Tsa-Tsas are nice!
Tsa tsas are 2D images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, saints, great masters, yogis, Mahasiddhas and Dharma protectors. The tsa tsas are usually made of a certain type of clay that has been removed of stones and other impurities. Along with the dirt or clay, the person making it would also recite certain mantras and mix holy water into it.
When possible, the maker of tsa tsas would try to obtain the dirt or clay from a place where a great master has meditated or resided. The dirt can also come from a holy place such as a cave or a ladrang of a High Lama, or an area where a holy being has meditated. For example, dirt can be taken from Milarepa’s cave. It would be very holy because Milarepa’s enlightened energy is infused in the dirt.
Water can be mixed in with clay has been purified and mixed with water from a holy river or lake to make it into clay, which becomes solidified later as a tsa tsa. Along with that, they can also mix in special blessed pills, medicinal pills, a little bit of gold, silver, copper or they can even put in a little bit of precious substances like crushed or powdered lapis lazuli, coral and other precious minerals. In addition to that, they can even mix in holy ashes of enlightened beings, masters and teachers.
The clay can be mixed with special herbs and medicines like Rinchen Rilbus, a type of traditional Tibetan medicine. It can be mixed with powerful Rilbus – blessed Tibetan herbal pills. It can be mixed with leaves of sacred trees like the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, the tree that the Buddha sat under and meditated to become fully enlightened or the sandalwood tree in Amdo where Je Tsongkhapa was born.
When Je Tsongkhapa was born, some of the placenta blood of his mother fell onto the ground. That very spot where the placenta blood had fallen, a white natural sandalwood had grown and it is still alive today, you can go and see it. Sandalwood is really not indigenous of Tibet so the tree was to mark the place of a holy being. Around holy beings, you will also see sacred trees like bodhi and sandalwood trees. An unusual tree that is not indigenous to the area will grow spontaneously and naturally in places associated with holy beings because these beings bring that kind of energy for the holy items to grow in order to bless people of that area.
Therefore, all these things can be contained in a tsa tsa. The person making it will wake up early in the morning. First, if they are doing White Tara tsa tsas, then they do White Tara’s practice in the morning. If they are doing Dorje Shugden tsa tsas, they do Dorje Shugden’s practice in the morning. If they are doing Shakyamuni tsa tsas, they do Shakyamuni’s practice in the morning. So they will generate themselves as the deity and then they take the clay and mix the holy items into it and then stamp the tsa tsa out using the mould.
After that, the tsa tsas can be further consecrated by bringing them to a teacher, High Lama or a meditation master to bless and to invite the actual ‘Wisdom Beings’ to enter and become one with the tsa tsas. It can also be something that can be given away to people who travel a lot and they can’t carry large statues and thangkas. They can also be placed inside large statues and stupas to consecrate them. So, you can have thousands and thousands tsa tsas inside a large statue or stupa.
Then, the tsa tsas can be used as something that can be placed on the altar or a sacred object that can be carried around in a Ghau box. In Tibet, we have a special tradition of carrying a tsa tsa, a blessed relic of a deity, Buddha or saint. The tsa tsa itself can contain many holy items so the tsa tsa itself becomes something that is very precious and holy. Many Tibetans are nomads and nomads are people who travel where the grass is literally greener. They will uproot their tent and travel to near a river or places where they can graze their animals for a few months at a time.
Therefore, having large statues and thangkas was not always practical for these types of travelling nomadic Tibetans and Mongols. So, people made tsa tsas to carry around in a special box called a Ghau. The Ghau box can also contain hairs or nails of our lama and other High Lamas. It can also contain holy dirt from monasteries and temples where a lot of monks and nuns have walked. So, these Ghaus can contain these holy items and inside the ghau, there is a little window where the face of the deity on the tsa tsa will face out of the window. With the tsa tsa and the holy items inside, the Ghau is sealed. After that, the Ghau is tied with a little thakpa – string, rope or belt, you can sling it around you when you travel.
Traditionally, Tibetans will use tsa tsas in this manner. In general, Tibetans are very poor and they can’t afford statues and beautiful offering items. Therefore, tsa tsas become a very practical and affordable object of refuge that they can put on the altar to make their offerings and worship. So Kechara has created many different types of tsa tsas based on the tradition in Tibet and they are all iconographically correct, detailed and made very well. So, we have them available for the public to invite back home.
So in the picture here, you will see five specific tsa tsas of the five different forms of Dorje Shugden alongside many other different types of tsa tsas. I thought I give this little sharing of how they are made, a little historical background and their usage. As you can see, the tsa tsas are made well and are very beautiful.
