Trode Khangsar – A 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa | 拉萨400年历史的多杰雄登护法殿—布旦康萨
The front entrance to Trode Khangsar chapel in Lhasa, Tibet
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
The Trode Khangsar is an important chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa, Tibet. It was built by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama towards the end of the 17th Century. Dorje Shugden is an uncommon Dharma protector within Tibetan Buddhism, who is said to protect the Buddhist teachings in general and Nagarjuna’s Madhyamika (Middle Way) Philosophy as taught by Lama Tsongkhapa specifically. Lama Tsongkhapa was the founder of the great Gelug lineage. Dorje Shugden, in his previous incarnation as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, was a great scholar, meditator, teacher and contemporary of His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama. After being murdered, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen arose as Dorje Shugden in order to benefit countless sentient beings.
A rare thangka of Dorje Shugden seated on a throne, housed at the Trode Khangsar. Click to enlarge.
Due to the heavy negative karma of killing such a great being, the country was unsettled by earthquakes and other disturbances agitated the land. Thinking that these disturbances were due to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen arising as a malevolent spirit, various high lamas of the land such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other experienced masters such as Mindrolling Lama performed extensive rituals and fire pujas to solve the problem. Known for their powerful ability to subdue spirits, these rituals turned out ineffective as Dorje Shugden could not be destroyed. During the fire puja rituals, the Mindrolling Lama would call Dorje Shugden’s consciousness to the ladle and turn it over to tip him into the fire to be destroyed. Each time the Mindrolling Lama attempted to do this, he would see Yamantaka climb on top of the ladle. After many unsuccessful attempts at killing Dorje Shugden in this manner, the Mindrolling Lama realised he was trying to kill Manjushri and immediately stopped the rituals.
Upon learning of this, His Holiness the 5th Dalai manifested the realisation that Dorje Shugden had not in fact taken rebirth as a malevolent spirit, but had arisen as an enlightened Dharma protector.
As an apology to Dorje Shugden for the murder and the subsequent attempts to destroy him (having mistaken him for a spirit), His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama then composed a praise to Dorje Shugden and created a statue with his own hands to honour and recognize him as a Dharma protector. The 5th Dalai Lama also built this chapel in the heart of Lhasa at the exact same place where Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s body had been cremated. This was told to us by the current caretakers of Trode Khangsar, which continues to function to this day as an active chapel propitiating Dorje Shugden.
Trode Khangsar itself is registered as a national heritage memorial, putting it under the care of the Chinese government at a national level. As recently as 2008, the chapel was being renovated by the Chinese Government. Thus Trode Khangsar which is dedicated to Dorje Shugden continues to be another powerful testament to the high respect His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama came to develop for Dorje Shugden.
The Chapel Structure
A Map of Lhasa – Trode Khangsar is located close to the main circumambulation circuit. Click to enlarge.
The chapel is situated in the heart of Lhasa, behind the main Chapel of the Jowo Buddha, also known as the Jokhang Temple, just south of the Barkor area close to the circumambulation circuit. The chapel was originally a three-storied structure and has a front entrance leading directly to the main hall.
The main hall of Trode Khangsar has eight pillars, is approximately ten metres wide and is adorned with historical paintings of Dorje Shugden’s previous life stories, as well as murals of auspicious symbols and deities such as Indra and Brahma. The paintings of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives include Manjushri, Birwapa, Shakya Shri Bhadra, Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen, Buton Rinchen Drub, Panchen Sonam Drakpa, Sonam Yeshe Wangpo and Ngawang Sonam Geleg. Other paintings include Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, the previous incarnation of Dorje Shugden and Nechung urging Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen to fulfill his promise and arise as a Dharma protector. Nechung in one mural is depicted as riding a snow lion holding a bow and arrow, arriving to where Lama Tsongkhapa is giving teachings seated on a throne and surrounded by other monks. In the form of a young boy, Nechung interrupted the teachings three times. During the third occasion, Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen, one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s main students informed Nechung that it was not appropriate to interrupt the teachings and asked him to stop. Duldzin Drakpa Gyelsten is then depicted standing up, at which point he promises Nechung to protect Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition in the future. Next, Lama Tsongkhapa is depicted as being delighted and offers Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen a skull cup filled with nectar.
Other notable murals include:
- Manjushri during the life of Buddha Shakyamuni
- Birwapa who was one of the great Indian Mahasiddhas
- Shakya Shri Bhadra who was a scholar from Kashmir that traveled to Tibet and disseminated the holy Dharma there including many important practice lineages
- Sakya Pandita and Buton Rinchen Drub who were two early Tibetan translators and scholars
Trode Khangsar also houses many precious objects, such as the wood printing blocks for an extensive Dorje Shugden Fulfillment Ritual text by Gaden Jangtse Serkong Dorje Chang, an important Gelug lama from the 19th century. The main hall itself leads to a room on the north side in which rituals are conducted and also to rooms for resident monks to the east and west. The ritual room has black coloured walls, a skylight, and houses paintings of various Dharma protectors. On the northern side of the room is a statue of Lama Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug lineage, together with his spiritual sons, Gyaltsab Je and Khedrub Je.
The third and top most floor was removed during the Cultural Revolution in Tibet and used to be the residence of Trode Khangsar’s oracle. The lowest floor, which is below ground level is now currently used for religious purposes.
Dorje Shugden’s recognition by the Qing Dynasty
Trode Khangsar is also linked to a story illustrating the enlightened power and clairvoyance of Dorje Shugden. During the time of His Holiness the 11th Dalai Lama Khedrub Gyatso, there was a Chinese Amban, or high official, from the Qing dynasty named Che Trungtang, who had a set of important questions to ask Dorje Shugden on behalf of the Chinese Emperor Daoguang. He burned the written questions in front of Dorje Shugden’s image and asked for clear answers and prophesies during a trance of the Dorje Shugden oracle. The following day during the trance of the oracle, he received very clear advice which even matched the order the questions had originally been written in.
A statue of Dorje Shugden in Trode Khangsar. This form of Dorje Shugden is seated rather than mounted on a snow lion and holds a club rather than a curved sword. Click to enlarge.
The Qing Emperor Daoguang was very impressed by the precision and clarity of the advice given in regards to his important political questions. In return, he sent a pandit’s hat as an offering and recognised Dorje Shugden as a great Dharma protector for the whole of Buddhism. The hat was placed over the door of Trode Khangsar amidst a grand ceremony held in the front courtyard. Many high officials and dignitaries attended this ceremony including His Holiness the 11th Dalai Lama, the Qing Amban, Retreng Rinpoche, the Dorje Shugden oracle and various other monks and lay people.
A beautiful image of Dorje Shugden within his Trode Khangsar chapel in Lhasa, Tibet. The statue and chapel were commissioned by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama in apology and commemoration of what was done to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. Click to enlarge.
The statue of Dorje Shugden commissioned by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama. This picture was taken in 2017, after Trode Khangsar underwent extensive renovations. Click to enlarge.
Current
As of today, Trode Khangsar is open to visit for tourists and pilgrims. The chapel is still in use and the tradition of making offerings and daily pujas conducted by monks continues. The chapel is in very good condition given that it was recently renovated.
Trode Khangsar houses many holy images, including a seated Dorje Shugden holding a club instead of a sword. This picture was taken in 2017 after Trode Khangsar underwent extensive renovations. Click to enlarge.
Trode Khangsar houses many holy images. This picture was taken in 2017 after Trode Khangsar underwent extensive renovations. Click to enlarge.
Trode Khangsar houses many holy images. This picture was taken in 2017 after Trode Khangsar underwent extensive renovations. Here we see a picture of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche amongst the statues. Click to enlarge.
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was a great master, meditator, teacher, logician, yogi, siddha and erudite scholar. During the search for the reincarnation of the 4th Dalai Lama, the young Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen demonstrated such attainments and special signs that he was considered one of the potential candidates for the 5th Dalai Lama.
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was an extremely popular teacher who had students from all over Tibet who would come to Drepung to receive teachings from him. His Ladrang grew in fame and influence, which resulted in jealousy among the people serving the 5th Dalai Lama. Afraid that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame would eclipse that of their lama, they had him murdered. This took place more than 300 years ago and after his murder, the government banned the search for his reincarnation. His Ladrang (personal household) with his personal items were confiscated. In Tibet, all of his written works were destroyed. Today, the writings we have by Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen exist only because many had been taken to Mongolia for preservation.
