The Puja of Following an Enlightened Being’s Advice
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Niral)
Within Tibetan Buddhism there are many pujas, or prayers to the enlightened beings. These are known to alleviate various issues, obstacles or create conducive conditions for our life and work. For example when travelling one can engage in the recitation of Chok Chu Munsel or perhaps the puja to a Dharma Protector, such as Dorje Shugden. These two methods are known to clear obstacles and provide protection, especially important when travelling.
In short, pujas work in two ways, both dealing with karma. Karma is the ultimate cause for the circumstance, which we need to change, to arise. First by performing a puja we purify the negative karma causing that particular circumstance. For example the Kawang Prayer in Dorje Shugden’s puja is known to be an extremely effective method of purifying negative karma. As this negative karma is purified, either partially or completely, the circumstance changes for the better. Basically, the cause creating the circumstance is weakened or purified altogether. Take the instance of being ill. If we perform pujas we can purify the karma that causes the sickness, therefore we can recover faster or are healed completely.
The second way in which pujas deal with karma is to generate immense amounts of merit. Merit is so powerful that it basically overrides the potent effects of the negative karma causing the situation. Again taking the example of illness, if one’s life in danger then Animal Liberation can be used as a method to overcome this karma, allowing one the opportunity to live longer. This works through the generation of merit by releasing animals into their natural habitat, often saving them from the slaughterhouse or deplorable conditions, with the motive of planting the seeds of enlightenment in their minds through prayer and mantra.
Sometimes a series of pujas are required to effect the desired change in the situation. This is due to the severity of the underlying karmic cause. The more severe the karma is, the more purification of karma and generation of merit is necessary to create a more desirable circumstance. Pujas however only serve to solve the immediate circumstances that are effecting the practitioner. Karma is fluid, therefore circumstances change. For example one month your circumstances may be health related, so you engage in a puja to help clear the illness; and the next month the effects of another karma may arise leading to financial difficulties. You may be travelling this week, so in need of protection, but next week you might be at home. Buddha Shakyamuni did after all teach that Samsara is suffering. However Shakyamuni also taught us the way out of this suffering, which is the path and attainment of enlightenment.
So what does this have to do with advice from enlightened beings? Out of compassion the Buddhas manifest in many forms, one of these is obviously the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Yet again through compassion he can manifest his divine assistance when we really need it. This can come in the form of advice from the Lama, through an oracle or through dice divination performed by someone qualified. Following this advice to perform a task, which could also be termed an ‘instruction’, is basically akin to a Puja but more than a ritual or prayer. Therefore its effects to create a positive change through purification of negative karma and generation of merit is longer as opposed to a Puja which only benefits our circumstances in the short term. That is not to say that Pujas are not important, simply that the effects of following advice or instructions has a further reaching effect.
Since the function of following this enlightened advice is the same as engaging in a ritual Puja, we term the following of these instructions as a Puja itself. Engaging in this sort of Puja is beneficial in many ways, most specifically as there is more purification of negative karma and generation of merit over a longer period of time. Taking illness as an example again, some sicknesses are more serious than others, and even among these some are slow acting yet extremely dangerous to our health and life. If instructions are given by Dorje Shugden, for example to build a temple or provide support to the Sangha, one can rest assured that over time even these types of illnesses can be overcome.
In some instances, these instructions can come out of the blue. We may not have asked for these instructions but they are given to us. In these cases we may not realise what karma we have to face in this life, but through compassion and his enlightened quality of clairvoyance Dorje Shugden would have given us this particular instruction to protect us from facing the onslaught of karmic effects. When following this instruction over a period of time we are able to lessen these effects, so when the causes and conditions come together for the negative karmic effects to manifest, we do not suffer as intensely as we would have if not following these instructions. From another angle, as we are generating merit we actually create the necessary conditions for great things to be achieved. Whereas we may have the karma to achieve something “good” in this life, following instruction creates the merit to achieve something “great.” Taking the example of building a temple, we provide the necessary environment for people to find succour after our deaths. The Dharma is kept alive and practiced in temple environments, therefore we have created more than just a physical building but a repository of the teachings that leads people away from their suffering and allows the generation of true happiness. Through our efforts in creating this, we not only benefit in this life, but in our future lives, as long as this repository of Dharma exists.
I myself am testament to this type of Puja. Having received advice through dice divination, I have followed the instruction for over three years now and have seen immense benefit from the situation I was and still am facing. It is no longer as severe, and barely noticeable. This has given me the opportunity to practice the Dharma and, I hope, benefit people overcome their own suffering. Making a promise to an enlightened being is the same as receiving instructions. If you have made a promise, following through with it will provide tremendous benefit.
