which is bad PR. The more Dalai Lama supporters hurl abuses on line and it’s recorded, the more it will work against CTA.
The CTA visit this blog often to keep a watch. They are embarrassed by people who write such negatives and vulgarities now and engage in name-calling in the name of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. It reflects terribly on them. They have been getting more negative response from people around the world and more queries. The press has been picking up on these types of verbal abuses hurled at Shugden people and find it justified and alerted to the fact something is seriously wrong. They are starting to question the CTA more which is embarrassing.
We will keep posting these vulgarities hurled at Shugden people online. This is what Shugden people have to tolerate daily. But you will see NO SUCH COMMENTS from Shugden people. I have friends who informed me they will also send this article’s link to press around the world and proper authorities to keep them alert. As violent vulgarities can escalate into violence against innocent Shugden practitioners.
You see the bottom line is all this name hurling and violent words can stop overnight if His Holiness Dalai Lama speaks up to stop it. Dalai Lama should send people to engage in dialogue to settle this matter once and for all. It would benefit everyone all around. This ban and advice against peaceful Shugden practitioners was started by Tibetan leadership. They should do something to stop it as they are responsible for every person they affect with this ban. The Tibetan leadership is responsible for every harm perpetrated or planned against Shugden practitioners both verbal, psychological and physical.
Do see the pictures here of the abuse but be ready for how unpleasant it could be: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=58841
1) Re: “CTA had hoped to intimidate Shugden people to give up through fear and violence in the past.”
No, not fear and violence. Shugden followers were EXCLUDED. Apparently they were excluded from the CTA / Tibetan Administration and so forth. Exclusions are NOT “fear and violence.” It appears that some who oppose Shugden throw rocks at the houses of Shugden families. But that is humiliation and ostracism, not leverage to have them change.
2) Re: “The more Dalai Lama supporters hurl abuses on line and it’s recorded, the more it will work against CTA.”
No. If Tibetan expatriates in Europe or North America hurl contempt on New Kadampa or other Shugden supporters, e.g. by waving or throwing paper money at them, those are individual actions. Tibetans defend the Dalai Lama ( as seen on youtube videos ) but this does not imply any connection to the CTA.
3) Re: “CTA…are embarrassed by people who write such negatives and…name-calling in the name of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. It reflects terribly on them.”
No. Of course not. No. And no. These people do NOT officially represent the Dalai Lama unless he formally says so.
No one represents Buddhism unless they are a Buddhist guru or teacher, period. If you’re not a teacher, you cannot speak for the Buddhist teaching or community. That’s why we have formal teaching authorizations. CTA representatives represent CTA. People typing on the internet do not. That is rubbish.
4) Re: “The Tibetan leadership is responsible for every harm perpetrated or planned against Shugden practitioners…”
No of course not. For one thing, they can’t read peoples’ minds. I don’t think any American tantric Buddhists would ever curse the Shugden supporters with fierce mantras. But it is nonsense to say that such an action ( anywhere in the world ) could somehow be laid at the feet of the Tibetan exile administration. That is just RIDICULOUS.
5) Re: “We will keep posting these vulgarities hurled at Shugden people online. This is what Shugden people have to tolerate daily. But you will see NO SUCH COMMENTS from Shugden people.”
I do see quite a bit of aggression and hate talk and personal condemnation. Looks like 90% or more of that comes from specific Shugden sites and Shugden supporters. When I review the Bodhisattva vow commitments and The Ten Precepts etc. it is clear to me that lots of Shugden followers are not just damaging but actually destroying whatever Buddhist commitments they think they’ve obtained.
I have been personally attacked online by Shugden supporters in ridiculous and foolish ways and I rebuke them for straw man arguments, cheap shots, and unsubstantiated attacks. Some people want to “defend” Shugden but they do so via egregious false attacks, and then I crush them. As the saying goes, “In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.”
6) Re: “engage in dialogue”
The Dalai Lama engages in dialogue with people All Over The World, more than anyone else on the planet. He has a Gelugpa congress, and some weeks back he got a major agreement signed with many major Buddhist gurus on this very issue. And his representatives talk to large groups of refugee schoolkids to warn them away from Shugden practice.
Unfortunately, HH Trijang Rinpoche was unable to meet with the Dalai Lama, while both were in Switzerland! Oh well. Trijang Rinpoche made it to Indiana.
The Dalai Lama clearly wants to avoid public nuisance problems with hate talk opponents so he will sometimes visit places ( like an American university ) and not post public word. I would do the same. Less harassment to deal with.
I have seen some really nasty talk online, e.g. by a Tibetan tulku who directly accuses the Dalai Lama of a “hidden politcal agenda”. Of course there is no such agenda.
I wouldn’t dialogue with this tulku either. He can just stuff it.