Below is a reproduction of an original wall painting in Trode Khangsar depicting Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s extensive reincarnation lineage which includes great masters of Tibet and India. This illustration depicts clearly the glorious previous incarnations of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who became the world peace protector Dorje Shugden. Click on the images to enlarge them to their original sizes.
ADDENDUM: DECEMBER 2018
Below are some photos of Trode Khangsar recently sent to us by friends visiting Lhasa, Tibet. Trode Khangsar is a chapel dedicated to the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. It was built by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama at the cremation site of his friend, Dharma brother and spiritual equal, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen.
After Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered by the 5th Dalai Lama’s jealous attendants, he arose and was first enthroned by the Sakyas as a Dharma Protector. Later, the practice of Dorje Shugden entered into the Gelug tradition and was widely propagated and promoted by lamas like His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. To this day, Dorje Shugden continues to be very strongly practised in Trode Khangsar. Please enjoy these beautiful, updated pictures of the centuries’ old chapel, dating back to the 17th Century, with its magnificent statue of Dorje Shugden.
西藏拉萨市布旦康萨护法殿前门。
西藏拉萨市的布旦康萨是专为多杰雄登而设的重要护法殿，由至尊第五世嘉瓦仁波切建于公元17世纪末。多杰雄登是藏传佛教里的一位不共护法，祂总则守护一切佛陀法教，别则专护持宗喀巴大师所讲述的龙树菩萨之《中观》教诲。宗喀巴大师是伟大的格鲁传承之创始人，而多杰雄登的上一个转世——杜固扎巴坚赞，则是一位伟大的学者、禅修者和老师，与第五世嘉瓦仁波切生活在同一个時代。他被杀害后，化身为护法来利益无数的众生。
杀害伟大圣贤所造下的严重恶业，造成地震和土地干扰事件频频发生，导致西藏变得动荡不安。当地的高僧们认为这一切都因杜固扎巴坚赞化身为邪灵所引起，于是嘉瓦仁波切联同敏珠林喇嘛等几位资深大师共同进行火供法会等大量仪式，以期将问题解决。然而，这些向来以能降伏邪灵的强大能力著称的仪式，却无法有效地消灭多杰雄登。在火供仪式期间，敏珠林喇嘛将多杰雄登的心识召唤到勺子里，翻转勺子企图将他送入火中销毁，但每当敏珠林喇嘛尝试这么做时，他就看到大威德金刚安坐在勺子上。多次尝试以同样的方式杀害多杰雄登不果之后，敏珠林喇嘛才意识到他企图杀害的其实是文殊菩萨，于是立即终止了仪式。
经过此事，至尊第五世嘉瓦仁波切意识到多杰雄登事实上并非化身为邪灵，而是已经化身为证悟护法。
至尊第五世嘉瓦仁波切对自己因误认多杰雄登为邪灵而企图谋杀和毁灭祂深感懊悔。为了表达歉意，嘉瓦仁波切为多杰雄登写了一篇礼赞文，亲手制造多杰雄登像并承认祂为一位佛教护法。此外，第五世嘉瓦仁波切还在拉萨市中心杜固扎巴坚赞被荼毗的地点建造了这座护法殿。布旦康萨目前的守殿人向我们叙述了这段典故，而布旦康萨至今仍是一所供奉多杰雄登的护法殿。
布旦康萨现已被列入中国政府管理下的国家级遗产，并在2008年经过重新整修，使得这所建来纪念多杰雄登的圣殿，将继续成为一个至尊第五世嘉瓦仁波切高度尊崇多杰雄登的强有力之证明。
护法殿结构
这座护法殿位于拉萨市中心觉沃佛殿所在的大昭寺后面，临近转山路径的八廓区南部。护法殿最初为三层楼建筑，前门直通主殿。
布旦康萨的主殿里有八根柱子，绘上多杰雄登多位前世的生平，主殿的壁画上则有吉祥图和因陀罗、梵天等诸神画像。多杰雄登前世画作上的人物包括文殊菩萨、毗瓦巴、释迦师利巴札、萨迦班智达贡嘎坚赞、布顿仁钦珠，班禅索南扎巴、索南耶喜旺波和阿旺索南格列。当中的重点壁画包括多杰雄登的前世杜固扎巴坚赞（见下）和乃穹。画上显示乃穹护法敦促杜固扎巴坚赞履行他的承诺，崛起成为一位护法。
其他的壁画包括多杰雄登的前世杜固扎巴坚赞和乃穹。画上显示乃穹护法敦促杜固扎巴坚赞履行他的承诺，崛起成为一位护法。当中的一面壁画描绘乃穹骑着雪狮，手持弓和箭，莅临宗喀巴大师授教的所在地。当时的宗喀巴大师正坐在宝座上被其他僧侣们围绕着。乃穹以一个小男孩的形式出现，并且三次打断了宗喀巴大师的开示。在他第三次打扰开示时，宗喀巴大师的其中一名主要弟子，持律主扎巴坚赞告知乃穹打扰开示是一个不适当的行为，便要他停止捣乱。接下来的一幅画显示持律主扎巴坚赞站起身，答应乃穹在未来守护宗喀巴大师传承法教。其后的壁画则显示宗喀巴大师现欣悦状，将一装满甘露的骷髅杯献给持律主。
其他较为显著的壁画包括：
- 释迦摩尼佛在世时的文殊菩萨
- 毗瓦巴曾是印度其中一位杰出的大成就者
- 释迦师利巴札是一位从克什米尔到西藏去的学者，他将神圣的佛法，包括许多重要的传承修持带入了藏地
- 萨迦班智达和布顿仁钦珠是西藏早期的两位译师和学者
布旦康萨内也收藏了很多珍贵的物品，如由19世纪重要格鲁上师甘丹江孜色贡金刚持所制作的多杰雄登酬供仪轨木刻印版等。主殿通往北面一间进行法事活动的经堂和几间位于东面与西面的僧舍。进行法事活动的经堂有着黑色的墙壁，一扇天窗，还珍藏了许多护法的绘画；而在偏北的经堂里则有着一尊格鲁派创始人宗喀巴大师和贾曹杰、克主杰两位心子的圣像。
护法殿的三楼和顶楼在西藏文化大革命期间已被拆除，那里曾经是布旦康萨神谕媒的住所，而最底层的地下室目前也已不再作为宗教用途。
多杰雄登获清朝承认
在布旦康萨还发生过一件足以证明多杰雄登的证悟力量与神通的故事。在第十一世嘉瓦仁波切凱珠嘉措执政期间，有一位名车通唐（译名）的中国清朝驻藏大臣代表道光皇帝有一些重大事务想要请示多杰雄登。他在多杰雄登护法像前将呈文烧了，并要求护法在降神時给予明确的答案与预言。在次日降神時，护法对他询问的事情均给予正确、明显的回覆，连顺序都正确无误。
清朝道光皇帝对于他所提出的政治问题均得到明确和清晰的答复感到十分满意，遂赏班智达帽一顶兼赐封多杰雄登为佛教大护法。颁赠盛典在布旦康萨前院举行，于大殿门额挂上皇帝所赐班智达帽，许多高官政要均出席了此项盛典，其中包括第十一世嘉瓦仁波切、清朝驻藏大臣、热振仁波切、多杰雄神谕媒和许多僧俗民众。
现况
布旦康萨护法殿目前开放给游客和朝圣者参观。殿里运作如常，守殿僧人依然按照传统进行日常供养和法会。
杜固扎巴坚赞
杜固扎巴坚赞是一位大师、 禅修者、老师、逻辑学家、瑜伽士、成就者和学识渊博的学者。在寻找第四世嘉瓦仁波切的转世时，年轻的杜固扎巴坚赞因展现出非凡的成就和特征，曾被认为是第五世嘉瓦仁波切的灵童人选之一。
杜固扎巴坚赞是一位广受欢迎的上师，遍布西藏各地的弟子常专程前往哲蚌寺寻求他的教诲。这使得其拉章的声望与影响力与日俱增，继而引起第五世嘉瓦仁波切随从的妒忌。他们担心杜固扎巴坚赞的名声会超越自己的上师，因此将他谋杀。他被谋杀至今的三百多年期间，当地执权者禁止寻找他的转世灵童，其拉章 （私人住处） 与私人物品都被充公，他在西藏的一切著作也都被销毁。今日仅存的杜固扎巴坚赞著作都是当年被运出蒙古保存的文物。
以下图片为布旦康萨内杜固扎巴坚赞转世传承原壁画的复制图，当中人物包括了西藏和印度的大师。此画清楚地描绘了杜固扎巴坚赞崛起成为世界和平护法多杰雄登前的历任辉煌转世。点击图像放大至原始大小。
附录：2018年12月
下面一组照片是一朋友最近拜访西藏拉萨给我们发的。布旦康萨是专门供奉佛教护法神多杰雄登的一座护法殿，由五世达赖在其同门师兄杜固札巴坚赞荼毗之地盖建。
杜固札巴坚赞遭五世达赖充满嫉妒的管家所杀害，然后崛起并首先获奉座为萨迦派的佛教护法神。后来，多杰雄登的修持进入格鲁派，再被格鲁派众上师，如至尊嘉杰帕绷喀仁波切广为弘扬。至今，布旦康萨依然是多杰雄登修持的据点。下面的照片将让你一睹拥有几个世纪历史的老旧护法殿（历史可追溯至17世纪），以及供奉在其中的庄严多杰雄登像。
For more interesting information:
- Various prayers to Dorje Shugden composed by His Holiness the Omniscient 10th Panchen Lama (download PDF)
- Articles on Dorje Shugden
- World’s largest Dorje Shugden shrine
- 10 Holy Dorje Shugden Statues around the World
- Dorje Shugden Teaching Videos
- Who is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen?
