Thangka Gyalchen Dorje Shugden (rgyal chen rdo rje shugs ldan)

Dorje Shugden ("mighty thunderbolt") has been worshipped as a protective deity (Dharma protector) in Tibetan Buddhism since the 17th century. Since the 1970s, the14. Dalai Lama Tendzin Gyatsho has publicly spoken out against the worship of Dorje Shugden. According to him, Shugden worship is in danger of "degenerating Tibetan Buddhism into spirit worship", is an obstacle to the unity of faith and is "inappropriate for the prosperity of Tibetan society". The Dalai Lama emphasizes that this is his own doctrine, which he has gained through "long and careful study" and that he himself grew up practising Dolgyal.