Dorje Shugden lineage holders in the Sakya tradition: Sonam Rinchen & Kunga Lodro
The holy Sakya Monastery, mother monastery of the Sakya tradition. Above the monastery, slightly to the right, you can see the multi-tiered Mug Chung, the most sacred temple to Dorje Shugden within the tradition.
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David)
Since the 11th century, the Khon family has been intimately linked to the Sakya lineage. Known to be one of the holiest families of Tibet, the heads of the family have acted as the patriarchs of their sacred tradition.
In the 8th century, one of the earliest members of the Khon family, Khon Lui Wangpo Sungwa became a disciple of the great Indian saint Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche. At that time, he was amongst the first seven monks to be ordained in Tibet. Later in 1073, another member of the Khon family, Khon Konchok Gyalpo established Sakya Monastery in Tibet. The Khon family as it exists today are direct descendants of Khon Konchok Gyalpo. Therefore the familial lineage has remained unbroken since the establishment of the monastery.
The Sakya tradition established by the Khon family has since become one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The head of the Sakya lineage is called the ‘Sakya Trizin’ or the Sakya throne holder. In accordance with its unique tradition, the throne of the Sakyas is passed down in a hereditary manner, from father to son within the Khon family. Sometime in the 18th century, the Khon family split into two under the banners of the Drolma Phodrang (Tibetan meaning ‘palace’) and Phuntsok Phodrang with its patriarchs alternating as the Sakya throne holder.
The 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen
Historically, the Sakyas were the first to propitiate the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden. According to both Sakya and Gelug accounts, it was the 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen (1705-1741) who introduced Dorje Shugden into the pantheon of Sakya protectors. Later, Sonam Rinchen placed Dorje Shugden alongside two other protectors, Setrap Chen and Tsi’u Marpo and these three became known as the Gyalpo Sum or the Three Kings. This group of protectors was practiced widely within the tradition.
Within the Sakya lineage, Dorje Shugden rides on a horse in an iconographic tradition that is unique to the Sakyas. This form of Dorje Shugden is known as Dorje Shugden Tanag, or Dorje Shugden Riding a Black Horse. In his right hand, he holds a butcher’s stick up in the air and a bleeding heart in the left hand that is lifted up to the level of his heart. He wears the three robes of a fully ordained monk and the round golden hat of a travelling lama, while riding on a black horse mount.
The Sakya Gyalpo Sum trio of protectors including Setrap, Dorje Shugden and Tsiu Marpo (a.k.a. Kache Marpo). This group of protectors is now widely practiced within the Gelug tradition. They are fully enlightened beings appearing in worldly form to be closer in assisting with the needs of sentient beings.
By the late 20th century, as the tradition reduced, the propitiation ritual of the Gyalpo Sum reduced within Sakya monasteries of India and Tibet. Could be due to politics. But that does not lessen the original purposeful reasons the six great Sakya throne holders instituted these practices in the first place. These six throne holders were not ordinary beings so their practice of these three faultless deities would be also without fault. Nonetheless, the Sakya depiction of Dorje Shugden Tanag can still be found in antique artwork that dates back as far back as the 19th century. In museums all around the world, there are a number of old Sakya paintings that feature Dorje Shugden Tanag, which are mostly from the earlier half of the 20th century. There are Sakya monasteries still practicing Dorje Shugden in Tibet.
Dorje Shugden Tanag
On the subject of liturgy, there are several short works on Dorje Shugden within the tradition that were mostly composed over 200 years ago. This body of work is part of the collection of texts known as the Dorje Shugden Be Bum. There are also other Sakya ritual texts dedicated to Dorje Shugden, such as Requesting to Annihilate Interfering Forces which was composed by the 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen, the great master who enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakyas. In the autobiography of the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro who was the son of Sonam Rinchen, he confirmed that his father composed the ritual. In addition, he added that he received the transmission of the ritual from his father as well.
Although it was Sonam Rinchen who enthroned Dorje Shugden Tanag as a Dharma protector within the Sakya tradition and introduced his worship to the community, it was his son, Kunga Lodro, who developed Dorje Shugden’s various emanations and rituals, and made the practice mainstream. In fact, later Sakya Trizins claimed that Kunga Lodro was himself an emanation of Dorje Shugden.
31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro composed numerous texts on Dorje Shugden
From his father and mentor, Kunga Lodro received many transmissions and initiations including several long life initiations, the Guhyasamaja initiation in the tradition of Arya Nagarjuna, transmissions of Manjushri’s mantras, the Drubta Gyatsa collection of a hundred sadhanas and the Sakya Kabum, which is the collected works of the Sakya tradition. He also studied under the 30th Ngor Khenchen, Jampa Sonam Pelzang (1689-1749), the 33rd Ngor Khenchen, Namkha Samdrub (1696-1754), and the 34th Ngor Khenchen, Pelden Chokyong (1702-1760). From them he received the Lobshe or esoteric presentation of the Lamdre (or Path and its Fruit), the core practice within the tradition that merges sutra and the tantric practice of Hevajra, stemming from the great Indian Mahasiddha Virupa.
Upon the passing of his father, Kunga Lodro ascended the throne as the 31st Sakya Trizin in 1741. It was then that Kunga Lodro also received the Sakya lineage practices from Morchen Kunga Lhundrub (1654-1728). Morchen Kunga Lhundrub was another very important Sakya lineage holder and is included in the lineage masters of Naropa’s Vajrayogini, a lineage which has since also spread to the Gelug tradition. Morchen Kunga Lhundrub was the heart disciple of Nesar Kunga Lekpai Jungne (1704-1760) or Nesar Dorje Chang, the 37th Abbot of Ngor Ewam Chodan Monastery.
Morchen Kunga Lhundrub
In his biography, Kunga Lodro wrote that Nesar Dorje Chang had also composed several important texts dedicated Dorje Shugden. As such, Kunga Lodro was well aware of Morchen’s practice of Dorje Shugden. During his lifetime, Kunga Lodro composed both a praise to Dorje Shugden and a kangsol (fulfilment ritual) to invoke the blessings of Dorje Shugden, and it is still in use today. Dorje Shugden was considered an enlightened being within the Sakya tradition, therefore his practice was given prominence. This is confirmed by the 39th Sakya Trizin Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871 – 1935) who wrote, “The one known as Dolgyal [Dorje Shugden] is not mistaken on the path to liberation, he is by nature the Great Compassionate One.” In this instance, Dragshul Trinley Rinchen was highlighting that Dorje Shugden is in nature one and the same with Avalokiteshvara, a fully enlightened being.
The 39th Sakya Trizin Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936), head of the Sakya lineage, was a strong practitioner of Dorje Shugden. He is known for spreading the practice of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition.
In addition to this it was clearly mentioned that Kunga Lodro himself first introduced the five forms of Dorje Shugden along with the principle figure of Dorje Shugden called Duldzin, also known as Vinayadhara or holder of the vinaya (monastic discipline).
There is a painting of the five forms (emanations) of Dorje Shugden exhibited at the Rubin Museum of Art that has an excellent and clear explanation of each. In this painting, there is an image of the grandson of Kunga Lodro, the 33rd Sakya Trizin Pema Dudul Wangchuk (1792-1853) above Dorje Shugden. There is a high possibility that this thangka could have been painted during his reign. Dorje Shugden takes the position of greatest significance as the central figure in the thangka and he is depicted sitting on a lion throne, holding a vajra club and lasso. The four main emanations are also represented in the thangka. They are the Great Peaceful King on an elephant (Shize Gyelchen), the Great Increasing King on a horse (Gyenze Gyelchen), the Great Powerful King on a dragon (Wangze Gyelchen) and the Great Wrathful King on a garuda (Trakze Gyelchen).
