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About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mana on June 15, 2011, 05:15:11 PM
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The Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery has left for France. He is offering long life puja and requests to His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche.
The abbot will officially request both lamas to please live long and continue their Dharma works. He will offer pujas to them in France directly in their presence. The pujas are called 'tenshug'. It is the tradition to offer tenshug to highly accomplished lamas as it is believed they have the tantric power to extend their lives if requested and merits are generated. The requests and pujas are to generate the merits and conditions for these great teachers to extend their lives. They are both healthy and fine as far as we have heard we are glad to update everyone.
Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur both reside in France.
The Abbot of Shar Gaden (Ven Geshe Lobsang Pende) is very devoted and kind to do this. On behalf of Dorje Shugden's tradition, both Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur are very important. For our tradition the Abbot will make requests. They are both senior and extremely learned lamas. Masters of sutra and tantra.
We wish the Venerable Abbot a good trip and we also wish these two great lamas will live very long.
Mana
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Thank you Mana for the news. The holders of our lineage are precious indeed, and I rejoice that the Shar Gaden Abbot will be going to request them to live long. Thank you also for your description of the Tenshug. I have heard of this in the past, but have not witnessed one myself. As they have to power to extend their lives, that would mean that they are accomplished and have control over their death and rebirth. And these two great masters are strong practitioners of Dorje Shugden as well, I have read. I do hope that Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche accept the request of the Abbot and extend their lives. We Dorje Shugden practitioners need them to continue turning the wheel of Dharma and upholding his tradition.
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The holy abbot of Shar Gaden, Venerable Geshe Lobsang Pende, actually left about a month ago for Italy with his great friend, colleague, and assisstant Venerable Geshe Wangyal. Khen Rinpoche stays in Italy for a few months a year giving teachings and visiting other lineage masters like Gangchen Rinpoche. He and many others who were in Italy have now made their way to France to participate in these long life pujas. Some senior monks from Shar Gaden are also in france right now to assist with the pujas.
We hope some of our friends who will be there will be able to post pictures!
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The Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery has left for France. He is offering long life puja and requests to His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche.
The abbot will officially request both lamas to please live long and continue their Dharma works. He will offer pujas to them in France directly in their presence. The pujas are called 'tenshug'. It is the tradition to offer tenshug to highly accomplished lamas as it is believed they have the tantric power to extend their lives if requested and merits are generated. The requests and pujas are to generate the merits and conditions for these great teachers to extend their lives. They are both healthy and fine as far as we have heard we are glad to update everyone.
Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur both reside in France.
The Abbot of Shar Gaden (Ven Geshe Lobsang Pende) is very devoted and kind to do this. On behalf of Dorje Shugden's tradition, both Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur are very important. For our tradition the Abbot will make requests. They are both senior and extremely learned lamas. Masters of sutra and tantra.
We wish the Venerable Abbot a good trip and we also wish these two great lamas will live very long.
Mana
Mana, fantastic news. Thank you very much for this. I hope very much they will post up pictures of the tenshug.
TK
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Beautiful news and wonderful to read how high Lamas continue to show respect and gratitude towards one another, requesting the other to live long and doing pujas for the other. And these are all high lamas. That itself, say a great deal.
At this day and age, we truly need all the lamas to live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
This is the first time I have heard of "tenshug". It's always nice to learn new things from this Forum. I also hope that we will get to see pictures being posted in here so that we can learn more and truly appreciate how meaningful 'tenshug' is.
Thank you, Mana for sharing the news.
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Beautiful news and wonderful to read how high Lamas continue to show respect and gratitude towards one another, requesting the other to live long and doing pujas for the other. And these are all high lamas. That itself, say a great deal.
At this day and age, we truly need all the lamas to live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
This is the first time I have heard of "tenshug". It's always nice to learn new things from this Forum. I also hope that we will get to see pictures being posted in here so that we can learn more and truly appreciate how meaningful 'tenshug' is.
Thank you, Mana for sharing the news.
Thanks for the news Mana. Yes HS, the high Lamas are showing us a great example of guru devotion. And if Im not wrong, only people with good samaya will be able to successfully request for a Lama's long life? And travelling to France to make the request, the Abbot definitely believes in the power of such a request.
