30 Responses to Beautiful ancient Tibetan art to share with you

1. 

   Samfoonheei on Jun 27, 2023 at 1:33 pm

   Historically, thangkas were used as teaching aids in meditation, or a spiritually significant event from the life of a Buddhist master. Rare antique Tibetan Buddhism Buddhist thangka and traditional art of thangka painting is well preserved to this day.
   Feeling so blessed and fortunate able to see these beautiful rare and precious ancient thangkas in this blog. All are printed centuries ago and it cannot be wrong in their judgements of the Dorje Shugden origin. Just looking at those old thangkas had proven that Dorje Shugden been practised centuries ago. Many Tibetan Buddhist traditions had relied on Dorje Shugden as Dharma Protector and is not evil spirits as claimed.
   Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

   Reply
2. 

   Samfoonheei on Sep 26, 2021 at 1:48 pm

   Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing of beautiful ancient thangkas. It’s a rare opportunity to see all these ancient Tibetan thangkas of various Buddhas. These rare ancient thangkas range from very simple early Indian sculptures of the Buddha and Dharma Protectors. Many images of Dorje Shugden were found in those ancient thangkas and has been relied upon by all sects of Tibetan Buddhism. All traditions and schools of Buddhism had propitiate Dorje Shugden centuries ago. Looking at those ancient thangkas tells a thousand words. Merely by looking at it is a blessing.

   Reply
3. 

   Mingmar @NamoBuddha thangka arts on Oct 6, 2020 at 7:47 pm

   Can’t thank enough for sharing such ancient thangka paintings. I feel such a blessed person to have seen these very rare ancient Tibetan arts. Such a powerful art.

   Reply
4. 

   Samfoonheei on Jul 8, 2020 at 2:50 pm

   Beautiful rare and precious ancient thangkas . We are fortunate to have such an opportunity to see all the rare thangkas of Dorje Shugden , Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen, Five Foremost Deities – Mo Lha and so forth. They are all centuries old thangkas . Incredible all are private collections as well as from Rubin Museum of Art which been printed centuries ago. Merely by looking at it is a blessing and paints a thousand words.All these rare centuries thangkas has proven that the Tibetan Leadership is wrong in their judgements of the Dorje Shugden origin. It is visual proof that Dorje Shugden was practised by the other Tibetan Buddhist traditions as well and is not evil spirits.
   Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.

   Reply
5. 

   Samfoonheei on Jun 26, 2019 at 2:15 pm

   Wow….fortunate to see ancient thangkas of various deities together with Dorje Shugden. Such a huge collection of ancient Tibetan thangkas from all the different traditions such as Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu been printed centuries ago before the Dorje Shugden ban has proven that great masters and practitioners has been relying on Dorje Shugden as they saw the huge benefits. It has proven that Dorje shugden been practised decades ago. These are the many evidence that Dorje Shugden is not an evil as it has been practised by other Tibetan Buddhist traditions as well.
   We are very blessed and fortunate to have our Guru sharing with us this huge collection of ancient Tibetan thangkas. They were indeed rare and precious ancient thangkas. Each of these thangkas paints a story behind it.
   Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.

   Reply
6. 

   Valentina Suhendra on Dec 10, 2018 at 3:07 pm

   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

   
   

   Reply
7. 

   Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 26, 2018 at 12:53 pm

   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

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   Reply
8. 

   Pastor Niral Patel on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:34 am

   “The 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche of Bhutan and Dorje Shugden” blog post which was published June 8, 2018 already has exactly at the moment 152,744 views!! Over 150k views!!! Amazing!! The views will keep growing as time elapses of course.

   This indicates many Bhutanse and Buddhists around the world will now know that Dorje Shugden is connected to Bhutan and their Kagyu Lineage. Dorje Shugden was promoted by the highest lama of Bhutan namely the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche himself. So Dorje Shugden will help and protect anyone and is not sectarian as they accuse him to be. People in the Kagyu school of Buddhism also practised Dorje Shugden and Dorje Shugden assisted them lovingly. Dorje Shugden being an emanation of Manjushri will help anyone who calls upon him regardless of their background and religion.

   Good job to our writers, researchers, editors, technical team, supporting team and Kechara people who promoted this blog post on social media. Now more will come to understand how pervasive Dorje Shugden is in all the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism although the Tibetan leadership in-exile tries to hide this truth. Thank you everyone for promoting Dorje Shugden to benefit many. We were all very harmonious before the unethical ban against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Since the inception of the ban in 1996, there has been no benefits and instead so much disharmony among Tibetan Buddhists around the world. Many hundreds have spoken up about this point where we want harmony back. There should never be a ban against any spiritual practice.

