Question asked by Roy Martinez
Dear pastor(s), my friend is currently suffering from addiction to the "devil's drug" (meth). It's called the devil's drug because there is no escaping it without extreme help. It's becoming more rampant here in the states and it's become the drug of choice among many people. In my line of work, I've seen kids as young as 5 years old using. Some kid even offered my friend's son some meth in a school bathroom!
I know my friend won't escape it until he decides to seek treatment. My friend's family and I have even prayed for him but it's to no avail. I was wondering if there's a practice you can recommend for me so that he will kick this habit or at least hear our pleas? I am very grateful for any ounce of help you can provide. Thank you for your time.
Dear Roy Martinez,
Thank you for your question. I’m sorry to hear that your friend is suffering so much from addiction and shocked to read that meth use is on the rise in the States. As you have so rightly said, true change can only occur when your friend decides that he has to overcome this addiction. When he has done so, he can begin his journey of recovery, during which time your help as well as the help of his family will be needed.
In regards to practices that you can engage in, I would suggest the practice of a Dharma protector. Since the situation is bad and can become worse if he does not overcome his addiction, I would suggest the practice of Trakze, who is the wrathful form of Dorje Shugden. The practice can be found here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html.
Although Trakze practice is commonly used for protection against spirit harm and black magic, the practice actually deals with the heavy negative karma that underlies this. Heavy negative karma, or the imprints of it is most likely the cause for your friend’s addiction. Everything that happens to us, the circumstances we are put in and the choices we make are based on our karma and its imprints. Trakze’s practice is very beneficial to overcome the strongest of these negative karmas. The practice is very good at removing obstacles and if you make very strong dedications when engaging in the practice, you will be able to see an improvement in your friend’s situation.
To overcome this obstacle of your friend not listening to your pleas, you can also sponsor pujas which will be performed on his behalf at Kechara House, if you have the means. For example you can sponsor a Dorje Shugden Puja (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/dorje-shugden-wishfulfilling-puja-fund), Trakze Puja (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/trakze-puja-fund) or even a Gyabshi Puja (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/gyabshi-puja-fund). A lot of people have received a lot of benefit from these pujas.
If your friend decides he wants to overcome his addiction and if he is so inclined, once he has started his road to recovery, he can engage in the practices of Medicine Buddha (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/medicine-buddha-practice.html) or Shize (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/shize-a-practice-for-healing-and-long-life.html) to aid the healing process. I hope this helps.
Thank you.