Recognised as an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama has been the temporal and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people since the time of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. When he was just a young boy, the present incarnation of the Dalai Lama came under the tutelage of two attained masters and eminent scholars. One of them was His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, a direct disciple of His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche who was one with Heruka.

Dorje Shugden was the heart practice of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, and he had a very close relationship with this enlightened Dharma Protector, even writing extensively about him in his autobiography (rnam thar). Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche also composed Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors, a comprehensive text describing Dorje Shugden’s background, history, origins, lineage, practice and prayers.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama received Dorje Shugden’s practice from this incomparable master and for the next 30 years, relied upon Dorje Shugden as one of his principal Protectors. It was on Dorje Shugden’s advice that His Holiness left Tibet for India in 1959, where he has since remained in exile. Dorje Shugden even provided the route through which His Holiness should leave Tibet and as the Dalai Lama rode out, he carried on his back Trijang Rinpoche’s personal Dorje Shugden thangka as a blessing and protection.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed this prayer to Dorje Shugden while visiting Dungkar Monastery, the seat of His Eminence Domo Geshe Rinpoche, just before his exile into India. It was composed at the request of Dorje Shugden himself, who took trance of the renowned Oracle of Dungkar Monastery in the presence of the Abbot and Sangha.

The Oracle of Dungkar Monastery

The prayer was composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the specific intent for the practitioner to accumulate merits and purify negative karma. It adheres to the structure of the Seven-Limbed prayer, which is considered the most complete. In fact, since it was first described by Shantideva in the Bodhisattvacharyavatara, the Seven-Limbed prayer has become the main structure for all other prayers and practices.

In this prayer, and in recognition of Dorje Shugden’s enlightened nature, His Holiness enthrones Dorje Shugden as the “supreme collected nature of all Gurus and Protective Deities” and requests him to grant siddhis (attainments). The attainments the Dalai Lama refers to are common and uncommon siddhis that result from Dharma practice, common attainments being clairvoyance, levitation, etc. and uncommon attainments being the qualities associated with full Enlightenment, for example the dispelling of obscurations and realisation of Emptiness.

This is a prayer we can recite daily as part of our sadhana, or it can be recited when we are in need of assistance. After all, if reciting this praise of Dorje Shugden can result in the attainment of Enlightenment, what more is there to say about reciting it for the fulfilment of our mundane requests?

Melody of the Unceasing Vajra

A Propitiation of Mighty Gyalchen Dorje Shugden, Protector of Conqueror Manjushri Tsongkhapa’s Teachings

By the Supreme Victor, the Great 14th Dalai Lama

HUM
Glory of the wisdom, compassion and power of infinite Buddhas
Miraculously powerful protector of Manjushri Tsongkhapa’s Teachings
Arisen as a lord of all wrathful worldly hosts
Come from the abodes of Tushita, Kechara¹, and so forth!

Prostrating with devotion of body, speech, and mind
I confess all mistakes and faults in which
Out of delusion, I have contradicted your holy mind:
Accept with forbearance and show your smiling face!

Arising from the sport of non-dual bliss and void
Are offerings and torma of flesh and blood heaped like a mountain
First portions of milk, yogurt, beer and tea swirling like the ocean
Auspicious signs and substances and various animals
Peaceful and wrathful ornaments, enemy-destroying weapons and armor
Amassed samaya substances, outer, inner, and secret, without exception!

Having fulfilled your heart commitment and purified degeneration
By making these actually arranged and visualized offerings
Increase Lozang the Victorious One’s Teachings
And the life span and activities of the Teachings’ upholders!
Further the happiness of beings in the Gaden [Podrang] dominion!

Especially pacify all harm to us, the yogis and entourages
That arises because of previous karma and immediate conditions
And spontaneously accomplish, just as we wish
All good things, both spiritual and temporal!

Grind to dust without remainder
Enemy hordes that think and act perversely
Towards the teachings and lay and ordained people
With potent, accurate, powerful great vajra fire!

Especially, cause the saffron-clad community of Dungkar Monastery
Brightly beautiful in bonds of pure morality
To soar the path of immortal liberation
On unified wings of Sutra and Tantra!

In brief, we enthrone you, O Deity, as the supreme
Collected nature of all Gurus and Protective Deities!
From densely gathered clouds of the four activities
Pour down a cool rain of the two siddhis!

¹ Kechara Paradise or pure land