The Enlightened Red Lady
Vajra Yogini (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, Vajra Yogini, Cittipati and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Naro Kechari Vajra Yogini (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dorje Neljorma (Tibetan)
This form of Vajra Yogini arose from a pure vision beheld by the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa, hence her name Naro Kechari (or Naropa’s Dakini). This form of Vajra Yogini and her practice has since become the main form of Vajra Yogini transmitted due to the efficacy of her practice and blessings of her lineage. Her Tantra promises rebirth in her pure land known as Kechara Paradise, in order that practitioners can continue their spiritual journey without worldly distractions until they become a fully enlightened Buddha.
Deity: Cittipati (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Durdak Yabyum (Tibetan); Shri Shmashana Adhipati (Sanskrit)
According to scriptural sources, Cittipati is also known as Shri Shmashana Adhipati, which literally means “Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground”. The practice of Cittipati arises from the Secret Essence Wheel Tantra. This Tantra is closely associated with the Chakrasamvara Tantra, the scriptural source of the Vajra Yogini practice. Cittipati is regarded as the emanation of Heruka and Vajra Yogini. They are, therefore, in essence, enlightened wisdom protectors.
Deity: Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen (Tibetan)
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen 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 Buddhist monastic tradition and was recognised by the Panchen Lama to be the reincarnation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa, part of a long line of successive incarnations going all the way back to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Due to an aspiration generated in a previous life, after Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen met with an untimely demise, he arose as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as requested by the Dharma Protector Nechung.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden has a special regard for the Vajra Yogini Tantras. Before he arose as a Dharma Protector, he had for several lifetimes been great Mahasiddhas, scholars and Tantric practitioners. During his incarnations as the Mahasiddha Naropa and the master Tsarchen Losel Gyatso, he was pivotal in the revelation and proliferation of the Vajra Yogini Tantra. In his Dharma Protector form, Dorje Shugden clears obstacles and provides conducive conditions for spiritual practice to flourish, especially for those who practise compassion and work for the benefit of others.
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Thank you Rinpoche,
I prostrate to all the gurus and Buddhas, ten directions and three times.
This article I was looking for helped my understanding a little bit more of who Dorje Shugden is? Vajra Yogini is also named Kechari?
Thank you for your work. Please continue to help sentient beings walk a path conducive to the flourishing of the dharma…
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Hi Erin,
Dorje Shugden is a wrathful emanation of Manjushri. Because sentient beings today do not have the merits to connect directly with the Buddhas (for example, we can’t perceive Shakyamuni directly), in his compassion he manifests as a worldly Dharma Protector so there is a greater karmic affinity with us. Hence he’s able to more easily connect with sentient beings and be able to render his assistance to them more quickly. Being enlightened in nature, Dorje Shugden is a perfect being we can take refuge in and propitiate. If you have any other questions, perhaps this post might be able to answer some of them: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=66785
As for your second question, the name of Vajra Yogini’s sacred abode is Kechara/Khechara. Hence she is sometimes referred to as Kechari/Khechari, meaning the lady from Kechara 🙂
Hope this has helped to clarify a few things! Do let us know if you’ve any questions, it was lovely to hear from you.
Pastor Jean Ai