dorjeshugden.com
About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: LosangKhyentse on January 18, 2012, 07:28:51 PM
-
Dear respected forum friends,
I found this article to be powerful, open, easy to share with others and very well written. It's well worth your time to read. I do thank the writer who took indepth thoughts translated into words here.
TK
**************************************************************
LOVE SHUGDEN, LOVE ALL LAMAS, HEAL THE WORLD
I have been edging to write this for the longest time to share this view of what has been both draining my well-being as well as empowering my spiritual self to clear the frustration and negative emotions arising from this unfortunate spiritual suppression.
Loving Shugden
“At the early time, entering into the teaching of the Tathagata,
you rose in the form of Vinaya-holding Bhikshu,
thus you protect all the teachings of the Sravaka-Pitaka without exception, I prostrate to you.”
As we all know and agree that Dorje Shugden is by no fault an enlightened Being of the highest nature. Openly portraying himself as the sacred protector of Manjunatha Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings, he had vowed to arise as an UNCOMMON protector of the sublime Gaden lineage. This form which He has dutifully taken in order to serve his Spiritual Master with the interest to preserve the holy lineage which is unmistakenly clear and lucidly outlines the path to Supreme Enlightenment.
It is therefore with great responsibility that this noble monk, Je Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen in his lifetime chose to arise during his murder as this uncommon protector. The controversies surrounding this historical figure today has lead to many uncalled for mental anguish and material deprivation. The ban since its conceptualization and beginning has pushed Tibetan Buddhism especially the lineage of the Gaden tradition to the forefront. Both negative and positive feedback has been received by the media and people around the world which denotes the amount of care and hate people have for this deity.
The current result; people have heard about Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, Lamas, Rinpoches, Geshes, and of course Dorje Shugden. Without any doubt it has triggered in the recipient’s mind that such things exist. Those who are concerned showed signs of care which triggers the dormant compassion in them, allowing a seed of liberation in the form of Compassion and Love to sprout in barren grounds of today’s world of advanced technology. Those who show hate and malice towards the deity, lineage masters and that of the tradition collects a certain amount of negative karma but in nature connects with the Buddha nature within. A Buddha is a Buddha, any thought of hatred or malice would not harm Him, but only plant seeds of enlightenment for the future. Either way things will work out fine.
The ancient Kadampa masters always tells us to think with broad and expansiveness of the mind, look further into the future and we shall be able to do more to benefit others. Such is the nature of an enlightened Mind which we need to badly nurture. This thought coupled with compassion and skillful means brings us yonder to a world better known as Bliss. The wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden’s encompassing qualities of body, speech, mind, qualities and activities renders such an amazing chance for sentient beings who are sunk in the seas of Samsara to be able to obtain his sacred blessing in this way. He is therefore a Buddha WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION!
Je Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, HH Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, HH Zong Dorje Chang, HH Zemey Dorje Chang are lineage masters without fault in conduct and practice which we can see living proofs of what these masters have contributed towards the people of Tibet and humanity in itself. The spread of the untainted doctrine of Lama Tsongkhapa through these masters of which have benefitted thousands in India, China, Mongolia and Tibet during the prime time of their life has made so much impact in the minds of those who receive their teachings. Today, we see their lineage grow through hardworking living masters who have transformed from practice and perfected them before passing onto others whom in turn made a huge impact in their life. How is this possible? The enlightened mind works in reference to the happiness of other people and not on the self. Hence, the protector of these highly evolved beings is definitely a Buddha of great Compassion!
Within a short span of time and given the geographical and demographical set downs of Tibet, the practice of Dorje Shugden has definitely outshone many older teachings which had originated in Tibet. During times of hardship when the people and their religion was put down badly to the point of extermination, Dorje Shugden held these people within the folds of his robes and ensured them safety. Such is the display of his unfeigned powers of protection. A good example was Dorje Shugden’s powers in shielding the Dalai Lama on HH’s escape from Lhasa to India. Without doubt Dorje Shugden’s powers have ensured a nation in exile to have a spiritual leader today. Definitely to be able to protect the Dalai Lama from the Red Guard would not only mean skillful magical powers but the merit to put on hold negative karma from ripening on the people who will be without a refuge in the world. Dorje Shugden is the wrathful King of Dharma Protectors in which we can take refuge for whatever obstacles we may face for His might is infallible!
