About the Eight Guiding Monks
The members of Dorje Shugden’s entourage – the Eight Guiding Monks, the Nine Great Mothers and the Ten Youthful and Wrathful Attendants – are manifestations of his mind. Taking on various appearances and forms, they each perform a specific function in relation to your spiritual path in general and your practice of Dorje Shugden in particular.
The Eight Guiding Monks assist practitioners by removing obstacles and creating favourable conditions for the holding of vows and the growth of Dharma. In particular, they assist sincere disciples in the practice of Sutra.
Our quality representations are made in strict accordance to the iconography taught by H.E. Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche.
The full set includes:
- Gelong Jampa, representing Maitreya
- Gelong Sanggyin, representing Ksitigarbha
- Gelong Chagdor, representing Vajrapani
- Gelong Namnying, representing Akashagarbha
- Gelong Wangchuk, representing Avalokiteshvara
- Gelong Jamyang, representing Red Manjushri
- Gelong Dipsel, representing Sarvanivarana-Viskambhin
- Gelong Kunsang, representing Samantabhadra
1. Gelong Jampa
The first of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Jampa represents the Bodhisattva Maitreya, who is the embodiment of the Buddha's loving-kindness and the personification of his activities. He wears monk robes, a meditation hat and the special boots of high nobility. He holds a monk staff in his right hand and a begging bowl in his left. He has a moustache and beard, and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is below the Nine Mothers and represents the veins of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
2. Gelong Sanggyin
The second of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Sanggyin represents the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, the personification of the Buddha's merit who increases the richness and fertility of the land. He wears monk robes, a pointed monk's hat and stands in a dancing posture. He holds a vajra in his right hand, a bell in his left and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Jampa and represents the eye sense power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
3. Gelong Chagdor
The third of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Chagdor represents the Bodhisattva Vajrapani, the embodiment of the Buddha's spiritual power. He wears monk robes and a pandit's hat. He stands in a debating posture and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Sanggyin and represents the ear sense power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
4. Gelong Namnying
The fourth of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Namnying represents the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha, the personification of the Buddha's blessings who purifies transgressions perfectly. He wears monk robes and a golden Tang hat. He holds a khatangka in his right hand and points at his disciples with his index finger in a threatening mudra with his left hand. His right leg is bent and his left is extended and stepping on a geg spirit. He abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Chagdor and represents the nose sense power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
5. Gelong Wangchuk
The fifth of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Wangchuk represents the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the personification of the Buddha's compassion. He wears monk robes, a pandit's hat and the special boots of high nobility. He holds a sword pointed downwards in his right hand and holds up a nectar-filled skullcup in his left. He appears to be moving quickly and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Namnying and represents the tongue sense power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
6. Gelong Jamyang
The sixth of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Jamyang represents the Bodhisattva Red Manjushri, the personification of the Buddha's wisdom. He wears monk robes and a Bodhisattva's hat. He plays a damaru with his right hand and rings a bell with his left. His legs are in a dancing position and he abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Wangchuk and represents the mental power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
7. Gelong Dipsel
The seventh of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Dipsel represents the Bodhisattva Sarvanivarana-Viskambhin, the personification of the Buddha's qualities who purifies wrong-doings and overcomes obstacles. He wears monk robes, a pandit's hat and the special boots of high nobility. His right hand is in the mudra of teaching the Dharma at his heart and he holds up a scriptural text in his left. He appears to be moving quickly and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Jamyang and represents the body sense power of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
8. Gelong Kunsang
The last of the Eight Guiding Monks, Gelong Kunsang represents the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, the personification of the Buddha's aspirations who displays special expertise in making offerings and prayers of aspiration. He wears monk robes, a meditation hat and the special boots of high nobility. He holds up a treasure vase in his right hand and points at his disciples with his index finger in a threatening mudra with his left hand. He appears to be moving to the right and abides amidst a gathering of rainbows and clouds. In Dorje Shugden's mandala, he is to the left of Gelong Dipsel and represents the joints of Lama Losang Tubwang Dorje Chang's body.