It is possible for all Lamas to make mistake even the Dalai Lama but not on the same subject. With all do respect, I think this time about the Dorje Shugden ban case, it is the Dalai Lama who is wrong because it’s impossible Pabongka Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and etc to be wrong at the same time because these Lamas are very highly respected Gurus and they have the knowledge of a Buddha. The Lamas are basically Buddhas, it is just that they purposely take reincarnations in this realm is because it is easier to contact with us humans in this way and because of they are born in human bodies, it’s only natural for them to make mistakes. But it’s still not possible for the Great Lamas to not realise that Dorje Shugden is a spirit and practice Dorje Shugden at the same time.
Religious views are always very personal. WE as individuals have our freedom to choose what we deem is correct or wrong.
Through the debate questions, it shows clearly that high attained lamas cannot make mistakes, they would only be manifesting mistakes. Since we know that, definitely that the Dalai Lama’s teachers would not have made any mistakes in passing teachings to the Dalai Lama. Hence, with that, it would not be wrong to be practising the Dorje Shugden practices as it the gurus of Dalai Lama practice this practice.
If it is said that it is not a correct practice, then the high lamas that did this practice would not reincarnated to help us again after they have passed on.
If the practice is wrong, then why did the 5th Dalai Lama even compose the prayers for Dorje Shugden and also built a statue of this protector? Then if I were to say that not doing this practice is correct, would it mean that from the 5th Dalai Lama till the early days of the 14th Dalai Lama are all wrong to be practising Dorje Shugden? It would not make any sense if we really believe so.
I believe that the ban that is being imposed now is a higher manifestation that the Dalai Lama has manifested to be teaching us something in the future that we cannot understand now. We will only be able to understand what is going on later in the future.
Re: “Religious views are always very personal. WE as individuals have our freedom to choose what we deem is correct or wrong.”
I got news for you. RELIGIOUS views are definitely NOT jsut “personal”! You’re wya behind the game. Mahayana Buddhists follow the Ten Precepts, the three of Body, the Four of Speech, and the Three of Mind. That comes with Refuge. Further, there are the Bodhisattva vows ( sitting right next to me, read yesterday ).
Since I got drafted as a tantric Buddhist guru, I desperately needed a first class manual of Mahayana / Tantrayana ethics and practice to uphold and also require of my students. In 1990 I found a great one in the year of publication, by the Indian mahasiddha who helped found Buddhism in Tibet etc. Since I have to follow and teach three sets/ levels of Buddhist vows, I must know and understand them, and propagate them with a good reference text.
You can choose to think and do whatever. Go ahead and smoke a lot of cigarettes and drink a lot of alcohol and do drugs. Sakyamuni Buddha rejects drugs but it’s a free country. The point is, there are consequences for our thoughts and actions.
Looks to me that no one ever taught you any of the Law of Karma. Too bad.
No way would I ever give you the smallest piece of Buddhist teaching, nor anyone like you. Many claim they are “Buddhist” without Refuge and without understanding the Law of Karma in any respect. It’s pathetic.
in 1979 – 1980 I studied the Law of Karma in a booklet by V.V. Kalu Rinpoche and it really scared me. In 1990 I finally foud the key book I needed as my core Buddhist Teaching/ Practice manual. I have sine recommended it to thousands, including Sakya, Nyingma, Kagyu and interested outsiders.
Re: “why did the 5th Dalai Lama even compose the prayers for Dorje Shugden…?”
The original requests to Dorje Shugden were made by the Sakyas. Until fairly recently, Sakyas did some substantial Shugden practice, but now they’ve stopped that. The Fifth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Dalai Lamas strongly rejected the practice. The current Dalai Lama inherited this practice among many others from his gurus. Then he looked into the historical background and dropped it.
It makes no sense for Shugden followers to use a prayer from the Fifth Dalai Lama. But they like to talk about that and other suppose supports for their viewpoint. I know better.
The truth is that the Thirteenth Dalai Lama struggled greatly with the very conservative elements of both the Tibetan nobility and his own Gelugpa hierarchy. They opposed his perspective and projects. Thus, Tibet remained very backwards.
Before his passing, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama worried greatly for the future of Tibet. Turns out he was completely right. Too bad people failed to listen!
Guru Padmasambhava’s prophecies turned out to be astonishingly accurate AND IMPORTANT over a thousand years later.
So the current Dalai Lama is not the first to do substantial Padmasambhava practice, nor the first to reject Shugden. That goes all the way back to the Fifth Dalai Lama.
That was the origin of this inredibly draining Gelugpa-specific controversy. It’s nothing new, contrary to the claims of ignorant, rigid, grim dogmatists and fanatics.
I see this kind of ignorance all over. The political struggle within the Gelugpa communities is painful and pathetic.
But for the record, I have given the real background. So, buy some clues. I see that you have no background in Mahayana or the Dalai Lamas. You’re really quite typical.
