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About Dorje Shugden => General Discussion => Topic started by: harrynephew on January 14, 2013, 03:01:02 PM
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I just found these pics online of Rabten Chodarling's altar picture and would like to share it with everyone. I know it looks a bit busy and cluttered with a lot of statues on the altar but what really stood out on the altar is the beautiful image of our protector Dorje Shugden.
I find him sticking out in midst of the entire assembly of deities on the altar because there is a very strong presence to the statue. check this out!
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Thank you for sharing. This is beautiful - I love the busyness actually. You can imagine how much love, care, sponsorship and effort has gone into collecting these many statues over the years and how each one of them must have a story. I love that all the practices of the lineage - the yidam, the guru, the protector - are all together providing many different focuses for different individuals in their collective prayers.
I find it always fascinating how different altars are set up and how the same image can be expressed, adorned and placed in such very different ways, and how ultimately, it is an expression of the practitioner's own path - the effort we put into beautifying our altars is an offering in itself.
Most of all, I love that Dorje Shugden sits right in the middle of this altar, a protective core for all our practices, whatever our main practices / yidams / focus and meditations might be. This is an example of how he is truly a protector of our time - at the core of every part of our practice to keep us steady, fending off the interferences and keeping us close and connected to our practice and lineage.
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Very very nice! Of course I was looking for the Dorje Shugden statue hehee... I like how the altar has a beautiful mix of Tibetan as well as Chinese Mahayana statues of Buddhas as well... so vibrant and colourful.
Of course I find this image in Rabten Chodrang most beautiful...
(http://www.rabten.eu/css/logo-ChoktulRinpoche.png)
This is a picture of H.H. Trijang Choktul Rinpoche who bestowed the Tantric Empowerment Maha-Abisheka of Shri Yamantaka Ekavira when He visited on 20th October. This is a rare opportunity for good practitioners, who are faithful to the Guru and the Dharma. If one wishes to take the empowerment, it is necessary to participate on both days!
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I deeply rejoice of the great efforts of the people of Rabten Chodarling,may you never be separated from Lama Geshe Tamdrin Rabten Rinpoche and His Yansi Rabten Tulku and The Great Gonsar Tulku.Italy Champa Togme.
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Proof that another Dorje Shugden Lama is doing well and has come back, and has a huge Dharma center to boot. I really rejoice when I saw the altar and Trijang Rinpoche, all of these pictures are just so majestic that i felt my heart skip a beat or two. I really love the brocades and the statues, it may look cluttered, but it looks very majestic at the same time. If praying to Dorje Shugden can grant a Lama all of these so that he can spread the Dharma far and wide, count me in coz there is no way he can be evil, if he really is then Trijang Rinpoche would not be able to give initiations in Rabten Choling, or that there will be any Dharma activity anywhere.
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Thank you for sharing the photos of the altar at Rabten Chodarling, Harry. I must say that like beggar, I do like the 'cluttered' look of the altar - not being the most anally retentive person about tidiness, I am very attracted to busy altars and my own personal altar is full of Buddha images because I can't put one or two there and not the others! Maybe that is why i am so attracted to Tibetan Buddhism with all its pomp and ceremony. Definitely the minimalist Zen style does not appeal to me which does tell me that I am so attached to how things should be. Ooops. Back to the drawing board.
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Oh I can identify the Chinese representations of Manjushri and Samathabadra! as well as a Chinese style Namthose at the altar. It is good to know that they are accepting of the Chinese and their culture in Rabten Choling instead of having a rangzen like culture where anything Chinese is frowned upon. In some ways, it is far more progressive as compared to the people in Dharamsala as they seem to have this hate thing going on against the Chinese. It's more than half a decade and they still have not let go. Anyway, the multicultural altar of Rabten Choling is very pretty indeed and it does reflect the eclecticness of Rabten Choling and also Dorje Shugden practitioners in general. It dosent make them a Chinese spy at all.
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Oh thanks for pointing that out, Ensapa. I couldn't tell the difference between the Chinese styles. This just confirms to me that the Dorje Shugden Lamas are working together with the Chinese to ensure that Buddhism grows in Tibet as part of China.