- Dorje Shugden illustrated story & graphic novel
- The 14th Dalai Lama’s prayer to Dorje Shugden
- Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors – A Definitive Guide to Dorje Shugden by Trijang Rinpoche
- Panchen Lama’s Dorje Shugden Puja text
- Dorje Shugden Retreat: A powerful practice to fulfill wishes
- Articles on Lama Tsongkhapa
- Tsongkhapa’s daily practice (video commentary)
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Trode-khangsar a 400 year old Dorje Shugden Temple in Lhasa, had me having great memories. Having a privileged to visit it in May 2019,with my Dharma brothers and sisters. It such a Holy Temple with great stories behind it . Located in Lhasa, that is over 300 years old which is dedicated to the controversial protector deity Dorje Shugden. The Temple is a Gelugpa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, built in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama. The Great 5th Dalai Lama composed a praise to Dorje Shugden and created a statue to honour and recognize him as a Dharma protector as apology. Trode Khangsar itself is now registered as a national heritage memorial. That’s awesome as more and more people will get to know about this Holy temple. Merely by looking at those fading murals and Holy statutes is a blessing for all who came to visit this Trode-khangsar. A place worth visiting.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Such great stories to read about it! Thank you, Rinpoche! Dorje Shugden helps a lot of people to overcome the obstacles in their life.
Trode Khangsar over 300 years old temple is located behind the main chapel of Jowo Rinpoche.It is the Dorje Shugden Chapel which was commissioned by His Holiness the 5thDalai Lama. This temple is dedicated to the protector Dorje Shugden and has been traditionally managed by the Gelug monastery Riwo Chöling. Built in the 17th Century and serves as a testament to the official establishment of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden’s practice in Tibet. A historic and ancient temple with interesting stories behind it. In fact its Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, arisen as the enlightened Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen was murdered by officers of Dalai Lama . Beautiful murals feature important stories of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives which are of historical significance indeed.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing with details explanation of it.
Located in the corner of Bhakor streets is the temple Trode Khangsar the exact same place where Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s body had been cremated.Not easy to find this 300 years old temple without asking for direction. The entrance to Trode Khangsar is now a little obscured. Built by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama somewhere end of the 17th Century He had realised Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had arisen as an enlightened Dharma protector. He built this Trode Khangsar dedicated Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen and composed a praise to Dorje Shugden and created a statue with his own hands Dorje Shugden is the Dharma protector within Tibetan Buddhism, to protect the Buddhist teachings in general. Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen arose as Dorje Shugden in order to benefit countless sentient beings. This 400 years old chapel are of important historical significance to many . Interesting read.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Beautiful….. Trode Khangsar built in the 17th Century by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama, which is 400 years old. Such an old Chapel indeed dedicated to the controversial Protector Dorje Shugden. The Great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to be recited to Dorje Shugden. Wow…..could imagined how sacred and blessed of this Chapel. Glad that to this days Dorje Shugden practice is widely propagated and promoted by lamas in Tibet.
Last May , visited this blessed place with friends after a goose chase , walking around and around eventually found it. Saw beautiful images of Buddhas and Dorje Shugden. Simply amazing even after all these years, it is still there some of the murals even though some are in a fading state. Merely by looking at the magnificent Dorje Shugden Statue is a blessing. We were so fortunate able to see for ourselves and will remembered it for a long time.
Thank you for this sharing.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Reincarnation Lineage Prayer of the Incarnate Master Dragpa Gyaltsan
This prayer also, to the incarnate master Dragpa Gyaltsan through his reincarnations, has been spoken for the benefit of all migratory beings by the Vajra Shugden who protects the holy Dharma, at the sacred abode Choling in response to requests from many devout monks and nuns and householders. Gedun Choejor was the scribe. May this serve as cause for all migratory beings swiftly attaining in one lifespan the state of Vajradhara.
May there be auspiciousness!
Lord Manjushri, the sole father of all kindhearted Victors,
Lord Tsongkhapa, whose renown fills this world,
Lord Yamantaka who has arisen to subdue the intractable:
Bless us supplicants with common and uncommon attainments!
Lord Sambhota, the best of scholars,
Loden Sherab, the savant in all classics,
Lords Naropa and Khyungpo Naljor:
Bless us supplicants with common and uncommon attainments!
Ralo Dorjedrag and master Khutoen,
Masters Sakya Shri and Choeku Woezer,
And to the Omniscient Lord Buton:
Bless us supplicants with common and uncommon attainments!
The all-pervading Tsarchen, and Sonam Dragpa;
Sonam Yeshe, prominent among saviors of beings;
Sonam Geleg, in whom merit and virtues shone like the sun:
Bless us supplicants with common and uncommon attainments!
Dragpa Gyaltsan, the master leading nyig-dhue1 beings to liberation,
Whose very name, just hearing, frees from the lower migrations,
Who leads to liberation any who supplicates single-mindedly:
To this protector of teachings and beings of three worlds we pray.
Ngawang Jinpa the emanation in saffron robes, and
Ngawang Tenzin, upholder of the victory banner of the teaching,
And Jetsun Losang Geleg, the great master:
Bless us supplicants with common and uncommon attainments!
Losang Tenzin, the victory banner of Dharma who comes
As kings, ministers and monks for beings and dharma’s sake,
In successions endless as ripple in water:
To such past and future emanations we pray.
By the truth power of the Three Jewels,
By the enlightened actions of oceanic dharmapalas
Such as the Four-faced Lord and the Dorje Shugden,
May all beings live well and in happiness.
As you embody all Three Roots2,
For us all migratory beings here, in the future, and in bardho3,
In all happy and bad times we have none but you:
Hold us, without separation, with parental love.
When in future you enact the enlightened deeds,
As attaining Enlightenment as Buddha Rabsal among others,
May we and all other beings connected with us,
Be the first to taste the nectar of your vast and profound words.
May we, and all sentient beings, in all lifetimes,
Come into contact with the Second Buddha’s teachings,
May we all take on the going forth, and take
All sentient beings across the ocean of samsara.
Footnotes
[1] ‘Degenerate times’ that is characterized by “five dregs in terms of lifespan, times, delusions, views and sentient beings.” Source: Commentary on the Abhidharmakosh by Chim Namkha Drag, also known as ‘Chim Jampalyang’ (1210-1285); folio 181 (p. 371) ); Woodblock edition, 1893; No. of folios 430 (pp. 869)
[2] The spiritual mentor, the meditational deity, and the dakas and dakinis.
[3] The intermediate state between death and next rebirth.
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Reincarnation Lineage Prayer of Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsan
This praise to the reincarnation lineage of the supreme incarnation Dragpa Gyaltsan has been composed by the monk Losang Choekyi Gyaltsan (The 4th Panchen Lama) at the prayer hall of Tashi Lhunpo on account of fervent requests from Legpa Gyaltsan and many other attendants of the master.
May there be auspiciousness!
The one whose renown permeates the world;
The great being holding aloft the banner,
Of the Second Buddha, happiness and wellbeing’s source:
At that great master’s feet we pray.
At the feet of the World Teacher with the ten powers,
You invoked the power of truth with pure superior intent,
Causing flowers to fall like rains.
We pray at the feet of that great master.