Thank you.
Tsem Rinpoche
Duldzin Dorje Shugden
Shize (Vairochana Shugden)
Gyenze (Ratna Shugden)
Wangze (Pema Shugden)
Trakze (Karma Shugden)
For more interesting information:
- Various prayers to Dorje Shugden composed by His Holiness the Omniscient 10th Panchen Lama (download PDF)
- The Dorje Shugden category on my blog
- Tsa tsas by VAJRASECRETS
- Precious Pills by VAJRASECRETS
- Dorje Shugden Teaching Videos
- Largest Dorje Shugden in the world
- A short prayer to Dorje Shugden
- Dorje Shugden Retreat: A powerful practice to fulfill wishes
- Dorje Shugden Trakze to Dispel Black Magic & Spirits
- Dorje Shugden Gyenze to Increase Life, Merits and Wealth
- Milarepa’s Cave
- Spectacular White Tara
- Homage to Shakyamuni the Great Sage
- Get Involved with Vajrayogini Stupa at KFR
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
🙏🙏🙏
Is a beautiful gifts for families and friends.
Can’t wait to get another set.
Awesome having all these beautiful Tsa Tsa which is specially made easy and convenient for everyone. Small in size but powerful to bring along during travelling . The process of making it amazing with much care and concentration . There are truly blessed images indeed that can also be inserted into bigger statues right now at Kechara Forest Retreat. Its take a lot of times and care doing it.
Thank you Rinpoche for create such beautiful Tsa-tsa.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the short stories of Lama Tsongkhapa and Milarepa. And I love these Tsa Tsa as they are very easy and convenient to carry around , and also makes beautiful gifts for friends. 😘👍🙏
I like the Dorje Shugden’s Tsa-tsa. It is very detail in making and beautiful. Not only easy to carry during travel also can use for premises decoration to further bless the premises. Now i know how it was made , and the history after reading this post. So they made based on the tradition in Tibet and everyone could invite home and for traveling as well as the beautiful Tsa-tsa is small and convenience. Thank you for the informative article.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
感谢仁波切，
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切总是，事事为利益一切有情众生而努力， 仁波切并不只是坐在高高的法座上弘扬佛法而已，他还身而力行的走在人群中，利益大家，并且，总是制造出更多善巧与机会，好让我们可以轻易的得到佛菩萨，护法的加持外，也让我们更容易累积功德，这一套多杰雄登个化身察察，出了让我们有能力供请供养外，可以带出旅行保护我们，也可以让我们放在工作的地方加持整个环境，也方便我们做供养， 这都是上师尊贵的詹杜固仁波切的善巧与慈悲。
谢谢
Jerry Sito
DORJE SHUGDEN’S FIVE FAMILIES TSA TSA COLLECTION
? https://www.vajrasecrets.com/dorje-shugden-five-families-tsa-tsa-collection ?
Invite the blessings of the five families of Dorje Shugden into your life with this exclusive set of 5 resin tsa tsas with antique bronze finish. The five forms of Dorje Shugden represent the different types of enlightened activities and bestow the benefits of healing, abundance, control, protection and wisdom.
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!
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting article which shows in clear detail how a tsa -tsa is made. The procedure adheres very closely to time-honoured well-preserved sacred Tibetan traditions, prayers and rituals which imbue the tsa-tsa with its tremendous sacred power and blessings.
The tsa-tsas placed in a ghau box can be carried around and is specially suited for travelling , when a statue would be difficult to carry around.These tsatsas ,as holy items, can be placed inside stupas and big statues too.They are packed with blessed and sacred items , medicinal herbs and holy ashes of enlightened Masters.Even the clay is from a place where a holy being has lived.
The tsatsa is a representation of the holy body of the Buddha and can be placed on the altar to generate a field of merit.These are beautiful tsatsas of Dorje Shugden in his five emanations.
Tsa Tsa are really awesome and cool, that you can mix in really holy items and objects from our precious teachers and lamas into the tsa tsa.
I really enjoyed reading about the tsa tsa making process. Of course the tsa tsa is a process of imbuing one’s energies and spiritual practice into the tsa tsa.
Tsa tsas are very blessed images that can be inserted into bigger statues and also for most of us, they are very blessed and holy images to bring along with us when we travel. These tsa tsas from Kechara are detailed and help with visualization and forms a place of focus when we are away from our home and main altar.
But, I love the herbal tsa tsas very much and have invited some home.
Thank you, Rinpoche for bringing this blessing to us.