In addition, Kunga Lodro’s biography clearly illustrates the Sakya’s practice of Dorje Shugden at that time. From the biography, we can clearly see that Dorje Shugden’s practice was prevalent and accepted by the various Tibetan schools in the early 19th century. This echoes the view of Stan Mumford in his book, Himalayan Dialogue, that Dorje Shugden was actually commonly practiced at that time. There is a striking similarity between the history of Dorje Shugden as shared by Kunga Lodro in his biography and what Mumford talked about in his book.
Mahasiddha Pema Dudul Wangchuk
Mumford explains that people in modern Gyasumdo, a village that follows the Nyingma tradition also propitiated Dorje Shugden. During that time, it was common to find an image of Guru Rinpoche placed together with an image of Dorje Shugden on the altar in every Tibetan household in the area. In fact, many heads of the various households said that their shrines were mainly used to propitiate Dorje Shugden.
Villagers in Gyasumdo, who were fervent followers of Guru Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden, made offerings to the two holy beings every day. It is also said that each family owned a Dorje Shugden text composed by a lama of the family’s tradition. From this account, we can see that Dorje Shugden was widely practiced outside of the monastic environment as well. Mumford’s findings show very clearly that Dorje Shugden was propitiated as a family protector amongst lay people. In fact, Dorje Shugden practice was so common that it became an integral part of daily custom.
Within the tradition, amongst the most recent of the Sakya Trizin’s, six of them practiced and relied strongly on Dorje Shugden. These include:
- 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen (1705-1741)
- 31st Throneholder Sachen Kunga Lodro (1729-1783)
- 33rd Throneholder Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
- 39th Throneholder Dragshul Thinley Rinchen (1871-1936)
Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936), the 39th Sakya Trizin, was a strong practitioner of Dorje Shugden. Researching his family history, he even proved that his holy father, the 37th Sakya Trizin Kunga Nyingpo (1850–1899), was an emanation of Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge.
Since so many of the Sakya Trizins, who are the heads of their lineage, relied on Dorje Shugden or were even considered to be emanations of Dorje Shugden, it is clear that from the perspective of the Sakya tradition, the practice was considered to be extremely beneficial. Otherwise why would a Sakya Trizin spend time, energy and effort to compose ritual texts or engage in the practice as an example to others?
It can be concluded that while Dorje Shugden was first practiced within the Sakya tradition, the practice was in fact embraced and practiced by a wide segment of the community, even by followers of other schools of Tibetan Buddhism. From as early as the 19th century, Sakya, Nyingma and Gelug practitioners had already accepted Dorje Shugden. It is therefore perfectly logical to conclude that Dorje Shugden, being an enlightened being, is impartial and grants his protection and blessings to all who propitiate him.
Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David
Introduction to Dorje Shugden
in the Sakya Tradition
In the Gelug tradition of Dorje Shugden’s fulfillment (kangsol) puja, the invocation of Dorje Shugden begins with the recitation of a special prayer. In the invocation prayer, one of the sites that we call upon Dorje Shugden to come forth from is the Sakya temple at Mug Chung. It is well known to many practitioners that Dorje Shugden was first practiced within the great Sakya tradition.
Dorje Shugden Tanag or Dorje Shugden riding a horse. This form is a popular depiction of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya lineage.
According to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche‘s text Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors, the first thought of the high lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen after arising as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden was his lama, Panchen Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen recalled his lama’s kindness through the innumerable advice, teachings, transmissions and initiations that he had received. Therefore, he traveled to Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse with the intention to pay homage to his lama and to be enthroned as the protector of the monastery.
Upon arriving at the monastery, he beheld the Eight Horse Lords of Vaishravana who seemed to be holding hands along the circumambulation path encircling Tashi Lhunpo in a protective manner, thus indicating that it was not the right time to enter the monastery. He realised that it was more auspicious to travel to Sakya instead and so, he immediately took off and traveled to Sakya instead due to affinity made during his previous incarnation as Sakya Pandita. But later, he would enter Tashi Lhunpo Monastery during the time of the 9th Panchen Lama. At Sakya, he manifested signs before the 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen, who at that time was the 17-year old supreme throne holder of the Sakyas. Subsequently, he enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakyas. Thus, the Sakyas first practiced Dorje Shugden before the practice spread to other traditions as well.
As was mentioned earlier, Dorje Shugden’s connection with the Sakya School began hundreds of years ago during his previous lifetimes as Sakya Pandita and also as Buton Rinchen Drub. These are two great Sakya lamas who were famous for their incredible contributions to their lineage and the Buddhadharma as a whole.
Sakya Depictions of Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden on a Black Horse
Dorje Shugden Tanag
Within the Sakya lineage of Dorje Shugden, the depiction of Dorje Shugden is very different from the one currently being worshipped within the Gelug tradition. In the old tradition of the Sakyas, Dorje Shugden’s principle mount is a black horse and hence, the lineage of Dorje Shugden is called Dorje Shugden Tanag or ‘Dorje Shugden on a black horse’.
One of the earliest descriptions of this form of Dorje Shugden comes from the writings of the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro in the mid-18th Century that was based on a transmission from his father, the 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen. In this lama’s text entitled Requesting to Annihilate Interfering Forces, he writes that Dorje Shugden’s body is dark red in color, with one face and two hands. His right hand holds a club up to the sky and he holds in his left hand, a human heart inside a skull cup filled with blood. On his head, he wears a lacquer hat and is riding a black horse.
Dorje Shugden Tanag
Dorje Shugden Tanag tsa tsa
Dorje Shugden on the horse is on the bottom left of this thangka of Vajrayogini. Vajrayogini is considered one of the 13 Golden Dharmas of the Sakya Tradition.
Dorje Shugden in Sakya Monastery
(Shigatse, Tibet)
This video and these pictures of Dorje Shugden in the Sakya Monastery were recorded in 2015, hundreds of years after they were first painted as part of their pantheon of Protectors.
The Dorje Shugden wall mural at Sakya Monastery in Shigatse
A close-up of the Dorje Shugden wall mural at Sakya Monastery in Shigatse
Mahakala and Dorje Shugden
in the Sakya Tradition
Click to enlarge
This antique thangka of Mahakala Panjaranata used to be the personal possession of Sachen Kunga Lodro. The lama figure above the protector is a depiction of Sachen Kunga Lodro himself. The central protector figure at the bottom of the thangka is the Sakya-lineage of Dorje Shugden riding a black horse.
Dorje Shugden on a Throne
According to scriptural sources, it seems that the tradition of Dorje Shugden riding on a horse is not the only depiction within the Sakyas. There is another tradition of the Sakyas that invokes Dorje Shugden as a deity uniquely resting on a lion throne. This is similar to the description in the praise of Dorje Shugden by the Great 5th Dalai Lama that was based on his vision of Dorje Shugden in the mid-17th Century.
Dorje Shugden sitting regally on a throne, surrounded by his emanations of Shize, Gyenze, Wangze and Trakze.
Within the Sakya tradition, this depiction of Dorje Shugden can be seen in the writings of Morchen Kunga Lhundrub around the tail end of the 17th Century. In the enthronement prayers or Ngasol that was written by Morchen Kunga Lhundrub, the lama writes, “Posed upon a fearless lion throne, boundlessly powerful Dorje Shugden Tsel.” Hence, there are thangkas of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition that depict Dorje Shugden sitting on a lion throne as well as those in which he is seen riding a black horse as well.
