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About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: vajratruth on October 04, 2013, 01:09:43 AM
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The relationship between Nechung, (whose oracle takes trace of Pehar and his Prime Minister Dorje Drakden) and Dorje Shugden is an interesting one. Recall that it was Nechung/Pehar who appeared before Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen in the form of a white dove to urge Duldzin Drakpa to manifest as a special protector to guard Je Tsongkhapa’s precious teachings, especially on Nagajurna’s Madhyamaka. Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen agreed and Nechung/Pehar later reminded Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen of the promise he made in his previous life as Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and pledged to help Tulku Drakpa to arise as a wrathful protector. In brief, this was how Dorje Shugden came about.
But it seems Nechung/Pehar’s association with Dorje Shugden went beyond that. Initially, Dorje Shugden was thought of as an evil spirit and attempts were made to exorcise Dorje Shugden but to no avail. Eventually the Fifth Dalai Lama sought the help of several renowned Nyingma lamas, amongst whom was Terdak Lingpa, the head of Mindrolling Monastery famous for its powerful fire pujas. Terdak Lingpa apparently lured Dorje Shugden into a ladle and just before Dorje Shugden was about to be submitted to the flames, the Dharma protector Dorje Setrap rescued him and thus foiled Terdak Lingpa’s attempt to subjugate Shugden.
(http://imageserver.himalayanart.org/fif=fpx/89160.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=1062&hei=1500&rgn=0.0,-6.675568E-4,1.00000000,1.00133514&lng=en_US&cvt=jpeg)
Pic1: Dorje Setrap also known as White Brahma
What is interesting is that Setrap is associated with the Tibetan form of the Indian god, Brahma as stated in a 2007 University of Florida dissertation on the subject of Dorje Shugden (page 20, http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04092007-003235/unrestricted/lgm_thesis.pdf (http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04092007-003235/unrestricted/lgm_thesis.pdf) ). Separately but similarly Setrap has also been identified as White Brahma by the curators of Himalayan Art Resources (http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/89160.html (http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/89160.html)). Brahma the Indian god, in turn, is also known as by its Tibetan identity, Tsangpa Karpo. What makes this link fascinating is that in Nebesky-Wojkowitz’s Oracles and Demons Of Tibet, widely regarded as an authority on the subject of Tibetan gods and spirits, the author concluded on page 145 that “This god [Tsangpa Karpo], however, is supposed to be nobody else than Pe har…” In other words, Nechung/Pehar who is the State protector of Tibet and in whom the present Dalai Lama places considerable trust, not only helped Dorje Shugden to arise as a most important Protector of Tsongkhapa’s Teachings, but also protected Dorje Shugden from premature harm, knowing full well who Dorje Shugden truly is and the vital importance of Dorje Shugden’s role in the preservation of the Dharma. These findings are in stark contrast with the picture that the Dalai Lama and CTA have painted, i.e. that of the State Dharma Protector opposing the worship of Shugden as a harmful demon.
(http://imageserver.himalayanart.org/fif=fpx/853.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=1119&hei=1500&rgn=0.0,0.0,1.00000000,1.00000000&lng=en_US&cvt=jpeg)
Pic2: Tsangpa Karpo. White in colour (gold painted) with one face and two hands he holds upraised in the right a curved sword and in the left a vajra-tipped lasso and lance. Attired in the garb of a wariour, the head is crowned with a helmet topped with a white conch shell and peacock feathers. In the middle of the chest, marked with the Tibetan letter 'hrih,' is a golden mirror. Riding atop a dark brown horse, he is surrounded by flames of various colour and dark rolling smoke.At the top center is the buddha Amitabha with the hands in meditation holding a begging bowl. A lama wearing a yellow hat sits directly below. At the top right is Padmasambhava. At the left is the 5th Dalai Lama holding a single white lotus in the right hand, wearing a yellow hat and meditation cloak. Various retinue figures fill the foreground.
(https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=eb0fc268b6&view=att&th=14180f3dc23f8980&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=1447924026639908864-local0&zw)
Pic3: Page 145 of Nebesky-Wojkowitz's Oracles And Demons Of Tibet which reads: This god, however, is supposed to be nobody else than Pe har..."
That Nechung/Pehar would protect Dorje Shugden makes complete sense especially when we consider the fact that Dorje Shugden is also found to be the Dharma Protector waiting at the southern gate of Nechung Monastery waiting to take over as the main Dharma Protector of our time as Nechung enters into enlightenment for having served the Dharma since swearing the oath to Padmasambava. (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/why-is-nechung-reluctant-to-speak/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/why-is-nechung-reluctant-to-speak/)). Rene’ De Nebesky-Wojkowitz concluded this based on extensive research which he published in 1956, way before the subject of Dorje Shugden became politicized in the 1980’s by the Dalai Lama. These findings therefore, were based on facts and untainted by any political agenda. The same findings were recently reaffirmed by Christopher Bell of the University Of Virginia in the 2013 publication of Nechung – The Ritual History And Institutionalization Of A Tibetan Buddhist Protector Deity (http://libra.virginia.edu/catalog/libra-oa:3281 (http://libra.virginia.edu/catalog/libra-oa:3281))
Given Nechung/Pehar’s great efforts, assistance and Dharmic interest in the rise of Dorje Shugden as this era’s main Dharma Protector, it would make no sense for Nechung/Pehar to declare Dorje Shugden as a harmful spirit which should be destroyed. The opposite suggestion would be more plausible. The question that this begs is, who has the Dalai Lama and CTA been listening to, when they claimed that it was Nechung who advised against the practice of Dorje Shugden? The real Nechung, made culprit for an unholy ban, was indisputably a very strong advocate of Dorje Shugden.