I on the other hand am one of the few who have both the Fifth Dalai Lama’s major treasure empowerment of Eightfold Padmasambhava, AND the COMPLETE Kalacakra from the current Dalai Lama. So I am directly connected to both.
And I know what is the matter here.
If you really say that there is religious freedom, then why are you criticising what I believe in? With you saying what you have written, it truly shows that there is not religious freedom.
At the same time, if the 5th Dalai Lama really doesn’t approve of this practice why are there prayers, chapel, and also statue created by the 5th Dalai Lama for Dorje Shugden? If you say that the 5th Dalai Lama was being forced to do so, it does not make any sense at all. Reason being that the Dalai Lama is Avalokiteshvara, how can any human being that does not have an enlightened mind force an enlightened being to do something? If the Dalai Lama was being forced, definitely He would have shown resistance and show some miraculous powers to stop what is being done so now.
With that being said, if Dorje Shugden is really a malevolent spirit, why doesn’t H.H Dalai Lama bind or destroy Dorje Shugden? With that, it only shows that this ban is here for a bigger reason and that Dorje Shudgen is an enlightened being.
It’s amazing, sometimes when you make a spiritual choice, some people can criticize and segregate you for it. As if your choice must be approved by them. If they don’t approve they have some mandate to tell you that you are wrong and also can be rude for your choice of faith. If you don’t pray to what they pray to, then your ‘god’ is a demon or something. How archaic. LOL. I find that amazing. LOL again. How can you come to my space, face and life and tell me my religion is wrong? I didn’t hurt anyone with my faith and I don’t intend to. Whatever others of my same faith are or are not doing is not me. So don’t bundle me up into the same package. I am me and they are them. Besides, I am more than my religion. There are many aspects of who I am. So don’t just look at my spiritual choice and summarize me. You don’t know me. And you don’t have to know me. Also I owe nothing to you. I don’t need your approval for my spirituality. I would love to be your friend but let’s not let our spiritual choice ever get in the way. Be modern, be today and accept who I am as I don’t hurt anyone. 🙂 So look at all parts of who I am but the bottom line is my spirituality is my choice, do not ever presume to comment, disparage, judge or even think anything about it. I eat what I want. I dress as I like. Live where I want. Befriend who I wish. Write what I like on my social media space and pray to whatever I feel is working for me. Full stop! 🙂 Thanks for letting me live my life as your opinion of it is not needed, requested or solicited and I say this with deepest respects to you.. Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
In my opinion, it certainly is no easy task being in the position to have to make decisions in politics and religion at the same time. This is after all, Samsara where there is no perfection. Even on a daily basis, we need to make decisions that are not the most perfect by dharma standards, but the lesser of two evils.
The Buddhas do not make mistakes, but in the context of Samsara, their actions can look like mistakes and can even seem contradictory to dharma, but the ultimate result would definitely be for the greater good.
…Just glad i`m not a Lama or a guru…..intreasting though, I would not and could not comment on what people should or could practise. ARe there truely mistakes?? , ever..id prefer to caII them learnings….
I`m sure it wiII eventuaIIy get sorted out as everything is impermanent but I wonder what the `greater plan` in aII this is??? only time wiII teII……
Thankyou Tsem Rinpoche for speaking out about Dorje Shugden. From what you describe it is perfectly clear that severe discrimination against Dorje Shuden practitioners is taking place, which has affected millions of people all over the world and has divided the Tibetan community. The faith of millions of Buddhists has been weakened and the good name of Buddhism has been tarnished. As you say, this problem did not arise from Dorje Shugden practitioners themselves, but from those who have banned the practice, namely the Tibetan Government and the Dalai Lama himself. Since the Tibetan gvernment follow the Dalai Lama in all things, it is obvious that the source of the ban is the Dalai Lama himself. It is also very obvious that if the Dalai Lama were to say in public that while he himself chooses not to practice Dorje Shugden, anyone who wishes to has that right and must not be discriminated against, then the discrimination would stop over night. I can see no point in pretending that anyone other than the Dalai Lama is responsible for the ban and all the problems this has caused.
I do not know if the Dalai Lama is a Buddha or not, and I don know of any way I can find out other than by becoming a Buddha myself. I cannot see his mind so I cannot judge his real motivation for banning Dorje Shugden practice. If like you I had samaya with the Dalai Lama I would do the same as you and in my heart try to maintain pure view. However, on an outer level of physical and verbal actions, I feel all those who value the precious lineage transmitted by Pabonkha Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche must take a stand to defend this practice. Our enlightened Gurus clearly believed that we need to rely on Dorje Shugden, and that the successful practice of the lineage they transmitted depends on our reliance. Taking a stand to defend our right to rely on our Protector impplies taking a stand against the Dalai Lamaś actions.