Praise to Dorje Shugden
By the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro
Commentary by His Eminence 25th Tsem Rinpoche on the Praise to Dorje Shugden
Click here to download the prayer in English (PDF)
(Excerpt from the Dorje Shugden prayer called duelzin choe ki gyalpo choepai choka phuentsog doe gu yong khil she jawa)
At the early time, entering into the teaching of the Tathagata,
you rose in the form of Vinaya-holding Bhikshu,
thus you protect all the teachings of the Sravaka-Pitaka without exception,
I prostrate to you.
Here the prayer exhorts Dorje Shugden’s previous incarnation as a great monk, who protected the teachings. This verse also refers to Dorje Shugden’s previous life as the Vinaya-holder (Dulzin) Drakpa Gyeltsen (1374-1434), he was a pure monk who had made the great aspiration to arise as a Protector of the teachings. The teachings are protected when a person learns the Dharma, practises the Dharma and then teaches it. Therefore when Dorje Shugden in his previous incarnations learned the teachings, he was able to protect them.
For example, if someone says something negative about the teachings, as you have internalised the teachings you can reply using logic. When logic is used to clear the doubt in the mind of someone else, you are protecting the teachings. The best methods to protect the teachings is not to kill or oppress those opposed to it, but to have knowledge of the teachings, and then expound that knowledge so that the ignorance in the other person’s mind is cleared.
Therefore here we see that Dorje Shugden is praised as a monk who had mastered the teachings as he can protect them without exception.
In the middle, in front of many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
having generated the aspiring and entering Bodhicitta,
you obtained the prophecy as a protector of the teaching of the Dharma,
thus you protect all the teachings of the Bodhisattvas without exception,
to you I prostrate.
This verse states that Dorje Shugden has taken the vow of Bodhicitta for the welfare of all sentient beings. Not only that but he has practised and attained Bodhicitta itself, which is the enlightened mind that aids all beings. This was done in front of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Some people could argue that even though he has taken the vow, one can regress in practice. However, as the verse explains, he attained a prophecy when he would be enlightened. That would mean that his generation of Bodhicitta was truly genuine.
In the great mandala of the ocean of Tantras,
initiated by Vajradhara, and receiving the samayas,
thus you protect all the teachings of the profound Tantra without exception,
to you I prostrate.
Here the praise mentions the many tantric teachings that Dorje Shugden received in his previous lives. These are based on the sutra teachings, which as we have seen earlier he mastered, and he was also a master of tantra. Therefore as tantra is part of the Buddhist path, he is able to protect them through his own mastery of them. Thus, the nine mothers in the entourage of Dorje Shugden assist tantric practitioners to gain spiritual attainments. The nine mothers are all emanations of Dorje Shugden.
In particular in this northern land, surrounded by a range of snow mountains,
though not directly pervaded by the sun of the Buddha, yet sustained by his compassion,
you are the protector of all those perfect schools of Dharma,
I prostrate to you.
This verse exhorts Dorje Shugden as a protector of all schools. Here he is not described as a protector of the Sakya but as a protector of all perfect schools of Dharma. Therefore anyone who practises the Dharma, in any school, if they propitiate Dorje Shugden, he will assist them. This is testament to Dorje Shugden’s quality and nature.
All the great holders of the teaching, who comment according to one’s own views,
the entire Tripitakas, the Tantras and their commentaries,
you are the very protector of all the holders of the Dharma,
acting as the fulfiller of the words of those leaders, I prostrate to you.
The great lamas who receive a pure lineage, contemplate the teachings, who practise sincerely and even commentate on the teachings to further elucidate them to their students, in order to bring clarity of mind to others are protected by Dorje Shugden. These lamas are like the sun clearing the clouds in the sky and Dorje Shugden protects them.
Dorje Shugden is not swayed by material offerings or those who make the most elaborate offerings, like an unenlightened being, but favours those who elucidate the Dharma teachings. Therefore Dorje Shugden is especially close to those lamas who teach the Dharma. This shows us he is not an ordinary protector, as ordinary protectors are not excited when someone teaches the Dharma. They are more excited when they are given abundant offerings and respect.
Here we learn that Dorje Shugden is very pleased with lamas who teach the Dharma, after they have received the teachings themselves, practised, internalised them and then gives commentaries. This doesn’t refer to anyone who simply teaches the Dharma, but those who have listened to the Dharma, and teach from experience.
Since the teaching of the Dharma is the gateway to the ending of suffering for all sentient beings, Dorje Shugden finds it the most pleasing and he is closest to these lamas. He will listen to these lamas who teach and assist them. This shows you his nature, as Dorje Shugden is happy when other peoples’ sufferings are relieved. This is not a sign of a worldly protector.
The legacy of the pandits, translators, dharma kings and ministers,
all the temples constructed by them,
you are the protector of all those seats of the Sangha without exception,
I prostrate to you.
Here it states that Dorje Shugden is the protector of the legacy of those who have learnt, practised and taught the Dharma. By this it means that he not only protects those great monastic institutions they built, but their teachings as well. This is because these teachings are of great importance for beings to be free of their suffering and gain enlightenment.
For entire Tibet, included in upper region Ngari, central region Ue-tsang, and
lower region Dokham,
you act as the very protector, refuge, supporter, and friend of all people without exception,
thus you are the very god of the snow-land country,
I prostrate to you.
In Tibet there are three provinces: Ngari, Ue-tsang and Dokham. Here Kunga Lodro is stating that Dorje Shugden is the master of all three of these provinces. Therefore he is the protector of the entire snow-land, or Tibet itself. This goes to show, even before the Gelugpa lineage arose, some of whom now proclaim Dorje Shugden to be the main protector, the Sakya masters had already stated that he is the main protector of Tibet, and not any other protector.
The great protector of all the Buddhas of this fortunate aeon,
who is the eliminator of all the forces of unsuitable Mara,
some day through showing full enlightenment as Samyaksambuddha,
you will fulfil the deed of a Tathagata, to you I prostrate.
This explains that Dorje Shugden is emanating as a Dharma protector for all Buddhist lineages at this moment and that he will continuously emanate to assist sincere practitioners. However, in the future he will take on the form of a Samyaksambuddha. This is a Buddha who manifests when the Dharma is non-existent within samsara to turn the wheel of Dharma to benefit sentient beings. Buddha Shakyamuni for example taught when the Dharma no longer exist, so therefore he is called a Samyaksambuddha.
Likewise, Dorje Shugden will appear in a form like Buddha Shakyamuni to teach the Dharma. Some people would retort that this goes to show that he is not enlightened yet, but is unenlightened. On the contrary, here it states that he will ‘show’ full enlightenment, or take on the form of a Samyaksambuddha, implying that he is already a fully enlightened being. It means he will simply take the form of a Samyaksambuddha for the benefit of sentient beings.
Therefore at the moment he has taken a form of a Dharma protector, later he will take on the form of a Samyaksambuddha. This clearly means that he is enlightened already but will take on the form of a fully enlightened being in the future.
In short, in all three times, uninterruptedly,
with your infinite secrets of body speech and mind,
all those beings who are wandering in the ocean of the cycle,
you give them the perfect state of liberation, to you I prostrate.
This clearly states he is an enlightened being as only enlightened beings can provide you with the means of achieving enlightenment. This is not an ability held by any other types of beings. He brings resources, brings practitioners to their gurus who expound the path out of suffering, blesses them so that they are able to receive and understand the teachings. In short he creates the causes for a person to become a fully enlightened being if we have trust in him and his abilities.
