Shangmo Dorje Putri – The Bamo of Sakya
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Most lineages within Tibetan Buddhism have practices surrounding Dharma protectors both enlightened and unenlightened and who manifest their activities in order to alleviate obstacles facing practitioners and to create conducive conditions for their spiritual progress. The holy Sakya lineage is no different. The most important protectors of the lineage include Panjaranata Mahakala (a special protector of the Hevajra Tantras), Citipati (a special protector of the Vajrayogini Tantras), and Chaturmukha Mahakala (a special protector of the Guhyasamaja Tantras). There are many other general protectors that are also practiced such as Palden Lhamo, Ekajati, and Chamsing. Besides these, Dorje Shugden Tanag, Setrap and Tsui Marpo (Kache Marpo) are propitiated as the Three Kings also known as the Gyalpo Sum.
Another set of powerful Dharma protectors practiced by the Sakya tradition are the Bamo Sum, or the Three Blazing Female Spirits. Their names are Mamo Rikye, Namka Drolma and Shangmo Dorje Putri. All three are unenlightened beings, who were oath-bound to serve as protectors and are unique to the Sakya tradition. They belong to a class of beings known as Bamo. Usually translated as ‘witches’, these beings are known to be very powerful spirits who are portrayed as being ablaze with occult powers. The practice of the Bamo is unique to the Sakya tradition, and the Bamo Sum are commonly known among many other lesser Bamo spirits.
Shangmo Dorje Putri is from the village of Shang, in Tsang Province of Tibet and was subjugated by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, a Sakya throneholder, who belonged to the noble Khon family. The practice of the Bamo Sum is usually restricted to only high teachers and lineage holders due to their intense and unruly nature. Even though oath-bound they are very difficult to control and can cause illness and even madness to those who are weak hearted or unsteady with their practice.
Shangmo Dorje Putri is red in colour, which also led her to be called the ‘Red Witch of Shang.’ In her left hand she is portrayed as carrying a length of intestines, and in her right hand, which is upraised, she carries a heart. She wears a large flower ornament on her forehead, as do Mamo Rikye and Namka Drolma. This flower ornament is known as a distinguishing feature of the Bamo Sum’s iconography.
This thangka was commissioned by a family who had requested blessings and protection from Jetsun Pema Trinle (1874-1950 CE), due to a number of obstacles they were facing. On the reverse of the thangka, there is a long inscription together with Jetsun Pema Trinle’s seal and signature. She was actually one of Tibet’s highest female teachers during the 19th Century who was the daughter of the 37th Sakya Trizin, Kunga Nyingpo Sampel Norbu (1850–1899 CE) and master of the Vajrayogini tantras. As such, she was fully qualified and authorised to request Shangmo Dorje Purti to assist in alleviating the family’s obstacles. In fact the Khon family have a special relationship to the Bamo Sum, with the male members usually responsible for controlling them. The inscription exhorts Shangmo Dorje Putri to remember her agreement with the Khon family and honour her original oaths, by assisting the family. She is also commanded not to harm the family, but remove the obstacles from their lives instead. This act shows that Jetsun Pema Trinle was a powerful and highly realised practitioner, who had the attainments to control the fearsome and difficult Bamo.
In the Lhakang Chenmo, the main seat of the Sakya tradition, located in Sakya, Tibet, there is chapel in the north-west corner tower dedicated to the Bamo Sum called the Bamo Lhakhang. This tower contains many holy images of the Sakya throne holders together with many little protector chapels, the main of which is dedicated to the Bamo Sum.
Shangmo Dorje Putri also has a small connection to the Gelug lineage as well, through Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche (1866-1936 CE), as Rinpoche was also from the Shang area. Shangmo Dorje Putri followed Domo Geshe Rinpoche to his Dungkar Monastery. There, Domo Geshe Rinpoche, bound her again. This time she made the oath of protecting the monastery. When Domo Geshe Rinpoche travelled to India on pilgrimage, he setup another monastery known as Gaden Tharpa Choling Monastery in Kalimpong. It was there that the storekeeper of the monastery asked Shangmo Dorje Putri to protect the ration store room of the monastery. She remained there protecting the store room until the monastery was renovated. After that she moved to the Mani Lhakang in the monastery where a special shrine was dedicated to her.
Although an independent Dharma protector, Shangmo Dorje Putri is under the control of the enlightened Dharma protector Kache Marpo and considered to be part of his entourage. In turn Kache Marpo is within the entourage of the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden. She is also known to take trance in trained oracles who can take trance of Dorje Shugden, Setrap and Kache Marpo.
Below is a Kangsol prayer text to Shangmo Dorje Putri. This is for information purposes only. Please do not engage in the practice unless authorised to do so by a high lama who can explain the practice to you. This is because Shangmo Dorje Putri is an unenlightened Bamo spirit, who can cause great harm to those who are not qualified enough or authorised to interact with her.
