Dorje Shugden teachers
Great Buddhist Masters who practiced Dorje Shugden
Trinley Kelsang's excellent work 'Among Shugden Texts' presents a detailed lineage of great masters who relied upon Dorje Shugden from the time when Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen manifested in this holy form until the beginning of the twentieth century.
These included the great Kagyu and Sakya Masters such as Drubwang Dre'u Lhas (a reincarnation of the legendary Drukpa Kunley), Morchen Kunga Lhundrup and Sachen Kunga Lodro (the 32nd holder of the Sakya throne), through to great 18th century masters of Drepung and Sera - such as Drepung Gomang’s Fifth 'On Gyalse Rinpoche, Sera Je's Dragri Gyatso Thaye and Trichen Tenpa Rabgye (who regarded Dorje Shugden as one nature with Vajrapani the Buddha of spiritual power). Among the greatest Gelugpa Masters of the 19th Century was Serkong Dorje Chang of Ganden Shartse who composed an extensive ritual to Dorje Shugden that is widely used today.
During the Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s time, Je Phabongkhapa was the most famous and influential Lama who engaged practically in spreading the doctrine of Je Tsongkhapa throughout Tibet. He was greatly influential in reviving the Gelug Tradition at this time, emphasising the practical application of Buddha’s teachings instead of just scholastic knowledge, and he was the lama most involved in promoting the practice of Dorje Shugden.
Phabongkha Rinpoche's heart disciple was Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and, directly or indirectly, all present day Gelugpa Masters are disciples of these two great teachers. All the great Gelugpa teachers who brought the nectar of Je Tsongkhapa precious teachings to the west - such as Song Rinpoche, Zemey Rinpoche, Geshe Rabten, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Lama Yeshe - were Trijang Rinpoche's disciples and sincere practitioners of Dorje Shugden.
DorjeShugden.com has a beautiful and inspiring page dedicated to the great masters of recent years who have relied upon Dorje Shugden.
Since Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen took the form of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden to protect the special qualities of Je Tsongkhapa's tradition there has been an unbroken reliance upon him as an enlightened protector. The lineage continues to the present day and has flourished throughout the world.