Thus by the power of venerating you with this ocean of melodious praise,
through generating delight, compassion, and benevolent force of your mind,
please fulfil the activity for increasing of virtues, pacifying of disfavourable
interferences,
and accomplishment of all the purposes in accordance to Dharma.
The last verse states that by praising Dorje Shugden, who is no other than a Buddha, the practitioner generates great waves of merit. From these merits generated by praising him, you supplicate Dorje Shugden to fulfil the various actions of a protector, removing obstacles, granting protection and the granting of conducive conditions for the practice of the Dharma.
When we praise someone with an ego, their ego increases. Whereas if we praise someone without an ego, an enlightened being, our merits increase. Although this verse on the surface level is propitiating Dorje Shugden for various activities in his current role of a Dharma protector, if we look deeper it once again reaffirms his status as an enlightened being as he does not have an ego. This entire praise is a clear sign that Dorje Shugden is not an ordinary being but a fully enlightened being. Similarly it was no ordinary lama who composed these words. This praise was written by the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro, a great patriarch of the Sakya School.
Click here to download the prayer in English (PDF)
Kangsol (part 1)
The 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro (1729-1783) composed the following 149-page Tibetan-style manuscript Dorje Shugden kangsol text. This text contains the propitiation rites that the Sakya high lamas and ordinary monks use in order to invoke the blessings and protection of Dorje Shugden. From this extensive 149-page long text, one can clearly see that Dorje Shugden is evidently not just a minor practice but a significant protector for the Sakyas. Consequently, this important Dorje Shugden text has been in use since the time of Kunga Lodro to this day.
To download the entire kangsol, please click here.
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Kangsol (part 2)
The 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro (1729-1783) composed the following 149-page Tibetan-style manuscript Dorje Shugden kangsol text. This text contains the propitiation rites that the Sakya high lamas and ordinary monks use in order to invoke the blessings and protection of Dorje Shugden. From this extensive 149-page long text, one can clearly see that Dorje Shugden is evidently not just a minor practice but a significant protector for the Sakyas. Consequently, this important Dorje Shugden text has been in use since the time of Kunga Lodro to this day.
To download the entire kangsol, please click here.
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Gallery
Gyalpo Sum on the bottom right, according to the Sakya tradition. They are Setrap, Tsiu Marpo and Dorje Shugden. Click to enlarge.
Close-up of the thangka
This biographical thangka of the 32nd Sakya Trizin Wangdu Nyingpo reveals the fact that one of his personal protectors is Dorje Shugden
Gyalpo Sum according to the Gelug tradition. In this case, Setrap (top) and Tsiu Marpo aka Kache Marpo (bottom) reside in Dorje Shugden’s mandala
A thangka from the Nyingma tradition, featuring Dorje Shugden as the central figure, surrounded by the significant and important deities of the Nyingma tradition.
A close-up of the 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen
The 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro is depicted here on the Sakya lineage tree
The 32nd Sakya Trizin Wangdu Nyingpo
The 33rd Sakya Throneholder Sakya Trizin Pema Dudul Wangchuk who practised Dorje Shugden
The 35th Sakya throneholder Sakya Trizin Tashi Rinchen who also practised Dorje Shugden
The 39th Sakya throneholder Sakya Trizin Dragshul Trinley Rinchen who also practised Dorje Shugden
This is the actual writing of the 31st Sakya throneholder Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga Lodro that is housed in the National Archives, Kathmandu. He was a great scholar and a practitioner of Dorje Shugden. Click to enlarge.
This is the actual writing of the 31st Sakya throneholder Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga Lodro that is housed in the National Archives, Kathmandu. He was a great scholar and a practitioner of Dorje Shugden. Click to enlarge.
The Sakya Gyalpo Sum trio of protectors including Setrap, Dorje Shugden and Tsiu Marpo (a.k.a. Kache Marpo). These same three are being practiced within the Gelugpa lineage now. I myself have great faith in these three enlightened beings enthroned by the great Sakya throneholders of the past as well as the great Gelug masters. They are all fully enlightened appearing as gyalpos or in worldly forms to be closer in assisting the needs of sentient beings.
Click to download high-resolution image
Hevajra (central figure)
The 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen (1705-1741) (top leftmost), the 31st Sakya Throneholder Ngawang Kunga Lodro (1729-1783) (top second from the left), Buddha Shakyamuni (top middle), Naro Kechari Vajrayogini (top right), Yellow Dzambala (middle leftmost), The 39th Sakya Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936) (middle second from the left), Citipati Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground (middle right), Panjaranatha Mahakala (bottom left), Dorje Shugden Tanag (bottom right)
Hevajra is one of the main highest yoga tantric meditational deities of the Sakya tradition and the 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen featured as the largest of the three Sakya Trizins depicted here enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakya tradition. The 31st Sakya Throneholder Ngawang Kunga Lodro was his son and the emanation of Dorje Shugden who composed the Dorje Shugden fulfilment ritual text (kangso) that is used to propitiate Dorje Shugden as an enlightened Dharma Protector within the Sakya tradition up until today. Both the 30th and 31st Sakya Throneholders are highly respected and revered for their mastery of the Buddhist teachings, and their ability to teach others.
The 39th Sakya Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen was a renowned master, erudite scholar and lineage holder who also taught hundreds of scholars, masters and great practitioners. He was an ardent practitioner of Dorje Shugden and proliferated the practice throughout the Sakya tradition. Aside from the three aforementioned Sakya throneholders, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag and these include the following:
- 33rd Throneholder and Mahasiddha Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
Click to download high-resolution image
The 31st Sakya Throneholder Ngawang Kunga Lodro (1729-1783) (central figure)
Hevajra (top left), Naro Kechari Vajrayogini (top right), Panjaranatha Mahakala (bottom left), Dorje Shugden Tanag (bottom right)
The 31st Sakya Throneholder Ngawang Kunga Lodro was the son of the 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen. He was considered to have been an emanation of Dorje Shugden at that time and an erudite scholar, accomplished Tantrika and a great lineage holder of the Sakya tradition. He was the teacher of hundreds of scholars, masters and great practitioners. He composed the 149 page Dorje Shugden fulfilment ritual text (kangso) that is used to propitiate Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition even until today. He is also known as a lineage holder of the Naro Kechari Vajrayogini practice within the Sakya tradition. Aside from Kunga Lodro, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag, the special form of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition, who rides on a black horse. These great masters include:
- 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen (1705-1741)
- 33rd Throneholder Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
- 39th Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936)
Click to download high-resolution image
Dorje Shugden Tanag (central figure)
The 39th Sakya Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936) (top left), Naro Kechari Vajrayogini (top right), Panjaranatha Mahakala (bottom left), Citipati Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground (bottom right)
Dorje Shugden Tanag literally means ‘Dorje Shugden riding on a black horse’. He is a unique form of Dorje Shugden that arose within the Sakya tradition, is one of the earliest forms of the protector deity and is propitiated as an enlightened Dharma Protector.
The 39th Sakya Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen was a renowned master, erudite scholar and lineage holder. He taught hundreds of students who became scholars, masters and great practitioners by following his teachings. He was also a great practitioner of Dorje Shugden and proliferated this practice throughout the Sakya lineage. Aside from Dragshul Trinley Rinchen, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag within the Sakya tradition. These great masters include:
- 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen (1705-1741)
- 31st Throneholder Sachen Kunga Lodro (1729-1783)
- 33rd Throneholder and Mahasiddha Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
Click to download high-resolution image
The 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen (main figure)
The 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen, Hevajra, Vajrayogini, Mahakala of the Doors, Palden Lhamo, Gonpo Tramsuk (Brahmarupa), Dzambala and Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag.
