The Entourage of the King Dorje Shugden
The Eight Guiding Monks are part of Dorje Shugden’s entourage who aid the Dharma protector in his various works to benefit sentient beings
According to his praise, Dorje Shugden mastered and actualised the two stages of the Guhyasamaja Tantra in his previous lives. Thus, he is enlightened and able to manifest his aggregates, elements, sources and limbs as separate and individual deities in order to perform various functions and activities.
This means that each of the 32-deities within the Dorje Shugden mandala is an emanation of Dorje Shugden’s enlightened qualities, similar to how the deities in Guhyasamaja’s mandala are various emanations of Guhyasamaja’s qualities. At the core of Dorje Shugden’s mandala, resides Dorje Shugden’s Five Families or Five Forms which consists of the principle deity Dulzin Dorje Shugden, Gyenze, Shize, Wangze and Trakze.
Surrounding the Five Forms are the Eight Guiding Monks, Nine Great Mothers and Ten Youthful and Wrathful Assistants. There are a number of traditions depicting these emanations of Dorje Shugden and the appearance of each tradition may vary according to the pure vision of a particular lama or yogi. The following tradition is based on the writings of Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche, who was famous for proliferating Dorje Shugden. Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche himself is considered an emanation of Yamantaka and is thus highly attained. Therefore, his description of the entourage must have arisen from his pure vision of Dorje Shugden’s mandala.
Eight Guiding Monks
Gelong Jampa
1. Gelong Jampa
Wearing monk robes and holding a monk staff in his right hand and a begging bowl in his left. He wears the meditation hat (gomzha) and has a moustache and beard. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Maitreya.
Gelong Sangyin
2. Gelong Sangyin
Wearing monk robes and holding a vajra in his right hand and a bell in his left. He wears the pointed monk’s hat (tsezha). He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.
Gelong Chagdor
3. Gelong Chagdor
Wearing monk’s robes, he is in the debating posture (with hands clapping and pressing the leg). He wears the pandita’s hat (penzha). He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Vajrapani.
Gelong Namnying
4. Gelong Namnying
Wearing monk’s robes and a golden Tang hat (thangzha). He holds a khatangka in his right hand and points to his disciples with his index finger in the threatening mudra with his left. His right leg is bent and his left is extended. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha.
Gelong Wangchuk
5. Gelong Wangchuk
Wearing monk’s robes and the pandita’s hat (penzha). He holds a sword pointed downwards in his right hand and holds up a nectar-filled skullcup in his left. He wears the special boots of a high tulku/nobility. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara.
Gelong Jamyang
6. Gelong Jamyang
Wearing monk’s robes and the Bodhisattva’s hat (jangchub semzha). He plays the damaru with his right hand and rings the bell with his left. His legs are in the dancing position. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Red Manjushri.
Gelong Dipsel
7. Gelong Dipsel
Wearing monk’s robes and the pandit’s hat (penzha). His right hand is in the mudra of teaching the Dharma and he holds a scriptural text in his left. He wears the special boots of a high tulku/nobility and appears to be moving quickly. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Sarvanivarana-viskambin.
8. Gelong Kunsang
Wearing monk’s robes and the meditation hat (gomzha). He holds up a treasure vase in his right hand and points to his disciples with his index finger in the threatening mudra with his left. He wears the special boots of a high tulku/nobility and appears to be moving to the right. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. He is one with the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.
Nine Great Mothers
1. White Goddess of Earth
White in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. In her right hand, she carries Mount Meru and in her left she holds a treasure vase. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears midway between Shize and Trakze. She is one with the Goddess Lochana.
2. Blue Goddess of Water
Light blue in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. In her right hand, she hold a precious vase overflowing with nectar and in her left she holds a treasure vase. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears to the left of the Goddess of Earth. She is one with the Goddess Mamaki.
3. Red Goddess of Fire
Red in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. In her right hand, she holds aloft a burning flame and in her left she holds a treasure vase. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears to the right of the Goddess of Water. She is one with the Goddess Pandara.
4. Green Goddess of Wind
Green in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She points with her right hand, creating wind, and in her left she holds aloft a treasure vase. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears to the left of the Goddess of Fire. She is one with the Goddess Tara.
5. White Goddess of Form
White in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She holds a mirror in her right hand and a treasure vase in her left. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears two levels below Shize. She is one with the Goddess Rupavajra.
6. Yellow Goddess of Sound
Yellow in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She holds a vina in her right hand and a treasure vase in her left. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears slightly below and to the left of the Goddess of Form. She is one with the Goddess Shaptavajra.
7. Red Goddess of Scent
Red in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She holds a conch shell filled with perfume in her right hand and a treasure vase in her left. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears slightly below and to the left of the Goddess of Sound. She is one with the Goddess Ghandavajra.
8. Green Goddess of Taste
Green in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She holds a pot filled with exquisite delicacies in her right hand and a treasure vase in her left. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears slightly above and to the left of the Goddess of Scent. She is one with the Goddess Rasavajra.
9. Blue Goddess of Sensations
Blue in colour, she manifests as a charming youth of unsurpassable beauty in a dancing posture. She holds a delicate garment in her right hand and a treasure vase in her left. In the crook of her arm she carries a golden vajra axe. She abides in the midst of gathered clouds and rainbows. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, she appears slightly above and to the left of the Goddess of Taste. She is one with the Goddess Parshavajra.