Shangmo Dorje Putri Kangsol composed by His Holiness 40th Sakya Trizin Ngawang Thutop Wangchuk, hand written by Cheme Tsering.
Invocation to Shangmo Dorje Putri
The following Invocation to Shangmo Dorje Putri was taken from Rabten Choling’s Dharma Treasure application for mobile devices. This application includes various English and Tibetan language Buddhist texts.
Addendum
Information on unenlightened Dharma protectors has been provided here for educational purposes. We are often asked questions about unenlightened Dharma protectors and so wanted to share this information so that it is easily available for those that are interested. However, please remember that when you rely on unenlightened beings, they can cause you harm even though they are bound by oath. As they are not enlightened, their clairvoyance is limited. They can see that if you do a certain action now that it will work out well, and they have foresight into the future. However, this foresight is limited. For example, they can only see 10 years into the future, and for those 10 years they see that the action will be good. However, if you do as they advised, after 15 years perhaps this action will harm you. They did not know that it would harm you because they have limited abilities. So their harm is unintentional due to their limitations.
They may indeed be bound by high lamas, or their minds have been tamed, but you can still be harmed. Another way to look at this is if you rely on a fitness trainer who is not an expert, you can hurt your body, but this harm was unintentional. It is not like they were out to hurt you or not, but if you ask for their help, they will try to help you to the best of their ability. For example, if you ask a 10-year-old child if there is harm living near a radioactive building, they will not know and think there is nothing wrong. So, if you live near such a building, based on the advice of a 10-year-old child, you can potentially end up being very sick. The child did not want to harm you at all and did not think that the advice they gave was wrong because the child did not know. It was beyond their capabilities. However, if you asked a doctor he/she would have told you not to live there because it was dangerous.
On the other hand, enlightened protectors, whether in enlightened forms or worldly forms, have full omniscience and therefore have complete clairvoyance. They have no obstructions to see all happenings (phenomena) in the past, present and future, so can give us perfect advice.
The purpose of providing these prayers here are because there are thousands of people worshipping these deities and they are benevolent. However, one needs to understand how to worship them safely. After all, it was not us who created their deities. But since people do ask us about such deities, we take the time, energy, care and concern to write about them. You can ask unenlightened beings to help you, just like you would ask a friend to help you but you cannot rely on them as a Buddha. For this, you should rely on Buddha Shakyamuni and take refuge in him. Following his teachings, you can reach the enlightened state. For ordinary day to day help such as finding a job, having enough resources, and other such actions, you can ask oath-bound unenlightened deities for help without taking refuge in them. That is the key to practicing these deities.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
For more information:
- The Sakya Lineage & Dorje Shugden
- 700 Meet a Buddha
- The 14th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje Shugden
- Who is Kache Marpo?
- Inviting Lord Setrap to One’s Abode
- Articles on Dorje Shugden
- Articles on Vajrayogini
- His Holiness Zong Rinpoche’s Commentary on Guhyasamaja
- Palden Lhamo
- The Puja of Following an Enlightened Being’s Advice
- Buddha Statue’s Iconography
- Invocation to Namkar Barzin
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
The compassion of the highly attained Lamas is unlimited from the methods that they used to benefit any beings that they come into contact with. They will choose the best methods for us regardless of where we are and what our limitations are. They will make the best out of our potential and guide us on the right path. The Bamo sisters are just another example of the benefits to be devoted to a qualified Lama. The result is nothing but beneficial for both the Bamo sisters and those beings they encounter with. Not to mention the tremendous amount of merits they will accumulate for taking care of the area & lineage they are bound with an oath to protect.
Today on July 08, 2019 I have contacted the Gameng Oracle in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
I have asked him to take trance of either Dorje Shugden or Kache Marpo so they can tell us if Shangmo Dorje Putri is a full member of Dorje Shugden’s retinue.
I have also contacted Tsem Rinpoche and asked him if he could do a Dorje Shugden “Dice Divination” in regards to Shangmo Dorje Shugdenl
Hi…
I’m Jacinta. I’m curious what to know what is the outcome then?
Hello Rinpoche
Today on June 01, 2019 I contacted both H.H. Trijang Rinpoche and H.E. Domo Geshe via email.
I have asked them if Shangmo Dorje Putri is an “Official” member of Dorje Shugden’s retinue.
Hello Pastor
The present day Domo Geshe Rinpoche is living at Gaden Sharste Monastery.
