Dorje Chang is not a historical figure but instead a representation of enlightenment, pervading all the lineages. Each lineage master realizes the nature of their mind, which is in essence the Buddha Dorje Chang. Although Dorje Chang is depicted as a perceivable figure, he is really the mind of enlightenment, beyond all limits and available to all sentient beings.

The Enlightened Beings of the Past, Present and Future appear to living beings in three ways:

The Nirmanakaya or Form body is the form of the Buddha or another great master which we see and interact with on earth. They manifest in this body to benefit ordinary beings. Dorje Chang’s human form in images represents the nirmanakaya of a Buddha. The Buddha Shakyamuni is the supreme nirmanakaya of our time.

The Sambhogakaya or Enjoyment body is a celestial form of the Buddha or another great master which appears to highly realized beings, in order to instruct them on advanced practices. Dorje Chang's ornaments and jewelry represent the sambhogakaya of a Buddha.

The Dharmakaya or the Body of the Absolute Truth is not a form body; it is simply the enlightened mind. The Dharmakaya is beyond the confinement of time. Only those who are completely enlightened can see, or realize, it. Dorje Chang’s blue color, like the sky which encompasses all that is living and non-living, represents the dharmakaya.

The Kagyu lineage therefore begins with the Buddha Dorje Chang who represents all forms and aspects of the Buddha. The Long Transmission lineage begins with the Bodhisattvas Sukhanatha and Ratnamati, the Short Transmission lineage begins with the Mahasiddha Tilopa.