Dorje Shugden On My Dad’s Head

1 Mar

Me and my dad in Nepal on a pilgrimage in 2016

My father passed away several weeks ago and I was fortunate because I had the opportunity to be by his side for several weeks prior to his passing. My father had jaundice due to advance stage of cancer and the doctors basically said it was time to go home. In the weeks prior to his passing, Rinpoche called me into his room one day and he gave some advice pertaining to my dad. 

At that time, Rinpoche called me to tell me to go back home to be with my father so that I would accompany him on his last days here on earth. Rinpoche then proceed to tell me that I am very lucky because I am in the unique position to manipulate his passing because it is possible for me to lead him to a better rebirth. Before meeting rinpoche that day, he told me to do a short Dorje Shugden puja every single day in the presence of my father. While I was with Rinpoche, he began to explain a visualisation technique to be done while I was doing the Dorje Shugden puja in order to ‘manipulate his passing’.  

My dad bumped into Rinpoche at TF Bentong (supermarket) and this was the last picture of them together

That is to visualize Dorje Shugden on the crown of my dad’s head without the lotus underneath. Then, Rinpoche said that since my dad has done some Dharma work and done it well, I could do the following visualization. Although my dad did not do a lot of Dharma work but whatever he did, he did it wholeheartedly and consistently. So, the little that he did became a lot in terms of merits. So, I am to visualize all the Dharma work that he did throughout his life and visualize it materialize in the form of  the 8 Auspicious Signs and 7 Royal Emblems and have them rain down lightly around Dorje Shugden on my dad’s head as an offering. Rinpoche said this is likened to placing the gold coin on the deceased (Western belief) so he can buy his passage into the afterlife. 

Rinpoche then stressed that it is very important to visualize Dorje Shugden having the appearance and energy of being ever-ready to take my dad to a good rebirth. Rinpoche also said that when my dad is at his last breath, it would be best to stroke his head and preferably not touch anywhere else (although it is alright to hold his hand if he needs comforting). This is to stimulate the mind to leave through the head or the upper body as that would indicate a higher rebirth. Leaving the body from the lower regions would indicate a negative rebirth. Hence, Dorje Shugden is visualized to resting on the crown of the head to stimulate a higher rebirth.  

Rinpoche said this visualization can be done for anyone who is terminally ill and if the person’s personal preference, affinity or practice is another deity, it is perfectly alright to replace it with that deity. However, for the best results, one should do this visualization ourselves but we can also do it on behalf of our loved ones as I did for my father. So, the deity could be Tara, Manjushri, Kuan Yin and so forth.  However, for my dad, his deity was definitely Dorje Shugden and for those who don’t have a preference or practice, Dorje Shugden would be the best practice for them. Furthermore, Rinpoche told me to light juniper incense every day to Dorje Shugden and gave me protection string blessed by Dorje Shugden to be placed under my dad. Rinpoche also had arranged for a large picture of Dorje Shugden to be hung in front of my dad and there was offering of faery lights and a platter of fruits every day to generate merits for Dorje Shugden’s assistance. 

Finally, Rinpoche gave me another protection string from Dorje Shugden to be burnt at the moment my dad passes away and rinpoche said when we burn blessed rice or in this case, a blessed string, it is strong signal to Dorje Shugden to come to our assistance. From then on, I did the puja every single day and a week or so later, Rinpoche told me he had a premonition that my father would be reborn in a place where there are maroon-robed monks and monasteries. Rinpoche thinks that he would be reborn in the Tibetan region of China. My father lived for a few weeks thereafter and passed away peacefully in his sleep. I performed the last Dorje Shugden puja and burnt the string- asking Dorje Shugden to take my dad to his next life safely. 

I miss him and wish I had more time or spent more time with him but I am glad that he was able to go to a good place. That he would be alright and hence, I am sharing this post so others would be able to benefit their loved ones on their final journey. 

Me and my dad in Panglung Ritroe, where my dad had the good fortune to clean Dorje Shugden’s residence (it is the residence of his oracle) and thereby purify a lot of karma before he passed away

 

6 Responses to “Dorje Shugden On My Dad’s Head”

  1. Sharon Ong March 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm #

    Thank you for turning your personal pain into something so beneficial. This is such a fitting tribute to a lovely man. I once asked him for some parenting advice as I see the wonderful results in you. He just said very simply, “Just allow them to grow and be themselves.” He said many other things that day but this was what that struck out the most for me.

    *hugs*

  2. Shelly tai March 1, 2018 at 1:57 pm #

    Thank you Pastor for this important sharing . I think in our last day on the earth the only person can help us is our guru may uncle be always bless by Dorje Shugden .

  3. Kien Wong March 1, 2018 at 2:58 pm #

    Thank you pastor for the sharing. It’s definitely benefit many of us in future. Uncle Lai is such caring and loving person to work with. Miss him too

  4. Lew March 1, 2018 at 4:58 pm #

    Thank you Pastor David for sharing this. We are sorry for your loss, but at the same time, we rejoice for Uncle Lai for going to a good place due to his sincere Dharma work. ??

  5. Mark Robert Allen March 1, 2018 at 7:17 pm #

    My sincere condolences for the passing of your precious Father Pastor David. He seemed a very kind man, this reflected in the compassion we all experience from you, due to the loving kindness of both your Mother and Father. I am grateful to them for helping to bring you into this world, to be such a good friend to so many. Because of your love and concern for your Father in his final moments in this life, I am sure he will take a good rebirth as Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden are just as compassionate. Thank you for sharing at this difficult time. Be well and take good care Pastor David, and thank you once again.

  6. Joy Kam March 2, 2018 at 2:51 am #

    Thank you Pastor David for your sincere and detailed sharing. Your Dad is indeed a very kind and smart man. He had the good fortune to do Dharma work and yes he did it wholeheartedly no matter how what it was or how little. He really is quite an inspiration to many of us. We will definitely miss him. But so glad that he is well taken care of by Dorje Shugden and will be taking or have taken a good rebirth. You are very fortunate to be able to be by his side and do the greatest thing for your dad. Good on you Pastor David and thank you again for your sharing!

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