Dear friends around the world,

Hi, my name is Joy and I am a student of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche. I have been given this special assignment to commissioned many beautiful artworks of different culture depicting and interpreting the divine enlightened energy of a special Dharma protector called Dorje Shugden.

Divine and enlightened beings can manifest in whatever form suits the needs of the people of that time and place in order to help them. They are truly compassionate in that way and show their immense spiritual ability to be able to do so. The emanation of  Lord Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom) is the  Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden  is no different. It is with that in mind that His Eminence envisioned commissioning different forms of Dorje Shugden painted and drawn in different cultural styles to better suit the temperaments of practitioners the world over. 

I have always loved art, especially Buddhist artwork which depicts the enlightened beings. Art is a way of capturing concepts, thoughts and understanding in a visual way. It can be very personal, in that it expresses how the artist feels or views something, or it can be made with a purpose, for example, to beautify an environment, to capture visually what is written in a text, or as a meditational aid. Spiritual art in Buddhism is usually used as a meditational aid, and also by devotees to express their faith and devotion so it can be very personal. ~ Tsem Rinpoche

The usual style that Dorje Shugden is depicted is very  Tibetan like the above painting, but even within his  holy entourage  there are differences of culture and variation across different countries. For example, the 10 Youthful and Wrathful Attendants, warrior emanations of Dorje Shugden who help avert both inner and outer obstacles, appear in different forms. They take on the physical appearance of Tibetan, Mongolian, Chinese, Kashmiri, Indian and Nepali warriors. This clearly shows that as an enlightened being, Dorje Shugden is above and beyond cultural differences, or location-based variations, etc. He transcends all of that but will emanate in forms that appeal the most to the practitioner. The more styles there are, the wider the appeal will be. Rinpoche's hope is that many will be blessed by Dorje Shugden and be protected.

Wherever Buddhism has gone, practitioners from those different regions have produced images of the enlightened beings according to what they are familiar with seeing, or how they are used to venerating or commemorating holy and enlightened minds. As such, Buddhist art is normally influenced by the artistic traditions of the local culture. 

For example in China, you will see Buddhas created to look more Chinese and they will be quite distinct compared to the Tibetan or Indian styles. In fact, this is the approach I have applied to Dorje Shugden, to produce various artworks of him that will suit different individuals, depending on what culture or environment they are familiar with.

Hence, even though the styles depicting Dorje Shugden are different they all invoke the spiritual energies ofDorje Shugdenin those who see them. Though they differ, each is a sacred connection to the divine. They are simply stunning, accurate and in keeping with the appropriate iconographic representations.

About Dorje Shugden practice

Dorje Shugden’s practice was taught to me by my Guru, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche who was taught by his most holy gurus and Rinpoche would like to share this practice wherever he can to anyone who wishes to learn. I like sharing this practice and the reason is simple –  just like so many people, I have personally benefited from this  practice and because Dorje Shugden literally saved my life! Many others from other parts of the world have also benefitted from his practice because it brings spiritual fulfilment and Dorje Shugden aids us with our spiritual transformation. At the same time, he grants us what we need on our spiritual journey such as material resources,  wealth,  health,  influence, and  removes obstacles and all forms of negativity. His practice can protect us from charms, magic and negative occult influences. Negative entities are also pacified when we invoke upon Dorje Shugden or have his sacred image near us.

Dorje Shugden can help us in many ways when we rely on him and we do not need to be practising any specific religion or be a Buddhist. Even atheists may invoke upon Dorje Shugden as his compassion is open to all. Although  he can help us in many ways, he is ultimately for helping us stay on the spiritual path to become a fully enlightened being. Therefore, creating images of Dorje Shugden brings a great amount of merits because he is an enlightened being, and the benefits are the same as creating Buddha images. 