The Guide of all migratory beings both man and god;
The treasury of all knowledge and attainments in dharma;
The great hero who strove for the supreme liberation:
We pray at the feet of Choekyi Jhangchub.
The one whose greatness, on account of pure prayer,
Was like that of a second Buddha;
And was supreme Guide to fortunate ones of India and Tibet:
We pray at the feet of that great being.
In the sky of the great bliss of Dharmakaya,
The radiant orb of the three bodies of the Buddha is full circle,
Radiating a million rays of enlightened activities: We pray at the feet
Of that opener of a million lotuses of benefit and wellbeing.
We pray at the feet of Master Buton, the unrivalled
Amongst all those who are scholars and realized ones,
In upholding and spreading the Buddha’s teaching,
By example in teaching and practice.
With an intellect superbly trained from the past,
Your mind joyously bloomed in all profound paths.
With single-minded effort you attained supreme realization.
We pray at the feet of that supreme and realized master.
From the vast lotus gardens of phuntsog* merit,
Myriad lotuses, with hundreds of petals, of learning and practice, bloom.
The fragrant scents of good name and deed dispel the ancient sicknesses
Of migrant beings: At the feet of that master we pray.
By the wish-granting jewel of merit and wisdom,
You became a crown jewel of both man and gods,
Its hundred rays of good deed dispelling the dark ignorance
Of all migrant beings: At your feet we pray.
The vast celestial mansion of virtuous accumulation of merits,
Overflows with jewels of the good path of the three trainings.
We pray at the feet, of its dweller─a guide of all beings─
Attired in the magnificence of enlightened deeds.
In holding aloft the victory banner
Of the sutra and tantra teachings of the Second Buddha:
In this you are unrivalled in all three worlds.
We pray at the feet of this noble tutor.
The source of renown and wellbeing and happiness,
Is the Buddha’s teachings. May the chief of all who uphold this banner
Live for long for the sake of innumerable beings to be tamed!
May his phuntsog* enlightened deeds spread to the ten directions!
By the merit of praising in this manner, may we never be
Separated from the protection of noble spiritual mentors!
Progressing swiftly in the supreme vehicle’s path,
May we swiftly attain the state of the three kayas!
Footnotes
From Panchen Losang Chogyan, Collected Works, Vol Ca (5), folio 34a-35a (p. 83-85), Tashi Lhunpo woodblock print, Tibet.
*phuntsog: a compound word in Tibetan (of phun sum tsog) meaning the ideal combination of the three i.e. a good cause, its result and enjoyment of that result.
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
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亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
“The 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche of Bhutan and Dorje Shugden” blog post which was published June 8, 2018 already has exactly at the moment 152,744 views!! Over 150k views!!! Amazing!! The views will keep growing as time elapses of course.
This indicates many Bhutanse and Buddhists around the world will now know that Dorje Shugden is connected to Bhutan and their Kagyu Lineage. Dorje Shugden was promoted by the highest lama of Bhutan namely the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche himself. So Dorje Shugden will help and protect anyone and is not sectarian as they accuse him to be. People in the Kagyu school of Buddhism also practised Dorje Shugden and Dorje Shugden assisted them lovingly. Dorje Shugden being an emanation of Manjushri will help anyone who calls upon him regardless of their background and religion.
Good job to our writers, researchers, editors, technical team, supporting team and Kechara people who promoted this blog post on social media. Now more will come to understand how pervasive Dorje Shugden is in all the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism although the Tibetan leadership in-exile tries to hide this truth. Thank you everyone for promoting Dorje Shugden to benefit many. We were all very harmonious before the unethical ban against Dorje Shugden practitioners. Since the inception of the ban in 1996, there has been no benefits and instead so much disharmony among Tibetan Buddhists around the world. Many hundreds have spoken up about this point where we want harmony back. There should never be a ban against any spiritual practice.
Tsem Rinpoche
Blog post- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=160863
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于2018年6月8日发表的《不丹国第四世夏仲仁波切与多杰雄登》的博文至今已经有 152,744次的浏览量！！也就是超过了15万次的浏览量！！这个数字肯定还会随着时间而增长。
这表示很多不丹人和全世界的佛教徒现在已经知道了多杰雄登和不丹以及他们的噶举派传承是有紧密联系的。多杰雄登是被不丹的最高级别的喇嘛夏仲仁波切本身所推崇的。这显示了多杰雄登是会帮助和保护任何人的，而祂不是像他人所指控那样的充满宗派主义。佛教的噶举派的修行者也修持多杰雄登，而多杰雄登也很怀爱地帮助他们。多杰雄登是文殊菩萨的化身，祂将无视任何宗教和背景地去帮助任何召唤祈请祂的人们。
我们的写作、搜集资料，编辑、技术、辅助等的人员们和推广这篇博文的克切拉人们，你们做得好！虽然流亡藏人领袖们尝试掩盖事实，但现在更多的人将了解到多杰雄登在所有藏传佛教的传承中是多么的普及了。感谢大家努力推广多杰雄登以造福大众。在这个不道德的多杰雄登禁令出现之前，我们都是很和谐融洽的。自从禁令在1996年开始之后，它为全世界的藏传佛教徒没有带来任何利益，而只有更多的不和谐。成千上万的人已经对该禁令发声，要求重建和谐。对于任何心灵修行，是从来就不该有任何禁令的。
詹杜固仁波切
博文网址: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/l/cn/dorje-shugden/the-4th-zhabdrung-rinpoche-of-bhutan-and-dorje-shugden-cn.html
His Eminence Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is in Lhasa visiting. He is visiting the 350-year-old Trode Khangsar chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden. He is paying homage to the powerful statue of Dorje Shugden housed in this sacred chapel. Both the chapel and statue of Dorje Shugden were commissioned by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama. The Great 5th Dalai Lama also composed a prayer to be recited daily to Dorje Shugden.
Dagom Rinpoche’s previous lives were great masters, scholars and practitioners of Dorje Shugden. Now this new incarnation of Dagom Rinpoche is offering gold on the face of Dorje Shugden in homage and worship to this very sacred statue of Dorje Shugden housed in Lhasa for the last 350 years. This is a very traditional Tibetan method of paying homage to holy images, which is by offering gold with prayers.
The Tibetan leadership wrongly says if you practise Dorje Shugden you will take rebirth into the three lower realms. Hundreds of lamas from the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa schools of Buddhism have practised Dorje Shugden and their incarnations returned. Many of the incarnations are recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. So this shows if you practise Dorje Shugden, only benefits come and no harm will come. The very fact Dagom Rinpoche’s incarnation is back, is clear evidence that Dorje Shugden’s practice is beneficial.
May Dagom Rinpoche’s current incarnation live a very long life.
Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Youtube High resolution video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THbGknXcLbo
Trode Khangsar – A 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa | https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148
_________________________
尊贵的扎贡仁波切的现任转世正在拜访拉萨。他拜访了供奉给多杰雄登的一座拥有350年历史的护法殿”布旦康萨”。他在向这座神圣护法殿里的强大多杰雄登像顶礼。该座护法殿和多杰雄登圣像是由第五世达赖喇嘛指示而造的。伟大的第五世达赖喇嘛也亲笔撰写了多杰雄登的每日祈愿文。
扎贡仁波切的前几世都是伟大的上师，学者兼多杰雄登的修持者。现在扎贡仁波切的现任转世在为这尊已经安奉在拉萨350年的非常神圣的多杰雄登圣像的脸上供养金漆，以示顶礼和膜拜。这种供养金并祈愿的做法是西藏为圣像顶礼的非常传统的做法。
流亡藏人领袖们说如果你修持多杰雄登你就将投生三恶道，那是错误的。佛教派系——萨迦派、噶举派、格鲁派的上百名喇嘛们都修持了多杰雄登，而且他们也都转世回来了，而且有很多转世还是达赖喇嘛亲自认证的。这明显显示了如果你修持多杰雄登，是百利无一弊的。扎贡仁波切转世回来了，就已经是很确凿的证据显示多杰雄登的修持是有利的。
愿今世的扎贡仁波切健康长寿。
詹杜固仁波切
blog.sina.com.cn/zhandugu
拉萨400年历史的多杰雄登护法殿—布旦康萨- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=92148
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1543074646.mp4
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.
A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.
Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?
Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.
What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.
So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?
Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.
And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
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OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES
rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so
BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.
In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room and main prayer hall. It is also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels and main tourist areas.
A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.
Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?
Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.
What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.
So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?
Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.
And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
—–
OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES
rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so
BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.
