About Vajrayogini
A representation of complete Buddhahood in female form, Vajrayogini embodies the qualities of the Buddhas of the ten directions and three times. Her tantra is the most supreme among all the Highest Yoga Tantras. As our lives today are ruled by extreme lust, greed, anger and hatred, she uses these very forces to attract us and then transforms them into liberating energies.
Vajrayogini is particularly suitable for the people of our time because her practice helps to purify and transform desire, which is the current and most pervasive energy within samsara. In fact, she manifested specifically to pacify our self-created inner obstacles that are provoked by the outer environment we live in. Therefore, her blessings are very potent and powerful for this day and age.
Vajrayogini’s form represents the Three Principal Aspects of the Path (Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Emptiness) which are crucial for success in Buddhist practice, especially Tantric practice.
Her face looks in our direction out of great concern for us, and her three eyes indicate her ability to see the past, present and future. Her blissful yet wrathful expression indicates that she is free from suffering, but is unhappy to witness our sufferings and the results of our negative karma.
Her body is at the prime of youth and beauty. The red colour of her skin represents the energy of control, and her form is naked to subdue and transform minds that are filled with lust and desire. She wears a crown of five skulls representing the Five Dhyani Buddhas and is adorned with a garland of 50 dried skulls and other bone ornaments.
She raises a skullcup filled with blood in her left hand, representing great bliss, impermanence and emptiness. Her right hand holds a curved knife with wrathful mudra, showing that her practice can destroy the direct causes of our samsara — ignorance, hatred and desire. The khatvanga (tantric ritual staff) on her left shoulder represents her consort Heruka.
Her left leg is bent, stepping on the head and heart of the worldly deity Bhairava, representing the elimination of hatred and ignorance, while her right leg is straight, stepping on the breasts of Kalarati, representing the destruction of desire and its associated negative karmas.
About Zong Rinpoche
His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was a highly accomplished spiritual master and one of the greatest Gelugpa lineage masters of recent times. A powerful tantric practitioner, he was renowned for his legendary scholastic achievements, debating prowess and mastery of the most difficult rituals. He was the abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery from 1937-1946, and is the root guru of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.
About Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden is a special Dharma Protector who quickly fulfils wishes and sincere prayers. He brings healing, harmony and peace, protects from harm and obstacles, and attracts opportunities for success and growth.
Known as a wealth Buddha, he brings sincere devotees vast merits and material resources for virtuous activities. As a wrathful emanation of Manjushri, he grants improved concentration, clarity of mind and great wisdom to anyone who propitiates him.
Dorje Shugden brandishes a sword in his right hand, cutting away our ignorance and negative states of mind which are the basis of all our suffering. In his left hand, he holds a heart jewel that symbolises the legendary wish-fulfilling jewel that can grant us whatever we desire, and our deepest innermost wish – enlightenment.
His practice is incredibly effective because of our strong affinity and karmic connection with him. He is also the special protector of the 600-year-old Gelugpa lineage founded by Lama Tsongkhapa.
