Palden Lhamo： The Supreme Female Protector of Tibetan Buddhism's Tantric Path

type

status

date

slug

summary

Wrathful Form

In her wrathful aspect, Palden Lhamo embodies a terrifying and awe-inspiring presence. Her body is a striking bluish-green, crowned with five skulls symbolizing her dominion over the five poisons of delusion. Her fiery red hair rises like flames, adorned with a crescent moon and peacock feathers. Her three fierce eyes radiate wrathful energy, and her gaping mouth clamps down on a human corpse. Her right ear is adorned with a miniature lion, symbolizing her acute perception of spiritual teachings, while her left ear bears a snake, signifying her formidable wrath.

A ledger of human transgressions hangs at her waist, and she is cloaked in human skin, with a necklace fashioned from human heads and serpents. In her right hand, she raises the khadzhanga staff—a divine weapon for subduing malevolent asuras—while her left hand cradles a kapala, a skull cup filled with human blood and flesh. She dons a tiger-skin skirt and rides a celestial yellow mule, its back draped in human skin and its abdomen festooned with inverted human heads. Her mount bears eerie features, with two glaring eyes on its rump. Below the saddle hang two dice: red signifies her power to destroy, while white represents her role as a spiritual guide. A pouch attached behind the saddle contains plagues and diseases, representing her control over life, death, and illness.

Guided by a green snake serving as her bridle, Palden Lhamo strides across a turbulent sea of blood, symbolizing her transcendence over the three realms of heaven, earth, and sea. Her presence is engulfed by a fiery and tempestuous backdrop, signifying her boundless power and fury. Legend has it that the human skin she wears once belonged to her son or brother, symbolizing her unwavering devotion to justice, even at personal cost.

Serene Form

In her serene form, Palden Lhamo transforms into White Lhamo, exuding grace and compassion. According to Tibetan lore, White Lhamo is her youngest daughter. With fair and luminous skin, she wears a high hair bun adorned with an elegant floral crown and large earrings. Her three slender eyes convey boundless compassion, and her lips are slightly parted in a gentle smile. She is draped in a flowing white robe with a crimson inner garment, her feet clad in red boots, as she sits serenely upon a lotus throne.

In her right hand, she holds a long arrow with a white shaft, its tip adorned with a delicate copper mirror. The arrow's ribbons are tied with black-and-white dice, symbolizing her unparalleled ability to divine karma and destiny. The black die represents destruction, while the white signifies enlightenment and transformation. In her left hand, she bears a treasure plate overflowing with divine offerings.

Tibetan Festival: "Auspicious Goddess Day"

The 15th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan lunar calendar marks the annual festival of Bai Lai Ri Chui, or "Auspicious Goddess Day."

A popular Tibetan legend narrates the festival’s origin. The guardian deity of Jokhang Temple, Mother Masojem, had three daughters: White Lhamo, Dongzan Jem, and White Lhaza. Disobedient to their mother’s wishes, the eldest daughter White Lhaza was cursed to remain without a husband for life. Even if she found a lover, they could meet only once a year. True to the curse, White Lhaza's lover resided on the southern bank of the Lhasa River at Chibu Zongzan, and they could reunite only on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month.

On this special day, Tibetan women dress in their finest attire and offer prayers and incense before the statue of White Lhaza. A long-standing custom in Tibet encourages generosity during this festival, with offerings given to juniors, monks, and children regardless of wealth. Children, in particular, delight in the holiday, eagerly collecting pocket money from their parents early in the morning to celebrate this joyous occasion.