The fact that Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche was the first Tibetan lama to be appointed by the Chinese Government to travel on an official trip abroad to give Dharma teachings in Switzerland in December last year (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/the-first-lama-that-china-sent-abroad/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/the-first-lama-that-china-sent-abroad/) ) shows that the Chinese trust Dorje Shugden lamas. This is perhaps because it is public knowledge that Dorje Shugden lamas are not in HH the Dalai Lama's good books, nor endorsed by the CTA, so there is no political threat of Dorje Shugden lamas to be dissidents. In fact, Dorje Shugden lamas are purely spiritual, as they are just interested in the growth of the dharma, which is surely how lamas should be!
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Oh thanks for pointing that out, Ensapa. I couldn't tell the difference between the Chinese styles. This just confirms to me that the Dorje Shugden Lamas are working together with the Chinese to ensure that Buddhism grows in Tibet as part of China.
The fact that Lama Jampa Ngodup Wangchuk Rinpoche was the first Tibetan lama to be appointed by the Chinese Government to travel on an official trip abroad to give Dharma teachings in Switzerland in December last year ([url]http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/the-first-lama-that-china-sent-abroad/[/url] ([url]http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/news/the-first-lama-that-china-sent-abroad/[/url]) ) shows that the Chinese trust Dorje Shugden lamas. This is perhaps because it is public knowledge that Dorje Shugden lamas are not in HH the Dalai Lama's good books, nor endorsed by the CTA, so there is no political threat of Dorje Shugden lamas to be dissidents. In fact, Dorje Shugden lamas are purely spiritual, as they are just interested in the growth of the dharma, which is surely how lamas should be!
That is right! Dharma and politics do not mix at all. They cannot and do not mix. Dorje Shugden monks may support the Dalai Lama but they would not show it outwardly as that is a very stupid thing to do, so they keep quiet about that and continue to teach Dharma without any political influence and tethering with their Dharma. I havent heard of any Dorje Shugden Lamas being political so far as their main focus would always be the Dharma and for the Dharma. It is no wonder that China promotes them so much and helps them build temples (even though it may be for commercial purposes, but there are still benefits)
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Thanks Harry for sharing this beautiful view of the altar at Rabten Chodarling. It sure looks very colorful and brimming with so many deities and Buddhas. My favorite statue of all is the Dorje Shugden main form. The face features are very well painted, so lively. Even the features and expression on the snow lion looks gorgeous. May the day will come when DS practitioners everywhere will be able to own beautiful Dorje Shugden statues like this to adorn their altar.
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I personally do not prefer my altar to be so cluttered but the point here from the pics is that there is an image of Dorje Shugden and Setrab in full view. May Rabten Chodarling grow to serve and benefit sentient beings in that area.
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The truth is there is many Buddhas living amongst us and around us. They exist and very much real. Dorje Shugden in this "clutter" shows he is an enlightened protector and very much a Buddha like the rest of the Enlightened statues on this altar.
In many temples, Buddha statues are usually placed indoors while worldly gods images are positioned in the outdoors as a respect. This shows where Dorje Shugden's statues are placed which is amongst the other Buddhas, indicates he is acknowledged and respected as a Buddha.
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The truth is there is many Buddhas living amongst us and around us. They exist and very much real. Dorje Shugden in this "clutter" shows he is an enlightened protector and very much a Buddha like the rest of the Enlightened statues on this altar.
In many temples, Buddha statues are usually placed indoors while worldly gods images are positioned in the outdoors as a respect. This shows where Dorje Shugden's statues are placed which is amongst the other Buddhas, indicates he is acknowledged and respected as a Buddha.
that's a good observation you have there! Dorje Shugden is an enlightened protector and if it has been recognised as such by such a huge organization as Rabten Choling, surely it has to be enlightened because if it is not, how is it possible that an 'illegal' organization grow so big and gain so many followers? surely something must have been done right for that to happen. It simply isnt logical for them to be "wrong" and place an unenlightened protector on par with an enlightened one.
