Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace!
The Origins of Wedding Vows
In Western civilisations, Christian marriages are generally understood and recognised as occurring at a wedding, where the bride and groom profess to each other what are called “Wedding Vows”.
Wedding vows in the form of “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part“, have been recited at United Kingdom church weddings since 1552.
Before this vow was written into the “Book of Common Prayer”, marriages were relatively informal where couples could simply promise themselves to one another at any time or place, and the spoken word was as good as the written contract.
To have and to hold, from this day forward;
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
– Traditional Church of England wedding vows
A Contract
Even though it has now become culturally understood as wedding vows, the actual terminology of wedding vows reveals that the words expressed are that of being a covenant/contract.
It is a promise, an agreement, a profession of commitment between the husband and wife. Yet, there is no “swearing of/to” anything, nor is there any saying “I vow such and such by and such”.
And while the marriage itself is not subject to “re-negotiation”, the terms of the covenant to which both parties have agreed are indeed able to be re-negotiated.
This is of course possible only if both parties give their un-coerced, freely-given, mutual genuine assent to choose to re-write and re-word the terms of the covenant. One person trying to unilaterally change or re-word the terms of the covenant amounts to the sin of covenant-breaking.
All of this is much like modern contract law.
Speak Now!
To fight both clandestine marriages and people marrying within forbidden degrees of relationship, the 4th Lateran Council of 1215 ordered (in Canon 51) this:
We absolutely forbid clandestine marriages; and we forbid also that a priest presume to witness such. Wherefore, extending to other localities generally the particular custom that prevails in some, we decree that when marriages are to be contracted they must be announced publicly in the churches by the priests during a suitable and fixed time, so that if legitimate impediments exist, they may be made known.
In England, this public announcement was called “banns”.
Priests were obliged to announce an upcoming marriage three Sundays in a row to allow anyone who knew of impediments to the marriage to come forward to “speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The legitimate impediments are:
- one person is already married
- they are close relatives
- one or both are under duress to marry
- one or both are not whom they claim to be
Today, in non-Catholic weddings, the phrase often used is “if any person can show just cause that these two should not be joined…”
In large parishes or those with high turnover, “banns” have been replaced by affidavits from people who have known the marriage parties for a long time and can certify their freedom to marry.
In summary, marriage vows are a system for contract between two parties developed a long time ago. In this system, besides the two contracting parties, other parties were also given a chance to voice their objection to the proposed contract if they had legitimate reasons to do so. Once this process is dealt with and considered over, everyone is to forever hold their peace.
How Dorje Shugden Arose and Was Recognized and Legitimized as Enlightened
A similar line of thought or logic can be traced in the arising, recognition and legitimisation of Dorje Shugden as an enlightened protector of the Gelugpa lineage.
Due to jealousy of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s popularity and wanting to secure their high status and spoils in the Tibetan social hierarchy, the 5th Dalai Lama’s ministers decided to murder him and they did manage to after Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen himself advised them on how to go about it.
Following his murder, disturbing events began to plague Lhasa which made the 5th Dalai Lama and other high lamas from various traditions believe that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen had returned as a harmful and mischievous spirit.
To eradicate this harmful spirit, meditation masters undertook several powerful fire rituals but were unable to do so. The masters included Mindrolling Lama Choegyal Terdag Lingpa who performed a powerful fire puja (Tib: sbyin sreg) to kill Dorje Shugden.
His attendants arranged grand offerings to be ritually offered into the fire and they had the highest Nyingma lama who attained siddhi (spiritually accomplished) holding the ladle. At this point in the ritual, the Lama compelled Dorje Shugden onto the ladle by the power of mantra. Then, he threw Dorje Shugden into the fire.
This powerful ritual ‘kills’ evil spirits and sends their consciousnesses to take rebirth in a Pure Land. However, every time Mindrolling Lama threw Dorje Shugden into the fire, he would have a vision of Yamantaka arising unharmed from the flames, standing on the ladle.
After a few attempts, he ceased the puja realising that he was not dealing with an ordinary spirit but an enlightened being who was one with Yamantaka. Mindrolling Rinpoche reported this turn of events to the 5th Dalai Lama, who was very pleased.
This proved that Dorje Shugden had completed Guhyasamaja’s generation and completion stages, the result of which was his Enlightenment and lack of karma to be destroyed.
Seeing this, the 5th Dalai Lama manifested great remorse and composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden. He later also developed such great faith in Dorje Shugden as a Protector that he designated Trode Khangsar in Central Lhasa as a Protector chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden.
This episode in history when Dorje Shugden was established as none other than an enlightened protector can be viewed in the same way as the marriage process.
Whatever objections or causes for concern that were voiced more than four centuries ago had been dealt with almost immediately and put to rest by the 5th Dalai Lama himself and other high lamas of the day.
The high lamas of the Gaden tradition then proceeded to propitiate Dorje Shugden for four centuries with impeccable results.
Trying to challenge the legitimacy of Dorje Shugden more than four centuries later is merely degrading the holy masters and Tibetan Buddhism.
Today, the Central Tibetan Administration is trying to revise and rewrite history by objecting to Dorje Shugden, four centuries after the event.