   Tsem Rinpoche

   Blog post- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=160863

   —

   于2018年6月8日发表的《不丹国第四世夏仲仁波切与多杰雄登》的博文至今已经有 152,744次的浏览量！！也就是超过了15万次的浏览量！！这个数字肯定还会随着时间而增长。

   这表示很多不丹人和全世界的佛教徒现在已经知道了多杰雄登和不丹以及他们的噶举派传承是有紧密联系的。多杰雄登是被不丹的最高级别的喇嘛夏仲仁波切本身所推崇的。这显示了多杰雄登是会帮助和保护任何人的，而祂不是像他人所指控那样的充满宗派主义。佛教的噶举派的修行者也修持多杰雄登，而多杰雄登也很怀爱地帮助他们。多杰雄登是文殊菩萨的化身，祂将无视任何宗教和背景地去帮助任何召唤祈请祂的人们。

   我们的写作、搜集资料，编辑、技术、辅助等的人员们和推广这篇博文的克切拉人们，你们做得好！虽然流亡藏人领袖们尝试掩盖事实，但现在更多的人将了解到多杰雄登在所有藏传佛教的传承中是多么的普及了。感谢大家努力推广多杰雄登以造福大众。在这个不道德的多杰雄登禁令出现之前，我们都是很和谐融洽的。自从禁令在1996年开始之后，它为全世界的藏传佛教徒没有带来任何利益，而只有更多的不和谐。成千上万的人已经对该禁令发声，要求重建和谐。对于任何心灵修行，是从来就不该有任何禁令的。

   詹杜固仁波切

   博文网址: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/l/cn/dorje-shugden/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden-cn.html

   

   Reply
9. 

   Beatrix Ooi on Nov 25, 2018 at 1:37 am

   His Eminence Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is in Lhasa visiting. He is visiting the 350-year-old Trode Khangsar chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden. He is paying homage to the powerful statue of Dorje Shugden housed in this sacred chapel. Both the chapel and statue of Dorje Shugden were commissioned by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama. The Great 5th Dalai Lama also composed a prayer to be recited daily to Dorje Shugden.

   Dagom Rinpoche’s previous lives were great masters, scholars and practitioners of Dorje Shugden. Now this new incarnation of Dagom Rinpoche is offering gold on the face of Dorje Shugden in homage and worship to this very sacred statue of Dorje Shugden housed in Lhasa for the last 350 years. This is a very traditional Tibetan method of paying homage to holy images, which is by offering gold with prayers.

   The Tibetan leadership wrongly says if you practise Dorje Shugden you will take rebirth into the three lower realms. Hundreds of lamas from the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa schools of Buddhism have practised Dorje Shugden and their incarnations returned. Many of the incarnations are recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. So this shows if you practise Dorje Shugden, only benefits come and no harm will come. The very fact Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is back, is clear evidence that Dorje Shugden’s practice is beneficial.

   May Dagom Rinpoche’s current incarnation live a very long life.

   Tsem Rinpoche
   https://www.tsemrinpoche.com

   YouTube High resolution video:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbGknXcLbo

   Trode Khangsar – A 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa:
   https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148[/color]

   _____

   尊贵的扎贡仁波切的现任转世正在拜访拉萨。他拜访了一座供奉给多杰雄登并且拥有350年历史的护法殿”布旦康萨”。他在向这座神圣护法殿里的强大多杰雄登像顶礼。该座护法殿和多杰雄登圣像是由第五世达赖喇嘛指示而造的。伟大的第五世达赖喇嘛也亲笔撰写了多杰雄登的每日祈愿文。

   扎贡仁波切的前几世都是伟大的上师，学者兼多杰雄登的修持者。现在扎贡仁波切的现任转世在为这尊已经安奉在拉萨350年并且非常神圣的多杰雄登圣像的脸上供养金漆，以示顶礼和膜拜。这种供养金并祈愿的做法是西藏为圣像顶礼非常传统的做法。

   流亡藏人领袖们说如果你修持多杰雄登就将投生三恶道，那是错误的。佛教派系——萨迦派、噶举派、格鲁派的上百名喇嘛们都修持了多杰雄登，而且他们也都转世回来了，而其中有很多转世还是达赖喇嘛亲自认证的。这明显显示了如果你修持多杰雄登，是百利无一弊的。扎贡仁波切转世回来了，就已经是很确凿的证据显示多杰雄登的修持是有利的。

   愿今世的扎贡仁波切健康长寿。

   詹杜固仁波切
   blog.sina.com.cn/zhandugu

   YouTube高清视频- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbGknXcLbo

   拉萨400年历史的多杰雄登护法殿—布旦康萨- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148

   https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1543075725.mp4

   
   

   Reply
10. 

    Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 23, 2018 at 4:32 am

    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

    Reply
11. 

    Tsem Rinpoche on Nov 20, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    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

    

    

    

    

    

    Panchen-Sonam-Dragpa-Overview-of-Buddhist-Tantra-3.pdf

    Reply
12. 

    Wai Meng Wan on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:12 am

    Inspiring to see all the Thangkas, it shows that Dorje Shugden was practiced across all Tibetan Traditions. How can Dorje Shugden be sectarian?
    A glimpse of former days when everyone practiced Dorje Shudgen harmoniusly.

    Reply
13. 

    Chris on Oct 15, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing with us the ancient thangkas of various deities together with Dorje Shugden. It is nice to see Dorje Shugden being depicted with all these mainstream deities in the ancient times. All these thangkas are proof to refute CTA’s baseless allegations against Dorje Shugden practice.

    CTA told us that Dorje Shugden’s practice is a minor practice and only limited to people from a sect. It was accused to be irrelevant and sectarian. This is totally untrue. From the number of thangkas featuring this protector, it is an indication of Dorje Shugden being one of the mainstream protector practice. No one will use their time to produce so many thangkas for an insignificant practice.

    When we see Dorje Shugden being depicted together with other deities and lamas such as Sakya Trizin and Nyingma lama, it shows us that Dorje Shugden is being propitiated in other sects of Buddhism too. His practice is not sectarian and very pervasive at that time.

    

    Reply
14. 

    Valentina Suhendra on Oct 6, 2018 at 4:49 pm

    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

    
    

    Reply
15. 

    Stella Cheang on Sep 30, 2018 at 9:25 am

    We are very blessed and fortunate to have our Guru sharing with us this huge collection of ancient Tibetan thangka and Buddhist art which we would otherwise never have the destiny to see them. I am especially drawn to the Lama Tsongkhapa thangka (#38 with Buddha Maitreya on the centre top and Dorje Shugden on the right side at the bottom, it seems to tell a complete story! At the same time, many Dorje Shugden holy thangka are in museums and in publicly exhibition that goes to show the validity of His part/presence in history. This is important because it effectively disarm CTA’s claim against Dorje Shugden – the faith in Dorje Shugden is not new. Because of the efficacious of the practice, people continue to believe and practice. It will not go away simply because CTA declare it otherwise. Thank you, Rinpoche, for this sharing.

    Reply
16. 

    Valentina Suhendra on Sep 20, 2018 at 2:04 am

    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

    Reply
17. 

    Valentina Suhendra on Sep 14, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Many come to Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, Malaysia to make offerings and prayers to the increase form of Dorje Shugden who appears like a prince and rides on a golden horse. Many report having their wishes fulfilled and return many times. Am happy to see this. Tsem Rinpoche

    You can learn more about this form of Dorje Shugden here: https://bit.ly/2wxQyes

    and

    See video of this chapel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEK35F_O5Hg

    

    

    

    

    Reply
18. 

    Tsem Rinpoche on Sep 11, 2018 at 10:58 am

    A Yamantaka thangka from the Qing dynasty (also Kangxi’s dynasty), which is being displayed in Sichuan Museum in China. It shows Dorje Shugden in the bottom right of the thangka. Can see many old thangkas with Dorje Shugden within. Dorje Shugden practice pervaded and penetrated into China’s royal circles and aristocrats.

    

    Reply
19. 

    Valentina Suhendra on Sep 11, 2018 at 1:03 am

    In the emerald forest there lies magical beings and powerful entities of old. There are beautiful gentle creatures of the forest such as deers, rabbits, owls and so on. Faeries, little people, elves, dwarves, trolls and other magnificent worldly and other-worldly beings of mystical origins who nurture and look over the natural world call this place their home. These supernatural beings, who remain hidden to ordinary view and are rarely seen together, have gathered to herald the arrival of the World Peace Guardian Dorje Shugden within the ethereal realm. Paying homage to the divine king they welcome him, the supreme being whose body shines with the light of magnificence and abides in benevolent wisdom. He who has come from the pinnacle of the celestial dimensions, he has the dominion over men and gods. All beings in this and other worlds have gathered to pay homage and to receive blessings, abundance and counsel.