As an enlightened being Dorje Shugden can do us no harm. In fact due to his compassion he only wants the best for us. Therefore when we follow his instructions, we can rest assured that following through with our tasks will bring tremendous benefit no matter how difficult or even trivial it may seem. When we do this, we create a close relationship with Dorje Shugden. As our negative karma is purified and merit is generated, he is able to help us even more. However if we seek advice or instruction and do not follow through with it, our negative karma simply multiplies, making it less likely that Dorje Shugden would be able to help us due to the overwhelming force of our negative karma.
The key here is integrity coupled with an understanding of karma and a change in one’s outlook towards the future. Reliance on Dorje Shugden, a fully enlightened being, will surely bring greater benefits than what we currently comprehend.
For more interesting topics:
- Updated: Dorje Shugden Teaching Videos
- What are pujas about… do take a good read…
- Intimate advice for us
- Powerful Pujas
- The Farm of Your Mind
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Love the master, his teachings and his sangha doing dharma well.
Pujas are definitely powerful and can alleviate dangers and harm immediately to counter the problem and disturbances that is currently arising. It also means that we create demerits and negative karma for ourselves which will deter the enlightened being to help us when we are in need.
Puja is needed to clear our negative karma and collect merits as well.The instructions given by oracle when take trance is a guideline for us to achieve our goals.Thank you so much for the good article
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
Medicine Buddha puja encourages healing of all levels – physical, mental and emotional healing for those in need.
High resolution file of this thangka is available for download for all dharma practitioners around the world and for those who just want sacred images in their environment. Enjoy, be blessed and share this with others.
Here is the link to free download of this image and many other images: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html?nggpage=7
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Listening to the chanting of sacred words, melodies, mantras, sutras and prayers has a very powerful healing effect on our outer and inner environments. It clears the chakras, spiritual toxins, the paths where our ‘chi’ travels within our bodies for health as well as for clearing the mind. It is soothing and relaxing but at the same time invigorates us with positive energy. The sacred sounds invite positive beings to inhabit our environment, expels negative beings and brings the sound of growth to the land, animals, water and plants. Sacred chants bless all living beings on our land as well as inanimate objects. Do download and play while in traffic to relax, when you are about to sleep, during meditation, during stress or just anytime. Great to play for animals and children. Share with friends the blessing of a full Dorje Shugden puja performed at Kechara Forest Retreat by our puja department for the benefit of others. Tsem Rinpoche
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbzgskLKxT8&t=5821s
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL
and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to
enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural:
https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
How can a nun curse someone they do not even know and wish the person to die quickly and be born in hell? What kind of nun is this? Shocking! What more she’s cursing a Buddhist teacher and a monk?! Is this the face of Bhutanese Buddhist?
This is so shameful for her as a nun, her teacher, her monastery, her country and her King. A sangha should not behave in such a manner. A Sangha should carry enlightened Buddha’s teachings of compassion and wisdom to benefit all sentient beings.
A Sangha is not supposed to promote hatred and certainly should not be cursing or wishing another person to die. That wish itself is already breaking one of the vows.
A Sangha is one of the 3 Jewels, an object of refuge. They should not behave like an uncivilized person with so much hate. This is how bad the Tibetan Leadership has spread their lies and hate about Dorje Shugden and Shugden Buddhist practitioners.
Indeed a very powerful insight into, pujas and the help we get by relying on the advice of a spiritual guide. Pujas are definitely powerful and can alleviate dangers and harm immediately to counter the problem and disturbances that is currently arising. The advice of an enlightened being, benefits us short and long term and can help us to develop skills or be able to move pass certain obstructive karmas for our spiritual growth.
A true democracy allows everyone the freedom to exercise their human rights, including the freedom to practise any religion they want. In democratic countries, the government does not interfere with this right. Neither are democratic governments prejudiced against their citizens’ choice of religious belief. They do not force people to stop their religious practice or pass legislation criminalising people because of their religion.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan leadership who are based in Dharamsala are the exception. They are the only so-called ‘democratic’ leadership that puts a stranglehold on its people, persecuting them for their religious beliefs. They deny the rights of Dorje Shugden practitioners for simply practicing their religion as they have done for the past 400 years. Dorje Shugden practitioners are ostracised from their own community, denied medical care, education or even employment in government offices. The CTA definitely does not live up to the right to be called a democratic administration, especially when in it inflicts suppression of people’s freedom and disrespects basic human rights.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1523903366.mp4
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for this informative post. I personally has full trust on puja because it help me and my family a lot especially during a critical moment . We are very fortunate to have Rinpoche here that introduce us various puja that help us whenever we are in need.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
I really like this clear and concise explanation by P Niral on the “different types” of pujas.
