Thank you Rinpoche! Such an inspiring prayer! In the NKT we are taught that Dorje Shugden is The Wisdom Buddha. Can you substitute Wisdom...
Thank you Rinpoche! Such an inspiring prayer! In the NKT we are taught that Dorje Shugden is The Wisdom Buddha. Can you substitute Wisdom Buddha for unfamiliar terms like ‘Bhagavan’ when you recite this prayer?
Answer from Tsem Rinpoche
Tsem Rinpoche
January 16, 2016#1Author
Dear Mark O’Neil, What you are taught in NKT is absolutely correct. Dorje Shugden is a Wisdom Buddha for sure. All the great lamas of the past including Nyingma, Sakya and Gelug Lamas have all said Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Avalokitesvara or Vajrapani and Manjushri. The point is he is all as he is enlightened. But all these great masters conclude he is one Buddha or another Buddha, which one does not matter in the end.
Many of our mantras, prayers, sadhanas are from the Sanskrit language directly or indirectly. The names of the Buddhas are also in Sanskrit for example Vajra Yogini. In this ancient Indian script Bhagawan would mean something supreme or supremely divine beings (an epithet for God).
In Buddhism’s Pali scriptures, the term is used with Gautama Buddha, referring to him as Bhagavān Buddha (translated with the phrase ‘Lord Buddha’ or ‘The Blessed One’) The term Bhagavān is also found in other Theravadin, Mahayana and Tantric Buddhist texts. Bhagavān is generally translated as Lord or God. But not in a Judeo-Christian sense of God.
Addressing Dorje Shugden as Bhagawan would mean he is a supremely high being (Buddha) and the highest of the high. It is honorific. Therefore it is an honorific title to Dorje Shugden from deep respect. If you wish to substitute it with Wisdom Buddha, of course you may. Prayers are from the sincere heart and Dorje Shugden listens to sincerity more than words. I wish you well. Tsem Rinpoche
Answer from Tsem Rinpoche
Tsem Rinpoche
January 16, 2016 #1 AuthorDear Mark O’Neil, What you are taught in NKT is absolutely correct. Dorje Shugden is a Wisdom Buddha for sure. All the great lamas of the past including Nyingma, Sakya and Gelug Lamas have all said Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Avalokitesvara or Vajrapani and Manjushri. The point is he is all as he is enlightened. But all these great masters conclude he is one Buddha or another Buddha, which one does not matter in the end.
Many of our mantras, prayers, sadhanas are from the Sanskrit language directly or indirectly. The names of the Buddhas are also in Sanskrit for example Vajra Yogini. In this ancient Indian script Bhagawan would mean something supreme or supremely divine beings (an epithet for God).
In Buddhism’s Pali scriptures, the term is used with Gautama Buddha, referring to him as Bhagavān Buddha (translated with the phrase ‘Lord Buddha’ or ‘The Blessed One’) The term Bhagavān is also found in other Theravadin, Mahayana and Tantric Buddhist texts. Bhagavān is generally translated as Lord or God. But not in a Judeo-Christian sense of God.
Addressing Dorje Shugden as Bhagawan would mean he is a supremely high being (Buddha) and the highest of the high. It is honorific. Therefore it is an honorific title to Dorje Shugden from deep respect. If you wish to substitute it with Wisdom Buddha, of course you may. Prayers are from the sincere heart and Dorje Shugden listens to sincerity more than words. I wish you well. Tsem Rinpoche