In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
Appliqué thangka of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, who is the previous incarnation of Dorje Shugden. The thangka dates possibly to the 19th Century, and it can be found in Erdene Zuu Monastery, considered by many to be the most important and oldest monastery in Mongolia. In the lower portion of the thangka are Yellow Dzambala, Six-Armed Mahakala and Kalarupa. Learn more about Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s life here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/who-is-tulku-drakpa-gyeltsen.html
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
Many come to Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, Malaysia to make offerings and prayers to the increase form of Dorje Shugden who appears like a prince and rides on a golden horse. Many report having their wishes fulfilled and return many times. Am happy to see this. Tsem Rinpoche
You can learn more about this form of Dorje Shugden here: https://bit.ly/2wxQyes
and
See video of this chapel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEK35F_O5Hg
In the emerald forest there lies magical beings and powerful entities of old. There are beautiful gentle creatures of the forest such as deers, rabbits, owls and so on. Faeries, little people, elves, dwarves, trolls and other magnificent worldly and other-worldly beings of mystical origins who nurture and look over the natural world call this place their home. These supernatural beings, who remain hidden to ordinary view and are rarely seen together, have gathered to herald the arrival of the World Peace Guardian Dorje Shugden within the ethereal realm. Paying homage to the divine king they welcome him, the supreme being whose body shines with the light of magnificence and abides in benevolent wisdom. He who has come from the pinnacle of the celestial dimensions, he has the dominion over men and gods. All beings in this and other worlds have gathered to pay homage and to receive blessings, abundance and counsel.
Shugden the divine king, at last has drawn near,
He offers a new life so clear,
With a silent prayer he offers the golden stair,
Sing praises, does the emerald forest all cheer.
Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha
To see other beautiful portrayals of Dorje Shugden, click here: https://bit.ly/2Nt3FHz
COMPASSION at its best: His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained in Ladakh, 31 July 2018:
“Usually at the beginning of an empowerment there is a ritual to drive away interferences. But I no longer feel it’s consistent to regard some beings as evil forces. At the start of each day I cultivate altruism, but in the evening we say, ‘May the evil forces be driven away.’ There seems to be a contradiction here that I’m no longer keen to comply with. I’m not highly realized, but I have great confidence in the power of Bodhichitta.”
Source: https://bit.ly/2wVsqSb
———————————————-
This latest statement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is excellent. I fully believe in his compassion and I hope he will fully implement it.
All negative beings take rebirth with negative minds due to deep attachments. The attachments result in negative states of rebirth and angry minds that carry out harmful actions, like spirits or hungry ghosts who can be very bothersome because they are very angry as they died in the state of attachment in their former rebirths.
Indeed we need to generate compassion towards these beings, especially the formless type, as it would be the best remedy to stop their harm. We can recite mantras with love and bless them with it. While reciting prayers, we can meditate on them being at peace. When we generate compassion towards these harmful interferences of the formless type, many of them will calm down and stop their harm and even go away. Some of them, you can talk to them and subdue their harm and they will stop harming completely if they feel your love. That is how you can help them.
Many high masters of India and Tibet generated great compassion towards certain ghosts, spirits or interferers and subdued them in this manner and even made them into protectors of regions. I’ve witnessed this with one of my lamas where he subdued a female spirit that crossed over the Himalayas. After making the spirit promise it will not harm others, my lama gave the spirit a drink to seal the promise.
Since the Dalai Lama has manifested saying Dorje Shugden is negative (although many high lamas disagree), then he can apply this method to Dorje Shugden. He can ‘subdue’ Dorje Shugden by generating tremendous love, prayers and talking nice to Dorje Shugden who will be ‘subdued’. Then people are henceforth ‘free’ to practice Dorje Shugden without more discrimination, segregation and being called degrading names for practicing this protector.
Give peace a chance. His Holiness the Dalai Lama can generate great love towards Dorje Shugden and all the hundreds of thousands of Dorje Shugden practitioners that love the Dalai Lama and miss him like I do. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama bring peace and heal the rift with Dorje Shugden practitioners.
May His Holiness live very long and always be healthy,
Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com
Reading- https://bit.ly/2wWQGUh
This smallish chapel, contains things very significant to the Gelug tradition, the handmade statue of Dorje Shugden by the Great 5th Dalai Lama. If Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen did indeed manifest as as a spirit then, there would have been no reason for the Great 5th Dalai Lama to enthrone Dorje Shugden in a chapel, wrote a praise to Dorje Shugden and make his statue.
Also this line of incarnation of Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen no one challenged it, except for when the ban on Dorje Shugden came into effect, this is also a significant point. Hence a line of incarnation of realized and enlightened lamas, cannot manifest a spirit.
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 asssistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
Dear Kecharians and friends,
Last night, I gave a teaching to a group of people who were in Kechara Forest Retreat. I shared with them the correct way to pray for our loved ones and why we shouldn’t “demand” Dorje Shugden with fulfilling our wishes but let Dorje Shugden decide what is the best outcome. He has infinite Manjushri wisdom beyond our own and we should trust this wisdom. Sometimes what we pray for is not what should be fulfilled. Sometimes what we don’t want turns out to be the better result in the future.
I also shared with them about a beautiful monk, Tsawa Pulthok Rinpoche, who was jailed and badly tortured by the soldiers for 19 years, starting back in 1959 in Lhasa, and yet he has no anger towards his torturers. He was released and had resettled in Nepal where I met him. For the remainder of his life, he spent his time in meditation, retreats and pujas for the public until he passed. He was glowing, happy and very proud of the fact he was a student of His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, which he told me when we met. He did full meditations on Vajra Yogini and short puja to Dorje Shugden daily in his small room in Kathmandu, Nepal where I had to honor to join in his prayers. He told me he was very happy to have his room to do his meditations, pujas and prayers openly. Whatever happened to him, he accepted as part of his karma and he spent much time in prison meditating and quietly teaching dharma to his other cellmates. He was very much respected in prison in Lhasa because he never showed anger, always meditated and consoled others, giving them great strength. He endured much hardship, torture and beatings but he never lost his monk vows. His full understanding of karma helped him not feel any anger or bitterness towards the soldiers. He told me that daily, he would meditate that the karma of others in prison would come to him. That all the torture and abuse he received was so others in prison did not have to suffer this. He said suffering for others was what kept him going and made him be able to endure the pain.
We are not bound by our experiences. We are bound by our choice. I also reminded those were present about the good person inside each and every one of us, and how we should not “bury” this good person with our excuses because the more excuses we give, the deeper this good person is buried and soon the layers of excuses will make it very difficult for us to find this good person. We are all beautiful good people and we should not let it get lost by lying, laziness, lack of integrity and procrastination. We all have a choice. If we have to make excuses, we should choose to make excuses to be a winner. When we win, we make ourselves happy and those around us happy.
The teaching session went well and it was spontaneous, and I requested the people who live and work in and around Kechara Forest Retreat for the talk. We had some good laughs to during the talk.
Thank you,
Tsem Rinpoche
‘If we trust in karma which exists, then there is no reason for anger’.
~ Tsawa Pulthok Rinpoche
“If the Dalai Lama, if His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by Dorje Shugden, then we might as well not practice Buddhism anymore. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama can have his life shortened by a so-called evil spirit, any evil spirit, then can he be Avalokiteshvara? So on one hand you say, we say, I say, everybody says, he is Avalokiteshvara; on the other hand you’re saying that he can be harmed by an evil spirit… Which one is it? Can he be harmed by an evil spirit or is he Avalokiteshvara? Do you think Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara all take refuge in something else to protect themselves from Dorje Shugden? How illogical is that? How illogical of people to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama can be harmed by an evil spirit, any evil spirit or “Dorje Shugden” evil spirit. How is that possible?” – Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Photo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, young Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s tutor Kensur Rinpoche Jampa Yeshe
This elderly & innocent monk in India was brutally attacked, find out why. Shocking – https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=163953
DON’T MISS THIS! FANTASTIC NEW GREAT STUFF! High quality videos redressing the misinformation about Dorje Shugden practice and people and the current sad Tibetan situation and why they are losing ground in the world. Powerful and truthful – CLEAR VIDEOS – https://bit.ly/2LJbo35
Nice short video of a new LED signage reminding us of who we can go to for blessings in case of need: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwrkaKUoH0
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Listening to the chanting of sacred words, melodies, mantras, sutras and prayers has a very powerful healing effect on our outer and inner environments. It clears the chakras, spiritual toxins, the paths where our ‘chi’ travels within our bodies for health as well as for clearing the mind. It is soothing and relaxing but at the same time invigorates us with positive energy. The sacred sounds invite positive beings to inhabit our environment, expels negative beings and brings the sound of growth to the land, animals, water and plants. Sacred chants bless all living beings on our land as well as inanimate objects. Do download and play while in traffic to relax, when you are about to sleep, during meditation, during stress or just anytime. Great to play for animals and children. Share with friends the blessing of a full Dorje Shugden puja performed at Kechara Forest Retreat by our puja department for the benefit of others. Tsem Rinpoche
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbzgskLKxT8&t=5821s
Amazing post!!!!!