    Shugden the divine king, at last has drawn near,
    He offers a new life so clear,
    With a silent prayer he offers the golden stair,
    Sing praises, does the emerald forest all cheer.

    Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha

    To see other beautiful portrayals of Dorje Shugden, click here: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz

    

    Reply
20. 

    Pastor Shin Tan on Sep 9, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    COMPASSION at its best: His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained in Ladakh, 31 July 2018:

    “Usually at the beginning of an empowerment there is a ritual to drive away interferences. But I no longer feel it’s consistent to regard some beings as evil forces. At the start of each day I cultivate altruism, but in the evening we say, ‘May the evil forces be driven away.’ There seems to be a contradiction here that I’m no longer keen to comply with. I’m not highly realized, but I have great confidence in the power of Bodhichitta.”
    
    Source: https://bit.ly/2wVsqSb

    ———————————————-

    This latest statement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is excellent. I fully believe in his compassion and I hope he will fully implement it.

    All negative beings take rebirth with negative minds due to deep attachments. The attachments result in negative states of rebirth and angry minds that carry out harmful actions, like spirits or hungry ghosts who can be very bothersome because they are very angry as they died in the state of attachment in their former rebirths.

    Indeed we need to generate compassion towards these beings, especially the formless type, as it would be the best remedy to stop their harm. We can recite mantras with love and bless them with it. While reciting prayers, we can meditate on them being at peace. When we generate compassion towards these harmful interferences of the formless type, many of them will calm down and stop their harm and even go away. Some of them, you can talk to them and subdue their harm and they will stop harming completely if they feel your love. That is how you can help them.

    Many high masters of India and Tibet generated great compassion towards certain ghosts, spirits or interferers and subdued them in this manner and even made them into protectors of regions. I’ve witnessed this with one of my lamas where he subdued a female spirit that crossed over the Himalayas. After making the spirit promise it will not harm others, my lama gave the spirit a drink to seal the promise.

    Since the Dalai Lama has manifested saying Dorje Shugden is negative (although many high lamas disagree), then he can apply this method to Dorje Shugden. He can ‘subdue’ Dorje Shugden by generating tremendous love, prayers and talking nice to Dorje Shugden who will be ‘subdued’. Then people are henceforth ‘free’ to practice Dorje Shugden without more discrimination, segregation and being called degrading names for practicing this protector.

    Give peace a chance. His Holiness the Dalai Lama can generate great love towards Dorje Shugden and all the hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners that love the Dalai Lama and miss him like I do. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama bring peace and heal the rift with Dorje Shugden practitioners.

    May His Holiness live very long and always be healthy,
    Tsem Rinpoche
    https://www.tsemrinpoche.com

    Reading- https://bit.ly/2wWQGUh

    

    Reply
21. 

    so kin hoe (KISG) on Aug 31, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the beautiful and sacred ancient old thangkas with Dorje Shugden depicted together with pantheon of Buddhas and other Dharma Protectors as well as highly attained masters such as Guru Rinpoche, His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche, Lord Atisha and His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. Upon seeing many images of Dorje Shugden from different traditions in the 40 old thangkas, this has concluded that Dorje Shugden was being practiced not only within the Gelugpa but other lineages as well before the official ban of Dorje Shugden launched by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) since 1996 and evidently, Dorje Shugden is not sectarian and Dorje Shugden practice will not cause any segregation, disharmony and separation among all Buddhists from different lineages and sects. The false claim made by CTA states that the practice of Dorje Shugden can lead to sectarian is totally untrue and contradicts to the 40 old thangkas as what we have observed.

    We sincerely pray and hope that the ever compassionate and highly respected His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will lift the ban of Dorje Shugden officially soonest possible and allow for religious freedom for the growth of Buddhadharma and benefit of all Dharma practitioners.

    Humbly with folded hands,
    kin hoe

    Reply
22. 

    Yee Yin on Aug 26, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    What the CTA has been telling the public about Dorje Shugden is a big lie. They said Dorje Shugden is sectarian, his practice will create disharmony and conflict in the community. Therefore the practice has to be banned.

    Now, look at these thangkas, these are the proof to debunk what the CTA says. These are very old and ancient thangkas. They are thangkas of different lineages with Dorje Shugden depicted in it.

    If Dorje Shugden is sectarian, how come hundreds of years ago, it was depicted in the thangka of lineages other than Gelug? The depiction of Dorje Shugden in their thangka is a clear indication Dorje Shugden was accepted and being practiced by them. The CTA is using Dorje Shugden as a scapegoat to cover their failure in fulfilling their promise to the Tibetans in exile.