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Thanks, Mana, for the news. During this degenerate age it is so important to request our Lama to live long and turn the wheel of dharma and it is so wonderful to read that the high lamas are travelling so far to offer long life pujas and requests to is Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche.
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The Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery has left for France. He is offering long life puja and requests to His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche.
The abbot will officially request both lamas to please live long and continue their Dharma works. He will offer pujas to them in France directly in their presence. The pujas are called 'tenshug'. It is the tradition to offer tenshug to highly accomplished lamas as it is believed they have the tantric power to extend their lives if requested and merits are generated. The requests and pujas are to generate the merits and conditions for these great teachers to extend their lives. They are both healthy and fine as far as we have heard we are glad to update everyone.
Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur both reside in France.
The Abbot of Shar Gaden (Ven Geshe Lobsang Pende) is very devoted and kind to do this. On behalf of Dorje Shugden's tradition, both Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur are very important. For our tradition the Abbot will make requests. They are both senior and extremely learned lamas. Masters of sutra and tantra.
We wish the Venerable Abbot a good trip and we also wish these two great lamas will live very long.
Mana
Thank you Mana for sharing this great news. I rejoice that long life pujas are being offered to great Lamas like His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche and they are accepting the pujas.
At this degenerate times, we need these accomplished Lamas so much to continue to live long, teach the Dharma and pass down the precious lineages that they hold. We need them so much to show us the right path so that we don't get lost and go into a downward spiral in samsara. Highly accomplished beings are like candle lights for us in a pitch dark night.
Thank you for the explanation of Tenshug. Understanding the meaning of it gives ordinary practitioners like myself more conviction in its effectiveness because of the logic behind it.
Accomplished tantric masters have the power to extend their lives but whether or not they choose to do so depends on whether their students are transforming for the better and whether their students are applying or practising what they have taught.
Reading this post makes me reflect on my relationship with my Lama and my practice. It makes me reflect on whether I am transforming for the better and contributing to the causes for my Lama to want to live long.
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I am sure it is dakini tenshug to be offered to these high lamas, these lamas are definitely attained lamas. Dakini tenshug is we are requesting the dakinis not to invite the lamas to their abodes. We must request our tradition's high lamas never to pass away and carry on benefitting deluded beings like myself.
The Gaden Trisur previously was the Gaden Tripa who is the representation of Lama Tsongkhapa on earth. If the Gaden Trisur can defect to Shar Gaden it says a lot the dorje shugden ban.
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There was a long life puja done for His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche in his centre on Sunday, June 12. Thar Deu Ling in France. It was attended by about 30 monks from India, Italy and Switzerland. I am not sure if this is the one mentioned by Mana.
There were only 2 pictures posted on their website at www.thardeuling.com:
Long life puja: http://www.thardeuling.com/IMG/jpg/DSC00776red.jpg (http://www.thardeuling.com/IMG/jpg/DSC00776red.jpg)
Gaden Trisur: http://www.thardeuling.com/IMG/jpg/DSC00778red.jpg (http://www.thardeuling.com/IMG/jpg/DSC00778red.jpg)
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I am sure it is dakini tenshug to be offered to these high lamas, these lamas are definitely attained lamas. Dakini tenshug is we are requesting the dakinis not to invite the lamas to their abodes. We must request our tradition's high lamas never to pass away and carry on benefitting deluded beings like myself.
The Gaden Trisur previously was the Gaden Tripa who is the representation of Lama Tsongkhapa on earth. If the Gaden Trisur can defect to Shar Gaden it says a lot the dorje shugden ban.
I think the tenshug is a dakini ritual whereby a group of monks will be selected to dress in dakini costumes and perform a dance ritual. As this is a powerful ritual, it is said that if the lama accepts this long life ritual, he will remain to continue to turn the wheel of dharma.
I rejoice that Gaden Trisur accepted this request and will continue to spread Dorje Shugden practice to uphold the Tsongkhapa lineage.