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There seem to the 3 dharma protectors involved in this controversy surrounding Dorje Shudgen.
One is Dorje SHugden of course there is also Nechung and also Setrap. Nechung is the one who first approached Duldzin and many livetimes later when Duldzin reincarnated as Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen, created the circumstances for Dorje Shugden to manifest.
Setrap came to the 'rescue' of Dorje Shugden when Dorje Shugden first appeared. Setrap is unmistakable as Amithabha emanation and is an old protector brought from India to Tibet. If Setrap was in Nalanda with the Indian pandits we can be assured that Setrap was an enlightened. And Nechung manifesting mistakes and inaccuracies was just part of the plan.... coz if Setrap and Dorje Shugden realises Nechung was creating harm then they would be able to stop nechung to do harm further.
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There seem to the 3 dharma protectors involved in this controversy surrounding Dorje Shudgen.
One is Dorje SHugden of course there is also Nechung and also Setrap. Nechung is the one who first approached Duldzin and many livetimes later when Duldzin reincarnated as Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen, created the circumstances for Dorje Shugden to manifest.
Setrap came to the 'rescue' of Dorje Shugden when Dorje Shugden first appeared. Setrap is unmistakable as Amithabha emanation and is an old protector brought from India to Tibet. If Setrap was in Nalanda with the Indian pandits we can be assured that Setrap was an enlightened. And Nechung manifesting mistakes and inaccuracies was just part of the plan.... coz if Setrap and Dorje Shugden realises Nechung was creating harm then they would be able to stop nechung to do harm further.
Dear DharmaSpace,
I agree with your thoughts. But what do you make out of the Western scholars' view of the relationship between Dorje Setrap and Nechung? Your thoughts? Thanks.
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What is interesting is that Setrap is associated with the Tibetan form of the Indian god, Brahma as stated in a 2007 University of Florida dissertation on the subject of Dorje Shugden (page 20, [url]http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04092007-003235/unrestricted/lgm_thesis.pdf[/url] ([url]http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04092007-003235/unrestricted/lgm_thesis.pdf[/url]) ). Separately but similarly Setrap has also been identified as White Brahma by the curators of Himalayan Art Resources ([url]http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/89160.html[/url] ([url]http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/89160.html[/url])). Brahma the Indian god, in turn, is also known as by its Tibetan identity, Tsangpa Karpo. What makes this link fascinating is that in Nebesky-Wojkowitz’s Oracles and Demons Of Tibet, widely regarded as an authority on the subject of Tibetan gods and spirits, the author concluded on page 145 that “This god [Tsangpa Karpo], however, is supposed to be nobody else than Pe har…” In other words, Nechung/Pehar who is the State protector of Tibet and in whom the present Dalai Lama places considerable trust, not only helped Dorje Shugden to arise as a most important Protector of Tsongkhapa’s Teachings, but also protected Dorje Shugden from premature harm, knowing full well who Dorje Shugden truly is and the vital importance of Dorje Shugden’s role in the preservation of the Dharma. These findings are in stark contrast with the picture that the Dalai Lama and CTA have painted, i.e. that of the State Dharma Protector opposing the worship of Shugden as a harmful demon.
This god [Tsangpa Karpo], however, is supposed to be nobody else than Pe har...
Tsangpa Karpo, Lord Setrap, is Pehar? Or in other words Pehar was an emanation of Lord Setrap? Am I hearing it correctly? It is becoming quite complicated or we are finally reaching the end of the tunnel. From beginning till end Lord Setrap has been involved in this. Pehar is enlightened to begin with???
Hmm... now it does make sense in some logical way. A strategic plan, you could call it a drama, involving so many parties to get sentient being to become enlightened. Any enlightened being would not hesitate to in a join effort to fulfilling their promise to lead all sentient beings to enlightenment.
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Nechung has a shoe imprint on his hat to be reminded of his promise to Guru Rinpoche.
the costume of Nechung oracle has the shoe imprint of Guru Rinpoche on its hat piece to symbolize that he is under oath to Guru Rinpoche.
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1480.0)
Interestingly Dharmaphala Setrap also has a shoe to his crown.
