Lama Tsongkhapa’s Holy Items

Blog Buddhism February 6, 2016 18

Some of the most important holy items which are still kept in Tibet are the sacred relics of Lama Tsongkhapa. According to Buddhist tradition,...

The concept of receiving the blessings of the Buddhas is not necessarily tied to the receipt of tangible items or material possessions upon making requests to the enlightened beings. Rather, one is said to have received a blessing when one’s mind transforms for the better. In short, when you come across something that makes you do something which positively changes the course of your life, you have received a blessing.

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Drepung Monastery, Tibet

As such, it is considered a blessing to be able to pay homage, be in close proximity, or even to view any holy relics of the enlightened beings. This is because such holy relics are imbued with enlightened energies and thus bless us by either triggering latent positive imprints within us or implanting such positive imprints into our mind stream.

Some of the most important holy items which are still kept in Tibet are the sacred relics of Lama Tsongkhapa. Lama Tsongkhapa is the emanation of Manjushri, Chenrezig and Vajrapani, and is revered as the single greatest Tibetan commentator, scholar and yogi in the history of Buddhism. Hailed as the “Second Buddha”, he was the enlightened being who founded the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Lama Tsongkhapa’s mala, bell and hat in Drepung Monastery

In fact, so precious and profound were the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa that Dorje Shugden, an emanation of Manjushri, arose as a Dharma Protector about 350 years ago specifically to protect Nagarjuna’s Middle Way Philosophy as taught by Lama Tsongkhapa.

According to Buddhist tradition, holy relics can generally be categorised into three types;

“Saririka” or physical relics, such as hair, bone or teeth.
“Paribhogika” or utilitarian relics, which are objects used by the enlightened beings such as their ritual implements, malas, robes or alms bowls.
“Uddesika” or commemorative relics, such as shrines, statues or images.

In this context, the holy tooth relics of Lama Tsongkhapa which are currently kept in Gaden Monastery and also in Drepung Monastery fall under the first category.

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Ganden Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy tooth relic, Gaden Monastery, Tibet

Lama Tsongkhapa’s mala, bell, hat, bowl and yak horn which are currently kept in Drepung Monastery are categorised as the second type of relic. Such personal items of enlightened beings or attained masters are invaluable and auspicious for the special energies of the holy person imbued within. It is believed that such items are an extension of the holy being’s body and akin to having the holy master’s blessings and protection present at all times.

Lama Tsongkhapa’s bowl and yak horn. It is said that the images of the 21 Taras can be seen within the horn.

Last but not least, Khedrub Je’s Yamantaka statue falls under the third category of relics. Holy relics serve to remind us that Enlightenment is possible and that the Buddhas or enlightened beings were once real people. They also promote inculcation of virtues and virtuous deeds.

The Yamantaka statue that belonged to one of Lama Tsongkhapa’s heart sons, Khedrub Je

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Sofi
Posted on August 24, 2016 #1 Author

Thank you dorjeshugden.org for this article on Lama Tsongkapa’s holy items. Now I am able to learn of the holy relics falling into three categories, Saririka, Paribhogika and Uddesika. It would be such a blessing to be in the presence of these holy relics as the items had been imbued with the holy energies of the enlightened Masters, in this case Lama Tsongkapa. I have heard before that energies from the holy relics may trigger some imprint and help us on our spiritual path. Which why many Buddhists would make pilgrimage to the holy places that contained holy relics to receive the blessings.
nicholas
Posted on August 25, 2016 #2 Author

Great explanation with regards to blessing. One received the ultimate blessing is when one able to transform one mind. In order to be able to do so one also need to collet tremendous merits to support the transformation.

Holy relic not just to serve as blessing but also as a reminder that one has been done such tremendous good deed and their remains have been transform into a precious holy relic. It’s an inspiring blessing item for one to receive them.
Jace Chong
Posted on August 25, 2016 #3 Author

Thank you for the article explaining about the preciousness and different types of relics.

Some people can feel energy but most of us can’t see the existence of it. However, going on pilgrimages to receive blessings by visiting holy items and places have been a holy activity for decades. I believe there must be some positive changes people can witness after getting close in touch with holy items.

May I have the chance to visit places where I can see Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy items with my own eyes.
Pastor Antoinette Kass
Posted on August 25, 2016 #4 Author

It is amazing that holy items have such a power that as a relic they can give us positive imprints for the future or trigger positive imprints we have to change for the better. We are usually so much in our samsaric attachments but to know about this potential and power is truly an inspiration.

We need definitely collect more merits so that we increase our chances to meet our Lama and the Dharma back and practice Dharma in all our future lifetimes.
Pastor Ong Moh Mei
Posted on August 25, 2016 #5 Author

Some people believe in the power held within an item, others believe the power itself is in the believing. I think the human mind is a tricky thing and has the power to be very powerful and there is definitely power in believing. Whether the universe or cosmos held any real law or not, I tend to favor the mind being the governing body.
pammie yap
Posted on August 25, 2016 #6 Author

Learned 3 new words today, Saririka, Paribhogika and Uddesika!
It is really fortunate that these relics were able to make it to the current monasteries. It would be such a ‘waste’ if it was destroyed in Tibet. After all these years, they are still well preserved and held with reverence.
I truly believe that even to view any holy relics of the enlightened beings is a blessing! It would be even better to be able to see them in the monastery, to circumambulate and make our aspirational prayers.
Eric kksiow
Posted on August 25, 2016 #7 Author

Thank you DS.ORG for this details ( Holy items ) article, i always thought that the holy Relics are from Bone ( highly attained monks or nuns ), here’s explained very clear of Saririka, Paribhogika and Uddesika.

