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Dharma Protector
In trance of the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden, the Panglung Oracle urgently counselled that H.E. The 14th Dalai Lama should leave without delay! At that time, although the Dalai Lama was very reluctant to give up, He still left Tibet. From this,we can see that the Tibetans integrated both Buddhism and dharma protector practice into their daily lives.
Generally, people's impression of Tibetan Buddhism is often only on the reincarnated living Buddhas or lamas wearing red monk’s robe. In fact, dharma protector practice is prevalent throughout all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Although Dharma Protector is not the exclusive to Tibetan culture, He has a very high status for Tibetans. From high-ranking officials and great achievers, down to farmers, they are all very dedicated to the practice of Dharma protectors. Tibetans have great trust in Dharma protectors ,especially the instructions given by Dharma protector.
Tibetans believe that Dharma protectors will support them in their spiritual practice, so they take refuge in them faithfully.
The practice of ‘Dharmapalas‘, literally meaning ‘Dharma Protectors’ in Sanskrit. They are kind of deity specially instructed to assist the high monks to preserve the Dharma. Dharma Protector is more so to preserve the Buddhists’ teachings, its lineages and institutions by overcoming obstacles and providing necessary resources. But due to current's chaotic and complicated society, Dharma Protectors were used by both secular and religious authorities to protect the State and religion. For example, the Fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet set a precedent in year 1964 that, the Dharma protector is the main consultation medium for important national affairs. Whenever there is a major national crisis, He must ask the Dharma protector for advice through the oracle .
The Origin of Tibetan Dharma Protectors
The Tibetan dharma protection system is quite very complicated. If really want to dig into the origins of Tibetan dharma protection in detail will cost a lot times. So today I will briefly talk about the origin of Tibetan Dharma protectors.
There are four main Dharma protector systems , the first one is the ancient gods from Ancient Indian/Hindu traditions; the second one is the emanations of the Buddha and Bodhisattva; the third one is from the gods of the Bon religion, who were subdued by the Buddha , keeping the oath to protect the Dharma, in order to ensure the inheritance of the Dharma, they choose to stay in samsara as a Dharma protector; the last one is the gods from the China and Mongolia.
Ancient Indian/Hindu traditions
From the origin of Dharma protectors, before Buddhism spread into Tibet, India and Tibet had already had very close exchanges in religious , directly or indirectly, Hinduism and Buddhism also influenced each other. In particular, many Tibetan protectors are derived from ancient Hindu gods, such as the famous Hindu god of creation Brahma.
Emanations of Buddha and Bodhisattva
The most popular Dharma protector is Dharma protector emanated by Buddha and Bodhisattva. They have the characteristics of enlightened Dharma protectors. In order to meet the needs of the secular world, they often choose to appear in the world in different time and place. for example Mahakala, Mahakala has become popular not only in the Shangpa Kagyu, but other Kagyu lineages, as well as the Sakya, Jonang and Gelug traditions. He is considered to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. It is estimated that Mahakala has 72 to 75 different type of apprearances, and many of his apprearances are belong to the enlightened Deity and Dharma Protector.
Bon religion
It was then that the Tibet king invited the tantric adept, Padmasambhava, to subdue these beings and put them under oath to protect the Dharma. Padmasambhava waged supernatural war against these deities and won. Instead of vanquishing these obstructive beings, he chose to follow the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and bound them to oath never to harm sentient beings again. They promised to protect and provide for practitioners on the Buddhist path.
Gods from the China and Mongolia
Besides of Ancient India/Hindu, the Tibetan also accept others foreign protectors with an open mind, such as protector from China, Mongolia, Persia and others. These foreign protectors, including the well-known Persian war God, Pehar, are one of the foreign protectors who are highly respected by Tibetans.
Enlightened and Unenlightened Dharma Protector
In the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, the specific group of protectors and guardians are divided into two groups: Enlightened and Unenlightened Dharma Protector. The Unenlightened Dharma Protector refers to beings who are still reside within the six-realms of existence, but have sworn an oath of allegiance to the Dharma and thus, are bound by oath to assist people. Due to this , we cannot regard this class of Dharma protectors as our refuge or Gurus