Question asked by Eric
Hello Pastor Niral
I was reading Tsem Tulku's article on the Dharmapala Yumar Gyalchen.
In his article he stated that the 1st Panglung Tulku had Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo assign Yumar Gyalchen to his Panglung Hermitage.
The Panglung Hermitage is home to the Panglung Oracle and his Lineage.
The Panglung Hermitage is now located because of Tsem Tulku's kindness at the Kechara Forest Retreat.
Does Yumar Gyalchen not only protect the Hermitage but also the Panglung Kuten and his Lineage?
One final question and that is what other Dharmapalas are members of Dorje Shugden's retinue?
We have the Dharmapala's Kache Marpo, Namkar Barzin and with Tsem Tulku's help the newest member Methar.
So with Yumar Gyalchen we now have four Dharampalas.
Any more???
Dear Eric,
Yes, Yumar Gyalchen also protects the line of Panglung oracles, and also the Panglung Rinpoche’s. If you read the history of the oracles, they were named Panglung oracles, because they were based in the hermitage of the Panglung Rinpoches, where the tradition arose and they were trained. As you probably already know, the original Panglung hermitage was destroyed in Tibet but has come to be re-established in Kechara Forest Retreat due to Tsem Rinpoche’s kindness.
There are many other Dharma protectors within Dorje Shugden’s retinue. The main, as you have already mentioned would be Kache Marpo (and Yumar Gyalchen), Namkha Barzin, and Methar. But one thing people also forget is that Dorje Shugden has a very close connection with Setrap, whom he used to propitiate in his previous lifetimes. Therefore, when you invoke Dorje Shugden, Setrap will also come the aid of practitioners. For example, when you engage in the Serkym (golden drink) offering to Dorje Shugden, there are verses for Setrap. There are even verses for Kache Marpo/Yumar Gyalchen, and Namkha Barzin.
There are many other protectors, both enlightened and unenlightened that come to air practitioners. This includes the likes of the unenlightened Shangmo Dorje Putri (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/shangmo-dorje-putri-the-bamo-of-sakya.html). She was bound by Domo Geshe Rinpoche and established in the entourage of Kache Marpo. So when you invoke Dorje Shugden, since Kache Marpo is his main ‘attendant’ he would also bring his own ‘attendants’ and this includes Shangmo Dorje Putri.
Therefore, as we have seen, when you invoke Dorje Shugden, a whole bevy of other Dharma protectors come to aid the practitioner as well. This is not something that is unusual, even Palden Lhamo’s retinue includes the Tseringma goddesses and the 12 Tenma goddesses. However, the difference with Dorje Shugden is that because he has such a close connection with other enlightened Dharma protectors, these also bring their own retinue of Dharma protectors when they come to aid practitioners. I hope this helps.