The Dalai Lamas actions are very strange. He has created a division within the Buddhist community all over the world; in other words he has created a schism in the Sangha, one of the five heinous crimes. It is arguably the biggest schism in the entire history of Buddhism, certainly the only one to be felt directly all over the world. And it has come at a time when millions, perhaps billions of people in the modern world are becoming receptive to the message of Buddhas teachings, and it is weakening our ability to benefit these people. It is a very serious issue. Can you give me another example of someone in the history of Buddhism who has seemingly created a schism in the Sangha and yet remains revered publically as a great Buddhist Master? I can see no way to justify the Dalai Lamas actions from a conventional point of view, and since this is the level of reality most of us are working withiin, we need to take a stand against his actions. Perhaps the Dalai Lama is a Buddha and has enlightened reasons for his behaviour. Perhaps one of the things he is teaching us is that we should place our greatest reliance on our own Spiritual Guide who is leading us on the path to enlightenment rather than on a more famous public figure with whom we do not have a personal connection. I wonder what Milarepa would have done if the Abbot of Nalanda monastery had told him to give up the Protector that Marpa had given?
i m lay tibetan who practices all four sects.do u practice all these sects,particularly Nyigma sect? if not why? these four sects belongs to buddhism taught by buddha.is not it? i heard that if u r follower of this spirit,u r not allowed to follow nyigma sect. is it true? doesnt here arise the questions of religious freedom? this spirit bans u from following another sects which is a part of buddhism.who is banning here? we can benefit from all these four sects if we follow.worshipping spirit is nt religion. u r nt following the path shown by buddha. u r following ur own wishes n desire n leading people on the wrong path. worship buddha instead of this spirit.those followers of buddhism please concentrate more on text instead of worshipping.u all r educated with modern education.
i would be happy if my comment wud be published here instead of deleting.
thnk u…
I never thought of having a religion or needed a guru in my life until I met my Guru. I know nothing and have no interest about Buddhism before I met my Guru. My Guru gives me Dharma with knowledge and logic. My Guru opened up my heart for Dharma. From there I took refuge from my Guru. I have been following my Guru’s teachings and advices then on. For all these years my Guru has been guided me through my spiritual path. For a nobody like me and someone so highly attained like my Guru, I am really blessed. My Guru gave me his protector practice Dorje Shugden many years ago and I just never stop practicing and praying to Dorje Shugden then on. Dorje Shugden is a Buddha because He’s not just benefited me but he blesses my family and friends. Without my Guru and my protector, I cannot be doing what I am doing today. I am truly proud of myself that I stick to my Guru and Dorje Shugden through all these years. Whatever comments that HHDL (I respect HHDL very much) and others that putting down Dorje Shugden, it never shake my heart even once.
When I learned that how HHDL banned the practice and how this ban discriminated people without logic, I cannot accept. It is simply uncivilized and very hurtful. But I respect HHDL decision. My guru always told me that DDLM is a living Buddha. What he is doing now we may not understand right now but we have to trust and be patient with HHDL as the real reason is still not yet to be revealed. It must be for a bigger picture. But it doesn’t mean I have to stop practicing Dorje Shugden. I cannot abandon my Guru who has been the most compassionate person in my life. Why do I need to stop Dorje Shugden practice that has been benefited me through out my difficult time, at the same time He helped a lot of people around me? Many of my friends are chanting His mantra everyday. How can you claim yourself a Buddhist if you abandon your own guru who gave you Dharma and the protector who has been guarding you along the spiritual path? Isn’t that ungrateful? How can a Buddhist being ungrateful? Something so simple like being GRATEFUL I cannot do then what other Dharma and practice I can do?
The words of my kind & precious Tsawa Lama Chodag Tulku Rinpoche: “It does not matter what anyone thinks of you or your practice, regardless of who it is”. {Said in direct reference to HHDL & the Shugden ban}
Dear everyone, His Holiness Dalai Lama says to kick out monks from the monasteries who do not listen. I was so surprised at this short speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS6hq5HJNik
It is naturally, everybody think that his or her own faith, religion, view, etc. is better than others. But, strictly speaking, even things like devotion and compassion, which we praise so much, are defects. This is why Dharmakirti said, “Path is the ultimate delusion”.
When you are roaming around in this world, other people may find out that you are associated with certain Buddhist groups, and they will ask you, what do Buddhists believe in? You’ll not talk about Shugden or other deity (I hope…).
Buddhists believe four things.
As long as you accept these four, even if you do not refer to yourself as a Buddhist, you are nevertheless a follower of Gautama Buddha. These four views, which are known as the four great seals or the four mudras, are:
– All compounded things are impermanent
– All emotions are pain
– All phenomena do not have inherently existent self
– Enlightenment is beyond extremes
In general, we have many different kinds of problems such as pain, depression and suffering of many kinds. All these problems are caused by one single thing, which is looking at something that is not true and then thinking that it is true. That is the fundamental problem. This phrase is so important, ‘to hold as true what is not true’. Many so-called Dharma practitioners like us know the fact that we will never know
which will come first, tomorrow or the next life. But still we go on making plans like ‘I will do a three-year retreat starting in a month’.