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Though this long life prayer must have been conducted ages ago. I'd like to add onto this thread that in our daily sadhanas, we also request Dorje Shugden to increase our Guru's life by merit of our commitments to the Guru and protector. It says here like this:
"The stainless sun of Je Tsongkhapa’s tradition
Shines throughout the sky of samsara and nirvana,
Eliminating the darkness of inferior and wrong paths;
Please cause its light to spread and bring good fortune to all living beings.
May the glorious Gurus who uphold this tradition
Have indestructible lives, as stable as the supreme victory banner;
May they send down a rain of deeds fulfilling the wishes of disciples,
So that Je Tsongkhapa’s doctrine will flourish."
It is important that we constantly remember our Lama's kindness for he is the one who has spent his entire life to bring us to newer levels which we have never been and in their loving compassion for us, showered us with the nectar of Dharma. Hence, through our daily conduct, whether or not our Lama is around us, we should put our body, speech and mind altogether to align ourselves together with our Lama's three secrets.
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I am interested to know more about tenshug prayer, but when I googled it, I can't find much information on it.
Can someone here please help to give more information about tenshug prayer? It is as what Dharmaspace said, the tenshug prayer requests the dakinis not to invite the Lama to their abode?
Has the prayer been performed? Can anyone help to post photos about the prayers?
I am very glad that prayers has been accepted by the Lamas to stay on and continue to teach Dharma..
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FROM THE HEART LONG LIFE TO ALL THE GREAT YOGHI OF PERFECT GURU DEVOTION MAY THEY STAY WITH US UNTILL SAMSARA ENDS.ITALICIAMPA
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He're a little biography on who they are offering the tenshug to so that we understand the significance of this great master. After all, understanding is the key to knowledge and so that we appreciate this great person more.
Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche
His Holiness Gaden Trisur Lungrik Namgyal Rinpoche, the 101st Ganden Tripa, was born in 1927 in the Dawa region of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 8 years old, His Holiness joined the local monastery in Yangding and was consequentialy ordained as a monk.
Later His Holiness entered Gaden Shartse Norling College. While a student there Rinpoche studied Pramana Vidya (Logic), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), under the guidance of various highly attained Masters, and also received many precious teachings and empowerments of the pure Ganden lineage.
During the Chinese revolution in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India. Arriving at ‘Ba Se’ along the border of India and Bhutan, he continued his studies and completed the Madhyamika (Middle Way Philosophy), Abhidharma (Treasury of Knowledge), and Vinaya (Spiritual Rules and Moral Law). Apart from the normal course of studies, Rinpoche often went for meditation retreats. In 1969, Rinpoche revised through the five major treaties of Buddhist philosophy and participated in the final exam at a renowned local Tibetan University, graduating in the 1st position of honor.
In 1970, a major debate exam which lasted over a period of 20 days was held. Candidates included over 30 outstanding scholars from the 3 great monasteries and other universities. Rinpoche still managed to emerge on top and the title of Geshe Lharampa was officially conferred upon him. Consequently, Rinpoche joined the Gyuto Tantric University and focused on intensive study of the Tantras.
In 1983 and 1992, the Dalai Lama appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of Gyuto Tantric University and abbot of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery respectively. During the years of Rinpoche’s abbotship, apart from supervising the administration and discipline of the Sangha, he also conducted various pujas and teachings personally. Rinpoche’s contribution towards the monastery is widely recognised, and deeply respected by all. In 1986, these remarkable qualities inspired the Dalai Lama to choose him as the representative of Buddhism in Ecumenical Encounters of Assisi interfaith meetings convened on the initiative of Pope John Paul II in Italy.
In 1995, Rinpoche was bestowed the honorary rank of Shartse Choje (2nd rank among dignitaries of the Gelug tradition). After 6 years in that position, on January 20, 2003, the Dalai Lama, during his Kalachakra Empowerment in Bodhgaya, announced the appointment of Venerable Lungrik Namgyal as the 101 Gaden Tripa – the supreme head of the Gelug tradition, and literally, the Holder of the Throne of Tushita.
Rinpoche is one of the most qualified Buddhist teachers alive today – being highly trained in both fields of Sutra and Tantra. Rinpoche has dedicated his whole lifetime to the propagation of the Buddhadharma, and has been tirelessly visiting many parts of the world to spread the Teachings. Countries which Rinpoche has visited include – France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, America, China, and Singapore. His Holiness Trisur Rinpoche currently lives in Paris, where he transmits precious Buddhist teachings of his lineage in Thar Due Ling Dharma center in Chelles, France which he founded in 1980.
