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Dear Demian,

Thank you for your question. The protectors who take trance of Nechung, Tseringma and Gadong oracles are not enlightened beings. The reason why the Dalai Lama uses them is that when they were oath-bound they promised to help protect and spread the Dharma. They are not enlightened beings but worldly deities, unlike other Dharma protectors who are manifestations of the enlightened beings.

Dorje Shugden is an enlightened beings, in fact he is the same as Manjushri and Yamantaka. They are definitely enlightened beings. You can read more about Manjushri here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/all-about-manjushri.html.

On our level, by that I mean we are not enlightened, we cannot directly perceive the mind of another being to see if they are enlightened or not. But we can use our minds to make logical conclusions as to the nature of various beings, through investigation into their actions and upon the advice of our Gurus and enlightened masters. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Pob,

Thank you for your question. I have read the above article that alleges persecution against the Rime movement. Within the history of Tibet there have many instances of religious conversion between the four major schools for political reasons. However I do not personally believe this claim that there was such strong persecution against the Rime practitioners of the past as alleged in the article.

The claim that Pabongka Rinpoche and his students promoted sectarianism does not accord with the teachings that Pabongka Rinpoche gave. In fact in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hands, it clearly states that Pabongka Rinpoche taught that to even deride any of the four schools or any branch of Buddhism for that matter causes a great deal of negative karma, let alone to promote sectarianism, which itself goes against the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.

As for Pabongka Rinpoche’s students, his most famous disciple – Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche – was known to have given empowerments of the peaceful and wrathful forms of Padmasambhava and other Nyingma empowerments when he was 28 years old in Chatreng, Kham. This is recorded is his own biography. This just goes to show that he was not sectarian. If he was sectarian then there would be no reason why Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche would be keeping the commitments of this Nyingma practice in order to pass it on to others.

There is also well-known saying that Padmasambhava, Lama Atisha and Lama Tsongkhapa are of the same mindstream, therefore a practicing Gelugpa would never deride the teachings or destroy the statues of another tradition. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Kelsang Phumwang,

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you feel that you have made many mistakes in your practice. But you need to remember that the only way to truly progress on our spiritual journey is to learn from our mistakes, and then make the effort to ensure they do not occur again. Those who do not make mistakes and then overcome them, cannot progress on the journey to enlightenment. Please do not be sad that you may have made mistakes in the past, we must concentrate what we are doing now. In fact you should be happy as you now know what you need to do.

As Dorje Shugden is an enlightened being, an emanation of Manjushri, by definition he would never give up on you or any other sentient being for that matter. One of the qualities of an enlightened being is that they have ultimate compassion, equal for all beings. As operating from this compassion, there is no way that he will give up on us, no matter the mistakes we have made. As long as we recognise these mistakes, make a conscious effort to refrain from repeating them, make amends if our mistakes have caused others harm, and purify these mistakes, then Dorje Shugden will always be there to help us.

From what you have written, you are making positive changes in your life and practice at the moment, so you are overcoming your mistakes, which is a wonderful thing. Dorje Shugden will never abandon you as long as you do not generate the negative karma to block his presence in your life. You can be sure of that. The spiritual journey can be challenging at time, as with all of our journeys in life, but I rejoice that you are overcoming your mistakes, and bettering yourself. I hope this short answer helps.

And thank you very much for your wishes of love, peace and most of all your blessings, I cherish them.

Dear Rodrigo Rodrigues,

See the diagrams for the altar setup for a Dorje Shugden retreat. You can use this setup for your practice of the long sadhana of Dorje Shugden as well. For more information please click here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/dorje-shugden-retreat and scroll down to the section in regards to setting up an altar and making offerings. This will provide you with a comprehensive list and resources you may need to set up your offerings better.

Dear Honkahluen,

I'm not completely sure as to the meaning of your question but i think you are referring to the base that Buddha statues sit on. This is usually a lotus or a throne. The lotus represents the enlightened quality of the Buddha, specifically in relation to the quality of compassion which is equal towards all sentient beings. A throne represents the importance of the Buddha in our lives, and the high position we give them as enlightened beings.

As to why some people decorate these with gold or jewels, it is because it is an offering to the Buddhas. When we offer something we find precious, such as jewels this generates a lot of merit for this person. Hence people often offer gold and jewels not only just on the base but on the actual statue itself. For example it is very common to see the face of the Buddha painted in real gold as an offering to generate great amounts of merit for one's spiritual practice. I hope this helps.

Dear Lum Kok Luen,
 Thank you for your sharing. I am so glad you visit this space to learn Dharma. I am not the best Dharma teacher, but I try my best. 
Yes, the path has always been clear for me. Lojong and Lam Rim practice are what will help us overcome our harmful habituations of lifetimes. By changing our habituations, we change our mind and future. It’s all in our hands.