The 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakya tradition and establish the Dorje Shugden Tanag lineage. Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092–1158) was the first of the Five Founding Fathers of the Sakya Lineage.
Aside from Sonam Rinchen, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag, the special form of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition, who rides on a black horse. These great masters include:
- 31st Throneholder Sachen Kunga Lodro (1729-1783)
- 33rd Throneholder Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
- 39th Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936)
Click to download high-resolution image
The 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen (main figure)
Buddha Shakyamuni, Hevajra, Vajrayogini, Mahakala of the Doors, Gonpo Tramsuk (Brahmarupa),and Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag.
The 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakya tradition and establish the Dorje Shugden Tanag lineage. Furthermore, Hevajra and Vajrayogini are the main higher tantric practices of Sakya tradition. In addition, Mahakala of the Doors is the main protector of the Sakya School and Gonpo Tramsuk (Brahmarupa) is an emanation of 4-face Mahakala as those who are uninitiated within the Sakya tradition are not allowed to behold the face of this Mahakala.
Aside from Sonam Rinchen, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag, the special form of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition, who rides on a black horse. These great masters include:
- 31st Throneholder Sachen Kunga Lodro (1729-1783)
- 33rd Throneholder Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
- 39th Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936)
Click to download high-resolution image
6 Sakya Trizins (central lama figures)
37th Sakya Trizin Kunga Nyingpo (top left), 39th Sakya Trizin Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (top middle), 30th Sakya Trizin Sonam Rinchen (top right), 31st Sakya Trizin Sachen Kunga Lodro (middle row left), 33rd Sakya Trizin Padma Dudul Wangchug (middle row middle), 35th Sakya Trizin Tashi Rinchen (middle row right), Mahakala Panjaranatha (bottom left), Vajrayogini (bottom middle), Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag (bottom right)
The 30th Sakya Throneholder Sonam Rinchen enthroned Dorje Shugden as a protector of the Sakya tradition and establish the Dorje Shugden Tanag lineage. The 31st Sakya Throneholder Ngawang Kunga Lodro was his son and the emanation of Dorje Shugden who composed the Dorje Shugden fulfilment ritual text (kangso) that is used to propitiate Dorje Shugden as an enlightened Dharma Protector within the Sakya tradition up until today. Both the 30th and 31st Sakya Throneholders are highly respected and revered for their mastery of the Buddhist teachings, and their ability to teach others.
The 39th Sakya Throneholder Dragshul Trinley Rinchen was a renowned master, erudite scholar and lineage holder who also taught hundreds of scholars, masters and great practitioners. He was an ardent practitioner of Dorje Shugden and proliferated the practice throughout the Sakya tradition. Aside from the three aforementioned Sakya throneholders, there were many other great Sakya throneholders who practised and proliferated Dorje Shugden Tanag and these include the following:
- 33rd Throneholder and Mahasiddha Padma Dudul Wangchug (1792-1853)
- 35th Throneholder Tashi Rinchen (1824-1865)
- 37th Throneholder Kunga Nyingpo (1850-1899)
Addendum
Of the 42 supreme throne holders throughout the history of the Sakya tradition, six of the thrones holders are confirmed to have practiced Dorje Shugden. They are known to have built chapels to him, composed prayers and pujas (kangsols) to him and propagated his practice amongst their disciples. The entire Sakya lineage and their sacred practices such as the 13 Golden Dharmas of Sakya, the Lamdre – the Path and its Fruit, the tantric practice of Hevajra, and other numerous teachings and practices have descended down through these six lineage holders who have proven themselves to be highly attained and erudite incarnations. From these great lamas, the teachings have been passed down to the current throne holders, lamas, and great practitioners of the Sakya tradition.
If someone were to say that these six Sakya thrones holders were wrong or mistaken for their propitiation of Dorje Shugden, for their composition of liturgical texts to him, or for the building of chapels in his honour, then they are saying the Sakya throne holders were ordinary. They were fallible, were not erudite, did not have high spiritual attainments, could be mistaken, and therefore we should not rely on them. If they were just ordinary men adorned with brocade silk hats and expensive robes, while sitting on big thrones, then what is the point to call them lineage holders or masters?
What is the point to practice the ‘tainted’ Sakya tradition in modern times? They were definitely very attained and not ordinary human beings by far. If these six Sakya lineage holders could have made such a huge mistake, then the entire Sakya lineage that has passed through them is tainted and without blessings. So according to that line of thinking, if we were to practice the Sakya lineage today, there will be no blessings and no results. This is because the Sakya lineage as it exists was passed down through these six throne holders without exception. This is neither logical nor possible as they were highly attained masters.
Now, the Tibetan leadership is fond of saying that if you practice Dorje Shugden, then you break your refuge and your divine connection with the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Consequently, you will be damned to take rebirth in the three lower realms, as an animal, a spirit or in one of the hell realms. If that is the case, these six great Sakya throne holders must have taken rebirth in the three lower realms too. But this is impossible! They all practiced Dorje Shugden and there is a lot of research and evidence that confirms this. Some even composed long pujas to Dorje Shugden which are still in use today. In actual fact these six great Sakya throne holders were highly attained beings, and they were definitely not ordinary.
It is because of their extraordinary spiritual attainments, that they were easily able to discern which formless beings were Buddhas and which were negative beings that caused harm. They would have known that Dorje Shugden is definitely not negative and therefore, they had encouraged Dorje Shugden’s practice and composed pujas and prayers to him. They had the clairvoyance to see the very nature of Dorje Shugden, or they could use their wisdom to debate and determine the nature of Dorje Shugden by way of logic. I am sure they did both and arrived at the same conclusion. The simple deduction is that Dorje Shugden is not a harmful being and that is why these six erudite masters both practiced and promoted Dorje Shugden within the sacred Sakya lineage.
I myself have tremendous faith and respect for the exalted Dragshul Trinley Rinchen (1871–1936), the 39th Sakya Trizin, and the other five throne holders too. I pray they bless me so I may gain full enlightenment. When I see Dragshul Trinley Rinchen’s photo, I feel as if I have met him or had the great honour to have practiced his teachings in a past lifetime. In any case, great faith arises spontaneously in me for Dragshul Trinley Rinchen as it does for other great masters such as Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche and other great masters of their respective lineages.
Tsem Rinpoche
Addendum – Tsiu Marpo
A protector with an intimate link to the Sakya lineage and Dorje Shugden is the protector Tsiu Marpo. Tsiu Marpo has a long history within Tibetan Buddhism and was propitiated in a triad of protectors known as the Gyalpo Sum or the Three Kings, together with Dorje Shugden and Dorje Setrap. Christopher Paul Bell has written an excellent thesis on Tsiu Marpo, which can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
Click here to download Tsiu Marpo: The Career of a Tibetan Protector Deity
For more interesting information:
- The Sakya Lineage & Dorje Shugden
- Sakya Trizin’s Dorje Shugden Prayer
- Disharmony Within the Sakya?
- Shangmo Dorje Putri – the Bamo of Sakya
- Dharma Protectors of Tibetan Buddhism
- Karma Kagyu’s Lodreu Rabsel Rinpoche Asks the Dalai Lama for Religious Freedom
- The Prophecy of the 16th Karmapa
- Who is Kache Marpo?