Carrying out instructions and advice from the Enlightened Beings has a magnitude of benefits. It does not only counter our karma directly but serves to benefit others at the same time. For example, our Gurus who we see as an Enlightened Being will know the root problem that is causing a particular karma to manifest and prescribe methods to counter it. Whichever ways to counter it, one shall in one way or another experience difficulties in the mind and body. We have brought pain to others to experience our negative karma. There is no way around it. The difference is since we will experience pain whether we follow advice OR by living through our negative karma, why not make it beneficial at the same time?
This kind of puja is the best kind of puja one can engage in if given the opportunity.
For 20 years, the Tibetan leadership attacked the integrity of the Dorje Shugden practice in a prolonged attempt to discredit it. However recent comments such as that left by ‘Suzy in Hawaii’ on Rinpoche’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s) indicate that the public is now becoming aware of the truth about the Protector and the benefits of the practice.
Thank you Pastor Niral for sharing this article. Everyone who practices Dorje Shugden will have their own experience to share. My experience was the other day when it was raining so heavily right outside Kechara Soup Kitchen that it almost flooded our front door. My car and my colleague’s car were effected by the flood. As the rain was still pouring heavily, I quickly ran upstairs to my desk but first with the permission of my Christian colleague, I lighted incense and candle to Dorje Shugden. I chanted the mantra “Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha”. Besides that I also chanted Guru mantra. Not long after that the rain gradually slowed down and eventually stop. The water on the flooded road also began to subside. I was thinking to myself “Wow! This is amazing and quick”.
Thank you for this article, Pastor Niral.
The fact that people can receive advice/instructions/divinations/pujas show that there is an affinity that they are able to create the merits needed to overcome that particular ripening of karma that they are/will face. When we do not follow it to the T, or choose to do what we like and not do what we don’t like, then the effects and result that can arise from performing these instructions/pujas/advices/divination etc. is minimized.
Our teacher, the Buddhas, our yidams are all attained, and able to foresee the effects of our own karma that we are to face. Therefore, when an instructions are given, through whatever medium, it is in our best interest to complete and do it. It is especially more important to complete it if we were the ones who asked for the help in the first place. Spiritual help works in levels that we cannot comprehend or see, because sometimes its benefits can be many folds and for many various things. I have seen the results of people following advice of our teacher to the T and does who don’t, and you will see the wonders for those who do. Sometimes, it alters the fate of our lives too, and sometimes it opens a potential up in us more than we thought we knew.
So never take the instructions/advice/guidance of an enlightened being lightly, more so our own teachers because we cannot see what is coming our way, and sometimes, it may be too late to do anything, if we didn’t in the first place.
As long as we are in samsara, there will be sufferings and it’s constant, non stop. When we have the good karma or merits to meet or follow a Dharma or spiritual teacher, follow through teacher’s advise and keep up with it make complete sense, because when we seek for spiritual assistance, it means we need some form of help in life, therefore when advises given by a teacher, it’ll be effective when we follow through consistently, because our guru is same like an enlightened being,they have seen through our sufferings and gained realizations therefore the advises given is the antidote to our sufferings.
Similarly, when we are very sick but when we do not consume the medicine that was described by doctor or do it halfway, but still hope we will heal, it’s silly. If we do not trust the doctor, why visit him in the first place?
Following the advice of enlightened beings is important, else why do we want to ask for advice and not follow it? It defeats the purpose and has negative effects. By not following the advice also indicates that we do not trust the enlightened being. It also means that we create demerits and negative karma for ourselves which will deter the enlightened being to help us when we are in need.
On the other hand, when we trust the advice and make sure that the advice is followed, then we will be able to read the benefits. We will be able to generate merits and positive karma. When our negative karma ripens, then the merits that we have generated will be able to deflect or lessen the effects. The enlighten beings will be able so see further in the future than us.
