Hi Jeffry,

".....Accordingly, the name of Dorje Shugden is hidden within the syllables of the 108 Names of Manjushri that were spoken by Lord Buddha, specifically in the name of Manjushri’s form pertaining to such protection..."

You may read the full article here:

https://www.dorjeshugden.org/blog/the-hidden-name-of-dorje-shugden-in-the-kangyur

Thank you
Carmen

Dear Beatrix

Thank you for your question. The followings are the definition of idle chatter from various sources:

Idle chatter is words that are "spoken with no purposeful intent at all" According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"The Noble Eightfold Path" by Vet. Bhikku Bodhi (P. 48-49) defines idle chatter as "pointless talk, speech that lacks purpose or depth. Such speech communicates nothing of value, but only stirs up the defilements in one's own mind and in others."

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in his book, the Joyful Path of Good Fortune page 244 that "there are many ways of engaging in idle chatter. For example, we can just utter everything that comes into our head. We can talk with no purpose or without any sense of responsibility. Any talking that is mindless or of no real benefit is idle chatter." In addition, Geshe Kelsang also mentioned that "idle chatter can also be non-verbal." such as reading romance or fantasy novels.

Although Idle chatter is not so severe in negativity, if we engage with it too much, then, it wastes our time and can become obstacles to our Dharma practice. Therefore, it is advisable to not engage in idle chatter.

Valentina

Dear Jeffry

In general, there are two types of Dharma protectors, enlightened and unenlightened Dharma protectors. Enlightened Dharma protectors are usually the emanation of enlightened Buddha. For example, Dorje Shugden is the emanation of Buddha of Wisdom Manjushri, Palden Lhamo is the emanation of Buddha of knowledge, arts and music, Saraswati, and Mahakala is the emanation of Buddha of Compassion Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara. Unenlightened Dharma protectors are usually spirits that have been bound by their vows to an enlightened being. Nechung is a good example of an unenlightened protectors that have been subdued by Guru Rinpoche, another example of an unenlightened Dharma protector is Methar who was subdued by Serkong Dorje Chang.

The difference between enlightened and unenlightened Dharma protector is you can take refuge in enlightened Dharma protector, but you cannot take refuge in unenlightened Dharma protector. If one takes refuge in unenlightened Dharma protector, his/ her practice will degenerate.

The function of Dharma protectors is to help sentient beings who have a karmic affinity with them so they can focus on their spiritual practice. In addition, they also have specific functions. For example, Dorje Shugden is as the protector of Lama Tsongkhapa's teachings, and Palden Lhamo is known as the protector of the Dalai Lama lineage.

Do read more about Palden Lhamo by clicking this link:

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/palden-lhamo.html

Also read about the other protectors of Tibetan Buddhism by clicking this link:

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dharma-protectors-of-tibetan-buddhism.html

Thank you
Valentina

Dear Beatrix

Thank you for your question. First of all, There are many ways how a spirit can attach itself to us, and some of the most common methods are:

- Through an object. In some cultures which have a history of believing in spirits, it is an unsaid rule that antique items or objects with a long history are to be handled with caution.
- A place or location. This explains why some places are haunted. Spirits that haunt certain spaces can create disturbances when they share a common space with human beings.
- Through black magic. A spirit can be sent to us in the form of black magic. In such cases, the spirit infestation can manifest in the form of calamities.

General Protection

In Buddhism, the most simple and powerful method of protection from spirits is to take refuge in the Three Jewels. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is to develop faith in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Formally, taking refuge involves taking vows and the vows taken depend on the school or tradition of Buddhism. It is important to read and understand the refuge vows and realise the Buddha who is free from all fears is the perfect object of refuge. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we practice the dharma and we respect the sangha, we are protected from many different types of spirit.

However, if you do have special karmic affinity with a certain spirit, a special protection may be required.

When Special Protection is Required

In cases where there is this “special” karmas that create affinity with certain spirits, and harm and affliction is still being experienced, the practice of Dorje Shugden can be done for protection.

Out of the five forms of Dorje Shugden, Trakze also known as Karma Shugden is the most wrathful emanation of Dorje Shugden. His practice is especially efficacious for overcoming powerful delusions and very negative, harmful energies.

Do learn more about Dorje Shugden Trakze practice on https://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/dorje-shugden-trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.

There are lot of Dharma Protectors according to Tibetan Buddhism. What is the difference between lower Dharma Protector and higher Dharma Protector? I am not sure whether higher or lower is the correct term to define it but in this case I mean the difference between Palden Lhamo and Dorje Shugden for example.

