Don’t Be Afraid of Baddy Ghosties

Interestingly, I only got to know more and enquired about Dorje Shugden about two years ago when I kept seeing his posters/pictures in the most unexpected places – at the bus stop near my house while I was jogging, at a quaint café in Ipoh one early morning where I was having my coffee after dropping my mum off at the market and also in videos of oracles in full trance of Dorje Shugden which were given to me by my brother. Naturally, I began to seek out more information about Dorje Shugden and of course, at the beginning after looking thoroughly at his fierce looking features, I was a bit worried at first about ‘contacting’ this deity but I also then read about the benefits of praying to him.

But I think the key factor sealing my confidence in Dorje Shugden was the trance video because I know that the oracle has to go through rigorous purification processes before an enlightened being can use his body as a vessel. Therefore, to see both Lord Setrap and Dorje Shugden using the same human vessel tells me that it is impossible for Dorje Shugden to be anything other than an enlightened being. Their energies are definitely of the same and highest order.

To me, having the practice of Dorje Shugden is like having a ‘Big Spiritual Father’ in that he provides us with Dharma, advises us on how to overcome our obstacles and illnesses, teaches us holy mantras and much more, in hopes that at the very least, we do not fall into the three lower realms. So, despite that wrathful form of his, he is indeed compassion in action! With Dorje Shugden around, one need not be afraid of any “baddy ghosties” or black magic because he will be there to dispel them in a single instant.

My uncle from Johor who had been having bad omen dreams like spirits calling him in his sleep told me about his predicament. I taught him Dorje Shugden’s mantra and gave him the blessed rice which I received directly from the Oracle and asked my uncle to eat the rice continuously at least for three days. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from him that the nasty dreams have since stopped.

One thing I do realise about the Protector is that if one calls upon him with faith and good intentions, his actions are very fast. This is not to say that the other Buddhas are not fast but I believe Dorje Shugden is “faster” maybe due to his current form, and Dorje Shugden’s karmic affinity with us is strong. For those fazed by his appearance, please don’t let the external features distract you, as in Tibetan Buddhism there are specific meanings behind it, from the stances (standing, sitting) to the implements the deity holds. As the ancient Buddha Shakyamuni has said in Ehipassiko,

Come and See.

Only then will you know the blessings of the Protector Shugden if you choose to tap into it.

Gary Foo