Protector Practice in Gelug

[tony_montana]

From what I understand, Je Tsongkhapa recommended reliance upon three protectors: Kalarupa, Shadbhuja Mahakala and Vaishravana. Does this mean that people who have taken the empowerment of Highest Yoga Tantra deities such as Vajra-Bhairava Yamantaka, Vajrayogini etc in the Gelug tradition can propitiate these three protectors with their mantras as there is a link established -- or is an initiation into these protector's practices necessary despite having a anuttara-yoga-tantra initiation in the Gelug lineage.

Especially for Six-armed Mahakala and Kalarupa, would empowerment into Vajrabhairava and Vajrayogini automatically authorize the practice of their mantras?

[Ayu]

I'm not sure how it is in general, but as far as I understand a main empowerment into e.g.Vajrabhairava is the base for the validity of following initiations. But I don't think there is something like automatically authorizing. I believe you need an initiation into protector practices.
But maybe it depends on what the regarding lama says.

[zerwe]

I would ask, but I am pretty sure it is ok to say the protector prayers. Now to formally engage in the protector practices you need initiation (jenang), lung, commentary, etc...

Shaun

[zerwe]

From what I understand, Je Tsongkhapa recommended reliance upon three protectors: Kalarupa, Shadbhuja Mahakala and Vaishravana.

Vajrabhairava also includes Palden Lhamo as well.

Shaun