Buddha is the greatest teacher but we have to aspire to be good students. I do aspire. 
I do the best I can daily and put my complete faith in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. I watch my karma and my mind daily. That is the best I can do. I try my best to serve others and develop compassion, great compassion and eventually Bodhicitta which is my goal.


I request you to study more on Dharma and apply. You will see Dharma’s magnificence! You will be blessed. Good luck!!
 Tsem Rinpoche

Dear Thomas Marshall and all my friends, there are many methods to clear obstacles. The best and most supreme is the meditation on emptiness. But in order for that to be effective we have to be advanced.

The practice of Dharma is not about Dharma Protectors or removing obstacles. But instead it is to educate, unlearn, learn, re-learn our views that bring more sufferings. Is there suffering beyond our views? Of course there are. But our views add to or increase or extend the already existent sufferings collected individually and as a group. Dharma is about correct view. So when we change our views, we can have some breathing space to apply higher Dharma practice to purify, transform and negate all sufferings. It is a long process but necessary.

There are many other practices to eliminate obstacles both created and thrown at us or just inherent because of the nature of our existence, but I have talked about other practices in the past. Today I chose Dorje Shugden due to the many requests I have had to share this for years. I have received this practice from fully qualified lamas. And I share it here not because I am so advanced, but this practice has helped me very much for the last 32 years.

You do not have to be a Buddhist or Gelug or even perfect to practice Dorje Shugden. Whatever perfect means. LOL. Dorje Shugden is Manjushri in wrathful protective form according to Their Holinessess Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche. So Manjushri Dorje Shugden will assist anyone without labels. You don't have to be anything or any labels but if you reach out to a compassionate being such as Dorje Shugden and you practice Him consistently, He will help you. I promise you.‬

I get so many requests and emails from people who need help. It hurts me to see I cannot do much because I am ordinary too, but it motivates me to introduce Dorje Shugden's practice in the hopes you will get blessed, protected and find help. I have hundreds of true stories of how Dorje Shugden has helped in my life and the lives of people around me and I have met. He cannot solve your problems according to the way you want sometimes, but he can bless you to find a way.

Do not ask Him to solve your problems the way you want, but leave it to His wisdom. Our idea of solving the problem may not be long term beneficial. You don't have to practice Shugden but if you feel a connection, why not? If it was good enough for hundreds of great masters for four hundred years, it will definitely benefit you all. I wish you all the best always. Be consistent. Once you start, go all the way. It does not benefit Dorje Shugden, but you.‬

My motivation to post about Dorje Shugden is to benefit. Tsem Rinpoche‬

Dear Ryan,
 I have not received a commentary of the meaning of Namkar Barzin’s mantra, therefore I cannot answer this part of the question. 
You can read more about Namkar Barzin here http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/invocation-to-namkar-barzin.html.

There is also a prayer in the above post. 
Namkar Barzin is an unenlightened Dharma Protector, who in a previous rebirth was a Mongolian Geshe. He is propitiated for protection and to clear obstacles in both spiritual and secular life. He is also part of Dorje Shugden’s Entourage.

Dear Danny,
 Yes, you can engage in the Guru Yoga/Yidam practice from your lineage before continuing to practice Dorje Shugden. You should also consult with your own Guru to confirm as well.

Dear Gu,
 Here is the mantra of Ratna Shugden:
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA TSESO PALJOR LONG CHO THAMCHED PUTRIM KURU OM (Recite as many times as possible)


Here is the mantra of Ratna Shugden’s Entourage:
OM DHARMAPHALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN SAMAYA DZA HUNG HUNG RATNA SIDDHI DROOM DROOM ZA ZA DOO DOO SIDDHI PALA AYUKEY HUNG AH (Recite either 7 or 21 times after reciting the main mantra above).


I know you said that you are constantly traveling for work and therefore only have time to recite the mantra, which is perfectly fine. But when you have time you should study and learn the actual practice of Ratna Shugden and engage in the practice when you are able to. This will increase the efficacy of the mantras and help you in the practice.

As with anything in life, the more effort we put into something, the more we can benefit from it. 
H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has given a commentary as well as the prayer text on a blog post. It can be found here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html

Dear Sg, 
There are many ways in cultivating faith in the Buddhas and Dharma Protectors. The key is to be diligent in your practice. As you see results, your faith will deepen.


However to gain true faith one must gain a deeper understanding of the Dharma in general and the practice in particular. This can only come about through study and learning. The Buddha taught that we must know what we practice, and in the process of learning faith will develop.