This is Tsem Tulku’s home monastery. Rinpoche could contact Domo Geshe Rinpoche and his people about Shangmo Dorje Putri. They could answer the question “Is Shangmo Dorje Putri and official member of Dorje Shugden’s retinue”. Equal to Kache Marpo, Methar and Namkar Barzin. Please remember that it was Domo Geshe Rinpoche who made Namkar Barzin a member of Dorje Shugden’s retinue. Rinpoche helped Methar to return to Dorje Shugden’s retinue and I believe he can do the same with Shango Dorje Putri.
Thank you.
Is Shangmo Dorje Putri a member of Dorje Shugden’s retinue just like Kache Marpo, Namkar Barzin and Methar?
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.
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.
Regarding Goddess Yudroma and her oracle in Dharamsala
1. I have met this oracle several times in Dharamsala. She gives very accurate predictions. I have experienced this myself.
2. She is a gentle Yudroma goddess riding on a horse and she is white in color and takes trance quite easily in this official oracle lady that lived in Dharamsala. When you go meet her, you have to bring milk and yogurt. She takes 7 sips of the milk when she first arrives and recites a host of prayers before we can consult her. We have the honor to offer her the milk to gather affinity with her.
3. She, the oracle lady became well known as over several decades ago, a western hiker was lost in the Dharamsala hills. The goddess was consulted via this oracle and Yudroma then correctly told them where to find the hiker and the hiker was found and life saved. After that she became very well known in Dharamsala.
4. Yudroma the goddess is one of the main protectors of the Gelug Gyuto Tantric Monastery in Dharamsala. They have relied on her for hundreds of years since Tibet. The monks often ask the lady oracle to take trance and through her consult Yudroma.
5. She would be pleased in this video because people are helping Gyuto Monastery, her dominion. Perhaps she is the one that brought the Australian sponsors to help in the first place in her own mystical methods.
6. She is also the protector of Gungru khangtsen in Drepung Gomang monastery in South India.
7. Sadly this lady oracle has passed away and I guess people are perhaps waiting for a new oracle to be chosen by the Yudroma goddess. Haven’t heard anything yet. How lovely this lady served the goddess, monks and monasteries and public through taking trance her whole life. So virtuous of a job. Her body was used to benefit thousands in her lifetime and serve the sangha.
Exciting.
I like oracles because humans can meet the gods directly.
Tsem Rinpoche
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1532845550.mp4
(I have attached a video of her taking trance as well as This is Goddess Yudroma thangka photo. This is a picture of the actual thangka that belonged to the oracle in the video. I got her permission to take this picture when I visited her. The Yudroma thangka was hanging in the room where the oracle takes trance in her house. Thanks. TR)
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
There are many protectors been practiced by the Sakya tradition, enlightened and unenlightened Dharma protectors. Shangmo Dorje Putri is one of the an unenlightened Dharma protector. Interesting it seem that Shangmo Dorje Putri has been connected to the Gelug lineage and play a part within the Dorje Shugden entourage.
Thank you Rinpcohe and Pastor Niral for this sharing
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. Exquisite old thangka.
What an interesting post on unenlightened Dharma Protector Shangmo Dorje Putri..I truly enjoy this article about the Bamo of Sakya. Unlike Dorje Shugden who was from a line of incarnations of realized master, Shangmo Dorje Putri is an unenlightened dharma protector. No offence,but looks pretty scary to me. Yet many only choose to focus on the persecution of Dorje Shugden .Thank you very much Rinpcohe and Pastor Niral for this very interesting write up ???
Truly enjoy this article about the Bamo of Sakya. The main story features Shangmo Dorje Putri, who is the daughter of 37th Sakya Trizin, Kunga Nyingpo Sampel Norbu (1850–1899 CE), and a Dharma teacher herself. For reasons not stated, Shangmo Dorje Putri took the shape of a Bamo, a form of being which is more widely known as “witches”, and with appearance that outwardly matches the description. During those days, erudite lamas were powerful and able to subdue trouble-causing or difficult beings. Shangmo Dorje Putri was subdued by Jetsun Pema Trinle to honor her original promise, i.e. not to cause trouble but remove obstacles for the Khon family. She was then placed within the entourage o Kache Marpo. Some how in later years, Shangmo Dorje Putri was again subdued, by Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche (1866-1936 CE) to protector his Dungkar Monastery. The world of Dharma Protectors are really intricate and exotic for dull mortals like me. Thank you for this sharing.
Unlike Dorje Shugden who was from a line of incarnations of realized master, Shangmo Dorje Putri is an unenlightened dharma protector. Yet many only choose to focus on the persecution of Dorje Shugden, there are so many more dharma protectors that ‘unruly’ and sometimes project to have a mind of their own.
The danger of propitiating unenlightened dharmapalas, is it can cause injurious harm if one is not spiritually advanced enough to hand unenlightened dharmapalas.
