Question asked by Nhat Khang
Hello Pastors!
I have a questions regarding some topic:
I had done practice of Lord Shugden for long time now but now, I'm facing with some obstacle relate to my partner visas from goverments authority to live with my husband in europe.
I did requests and prays to Lord Shugden more than 2 years now without respond and I had alot of stress, worry and arising doubt after 1,5 years.
I'm nearly to give up my practices and I nearly lose my ways, hopes and faith.
More worsth happen to me during my ignorant anger throgh visa authority did to us that I had swear to them that I will return as a yaksha and revenge everything that what they had did to us or let them feel our pain.
I'm completely upset and cry.
Now, when i become calmer and remember to what i had said.
I feel so regret and shame on myself.
I don't know what to do now.
Please, help me.
Thank u so much.
Dear Nhat Khang,
I’m very sorry to read that you have been going through all of this. I can understand that it is a very difficult time for you.
Usually when we pray, we have very specific things in mind that we want to happen, and actually we are very fixed in the way that we want it to happen. Chances are however, we will never actually get things the way we want, because our thinking is actually based on our attachments and also because we simply don’t have the karma or merits to get that thing in that very specific way. We don’t have the karma to get the results that we are looking for in that manner, or the conditions around us are not right for us to get it, even if we do actually have the karma. So, when we pray and things don’t go our way, we get disheartened or disappointed.
The Buddhas are the embodiment of compassion, so every time you invoke and pray to them, they are trying to help you for sure, 100%. However, it’s due to our karma and our frame of mind that we cannot receive their help.
There are some key aspects that we need to remember:
1. The Buddhas can definitely help us however if we just pray and nothing else, nothing will happen. We ourselves need to put some effort in to achieving a goal and the Buddhas will be able to help us achieve that goal quicker and easier. For example, if you want to do well in business, if you only pray but don’t actually actively work, you won’t get good business. But if you actively engage at improving your business in a productive and beneficial manner, no matter how small and pray at the same time, for example to Gyenze, then your business will do very well.
2. When we are facing issues we should not have a very specific way that we want the help. The Buddhas will definitely help with the issue, but most times it’s not the way in which we wish for, due to the previously mentioned reasons. So, simply be open to however they help, which is usually in unexpected but we have the karma for them to help us in that way. So, you can pray to the Buddhas to help overcome your issues, but don’t be too fixed on which ways you are expected that help to come. The Buddhas will help according to your karma and merits, and the causes and conditions around you to help solve those issues. They way to develop this openness is by learning about the Three Jewels, their qualities and deepening your refuge in you them. All of this is taught in detail within the Lamrim teachings.
Another way in which we make our prayers come true is by actually transforming ourselves to become better people. When we develop that type of positive energy, it’s easier for the enlightened beings to help us achieve our goals in life. So it’s not just about praying, but transforming ourselves.
In your case, in a moment of anger, you said such a thing about coming back as a Yaksha. Unfortunately, our words have power, even if said out of emotions. To remedy this situation, you should apologise to those people if you can contact them. Next you should try to purify the negative karma you created. Since you are already practising Dorje Shugden, you can recite the Kawang prayer more to help purify, but don’t just recite, you must engage in the visualisations too. In addition, you can recite more of the main verse to Dorje Shugden when you do serkym. Try doing at least 21 times or 108 times if you have the time and are able and request him strongly to help your situation.
When you invoke upon Dorje Shugden or any enlightened being, they are instantly there to help you. But there is one thing that blocks their way, and that is your karma. If you do things to change your karma, transform yourself from the inside, then it becomes easy for them to help us.
You feel shame and regret at the moment, that is okay. But don’t get swallowed up by that feeling. Use that shame and regret to motivate you to become a better person so you don’t act like that again. Engage in contemplations on anger, or breathing meditation to understand more about your emotions and get a hold of them so they don’t overcome you to the point where you will create more negative karma.
This book may help, it’s very useful in helping to understand our emotions and how they effect us, and progress on the spiritual path: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/insightful-meditation
I sincerely hope all of this will help you.