The visualization on Dorje Shugden’s kawang also help me to not too attached to my body. Thus it lessen my feeling of pride and jealousy.

Dharma Protector practice accord tremendous benefits to the practitioners. At the heart of a Protector kangsol or puja, lies the recitation of the kawang (also known as kangshak), which means the ‘clearing of obstacles’. This is a special confessional prayer which is based on tantric visualizations, the recitation of which is to purify what may be significant accumulated negative karma threatening to obstruct one’s practice. Therefore, corresponding to the amount of obstacles that need to be removed, the actual visualization becomes particularly graphic.

However, one should dwell on its true and subtle meaning and not on its apparently aggressive language that appears vicious, until the meanings are revealed. It follows that if the negative karma that blocks one’s practice is forceful, then the puja to counter it has to be equally intense.

Even though quite violent and graphic, it’s imagery and power to purify our delusions and negativity is evident once the meaning is known. I’m guessing that this practice can also help to reduce attachment to physical bodies, especially of those that you are deliriously attracted to if visualised in this way. It is somewhat reminiscent of a meditation I received from my Guru, in which a visualisation is performed to cut attachment to your object of sensual desire by imagining all of their constituent parts, not only who their physical form appears to us.

This practice will surely bring about results as well as a transformation of the mind.

The Buddha is truly kind to give us so many avenues to purify our negative karma and reduce/remove obstacles for us to progress as smoothly as possible down this path towards liberation.

I have had the honor to recite the kawang and the words always intrigued me although I did not understand what I was reading. With faith in the Dharma, I always believed that the “violence” of the kawang had a purer meaning to it. This belief is transformed into information, knowledge and understanding after reading this article. My Guru taught me that knowledge is the precious antidote to ignorance and with understanding, we are able to sustain our Dharma practice as well as tackle our other poisons: hatred and desire.

Upon deeper reflection, I also see the offering of our negativities to Dorje Shugden is a conscious choice to separate myself from my negativities. Therefore, this practice is not only about offering up my faults to Lord Dorje Shugden for Him to purify my karma and remove my obstacles. Instead, I see the practice of kawang as my conscious effort to offer up my negativities while, at the same time, developing a clear motivation and action towards nurturing virtuous actions of body, speech and mind.