Dorje Legpa
A protector of the Nyingma tradition
Dorje Legpa (rDo rJe Legs pa – Vajra Sadhu) is one of the Ma Za Dor Sum (ma za rDo gSum) the three main protectors of the Nyingma tradition. Dorje Legpa means ‘Benign Thunderbolt’ and he is seen as the most ‘encouraging’ and ‘kindly’ of the protectors. Here he is seen riding a goat with twisted horns. The goat is the most steadfast creature with regard to living amongst the mountains – its hooves are sure and stable on the most precipitous crags. These crags and terrifying heights are the dangers faced by the tantrika, and Dorje Legpa is a helper to practitioners when their dam-tsig (samaya) is at risk. His full name is Damchan Dorje Legpa which means ‘oath-bound’ – he is oathbound to protect one’s practice from the treachery of one’s dualistic rationale. The twisted horns of the goat are a symbol of non-duality.