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Such a beautiful altar! Thank you for sharing Aurore. Dorje Shugen is among the elite Buddhas! I am so happy to see so many statues in this busy altar and there are some Chinese ones too which creates a beautiful mixture collection of statues there. This altar might appear to be cluttered but I feel it takes a lot of merits for one to be able to own so many statues. The most important image in this altar for me is Dorje Shugden, the protector of our time.
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Thank you for sharing such a beautiful altar of Rabten Chodarling. It is again showing to us that Dorje Shugden is the enlightened Buddha. We can see that Geshe Rabten who was doing Dorje Shugden practice and passed away in 1986 has reincarnated back. Today, the centre of Geshe Rabten is still growing and spreading Dharma to all over the world especially in Europe. The young Tenzin Rabgyä Rinpoche, who is the unmistaken incarnation of the Geshe Rabten, also started to give his first teaching of Taking Refuge in the age of 10 years old. This has clearly proofed to us that Dorje Shugden is not an evil spirits, as we can see high lama who practice him are reincarnated back and spread Dharma again. (For more info on Rabten Rinpoche, please refer to this thread http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1308.0 (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=1308.0) or read on http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/how-five-powerful-lamas-are-changing-the-world/ (http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/how-five-powerful-lamas-are-changing-the-world/))
May Rabgya Rinpoche live long and turn the wheel of Dharma benefiting more people.
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Yes, the altar is rather cluttered with a "collection" of statues, but like Beggar mentioned, there must have been a lot of love and care that went into setting up this altar.
When I run out of space on my main altar, I just expand and create more space with additional tables.
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well, we each have our own ways to express our own devotion to the deities. Some Tibetans like to put all their statues onto a single platform. Somewhat like a happy family playground. Others prefer to be simple and put just one statue of Buddha to represent the entire merit field. Either way, it does not deviate from the Buddhist tradition of generosity and making offerings.
From the pictures of this altar, we could also tell that the Buddhas have no sense of differentiation(heck, they have attained the siddhi of equality!) There is no such thing as this Buddha is above than the other and hence when we are attained, being in the front or later makes no difference already. Its our perceptions that entrap ourselves in Samsara
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well, we each have our own ways to express our own devotion to the deities. Some Tibetans like to put all their statues onto a single platform. Somewhat like a happy family playground. Others prefer to be simple and put just one statue of Buddha to represent the entire merit field. Either way, it does not deviate from the Buddhist tradition of generosity and making offerings.
From the pictures of this altar, we could also tell that the Buddhas have no sense of differentiation(heck, they have attained the siddhi of equality!) There is no such thing as this Buddha is above than the other and hence when we are attained, being in the front or later makes no difference already. Its our perceptions that entrap ourselves in Samsara
While that the Buddhas have no ego and is equal to one another, but to ordinary perception and to normal people, there will be distinctions as they still live within a dualistic world and it is somewhat important to them as they are slaves to their aggregates. that is why there is distinction between the different types of yidams and why is it divided into lower or higher tantra when in reality they are all the Buddha's emanations. As long as we are in Samsara, we cannot avoid having to distinguish between things because that is the nature of samsara, and the Buddhas understand.
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Such a nice and beautiful altar of Rabten Chodarling. Thanks for sharing it! I noticed that each yidam are wrapped with a khata. The altar looks very vibrant and brimming with energy. It shows that this person has strong devotion and dedicated to his goal because the altar is a place for one to go to for prayers and meditations.
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Such a nice and beautiful altar of Rabten Chodarling. Thanks for sharing it! I noticed that each yidam are wrapped with a khata. The altar looks very vibrant and brimming with energy. It shows that this person has strong devotion and dedicated to his goal because the altar is a place for one to go to for prayers and meditations.
Here's an explanation of what khatas are:
Khata is an informal term and Jael-dhar is the formal term, for traditional Tibetan offering scarf. Khatas are made of cotton, silk or other materials. They look more like a long scarf and have auspicious symbols or mantras inscribed or woven into the fabric. It represents the sincerety of ones offering, with no negative thoughts or motives in mind.They come predominantly in shades of white or ivory, due to the purity of the color but you will also find them in Blue,Red,Green and Yellow/Gold Yellow. It is a part of Tibetan way of life from birth to death and between. It is also used as a sign of recognition of one’s love or respect for another. The offering of Khata is probably one of the most well known customs of Tibetan culture. Something that one could call a Tibetan bouquet, that is very reusable and one specific Khata may travel the world over.