Uncommon in any tradition of Buddhism, Dorje Shugden arises to teach when the Dharma is degenerating. True to his predecessor’s personalities, Dorje Shugden is a master of both Sutras and Tantric teachings. On top of that, he is the sacred holder of the Vinaya which is the root of all Buddhist texts, views and attainments. From time to time through his emanations, trances and magical manifestations, Dorje Shugden has arisen and will arise to propagate the special view of Je Tsongkhapa. From here we can see that Dorje Shugden does not only support other Lamas and Rinpoche’s well being for them to spread the sacred Dharma, he takes it upon himself to do the job at times. This makes him a very special being and protector because he provides the SAME PROTECTION to both Dharma and sentient beings.
Recollecting the above few points which I have highlighted, it is safe for us to accept and love Dorje Shugden. A protector Buddha with characteristics such as I’ve mentioned above would not harm anyone regardless who they are. If they cannot harm beings such as Trijang Rinpoche, why would He want to harm HHDL and the cause of Tibet? If he is so malicious, it would be right for Trijang Rinpoche, the junior tutor of HHDL to warn us also. If Trijang Rinpoche is wrong, HHDL will have to be wrong also! And there goes the rest of the world of Buddhism.
Loving Dorje Shugden means to embrace the teachings of his spiritual master, Je Tsongkhapa. By practicing the paths of Lojong(Mind Transformation), Lamrim(Stages of the Path) and Mahamudra(the Great Seal) one delights the heart of Dorje Shugden and we will be blessed. A demon would not require this of us to make him happy. A demon would only want flesh and blood from jealousy and malice to destroy ourselves and the people around us. Love, for many of us is attachment, love for Dorje Shugden is Liberation.
Love all Lamas
We are fortunate to be able to be reborn in this era where technology has brought our living standards to a point whereby we do not need to endure hardships for our daily needs. Our material needs are pretty much taken care of. Education is affordable though may vary according to our family background but we will not be easily left uncared for. On top of that, we are more fortunate to have met our Spiritual Guide of a valid tradition stemming from Buddha Shakyamuni’s time. If we have such fortune, we should really appreciate and rejoice in the merits which we have amassed over time.
With technology also, we have access to highly evolved beings such as HHDL and Lamas of traditions of Lord Buddha. These traditions sprouted when Dharma was bare in the lands of barbarians and these masters and their patriachs went through hardships and sacrifice to establish the good news of the sacred Dharma in these lands. We need to understand the nature of Dharma which is very precious and not easy to phatom in the minds of the unsown. The amount of love, work, cajoling, beating, punishments etc in order to get the Dharma settled within our mindstream.
Whether their actions are wrathful or peaceful, their motivation is focused in bringing the Dharma, the nectar which is the medicine to heal our sufferings and negative emotions. This is done in order to uplift us and bring us to come to terms with ourselves in peace and happiness. And on a higher level, empower us to empower others with the holy words and practice of the Omniscient Lord Buddha. This is done in order to preserve the wondrous holy Dharma which we have received much benefit from. We need to keep it alive so that the generations that come after us may be able to benefit from it as well.
Different views and points highlighted during the process of teaching and disseminating the Dharma is often misread as means to oppose another party. The differences in teachings are not meant to be contradictory but to be complimentary by the Buddha himself. This is further elucidated by masters of the Middle view such as the great mendicant Nagarjuna, Lord of the Pervasive view. When you structurally put it focused onto smaller things and put people into view on a single subject, we would not be able to achieve harmony in terms of realizing the essence of what these views has been put onto us.
Similarly when we approach one Lama and we are taught one thing but the next Lama whom we meet teaches us something contradicting, we should examine ourselves and not the qualified Lamas. Traditionally, when we engage in practice with one Lama, we should stick to only His Eminence and not move to another without the permission of the first. This is clearly stated in the 50 verses of Guru Devotion. We should not be masters of ourselves and make decisions for our spiritual path without proper consultation and permission from our current gurus. From this, we create causes to be suitable vessels for the Dharma to be in us. Our minds will be at ease and not cluttered from the things we hear. Having dispelling unnecessary obstacles, we create a platform for attainments and realizations to grow within ourselves.
