Comments on: Dharma Demystified: Dorje Shugden As A Yidam

By: Chokyi Dorje

Chokyi Dorje — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 18:01:27 +0000

Overall, the point of the article was summed up by the author saying a Lama would need to compose the initiations and sadhanas. That is true. But we have never, other than speculation on this website, heard of a generation and completion stage of this Dharmapala. Though he is the nature of Vajrabhairava, Heruka, our Guru and so forth, he does not yet have Yidam practices, so it is inappropriate to attempt self-generation as Dorje Shugden.

By: Rossoneri

Rossoneri — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 06:43:17 +0000

I guess at this degeneration and age. There’re no right or wrong but it is logical that we need Dharma Proctector to clear off our path in order for us to be able to focus on Dharma Practice. Especially when in the modern society we have so many distraction from samsara which we have been accumulating negative karma which we don’t even realize it, of cause the Yidam practice is important but I think if we were to able to gain any progress in our practice, Dharma Protector practice is just as important.

By: samirlama

samirlama — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 09:21:59 +0000

buddha i love

By: Soloman Lang

Soloman Lang — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:12:10 +0000

Dear Twostepsdown,

Trijang Rinpoche also said this:

“If someonewere to think that it would be impossible for those great beings
who had already attained enlightenment to transform into the aspect of a worldly spirit, although it is certainly true that it would be impossible for them to take birth in that form through the force of karma and delusion, it is possible for them to emanate in that form through the power of compassion and prayer for a special purpose, and such emanations definitely do exist.”

I think If you understand the above, you wouldn’t even need to discuss whether DS is a Yidam or protector.

By: Christine Victor

Christine Victor — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 19:07:04 +0000

Yamāntaka is seen as a wrathful manifestation of Mañjuśrī, the bodhisattva of wisdom, Yamantaka is also a Yidam, and of the Highest Yoga Tantra class in Vajrayana. But in other contexts, his functions as a dharmapala, or ‘Dharma-protector.
To say that DS can’t be a yidam is like saying that Yamantaka can’t manifest as both a protector and Yidam.
As Buddhas, they emanate in whatever form is necessary for the time and practitioners. Thus, DS practice is of course just as holy and beneficial as Manjushri and Yamantaka’s practice but is considered more “effective” because DS has manifested especially to counter the obstacles of this time and in that way is karmically “closer” to us.

By: twostepsdown

twostepsdown — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 22:56:19 +0000

the function of Dorje Shugden is to be a protector not a yidam. That is Dorje Shugden’s role and function according to Trijang Rinpoche. Sure it is a label based on a function, and Dorje Shugden and Yamantaka are both Manjushri, but we can’t call an apple an orange just because it is a fruit.

By: Christine Victor

Christine Victor — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:59:07 +0000

This is a real good article.
It explain clearly on the different of Yidams and Protectors
Most important its explain the importance of daily Sadhana in order to engage into the practice of a Yidam

Dorje Shugden can definitely be a Yidam. He is more than just a protector. To me, he manifest as a protector to be close to us.
As per said in this article the different between Yidams and Protectors
“is not based on their enlightened nature but solely on their role and function in a person’s spiritual practice”
If we agree that Dorje Shugden is the emanation of Manjushri, why can’t He be Yidam? By nature, for an enlightened mind, there is just a lables.

By: twostepsdown

twostepsdown — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:40:02 +0000

“there are both Yidams and Protectors, and the Protectors are of both mundane and supra‐mundane aspects. Yidams are those such as the three: Dra Nag Yamantaka, Dong Yamanataka, and Vajra Bhairava Yamantaka. In the aspect of a supra‐mundane Protector, he is Dharmaraja Kalarupa and, in the aspect of a mundane protector, he is the great Dharmapala Mighty Dorje Shugden.”

- Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche in Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors

Looks like to me that Trijang Rinpoche says Manjushri in the form of a Yidam is Yamantaka and Dorje Shugden as a mundane protector, not as a yidam.

By: Jeff Ryan

Jeff Ryan — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 10:03:44 +0000

It’s common knowledge Dorje Shugden is an Uncommon Protector because he is Lama, Yidam and Protector. This is well documented in many commentaries.

By: Steve Lee

Steve Lee — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 06:33:23 +0000

Dear Twostepsdown,

I disagree with you. This article is not presumptuous because it tells you the facts about Yidams and Protectors and the differences between them. Then, it goes on to explore the possibility that Dorje Shugden could be a Yidam for his speed and efficacy. There is no distinction between one enlightened being and another and so this leads one to think of the possibility of Dorje Shugden arising as a Yidam and that depends on the composition of a sadhana and its commentary.

The possibility is there and I don’t think it is presumptuous to think of this possibility if it benefits people. This of course, can only be done by an attained lineage lama like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. If you do not agree with the facts presented in this article, please explain the points that you disagree and your reasoning. Otherwise, this article makes a lot of sense and hopefully some who reads this would make a request to a lineage lama to consider this.