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New Kadampa Tradition
Can anyone explain the controversy surrounding the NKT? I'm very new to Buddhism and there's an NKT centre quite close to where I live and was thinking of going along. However I've been reading a lot of bad press about them, calling them (among other things) cultists and spirit worshippers. Any thoughts?
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Namaste
This is an excellent article on the subject.
Hi friend Ive been atteneding an NKT centre for the past 15 years or more and have yet to encounter anything that has been non other then benifical for my practise, You will here alot of rumours and whispers on the internet and alot of slander as well, But my personal stance is regarding the Buddhas advise in the Kalama sutra of not beleiving what we hear just because it is said or said by those in a position of power of influence but by throughly examing teachings and implementing them into your life.
The main so called problems falls into the issues with the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden whom many consider to be a fully enlightened being and emination of Manjushri where as for what seems to be political infiltration of the Dharma has been turned into an issue which has been used to beat, Segregate and harm those whom rely upon this protector by repeating old accusations and rumours which when one delves into them and reads authentic commentarys by the Great Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang who was one amongst many other great disciples of the Buddha Heruka Dechin Nyingpo Je Phabongka who has been in the turn of the century one of the primary benifactors of this great Gelugpa lineage, One can see that these issues are non other then a political attempt at creating unity within the TB exile community as a way of conslidating power by scape goating those whom are perceived as a problem.
In times past those who have greatly disagreed with these Unbuddhist acts committed against the Gedan tradition have voiced their concern not only in written letters but by protest as well trying to gain some attention to try and stop these great perverse acts from occuring and degenerating the Dharma, Many NKT students attended these protests I was one of them myself, But rather to no avail as time and time again those whom practise reliance upon the Dharmapala Dorje shugden have been ignored abused and slandered as Demon Worshippers and unbuddhist...But when one considers the Implications of what is being said by the opposition it is throughly illogical when practising reliance upon the spiritual guide and reading the history of the origin story in question of the highly accomplished being Whom became the Dharma protector Dorje shugden It is a safe bet to say that there is something very off and one should look at every resource when looking to make an informed opinion, Not to be biased in decision making because of the great fame or reputation of a lama but look directly, I can only speak for myself in that my reliance upon my Dharmapala has benifited me immensely with good conditions for practise and good conditions for positive increase.
If one considers investigating the NKT please go to a group of meditation class with an open mind to what is being taught, Our main practises are Lamrim, Lojong and Mahamudra nothing alien or that involves baby eating
Some resources for FAQS
A Bio on Dorje Shugden origin written by the Great Gelugpa Lineage master Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang.
And For the NKT.
Of course Dear friend.
Dharma is Dharma what we whom practise with the NKT is Gelugpa Dharma, Lamrim, Lojong and Mahamudra. a whole lot of people repeat rumours and accusations time and time again unfortunate for practising Buddhists whom should be mindful of their actions, I practise reliance upon my Dharmapala to increase the benifit of my practise, My conditions for practise and for the flourishing of our practise and others there is nothing sinister about this as some would Infer, It would be good for others to keep in mind that although Dorje shugden is the main protective deity of our tradition we also practise reliance upon other protectors and each month practise the kangso which is the restoration and fulfilment ritual of the Dharmapalas.
The practice consists of five parts: Praise to Manjushri, the Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa, Self-generation as Heruka, the Fulfilling and Restoring Ritual of the General Protectors, and the Fulfilling and Restoring Ritual of the Great King Dorje Shugdän. Of these, the last is the principal practice.
A Dharma Protector is an emanation of a Buddha or a Bodhisattva whose main functions are to avert the inner and outer obstacles that prevent practitioners from gaining spiritual realizations, and to arrange all the necessary conditions for their practice. Beings in this present time have a strong karmic link with Dorje Shugdän, and so he is the Dharma Protector who is most able to help them. Therefore it is said that, Now is the time to rely upon Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden always helps, guides, and protects pure and faithful practitioners by granting blessings, increasing their wisdom, fulfilling their wishes, and bestowing success on all their virtuous activities.
There are many brief and middling-length sadhanas of Dorje Shugden, such as Heart Jewel and Wishfulfilling Jewel. This extensive sadhana is called Kangso in Tibetan, which means Fulfilling and Restoring Ritual, and it is usually performed once a month in Dharma Centres. During this puja we make extensive offerings and perform other practices (1) to fulfil our heart commitment to rely upon the Protector sincerely, regarding him as inseparable from the Guru and Yidam, and to practise the pure Dharma of Lamrim, Lojong, and Mahamudra; and (2) to restore any degenerate or broken commitments we may have incurred.
We begin the practice with Praise to Manjushri to remember that the Guru and Protector are in reality emanations of the Wisdom Buddha. We then perform the Guru yoga of Je Tsongkhapa and, after dissolving the Guru into our heart, perform self-generation as Heruka. We then invite the general Dharma Protectors such as Mahakala, Kalarupa, and Kalindewi, before beginning the actual sadhana of Dorje Shugdän. The fulfilling and restoring ritual of the general Protectors is interwoven with the sadhana of Dorje Shugden.
Sorry Caz you seem like a nice guy but the question was asked.
is this gossip? is it slandering the dharma and sangha?
I know- it's a fair discussion. I just find all of this regrettable. Dissension in a sangha.
This is sad.
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If the OP wants it re-opened, they can PM me, but otherwise, I think this is fine, and we can be done here.
(This is called judicious pruning, or 'nipping in the bud'....;))
Thank you to all who contributed, and mindfully so.