Hence, it is important to LOVE OUR LAMAS and in abiding with their wishes, we create a very harmonious platform for teachers of all traditions to teach their disciples in accordance with their dispositions. This is very essential of today’s world as this would have lessened the sufferings of members of the Sangha who have worked very hard in getting the sacred Dharma to us. By loving our Lamas, we LOVE ALL LAMAS from every tradition and lineage of Lord Buddha disregarding race, color and orientation. Making the Buddhist world a better place to study and gain realization from our practice.
Our minds are weak, hence we need the nectar of our Lama’s speech to empower us to be better people. With concentration and discerning analysis of our Lamas’ words, we are not easily confused and will have the faith to act in accord with our Lama’s wishes to get things done for the happiness of many. The confusion with the Dorje Shugden ban would be easily lifted if it we loved our Lamas without agenda for ourselves. This would have cleared much doubt and confusion with the people of Tibet suffering from the ban. For us watching from the front, we should look deeper into the problem and understand it thoroughly before we jump into any conclusion.
Creating this strong loving platform of awareness, we save many people from undesired state of confusion and unhappiness. I am writing this to create awareness for us to have clean Samayas with our Spiritual Guide for it is through them many attainments will arise in our mind stream. Loving our teacher means we listen to EVERYTHING THEY SAY and follow all the way.
Heal the world
Healing a world damaged and hurt by pollutions of the mind and physical pollution is by far the hardest and most mind boggling task to do in this era and time. Convenience is the great cause for this to happen. The peace which we envision for the world today might not be what we can achieve with our own two hands. But here’s what I think is possible:
1. Promoting the Gaden tradition:
Our tradition is rich with the fruits of all four schools of Buddhism in Tibet(Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Kadam) we shall promote Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition in accordance with the disposition of the people of today. People from all walks of life should bask in the sunshine of the Gaden tradition. In doing so, we promote spiritual harmony amongst other schools too!
2. Dorje Shugden – Protector of Universal Peace
Like the mother Matzu of China/Taiwan, this deity has been honored by the UNESCO as one of its world peace ambassadors. We can write and promote Dorje Shugden as means of UNIVERSAL PEACE for all.
3. Go Vegetarian
Peace is a result of non-violence, I urge everyone who reads this to dedicate one week of your vegetarian diet towards this cause. Make a prayer to Dorje Shugden and dedicate it to this cause. Earnest prayers coupled with action begets results.
4. Raise awareness of the sufferings of suppression
Monks who are practitioners of Dorje Shugden are suppressed for their religious beliefs, we need to raise awareness about this matter and release these monks from their confusion and mental turmoil.
5. Prayer of Universal Peace
I believe Dorje Shugden promises peace within ourselves and to the people around us whom we love. He is Manjushri, lord of ultimate wisdom who cuts asunder our negative emotions and provides us with the wisdom needed for a better world. Doing his prayer COLLECTIVELY would create the causes for this to happen.
Above are 5 points which I have in mind through this website which we can help achieve Universal Peace and in return create causes for the ban to be lifted. Do take a good read and give your feedback on what we can do to make this happen!
“As no-one desires the slightest suffering
Nor ever has enough of happiness,
There is no difference between myself and others,
So let me make others joyfully happy – bless me thus!”
Harry Nephew
source: http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=11709 (http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=11709)
-
Reading this article really inspires me to do that I can to raise the awareness of the rest of the world of all that is Dorje Shugden. Who He is, what He has done for us, what He stands for. We love Shugden. We love our Lamas and we have a collective responsibility to heal the world.
We can bring this very fortunate practice to the world by:
1) Doing the practice/prayers well.
2) Be a kind/compassionate person.
3) Be a vegetarian.
4) Have pure and strong Guru Devotion.
5) Promote Tsongkhapa's practice.
6) Promote Shugden practice well.
7) Promote the lifting of the ban by not disparaging others but by promoting the very the Shugden Lamas to the world. Raise awareness on the sufferings of the suppressed Shugden monks. Help these monks directly!
8) Love the Dalai Lama. Love all Lamas.
9) Practice the Dharma diligently.
Show the world. Love Shugden, Love All Lamas and Heal the World!
-
Thank you TK for re-posting this up.
