Palden Lhamo

Introduction

Palden Lhamo, a prominent deity in Tibetan Buddhism, is a wrathful emanation of goddess kali. She is believed to be the embodiment of both ferocity and compassion. She is regarded as a Dharampala, protecting the teachings of buddhism. So, she is also known as the wisdom protector. Moreover, She is the only female among the “eight guardians of the law”.

The name Palden Lhamo can be broken down to “palden” and “Lhamo”, where “Palden” means “Glorious” and “Lhamo” means “Goddess”. So, she is also known as the glorious goddess, emphasizing the essence of majestic and divine goddess.

Palden Lhamo is often depicted riding a mule across the sea of blood, representing her ability to travel easily through difficult terrains. Her representation demonstrates the transformational power of compassion even in the midst of life's natural challenges. She is frequently adorned with a skull crown, emphasizing her victory over ego and the transient nature of life. Palden Lhamo is revered for her protecting abilities. Devotees seek her help to overcome hurdles, ward off evil powers, and find guidance on their spiritual journeys. Her wrathful aspect is considered as a powerful force to remove obstacles and obstructions in the path to enlightenment.

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Origin of Palden Lhamo

According to one story, Palden Lhamo (Magzor Gyalmo) was known as Remati while she was married to the evil king of Lanka, both of whom were rakshasas. Remati pledged that if she was unable to convert the king to Buddhism and rid him of his evil, she would bring an end to his dynasty. She attempted several times to convert him in order to prevent killing dharma practitioners, but she failed, and their son was raised to kill Buddhists. She had no choice but to kill her son when her husband went hunting. She ate her son's flesh, drank his blood from his skull, which she used as a kapala or cup, and flayed his skin to build a saddle.

Then, She fled to the north. The king returned and learned of his son's murder just as she was preparing to leave on a mule. Enraged, he shot the back of the mule Remati was riding. In answer, Remati repaired the wound and changed it into an eye, saying, "May the wound of my mount become an eye large enough to watch over the twenty-four regions, and may I myself be the one to extinguish the lineage of the malignant kings of Lanka!". She then travelled across India, Tibet, China, and Mongolia before settling on the peak of Oikhan in eastern Siberia.

When she died, she was reincarnated in hell, where she fought her way out by snatching a bag of diseases and a sword. She found no serenity when she escaped. Then, she prayed to the Buddha for a cause to live. The Buddha Vajradhara (tantric Shakyamuni) came in front of her and asked her to guard the dharma. Remati, stunned, agreed and ascended as the dharmapala she is, only wielding her weapons against Buddhist opponents. Yama, the lord of death, also appointed her as a dharma guardian.

Lake Lhamo La-tso

Lhamo La-tso, also known as Lhamo Latso, is a sacred lake in Tibet that travellers visit for visions or predictions. The lake is believed to be a sacred site of the deity Palden Lhamo, the Dalai Lama's protector. Palden Lhamo's specific form at Lhamo La-tso is Gyelmo Maksorma, "The Victorious One Who Turns Back Enemies." The lake is also known as "Pelden Lhamo Kalideva," implying that Palden Lhamo is an incarnation of the goddess Kali, consort of Hindu god shiva.

It is believed that senior Tibetan monks visit Lake Lhamo Latso for visions that assist in the discovery of Dalai Lama reincarnations. Palden Lhamo, as the female guardian spirit of the sacred lake, Lhamo La-tso, is claimed to have promised Gendun Drup, the 1st Dalai Lama, in one of his visions, "that she would protect the reincarnation lineage of the Dalai Lamas." Since the reign of Gendun Gyatso, the 2nd Dalai Lama, who formalised the practice, Regents and other monks have gone to the lake to seek advice in choosing the next rebirth through visions while meditating there.

Iconography

Palden Lhamo is often depicted in deep blue-black complexion with wrathful expression, riding in a mule across the sea of blood. On her left hands, she holds a skull cup filled with blood, and on her right hand, she holds a Sandalwood staff.

Key features of her iconography:

Deep blue-black complexion:

She is often depicted with deep blue-black complexion which symbolizes the boundless limit of sky, indicating her transcendence over worldly phenomena. It also represents the wisdom of emptiness.

Wrathful expression:

Her wrathful expression represents the fierce element of compassion. It signifies the powerful force required to overcome obstacles and obscurations.

Mule across sea of blood:

She is depicted riding a mule across sea of blood, representing her ability to travel easily through difficult terrains. It also represents the transformational power of compassion even in the midst of life's natural challenges.

Crown of skulls:

She is often adorned with a skull crown, symbolizing her victory over ego and transient nature of life.

Sandalwood:

In her right hand, she holds sandalwood, symbolizing her ability to cut through ego and illusions, mastery over dualities, and subjugation of negativity.

Kapala:

In her left hand, she holds a skull cup filled with blood, representing transformation of negative qualities into wisdom. Also, The skull cup holds the elixir of wisdom.

Serpant necklace:

She is often adorned with necklace made up of snakes, symbolizing her ability to transform and subdue negative qualities. The snakes in her necklace symbolizes her protective virtues, as serpent is associated with protection in various cultural and religious contexts.

Palden Lhamo Mantra

“Jho Ramo Jho Ramo Jho Jho Ramo Tunjo Kala Rachenmo Ramo Aja Daja Tunjo Rulu Rulu Hum Jho Hum”

Devotees turn to her seeking protection and guidance in their spiritual journey. As a dharmapala and one of the eight guardians of the law, she safeguards devotees from obstacles and obscurations that may arise on their path to enlightenment.

Benefits of chanting Palden Lhamo mantra:

·       Protection from negative emotions, thoughts and energies that acts as hindrance in spiritual journey.

·       Protection from both internal and external obstacles. External obstacles include lions, wild elephants, fire, snakes, floods, imprisonment, thieves and cannibals. Internal obstacles include pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, attachment, miserliness, wrong views and doubts.

·       Fulfillment of wishes and boons.

·       Protection from demons, evils, enemies and spirits.