    Reply
23. 

    Pastor Adeline Woon on Aug 13, 2018 at 4:09 am

    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

    

    

    

    

    Reply
24. 

    Tsa Tsa Ong on Aug 12, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    It is proven that Dorje shugden been practised decades ago. These are the many evidence that Dorje Shugden is not an evil spirit as it has been practised by other Tibetan sects as well. We have proof on so many of these antique thangkas that Dorje Shugden was well respected by all traditions. It is really illogical for the CTA to say that Dorje Shugden is sectarian. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this article and so many blessed and beautiful antique thangkas of Dorje Shugden ???

    Reply
25. 

    Samfoonheei on Aug 12, 2018 at 4:10 pm

    Awesome indeed looking at those ancient art thangkas painting. Feeling so fortunate to view those rare ancient thangkas which paints a thousand words . Many of these very old thangkas of Dorje Shugden featuring alongside with Guru Rinpoche or other deities. It has proven that Dorje shugden been practised decades ago. These are the many evidence that Dorje Shugden is not an evil as it has been practised by other Tibetan Buddhist traditions as well. Over the years Rinpoche have collected many accurate knowledge about Dorje Shugden and now with visual evidence to proof it too. There are countless images of Dorje Shugden painted in old ancient thangkas, if Dorje Shugden is harmful then why was it painted . Many great masters and practitioners knew there are numberless benefits in relying on Dorje Shugden, that’s why they have included him in such a wide range of paintings and images. There must always a reason when the painter painted the images.
    Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful sharing. Those Tibetan art work was done beautifully which tell us a thousands words.. This ancient Tibetan art is on the verge getting extinct as many people do not understand the beautiful part of Buddhism’s rich history.
    Thanks again with folded hands.

    Reply
26. 

    Kenneth Chan on Aug 12, 2018 at 4:29 am

    Dear Rinpoche and team,

    Thank you for this insightful post. I really like when art captures the past and becomes a visual documentation of history.

    There is so much that one can tell about a country, it’s people, their religious beliefs and culture.

    It’s unfortunate though, that so many of these wonderful works have been commodified in the art market, selling at art auctions for tens to hundreds of thousands and more to private art collectors.

    As objects of antiquities, they, firstly, have the most value to the people who understand how extremely holy and blessed they are. These are objects that deserve to be venerated in the way they were made for.

    Secondly, as cultural objects, it would benefit people today through these works of art to be able to learn and appreciate the lives and the stories of those who helped shaped culture and tradition.

    It is a travesty for art like these to be exploited for commercial gain then only to be hidden away from public eye, hidden away in fortressed mansions.

    Luckily, we have the internet and sites like these which allow us a glimpse into parts of our world that would otherwise be inaccessible.

    Thank you for the bringing all this and so much more to all of us.

    Reply
27. 

    Bradley Kassian on Aug 12, 2018 at 1:09 am

    I love how people say DS practice was only a minority practice and wasn’t widespread, and yet here we have proof on all these images that he was well respected by all traditions. Though he’s not the main focal point on these antique thangkas, he clearly had prominence to be placed on these.

    Reply
    • 

      Martin on Aug 12, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      Dear Bradley,

      Again, you display very astute observation i.e. Dorje Shugden was widely respected and practised by different Tibetan Buddhist lineages, but historically not portrayed as the main focus of worship. That is simply because Dorje Shugden was never intended as a cult figure who demanded his followers to idolise and worship him to the exclusion of the Three Jewels, as the CTA claims.

      As a matter of fact, Manjushri manifested as Dorje Shugden to provide resources and create viable conditions for practitioners to embark on their path to enlightenment and in that way, Dorje Shugden compassionately manifested as a means to an end, not the end itself. The only texts within which Dorje Shugden is depicted as a sectarian spirit is in the CTA’s smear campaign material.

      All these old thangkas are powerful attestations to Dorje Shugden’s objective which is very much contrary to the CTA’s narrative.

      Thank you

      Reply
28. 

    Robert on Aug 11, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    No.35 was sold by one of the big British Auction houses, and the sale notes include the memorable observation that the contemporary fear of Dorje Shugden in some quarters is “completely irrational”. I can find and post the original sale notes if people are interested!

    Reply
    • 

      Martin on Aug 12, 2018 at 12:40 am

      Dear Robert,

      It’s so refreshing to read the opinion of educated and rational people who understand the art history of Tibetan Buddhism minus the politics.

      It would be fantastic if you can find the note to add to this post. It would no doubt enrich the information herein and benefit readers.

      Reply