Claim: Dorje Shugden was not taught by Je Tsongkhapa
This argument says that Je Tsongkhapa appointed Mahakala and Dharmaraja as the protectors of his tradition. Thus is it not right to add Dorje Shugden to the lineage. There is no need for any others besides these two. What is the point of getting distracted by practices that Je Tsongkhapa did not teach at the expense of practicing what he did teach?
Answer:
- Just because Je Tsongkhapa said that Mahakala and Dharmaraja are protectors of his tradition does not mean that he said they are the only protectors of his tradition for evermore.
- All Dharma Protectors are equally powerful from their own side, but their power to provide us protection also depends upon the karmic connection living beings have with them. Because the karma of living beings has changed, it is now more appropriate for certain practitioners to rely upon Dorje Shugden. This is why Morchen Dorjechang Kunga Lhundrup, a highly realized Master of the Sakya tradition, said, ‘Now is the time to rely upon Dorje Shugden.’
- If you were to take to its natural conclusion the Dalai Lama’s logic that we should not add or change anything that was not taught by Je Tsongkhapa, two ironic results arise. First, it would mean you should disband the institution of the Dalai Lama, as this institution arose after the time of Je Tsongkhapa. Second, it would mean that the Dalai Lama should not interfere with spiritual matters at all, such as banning certain practices like Dorje Shugden within it, because Je Tsongkhapa did not allow for political intereference in spiritual matters.
- If you accept the logic of the Dalai Lama, then one would likewise ask, ‘Why should we practice the Dharma as presented by Je Tsongkhapa, since it was not taught in this way by Buddha Shakyamuni?’
- The reason why we follow the teachings of Je Tsongkhapa is that the whole point of spiritual lineage is to present to each generation the essence of the teachings in a way that is appropriate for the disciples of that generation. Every lineage Guru brings different innovations to the lineage. One of Je Phabongkhapa’s principal innovations was to reduce our Deity practice into the threefold: Guru (Je Tsongkhapa), Yidam (Heruka or Vajrayogini) and Protector (Dorje Shugden).
- The Dalai Lama has begun saying the same things about Vajrayogini practice as he has been saying about Dorje Shugden practice (i.e., that is was not taught by Je Tsongkhapa, so Gelugpas should not be practicing it). Perhaps Vajrayogini practice will be next on his list. Watch this space…
I read somewhere once that the Dalai Lama also banned, or tried to ban ‘Lama Chopa’ or ‘Offering to the Spiritual Guide’, does anyone know if there’s any truth in this?
@Steve, that’s why the Dalai Lama likes to mix the traditions:)…. he doesn’t rely on Je Tsongkhapa or anyone but his own ego (yes, ego, not Buddha nature…)