Tibet’s Founders: The Three Dharma Kings
Three Dharma Kings (Main figures)
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(Top to bottom): Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Detsen, Tri Ralpachen and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: King Songtsen Gampo (Tibetan)
King Songtsen Gampo is considered to be the first of the Three Dharma Kings of Tibet. He founded the Tibetan Empire and was the first king to introduce Buddhism to the country. He is said to have built the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, which houses the Jowo Rinpoche statue brought to Tibet by his Chinese consort, Princess Wencheng. He also built Ramoche Temple to house the statue of Jowo Mikyo Dorje, which was brought to Tibet by his Nepali consort, Princess Bhrikuti. These two statues are considered the most sacred statues in all of Tibet.
Deity: King Trisong Detsen (Tibetan)
King Trisong Detsen is known as one of the Three Dharma Kings of Tibet, together with Songtsen Gampo and Tri Ralpachen. He played a pivotal role in establishing Buddhism in Tibet, for example by inviting the great Indian master Shantarakshita to establish the country’s first community of ordained Buddhist monks. He also famously invited Guru Rinpoche to Tibet in order to subdue the supernatural beings hampering Shantarakshita’s sacred works. Through their combined efforts, Buddhism was established and spread throughout the entire region.
Deity: King Tri Ralpachen (Tibetan)
King Tri Ralpachen was a great patron of Buddhism in Tibet. Not only did he ensure many Buddhist texts were translated and preserved in the Tibetan language but he also invited many craftsmen, translators and masters from China, Nepal, Kashmir and the Buddhist kingdom of Khotan to further Tibetan culture and religion. He also decreed that all Buddhist translations should be translated directly from Sanskrit sources rather than any other language.
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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Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the painting of the Three Great Dharma King. They are the important person who brought Buddha to Tibet and put in so much effort to spread the dharma. Clear and short description helps us to understand their background and contribution of the three kings in Tibetan Buddhism history.
Stunning art painting of Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Detsen, Tri Ralpachen and Dorje Shugden. Thank you for sharing this beautiful paintings of Tibet’s Founders: The Three Dharma Kings with short explanations for us to have a better knowledge of it.