Emanation of Padmasambhava – Dorje Drolo

Dorje Drolo is a wrathful emanation Padmasambhava from the group of Eight Main Manifestations. Guru Dorje Drolo the fierce manifestation of Vajrakilaya known as Diamond Guts.

Dorje Drolo is one of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. He assumed this manifestation in Paro Taktsang in Bhutan in order to bring the local deities and guardians under his control.

Dorje Dorolo is known as gu ru rDo-rje gro-lod in Tibet.  Dorje Dorolo is also known as Guru Vajra in Sanskrit.

Iconography of Dorje Drolo

In the iconography of Dorje Drolo, we will learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Dorje Drolo in thangka and statue.

Posture of Dorje Drolo

Dorje Drolo is fearsome in form. Dorje Drolo is dark brown in color. He has one face, three-round staring eyes, and curly dark yellow hair with the orange mustache, beard, and eyebrows.

The upper fangs bite down on the lower lip as he gazes down to the left. The right hand of Dorje Drolo holds upraised a gold vajra ready to strike. The left-hand of Dorje Drolo holds thrusts with a blue kila made of meteorite iron.

Dorje Drolo is adorned with bone earrings and a necklace of freshly severed heads. He wears various colored robes in the style of both a layman and a monk along with ornate felt boots. Dorje Drolo bent the right leg and the left extended.

He stands atop a fierce tigress emanation of the consort Mandarava, while surrounded by the bright orange and red flames of pristine awareness.

Depicting Dorje Drolo Thangka

The thangka of Dorje Drolo is from Tibet. The thangka of Dorje Drolo is made between 1700 to 1799 AD. Dorje Drolo is from Nyingma and Buddhist lineages. The size of the painting is 81.28×50.80cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dorje Drolo with different deities such as 4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle, Acharya Shantigarbha, Acharya Vairochana, Shaza Khamoche, and Green Jhambhala, etc.

4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle

4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle is at the top center of the thangka.  4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle is seated in position. 4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle is wearing monastic robes.

The right hand of4th Dodrag Rigdzin Pema Trinle is in the gesture of blessing at the heart while supporting a Dharma book in the lap with the left hand. The TBRC source lists Rigdzin Pema Trinle as both the 4th and 2nd Dodrag Rigdzin.

Acharya Shantigarbha

Acharya Shantigarbha is on the left side of the thangka. Acharya Shantigarbha wears monastic robes and a Pandita hat. Acharya Shantigarbha is holding the right hand up in a wrathful gesture and a curved knife extended out to the left.

Acharya Shantigarbha is seated in a relaxed posture.

Acharya Vairochana

Acharya Vairochana is at the right of the thangka. Acharya Vairochana is wearing a Pandita hat and performing the gesture of blessing. Acharya Vairochana is holding a book in the lap with the left hand.

Lhamo Remati

Lhamo Remati is at the bottom center of the thangka. Lhamo Remati is known as a wrathful protector. Lhamo Remati is a female protector.

Lhamo Remati red in color with one face and two hands holding a sword and skullcup, standing, surrounded by flames.

Shaza Khamoche

Shaza Khamoche is at the left of the thangka.  Shaza Khamoche is a female protector. Shaza Khamoche is red in color holding a hook and eating a heart. Shaza Khamoche is riding on a large green snake surrounded by smoke.

Green Jambhala

At the right is the wealth deity. Green Jambhala is with one face and two hands. Green Jambhala is holding a wishing jewel and a brown mongoose.

Dorje Dorolo with Ngawang Kunsang Dorje Thangka

The thangka of Dorje Drolo with Ngawang Kunsang Dorje is from Tibet. The thangka of Dorje Drolo with Ngawang Kunsang Dorje is made between 1700 to 1799 AD. Dorje Drolo with Ngawang Kunsang Dorje is from Nyingma and Buddhist lineages.

The size of the painting is 60.96*40.64cm. Ground mineral pigment on cotton and the fine gold line is used to color this painting. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art..

Ngagwang Kunsang Dorje is at the top center of the thangka. gagwang Kunsang Dorje is the teacher. Ngagwang Kunsang Dorjewas born on 1680.

This painting belongs to a set of nine paintings illustrating the principal form of Padmasambhava along with the eight special forms relating to eight special periods and events in his life.

Dorje Drolo with Samantabhadra Thangka

The thangka of Dorje Drolo with Samantabhadra is from Eastern Tibet. The thangka of Dorje Drolo with Samantabhadra is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Dorje Drolo is from Nyingma and Buddhist lineages. Ground mineral pigment on cotton and black background is used to color this painting. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dorje Drolo with Shmashana Adhipati and Yellow Jambhala.

Samantabhadra is at the top center of the thangka. Samantabhadra is known as primordial Buddha. Samantabhadra surrounded by the Five Transcendent Buddhas such as Vairochana, Akshobhya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, and Amoghasiddhi.

Shmashana Adhipati

Shmashana Adhipati is at the lower left of the thangka. Shmashana Adhipati is the protector couple. Shmashana Adhipati is appearing as two dancing skeletons.

Yellow Jambhala

Yellow Jambhala is at the lower right of the thangka. Yellow Jambhala is embracing the consort Vasudhara.