Who is Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is an aspect of the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri. An enlightened beings’ mind of wisdom appears as Buddha Manjushri, and Buddha Manjushri appears as Dorje Shugden to perform the function of a Dharma Protector. There are many different Dharma Protectors who have appeared at different times according to the karma of beings. Dorje Shugden appeared as a Dharma Protector in the 1600's. His specific purpose is to protect the precious teachings of Je Tsongkhapa. He bestows powerful blessings upon faithful practioners, and helps to arrange perfect conditions for their practice. He assists the flourishing of the teachings and practices of Je Tsongkhapa in particular and of Buddha in general. There are five main aspects of Dorje Shugden, relating to the five pure aggregates of an enlightend being. See below for more details. The principal deity who people generally refer to as Dorje Shugden is Duldzin Dorje Shugden. Duldzin means Vinaya holder. Duldzin is appearing as a fully ordained monk showing us that it is crucial for practitioners to keep pure moral discipline in order to make progress towards enlightenment. The five main deities assist in many ways, one way is by bestowing attainments. Vairochana Shugden bestows pacifying attainments, Ratna Shugden bestows increasing attainments, Pema Shugden bestows controlling attainments, Karma Shugden bestows wrathful attainments and Duldzin Dorje Shugden bestows the supreme attainment of enlightenment. The mantra to call Dorje Shugden and request these attainments is: OM VAJRA WIKI WITRANA SOHA.
For some great infomation about the development of Dorje Shugden practice over the centuries, see Trinley Kalsangs Dorje Shugden History site.

The Five Lineages of Dorje Shugden

From the Dorje Shugden Kangso available from Tharpa Publications

Duldzin Dorje Shugden

You said ' I will protect as a wealth of merit for all beings the sublime, stainless essence of the sugatas' teachings'. O Hero Manjushri and Yamantaka in a fearsome disguise, With the strength of a million Dharma Protectors; to you we offer praise.With a captivating, ruby smile of affection and compassion, You are graceful whether wrathful, affectionate, peaceful, or smiling. The moment we remember the unseen secrets of your body, You grant all needs and wishes; to you we offer praise. You hold a wisdom sword that cuts asunder the foe of samsara, and a heart of great bliss that overcomes the extreme of peace. You display skilful means beyond the extremes of samsara and peace, O Glory of countless living beings, to you we offer praise. The system of Nagarjuna is the supreme view free from extremes, and the supreme behaviour of the Vinaya is Buddha's code of conduct; to show living beings that they should practise these, you wear a domed hat and saffron robes; to you we offer praise. With various mounts of indefinite form, such as powerful lions, mighty garudas, and dragons, you manifest whatever will tame beings throughout inifnite worlds, and never tire in your work for migrators, to you we offer praise. Even though you display the manner a fearsome being amidst a mass of turbulent, blazing fire, you never move even slightly from the peaceful state of love and compassion; O Extraordinary supreme wonder, to you we offer praise.

Vairochana Shugden

You who are the pure aggregate of form in a pacifying dance with a youthful body as vibrant as a host of full moons, Who holds a lance with silks and a noose, and ride the king of elephants; O Dispeller of adverse conditions and obstacles, to you we offer praise.

Ratna Shugden

You who are the pure aggregate of feeling in an increasing dance with a magnificent body with the brilliance of a million suns, who hold a bowl of jewels and a vase, and ride a divine palomino; O Increaser of wealth and desirable conditions , to you we offer praise.

Pema Shugden

You who are the aggregate of discrimination in a controlling dance with a blazing body like a magnificent ruby mountain, who hold a taming hook and a noose, and ride a tuquoise dragon; O Subduer of the three realms to you we offer praise.

Karma Shugeden

You are the aggregate of compositional factors in a wrathful dance with a body like a terrifying turbulence of dark red fire and wind, who hold a sword and a heart, and ride a mighty garuda; O Opponent of demons and obstructors, to you we offer praise.