Just like the marriage process, those who were there to witness what the 5th Dalai Lama, high lamas and the people of Lhasa witnessed and experienced themselves about the nature of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and Dorje Shugden are the ones who are qualified to object.
They did so but then realised that their objection was without basis and hence were turned into strong believers.
More so with a centuries-old track record, no one should doubt Dorje Shugden nor believe whoever is trying to degrade his enlightened qualities and activities.
Footnote:
The Great 5th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso’s teachers, contemporaries and students who were around in the 17th century to witness Dorje Shugden arising:
- The 4th Paṇchen Lama, Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen
- The 28th Sakya Trizin, Ngawang Sonam Wangchuk
- The 5th Drukchen of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition, Paksam Wangpo
- The 1st Dzogchen Drubwang, Pema Rigdzin
- The 4th Dorje Drak Rigdzin, Pema Trinley
- Choegyal Terdag Lingpa, the founder of Mindrolling
Sources:
- “Marriage and weddings.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ritesrituals/weddings_1.shtml
- “Banns of marriage.” https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Banns_of_marriage
- “Treasury of Lives” http://treasuryoflives.org/
- Vows the root of all attainments
- The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer To Dorje Shugden
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
An agreement for living together by mutual consent is a marriage vow . As a similar line of thought, we believe all actual facts and in reality how and why Dorje Shugden arosed. Dorje Shugden arosed as our enlightened Dharma Protector as promised to protects the Dharma teachings. It’s a commitment between Dorje Shugden and Gelugpa lineage for more then 400 years, still going stronger despite all those lies , controversy the Tibetan Leadership trying to create. The Tibetan Leadership is trying to break this strong relationship with all the allegations on Dorje Shugden. Many highly attained lamas and masters had propitiated for Dorje Shugden for years . They cannot be wrong in their practice after all. Dorje Shugde is not a devil or spirits as claimed by some. HH Dalai Lama already said its does not harm and we can practice. With the recent speech in India at Bodhgaya on 2nd January 2020, HH dalai Lama also said that if people wish to practise Dorje Shugden as a birth deity or land god (Tibetan: kye lha yul lha), THAT WOULD BE FINE.
Thank you Seow Choong Liang for the wonderful analogy to understand better.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
Thanks Choong for this interesting article on Dorje Shugden and your analogy with marriage vows. It has come a long way for the people during the 5th Dalai Lama time to realise and acknowledged that Dorje Shugden is not a devil/spirit but an enlightened dharma protector. There after, Dorje Shugden has been accepted by the high lamas of Gaden and propitiated for a strong 400 years.
However, CTA is trying to break this relationship by stating baseless allegation on Dorje Shugden and that it harm Dalai Lama. Then CTA go on to ban Dorje Shugden practise (break the marriage) in 1996. Why is there such a sudden change when 400 years ago , there were many incidents proven that Dorje Shugden is no devil but an enlightened dharma protector?
Dorje Shugden practitioners should not be easily shaken by this ban but to continue holding this vow and to fight for the right to practise.
This is a marriage vows swear between Dorje Shugden and Gelugpa lineage since 400 years ago. Dorje Shugden has been doing his job as a good and responsible husband and wife by taking care of those sincerely for dharma, protecting them, guiding them and enriching them with his blessings, By saying his mantra, have faith in his practice and have pure samara with their Gurus, so that the linage carried on unbroken until today.
Who is CTA? The 3rd party that doing everything they can to slender, to lie, to threaten and abuse with intention to break this mariege that has been pure and strong for 400 years.
A strong relationship with faith and trust is not easy to to broken down. The understanding between Dorje Shugden and His practioenrs will not be easily break down. The Holy practise that given to us by our Guru is forever. This is an unbroken lineage of blessings and energy from 400 years. It is not meant to be taken away simple because someone set the rule. That’s the vow we hold for Dorje Shugden.
Thank you for your comments Julia. I agree with you as to the role of those nasty people who are trying to break up a marriage.
Hehehe.. when I first read this post, I thought it was about marriage. Both marriage vow and Dorje Shugden practices has been around for a very long time. 400 years ago, the 5th Dalai Lama who is of one mindstream with all other Dalai lamas, and the 14th Dalai Lama also could have chosen 400 years ago to stop Dorje Shugden once and for all. Why is it that suddenly the Dalai Lama and CTA is trying to change history saying Dorje Shugden is bad? Thanks for the wonderful analogy and research. Great effort Choong! 🙂 _/\_
Hahaha when I first read this post, I thought it was about marriage. So I was going to say I always thought wedding ceremony is really unnecessary. Sorry lor but why would you spend so much money to tell someone you love them, in front of a big group of people and most of them you probably don’t even know? Feels actually it’s a celebration of ego and something like a birthday party. Wah lau, every year you force people to celebrate the day you are born hahaha some more they have to PAY for a present or dinner to say happy birthday, omg. I’m not trying to be cheapskate but really la, how come that day is so special? Just because you were born issit? People are born every day, how come you only celebrate a few birthday and not EVERYBODY?