Dear Rinpoche,
From the article i have learned that, Tibetan are devoted to their practices. Thus, they have think of many ways to create Buddha images easier for them to practice. The Tsa -tsa that created was not for commercial, so we can see that the Tsa-tsa have put in a lot of holy items inside. Even the making process is according to the monastery practice. Because of this making process, it is very bless to have a Tsa-tsa.
I love the Dorje Shugden’s Tsa-tsa. It is very detail in making and beautiful. Not only easy to carry during travel also can use for premises decoration to further bless the premises.
Thank you Rinpoche for create such beautiful Dorje Shugden’s Tsa-tsa
Love
Freon
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
When it painted gold ,it lift up the look of tsa tsa
Beautiful Tsa-Tsas of different forms of Dorje Shugden . Now i know how it was made , and the history after reading this post. So they made .based on the tradition in Tibet and
everyone could invite home and for travelling as well as the beautiful Tsa-tsa is small and convenience. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us and thanks to the tireless team who made it possible .
These five TSA TSA in 5 different form of Dorje Shugden are very beautiful especially painted with gold colors. I love these TSA TSA so much. All the 2D TSA TSA look very real. TSA TSA is very suitable for those travel frequently because it was light and easy to carry around. KECHARA really put so much effort in these TSA TSA and always want people get close to Dorje Shugden and invoke blessing.
Well done Kecharian.
Thanks Rinpoche.
Jason
So awesome – 5 forms of Dorje Shugden tsa tsa in gold and they are portable which can accompany us wherever we travel. They make a mobile merit field, an altar.
As informed by Vajra Secrets of Kechara House, all motivations for making authentic Tibetan Buddhist items, are readily available for the benefits of spiritual aspirants all over the Globe. Yes, Tsa-tsas’ images of Buddhas, especially of the five different forms of Dorje Shugden are nice indeed! Yes, through expert guidance of our Tsem Rinpoche, a specialist in blessed holy items, spiritual services, and Buddhist supplies, Kechara is desired to make authentic and blessed Dharma items easily accessible to all Buddhist aspirants the World over. As such, this support is to help to benefit all religious practitioners and worshipers along their spiritual paths to achieve a smooth success! Kechara, a progressive organisation, humbly and compassionately hope to create a conscious community, that comes together in the service of others and has since actively evolved to meet the varying needs, interests and aptitudes of the modern spiritual seekers. It has now expanded to include Dharma centers, soup kitchens, art-studio, comprehensive educational programes, a publishing House and a Buddhist Retreat center amongst the many other initiatives. With such a diversified spiritual community of people from various backgrounds, ages and from different parts of the Globe to assist, we believe will make one’s efforts more lighter, easier and a faster attainment! Or perhaps, for many others, to discover for themselves a limitless capacity “for love, peace and happiness!” Thank you, Rinpoche, for your wonderful sharing and kind caring. May the precious Buddha-Dharma and Rinpoche’s teachings spread far and wide into the four corners of the Globe for the benefit of all beings. Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the history, process and the meanings behind having tsa tsa. I wasn’t aware of the unique practice until you have shared it.
The concentration, meditation and attention to minute details goes into the mould making is astounding and so is the process of selecting the raw materials , mixing, blending, and binding the materials so that the form turns out well and is suitable for carrying without deforming.
Tsa tsa is as a sacred as any other statues and by inviting certain Enlightened Beings to “reside” in these tsa tsa, makes it ideal for anyone to have it near to them to bless the entire environment and all who sees it.
Thank you.
Humbly yours,
Lum Kok Luen
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this sharing. After participating in the Tsa Tsa making exercise in KFR, I realized that the process of hand-making Tsa Tsa is intricate, to say the least. Making a holy item like Tsa Tsa is a practice by its own as it involves patience and a single-minded effort which require us to tame our thoughts and be in the present, work on the material in hand and perfect each step. It is very amazing, in the sense that the outcome of the Tsa Tsa differs each time. It trains us to be more mindful in the details to maintain the consistency.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article about tsa tsa. Didn’t know there are many steps and holy materials used in making a tsa tsa. In addition, the maker of tsa tsa would need to do prayer in the morning depending of what tsa tsa they are making on the day, for example, the maker will do Dorje Shugden practise before making Dorje Shugden tsa tsa.
Only by knowing the process, we will appreciate the items more. Tsa tsa is a precious item.