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Thank you Mana for sharing this news here with us. It is so important for these two high lamas to remain here with us to continue to turn the dharma wheel. The Abbot of Shar Gaden is very compassionate to fly across the continents to make this long life request on behalf of so many people. I am wondering if this long life request can be made by anyone including lay people? Many thanks also to harrynephew for pointing out that we can also request to Dorje Shugden for our Guru's long life in our daily sadhana.
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I have found a little bit of info on Tenshug, but the article also highlights the main method of causing our Guru to live long. It is interesting to know but for Shar Ganden, I dont think that is a problem if they can give up a comfortable life in the politically correct monasteries for their Dharma practice, this is not a problem at all. I do find this article very informative and i would like to share with all of you guys :)
Prolonging the Life of the Guru
(Advice from Lama Rinpoche in answer to requests by students wanting to know how best prolong the life of the Guru and avoid obstacles that can cause sickness and the Guru's life to be shortened.)
Most important is to remember with feeling the Guru's kindness, to follow his advice then remember one's mistakes and confess.
Long-life pujas purify negative karma .and accumulate merit - generally speaking life can be lengthened by accumulating merit - but the best kind of long-life puja is not just the ritual but to cherish the advice with the thought of correctly devoting to the virtuous friend. The Guru should be viewed from one's own side as the Buddha and his kindness remembered. One should feel regret for not practising properly in the past and make a decision to practice better in the future even in the ordinary sense of being a better person.
The heaviest effect on the Guru's life is degenerating or breaking the first root tantric vow to belittle the Guru which means giving up the Guru as an object of respect. It also involves having anger or especially heresy arising in the mind towards the Guru. When there is heresy, the mind is barren like a desert having no faith and where nothing can grow. This can cause the holy mind to be disturbed, like with sadness.
Sometimes students who request secret tantric teachings and not having devotion, can cause the Guru (in the context of the secret teachings) to break samaya as the teacher has difficulty saying no. But if the student has the sincere thought to try to develop and keep the vows etc., then it is good. Although it may be difficult to keep all the vows because the student's mind hasn't even the realisation of impermanence and death.
Harmonious sincerity in obtaining advice can inspire the Guru. This can give him the interest to have the intention to pray in an attempt to have a long-life even if from the Guru's side there isn't the complete capability to control the elements.
It's also important to be aware that the breaking of root tantric vows, samaya and so forth is also a danger to the student's life resulting in sickness and even in their own life being shortened, not to mention suffering in future lives. But of course, as explained in the teachings, any degeneration or breaking of the three levels of vow can be purified through confession etc.
So these things can cause the Guru to take disease and pass away early. It's a dependent arising. This can happen because of the karma of the group. For example, with my Gurus, they don't have karma but they show the appearance.
CONCLUSION:
A great deal depends on how well the students practice Dharma. How much self-cherishing thought there is that causes harm to oneself and others. I don't think the problem is so much to do with the fact that the students don't know what's the cause of the Guru taking disease and passing away early. For some students the cause is not being thoughtful and not taking the opportunity to change the life for the better. That is, not putting the teachings into practice.
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I don't really know extensively about tenshugs or Long life pujas but I know there are several practices, especially associated with the deities of Amitayus, White Tara, 16 Arhats and so forth. These are practices to create the merit to extend the lives of ordinary practitioners, Geshes and so forth. These are very effective pujas and probably some of the most commonly sponsored in the monastery by lay people.
However, if its for a Lama who has control over their life and death, a very special form of tenshug called Kandro Tenshug needs to be performed. This puja invokes upon the Dakinis that have manifested to the Lama and they are requesting the Lama to leave their earthly body and to ascend to their realms in order teach and benefit.