Historically, Khatas have been in use in the Tibetan culture for many centuries, there are 3 schools of thoughts, due to the neglect in small day to day customs being put in writing, these have been mostly transferred by word of mouth, through the generations. One school believes that it started in the 7th Century AD during the rule of King SongTsen Gompo. He would present any minister or citizen who did a good job with a skin of a prized animal, like tigers, leopards, foxes or others. With the advent of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century as a State religion, the then King Trisong DeuTsen, Guru Rinpoche (Acharya Padmasambhava), Abbot Shantarakshita and others leaders, discouraged the giving of animal skin, as it required the killing of an animal for the fur or skin. Aware of the Indian tradition of giving offerings of sets of new clothing to the teachers or Guru, the tradition of giving the skin of prized animals was soon replaced with expensive brocades from China. Then to present day Khatas with the passage of time. The second school of thoughts say that it was prevalent in the nomadic communities of Tibet before the advent of Buddhism, even upto the Chinese invasion in 1950’s in some remote parts of Utsang and some regions close by, and may still be used, traditionally people would put Tsampa on the shoulders of people that came to their homes for work or visit to signify the purity of their wishes of respect, welcome or fare well.This ceremony was called Kartak. It was put on the right shoulder on men and left on women. It was decoratively displayed with symbols and greetings on floors to welcome high lama or officials, which is still done to this day. Tsampa, a roasted barley or any roasted grain flour was/is the staple diet in Tibet.The ceremony was done on all aspects of day to day life and with time the need for putting it around vases full of water offerings moved it to white wollen threads and eventually to present day Khatas.The other school belief is it originated in India or China, but these are just biased thoughts from our view as they seem not to be used in these both communities currently. Then with the passage of time, the expensive brocades were replaced with scarves made of cotton and silk. These days you will see all the five colors of the elements of the earth, Blue, White, Red, Green and Yellow. Mostly in shades of white or ivory is what you will find commonly used. Khatas come in a wide selection of different lengths, fabrics and quality.
The offering of a scarf may seem to be a simple gesture but in Tibetan tradition it has its own significance and protocol and is governed by tradition. To present a Khata you first fold it in half length-wise, this represents the interdepencence of each other. Then when you offer the scarf to the person, you offer the open edges facing the person you are giving it to, the folded section will be towards you, which represents your open pure heart, with no negative thoughts or motives in the offering.
Offering of Khatas would fall under 2 groups very broadly, with greetings and well wishes being the common in both offerings.
HOW TO OFFER A KHATA:
RESPECT/GRATITUDE: For holy sites, honored monks, teachers, diginitaries and elders, the scarf is given with folded hands near your forehead, with a humble bow before them, with head bent over and palms joined in respect. You never put the Khata over their neck in this situation.In most cases the giver will receive his/her Khata back from the given, as a token of blessing back to them, specially when you visit high lamas and teachers. It is custom to put Khatas over statues, thangka painting, pictures of reincarnated rinpoche’s and altar spaces.A Khata offered to H. H. the Dalai Lama and received back by a Tibetan personally will be cherished and preciously kept as it is now a very special blessing ,talisman and protector. It may never come back into recirculation from that Tibetan again. It is also flown and put on Prayer Flags before one hangs them as a sign of your prayers being sincere and pure, also as an offering to the Gods for swift accomplishment of prayers and wishes.
AFFECTION/CELEBRATION: This is for special events, like marriage, birthdays, newyear,farewell & safe journey, welcome home, honor celebration of events and happenings, death ceremony and other day to day events in lifes journey.In the event of these occasions you can offer scarfs around the neck of recepients provided they are not from the first category, or lay it over the body in case of a deceased.
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I like this clustered altar at Rabten Chodarling, it is so vibrant and character with so many Buddha images.
Look of Dorje Shugden image right in the front. Nice statute, feast your eyes and be blessed by this holy image.