Question asked by Lenny
Hello Pastors
Tsem Tulku gave Dorje Shugden as a YIDAM practice to some of his students so claims Pastor David Lai.
He stated this in his Youtube video of August 10, 2021 titled, "Once Upon A Time With Rinpoche – Rinpoche's Personal Yidam Pt 6".
Here is the link to that video and please go to the 11:00 minute mark. It is roughly 45 seconds long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSw_LcHw4S0
Since Tsem Tulku gave out Dorje Shugden as a Yidam to some of his students can we now consider Dorje Shugden a YIDAM?












































































































Dear Lenny,
Thank you for your question. I have clarified this matter with Pastor David. H.E. Tsem Rinpoche assigned Dorje Shugden to be the main practice of some students. This is because Dharma Protector practice was more suited for them, for various reasons. That’s being said the prayers and practice of Dorje Shugden is still as a Dharma Protector. There is no existing tradition of practising Dorje Shugden as a yidam, or meditational deity.
Hence, the reason why Dorje Shugden was considered to be their ‘yidam’ was because he was their main practice. There are some cases where a lama will assign a Dharma Protector as a students primary practice. These practices however will not include the elements of yidam (meditational deity) practice, because they are Dharma Protectors. I hope this helps.
Thank you.