Therefore, during the puja, 5 monks that are dressed in traditional Dakini costumes perform a ceremonial dance with damaru and bell, enters the prayer hall. They hold 5 colored khatas that are tied to the Lamas throne. Then, at a crucial moment in the puja, the khatas are severed, thereby requesting the dakini as symbolized by the 5 monks to return to their abodes and not call upon the Lama anymore. This is as far as I know about
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With regards to long life pujas for lay people like us and why we need it for the Guru's long life, and how it works, I have found the transcript of a talk by Lama Zopa on this subject matter. It would perhaps help some of us understand why is it important to request for the Lama's long life.
So I enjoyed very much the long, the very long life puja. The very, very long life puja.
So, I thought to mention at the beginning but, anyway, so this is also for your long life puja, that without need to mention the seven limb practice, that each seven limb, the seven limb practice that which creates enlightenment, like seven very important parts of a car that makes to, functionable to carry the passengers to go to wherever they wish to be. So each one become antidote to each delusion and then that each one has its own benefits, what you achieve by doing that practice, what benefit or goal what you achieve.
So here the limb requesting to have stable life, so it’s antidote to having disturbed the guru’s holy mind, so the negative karma, the very heavy negative karma collected with the relationship with the virtuous friend, so those negative karmas, particularly then disturbed the holy mind, those things that it happened this life or in the past lives as well. So that gets purified. So the result, that’s what the antidote is, which negative karma that it become antidote, the requesting, the limb the requesting the long life or to have stable life. So the gurus or the buddhas in the nirmanakaya aspect, so those, so like that.
So the result what you achieve from this is that, the immortal vajra holy body of the body you achieve. So however, that, then engaging in these negative karmas it’s cause of shortage of life, these things. Even one has a long life, even the, there’s karma to have long life, but then suddenly there are other negative karmas you have collected with the relationship with the sentient beings or with the holy objects, then suddenly you have life obstacle, so this normally what happens, normally we are not aware, you have life obstacle, not aware, then nothing happened, you have life obstacle but nothing happened so then [snaps fingers] suddenly car accident or some, suddenly heart attack or something happens, some condition happens and, or spirit harm, however, things like that, then death happens. That you could live longer if you did the methods to purify, to purify the obstacles, purify the negative karma, so the various means to have long life, to prolong the life, reciting long-life mantras or reading texts or the long-life tsa-tsas making, long-life deities’ thangka or tsa-tsa, liberating animals or even, not only animals but also helping people, people who are sick and people who need food and shelter, however, medicines, helping those people, serving people, taking care of people, old people, sick people, those are also for long life, cause of long life.
So, here, specifically, one specific one is, very powerful specific one is the requesting for, to have stable life, to the merit field and so to the guru. So these negative karmas get purified, these heavy negative karmas, because the guru is the most powerful object. So first there’s the parents, more powerful than the others. Then after that there’s the Sangha, who are living in the ordination, so more powerful and then, of course, among the Sangha there’s also arya sangha, so the arhats, like that, then there’s of course numberless arhats, the one bodhisattva, one new bodhisattva, this is much more, most powerful one. So that’s why in the Lam-rim Chen-mo it’s explained by Lama Tsongkhapa, also I think in Bodhicaryavatara, that rising anger for one second it purifies , I said “purifies” , rising one second anger destroys, not purifies, destroys the one thousand eons having made offering to the Gone to the Bliss Ones, so to the buddhas, and having made charity to sentient beings and so forth. As it’s mentioned in Bodhicaryavatara that [Tibetan], so the meaning is one, having made offering to buddhas, made charity to sentient beings, so forth, for one thousand eons, those merits get destroyed by one time, by one second, anger rising for one second. So, yeah, in the Lam-rim Chen-mo it’s explained that rising anger, a non-bodhisattva rising anger to a bodhisattva even for one second it purifies one thousand eons of merit, merit that you have collected get pur-, what I’m saying! Purified! Get destroyed , get destroyed. I don’t know why purification comes very strongly, anger purifies , anger purifies all those merits. Yeah, no. Anger destroys all those merits . So there it’s explained in the Lam-rim Chen-mo, during the section of karma, it’s explained.
