The Embodiment of Wisdom and Compassion: Lama Tsongkhapa
Lama Tsongkhapa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Lama Tsongkhapa, Gyaltsab Je, Khedrub Je and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Lama Tsongkhapa (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Lobsang Drakpa (Tibetan); Sumati Kirti (Sanskrit)
Lama Tsongkhapa was a 15th Century scholar-yogi who established the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. 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.
Lama Tsongkhapa was known for his incredible memory of the broad range of Buddhist treatises, sharp debate skills and incredibly penetrative writing. He saw the benefit in the comprehensive nature of Lama Atisha’s Lamrim text known as Bodhipathapradipa, and composed an expanded version known as the Lamrim Chenmo. Naturally, it contained the entire graduated path to enlightenment, from chapters on death and impermanence to higher topics such as concentration meditation and wisdom. He also composed the Ngarim Chenmo, which is the graduated path for the teachings on tantra.
Contrary to popular belief that Lama Tsongkhapa was merely a scholar, he actually wrote more on Tantra practice than on Sutra. He is also known for his many pure visions of Manjushri and various other Buddhas. It was through his sacred communion with Manjushri that a special lineage of teachings arose, known as the Gaden Emanation Scripture. These teachings contain special instructions for the Gaden Mahamudra practice, Lama Chopa (or Offerings to the Spiritual Guide), the Gaden Lhagyama (or Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land), the Migtsema mantra, and six sadhanas focusing on the practice of Manjushri.
The special instructions contained within this scripture were passed down only by word of mouth from teacher to disciple, and so the lineage became known as the ‘Uncommon Whispered Lineage of the Virtuous Tradition’ or the ‘Ensa Whispered Lineage’. Later, His Holiness the 4th Panchen Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1569-1662) was the first to pen down the Lama Chopa and so forth.
Deities: Gyaltsab Je (left), Khedrub Je (right)
Lama Tsongkhapa and his two disciples are collectively referred to as Je Yab Se Sum or ‘Arya Father and Sons Trinity’. The two disciples refer to Gyaltsab Je and Khedrub Je, who were not only heart disciples but eventually became his successors after Lama Tsongkhapa entered Parinirvana. The first Gaden Throneholder was Gyaltsab Je and when he completed his tenure, Khedrub Je ascended to become the next Gaden Throneholder, otherwise known as Gaden Tripa.
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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