Dear friends, For months we have been working on this BEAUTIFUL
and meaningful mural in Kathmandu, Nepal. Please click here to
enjoy the many stunning pictures of this mural:
https://bit.ly/2LgOj8J
Tsem Rinpoche
A few years ago I went to Tibet to visit and I read about Trode Khangsar. Since it was a chapel built by the 5th Dalai Lama himself for Dorje Shugden, it must be very sacred. I was very excited when I arrived in Lhasa, I wanted to go to the chapel immediately.
At that time, I had a tour guide, I told the tour guide about the chapel and asked him to bring me there. He was hesitant. But he led me to look for the chapel anyway. Somehow he was taking me round and round the Barkhor area. I was wondering how come he didn’t know his way? Then I decided to ask the locals. When I said Trode Khangsar, they looked shocked and didn’t even look at me, they just asked me to go away. In the end, I found my own way to the chapel.
Later I found out because of the Dorje Shugden ban, many people in Tibet choose to listen to Dalai Lama and gave up the practice. Those who gave up discriminate Dorje Shugden practitioners, they don’t talk to them, they don’t want to have anything to do with them. The locals in Lhasa told me Dorje Shugden is bad because Dalai Lama says so. They refused to listen to my logical explanations. They just kept saying Dalai Lama says Dorje Shugden is a demon, so we don’t practice.
Tibetans always claim they are Buddhists but they are not open to listening to others, their action is totally not Buddhist at all. They way they despise and isolate Dorje Shugden practitioners is totally not compassionate. National Geography, Discovery Channel, documentaries have painted Tibetans as spiritual, simple and cheerful, but my experience with the Tibetans in Tibet says otherwise.
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
How can a nun curse someone they do not even know and wish the person to die quickly and be born in hell? What kind of nun is this? Shocking! What more she’s cursing a Buddhist teacher and a monk?! Is this the face of Bhutanese Buddhist?
This is so shameful for her as a nun, her teacher, her monastery, her country and her King. A sangha should not behave in such a manner. A Sangha should carry enlightened Buddha’s teachings of compassion and wisdom to benefit all sentient beings.
A Sangha is not supposed to promote hatred and certainly should not be cursing or wishing another person to die. That wish itself is already breaking one of the vows.
A Sangha is one of the 3 Jewels, an object of refuge. They should not behave like an uncivilized person with so much hate. This is how bad the Tibetan Leadership has spread their lies and hate about Dorje Shugden and Shugden Buddhist practitioners.
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa was built in the 17th Century by the 5th Dalai Lama and dedicated to Dorje Shugden as a testament to the fact that he is an Enlightened Protector, who could not be destroyed by powerful fire pujas.
Dorje Shugden’s importance to this current degenerate age cannot be overemphasised. He arose to protect the Buddhist teachings in general and Nagarjuna’s Madhyamika (Middle Way) Philosophy (the Correct View of Emptiness) as taught by Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Trode Khangsar, as testament to the official establishment of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden’s practice in Tibet, is further supported by the fact that he was officially recognised as a powerful Dharma Protector, not only for the Gelug lineage but for the entire Buddhadharma, by the placing of the Chinese Emperor’s offering of a pandit’s hat over Trode Khangsar’s entrance in a ceremony witnessed by the 11th Dalai Lama, the Qing Ambun ( a representative of the Emperor) and Reting Rinpoche.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette for this article that rekindles in us the awareness of the powerful significance of Trode Khangsar Chapel.
Dorje Shugden previous incarnation is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, who was a great master, erudite scholar, logician, teacher and yogi. The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close dharmic relationship. They often received teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was so popular that time. The people who served the 5th Dalai Lama was overwhelmed with jealousy and had him murdered.
Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen aroused as Dorje Shugden, an uncommon Dharma protector, who protecting the Nagarjuna’s Madhyamika Philosophy taught by Lama Tsongkhapa. The 5th Dalai Lama finally realized that Dorje Shugden is not a spirit but an enlightened Dharma protector. He composed a praise to Dorje Shugden and created a statue with his own hand to honour him as Dharma protector.
The 5th Dalai Lama built Trode Khangsar, a Dorje Shugden chapel in Lhasa at the end of 17th century. This is the exact place where Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s body was cremated. Inside the chapel, there are murals of auspicious symbols and Dorje Shugden’s previous lives. There are paintings indicating how the previous incarnation of Dorje Shugden had made his promise with Nechung to become a dharma protector.
The Trode Khangsar has been stood up for 400 years. Thanks to the Chinese government, this chapel is under the care of national level. This chapel maybe a tourist attractions to many, but it is an important chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where many worshipers and pilgrims pay their homage to Dorje Shugden. Most important, the sacred paintings and statues which are well preserved, are testament that The 5th Dalai Lama recognized Dorje Shugden as an enlightened dharma protector, the emanation of Manjushri.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
This is a powerful picture of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, Kensur Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and the current incarnation of Trijang Rinpoche meeting together in the year 2000 when Trijang Rinpoche was 18. All three lamas are Dorje Shugden practitioners. In fact Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen was the one that first encouraged my practice of Dorje Shugden when I was 16 years old when I joined his beautiful Thubten Dhargye Ling centre in Los Angeles. I lived with Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen for 8 years before proceeding to Gaden Monastery in South India. Later Kyabje Zong Rinpoche came to our Los Angeles centre and granted sogtae (permission ceremony) to practice Dorje Shugden for life as requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen had tremendous faith in Trijang Rinpoche. Kyabje Lati Rinpoche was innovative, dedicated and very much focused on bringing dharma to many. He had tremendous faith in Dorje Shugden as I had the honour to meet him many times. He would seek advice from Dorje Shugden many times via the oracle of Gaden Monastery. Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen and Kensur Kyabje Lati Rinpoche have since passed away while the current Trijang Rinpoche is a perfect lineage holder and practitioner of Dharma while he keeps Dorje Shugden as his personal protector as he has done so for many lifetimes. This is a powerful and beautiful picture of three great lamas of Buddha’s lineage and also of Gaden Monastery.
~Tsem Rinpoche
Dear Pastor Antoinette,
Thank you for sharing in details the inside of this chapel and through this article i am able to view many rare and precious photos about Dorje Shugden. This chapel is now listed under the Chinese Government as one of the protection spot.
It is from this article i come to knew that The Qing Emperor Daoguang have recognised Dorje Shugden as a great Dharma protector for the whole of Buddhism not just Gelugpas’ protector.
Thank you for sharing.
Best regards
Freon
The Dorje Shugden ban is now 20years old. During this period, Dorje Shugden has been maligned and demonized by a series of smear campaigns designed to destroy the practice and wipe it from the registry of Tibetan Buddhism. But sooner or later whatever is baseless will begin to collapse and increasingly we see signs of that. This comment by ‘Suzy in Hawaii’ is yet another indication that despite all efforts, the anti-Shugden offensive has failed. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-4lIwxph4&t=11s
Thank you Pastor Antoinette for this article. Trode Khangsar Chapel is a significant building as it was attributed to Dorje Shugden by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama, as the proof that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened protector. It was also a way His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama wanted to show the world that his earlier view of Dorje Shugden being an evil spirit had been mistaken. The paintings on the wall of Trade Khangsar Chapel was also a testimony of Dorje Shugden being an authentic practice for the painting depicts clearly the glorious previous incarnations of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who became the world peace protector Dorje Shugden.
Ever since the enthronement of Dorje Shugden in Trode Khangsar Chapel, it had borne witness to recognitions by the Qing Emperor and His Holiness the 11th Dalai Lama. Trode Khangsar itself is registered as a national heritage memorial, putting it under the care of the Chinese government at a national level. And as recently as 2008, the chapel was being renovated by the Chinese Government, which means that Trade Khangsar will continue in many years to come, as the testimony of the strong faith bore by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama towards Dorje Shugden.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette for this beautiful and details article.So,so the chapel of Dorje Shugden is 400 year old in Lhasa and still exist. Trode Khangsar itself is registered as a national heritage memorial,.Its true enough that Dorje Shugdens have been around for hundreds of years even before the ban.