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Interesting read history of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this article, the practice of Dorje Shugden goes back to the I7th Century. It is from Sakya lineage tradition, Sonam Rinchen the 30th Sakya Throne Holder, who recognized Dorje Shugden as an enlightened protector. He even enthroned the deity together with Dorje Setrap and Tsiu Marpo. Together they were known as the Three Kings (Gyalpo Sum) and were regarded as the Protectors of the Sakya lineage. Many great masters and throne holders of the Sakya Trizins, had first propitiated Dorje Shugden before the practice spread to other traditions. It had since passed down within the Sakya lineage for several generations until recently. It has clearly show that Dorje Shugden practice is indeed beneficial and does not harm at all. Many other great masters and even HH Dalai Lama did somehow practice and relying on Dorje Shugden centuries back. And it was Dorje Shugden who has helped HH Dalai in his escape safe route from Tibet to India. Sakya’s holders even wrote praises to Dorje Shugden as an enlightened being and composed some of the earliest descriptions of the iconography and activities of Dorje Shugden.
With folded hands ,thanks again.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.
A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.
Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?
Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.
What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.
So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?
Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.
And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
—–
OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES
rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so
BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.
In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
This beautiful painting (thangka) is in Sakya Monastery in Tibet’s protector chapel. It is Dorje Shugden Tanag or Dorje Shugden riding on a black horse. This is the Sakya version of Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden is originally Sakya and still practiced in Sakya and came to Gelug and Kagyu practitioners later.
A Daily Request for Wealth, Peace and Protection
Composed by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche
In the heavens there are myriad manifestations of the divine. All those manifestations specifically show us different aspects of divinity in order to be of benefit to all living beings. All the rupakaya forms of the divine have compassion, skillful means and wisdom. We invoke upon them whether we are happy, sad, down, lost, fulfilled, confused, empty, and during the whole range of emotions we constantly experience due to an untrained mind.
Understanding our nature, Great Wisdom Being Dorje Shugden, therefore all the more so, please hold us close to your bosom as an only child to a parent.
Though the manifestations of the divine need no offerings and gifts from us, we offer you supreme Manjushri Dorje Shugden a libation of tea, incense and mantras, in order to ask you to bless us, to be a part of our lives, to abide in our dwellings and to give us signs, omens and portents of both good and bad. When the negative arises, quell them immediately. Please increase the positive for my weary and worn mind as I lay my hopes in you.
When difficulties, problems and confusion arise, we ask you, who is but the culmination of all that is powerful, holy and omniscient to bless myself, family, loved ones, environment and even my pets. May I see wisdom, find hope, and be at peace.
I request you, O Divine Bhagavān Dorje Shugden, who wears a round dome hat and the three robes of a saffroned bhikshu, who wields a sword of liberty, justice and wisdom and clutches a wish-fulfilling jewel, who rides on a supreme lion of subjugation of all that is negative, to fulfill my wishes. I understand my wishes may not be the best, so I surrender to your wisdom for the outcome though it may not be what I have in mind. Please bless myself and everyone that we may enter into the supreme city of liberation.
Great Bhagavān Dorje Shugden, I request you sincerely from my heart to be a part of my life, bless my home, and grant me wisdom, solace and comfort, that I might be of service to others without agenda, and that I may focus out onto others and not be fixated on myself, creating more problems for all that I hold dear.
Bless me to become kinder, wiser, more compassionate, tolerant and very forgiving to all those who hurt and love me. In order to become close to you, Dorje Shugden, we must surrender the banal. We must abandon fixed views, projections and rigidity. Lastly, in my final moment when I leave this plane of existence, only the positive actions I have done will matter as everything and everyone will be left behind. Let me realise this and act upon this now! At this crucial moment, please may I have a vision of yourself, the powerful and merciful Dorje Shugden, to take me to where I may course in the sky to continue my journey of spiritual waxing.
I offer you saffron-coloured tea and my faith to fulfill my prayers and gain siddhis. By reciting your mantra, may healing, peace, love, long life, protection and perfect view of sunyata arise.
Mantra of fulfillment, peace and wisdom:
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
(It is good to recite this mantra daily as much as you like or your timing allows.)
I dedicate this supreme heartfelt prayer to the all-knowing Celestial and Supreme Protector Dorje Shugden, that I may quickly become a being of light, compassion, love and enlightenment.
Please play the audio included here to follow along with the prayer.
OR
Follow on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-OSudd323A
For more information, go to: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=61394
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1538813324.mp4
8 pictures of the Sakya Monastery to share, where Protector temple Mug Chung is located. This is the monastery where Dorje Shugden was enthroned first as a Dharma protector in Tibet over 400 years ago by the highest Sakya throneholders and masters. Since then when people are doing Dorje Shugden prayers and pujas, they invoke his holy wisdom presence from Mug Chung Protector Chapel in Sakya Monastery in Tibet.
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural: https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Here we see a Bhutanese woman confirming that His Holiness the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche wrote prayers to Dorje Shugden. At first people did not believe that Zhabdrung Rinpoche actually composed the prayers, but people went to check with their monastic authorities, and they confirmed that the prayers were real. Before this, she had vehemently said that there were no such prayers and that she would go to check and then prove that the prayers were false. She must have gone to check and ask about Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s prayers to Dorje Shugden. As we said, the prayers are real but she still cannot accept the fact, even with all the proof.
Some Bhutanese feel like they cannot openly acknowledge that the article on Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s composition of prayers to Dorje Shugden is true, because it would mean that the Je Khenpo and Bhutanese sold and betrayed their own lineage. So even though they now admit that they prayers are real, they keep saying that he is just a minor deity and in any case, the Je Khenpo banned the practice. But if Dorje Shugden was just a minor deity, why would both Zhabdrung Rinpoche and Drubwang Tenzin Zangpo have composed such extensive prayers to Dorje Shugden? If Bhutan’s founding fathers like Zhabdrung Rinpoche promoted the practice of Dorje Shugden, why is someone like the Je Khenpo, whose position was originally created by the 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, banning the practice? Why do they want to go against what Zhabdrung Rinpoche did? If they do that, why do not they ban the entire country of Bhutan, because he founded that too.
They also claim that thangkas of Zhabdrung Rinpoche with Dorje Shugden are fake. However, there is no such thing as a fake thangka, because when someone has faith, they commission it, place it on their shrine and accept it. How can a thangka be fake when it has been individually commissioned? There is no rule or guideline what someone can or cannot put on a thangka. It is up to a person’s personal choice. That means there is no such thing as a fake thangka.
This woman came back on social media and confessed that the prayers are real. Even though she was still shocked, angry and dismayed, she told the truth. She could have kept quiet but she did not. Through all her debates and denials, she still had the honesty to leave a comment and admit that the prayers were real. When people can accept something, even though it may make them uncomfortable or angry, it means that they are practicing the Dharma. Dorje Shugden was practiced by the 4th Zhabdrung, and even though it may be an uncomfortable thought to some, it is clear and proven to be the case.
The 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche of Bhutan and Dorje Shugden
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden.html
不丹国第四世夏仲仁波切与多杰雄登
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden-chinese.html
འབྲུག་གི་ཞབས་དྲུང་བཞི་པ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་དང་རྡོ་རྗེ་ཤུགས་ལྡན།
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden-tibetan.html
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
You will see two ancient Sakya thangkas with Dorje Shugden, Tsiu Marpo (Kache Marpo) and Setrap included. As Dorje Shugden was worshipped within the Sakya for sure. Beautiful paintings. Take a close look.
