Guru Tshen Gyed Chham

Guru Tshen Gyed (Dance of the Eight Manifestation of Guru Rinpoche)

The eight different forms of Guru Rinpoche, which he had assumed in order to convert different kinds of beings into Buddhism, are represented here.

Ugyen Rinpoche is the 2^nd Buddha and the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara (Thugje Chenpo), Lord of Compassion. When he was born as the son of a guardian of poultry, he made a vow to guide the beings of the world in general and particularly the people of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet. That was why he came to these regions. When Buddha was about to enter Nirvana, he told his disciples a prophecy: “Don’t be sad, I will be coming from the West”. Thus, he appeared as Ugyen Rinpoche.

His activities were beyond description. However, here is how he helped the beings of the continent through his eight manifestations:

• He was born from a blue lotus on the lake Danakosha in Oddhiyana and was invited to become the son of King Indrabodhi. He was then called Guru Tshokye Dorji “Diamond Thunderbolt born from the lake”.
• He renounced his kingdom and went to receive teachings from the Master Maratika cave in Nepal. Then he was called Guru Shakya Senge, “The Lion of the Shakya clan”.
• After having listened to all the teachings of the Vajrayana, “The Diamond Path” and after having fully mastered the science of all Indian Pandits, he obtained full realization and was able to see all the gods and tutelary deities (yidam). Then he was called Guru Loden Chogsey, “Guru who wants to acquire the supreme knowledge”.
• After his marriage to the daughter of king Zahor, he was condemned to be burnt by the king. Through his magical powers, he turned the pyre into a lake and converted this astonished kingdom into Buddhism. Then he was called Guru Padmasanbhava “Born from a Lotus”.
• When he returned to Oddhiyana, the evil chiefs of this country wanted to burn him alive. But the fire could not burn his body and this was the sign of his realization. So the chiefs offered him the kingdom and its subjects. He was then called Guru Pema Gyalpo, “The Lotus King”.
• When he was preaching in the eight cremation grounds to the fairies (Khandroms), he cought the “life force” of the evil deities and he turned them into protectors of the doctrine. Then he was called Nyima Yoeser, “The Sunbeam”.
• As 500 heretic masters were trying to destroy the Doctrine of Buddha, he vanquished them through the power of his words. He brought down the thunderbolt by his terrific magic formula and they were burnt. He was then called the Senge Dradrok. “The one who speaks with a lion voice”.
• When he was in Singye Dzong in Lhuntse and at Taktsang in Paro, he was in the form of Dorji Drakpo, “Terrifying thunderbolt”. He subdued all the evil spirits who hindered Buddhism. He blessed them as the guardians of the Doctrine and was then called Guru Dorji Drolo, “The Thunderbolt”.

During this dance, the fairy that stands on the right of Guru Rinpoche is Mandarava, the Lady of Wisdom. Ugyen Rinpoche made her his own emanation for the benefit of all beings to be converted in the Kingdom of Zahor.

The fairy standing on the left is Yeshey Tshogyel who represents the goddess of knowledge, the mother of all Buddhas. She helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet for the benefit of all beings. The Sixteen Fairies (Rigma Chudrug) are the sixteen emenation of the same person. Goddess of Offerings they are divided into four categories. Each category is again divided into four, which make sixteen.

People believe in the manifestations of Ugyen Rinpoche, during this dance, which brings total happiness. A changeless faith in the glorious deeds of Ugyen Rinpoche’s mind, speech and body is born to them.