This is a very interesting comment left on Tsem Rinpoche’s YouTube channel. The commenter ‘Suzy in Hawaii’ sees the beauty in the Dorje Shugden practice despite her reluctance to admit it due to old loyalties. Her opinion reflects the shift in public opinion of the Protector practice signaling the collapse of a 2 decade long attempt to bury the Dorje Shugden lineage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, TibetOver 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
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The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje ShugdenHUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
I have a little tsa tsa that I keep in a Ghau and carry with me on my travels. However, much I dislike the energy of a place, once the altar is set up, I will feel happy again. I believe very much in the energy of the tsa tsa.
After reading this article, I now realize why it is so. The whole process of doing the practice before starting to make the tsa tsa, the holy water, holy clay and various holy items added to it makes all the difference.
Thank you, Rinpoche for this information as I now know why setting up my little Dorje Shugden tsa tsa altar makes me happy on my travels.
May Rinpoche have stable health and long life. May Rinpoche’s wishes manifest smoothly and swiftly.
Thank you Ripoche for giving us information about Tsa Tsa making. The Dorje Shugden tsa tsa painted with gold paint really enhances the look and feel of it.
Good information about Tsa Tsa making… They are beautiful too..Om Benza Wiki Bitana soha..
Thank you Guru Tsem Rinpoche for the elaboration and info of Tsa-Tsas being made, moulded with the ingredients which come from place where holy being reside. It is such fortunate for us to invite Tsa-tsas back home and also I love to bring the Tsa-tsas along whenever I based abroad, thus can easily set-up a mini altar. I am looking for the whole of set of Lord Dorje Shugden and emanations, feels to blessed by just looking at the DS tsa-tsas as pictures above.
Again, many thanks to the people behind the scene (tsa-tsa preparations such as moulding, painting and etc), you all have make spiritual journey easier for those whom needs it much.
Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha _/|\_
May the Dharma and Rinpoche teachings spreads as vast as an ocean and into every corner of the earth.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this little insight on how the tsa-tsas are made. And the tsa-tsas that were shown here were very beautiful. Hopefully, Kechara is still selling them at an affordable price. XD
Your humble student,
Keng Hwa.
I love the tsa tsas from vajrasecrets.com. Beautifully made with amazingly detailed iconography. I helped my children start their own mini altars with tsa tsas as these kiddie-friendly tsa tsas are easy to clean and move around for children to rearrange their mini altars on their own. My 2 boys have recently started a little “Protector corner” for their Dorje Shugden tsa tsas as they both like different forms. 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these information about tsa tsas. They are really precious and holy.
The five DS families painted in gold are really beautiful. I have various different tsa tsas in my car, office altar and main altar which I sometimes grab and take along with me while travelling. I will bring along some mini cone incense (especially like these ones from Vajrasecrets.com –> http://www.vajrasecrets.com/myristica-aromaticus-tibetan-incense-cones) and a tea light candle or battery tea light. My travelling altar is complete!
I would like to thank Rinpoche for sharing with all of us the wonderful information about tsar tsar history & etc.
With full respect , thank you again from the bottom of my heart. May Rinpoche enjoy long life & good health.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the benefits and how tsa tsa are made with us. We are very fortunate to be able to easily invite beautifully crafted TSA TSA from Kechara Paradise.As far as I could remember ,I did manage to invite almost all the different type of Tsa Tsa available at KP.
Some of the earlier invited smaller Tsa Tsa had been used for insertion into our Tsongkhapa statue at home as our alter table was a bit narrow.
We were glad to be able to invite the latest edition of five specific tsa tsas of the five different forms of Dorje Shugden from the Blessed premise of Kechara Forest Retreat after numerous puja conducted by High lama Choji lah.
Thank you Tsem Rinpoche for establishing Kechara in Malaysia in order to educate us Dharma knowledge and made available holy objects for us to complete the practice.
Tsa Tsas are light and small. It is very practical to carry along for travelling and easy to set up as a travelling altar. This differnt forms of Dorje Shugden tsa tsa are very nicely made and affordable for people to invite back.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
I love tsa tsa very much. The first tsa tsa i had is a White Tara tsa tsa invited from Kechara Paradise. Now the tsa tsa is placed in my car.
I love the latest Dorje Shugden and 4 emanation too. They are stunning and i love the detailed iconography. The tsa tsas are very affordable too, many people can bring them home.
Thank you
One thing I have noticed and appreciated about tsa tsas are that they are portable and light but also has a significant level of art detail compared to other forms of Buddha images. This makes them great for travelling, especially to new areas where a Buddha image will bless the area of any negative energy and for me it is always reassuring to have a tsa tsa in my laptop bag, which makes me feel safer.