Mass of Vajra Fire: Invocation of the Mighty Dorje Shugden
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“Mass of Vajra Fire: Invocation of the mighty Dorje Shugden, the supreme Dharmapala of the precious teachings of Buddha Tsongkhapa” is a ritual text for the propitiation of Dorje Shugden. According to the account in the introduction, the author composed this text after being divinely inspired to do so.
Ritual compositions of this nature are traditionally considered exceptionally potent in their blessings if the claim of divine inspiration is authentic. Therefore, visionary writings of this kind are rare, and their acceptance depends heavily on recognition by high lamas of our tradition, as we lack the means to verify such claims ourselves. As stated in the preface, this text has received praise from the illustrious Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, Geshe Thupten Trinley, and other lamas, fulfilling this prerequisite for acceptance.
The ritual was composed in accordance with tradition, with the tantric practitioner in mind. This implies that the ritual requires an individual who has been initiated into the highest tantras, such as Yamantaka, or has the permission of a qualified lama. The practitioner must not only be someone who upholds their commitments but should also know how to arise as their yidam (meditational deity) and maintain the Bodhicitta motivation while invoking the Dharma Protector. In tantra, the primary practice is that of the yidam, which can be a lower or higher tantric deity leading one indirectly or directly towards enlightenment. Only higher tantric yidam practices can lead to enlightenment directly.
According to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, all tantric yidams are enlightened beings and are considered equal. However, they are categorised as higher or lower based on the requirements of a particular yidam’s practice. Higher tantric deities have more demanding requirements for practitioners, purify more karma, and generate more merits, leading to rapid transformation. In simpler terms, higher tantric yidams require more seasoned or advanced practitioners.
On the other hand, Dharma Protector practices such as Dorje Shugden were originally intended as a secondary practice to complement the main yidam practice. This is especially so for higher tantric practices, as it is more likely for obstacles to arise since more negative karma is being purified. Therefore, Dharma Protector practice helps us overcome our obstacles which can distract or even derail our practice.
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The traditional invocation of a Dharma Protector is therefore usually performed by arising as the yidam first and then requesting the Dharma Protector to fulfil their duty. It is said that if we are attained in our practice, we can instruct the Dharma Protectors directly like lapdogs to carry out activities. However, since we are not attained, we rely on ritual texts such as this one to generate merits and purify karma while requesting the Dharma Protector for help.
Traditionally, the higher tantric deity for invoking Dorje Shugden is Yamantaka, which is why this ritual text, like most others, is composed with Yamantaka as the yidam. This is owing to the fact that both are emanations of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom, meaning they are both related to the path of wisdom. It also reflects the ideal Gelug practice of incorporating various manifestations of Manjushri as the lama (teacher), yidam and protector. Thus, the initial section of this ritual text is designed for the practitioner to arise as Yamantaka before invoking Dorje Shugden.
The introduction mentions inner and secret obstacles that may arise due to practitioners not engaging in the ritual with due diligence, such as holding divine pride as the yidam and having the Bodhicitta motivation. Additionally, engaging in the ritual while being distracted, confused, careless or lazy is cautioned against, with warnings of potential rebirth as a hungry ghost. These strong-worded precautions emphasise the importance of performing the ritual properly and with diligence.
In the middle section, the author addresses “a faction of people speaks against the words of the root guru and sings disparaging songs, creating a surge of division and slander.” Here he is referring directly to the Dorje Shugden controversy. The author calls on Dorje Shugden to “act against the enemies of Dharma. Manifest the hopes of the committed practitioners. When the time is ripe to expose falsehood, unleash a vajra thunderstorm without hesitation!” This may be indicative of the author’s underlying intention for composing this ritual text. Though it may seem that he is calling on Dorje Shugden to avenge the wrongdoings of an external enemy, the real meaning of the enemy is an internal one. It suggests that the author’s intention is to request Dorje Shugden to bring peace, rebuild harmony, and heal the hurt and conflict that has arisen due to the controversy.
The final part of the introduction provides concise instructions on the various offerings and implements necessary for the ritual, similar to those offered during a medium-length Dorje Shugden kangso (fulfillment ritual).
This powerful text is shared publicly here for those who meet the necessary requirements to use in their personal practice.
About the Author
Ven. Geshe Kunchok Gyaltsen
Ven. Geshe Kunchok Gyaltsen, the author of Mass of Vajra Fire was born in 1964. In 1973, he entered Gaden Shartse Monastery in South India where he received teachings from over 27 great masters including his root Guru, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
Under his root guru, he studied various subjects for 23 years including Tibetan literature, the five major texts of Buddhist philosophy, Sutra and Tantra. Realising the importance of integrating learning with practice, he completed a three-year intense meditational retreat while engaged in his studies. During this time, he also travelled to America and Europe to raise funds for the Monastery.
In 1993, he was conferred the Geshe Lharampa degree, a mark of his erudition and scholarship. Between 1996 until 2009, he engaged in intensive social and religious harmony work in New Delhi, India. Since 2004, he currently resides in Novara, Italy where he gives teachings on Lamrim, Tibetan culture and so forth.
Mass of Vajra Fire
Invocation of the Mighty Dorje Shugden
the Supreme Dharmapala of the
Precious Teachings of Buddha Tsongkhapa
Click here to download the prayers in PDF format.
For more interesting information:
- Panchen Lama’s Dorje Shugden Puja text
- An Open Letter of Appeal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama (April 30, 2018)
- 10 Holy Dorje Shugden Statues around the World
- The 14th Dalai Lama’s prayer to Dorje Shugden
- The 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche of Bhutan and Dorje Shugden
- Gyenze Fire Puja or the Fire Puja of the Wealth/ Increasing Form of Dorje Shugden
- They were not wrong
- The Sakya Lineage & Dorje Shugden
- Dharma Protectors of Tibetan Buddhism
- Sakya Trizin’s Dorje Shugden Prayer
- Shangmo Dorje Putri – The Bamo of Sakya
- Dorje Shugden Illustrated Story Graphic Novel
- Largest Dorje Shugden in the World
- Who is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen?
- Trode Khangsar – a 400-Year Old Dorje Shugden Chapel
- His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche
- His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang
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Interesting as this texts been composed after being inspired to do so . That’s interesting as this nature are traditionally considered exceptionally potent in their blessings if the claim of divine inspiration is authentic. According to the account in the introduction, the author composed this text after being divinely inspired to do so. It’s a very rare kind and its acceptance been recognised and received praise by very high lamas of our tradition. Reading this article tell us all of how powerful Dorje Shugden when we invoke in our prayers.
Interesting read of the short biography of Ven. Geshe Kunchok Gyaltsen, the author of Mass of Vajra Fire.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.