In the midst of this philosophical analysis and debate, we may forget the fact that we look at something that is not true, we think it is true, and then we grasp onto it.
Excellent point of view!!!
Thank you.
A wonderful sharing. 🙂
If the grasping-self is not true, the one that perceives is not true, what else is there? According to Lama Tsongkhapa, for there to be consciousness, its only function is to be conscious of something, an object or else consciousness does not even arise. Would the debates and discussion on Dorje Shugden, its practice lead us to a much deeper realization beyond this political chaos? That is directs us to mind training / lojong?
I can only speak of this on an intellectual level for my self-cherishing mind is still at play. But since you brought up this issue, I thought it will be nice to have a few words about it.
If we can turn our heart, everything become Buddha… Because of my ignorance thus I failed to see my true nature…
Dear Rinpoche,
This is a very stimulated article, which let me think deeply on the issues of Dorje Shugden. The ban became famous as H.H Dalai Lama becoming more famous to the world and known to be “pope” to Buddhist world. Seem like whatever H.H said have override the decision on other High Lamas. And people who do not really know about Tibet Buddhism, or Vajrayana will just follow what the Dalai Lama said.
The 5th Dalai Lama has compose praise to Dorje Shugden, In 11th Dalai Lama, Dorje Shugden were enthrone by the Emperor of China. The 14th Dalai Lama himself composed prayer of Dorje Shugden. If we to believe H.H is an enlightened being that can’t make mistake, then why did he activated the ban and yet manifest so much contradiction to his decision. E.g: Allowed H.H Trijang Rinpoche to practice, up to the extend recently told the public there is no ban? In Tibetan Buddhism, we believe through debate and talk we make the dharma more clear, and so why is that no conversation within Dalai Lama and the follower of Dorje Shugden? If we said Dalai Lama is an emanation of Bodhisattva, how can he not recognize the nature of Dorje Shugden since his previous life ?
Compare to Bon Religion that the Dalai Lama have recognize, Dorje Shugden line of manifest is on very clear lineage. An emanation of highly attained monk. Thus, how could an attained being be a spirit?
I strongly believe, Dorje Shugden is a Buddha and Dalai Lama has His way to spread this teaching.
Thank you Rinpoche for this questions and answers
With love
Freon
Many thanks for your thoughtful comments. I have never been initiated into Dorje Shugden, so for
me Dorje Shugden is not a problem. Also, I have listened to His Holiness the Dalai Lama explain
Dorje Shugden, and I find I agree with the Dalai Lama. Therefore in the future I won’t practice
Dorje Shugden either. The Buddha is your own mind. Thanks for your kind thoughts and
explanations.
Thank You Rinpoche for laying out 3 scenario of debate for us to evaluate and understand the situation more deeper. All three has valid points depending to individual acceptance, but like what Rinpoche mention, the middle way is the appropriate path for each and everyone of us to take.
Since every Tulku and High Lama who has gain attainment, is equal is their wisdom, analysis, and sharpness, they can make a correct judgement better than us lay person who still struggles with making simple decision.
Mistakes is man made, but coming from a High Lama with attainments, perhaps we should have a more open mind and see beyond the the facets of the mistakes. We should at least see that due to the Lama compassion, they manifest mistakes or conflict for a higher purpose, but it is up to us to as Dharma Practitioner to be more diligent in our practice and have strong Guru Devotion by practicing well what is given by our Guru, and not see the fault or wrong of another.
Hi,
While not a direct follower of you, I deeply appreciate your points you have been raising in regards to the issue. Gradually learning about it, it has become clear for me that its quite bizarre we would deem those who are following their Guru’s advice as wrong, while we would follow a primarily secular leader, who is doing something quite different from his Gurus (who are the same as the other practitioners), as correct.
I think it was incredibly wise for you to keep the practice private. People have learned to respect you and see people who practice Dorje Shugden are not some evil characters, malicious, or untrustworthy. If you had been completely public, the beauty of the Ganden tradition would have been prevented from being spread. You would have been berated or demeaned like other beautiful Shugden lamas. Instead, people learned to respect you and see that this pure lineage is powerful and valuable. Now they can see that Shugden practice is part of it also and the tradition they love so much is held together by that practice. Thank you for your wisdom.
Dear Rinpoche,
_/|\_ Your posts have been always the light in the darkness for me and for all those who seek the sight to look deeper. With reasoning and logic Rinpoche brought out the issue so constructively lah. It is really helpful for those like me dumped in the confusions. Thank you so much Rinpoche. May this confusion be cleared soon and many people gain the freedom to practice what they want to.