So, [pause] in the outline of the guru, this is just, in the outline of the guru devotion, the eight outlines, the shortcomings of having made a mistake in devoting to the virtuous friend, having made a mistake with the relationship with the virtuous friend, which is opposite to devoting to the virtuous friend, so with thought and action. So by rising heresy or anger, things like that, so there it’s mentioned that if one rise heresy, anger, one second towards the guru, then it destroys, how many eons one get angry, heresy, towards the guru, that many eons of merits get destroyed and that many eons of merits get destroyed and delay the realizations that many eons and experience suffering in the lower realms, in the hell realm, that many eons. So but during the, at the end of the, near the end of the teachings on the karma, Lam-rim Chen-mo, and Bodhicaryavatara, that rising anger one second to a bodhisattva, a non-bodhisattva getting angry to a bodhisattva for one second then it destroys one thousand eons of merits. So according to that then rising heresy, anger towards the guru, there should be then much, much more than that. If the bodhisattva like this, if you get angry to, a non-bodhisattva get angry to a bodhisattva is like that, then should you get angry to the guru then many, should be many hundred thousands of eons merit get destroyed and then, yeah, delay the realizations and experience the suffering in the hell realm. So that’s something to be analyzed, those two points. However, so a non-bodhisattva get angry to a bodhisattva for one second, so heavy, the karma’s very heavy. So now here, numberless bodhisattvas and one buddha, one buddha’s more powerful. And then numberless buddhas and one guru, one guru is more powerful.
So that’s why, that, for example, in the Guru, Lama Chöpa guru yoga, we just finished reciting the prayer, the section talking about the qualities of the guru, yön tän jung nä tshül thrim gya tsho che...., before the guru enter in the heart, that, talking about the qualities of the guru, there it says that making offering to the guru’s pores, even making offering to the guru’s pores, after talking, going through the kindness of the guru, talking about the qualities of the guru according to the Lesser Vehicle path, Paramitayana path, then as well as tantra, qualities of the guru of tantra, then there mentioned the kindness of the guru, that then the guru guides you, even though there have been numberless buddhas, bodhisattvas, unable to guide you, but in this world numberless buddhas, bodhisattvas, happening, but only the guru who guides you.
Without the Guru to guide us, we would not be able to taste the real Dharma and therefore, it is important that we request for the long life of the Guru.
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I don't really know extensively about tenshugs or Long life pujas but I know there are several practices, especially associated with the deities of Amitayus, White Tara, 16 Arhats and so forth. These are practices to create the merit to extend the lives of ordinary practitioners, Geshes and so forth. These are very effective pujas and probably some of the most commonly sponsored in the monastery by lay people.
However, if its for a Lama who has control over their life and death, a very special form of tenshug called Kandro Tenshug needs to be performed. This puja invokes upon the Dakinis that have manifested to the Lama and they are requesting the Lama to leave their earthly body and to ascend to their realms in order teach and benefit.
Therefore, during the puja, 5 monks that are dressed in traditional Dakini costumes perform a ceremonial dance with damaru and bell, enters the prayer hall. They hold 5 colored khatas that are tied to the Lamas throne. Then, at a crucial moment in the puja, the khatas are severed, thereby requesting the dakini as symbolized by the 5 monks to return to their abodes and not call upon the Lama anymore. This is as far as I know about
Big uncle - what you say is correct.
The tenshug is a ritual where students make requests to the lama to live long. The lamas are here to benefit others and to turn the wheel of dharma. They can do it here with us, or in other realms of existence, such as the realm of the dakinis.
Although we cannot see them, it is said that dakinis often request the lama to leave our realm and go to their realm instead to give teachings. Particularly when the students of the lama misbehave, or when the karma of our realm to have a teacher with us is weakening, a tenshug is said to be effective to create the causes fr the lama to stay while symbolically "cutting" the connection with the dakinis.
Apart from the cutting of the khatas, what is notable about the tenshug is the extensiveness of the offerings made. The tenshug is about collecting the merit for the lama to stay, and each and every offering item is very symbolic - for instance, offering a teaching throne, offering food that the lama likes, and so on. And of course, the more offerings, the better.
Of course, however, a tenshug alone will not be enough for the lama to remain. I have heard my lama say that there is the outer tenshug, and then there is the inner tenshug. What is the inner tenshug? Transformation, merit accumulation, and pleasing the Lama. Only with the inner tenshug, does the outer tenshug have effect. Otherwise it is an empty ritual devoid of any effect.