谢谢Niral 讲法师的分享。
对于法会的功效， 如果大家曾经在克切拉祈愿堂赞助法会， 或是每个星期都有到克切拉佛教中心参加法会的都知道法会是非常有效可以解决我们生活或是灵修上的简易法门。
我曾经在购买房屋的时候遇到了一写律师失信问题， 后来也是经过在克切拉祈愿堂赞助法会而问题得到圆满解决。
Niral讲法师也有提到关于占卜的资料， 通过多杰雄登占卜通常都会有一些功课或是事情是有关者必须进行的。 而且所有功课都必须完成。 这里就有一位佛友的视频说到他们如何通过占卜， 然后完成所有功课， 让他们的问题得到非常显著的改善。
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5MqvjSP2xA
谢谢
Thank you Pastor Niral for your sharing a very clear explanation of following an Enlightened Being’s Advice when doing a puja .As an enlightened being Dorje Shugden can do us no harm.
Many of the pujas taught by Rinpoche is beautiful….. do benefits us in many ways Puja can help us to clear obstacles ,purify negative karma, protect us,and so forth. But it will benefits us if only we do it sincerely and following our Guru advice and instructions.
Good sharing.
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
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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
Thank you Pastor Niral for your sharing.
Below are the points that I have learned:
1. Puja can help us to clear obstacles and provide protection.
2. Puja can purify the negative karma causing a particular circumstance. For example if we are sick and engage in puja. It can help us to recover fast or recover completely. Puja will help make the circumstance be better.
3. By engaging puja it can help us to gain merits.
4. However, puja can only benefit us in short term. Ultimately we have to purify by transforming ourselves.
5. When we do the task instructed by Dorje Shugden, it will create a close relationship with him. When our negative karma is cleared and generate more merits, it is even easier for Dorje Shugden to help us.
When I first joined Kechara House, I did not fully understand the meaning of Pujas and how it could be helpful to us. However, I was fortunate to have the guidance of H E the 25th Tsem Rinpoche to have had pujas done in Monastery for certain members of my family. Each time the pujas were done, there seem to be solutions to the problems they faced or blessings were bestowed for their betterment.
Recently I had a series of Puja done by Kechara Puja team for my mother as she was extremely agitated and she is 98 years old living in Perth, Australia. Just last month I visited her and I was amazed to see how calm and at peace she was. It was a very nice feeling for me to see this and I am grateful for the Pujas done for her.
This is short and sweet advice on how pujas work to help us and also by following the advice of an enlightened is likened to a puja that can help us achieve our aims.
Thx Pastor Niral Patel.Puja is needed to clear our negative karma and collect merits as well.The instructions given by oracle when take trance is a guideline for us to achieve our goals.The most important that we must listen to our guru who always emphasized on mind transform when we are learning n sharing dharma.Doing dharma works will facing many difficulties.we need dharma protectors like Dorje Shugden to help us in the path to enlightenment .
Thank you Pastor Niral for sharing on such an important topic.
From my own experience, there are many people loves to do Puja whenever an emergency situation arises. It is true that Puja can help to alleviate the problem to a certain extend. However, when they are given advice from the Guru at the same time, they will choose to ignore it or heed it partially. Then, they will blame the Pujas for being not effective or the Guru is not helping them.
The advice from our Guru is very important even if we don’t see how it would help us at that time. As Pastor Niral had mentioned above, enlightened beings can foresee what we need in the future. The advice is actually more powerful than the Pujas because it has a long term effect and protection. Hence,by ignoring the advice, it means that we know best and we are better than our Gurus. Are we really better than our Gurus? I don’t think so.
Hence, the advice given by our Gurus or Buddhas IS a Puja itself. It is far more powerful to follow their instruction than just do a few pujas and chanting when the karma ripened.
Humbly,
Chris
Thank you Pastor Niral for your sharing on the ” Puja of following an Enlightened Being’s advice”. Thank you for bringing your own experience to bear on it.
Yes, out of great compassion, enlightened beings, like Dorje Shugden, will give advice or instructions. This can be done in the form of instructions from one’s Guru , through an oracle or dice divination. Seen as a puja, the power of following the advice from , for example, Dore Shugden, is so great that tremendous merits and purification from carrying out this advice and instructions will ensue, and the positive effects will be felt over a much longer period of time. This is borne out by my own personal experience with regard to advice from Dorje Shugden.
Sometimes the advice or instruction is given by Shugden spontaneously. This is because He can see the karma we will be experiencing, ahead of time. So the ‘puja ‘is given for us to purify or accumulate tremendous merits over a longer period of time, so as to ward off an exceptionally ‘heavy’ negative karma.
I agree with Pastor Niral that we ourselves must have integrity and we must trust and also follow all such advice given. We must understand the workings of karma, keep our samaya with our Guru clean and practice the dharma via the transformation of our minds. Thus when we have all this in place, we will experience the tremendous benefits of the puja of following the advice of Enlightened Beings.