Wish Rinpoche Long Live and Steady health. May His Holiness Dalai Lama Live long and all enlightened beings be so compassionate to come again and again to free all beings from this samsara. _/\_
Dear H.E. Tsem Rinpoche,
Thank you for posting this. 🙂
From this post, I have learnt that the Dalai Lama can make mistakes, for he is human and not perfect. However, for him to have mistakes in his teachings are highly unlikely as he is very attained and this means that his teachers having mistakes in their teachings are also highly unlikely as they are just as attained as him.
Therefore, the Dorje Shugden practices cannot be a mistake for the Dalai Lamas’ teachers, as well as many other highly attained teachers, are Dorje Shugden Practitioners. So if the Dorje Shugden practices are wrong, that would make the Dalai Lamas’ teachers teachings wrong. And if the Dalai Lamas’ teachers are wrong, then the Dalai Lama have been taught the wrong teachings and that would make all the teachings he has taught us wrong. That would be unthinkable and illogical as all the Dalai Lamas teachings are very logical and beneficial towards us and all sentient beings. So this ban doesn’t really add up.
From this post, I agree that perhaps the Dalai Lama started this ban for a bigger picture that we still, as of right now, do not see. However, that doesn’t excuse the thousands of suffering this ban had ensued. So I hope this ban will be lifted by the Dalai Lama soon.
Thank You.
Your humble student,
Keng Hwa.
Perhaps in this degenerated times, and due to adapting circumstances to social and political reasons, H.H.the Dalai Lama is having to make things the way they are. I do follow my Guru’s instruction, and he follows his guru, and my faith on him is like a diamond, pure and unbreakable, though I am not, I am faulty. Then his guru and the Dalai Lama’s guru are the same. And I know he is not faulty, he is the King of Dharma. May all be auspicious ! We are victorious now and forever !
Thank you Rinpoche for these thought provoking scenarios Q&A . It encourages logic analysis into this seemingly complex issue that divides people . For me once I’ve decided to follow a particular Guru , I will follow his teachings & practices all the way
Religious practice is very personal and how we progress depends very much on our Guru and the deity we pray to.
All attained Lamas cannot make mistakes but in my lowly state of mind it is not easy to assess whether the teachings are right or wrong. What will work for me would be to be faithful to my Guru and to believe that He cannot make mistakes and follow his teachings.
With the Guru’s teachings and our practice the results will show as to whether it is right or wrong.
I am glad that I have one Guru, HE Tsem Rinpoche and to me He had not made any mistakes and cannot make mistakes.
Everything can change and nothing is permanent. By understanding this Buddhist philosophy.I think some deities or dharma protectors have gradually achieved some form of attainments. Whether is good to pray or not depends on the person.if that deities or god has been declared as dharma protectors. Its can be assume safe to pray. At the end of the day, its the Buddhas Law that decides. No one know what will happen in the future .
I am sorry that you have passed the “dark side”
Obviously, we have to solve this controversy once and for all !!!
Point 17 of Scenerio 2 is inconsistent with the other points of Scenerio 2. It is illogical to state that mistakes can be made by everyone except those in positions of authority. The reality is very clear that anyone can make mistakes if they are in a body. On what basis can we determine that another human is an unmistaken Buddha if said Buddha can manifest mistakes?! We cannot make such determination. We can have faith that our Teacher(s) are unmistaken Buddhas but we must recognize that they may also be manifesting mistakes for our benefit. The reality is that this issue, right or wrong, has focused our attention and our practice on Guru Devotion, either on our Guru who gives us DS practice or on HH the 14th Dalai Lama who prohibits DS practice.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you so much for your clarity of thoughts concerning the DS issue and how we should all think deeply on both sides. I also believe in the scenario 3 as the middle way for pro DS or DL supporters to proceed.
Thinking deeply regarding whether enlightened actions are right or wrong I would never suppose to put myself in the esteemed shoes of HHDL or other DS Lamas and make one right or the other wrong as this contravenes many of the tantric commitments, guru devotion, dharma values that I hold to the core of my being and practices.
I choose to believe that in the end the only real yardstick truth is that actions should benefit or at the very least not harm others (a tenant to be followed by everyone).
I have received teachings from his HHDL in the past and have a great respect for his dharma works as I do for the dharma works of HH Trijang Rinpoche and other DS Lamas.
I choose to believe that this is compassion and skillful means for dharma to grow, the mask of the deity or protector may change but the essence of the Buddha is the same?
I can recall teachings by his HHDL many years ago now where he gave an example of how supporters viewed him as a Buddha and his reply that in human form he is just like us and able to have the same afflictions of anger and so on. On the face of it that would be true to an extent of what is seen however the results of the karma or attachment to our attachments does not have the same hold on enlightened minds.
Enlightened minds are able to rise above insurmountable negative karma, ripening karma for the greater good of others, for dharma practice that achieves enlightenment in one lifetime.
