Question asked by Lee
Hello Pastors!
I have questions regarding Kalarupa practices:
How's Lord Kalarupa's assistance compare to Lord Dorje Shugden?
If someone only know to do short Kalarupa prayers, chanting his mantra and offer his serkyem daily. Is it benifits same with ones practice long puja of Kalarupa? or is it quite different benifits between do long puja to Kalarupa and do short prayer to Kalarupa?
How's lord Kalarupa help and guide us in our daily life?
I heard that Kalarupa is protector for Yamantaka practice but if we haven't receive Yamantaka empowerment and we are only have Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa.
Does He still a proector for those who practice Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga?
Thank u so much
Dear Lee,
Lord Kalarupa’s assistance compares exactly the same as Dorje Shugden. The only difference would be how they emanated their form, for what reason, what they protect specifically, etc. You can read about Kalarupa and other Dharma Protectors here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dharma-protectors-of-tibetan-buddhism.html
The main difference between the two in terms of practice however is that Dorje Shugden is said to be quicker in terms of us experiencing his help, due to the way that he manifested and the stronger karmic link with us. That being said, Kalarupa is a Protector that is heavily relied upon with the Gelug tradition. In fact, we are advised to do a Kalarupa puja before any type of retreat, including a Dorje Shugden retreat, in order to clear obstacles for our retreat to be successful. In the case of Dorje Shugden’s retreat, this is to create a stronger connection with him so we can benefit even more from his practice.
There is a difference between a puja and daily practice. Pujas are used to quickly clear the effects of a karma that has manifested or is manifesting. For example, you can engage in a Kalarupa puja to help clear obstacles such as difficulties, accidents, spirit problems, problems stopping us from engaging in Dharma practice, etc when those problems have already arisen and we are facing them. The daily practice of a Dharma Protector is slightly different, in that it stops those difficulties from arising in the first place. There are other differences as well, but that is the gist of the difference between the two.
Kalarupa helps us in the same manner that any Dharma Protector helps us. You can read more in the article that I sent above. Yes, Kalarupa is the special Protector of the Yamantaka practices but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t protect you if you don’t practise Yamantaka. If you pray to him, he will always help you, even if you don’t practise Yamantaka. He is an emanation of Manjushri, just like Dorje Shugden in fact. So even if you practise Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga and pray to Kalarupa, he will still help you. I hope this helps.