The section from Christopher Paul Bell’s “Tsiu Marpo the Career of a Tibetan Protector Deity” that mentioned Tsimar is another name of Tsiu Marpo. He mentioned that Tsimar name was given by Padmasambava
The practice of Dorje Shugden is clear for all to see, and cannot be faulted in any way, shape or form, as much as the Tibetan Leadership wants to say that it isn’t. Dorje Shugden’s practice clearly isn’t sectarian, nor is DS’s practice spirit worshipping. Great masters and lamas, like the Sakya’s throneholder had first practiced Dorje Shugden, and on top of that, composed prayers to Dorje Shugden.
If Dorje Shugden is a spirt, as the Tibetan Leadership and His Holiness Dalai Lama claims, then why would the highest throne holders of the Sakya lineage propitiate Dorje Shugden? Do they mean that the Sakya lineage is also faulted, because spirit worship breaks one’s refuge vows.
There are so many facts that one cannot refute about the truth of Dorje Shugden’s practice. If people claim Dorje Shugden practice is sectarian, you can clearly see that the DS practice is propitiated by other schools. If you say Dorje Shugden is a spirit, then how come His Holiness and many other high lamas is not able to compassionately subdue Dorje Shugden? If you say that Dorje Shugden practice goes against the Tibetan cause, then again, why don’t the high lamas do any powerful ritual to stop a “spirit” from doing so, besides printing and producing materials against DS’s practice? It just doesn’t make sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bj0254UG-Y
We should fulfil the will of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for an autonomous Tibetan state.
Dear friends,
This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become.
Tsem Rinpoche
Recently Beng Kooi and Martin on behalf of myself and Kechara was lucky to have audience with His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He lives in around Paris, France. His Holiness is 91 years old and very healthy and alert. He was the 101st throne holder for Tsongkapa and was the head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and was very successful during his tenure. He is a strong practitioner of both Sutra and Tantra of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition and a master of all Buddhist knowledge. He holds steadfast to his protector Dorje Shugden very strongly. So we can see even the highest throneholders who are masters of Sutra and Tantra also practices Dorje Shugden knowing the benefits.
Beng Kooi and Martin brought photo albums of Kechara Forest Retreat/Kechara and updates on Kechara and our works. His Holiness was very pleased to listen and offered some gifts back.
This is a beautiful picture and the great blessings bestowed on us from His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
Sonam Tsemo
At the age of 41, on the eleventh day of the Tibetan month of Malpo in the Male Water Tiger year (1182), the great Loppon Sonam Tsemo directly entered Sukhavati. As he passed into parinirvana, he manifested two different aspects of his body for the benefit of beings. The first aspect is described in the Supplication with a Mournful Melody: “During the evening of the tenth day, the two holy brothers performed a tsok offering. The next morning Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen visited his brother’s room and found only a Dharma robe left behind, for Loppon Sonam Tsemo had departed to the Kechari realm without abandoning his body. Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen, with great fervor, recited the Supplication with a Mournful Melody and through it he received a special prophecy which emerged from the Dharma robes like the sound of a bee.”
The second aspect was described by an old woman who witnessed Loppon Sonam Tsemo depart. Standing on a rock at the holy spring near Sakya known as Chumik Dzingka, his body ascended gracefully into the sky, still holding his dog. Even today the footprints of Loppon Sonam Tsemo and the dog can be clearly seen in the rock, left for the benefit of living beings as a field from which to accumulate merit. This holy site was decorated by the great master Mantradhara Ngawang Kunga Rinchen. Other accounts say that he ascended from Gorum Library near Chumik Dzingka spring. A stupa containing his holy relics was erected there.
http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/tradition_founder2.html
And another version:
Biography: Sonam Tsemo
Sonam Tsemo, 1142-1182, also called Lobpon Sonam Tsemo (bsod nams rtse mo) of the Khon family was the second of the Sakya Jetsun Gongma Nga, (sa skya rje btsun gong ma lnga) who were the five founding patriarchs of the Sakya order. He was also the fourth Sakya throne holder, although he served as active head of the monastery for only a few years. His mother was called Machig Odron (ma gcig ‘od sgron). Like his father he remained a layman throughout his life, although he never married or had children. He was identified as the reincarnation of the Indian scholar Durgachandra (or Durjayachandra) the master of Drogmi Lotsawa Shakya Yeshe’s (‘brog mi lotsawa shakya ye shes) teacher Viravajra, in India.
During his childhood, Sonam Tsemo’s main teacher was his father Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (sa chen kun dga’ snying po), who was the first Sakya patriarch and the third throne holder. His studies with his father focused on esoteric topics, and it is said that he could recite fourteen esoteric scriptures, including the Hevajra and Samvara tantras by the age of sixteen. He received oral Lamdre (lam ‘bras) instructions from Sachen during this time. After Sachen passed away, Sonam Tsemo’s education was strongly inflected by the Indian monastic model. At seventeen he went to the Kadampa monastery Sangpu Neutog (gsang phu ne’u thog) to study Madhyamaka philosophy and epistemology with the great master Chapa Chokyi Sengge (phya pa chos kyi seng ge). This teacher had disciples from several of the most prominent families in Central Tibet and Sonam Tsemo’s biography claims that he became the most accomplished of the students. He studied with this master on and off for eleven years and became well versed in Mahayana texts such as Pramanavinischaya and Bodhicharyavatara. Sonam Tsemo also received some instruction from the Indian or Nepali Acharya Shri Anandagharba.
Sonam Tsemo’s work Chola jugpai go (chos la ‘jug pa’i sgo), which he composed at the age of twenty-six at Nalatse, was extremely influential on the work of his nephew Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (sa skya paN+Di ta kun dga’ rgyal mtshan), the fourth Sakya patriarch and a widely renowned scholar. Sonam Tsemo’s written works address topics including the Bodhicharyavatara, a schematization of the tantra; an explanation of the last two chapters of the Hevajra root tantra; a commentary on the Samputa tantra; instructions for reading Sanskrit, and commemorative texts for his main teachers.
Sonam Tsemo first gave the Lamdre teachings in Sakya at the age of twenty-eight. Many famous masters attended the teaching, and he became renowned as a clear and skilled teacher, but his biographical data reflect a career more focused on study, practice and composition of texts than on teaching. His few close disciples included his brother Dragpa Gyaltsen (rje btsun grags pa rgyal mtshan), Ngodrup (dngos grub), Chagkyi Dorje (lcags kyi rdo rje), and Tsugtor (gstug tor). He was the active Sakya throne holder for only three years, after which he passed the responsibility on to his younger brother Dragpa Gyaltsen, in order to devote the rest of his life to study and retreat.
Sonam Tsemo passed away in 1182 at the age of forty. The details of his death are unclear, but it is recorded that his body disappeared and he left nothing but his robe and a footprint behind.
https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setid=400
A question
Is it so that if you practice Dorje Shugden or if you be a Gelugpa in your tradition that is it not allowed to get initiations of other traditions like Nigmapas and so on?
Thank you for clarification. I would like to see, that all Dharmapractioners are in peace.
Tara Luka, Where did you hear such a thing? I am an old student of Lama Yeshe. I dropped out of FPMT back in 1998 because they are all politics now. But to answer your question I am a Gelug and follow Gelug for over 40 years. I also get teachings from Nyingma and Kagyu and there is no problems. Lama Yeshe said no problems. Why do you listen to rumours and hearsay? No such thing that Dorje Shugden and Gelug cannot practice any teachings they want. I know a person who is a Gelugpa and Jewish practitioner and there is no problems.
But there is no Nyingma lamas who practice Gelug teachings or give Gelug Tsongkapa initiations.
