Dharma Demystified: The Enthronement of Dorje Shugden

A rare statue of an enthroned Dorje Shugden in Trode Khangsar

The enthronement ritual is traditionally performed at the end of the medium or long Dorje Shugden Kangsol (propitiation text), originally composed by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche in Melodious Drum Victorious in All Directions, and is an investiture of power and authority placed upon Dorje Shugden by the practitioner.

The enthronement prayer seals the merits of Dorje Shugden’s blessings in a particular location, image or practitioner’s life. Through this ritual, one is able to consecrate statues, pictures and thangkas of Dorje Shugden. It is also a request for Dorje Shugden to reside in a particular location, thus blessing the place and dispelling various negativities and interferences.

Most importantly, the enthronement ritual plays a key role in supporting the growth and flourishing of the Dharma, particularly if performed in a location that will be used for the practice and furtherance of Lama Tsongkapa’s rare lineage.

OM SARVA BI PURA PURA SURA SURA AWARTAYA AWARTAYA HO BENZA PARANAKAM(recite 3x)

The enthronement ritual begins with the recitation of a special mantra that enthrones and empowers Dorje Shugden, followed by special requests that delineate the reason and purpose of the enthronement.

HUM
We enthrone you as the holy venerable one
Inseparable with root and lineage Vajradhara gurus,
Grantor of infinite easy attainments
And dispeller of all obstructions on the path without exception!

In the first verse, Dorje Shugden is enthroned as a fully enlightened monarch who has the same qualities as our root Guru and the rest of the enlightened lineage Gurus stemming directly from the Buddha.

With this Buddha nature, Dorje Shugden is also enthroned as the protector deity who bestows all common and uncommon attainments. Common attainments are those that are common to both Sutra and Tantra, for instance Bodhichitta, renunciation, valid view of reality and so forth. Uncommon attainments are those specific to Tantra, such as those of the generation and completion stages.

We enthrone you in the nature embodying the three refuges;
The fully enlightened, verbal and realised dharma’s sovereign,
Holy dharma, peaceful, freed from all attachment,
And Sangha, untiring in serving others’ welfare!

Next, Dorje Shugden is enthroned as the holiest object embodying the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, in which we take refuge.

From emptiness’s great sphere, whatever various forms will subdue
Full distinctly appear like the moon’s reflection in water;
Principal of all Tantric sets’ countless mandalas,
We enthrone you in nature of the yidam deity!

Dorje Shugden is then recognized as having direct perception of emptiness or Shunyata. He is praised as being equal to the Tantric deities and is thus enthroned as an equal of a Buddha-Yidam. In this verse, the practitioner recognizes Dorje Shugden’s enlightened qualities and enthrones him accordingly to create the merits to achieve the same qualities.

The Choyang oracle in full trance of Duldzin Dorje Shugden is enthroned like a lama

In form of a red raksha protecting, without exception,
The temple libraries of Jambudvipa,
The teachings, and Sangha assembly upholding them,
We enthrone you as principal of all dharmapalas!

In this verse, Dorje Shugden is praised as the special guardian of the scriptural and oral lineage teachings. We also request him to protect practitioners and members of the Sangha, thereby protecting the spread of the lineage and its teachings.

Powerful king granting all wished common and supreme attainments
To anyone who properly relies on and propitiates you;
Bestowing all easily like a wish-granting gem,
We enthrone you as protector who fulfils all hopes!

We, master, disciples, and entourage,
Entrust ourselves to you, protector, guard us unceasingly!
Pacify all negative circumstances and grant accomplishment
Of whatever desired attainments at our mere wish!

In the final verse, we request Dorje Shugden to remove all difficulties and problems resulting from our negative karmas that may distract or pull us away from the spiritual path. Lastly, Dorje Shugden is entreated to accomplish whatever purpose that the practitioner requests.