As a proof of a being a devoted protector of Buddhism, Setrap Protector actually sew Guru Rinpoche’s shoe to his crown when he renewed his vow as a proof.
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2992.5 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=2992.5)
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Actually, I think if you are connecting Pehar and Setrap. There's no real connection because Setrap is an emanation of Amitabha and is therefore an emanation of a fully enlightened Being while Pehar is unenlightened but is on the brink of enlightenment hence, the prophecy of the changing of the guardians - http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/universal-protector-of-future-buddhism/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/universal-protector-of-future-buddhism/). However, this does not take away from the fact that Nechung/Pehar is a great supporter and the main reason for Dorje Shugden to arise.
In Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors, page 109 further elaborates about Nechung's proclamation and connection with Dorje Shugden :-
It would appear that the name, 'Dorje Shugden Tsel', Mighty Dorje Shugden, was also given by the Great Dharma King Nechung. As said in the Sakya edition of the wrathful torma ritual for Shugden that Sachen Kunga Lodro composed…
As for this method, there was an incarnate Lama contemporary with the Great Fifth Dalai Lama by the name of Tulku who was renowned to be the incarnation of Panchen Sonam Dragpa who had broad eyes of wisdom in upholding the teachings. Others became jealous of his activities. He died because of sudden bad circumstances, during a moment of unhappiness, and because of the bad passing, for about one month, sounds such as that of being squeezed came out of the silver reliquary stupas into which his relics had been placed. Therefore, the relics were removed and his house was destroyed. The wood was thrown into the river and came to the White Spring of Dol. They remained there so that the damsi, the commitment spirit, became widely renowned as Dol Gyal, the King of Dol. He escaped from among many who sought to suppress, burn, and expel him, even showing signs in some cases. Whether he was a pure king spirit or the risen deceased, when there was nothing else to do about it but include him in the legacy, the Great Dharmapala Nechung said,
'No one can compete with him! He is the one called Dorje Shugden Tsel, The Mighty One Endowed With Vajra Strength!'
Thinking about the name he used, 'Dorje', Vajra, as in the context of Vajrayana, we can infer that he does not seem to be a protector that was bound to oath and named by glorious Hayagriva or Guru Rinpoche. Scholars and yogis, please check!
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Actually, I think if you are connecting Pehar and Setrap. There's no real connection because Setrap is an emanation of Amitabha and is therefore an emanation of a fully enlightened Being while Pehar is unenlightened but is on the brink of enlightenment hence, the prophecy of the changing of the guardians - [url]http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/universal-protector-of-future-buddhism/[/url] ([url]http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/universal-protector-of-future-buddhism/[/url]). However, this does not take away from the fact that Nechung/Pehar is a great supporter and the main reason for Dorje Shugden to arise.
Thank you Big Uncle. My understanding of the nature of Setrap concurs with yours. In that case, what do you make out of the conclusion of the various scholars I cited in the post that alluded to the relationship between Setrap and Pehar?
From the perspective that Setrap is an enlightened being and Pehar is not (as far as is known thus far), it may be a stretch to relate Setrap to Pehar. However, would it change the underlying logic if we were to assume for a moment, that Nechung/Pehar is an enlightened being after all, as Trijang Rinpoche's Music Delighting An Ocean Of Protectors alluded to.
Your further thoughts on this BU?
Thanks
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I feel Nechung in one way or another is an enlightened being for he already served the Dharma and the Dalai Lama so well. Whatever transpired on claims that Nechung actually is one of the party who declared Dorje Shugden to be a harmful spirit remains to be debatable. There are already massive reasons being dished out which everyone can read and get from this website as to whether Dorje Shugden is really a spirit or actually a Buddha.
Question is, I feel Nechung and Dalai Lama's claim of Dorje Shugden's status as a spirit must have something far more important behind it. If Dorje Shugden is a spirit, why would the Dalai Lama himself, the emanation of Chenrizig would cobsult a spirit Nechung for all matters. Why would Nechung who in the first place is the one who emanated as a dove flying from the sky to come and requested Dulzin Drakpa Gyaltsen to be a wrathful protector guardian of Lama Tsongkhapa's teachings?
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Personally I have read a lot and heard a lot about these three Dharma Protectors. Of which Dorje Shugden and Setrap are enlightened Protectors and Nechung had been a protector since he was subdued by Guru Rinpoche and had been under oath to protect the Dharma for a long long time.
At the point of arising of Dorje Shugden, both these two protectors played important and pivotal roles. Nechung evoked the promise from Dragpa Duldzin to become a protector and Setrap assisted Dorje Shugden out of the ladle of Terdak Lingpa. Therefore it is only logical that there is a big play on the scene of these three protectors.
Currently Dorje Shugden and Setrap are enlightened Protectors being the emanations of Manjushri and Amithabha respectively.
It is my humble opinion that Nechung who had served as an unenlightened protector may now move on to be enlightened. And when that happens, the time for a Protector suitable for the times will be Dorje Shugden.
Any comments to my assumption?