Unlike most Buddhists, including myself, who practice Dharma when convenient, the monks of these 2 monasteries had to make extra effort to keep their practice because they are committed to keeping a clean samaya with their Gurus who gave them the holy practice of Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dorje Shugden monks are not only deprived of a conducive space to practice the teachings of Lord Buddha, they are ousted to the extent that they cannot even access basic necessities to meet daily needs like groceries, health care and a roof over their heads.

These devoted monks are powerful examples to us and should prompt us to persevere through difficulties in our pursuit of spiritual learning, practice and advancement.

The practice of the 8 Mahayana Precepts are very beautiful and I had the opportunity to experience it when in retreat. It is beautiful because in upholding these precepts, we get to experience the goodness of people…in Buddhism, I would refer to it as the Buddha within each and everyone of us. Such an experience is encouraging and empowering because the display of kindness, tolerance, acceptance etc. in the secular world is deemed to be a weakness. When I had the personal opportunity to enjoy some of my own ability to be patient, live in harmony within a community and embrace the joys of inner peace and happiness, i also developed the knowledge and understanding the benefits of Dharma practice. This in turn fueled the effort to further pursue the Dharma journey, which is most important with the increasing saturation and intensity of distractions in samsara