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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.

Dear Monu, 
I can recommend a couple of ways to alleviate your problems: 


Firstly, I can recommend two practices that you can engage in for dealing with spells, black magic, etc. The first is the practice of Singdongma (see the link for more information: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/protection-from-black-magic-and-spirits.html).

The other practice is Trakze Dorje Shugden (see the link for more information: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html). This will help tremendously with the black magic problems. 


You can then engage in the practice of Gyenze (see the link for more information: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html). This, if done with a good motivation and sincere heart can help improve your business. I hope this helps.

Dear Trsa, I would need more information to give you a specific way of dealing with all of this. But from what you have written, I think it would be best if you could engage in the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa to help deal with the emotional and mental stress caused by this situation and also the practice of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, which will help clear the obstacles you are facing.


Here is a commentary by H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche on the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/me/tsongkapas-daily-practice-video-commentary.html


And here is a good post regarding Dorje Shugden Retreat, that you can read, or even engage in if you have the time to clear the obstacles: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/dorje-shugden-retreat-a-powerful-practice-to-fulfill-wishes.html

Dear Suraj,
 Dorje Shugden helps us in too many ways for me to list in such a short space.

On a worldly level Dorje Shugden helps remove obstacles that we are facing in our lives, such as financial problems, illness, work and family problems. On a spiritual level Dorje Shugden removes obstacles to your spiritual path and mind transformation so that you can become a better person and benefit others. 
You can engage in mantra recitation or you can engage in the daily practice of Dorje Shugden.

You can order a copy of the daily practice of Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/diamond-path

Dear Harold,
 Dorje Shugden’s practice is a Dharmapala practice. Manjushri arose in this particular form for this purpose of assisting Dharma practitioners along the path. Therefore as it currently stands Dorje Shugden cannot be practiced as a Yidam.

Dear V.B.
 Dorje Shugden’s practice has been “mainstream” for many years, not just within the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism but also within other lineages of Tibetan Buddhism as well. 


The practice of Dorje Shugden will definitely grow. The reason being he is an emanation of Manjushri in the form of a Dharma Protector, therefore is perfectly suited to assist practitioners in both mundane and spiritual affairs. 
As more and more people see the manifold blessings and benefits of practicing Dorje Shugden, the practice will spread.

Dear Help,
 There are a number of reasons why he cannot get a job. Mantras, prayers and pujas all actually do work but the help of the enlightened beings depend on our karma and our own efforts to overcome the effects of our karma. 


I would suggest that he engage in practices that purify negative karma such as Vajrasattva practice (http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html) or 35 Confessional Buddhas.

This should be coupled with the practice of Dorje Shugden, so that the prevailing karma can be purified. 
But together with this, karma is made by action. Therefore it will take effort on his part to purify his karma not to have a job, and also effort to look for a job. When doing this then the enlightened beings will definitely manifest to help the situation. I hope this helps.

Dear Pippa,
 Trakze is an emanation of Manjushri, so practising Trakze will definitely remove ignorance. But I’d like to suggest a practice that is easy and very effective. You can recite Ganglongma (Praise to Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom) combined with his mantra OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI. Recite Ganglongma and one mala of the mantra daily. Manjushri is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. Worshipping Manjushri will confer mastery of the Dharma, wisdom, intelligence, retentive memory, and eloquence.

You can find the prayer in Rinpoche's blog under the section “Prayers and Sadhanas”: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/prayers-and-sadhanas.

Manjushri's mantra will help you make wise and good decisions. Recite this mantra daily when you are at a crossroad and to exercise good judgement. It is excellent to recite Manjushri's powerful mantra faithfully to purify ignorance, low mentality, forgetfulness, poor memory and to actualise the seven wisdoms.

Dear Bradley, 
Just because they are recent protectors does not make them swifter necessarily but it just means during this time and age, their connection with us has ripened. So since their connection with us has ripened, it can be they are swifter due to this ripening. When we do Dorje Shugden’s practice, then Namkar Barzin is automatically included. I hope this helps.

Dorje Shugden has many incredible beings on his entourage assisting Him in His works always. 
Tsem Rinpoche

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

Dear James Izer-Bowman,
Thank you for sharing. I always advocate the middle way and not to be extreme. It makes it easier for everyone. Tsem Rinpoche


Dear Zach, 
You can eat the old ones when you are done offering the tormas. You can replace them with new ones too. You can change as often as you like. You can also respectfully dispose of them. TR