Question asked by Eric
Hello Pastor Niral
Some more questions on Oracles and their training.
I have seen Tsem Tulku's you tube video on "Taking Trances"
In it he goes into great detail of all the retreats that must be perfomed successfully prior to being "Officially Recognized" as an "Oracle".
Would a person have to do an additional retreat if he took trance of only one of Dorje Shugdend's attendants.
I will use you as the example of a person whom a "Dharmapala" has take spontaneous trance of.
Say one of Dorje Shugden's attendants i.e. Namkar Barzin or lets say Methar took trance of you.
Rinpoche could then have you take all the retreats for becoming a "Recognized" Oracle.
These "Retreats" would include Je Rinpoche, Yamataka or Hiagriva and Dorje Shugden.
Would Rinpoche add on say a "Methar" or a "Namkar Barzin" retreat for you to complete so as to have a strong karmic connection with that Dharmapala.?
Also speaking of Methar has there been a daily practice written for those who wish to follow him as their "Dharmapala"?
Hello Eric,
Good questions. Usually when an oracle takes trance of the attendants of Dorje Shugden, they usually end up taking trance of the main forms of Dorje Shugden due to the training process an oracle. As you may be aware, Dorje Shugden oracles can also take trance of other deities associated with him, such as Kache Marpo, Yumar Gyalchen, Setrap, Namkha Barzin, etc.
In some cases, there are oracles that do not take trances of Dorje Shugden, but solely of one of these other protectors. In that case, when engaging in retreats, they would start with Je Rinpoche, Yamantaka or Hayagriva. Instead of focusing on Dorje Shugden, they would focus on the practice of the deity that they are to take trance of or have taken trance of (to further purify their body and strengthen the trance process).
In the case of oracles that primarily take trance of Dorje Shugden but also take trance of other protectors, yes their gurus can ask them to engage in the retreats of those protectors to create a stronger connection with them.
As far as I am aware, there is no daily practice written for Methar. I have not come across mention of it before. I hope this helps!