Comments on: The History and Significance of the Dharmapalas

By: chokyi drove

chokyi drove — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 04:35:47 +0000

Here is a wonderful talk on Dharmapalas by Alex Berzin:

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/advanced/tantra/level1_getting_started/what_dharma_protectors_ab.html

By: Kate Walker

Kate Walker — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:13:17 +0000

This is a good article but i wish it was more extensive. It is almost like watching a trailer without making the movie. Perhaps it is to make the reader contemplate more and do our own research!

By: Rinchen

Rinchen — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 08:47:34 +0000

This is a great article, it not only let the readers know more about Dharma Protectors. Not only explaining to us what is the purpose of Dharma Protectors, but also giving us examples of them.

I really like the way this article is written as well. Not only does it link to the normal things that an average reader would think of, but the article also links to Zen Buddhism. The minority within Buddhism, I have never thought that it would be possible to link the article over to Zen Buddhism like that.

By: DSFriend

DSFriend — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:46:48 +0000

This article draws a parallel on the wrathful forms found in Vajrayana buddhism to the Judeo-Christian type of deity called archangel which, I thought is a valid observation perhaps on the mystical and physical looks. However, the function is very different. Dharma Protectors ultimate goal is to help us stay on the Dharma path to attain the state of enlightenment while archangels in Greek term, plays the role of a messenger for God.

Regarding the metaphorical aspect, I’ve never thought of associating the view of Dharmapala to the Zen Buddhist school, example of the teacher wielding a bamboo stick, ready to deliver a compassionate strike to “awaken” the student.

The pantheon of Buddhas and Dharmapalas in Vajrayana buddhism manifests a certain way to bless our mindstream and serves as an object of meditation to remind us of the inner buddha nature and qualities. Are the manifestation of these wrathful qualities meant to jolt our mind just like the strike of a Zen Master? That would be very welcoming… if not, understanding the iconography of deities is very important and beneficial.

Here’s more information on Iconography of Dorje Shugden http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=4276

By: Arisa

Arisa — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:06:14 +0000

I understand there are two types of Dharma Protectors or Dharmapalas. One is Supramundane that is an enlightened being. The other is Mundane or worldly. The Supramundane Dhamapala can grant you worldy things and protection and at the same time lead you to enlightenment. In the Chinese Mahayana pantheon I also understand they have Dharma Protectors except that different names are used. And if you look and study deeper into the Dhamarpalas history you may find the similarity with Dharmapalas of other schools. I believe the Dharmapala practice of the Supramundane form will lead you into the yoga practice which needs discipline for Highest Yoga Tantra.

By: vajrastorm

vajrastorm — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:05:00 +0000

Dharmapalas, in Tibetan Buddhism , are guardians and protectors of the teachings of Buddha in general, and also protectors of teachings of a specific Holy Being with whom the Protector has great affinity. These Dharmapalas also protect Dharma practitioners along their path to Liberation from suffering and Enlightenment. They are wrathful emanations of Buddha deities. These compassionate wrathful protectors help practitioners overcome especially their inner obstacles.

Though the history of most Dharmapalas go back a long way, some Dharmapalas , like Dorje Shugden, go back to about 400 years. This is because Dorje Shugden is an uncommon supramundane Protector – a wrathful emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom – who arose to fulfill a vow to protect the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa, particularly his teachings on Nargajuna’s Middle View on Emptiness, which he( Je Tsongkhapa) had taught with unsurpassed clarity. These teaching are particularly precious for these degenerate times and hence a powerful and swift dharma protector is needed to protect and spread these teachings, as well as to protect the practitioners of these teachings.

In Trijang Rinpoche’s classic of a book on Dorje Shugden (Music Delighting an Ocean of Protectors) he praises Dorje Shugden as a Dharmapala “whose actions are swift, like lightning compared to tens of millions of sworn Dharma Protectors”.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:25:26 +0000

This is a good article for Buddhists and non-Buddhists, looking at the role of Dharma protectors from a different angle. The author is knowledgeable about different religious beliefs and is able to make comparisons. He refers to the Dharmapala as an archangel and as a Zen monitor who, out of compassion, strikes the student who has fallen asleep. Not bad at all. However, only eight Dharmapalas are mentioned. In fact there are more and I think Dorje Shugden should be in the list because the beings of this time have a strong karmic link with him. As Morchen Dorjechang Kunga Lhundrup, the Sakya master, said: “Now is the time to rely upon Dorje Shugden.”