Question asked by Niklas
Hello Pastors!
I have a question:
I'm 25 years old and I'm quite newbie to Buddhism. I used to together with my auntie chanting Diamond Sutra daily but I noticed that after chanting sutra that my auntie will always recite 3x the verse called Prayer to World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden by H.H 5th DalaiLama. I have asked her about this Protector called Dorje Shugden and she gently introduce me about Him a little bit that it's brought me so much peace and joy.
I just want to ask:
What's meaning for us after chanting sutra that we usually recite Protector praise like my auntie does?
I usually chanting Diamond Sutra with Her but I'm not so understand the truly meaning of this sutra. How I should understand the essence meanings of this sutra during chanting to get more benefits and realisation?
What's benefits of this Sutra and Protector Dorje Shugden can help me in daily life?
Thank you so much.
Dear Niklas,
Thank you for your questions.
The Diamond Sutra is a Mahayana text that presents the Buddha’s teachings on the Perfection of Wisdom through a dialogue with his disciple Subhuti. The sutra emphasises the concept of emptiness by deconstructing our attachment to conventional designations and dualistic thinking.
Basically it teaches that the Buddha, the Dharma, sentient beings, and even enlightenment itself, lack inherent existence and are merely conventional designations dependent on causes, conditions, and mental imputation.
Through this understanding of emptiness combined with great compassion, we can accumulate merit without clinging to the concept of merit-making, benefit beings without grasping at the notion of beings to be saved, and ultimately achieve liberation from the cycle of samsara while recognising that there is no inherent liberation to be attained.
Benefits include:
1. Accumulation of a lot of merit
2. Purification of negative karma
3. Development of wisdom
4. Protection from obstacles
5. Cutting our attachment
6. Benefiting sentient beings through dedication
7. Creating the causes for a good rebirth
8. Mental and emotional stability
There are many other benefits also.
As for why we can do Dharma Protector practice after Sutra recitations or any Dharma practice for that matter, is to clear obstacles and create the conducive conditions that we can be successful in our spiritual practice. You can watch a teaching by Tsem Rinpoche on Dharma Protector practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/one-minute-story/powerful-explanations-on-dharma-protectors
I hope this helps. Thank you.