It is interesting to read about female spirits bound by oath to play the protector role within the Sakya lineage. In the true spirit of Buddhism, these spirits were not destroyed or killed but by bound by oath to protect the Dharma. Am wondering if this role is the Buddha’s compassionate way of giving these spirits a good way to generate merits for themselves.
Another interesting thing that I discovered through this post is that how the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism are interconnected either through a common protector, tantric deity, emanation of great master or in this case, Shangmo Dorje Putri’s connection to the Gelugs via Domo Geshe Rinpoche. Also worth a mention is how Shangmo Dorje Putri (propitiated by the Sakya lineage) is part of the entourage of Kache Marpo, who is part of the entourage of Dorje Shugden, protector propitiated by the Gelugs.
Thank you for this informative post, Pastor Niral and everyone involved.
众所周知,许多藏传佛教的派系都有持修护法来帮助我们去除障碍和保护我们的家人和亲人。而护法可分为(一)已的证悟的护法 (二)还未修得证悟的护法。
根据萨迦派,Bamo Sum (Shangmo Dorje Putri是其中之一)是还未修得证悟的护法。而此Bamo Sum的修持法通常被限制于只有高僧和传承持有者可以持修。
这篇博文所提到的Shangmo Dorje Putri是萨迦派的一个还未修得证悟的护法。而这位护法其实和多杰雄登护法有连带关系。因为Shangmo Dorje Putri其实是属于已的证悟喀切玛波的眷属之一。而喀切玛波却是多杰雄登的眷属。
由此可见,我们要感恩,因为身为普通人的我们尽然可以如此的幸运可以从上师尊贵的詹杜固仁波得到多杰雄登护法和金甲衣护法的修持法。因为上师的慈悲,带给了我们这两位护法来帮助我们消除障碍,迅速达成修行的愿望。
感谢仁波切和Pastor Niral这篇博文的分享。让我们可以了解藏传佛教不同派系的护法修持。
Dear Pastor Niral
What an interesting post on unenlightened Dharma Protector Shangmo Dorje Putri. I always love Buddhist concept that practice compassion even to the spirit. Instead of destroying or harming them, the qualified Lamas instead bound them with oath to protect the Dharma and thus allowing them to create merits to get out of their existence and eventually became enlightened.
Interesting to note that Shangmo Dorje Putri is part of Kache Marpo entourage who is in turn part of Dorje Shugden entourage
Valentina
Dear Rinpoche and Pastor Niral,
Thank you for sharing such an interesting practice of Sakya lineage.
From this post I have learnt that,
1. Special dharma protectors can be found in different lineages and also special practices such as highest yoga tantra.
2. Highly attained masters can subdue and bound worldy beings to become worldy dharma protectors.
3. Compassion is indestructible. When we show compassion to other beings, they will listen to us . Even powerful beings in Tibet was subdued by Guru Rinpoche by his compassion.
Humbly,
Chris
Very interesting article. It’s interesting how this Bamo can escape and decide to follow Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche. She must feel really connected with Domo Geshe and for her to be able to ‘escape’ after being bounded by the ‘Sakya’ high lamas shows us how powerful and unruly these Bamo witches can be. Glad to know that Shangmo Dorje Putri is under the control Kache Marpo and considered to be part of his entourage which means she is within the entourage of our Dharma protector Dorje Shugden… wow.
The question is how come unenlightened beings such as these powerful unruly Bamos can be bounded and allowed to be perpetuated in the Sakyas and there is no objections, no issues raised yet these is so much issues and objections on Dorje Shudgen practice? And on top of that one of them is the entourage of Dorje Shugden. It goes to show there bias and the reasons given to ask people to give up or not practice Dorje Shugden because he is an evil ‘spirit’ is all just a whole load of lies.
The more we research the more and more truth will be revealed and the truth colours of the Tibetan Leadership will be expose. May the illegal ban on Dorje Shugden end and everyone live in peace and harmony like before. Tibetan should be united and not divided by their spiritual beliefs… especially so since they consider themselves to be Buddhist.
Throughout Vajrayana Doctrine, what is always taught and expressed to students by our Gurus is that there is always hope for us to succeed in our spiritual path through the great compassion of the Buddhas, Lamas and Protectors. On our side of the bargain is to conduct all of our Body, Speech and Mind with the motivation to be beneficial to all sentient beings. Sounds easy enough, but due to our negative Karma created now and previously, we always face obstacles and fall off the edge back into the vicious cycle of samsara.
This article confirms that our Gurus will help us again and again and will pass to us the practice of Protectors who will protect us from our obstacles.
There are enlightened and unenlightened Protectors and this posting give detail information as to how we can practice accordingly of both types of Protectors.
As a practitioner and devotee of Dorje Shugden, I rejoice to know how encompassing this divine practice of an enlightened Protector is.
Thank you, HE the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor Niral for this information.
How interesting! Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these otherwise inaccessible knowledge with us: )