Hi, I'm totally new here, just came across this website while I was doing some research on Dorje Shugden. One of my friend decided to leave her Guru just because He insists to continue practicing Dorje Shugden. This made me really curious about what actually is the story behind. Why make buddhism so complicated? I thought Buddhism doesn't encourage sectarianism?
Nice to see this article that doesn't encourage sectarianism. 
Hi Daka,
Welcome to the site and the forum!
It is quite sad that these are troubled and confusing times, and that your friend left her teacher because of this. I am sure there must be many more people out there who don't understand what this is all about or sadly, may even leave their practices.
No, Buddhism does not encourage sectarianism. It is people who create sectarianism by spreading wrong views or engaging in negative actions. Dorje Shugden's practice is NOT sectarian, which many people claim that it is. There have been so many stories by previous masters about how Dorje Shugden was practiced by Nyingmas and Sakyas; Dorje Shugden was a very widely worshipped Protector throughout Tibet. There were many regions which were mainly Gelugpa and there are accounts which also prove that Gelugpas very willingly and happily supported their fellow Tibetans who were from other sects. This thing about sectarianism has only arisen recently.
Yes, Dorje Shugden arose to protect Lama Tsongkhapa's teachings but it must be made clear that he does not protect the teachings at the expense of any other school. He would never do that as he is a fully enlightened Buddha. He protects and helps these teachings to grow because they are said to be particularly relevant and beneficial to people of this time but this does not mean that the other teachings / sects are no good or that he would harm them or stop them. This is illogical.
It is a big irony that people say Dorje Shugden is sectarian because he protects Lama Tsongkhapa's teachings.... Lama Tsongkhapa took teachings from masters of all the other three Tibetan Buddhist schools and his teachings are a synthesis of all their teachings AND the older teachings from Indian masters. So if Dorje Shugden protects Lama Tsongkhapa's teachings, would it be logical to conclude that he is therefore protecting ALL the schools? How can this be sectarian? That would really be like cutting off your nose to spite your face!
Do read more on this website - there is a lot more information about Dorje Shugden's practice, who he is, his history, how he arose as a Dharma Protector, his enlightened nature. There's also good information about the politics of the situation. Be well informed, see all sides of the story before you make a well-informed, non-biased conclusion,
