Five Extraordinary Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa
Five Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa (Main figures)
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(Top to bottom): Five Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa and Dorje Shugden
Figures: Five Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa
Alternative name: Je Zig Pa Nga (Tibetan)
It was said that after Lama Tsongkhapa entered clear light, Khedrub Je would often make requests to him for guidance and inspiration. On five different occasions, Lama Tsongkhapa appeared directly to Khedrub Je – as a monk on a white elephant, as a vibrant lama on a throne supported by youthful gods and goddesses, as the Bodhisattva Manjushri on a snow lion, as a yogi on a tiger and as a monk sitting on a lotus.
Lama Tsongkhapa would answer all of Khedrub Je’s questions and give him strong encouragement to continue his work of spreading Kadam Dharma through his teachings. On each occasion, Khedrub Je was able to talk for a long time with Lama Tsongkhapa, who gave him many special instructions and empowerments before the vision finally dissipated.
In this thangka, Lama Tsongkhapa is enthroned between his two main spiritual sons, Khedrub Je and Gyaltsab Je. This trinity is known in Tibetan as Je Yab Se Sum. Both of Lama Tsongkhapa’s spiritual sons eventually became his successor in upholding the legacy of his teachings and lineage.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Lama Tsongkhapa had many students, his two main disciples being Gyaltsab Rinpoche and Khedrub Rinpoche. In a traditional thangka Lama Tsongkhapa is depicted as seating in the center, with Gyaltsab Rinpoche and Khedrub Rinpoche. Both of the disciple of the great scholar Lama Tsongkhapa, established the Gelugpa of Tibetan Buddhism and founded the great monastery of Ganden near Lhasa. Wow incredible Lama Tsongkhapa had appeared directly to Khedrub Je in not only one but five vision , giving advices strong encouragement to continue his work of spreading Dharma through his teachings. Lama Tsongkhapa in Five Visions is depicted with Dorje Shugden in this beautiful thangka.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.