The Bogd Khan of Outer Mongolia
The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu and Dorje Shugden
Lama: The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (Tibetan)
The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (1869–1924), also known as the Bogd Khan, became the de facto leader of Outer Mongolia in 1911, when Outer Mongolia declared independence from the Qing Dynasty of China after the Xinhai Revolution. As the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, he was the third most important person in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, below only the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, and therefore was also known as the “Bogd Lama”. He was the supreme spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism as practised in Outer Mongolia. His wife Tsendiin Dondogdulam, the Ekh Dagina (“Dakini Mother”), was believed to be a manifestation of White Tara. The brother of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav, was the State Oracle and occupied one of the six temples at the Choijin Lama temple complex.
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.
Click here for more beautiful thangkas.
For more interesting information:
- The Dorje Shugden category on the blog
- Must Watch: Powerful Explanations on Dharma Protectors
- Black Tara – The Wrathful Protectress
- Mahasiddha Tilopa – the Chakrasamvara Master
- Guhya Manjushri – the Secret Form of Wisdom
- Five Extraordinary Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa
- The Mahasiddha Kukkuripa and His Dog
- Lords of Purification – 35 Confessional Buddhas
- Manjushri Nagarakshasa – The Naga Deity
- Janguli – The Goddess that Protects from Snakes
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Interesting history behind the eighth Jebtsundamba . As a young boy, he was recognized as the new incarnation of the Bogd Gegen in Potala in the presence of the 13th Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. When northern Mongolia declared independence in 1911, the eighth Jebtsundamba was elevated to theocratic ruler, called Bogd Khan. As the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, he was the third most important person in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. He was the spiritual leader of Outer Mongolia’s Tibetan Buddhism also known as the “Bogdo Lama. In this beautiful thangka he is depicted with Dorje Shugden the powerful dharma protector who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. We are blessed merely by looking at this beautiful thangka.
Thanks for sharing.