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Big uncle - what you say is correct.
The tenshug is a ritual where students make requests to the lama to live long. The lamas are here to benefit others and to turn the wheel of dharma. They can do it here with us, or in other realms of existence, such as the realm of the dakinis.
Although we cannot see them, it is said that dakinis often request the lama to leave our realm and go to their realm instead to give teachings. Particularly when the students of the lama misbehave, or when the karma of our realm to have a teacher with us is weakening, a tenshug is said to be effective to create the causes fr the lama to stay while symbolically "cutting" the connection with the dakinis.
Apart from the cutting of the khatas, what is notable about the tenshug is the extensiveness of the offerings made. The tenshug is about collecting the merit for the lama to stay, and each and every offering item is very symbolic - for instance, offering a teaching throne, offering food that the lama likes, and so on. And of course, the more offerings, the better.
Of course, however, a tenshug alone will not be enough for the lama to remain. I have heard my lama say that there is the outer tenshug, and then there is the inner tenshug. What is the inner tenshug? Transformation, merit accumulation, and pleasing the Lama. Only with the inner tenshug, does the outer tenshug have effect. Otherwise it is an empty ritual devoid of any effect.
lemme just elaborate a little bit more on it and provide some extra points:
External tenshugs will work for monastics, but not for laypeople simply because we do not hold our vows well, and we do not practice Guru devotion that well as we only follow what we want of the Guru's instruction and not in completion. With monastics, they just need to do the outer tenshug puja and everything will be okay for them. It is more of a symbolic request to say that they still need their Guru here and they prove it by their actions instead of just talk.
On your point about dakinis, they are actually the assistants or manifestations of the Yidam. Their Guru is the yidam. Sometimes, they cannot bear to see how great masters who are one with their Guru/Yidam being mistreated by the disciples and therefore they request the Lama to leave with them. It hurts the Lama a lot when students challenge the Lama, do not follow instructions and have political games with either the Lama or the other students. All of these will trigger the dakinis to do something because they do not wish to see the Lama suffer any longer.
The tenshug ritual is basically something that is done by the disciples to show the dakinis that they do love and care about the Lama and to request the dakinis to give them another chance (in the context of lay disciples) but in the context of monastics, it is to show that they still need the lama around and they actually command the dakinis to go back since they do have power from their holding of their vows and samaya. Thats why lay students requesting/doing a tenshug puja is unheard of. They do not have a basis.
What is better than a tenshug for the Lama is just to hold the vows and commitments and do whatever that has been promised. If they misrepresent the lama or break their vows and commitments or in some cases, go against the Lama's practices and instructions, its like literally sending their Lama to an early grave, not because the Lama leaves them but because they lack the merits to keep the Lama around.
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The Abbot of Shar Gaden Monastery has left for France. He is offering long life puja and requests to His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal and Jangtze Gyurme Kensur Rinpoche.
The abbot will officially request both lamas to please live long and continue their Dharma works. He will offer pujas to them in France directly in their presence. The pujas are called 'tenshug'. It is the tradition to offer tenshug to highly accomplished lamas as it is believed they have the tantric power to extend their lives if requested and merits are generated. The requests and pujas are to generate the merits and conditions for these great teachers to extend their lives. They are both healthy and fine as far as we have heard we are glad to update everyone.
Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur both reside in France.
The Abbot of Shar Gaden (Ven Geshe Lobsang Pende) is very devoted and kind to do this. On behalf of Dorje Shugden's tradition, both Gaden Trisur Rinpoche and Gyurme Kensur are very important. For our tradition the Abbot will make requests. They are both senior and extremely learned lamas. Masters of sutra and tantra.
We wish the Venerable Abbot a good trip and we also wish these two great lamas will live very long.
Mana
Wonderful and rejoicing news, Mana! It is so vital that these older higher attained masters stay long and continue to teach the dharma before the next generation of lamas take over the helm. In my own small way, I pray and request both His Holiness and other great lamas live long. May they be around to witness the lifting of the ban! May they be present to confer initiation upon initiation of Lord Shugden to millions of practitioners!