Ten Wrathful and Youthful Assistants
1. Shinjeshe Kyi Ngowo Gyami
A Chinese man wearing traditional Chinese dress. He holds a sword upwards in his right hand. His right leg is bent upwards and his left leg extends backwards. In front of him, a man bows down in homage. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is below and to the right of the eight guiding monks. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Yamantaka.
2. Tamdrin Kyi Ngowo Horsog
A Mongolian man wearing traditional Mongolian dress. He holds a lance with both hands. His right leg is extended, crushing a vow-breaker who is face down. His left leg is bent upwards. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Chinese assistant. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Hayagriva.
3. Sherab Tharje Kyi Ngowo Belpo
A Nepali man wearing traditional Nepali dress. He holds a Nepali knife (khukri) with his right hand and holds on to the neck of a vow breaker with his left. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Mongolian assistant. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Aparajita.
4. Gegtharje Kyi Ngowo Tagar Bodpa
A Tibetan man wearing traditional Tibetan dress and a Tibetan nomad’s hat. In his right hand he holds a noose by which he holds on to a vow-breaker and in his left hand he holds a drigug (flaying knife) brandished skywards. He appears to be moving to the left. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Nepali assistant. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Amritakundalini.
5. Miyowai Ngowo Khache
A Kashmiri man wearing traditional Kashmiri dress. He holds up a long knife in his right hand and with his left, he binds both arms of a vow-breaker at the back. His right leg is extended and his left is in a dancing posture. He has a moustache and beard. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Tibetan assistant. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Achala.
6. Dopai Gyalpoi Ngowo Gyagarwa
An Indian acharya wearing an Indian acharya’s dress. He holds up a vajra axe in his right hand and a black noose with his left, tied to the neck of a vow-breaker. He appears to be moving to the left. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Kashmiri assistant. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Takkiraja.
7. Juglonchen Gyingowo Shinjeche Pachen
Fanged Yama wears a helmet and both hands are holding a lance piercing a vow-breaker’s heart. His right leg is bent and his left is extended to the left. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the Indian acharya. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Niladanda.
8.Topoche Ngowo Shenje Tobchen
Powerful Yama appears in a wrathful form. His right hand holds a vow-breaker on his lap and his left hand is in the vow-breaker’s stomach. He is jumping with both legs spread wide. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of Fanged Yama. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Mahabala.
9. Khorlo Gyurwai Ngowo Khorgyur
Khorgyur Lha Trowo holds a vow-breaker upside down with his left hand and inserts a lance into the vow-breaker’s heart with his right. He is jumping with both legs spread wide. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of Powerful Yama. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Ushnishachakravarti.
10. Nodze Gyalpoi Ngowo Jadong Gyalpo
Jadong Gyalpo wears a human skin on his back and both hands are stretched upwards. He is jumping with his right leg crossed to the left and his left leg extended backwards. In Dorje Shugden’s mandala, he is to the left of the above. He abides in the midst of gathered fire and wind. He is one with Sumbharaja.
For more interesting information:
- Dorje Shugden Mandala
- Enthroning a Dharma King: The 13th Dagom Rinpoche
- A Short Prayer to Dorje Shugden
- Which Dorje Shugden Style is Your Favourite?
- A Wish-Fulfilling Shrine
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This post is most beneficial for those who would like to learn up the entourages of Dorje Shugden.
Although I might not remember each and every one of them now but at least I know some of their descriptions and attributes. Thank you Rinpoche.
Great informative detailed and description of The Entourage of King Dorje Shugden. Lovely pictures on the Eight Guiding Monks and Nine Great Mothers. This is a very useful post for those who would like to know more about Dorje Shugden’s entourage and the symbolism behind their iconography. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for this lovely article!??????⭐️
Very informative article about Dorje Shugden entourage. I like to see the picture which is so clear and detailed, also the write up of each deity on the iconography. Thank you Rinpoche for always making it so convenient for us to learn.
Thank you, Rinpoche and blog team for this informative post. This is a very useful post for those who would like to know more about Dorje Shugden’s retinue and the symbolism behind their iconography.
Good stuff!
Great informative detailed article on the entourage of the Powerful Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Each of these Dorje Shugden’s entourage have a individual role who will aids the Dharma protector. Have book marked this article to understand better from time to time. A very detailed write up for us to learn more of entourage.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing .
Tashi Delek! Thank you Rinpoche and The Kechara Blog Team for posting a detailed description and depiction of The Entourage of King Dorje Shugden. Helpful also are the positions of placement within The Mandala of Dorje Shugden.
I first learned of The Mandala of The Protector Dorje Shugden in Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s Heart Jewel. I had always enjoyed very much learning anything related to Lama Je Tsongkhapa and the teachings of the Lineage Masters in succession. Although the prayers and the text is very good, I was grateful and overjoyed to find much more information here on the blog to enlighten me on the actual protector practice of which the entourage is essential to understanding the connection to the powerful means to which The Protector incorporates the swift assistance of all of the Buddhas they represent.
I recently learned of The First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang and his recognition of the afterlife, having procured prior to his death an entire army, a “Terracotta Army”, to serve and aid him in his next life. The craftsmanship and production of the statues were superlative and very true to form, even equipped with full scale weapons of the time on their person. The production of the entourage statues shown here in this article, I am sure, would grab the eye of The Emperor, and shall surely aid the sincere practitioner in this life, and the next! Exquisite to say the least.