A Brief Introduction to the Dorje Drolma (Padmasambhava) Dharma Teachings

Master Bao’s teachings at the Keelung Lian Yan Buddhist Society, January 19, 2019

I. One of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche – An Introduction to Dorje Drolma

Guru Rinpoche manifests in different forms, peaceful and wrathful. His wrathful manifestations also have many variations – Guru Rinpoche’s Lion’s Roar, Guru Rinpoche’s Vajra of Terror, Guru Rinpoche’s Blazing Wisdom, etc.

Today’s practice is the Guru Rinpoche Vajra of Terror – Dorje Drolma practice. “Dorje” means Vajra, often translated as Vajra of Terror, but in Sanskrit, it means a wrathful deity transcending the world.

The origin of Dorje Drolma: When Guru Rinpoche traveled to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and many other places to spread the Dharma, he subdued many heretical sects and other evil forces with his wrathful form.

In the past, some practitioners of early religions possessed magical powers, and when they were harmed by these powers or by spirits, Guru Rinpoche manifested his wrathful form to annihilate these harmers.

At the end of the lunar year, many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries practice purification rituals; therefore, each of our centers practices one purification ritual, which is also one of our frequently practiced practices.

II. A Brief Introduction to the Thirteen Sacred Sites of Guru Rinpoche’s Manifestations of the Wrathful Form of Dorje Drolma

Guru Rinpoche manifested wrathful deities in the Tiger Caves—one of which is the Vajrakilaya-Dorje Drolma practiced today.

The Tiger Caves, sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche, are the well-known and recognized sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche’s “activities” in Bhutan—the sacred sites for transmitting Vajrakilaya and manifesting wrathful deities.

There are also thirteen other “Tiger Caves” and thirteen “Datsang” (temples/retreats), where Guru Rinpoche practiced wrathful deities to subdue those who “turn into demons” or “harm sentient beings with mantras,” manifesting wrathful forms in various places.

Among these thirteen, there is a Tiger Cave in the rocky mountains of the Northern Terma Caves of Tsang, where Rigdzin Gödenpa retrieved the treasures. Guru Rinpoche hid many wrathful deity teachings there, especially many wrathful deities from the Northern Terma Caves, which were retrieved from this Tiger Cave.

There is also a Tiger Cave in Yunnan, where many masters extracted numerous Vajrabhairava teachings.

There are also several Tiger Caves in Xikang (Kham), where several masters, including Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu and Pema Dechen Lingpa, extracted Vajrabhairava teachings.

There is also a Tiger Cave in Nangqian County, Xikang, where several treasure revealers, including Chokyi Lingpa and Roubi Dorje, extracted Vajrabhairava teachings.

Therefore, we know of at least 13 Tiger Caves. Some are very famous, while others are practiced only by a few practitioners.

There is also a Tiger Cave in Nepal, where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) practiced. Later, many accomplished masters, especially Milarepa, recorded in their biographies that they practiced there and received the protection of the Five Longevity Goddesses.

Therefore, Tiger Cave is the name of a sacred place for practice. In the past, Guru Rinpoche specifically practiced wrathful deities to eliminate obstacles for sentient beings; such sacred places were named “Tiger Caves.”

The Guru Rinpoche teachings, especially the wrathful deity practices, have relatively important tiger dens, which are not easily accessible. Apart from one tiger den in Gansu, which is relatively easy to reach, the others are difficult to access due to their geographical location in mountainous areas with poor roads.

III. The Lineage and Practice of Dorje Drolma (Bhadrakalpa Guru Rinpoche)

Guru Rinpoche practiced supreme teachings in these auspicious places, revealing numerous terma (hidden treasures). Today, we are transmitting a teaching revealed over 300 years ago by Dudjom Dorje, one of the two great tertons of the Kathok school. This teaching has been practiced throughout Tibet, especially within the Kathok school.

At our Mula Monastery, during the seven-day Guru Rinpoche Dharma assembly on the tenth day of the month, we practice the peaceful deity Guru Rinpoche in the morning and the wrathful deity Guru Rinpoche (which we are practicing today) in the afternoon.

There are three types of rituals: extensive, intermediate, and simplified. We practiced the extensive version, omitting the secondary parts due to time constraints and some translation errors. The extensive ritual is quite long; this time, the main focus was on mantra recitation and offerings to the Three Jewels and the mandala.

IV. The Merits and Benefits of Practicing the Dorje Drolma (Wrathful Guru Rinpoche) Dharma

Guru Rinpoche mentioned: “The story mentioned on page 22 of this ritual indicates that in the future degenerate age, the practice of Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana will be mixed with false teachings (similar teachings), like adding too much water to dilute a medicine. There will be no true practitioners of Buddhism.

Some people practicing with abnormal minds, lacking right view and possessing wrong views, will become demons, causing many disasters in the world. At this time, practicing this Dharma (Wrathful Guru Rinpoche – Dorje Drolma) can benefit many sentient beings!” The fourth page of the long text mentions the origin of the Dharma, the location of the hidden treasures, which terton (revealer) retrieved them, the targets of its countermeasures—demons and spirits, etc., and the preciousness and merits of the Dharma.

During practice, some may not understand, while others may have some understanding due to having heard the story of Vajrapani. Regardless, everyone has heard the story of Guru Rinpoche, and everyone should contemplate his story and vows.

Guru Rinpoche vowed to “benefit sentient beings on behalf of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the three times,” especially to help practitioners, eliminate obstacles in the degenerate age, and subdue humans, gods, and demons. He made numerous vows.

Consider Guru Rinpoche’s merits and kindness. Now, complete teachings are spreading throughout the world. From the time of Guru Rinpoche’s emanation until the appearance of Maitreya Buddha in the future, the activities of Guru Rinpoche’s emanations will continue uninterrupted. Therefore, practice the Dharma while frequently contemplating Guru Rinpoche’s merits and kindness to sentient beings!