It is really uplifting to have this website and forum as a platform + one stop kiosk for Dorje Shugden EVERYTHING. I just thought we really need to ground ourselves and come together from all walks of life with ONE COMMON GOAL
LOVE SHUGDEN (He is just so cool and alive)
LOVE ALL LAMAS (Without them, there won't be Buddhism today)
HEAL THE WORLD (With the above two blessing us, I'm sure we can do good in healing the pains of others)
Cheerios
HarryNephew
-
What a nice piece of well thought and well written article. Thank you TK for sharing it with us here.
I love the slogan : Love Shugden, Love all Lamas , Heal the World.
Isn't that just what we need to do??
With the hatred, discrimination and malice towards the Shugden practitioners, we as buddhists, irrespective of our origins, lineage and culture, if we can practice as per the slogan, the world will definitely be a better place! And isn't that what buddhists want for everyone???
Thank you again for such a wonderful and logical article.
-
Indeed this is a very good and in-depth article for us to think and digest.
If Dorje Shugden is a demon, yes, he would not want us to make him happy by doing some foolish action, etc. In fact, what I saw from Dorje Practitioner is, they are very well behaved, talk with good manners, and their care to others are magnificent.
For my opinion
To help release the ban, first of all, we must show others our transformation, because if we act as selfish person, talk very mean, tell lies, etc, how can we convince that Dorje Shugden is a Buddha and helped us? Transformation is one of the very strong bullet to fight with the ban.
Listening to what our lama told us and we must comply no matter what, reason is because our lama has more wisdom than us, they knows what’s best for us and other sentient beings, when we follow through the instruction, it benefits us and others in many ways. Different lama with different teaching is a method to reach out to more people and benefit them, it is not for us to go listen to their teaching and get ourselves confused, when we love our lama, we will only stick with him until the end, because when we hop around centres, it actually contribute in delaying the dharma to spread when we are confused and go talking to other people, it will just make others more confuse.
So, doing what we promised to our lama and doing it all the way is also the shows of Love Dorje Shugden, Loves the Lamas and heal the world.
Thank you for sharing such good article, much appreciate
-
This is pretty radical! It is really neat to read all of the messages and news articles that we have been reading in a year or more condensed into a single piece of writing. Thank you Harry Nephew. Your article puts everything we have been talking about and more. It gives all that have been spoken about with a touch of passion and the delivery of true concerns of a true practitioner and believer of Dorje Shugden.
I rather like the points that have been highlighted in blue and in particular that you mentioned Dorje Shugden's lineage and practice outshone other practices from Tibet. It is indeed of the few Protector practices that seemed to have grown from strength to strength over time. On top of that, it has the validation and propagation by some of the greatest lineage masters of our time.
Another point that I really liked was that people should examine themselves instead of examining the conflicting instructions and teachings of different Lamas. That is so true and relevant in the light of the Dorje Shugden ban that seemed to have confused many people and not find true loyalty in the own Lamas that have taught them the Dharma and passed down their heart practice, Dorje Shugden versus the Lama who is distant and with a reputed name. The ban has revealed our true loyalties and true state of our practice.
-
This article is truly well written and has salient points of the Lam Rim teaching. I LOVE this:
"LOVE SHUGDEN, LOVE ALL LAMAS, HEAL THE WORLD"
I wish we could make T-shirts with this slogan for everyone to wear to promote world peace.
-
Amazing writing Harry Nephew... in depth, clear and engaging. I love the picture and slogan. Perhaps the website could kindly use your design and make car stickers!
Any doubts on Dorje Shugden should be eliminated here. This article makes it clear why and how... I am sure the "others" from the other side would twitch reading this ::) And I am sure they read this website DAILY! Where else would they get news??
Love Dorje Shugden because he will protect us and guide us to higher tantric initiations. Love Our Lama as he is the teacher for us to follow so to find our path with Dorje Shugden. It is simple.
-
I rather like the points that have been highlighted in blue and in particular that you mentioned Dorje Shugden's lineage and practice outshone other practices from Tibet. It is indeed of the few Protector practices that seemed to have grown from strength to strength over time. On top of that, it has the validation and propagation by some of the greatest lineage masters of our time.
