Five Personal Gods - Updated
According to the 5th Dalai Lama it was Traba Ngonshe (1012-1090) and Guru Chowang (1212-1270) who first introduced the Five Personal Gods into a Buddhist context. In more modern times it was the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682) who wrote a ritual text and popularized the practice. The 4th Panchen Lama, Lobzang Tenapi Nyima (1782-1853), also wrote a liturgical text for the Five Personal Gods. The first known Sakya text was written by Dagchen Kunga Lodro (1729-1783) who clearly states that his writings are based on the text of the 5th Dalai Lama. Kunga Lodro also mentions very clearly in the first few lines of the text that the group of five protector gods belong both to the Bon and Buddhist religions. The 4th Panchen Lama, Tenpa'i Nyima, describes the lineage of practice as originating with Padmasambhva and given directly to Lama Tsongkapa.