Dorje Shugden on a Throne
Dorje Shugden on throne (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden on throne
Deity: Dorje Shugden on throne (English)
In the 15th Century, there was a high lama named Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. He was a contemporary of the Great 5th Dalai Lama and a heart disciple of His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen. He was a pure monk in the monastic tradition established by Buddha Shakyamuni and was recognised by the Panchen Lama to be the reincarnation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa, part of a long line of successive incarnations stemming all the way back to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lama was the highest spiritual authority of his time and when he recognised Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen as the undisputed reincarnation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa and many other high incarnations, no one doubted him.
Due to an aspiration generated in a previous life, after Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen met with untimely demise, he arose as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as requested by the Dharma Protector Nechung.
During his lifetime Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen propitiated both the protective deities Mahakala Brahmarupa and Setrap Chen strongly and it is said that upon his arising as Dorje Shugden, they were the first to enthrone him as a Dharma Protector. Together, these three deities have a special and close relationship.
Dorje Shugden eliminates our worldly obstacles if you sincerely rely upon him. When worldly obstacles are removed, one can focus on spiritual practice without interruption. Thus, Dorje Shugden has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and to create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish.
In this representation, Dorje Shugden carries a wooden club and sits on a lion throne. This is in accordance with a vision beheld by the 5th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso and is perhaps one of the earliest depictions of Dorje Shugden. This image of Dorje Shugden was immortalised by the 5th Dalai Lama when he created statues for the Protector chapel of Trode Khangsar in Lhasa, Tibet. The 5th Dalai Lama also composed a praise describing Dorje Shugden as holding a wooden club in his right hand. The noose that Dorje Shugden holds in his left hand is a variant form that originated within the Sakya school.
Deity: Sumati Kirti (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Lama Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa (Tibetan)
Lama Tsongkhapa was a 15th Century scholar-yogi who established the Gelug school, which went on to become the dominant and most widespread of all Tibetan Buddhist schools. After spending years studying and meditating, he established monastic institutions of learning and practice, producing limitless masters, tantrikas, yogis, scholars and teachers of the Buddhist path.
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This beautiful art paintings of Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden on throne will reminds us of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen arose as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as requested by the Dharma Protector Nechung. Lama Tsongkhapa is a “Buddha of our times” in the Gelug Vajrayana tradition.
Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful art paintings.