Another point that I really liked was that people should examine themselves instead of examining the conflicting instructions and teachings of different Lamas. That is so true and relevant in the light of the Dorje Shugden ban that seemed to have confused many people and not find true loyalty in the own Lamas that have taught them the Dharma and passed down their heart practice, Dorje Shugden versus the Lama who is distant and with a reputed name. The ban has revealed our true loyalties and true state of our practice.
Thank you Big Uncle for pointing this out. We need to really bring this news out to the world. Please do help disseminate this news out. My point of view, think pervasively and not stuck to whatever we see in front of us.
I cannot agree more with you on this practice which is much more pervasive and out reaching than other practices in Tibet. I have always had this feeling inside my bones that the high Lamas of Tibet have left us a great treasure for us to use this light to shine and warm this cold world of delusion!
@Diamond Girl
Definitely this is THE best platform for doubts to be eliminated! We have a very supportive team here to help EVERYONE! And I must compliment everyone's effort in making this possible.
Oh let's do stickers, t-shirts and all and wear them all over the world!
Let everyone know!
Harry
-
Hey Harrynephew,
I hope you come out with more articles, thoughts and write ups. You write well, even, unbiased and very compassionate. Dorje Shugden practitioners must be compassionate even to people we feel are hurting us through the ban.
I spoke to one old monk and he said the ban does not affect him at all because he focusses on when he will die and just does his practice. He does not join the anit shugden or pro shugden groups as he says both ways will not affect him at death. He hopes to gain attainments from the practice Trijang Rinpoche handed to him and along with that he propitiates Shugden as his protector daily and that is it. Dalai Lama does not concern him in the least bit.
So Harrynephew, I did very much enjoy reading your article. Hope to have more.
-
Very excellent writing. We included this under articles on this website so many in the future may benefit from the reading. Thank you Harrynephew. :)
Mana
-
Hi harrynephew,
Now that you've summarized in these 3 simple slogans, it's so easy to pass the universal message of DS to non DS practitioners.
I have no doubt that if one practices the dharma sincerely, following the slogans will not be difficult because no one is required to take any fixed stand !
Thank you.
-
Thank you Harrynephew for this clear well thought article. I love the slogan and picture. Yes we should have T-shirts and car stickers of these.
As we LOVE DORJE SHUGDEN – let’s do more to create awareness to the rest of the world
Let's LOVE ALL LAMAS – as they are the Living Buddhas who will guide us to Enlightenment
And let's HEAL THE WORLD – through the guidance, blessings and protection of all lamas and Dorje Shugden we can heal the world.
-
I think the world stopped as I was reading this article.
Thank you HN for writing it, thank you TK for re-posting it.
What else can we do is asking HN, well, for once we can distribute this article more widely, many will benefit.
Thank you again.
Hope Rainbow
-
Am I glad I read ! Thank you Harry nephew.
My affinity for DS comes naturally becos he provides /embodies all the spiritual qualities, methods and paths I have come to trust and rely on .
I love lamrim, lojong and mahamudra for their clear and easy instructions.
I love gaden for its lineage and tradition.
I love the incomparable Manjunatha Lama JetsunTsongkapa for his deeds
I love universal peace where its needed most in this 21st Century
I love the quick healing actions of DS to arrange good conditions and remove obstacles for all who believe in goodness.
I love my Guru and lineage lamas who worked so selflessly for our benefit
DS is indeed our guru, yidam and protector all in one.
May we all work together to pave the way for DS to emerge publicly to benefit the whole world.
Contribute to this forum regularly, distribute brochures, educate, talk to the recipients, reveal the many websites to have more info to counter doubts and increase faith, sponsor pendants and other promo materials, follow our guru's instructions, transform our bad attitudes.By creating above causes, we cannot fail to quicken the upliftment of the ban .
-
LOVE SHUGDEN! LOVE ALL LAMAS! HEAL THE WORLD!!
Love Shugden: to practice and learn all the information and facts about this Uncommon Protector so that we can propagate DS worship to benefit sentient beings.
Love all Lamas: Ensure that we do our best to preserve the monastic order and preserve the Dharma ie Je Tsongkapa's doctrine. Have respect and care to all Lamas. Never degrade any monastic order even if we differ in our views.
Heal the World: let Dorje Shugden worship grow exponentially and the world will be healed of all the ills and delusions that grip it.
This such an awesome article to realise what Love Shugden, Love all Lamas and Heal the world means to me in particular.