Thank You again
Eric kksiow
Mingwen
Posted on August 25, 2016 #8 Author

“As such, it is considered a blessing to be able to pay homage, be in close proximity, or even to view any holy relics of the enlightened beings. This is because such holy relics are imbued with enlightened energies and thus bless us by either triggering latent positive imprints within us or implanting such positive imprints into our mind stream.”

Amazing! Can’t wait to visit these holy places to trigger any hidden imprints within myself , if any, so it can acts as a boost for me to be a better person!
Pastor Henry Ooi
Posted on August 25, 2016 #9 Author

It is really fascinating to read of and mind blowing for me to see some of the holy relics left behind by highly realised Beings. It is almost miraculous what these Beings have achieved through their meditation and deeds, and leaving the relics behind as proof of their attainment after they have entered clear light or passed on.
June Kang
Posted on August 26, 2016 #10 Author

i wasn’t know that shrines, statues or images is also a holy relics that is commemorative relics namely “Uddesika”. Thank you for the sharing

People always said when you circumambulate the relics, you can feel the energy but i always do not feel any energy when circumambulate. May be i have not merits to received it.

Hope all places which has holy relics, Dharma will flourish and benefit many peoples toward the enlightened mind.
Albert
Posted on August 26, 2016 #11 Author

It is amazing, I never know Holy Relics has 3 categories, I only know about relic means relic, any different type of relics are all the same, finally, today I learn that relics has 3 types. I’m very happy to have visited this webpage, I get to learn so much not just Dorje Shugden, but also Dharma.

Relic is not just being holy as to kept the remarkable work from the great beings, it also serve as a tool to triggered our positive imprints so that we will change and walk into spiritual path. No wonder so many Buddhist or Lamas went on pilgrimage to visit the holy sites and holy relics from time to time.
Pastor Chia
Posted on August 26, 2016 #12 Author

I felt amazing the power compassion of enlightenment after they have enter nirvana, but the essence of enlightenment quality still remind in the world benefiting sentient being. Buddha relic is one of clear example.Many Buddhist country has build the stupa contain of holy relic inside let the people embucirculate around it, because holy relics are imbued with enlightened energies and thus bless us by either triggering latent positive imprints within us or implanting such positive imprints into our mind stream.
Khoo Hou Haw
Posted on August 26, 2016 #13 Author

It is amazing that a pure practitioner and great master like Lama Tsongkhapa have the ability to bless us not only by their profound teaching but also their physical relics and objects used by them contain the energy of blessing.
Julia Tan
Posted on August 26, 2016 #14 Author

I am amazed with the holy items that still well kept by the monasteries until today. I am specially love the Yamantaka statue that belonged to Kedrub Je Rinpoche. So beautifully carved and so details. These are items that have tremendous blessings. Blessings can open up our good imprints and seeds to practice and engage in Dharma so that we can transform our mind and to have the qualities as this holy being had. These holy beings exist for real. They showed us how they achieved realisation and emptiness hence so do we if put follow their foot steps.
Julia Tan
Posted on August 26, 2016 #15 Author

These holy items accumulated tremendous blessings from the enlightenment beings himself. Hence they have the power to open up the Dharma imprints and seeds in our so that we will engage and practice Dharma. He were real and here before and these was what He have done and achieved realisation. it is proven. these are steps that we can follow. and by following His way we guarantee can achieve the good qualities that He has.
Alice Tay
Posted on September 1, 2016 #16 Author

These holy relics of Lama Tsongkhapa are really given us an eye-opener. These holy items are invaluable and auspicious with the positive energies to bless us by either triggering latent positive imprints within us or implanting such positive imprints into our mind stream. Nevertheless, in order to achieve the enlightenment, we need a qualified guru to teach us dharma. We learn from the guru and practice dharma is become more important to us.
Fong
Posted on November 13, 2016 #17 Author

Before I understood the meaning of blessings, the objective of visiting holy sites (pilgrimage) and being near holy ojects like relics of hair, teeth or bones of the Buddha and other holy beings, all these were very touristic things to me.

Now, that I know the meaning behind all these pilgrimages and relics, it is definitely in my bucket list of things to do. It would really be a blessing to be able to view and be near these holy objects of imbued energy from highly attained beings; the energy to trigger aspirations and inspirations to keep continuing in dharma.

It would actually be good if the younger practitioners are able to go on pilgrimage and visit relics of the Buddha and other holy beings. it would be a real blessing to start the dharma journey while young.
Vivian Ong
Posted on May 26, 2017 #18 Author

Thank you for sharing this short yet informative article about Lama Tsongkhapa’s holy items. I agree with the saying “one is said to have received a blessing when one’s mind transforms for the better”. To see or to pay homage to the holy relics of an enlightened being will open up imprints in us so that in future we can practice the Dharma and eventually gain enlightenment ourselves.

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