Beautiful murals and beautiful statutes of Dorje Shugden ..shared
May more and more people get to know about this beautiful chapel and why it was built.
May those who visited the chapel have the blessing and protection.
Thanks again….beautiful post i do enjoyed reading it.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette for the article and beautiful, sacred and blessed images of various Buddhas and Dorje Shugden.I’m really quite surprised and happy to know that the original chapel of Dorje Shugden still exists and it is being properly taken care of.It’s really blessed to see the murals of so many buddhas still in good condition and it’s like going on a virtual pilgrim. Hope I have the merits to visit this Dorje Shugden Chapel and more people visit to get connected with Dorje Shugden in the near future. _/\_
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, TibetOver 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Read more: Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
__________________________________
The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje ShugdenHUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan prayer from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
The reproduction thangka of Dorje Shugden previous lives was gently commissioned by Lama Gangchen Rinpoche in Italy.
Thank you Paolorossi4444 for sharing this rejoicing information about Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche. May Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche live long and continue to bring great benefit to the teachings and beings.
This is a definitive proof of Dorje Shugden as an Enlightened Protector. After all, why since the 5th Dalai Lama’s time that all the subsequent Dalai Lamas and even while the 14th and current Dalai Lama; before He fled to India in 1959; allowed this Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa?
It is there in its glory for all to see.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette and Thank You Rinpoche!
Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa, Tibet
Over 400 years ago a great and learned lama Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was famed in Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and China for being very saintly and compassionate. He resided in his residence (Zimkhang Gongma Ladrang) in Drepung Monastery. His root guru was H.H. the Omniscient 4th Panchen Lama and his close dharma brother was the 5th Dalai Lama.
The 5th Dalai Lama and Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen had a very close and dharmic relationship and often went to receive teachings together from the 4th Panchen Lama. They were close in age. They both became very learned and well known. During this time, the Dalai Lama was enthroned as a Dharma King of Tibet. But more people went to see Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen for teachings, initiations and divinations. This made the attendants of the 5th Dalai Lama feel threatened that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s fame might usurp the power of the 5th Dalai Lama. So they had a khata forced down his throat. At that moment, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen dissolved his psychic winds and generated the wish to be a great guardian of Buddha and Tsongkapa’s teachings. As his consciousness dissolved, he entered ‘bardo’ as a dharma protector of the highest order (jikten depey sungma). Many signs were seen throughout Lhasa at this time and the earth was said to have shaken in Lhasa. This event was already predicted to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s previous incarnation when he was one of the 8 main disciples of Lord Tsongkapa the Supreme Master and he served Tsongkapa directly by building Gaden Monastery.
When the 5th Dalai Lama heard what his scheming and power-hungry attendants had done, he was very distressed. He was very sorry Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was murdered and dishonored as he was a great dharma master. The 5th Dalai Lama composed an apology to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen. In Lhasa, tens of thousands gathered for the cremation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s holy body. During the cremation, the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read out at which flames spontaneously arose from the body of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen commencing the cremation. From the body, during cremation, a powerful whirlwind of smoke tunneled into the sky for all to see as this was an indication Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen’s consciousness has arisen as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. The Dharma Protector Setrap immediately recognized this new protector Dorje Shugden and ‘enthroned’ him as a powerful Dharma Protector in the realm of the Buddhas. From this, Setrap and Dorje Shugden are closely connected and very close working hand in hand always. After the cremation, the great 5th Dalai Lama built a Dorje Shugden chapel on the spot the cremation took place and named it Trode Khangsar. The 5th Dalai Lama commissioned the statue of Dorje Shugden in this chapel and had monks installed in the chapel to do continuous propitiations to Dorje Shugden. Trode Khangsar Chapel was a commemoration to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who was wronged and also a celebration of his consciousness arising as the World Peace Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
This Trode Khangsar Chapel still exists now in Lhasa where many make pilgrimages there. It is in good condition and was recently renovated. It is over 400 years old and a testimony to the respect the Great 5th Dalai Lama had to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen who arose as Dorje Shugden.
I have visited this holy chapel in Lhasa years back. I’ve never heard of it till I was in Lhasa and by chance, I was told about it which I was happy to visit. I could not find the place but strangely a bunch of pilgrims from Amdo told me they would show me how to get there in Lhasa.
This short video is a short clip of this holy Trode Khangsar Chapel in Lhasa today commemorating Dorje Shugden, built by the great 5th Dalai Lama. The great 5th Dalai Lama even composed a prayer to Dorje Shugden which is still available today and we can recite to invoke the blessings, protection, and assistance of World Peace Protector Dorje Shugden.
Tsem Rinpoche
Trode Khangsar – A 400-year-old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/trode-khangsar-%E2%80%93-a-400-year-old-dorje-shugden-chapel-in-lhasa.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTybDwTeLAM
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The 5th Dalai Lama’s Prayer to Dorje Shugden
HUM
Though unmoving from the sphere of primordial spontaneity,
With wrathful turbulent power, swifter than lightning,
Endowed with heroic courage to judge good and bad,
I invite you with faith, please come to this place!
Robes of a monk, crown adorned with rhinoceros leather hat,
Right hand holds ornate club, left holds a human heart,
Riding various mounts such as nagas and garudas,
Who subdues the mamos of the charnel grounds, praise to you!
Samaya substances, offerings and torma, outer, inner and secret,
Favourite visual offerings and various objects are arranged.
Although, previously, my wishes were a bit dense,
Do not stop your powerful apparitions, I reveal and confess!
Now respectfully praising with body, speech, and mind,
For us, the masters, disciples, benefactors and entourages,
Provide the good and avert the bad!
Bring increase like the waxing moon in spiritual and temporal realms!
Moreover, swiftly accomplishing all wishes,
According to our prayers, bestow the supreme effortlessly!
And like the jewel that bestows all wishes,
Always protect us with the Three Jewels!
From: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/the-5th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden
Tibetan from: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/dorje-shugden/the-14th-dalai-lamas-prayer-to-dorje-shugden.html
I think one can’t help but feel frustrations when confronted with anti Dorje Shugden people who just will not look at the evidence that is clearly in front of them and that is Dorje Shugden was recognised by the 5th Dalai Lama than supramundane and not mundane at all. But here is a clear example of the qualities of Dorje Shudgen which is why the 5th Dalai Lama established this chapel.
What I understand from this post is that Trode Khangsar has been around for a long time before the Dorje Shugden ban, which is a comparatively recent development. It was built on the site upon which Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was cremated. So what this post tells me is that:
1) Dorje Shugden was practised for centuries without any problems, before the ban came along
2) Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was an actual historical figure and for a chapel to be built on the site of his cremation, in central Lhasa itself tells you he and his passing was important enough to be commemorated
3) for a mural to be painted commemorating and recording his previous lives means he was a practitioner of great repute and worthy of taking refuge in. Since he is of this level of attainments, how is it possible that such a being would take rebirth as a spirit? What hope does it leave for the rest of us if someone of his level of attainments ended up as a spirit?
4) the Dalai Lama says that when he instituted the Dorje Shugden ban, he was merely continuing the actions of the 5th Dalai Lama and 13th Dalai Lama. Well, if Dorje Shugden practice is SO bad, how come the 13th Dalai Lama didn’t order Trode Khangsar to be demolished? It’s not as though Trode Khangsar was built during his time; it already existed during his time. So why did the 13th Dalai Lama allow the practice to be perpetuated in central Lhasa during his entire reign, instead of destroying a chapel DEDICATED to Dorje Shugden so no one would remember and rely on him?
The fact is that Trode Khangsar has been a chapel to Dorje Shugden for 400 years, and continues to be one because there is nothing wrong with the practice. Hence Trode Khangsar’s very existence proves that the ban is totally baseless and all of the reasons given to uphold it are illogical.
Materials from the 5th Dalai Lama’s early reservations about Dorje Shugden have been bandied around by those in support of the Dalai Lama’s ban as vague justification for such ban. Yet, it would be wrong to still use those justifications since the 5th Dalai Lama eventually acknowledged Dorje Shugden as a powerful Dharma Protector. This is evident not only from the 5th Dalai Lama’s composition of a prayer to Dorje Shugden (which incidentally was the first prayer ever dedicated to Dorje Shugden) but also in the existence of the resplendent Trode Kangsar which was commissioned by the 5th Dalai Lama for Dorje Shugden. What is amazing (not to mention really fortunate) is that such significant historical information relating to Dorje Shugden has survived (after 400 years) to date and is even now preserved as a national heritage monument.