Dear Jeffry

Thank you for your question. There are many places in the world that are associated with Dorje Shugden. Some of them are listed below:
1. Wu Tai Shan or five peak Mountain in China. It is said that this is one of Dorje Shugden's abodes.
2. Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, Malaysia - where you can see the biggest statue of Dorje Shugden in the world and do retreat
3. Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Mongolia. This monastery is considered as the second most important monastery in the outer Mongolia. This monastery has a beautiful Dorje Shugden chapel that was reconstructed recently.

For more information about places associated with Dorje Shugden, you can check the information in the following links: https://www.dorjeshugden.org/category/temples

for more information about Wu Tai Shan, you can visit the following page: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/mount-wutai-the-earthly-abode-of-lord-manjushri.html

Thank you
Valentina

Dear Jeffry

Thank you for your question. Dorje Shugden appeared in peaceful or wrathful form depending on the need of the practitioners. Sometimes, the practitioners are more receptive to the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden while others are more receptive to the wrathful form of Dorje Shugden. There is no difference whether we visualise the wrathful or peaceful emanation of Dorje Shugden during mantra recitation.

In Buddhist iconography, wrathful expression represents speed, powerful, and compassionate energy. Just like a mother who scolds her child for doing something that is harmful. Dorje Shugden manifested wrathful energy to destroy our obstacles and help us with speed.

I wish you success in your spiritual and secular life.

Valentina

Dear Jeffry

Thank you for your question. When you practice offering the serkym to Dorje Shugden, please visualise the liquid or beverage you offer as divine nectar that continue to expand to fill the entire ocean. The ocean represents everything that is desirable and pleasant to the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Then you offered this ocean to Dorje Shugden and his entourage and other deities (e.g., Setrap) that is mentioned in the serkym prayer.

Usually when travelling, you can offered canned or bottled drink as the substitution of serkym set. Before you recite the serkym offering prayer, open the can or the bottle and consecrate it by reciting OM AH HUM.

Do read more about Serkym offering prayer by clicking the following link:

https://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/serkym-offering-prayers-to-dorje-shugden

Thank you again and I wish you success in your spiritual practice.

Valentina

Hi,

I want to ask about is there any difference or circumstances why Dorje Shugden manifest in wrathful expression but in other environment and condition, he appears as peaceful emanation? Is there any difference whether we visualizing wrathful or peaceful DS during our mantra recitation practice?

Thank you.

Kind Regards,
Jeffry

Dear Fong

Thank you for your question. It is best to visualise the offerings as explained in the Kawang teaching videos:

https://www.dorjeshugden.org/media/kawang-prayers-to-dorje-shugden

If you have difficulties in visualisation, maybe it will be helpful to set up the wrathful offering in front of you.

My best wishes for your practice

Valentina

Dear Valencia

Thank you for your question. As a new person to the Dharma, you can start by taking refuge in the three jewels (i.e., Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) and avoiding 10 non-virtues (i.e., killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive talk, harsh talk, Idle talk, Craving/ coveting, Ill-will, wrong views). In addition, you can also consider to take 8 Mahayana precepts on auspicious days and vegetarian vows (temporary or permanent).

Do read more about the benefits of taking vows:

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/students-friends/vows-the-roots-of-all-attainments.html

In addition to the above, you can start doing your daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and protector Dorje Shugden consistently to tap into their enormous blessing.

Do read this article on how to start Dorje Shugden practice:
https://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/starting-on-dorje-shugdens-practice

And the prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga - Gaden Lhagyama

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tsongkhapa-prayers.html

To learn more about the meaning behind Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga teaching, you can click the following link:

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/transcript-guru-yoga-teaching.html

My best wishes for your practice.

Valentina

Dear Prashant

Thank you for your question. Congratulation!!! I am happy that you plan to embark on the practice and study of Buddhism. First of all you can start reading books on Tibetan Buddhism. You can find a good recommendation on what books to read from this article:

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/books-that-are-a-must-read.html

At the same time, you can start the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden.

Lama Tsongkhapa

Lama Tsongkhapa was the founder of Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) school of Buddhism. Our teacher, H.E., the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and Kechara belongs to this school. One of the great lineage teachers, H.H. Pabongka Rinpoche once said that:

“If one keeps even a drop of the nectar of the name of this holy being – Lama Tsongkhapa – in a devotional heart, it plants the seed of liberation and one receives the fortune to practice and enjoy happiness from this life up to enlightenment.”

Do read more about Lama Tsongkhapa in this article: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/lord-tsongkapa-king-of-the-dharma.html

You can start Lama Tsongkhapa practice by reciting Gaden Lhagyama and Migtsema.

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tsongkhapa-prayers.html#1

Dorje Shugden

In addition to learning Buddhism and starting the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa, it is important to do Dorje Shugden practice and request his help to create a conducive condition for your Dharma practice. Do read the following article on how to start on Dorje Shugden practice.

https://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/starting-on-dorje-shugdens-practice

My best wishes for your Dharma practice,

Valentina