We do not need to look far with exceptional practitioner examples from the past or present-day to recognise the result of true spiritual practice untainted by worldly concerns, politics or prejudice, is real spiritual practice.
HHDL in his teachings has given examples to students to practice like the old Kadampa Masters of the past, through study, contemplation and meditation on dharma practice.
How many examples from the past or present that we come across in our spiritual journey that touch our hearts and the core of our beings in their presence.
An enlightened mind or action is not black or white, right or wrong, an enlightened mind is not dualistic as this is an obstacle to gaining greater attainments to benefit more minds, people, or beings obscured by the veil of samsara / karma.
I have heard first hand accounts and had experience of the action of enlightened masters on both sides of the debate and thank Rinpoche from the depths of my heart for showing others how we can find a middle way that doesn’t harm others but most importantly ourselves and our spiritual practice.
With folded hands thank you again for verbalising a clear reasoning for resolving the DS issue. The world so needs your voice of reason, clarity of thoughts and compassion so the DS issue can be resolved soon. I have no doubt that this will happen in the near future.
Lastly my humble prayers for your long life and many thanks to the awesome team of kechara assistants making this blog a beacon of hope for spiritual practitioners who wish to focus on Dharma.
Thank you _/I\_
Lin
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for sharing the “Mind Taxing” debate scenarios.
I believe any “being” born in this world that depends on oxygen do make mistake. Whether they are very high, high or low, very low Lamas or no Lamas, very well-known, very powerful to anybody; tall, short, “prosperous” or thin, a huge whale, strong tiger or a tiny fly – all make mistake.
Well, most importantly mistake must be realized, meditate, understand and rectify by applying antidote. Sitting on a “minor” mistake for 39 years surely become an obvious BIG mistake by nature. Just by looking at the side effects multiplied by this “minor mistake” during that period that caused so much suffering, mentally and physically, manifested real sectarianism that torn apart monasteries, monks and communities, families in Tibet, India and around the world etc… This is “REAL R-E-A-L BIG” mistake manifested by a very highly attained Lama. Can Tibetan Lama make mistake, my answer is definitely a YES.
No matter whether it’s secular or spiritual, any mistake or controversy caused can be rectify, or at very least addressed with understanding and conclude with amicable solutions. Keeping mum and reluctant to address the issue definitely is not a teaching from 84,000 teaching by Buddha Shakyamuni.
I am an outsider to the monastic way of life, so I can only respectfully give an outsider’s view. In my opinion, I believe that any human incarnation can make mistakes due to the flaws in our abilities to perceive the world. That is, I think, the reason why I at least turn to enlightened beings such as Buddha, or Tara, or Manjusri, etc, because they are not in human form in the purest of senses. As Buddha said, we should weigh and consider even his words as a goldsmith weighs and considers his/her gold. In my experience I have found that it is best to ultimately reserve your own judgement and responsibility for your actions, even if it may mean enduring more suffering in the meantime. I can’t say that it is easy and I wish all the gurus and the Sangha to stay around forever. That being said, I don’t know where I may have ended up had I listened only to other people’s judgement. I honestly have yet to find someone who is truly Enlightened all of the time. But still, only Buddha beyond Buddha really is, I think, fully Enlightened anyway, so I at least will make do with anyone who can impart Dharma to people effectively. So, I think we’re all imperfect at least some of the time, and that that’s sign ok thing to be. Never let the perfect be the enemy of the good, as the old saying goes, and, learn to forgive everyone for their mistakes.
If the Dalai Lama is doing all this for Shugden practice. In which ways are his actions helping Shugden Practice and Buddhism in general?
Dear Rinpoche! Thank you so much for this elucidatory post!
I agree with you. But it’s easier for us who live in democratic countries to say “I decide this or that…” Shugden practitioners in India should also be able to decide what best suites them without the fear of retaliation and segregation. Indian authorities should make sure that the discrimination towards Shugden’s practitioners stops!!!
First, let me be clear that even though I have learned a lot I am still very ignorant about the diverse Asian cultures and also about Buddhism. I have heard of the Shugden problem but have not understood it. I was not trained in monastic debate but did specialize in philosophy as both an undergraduate and graduate student and have freely studied many sciences at university level and also theology – mostly theology in free time and through churches.
I think it is possible for every lama or realized being to make mistakes ‘on the relative level’. I understand that it is scary for people to trust themselves as leaders or to trust their leaders when mistakes become obvious. Still, I believe people can be trusted. I suspect but do not know that on the level of ‘ultimate truth’ from the place of the divine perspective, there are no mistakes as we understand in daily life.
The question of fallibility of clergy has also been long debated in Christianity. Sometimes it led to schism but other times not. Some believe the Pope is infallible, and parish priests (the closest thing to lamas that Christianity has). Personally I believe about them the same as what I wrote about the Buddhist clerics. That is my view and not a teaching received from holy scriptures.