Dear GU, 
Yes. There is absolutely no need to worry. You can do the same for the mantra of Ratna Shugden. Since you are constantly traveling you do the best you can. You have my sincere good wishes.

Dear Jean Simon Rousse, 
I am glad that you have such a strong connection with the Vajrayana tradition. It is good you have taken empowerments, please study up on the practices, engage in the practices and keep the commitments made during the empowerment. This will help your practice greatly. 


In the Vajrayana tradition, since the core of the practice is based on Guru Devotion, there are very strict rules and regulations regarding new teachers. 
Those who you have taken Refuge and/or empowerments from are considered to be your Guru(s), and as per tradition you cannot take on another teacher without the permission of your existing teachers unless they have already passed away. You should read up more about the importance of Guru Devotion within our tradition. 


That being said, you can always use His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings to supplement the teachings received from your own teachers. I hope this helps.

Hello,
 Please keep playing the migtsema mantra to them and making your good prayers that this situation can be resolved without harm. Another good mantra to chant for them would be Medicine Buddha, this will also plant imprints in their mindstreams so that they can take a fortunate rebirth whenever they pass over into their next life. 
You can also chant Dharma Protector mantras such as Dorje Shugden or Setrap, to remove the obstacles so that they leave without having the need to resort to other means. I hope this helps.

Dear GU,
 Either of the mantras for the deities you have mentioned (Setrap, Sengdongma and Trakze Dorje Shugden) can help with those who are being attacked by negative energies. I have known the mantra of Trakze as well as the visualisations to be extremely effective in these sorts of cases. 
However please bear in mind that your friend is of a different faith. You should encourage him to find help within whatever faith he is from.

Dear GU, 
I have listed information about the
Mantras below:


1. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Shatroo Maraya Phet
This is a mantra for the destruction of one’s obstacles to
spiritual practice, both inner and outer. 


2. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Rakya Rakya Hung
This is the mantra for protection and is the mantra of Trakze Dorje Shugden.


3. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha
This is the main mantra of Dorje Shugden. 


For those who are being attacked by negative beings or under the influence of black magic, the mantra of Trakze Dorje Shugden should be recited together with the practice and visualisations. 
Please follow the link here to the practice: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html


There is a video sharing by Pastor Niral on this topic is available on Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiNx7DENlfw

Dear Francisco Rodriguez,
 Yes you can most certainly practise Singdongma (Lion-faced Dakini) and Dorje Shugden. They are both enlightened beings, therefore there is no contradiction practicing both of them. 
Within the Nyingma tradition, Singdongma is considered a fierce manifestation of Padmasambhava, whereas in the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug traditions her practice stems from the practice of the Chakrasamvara Tantra. In both cases she is fully enlightened.
 Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom Manjushri in the form of a protector, therefore he too is obviously an enlightened being. 


To clarify however, it is best to practise according to one lineage. And there are many reasons why, primarily because the form of practice will correspond to the specific teachings in that particular lineage, that is why there are differences in practices of the same deity within different lineages. As the teachings are explained in a different manner it is all too easy to get confused as to the meaning.

Therefore it is advisable to adhere to one lineage. When you get to a certain level of realisation, you come to realise that all the lineages lead to the same state but simply in different ways, therefore best to adhere to and practice one lineage very well. 
We have many people in Kechara who practice both Singdongma and Dorje Shugden. 


You can find more information about Singdongma here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/protection-from-black-magic-and-spirits.html
and more information about Dorje Shugden here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/dorje-shugden

Dear Sandra,
 The swiftness of pujas depends on the karma of the person that the puja is being done for. Some people see the difference after just one puja, in some cases you need a series of pujas to be done depending on the situation. Without knowing the situation, I couldn’t give you an answer. It also depends on our motivation for sponsoring the puja…any help we give to someone with a good motivation will be beneficial. 
If possible you can get your friend to engage in Dorje Shugden's practice, this will be very beneficial. You can also engage in Dorje Shugden's practice and dedicate the merits generated to your friend. I hope this helps.

Dear Rainbow, 
There are two things that need to be addressed here. 
The first is the secular side. If you have done something wrong that is against the laws of the country you are living in, then you need to speak up. If such practices are common place in your job, and are affecting you in such a negative manner then you can think about getting a new job. 


The second aspect of this is on the spiritual side…which is that you may have created negative karma, and perhaps some sort of pain for the other person. Actually most of the actions that we usually undertake in life have this side effect. In this case we need to engage in Purification practices such as Vajrasattva, 35 Confessional Buddhas, or recitation of Dorje Shugden Kawang. This will help to alleviate the karmic effects. 
On a general level, when we have committed an act that we are not happy with or know was wrong, we should do our best not to repeat that same mistake…and if we can to try to make it up to the people involved.