The first thing that came to my mind after reading this article was the fact that this Dorge Shugden chapel is 400 years old! I mean wow that is really old and its hard to believe. The only thing that we can take out of that is how Dorje Shugdens teachings have been around for hundreds of years. The fact that a Dorje Shugden chapel even existed so long ago means that Dorje Shugden had a presence even then. It may not have been as big a presence as it does today, but that just shows how far Dorje Shugden has grown and how his teachings have spread all over the world. Thank you for all the extra information Rinpoche. I wish that Dorje Shugdens teachings remain on the earth for many many many more years to come.
自第五世达赖尊者以来至今，到底多杰雄登是魔还是佛的课题一直引起许多争议。
本人想说的是：
如果说多杰雄登是魔或是邪灵，那么当时的敏珠林喇嘛在进行火供仪式时就不会面对种种的困难而到最后还是不能够直接的消灭多杰雄登。
如果说多杰雄登是魔或是邪灵，那么第五世达赖尊者当时为什么要赞颂多杰雄登而且还要亲手制造多杰雄登像和承认他作为护法。
如果说多杰雄登是魔或是邪灵，为什么祚爹康萨(Trode Khangsar)里供奉的多杰雄登还可以维持至今，而且被注册为国家遗产。
以上种种的因素和眼前的一切是值得让我们深虑这背后的实情。
感谢仁波切和Pastor Antoinette 分享此珍贵的资料。此博文可以让更多人了解这历史悠久的祚爹康萨，也可考虑为旅游西藏必到的其中一个地方。
谢谢Pastor Antoinnete Kass 的分享关于400年多杰雄登护法位于拉萨的Trode Khangsar的寺庙的历史与讲解。
这是非常难得的和珍贵的，因为直到现在为止，多杰雄登护法Trode Khangsar一直还继续供大众作供养,朝圣和法会一直进行着。
自从约20年前的禁令开始，很多有关于多杰雄登护法的佛像，修持都不获得公开而且还被歧视，令众多的在家人和出家人还在受苦着。尊贵的第五世达赖尊者建造Trode Khangsar的目的，以上都说的很清楚，第五世达赖喇嘛当时还亲自撰写了赞叹文，亲手制造了多杰雄登佛像和在Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen 火化的地方建造起来的，以赞叹Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsan 呈现成为多杰雄登护法。
但二十年前的禁令，让太多众多的在家人与出家人不公平的对待，歧视，欺负，隔离等等受苦着，
祈愿尊贵的达赖尊者，观音菩萨化身的您，把禁令解除，让在家人和出家人都可以一起生活，修行，互相帮助，爱戴，世界和平！
在此，再次感恩仁波切与Pastor Antoinette Kass 让我了解Trode Khangsar的历史，佛像地点的位置，多杰雄登在清朝时代的存在。
感恩合十
YEO KWAI GIN
Thank you very much Yeo Kwai Gin!
I am actually quite surprised and happy to know that the original chapel of Dorje Shugden still exists and it is being properly taken care of. This is my first time looking at the original drawings in the Trode Khangsar. The drawings may have been there for at least 400years, but it is even more amazing to witness and to know that the drawings are not harmed as well. At least the chapel can still be there to bless the tourists or whoever goes and visit it.
Though it is sad that many of personal items and writings has been confiscated. Well, I can only say that it is because of our karma that’s why it is being confiscated. If the Tibetan Government has not ban the Dorje Shugden’s lineage, I wonder how many people would have been blessed. Oh Ps: I really like the special form of Dorje Shugden in one of the pictures.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing.
Dear Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette,
Thank you for the article and beautiful, sacred and blessed images of various Buddhas and Dorje Shugden.
The different depiction of Dorje Shugden holding a cudgel and seated on throne is very beautiful.
It was indeed thankful that the Trode Khangsar temple is preserved and allowed for pilgrims and tourists to visit.
I must definitely go visit when I have the chance.
Thank you.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette for producing and sharing the article with many beautiful pictures from Trode Khangsar chapel. There are so much effort of preserving the 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel by Chinese government supporting the fact of Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Dharma Protector that is well acknowledged and recognized not by many high lamas but the Chinese government as well back from Qing dynasty until today. The wall paintings that depicting the previous extensive reincarnations of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen has opened up my mind with deeper faith that we are truly fortunate to receive teachings, advice and guidance of Dorja Shugden practice from our kind Guru. May the ban of Dorje Shugden practice will be lifted as soon as possible to end the sufferings and pain endured by many Shugden’s practitioners. May all Tibetan Buddhists united as one to spread the Buddhadharma to the 10 directions.
With folded hands,
kin hoe
Resend due to incorrect statement.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette for producing and sharing the article with many beautiful pictures from Trode Khangsar chapel. There are so much effort of preserving the 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel by Chinese government supporting the fact of Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Dharma Protector that is well acknowledged and recognized not only by many high lamas but the Chinese government as well back from Qing dynasty until today. The wall paintings that depicting the previous extensive reincarnations of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen has opened up my mind with deeper faith that we are truly fortunate to receive teachings, advice and guidance of Dorja Shugden practice from our kind Guru. May the ban of Dorje Shugden practice will be lifted as soon as possible to end the sufferings and pain endured by many Shugden’s practitioners. May all Tibetan Buddhists united as one to spread the Buddhadharma to the 10 directions.
With folded hands,
kin hoe
Thank you Kin Hoe for your comment!
Indeed it is wonderful that Trode Khangsar is protected and renovated by the Chinese Government.
May the ban on Dorje Shugden come down swiftly
The Trode Khangsar is a beautiful chapel and has great historical and cultural importance. I’m glad it was not destroyed during the cultural revolution and is now preserved as a national heritage monument. What struck me in this article is the information on the glorious lineage of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen which consists of famous Buddhist masters and scholars like Thonmi Sambhota, the Mahasiddha Birwapa and Panchen Sonam Drakpa. The statues and paintings are also of great historical and religious value and should be preserved for posterity.
Yes Sarah,
The Chapel is of great value in a religious way as well as historical and cultural!
Dorje Shugden has been venerated as a holy Dharma Protector for about 400 years. The statues and paintings show his famous lineage from Manjushri, Buddha of Wisdom to Dulzin Drakpa Gyeltsen, one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s eight closest disciples and to Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette to share this article about Trode Khangsar. This ancient chapel holds the history of Dorje Shugden and a holy place for pilgrimage and to get blessings from Dorje Shugden.
However, due to the Dorje Shugden ban, I am worried that this sacred chapel might be in risk of getting targeted by non-believers. It would be extremely unfortunate if the non-belivers decided to do something stupid like what they did to the Dorje Shugden statue in a monastery in Minali town in india.
One of the strong proof of Dorje Shugden is a buddha and not an evil spirit. The fire pujas ( which are considered the king of pujas ) they did to destroy Dorje Shugden are uneffective. Only Buddha cannot be harmed by such rituals.
I pray that the Dorje Shugden ban will be lifted ASAP.
Humbly,
Chris
Dear Chris,
Indeed it is great news that the chapel dedicated to Dorje Shugden and placed on such a holy ground is protected by the Chinese Government.
May the ban on Dorje Shugden come down swiftly so that he can benefit countless beings all over the world.
Thank you for your comment!
Its such a blessing for Rinpoche to share with us the information and pictures on this Holy 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa. This chapel was built by the 5th Dalai Lama as an apology and praise to Lord Dorje Shugden, recognising him as an enlightened Protector, worthy of being propitiated. It is so interesting to learn of all the holy and illustrious incarnations of Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen.
This Chapel has gone through the cultural revolution and still remain beautiful preserved. Certainly a testimonial to the wonderful protective nature of Lord Dorje Shugden and his practises to be beneficial. The Chinese Government practises freedom of spiritualism by protecting and restoring the Chapel as well as promoting it as a place to visit.
May His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama swiftly manifests his true compassionate nature and to recognise the true nature of Lord Dorje Shugden, as his predecessor the 5th Dalai Lama had. May the ban be swiftly lifted to reunite the practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. _()_
Dear Sofi,
Indeed, it is very fortunate to have this holy chapel, built by H.H. the 5th Dalai Lama himself, protected as a national heritage memorial.
Thank you for your comment.
May the ban on Dorje Shugden be removed swiftly,
Pastor Antoinette