THE 10 BENEFITS OF CREATING BUDDHA STATUES, PAINTING BUDDHIST IMAGES & SHARING BUDDHIST TEXTS

1. One’s past negative karmas will lighten if they are heavy, they will be purified if it is light.
2. One is always supported and protected by virtuous gods, one is free from the harms of plague, natural calamities, bandits, war and imprisonment.
3. One’s enemies of both past and present lives will also receive the benefits of the Dharma and are liberated. One is free from their vengeance.
4. One cannot be harmed by Yakshas and evil spirits, by poisonous snakes or ferocious beasts.
5. One’s mind is at peace. There is no danger in the day and no nightmares in one’s sleep. One has a healthy countenance and is full of energy. Whatever one does is successful.
6. Due to one’s sincerity in devoting to the Dharma, although one does not actively seek it, one will naturally be bountifully supplied with food and clothing. There is harmony in the family, and one’s wealth and prosperity will increase.
7. One’s speech and actions bring happiness to men and gods; wherever one goes, one is always respected and supported by the people.
8. The dull will become intelligent, the sick will become healthy and the poor will become rich.
9. One is forever free from the suffering realms and takes rebirth in the happy realms. One has beautiful features and an intelligent mind. One is well endowed with wealth and prosperity.
10. One helps all sentient being to plant the seed of virtue in their minds, which is the great merit field where one cultivates infinite realisations. Wherever one takes rebirth, one always meet with the Buddha and receives teachings from him, until one achieves the 3 wisdom and accomplishes the 6 super-mundane abilities, and swiftly attains the state of Enlightenment.

How Can You Help?

All Dorje Shugden images that are produced will be placed in this blog post "Which Dorje Shugden Style Is Your Favourite?" and made available FREE for anyone to download in high-quality, high-resolution files. This is because it is His Eminence's Tsem Rinpoche great wish for people to obtain and invite these stunning Dorje Shugden artworks home so that they can connect with this powerful protector who can benefit them. Especially for those who cannot afford a Buddha statue or image, this would help them very much.

Hence, we are creating more Dorje Shugden images in many other cultures and themes (see the list below). And as you can see, we are creating these artworks not for profit but to benefit people as much as possible, especially those who cannot afford a Buddha statue/image. So if you wish to make a difference in someone's life and help them start their spiritual journey, this is one way you can help.

Sponsor a piece of Dorje Shugden artwork and create the causes for happiness, protection and prosperity for yourself as well as for others. 

Thank you very much in advance for your kind contribution and may I please request for your help to share this mission to as many as possible. 

List of Dorje Shugden artworks to be created:

1. Mayan Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears with Mayan people and Aztec pyramids

2. Roman Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears in Rome. The scene would have pillars and the colosseum to represent Roman empire.

3. Nordic Dorje Shugden - Ymir is being subdued by Dorje Shugden.

4. New Age Dorje Shugden -Dorje Shugden is depicted in transcendental meditation kind of dream world.

5. Russian Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears in Russia with the famous Saint Basil cathedral in the background and some Cossack people around him rejoicing. Can be in Byzantine style.  

6. Greek Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears in Greek with Greek temples in the scene or Dorje Shugden can appear during the trance of the oracle of Delphi

7. Bhutan Dorje Shugden -Dorje Shugden appears at Tak Tsang Tiger's temple with the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche on one side. 

8. Mahabodhi Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears at the Mahabodhi temple and Buddha on one side. 

9. Borobudur Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears at the famous Borobudur. Monks are seen meditating around the sacred site.  

10. Angkor WatDorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears at ancient Angkor Wat temple grounds

Various significant Buddha stories are depicted with Dorje Shugden as a witness to these events. 

11. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Monkey offering honeycomb to the Buddha. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

12. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Monkey copied elephant to make offerings to the Buddha. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

13. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Angulimala chasing Buddha. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

14. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha subduing the drunk elephant. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

15. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha's birth. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

16. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha’s Death (Parinirvana). Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

17. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha’s first teaching. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

18. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha’s enlightenment scene with Mara. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

19. Buddha story & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Buddha mediating a water issue. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

20. Buddha & Dorje Shugden Witness series - Fasting Buddha scene. Dorje Shugden as a witness on the side.

Note: The concept of these artworks above can be changed at any time without prior notice. 

Below here is a sample of a WIP artwork of one of the Dorje Shugden concept no.7, 
Bhutan Dorje Shugden - Dorje Shugden appears at Tak Tsang Tiger's temple with the 4th Zhabdrung Rinpoche on the side