Anyway for this Dorje Shugden thing, contract or not, I think it’s not anyone’s business what you all want to believe. I prefer Kalarupa for myself but if someone said the same thing about my god then I will also behave the same way as you all. Faith is personal choice and shouldn’t be viewed as some kind of contract because a contract can be broken. But maybe you can think of it like marriage if you don’t believe that marriage is a contract, and it is just a good relationship between two people. So my belief is my belief and whoever wants to say something about it and challenge it, is like some kind of mistress who is trying to break up a marriage. You don’t want the mistress to be there and you want to tell her to go away and stop interfering between you and your partner because they are trying to spoil your relationship. CTA is now like this mistress. She came out of nowhere and no one invited her to join in but she is causing problems for you and your relationship.
Thank you Choong. This is quite a surprising but apt analogy.
If one who has taken marital vows has an obligation to observe and hold the vows, how much more important is it to keep our word with an enlightened being whose commitment to us is beyond the mundane and beyond this lifetime?
The ‘marriage’ between the Gelugpa leadership and Dorje Shugden was officially solemnised by the 5th Dalai Lama who regarded the deity as a worthy Dharma Protector to worship, the 11th Dalai Lama who enthroned Dorje Shugden as the guardian of the Gelugpa lineage and the 14th Dalai Lama who relied on Dorje Shugden and regarded the deity as a Buddha for a significant part of his life until and ugly baseless ‘divorce’ was forced onto the relationship.
The time and opportunity for the Tibetan leadership to show just cause why Dorje Shugden should not be worshipped as an enlightened protector lapsed a long time ago. You don’t go into a 400 year relationship, extract every bit of benefit from a Buddha and suddenly turn around and say, “I didn’t know he was the devil”. That just sounds very lame.
Interesting view point from Choong. 400 years ago, the 5th Dalai Lama who is of one mindstream with all other Dalai lamas, and the 14th Dalai Lama also could have chosen 400 years ago to stop Dorje Shugden once and for all. Although the Mindroling lamas failed to do the job, if Dorje Shudgen is a spirit, other high lamas could have finished the job?
Not only that, the Dalai Lama chose his 14th incarnation to subdue and oppress Dorje Shugden, it would have been a lot easier if he chose a time, without internet and smartphones, social media. Why this time and age, unless it is premeditated to achieve something higher?
It is truly a very insightful argument, because it’s a two in one, both of which are very meaningful, especially for the legitimisation of our enlightened Dharma Protector. As a similar line of thought, we believe you have utilised all factual and logical points in challenging to establish how and why Dorje Shugden arose and was recognised as our enlightened Dharma Protector. As a matter of fact, it was the high Lamas of Gaden Tradition who had proceeded to propitiate Dorje Shugden for four centuries with impeccable results! Even all attempts made to prove Dorje Shaugden as a harmful and mischievous spirit had failed. This had also made the Fifth Dalai Lama felt so pleased that he had not only composed a prayer for Dorje Shugden, but had also with great faith, designated “Trade Khangsar in Central Lhasa as a Protector’s Chapel, dedicated to Dorje Shugden.” As said, all our time and life is short on this earth, so let us not waste it insensibly on anything “sensless” in samsara which is “empty of meaning”. Hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden followers have indicated they will not abandon Dorje Shugden practice, so let it end with absolute peace, deep sincere geniune love and harmony for the benefits of all beings. Om Benza Wiki Bittana Soha.
Hi Choong,
Thank you for drawing the analogy of wedding vows and recognizing Dorje Shugden as an Enlightened Dharma protector.
Perhaps when the CTA people reads this, may their mindstream open up more to accept this fact and thereby, result in inclusion of DS practitioners into the mainstream Tibetan community in-exile in India.
Thanks for the wonderful analogy and research.
Lum Kok Luen
Dear Choong
Thank you for this insightful article. It is interesting that you are making an analogy between wedding vows and Dorje Shugden. I do agree with you. Before Dorje Shugden was enthroned as a Dharma protector, Dorje Shugden’s power and legitimacy have been tested by the 5th Dalai Lama. One of the ways that this was done was by instructing a powerful Nyingma lama to perform a powerful puja to destroy Dorje Shugden. If Dorje Shugden was a spirit, he would have been destroyed then. Therefore, why bring up the issue of Dorje Shugden’s legitimacy 400 years after he was enthroned?
We should admit though that the fact that the Dalai Lama spoke negatively about Dorje Shugden has brought Dorje Shugden to the new height of popularity. Therefore, as Trijang Rinpoche suggested as his book Music Delighting Ocean of Protectors, the Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden are promoting the Dharma together. Therefore, we should not think negatively about either the Dalai Lama or Dorje Shugden.
Valentina
Thank you Choong for this short yet meaningful article. Thank you also for making us understand what marriage vow is all about and how Dorje Shugden arose as an enlightened protector. Both marriage vow and Dorje Shugden practices has been around for a very long time. Why is it that suddenly the CTA is trying to change history saying Dorje Shugden is bad? Is CTA trying to say many high lamas and masterz were wrong in their practice? It really doesn’t make any sense at all.
With folded palms,
Vivian