Tara Luka, here is a Nyingma practitioner’s thangka. You can see Guru Rinpoche floating right above Dorje Shugden. No issues at all. Dorje Shugden accept all dharmas from all schools of Buddhism.
Thank you very much Rinpoche for the commentary on the “Praise to Dorje Shugden” by the 31st Sakya Trizin Kunga Lodro (1729-1783). The praise clearly places Dorje Shugden on the lotus in bloom of an enlightened being, no doubt about it.
What I find interesting is the following verse in the praise:
“The great protector of all the Buddhas of this fortunate aeon,
who is the eliminator of all the forces of unsuitable Mara,
some day through showing full enlightenment as Samyaksambuddha,
you will fulfil the deed of a Tathagata, to you I prostrate.”
Rinpoche comments that the verse explains Dorje Shugden is emanating as a Dharma protector for all Buddhist lineages at this moment and that he will continuously emanate to assist sincere practitioners. However, in the future he will take on the form of a Samyaksambuddha. This is a Buddha who manifests when the Dharma is non-existent within samsara to turn the wheel of Dharma to benefit sentient beings. Buddha Shakyamuni for example taught when the Dharma no longer exist, so therefore he is called a Samyaksambuddha.
From what I know, the next Samyaksambuddha to come to earth at the end of the current Kali-Yuga or when Dharma ceases to exist, is Maitreya Buddha who is “awaiting” in Tushita Heaven. This would be 5,000 years from when Buddha Shakyamuni, the most recent Samyaksambuddha was born.
However, there is also a number of ancient Chinese’s Buddhist commentaries, who figured that this period is 2,500 years. Here is one such example:
“The monks and stream attainers (followers) will be strong in their union with Dharma for 500 years after the Blessed One’s Parinirvana. In the second 500 years they will be strong in meditation; in the third period of 500 years they will be strong in erudition. In the fourth 500 years period they will only be occupied with gift giving. The final or fifth period of 500 years will see only fighting and reproving among the monks and followers. The pure Dharma will then become invisible (disappear)” (Abhidharmakosha, 4.12c. III. p. 41).
5,000 or 2,500 years, my conclusion is that not only is Dorje Shugden an enlightened being but he is close to us in the form of Maitreya Buddha, in time, very, very, close indeed in cosmological terms.
May Maitreya Buddha bring about a renaissance in the teaching, learning, spreading and practice of the Dharma!
Thank you for this article, Dorje Shugden is truly an universal protector. I remembered Dorje Shugden tried to advice the Gaden Phodrang and Dalai Lama to modernize before Tibet was taken over by the Chinese. Now reading that Dorje Shugden was a protector of Tibet, it all makes sense.
I pray that the Sakya will one day carry on practicing Dorje Shugden practice, as not having Dorje Shugden as part of their practices they have lost something really precious. I also understand the best way to protect the teachings, is to spread the buddha dharma, thats how the teachings are protected.
Other than Gelug, Sakya is another lineage who rely on Dorje Shugden heavily.
Some said the Sakya masters were wrong about Dorje Shugden practice. But this is a very serious allegation. If Sakya masters can make such mistakes, does it mean they can make mistakes about other practices too? I cannot believe the Sakya masters can make any mistakes.
Another great write up and information about Sakya lineage in Dorje Shugden practice. More interesting stuffs to read and learn up. Thank you very much Rinpoche and Pastor David for this wonderful follow up article.??
I have been busy, busy reading the latest articles of the History of Dorje Shugden within the Sakya tradition. What a treat to have so much information extended to us by the grace of H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai.
The gelug great Masters like Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche, the list goes on, had practised and many living great Masters, like Current Trijang Rinpoche, Gangchen Rinpoche are great examples of Dorje Shugden Lamas.
Such great erudite lamas cannot be wrong.
Now into history, the great Masters and throne holders, the Sakya Trizins, 30th, 31st, 33rd, 37th and 39th had all propitiated Dorje Shugden. It is this tradition that first enthroned Dorje Shugden as an enlightened Protector and the Shakya Trizins wrote texts and prayers to Him.
Knowledge is so powerful to cement one’s faith on one’s beliefs and religion. These new articles definitely reinforced and enhanced my faith in the Protector of our Time, Dorje Shugden.
What and incredible post this is and I learned quite a bit from this. Everyone should read at least the ‘PRAISE’ and the ‘ADDENDUM’ parts if you are rushed for time and then come back to read the complete post later. Not only is there so much valuable information condensed into a few logical and powerful paragraphs, the Praise will also fill you with devotion and trust in the Dharmapala when you see how our Protector was described and hailed.
This post debunks so many of the false allegations against Dorje Shugden for example, that the practice is sectarian and that Dorje Shugden is an anti-dharma practice and an invention by Pabongka Rinpoche. The Sakya prayer itself exhorts Dorje Shugden to protect all Buddhist traditions! In fact, Sakya high lamas like the 30th and 31st Sakya Trinzin, Sonam Rinchen and Kunga Lodro respectively did so much to alleviate Dorje Shugden as a main practice and by virtue of their credibility as supreme mahasiddhas, the practice of Dorje Shugden become very popular.
We should ask, if Dorje Shugden was not a beneficial practice, how could it have lasted from the 30th to the 39th Sakya Trinzins and then went on to become a Gelugpa practice with strong advocates such as Tagphu Pemavajra Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub and then Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo to Trijang Dorje Chang, to become a main protector practice of the Gelugpa? This is a period of some 300 years during which the greatest and highly attained lamas of the time upheld Dorje Shugden as a Buddha?
I love these series of Sakya Dorje Shugden articles and they come together to present carefully distilled information about this great Protector from so many monastic and academic sources. Read in concert, there can be no mistake about the true nature of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden and our urgent need to uphold this tradition. And as highlighted in this good post, the best way to protect the tradition is to understand it and practice it whole heartedly.
What and incredible post this is and I learned quite a bit from this. Everyone *MUST* read at least the ‘PRAISE’ and the ‘ADDENDUM’ parts if you are rushed for time and then come back to read the complete post later. Not only is there so much valuable information condensed into a few logical and powerful paragraphs, the Praise will also fill you with devotion and trust in the Dharmapala when you see how our Protector was described and hailed.
This post debunks so many of the false allegations against Dorje Shugden for example, that the practice is sectarian and that Dorje Shugden is an anti-dharma practice and an invention by Pabongka Rinpoche. The Sakya prayer itself exhorts Dorje Shugden to protect all Buddhist traditions! In fact, Sakya high lamas like the 30th and 31st Sakya Trinzin, Sonam Rinchen and Kunga Lodro respectively did so much to alleviate Dorje Shugden as a main practice and by virtue of their credibility as supreme mahasiddhas, the practice of Dorje Shugden become very popular.
We should ask, if Dorje Shugden was not a beneficial practice, how could it have lasted from the 30th to the 39th Sakya Trinzins and then went on to become a Gelugpa practice with strong advocates such as Tagphu Pemavajra Jampel Tenpai Ngodrub and then Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo to Trijang Dorje Chang, to become a main protector practice of the Gelugpa? This is a period of some 300 years during which the greatest and highly attained lamas of the time upheld Dorje Shugden as a Buddha?
I love these series of Sakya Dorje Shugden articles and they come together to present carefully distilled information about this great Protector from so many monastic and academic sources. Read in concert, there can be no mistake about the true nature of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden and our urgent need to uphold this tradition. And as highlighted in this good post, the best way to protect the tradition is to understand it and practice it whole heartedly.
??☺️? Thank you.