Buddhism

Last edited Tue Jun 3, 2014, 08:30 AM - Edit history (1)

In Tibetan Buddhism, higher yogic tantra's are the most intensive and possibly the most transformative aspects of this branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

In the higher yogic tantra's one works with what I can only describe psychologically as 'archetypes' or 'god forms'. Some are beneficent and represent some of our most lauded human traits and conditions. Others are malefic and represent some of our most destructive and dark human traits and experiences.

Dorje Shugden is one such malefic entity, which is at the heart of the conflict within the Gelug-pa tradition between Geshe Kelsang and H.H. the Dalai Lama. Putting aside the religious politics and the rather egregious acts that both sides have perpetrated within the conflict, I ultimately agree with H.H. the Dalai Lama for these reasons.

Westerners are introduced to Tibetan Tantra far too easily. There are books, workshops, and courses now everywhere. The Lam Rim is a graduated, sometimes decades long, preparatory foundation to successfully work with Tantra. Westerners often receive empowerments from Lama's for various 'good' Buddha's. Truly, anyone can receive Green Tara, White Manjushri, Chenresig, Medicine Buddha, etc. Practicing these saddhana's (meditations) can bring mental calm, peace, tranquility, and allow anyone to tap into the 'healing' aspect of the mind (Medicine Buddha) or the 'peace bringing' aspect (Tara) or the 'compassionate' aspect (Chenresig) without needing a lot of preparation. You do not necessarily need the Lam Rim to receive and work with them though it does have deeper meaning and significance when you do.

But, it can be psychologically dangerous or at least very challenging to explore, without preparation, the more malefic Buddha's. Wrathful's like Yamantaka, Mahakala, Kurukulla, and Dorje Shugden require in my experience more psychic strength and understanding to work with.

Geshe Kelsang is a good teacher. He is a compassionate man. He may be right that the Gelug-pa tradition should not remove their protective wrathful Buddha, however, part of the Kadampa tradition is working with Dorje Shugden even before all Lam Rim preparations are complete. He is putting the ass before the cart so to speak. Westerner's in particular can then get cultish. Personality worship replaces a healthy guru relationship. Trying to deal with a wrathful deity and not just focusing on something simple and loving like Green Tara I think is a road-map for future problems. I have seen men and women with mental health issues experience some severe manifestations of mental illness when playing around with these mental tools. Many westerners turn to Buddhism as a means of counseling. Meditation can be a great adjunct when healing depression, anxiety, etc. But it is not the sole answer anymore than being 'born again' would be.

So, of course, you are an adult. Explore this on your own, just please be careful. I don't do a lot with Tibetan Buddhism these days because these types of issues can arise. I mediate and generally follow a very 'atheistic' and non-dogmatic Theravadan tradition because I really need to get away from all the dramas that seem to plague modern life.