The debate system impresses me and I am grateful to have been allowed to read the above.
Dear Mariam,
Nice comment, yes I too sometimes find it a little difficult to understand the belief system. However, with time, observation, learning etc… I slowly begin to understand more about Tibetan Buddhism, which is rich in culture and tradition on top of the perfect teachings of the Buddha transmitted to the Tibetans from various Indian panditas.
When we speak about the teacher being perfect, it does not refer to perfection as a whole. What is most important from being a teacher is, the teachings he or she transmits, it must be stainless, accurate and from a good source. So when we mention about a teacher being perfect, it is in reference to the teachings that they give. Because the teacher takes the human form, they too have human limitations, and in certain secular decisions, it would not be strange if these teacher make a mistake. HOWEVER, when it comes to transmitting the Buddhist teachings, if the teacher is qualified, it should be mistake free.
Why? Because in Buddhism, lineage is important. The teacher passes down the unmistaken lineage all the way from the Buddha’s teachings. So everything we learn from our qualified master, is not made up by the teacher, but it came from the historic Buddha himself.
Therefore, when one says that their Guru is wrong (in a spiritual context), and that the teacher is giving them the wrong teachings, the they are destroying the while lineage system, because the Guru teach us the words of the Buddha, not something that they cook up after a dream. So when we say our Guru is teaching us something wrong, then it is like saying, the Buddha’s teachings is wrong. So, if the Buddha is wrong, then why bother being Buddhist at all since enlightenment could be wrong as well… and if we say some teachings of the Buddha is wrong, that is not good either because how do we know which is right and which is not? Based on the LamRim, being selective with the Buddha’s advice is unbecoming of a spiritual student.
These are indeed very thought provoking questions, and varying answers. One needs to meditate on these carefully. Though I see and choose a forth scenario, meditation on the emptiness of this issue. After all we are in samsara, and obstacles will emerge to block our practice do to dependent origination. I take confidence in those two principles. So I see no alternative, just continue, practice and remain humble in this one short life. Political issues are man mad and subject to degeneration and change…This DS issue has only been a problem since the 1997 murders. The actions of two men who claim to be Buddhist, are not true Buddhists. Killing beings is rather un-buddhist. These two men were bad apples and extremists, and because of their association with a Shugden association and what people claim is backing by China the whole DS community was labled in very poor light. Prior to China’s invasion approximately 2/3 of Tibetan Buddhists practiced this deity. All I see is secular political issues coming to block practice. Keep going, and in the words of a great master:
While meditating on the body, do not hope or pray to be exempt from sickness. Without sickness, desires and passions can easily arise… While acting in society, do not hope or pray not to have any difficulties. Without difficulties, arrogance can easily arise… While meditating on the mind, do not hope or pray not to encounter hindrances. Without hindrances, present knowledge will not be challenged or broadened… While working, do not hope or pray not to encounter obstacles. Without obstacles, the vow to help others will not deepen… While interacting with others, do not hope or pray to gain personal profit. With the hope for personal gain, the spiritual nature of the encounter is diminished… While speaking with others, do not hope or pray not to be disagreed with. Without disagreement, self-righteousness can flourish…
The Buddha spoke of sickness and suffering as effecive medicines. Times of difficulties and accidents are also times of freedom and realization. Obstacles can be a form of liberation. The Buddha reminded us that the army of evil can be the guards of the Dharma. Difficulties are required for success. The person who mistreats one can be one’s good friend. One’s enemies are as an orchard or garden. The act of doing someone a favor can be as base as the casting away a pair of old shoes. The abandonment of material possessions can be wealth and being wrongly accused can be the source of strength to work for justice.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Two Treasures: Buddhist Teachings Awakening & True Happiness
Your Holiness,
As a follow-up I meant the controversy does not belong on the path to enlightenment.
Ben, it definitely doesn’t belong on the path to enlightenment and one can see that clearly when examining the situation logically from all angles. This post by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche does just that along the lines of traditional debate practiced in Gelugpa monasteries. I, for one, found that when consistently and honestly following through with my choices about whether lamas can make mistakes or not, I ended up either feeling very foolish when faced with a ridiculous conclusion, or… concluding that the ban on Shugden’s practice is quite quite wrong 🙂
Your Holiness,
Not sure of the point of this controversy, I am ignorant of such matters and would like to know the crux of this controversy. What I see and hear, each side has belligerent followers. Does not seem like it belongs on the path to enlightenment.
Yours,
Ben Moschkin
Dear Ben Moschkin,
I fully understand your confusion and would be happy to have one of my knowledgeable Buddhist Pastors call you and speak to you and answer your questions. If you would like, let me know here your email and we can arrange a timing. I am more than happy to help you on this. You have my deepest prayers.
Sincerely, Tsem Rinpoche