Difference between revisions of "Sinhamukhi"
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Skt., Lion-Faced | Skt., Lion-Faced | ||
| − | [[Simhamukha]], aka [[Sinhamukhi]], aka Simhavaktra, is regarded as one of the principal fierce [[manifestations]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. As such, she is connected with many {{Wiki|ceremonies}} of the [[Dzogchen]] [[tradition]]. A fierce [[Dakini]], she is also one of the [[Bardo]] Thödol's Phramenma; a group of [[Female deities]] most likely of [[Bön]] origin. | + | [[Simhamukha]], aka [[Sinhamukhi]], aka [[Simhavaktra]], is regarded as one of the [[principal]] fierce [[manifestations]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. As such, she is connected with many {{Wiki|ceremonies}} of the [[Dzogchen]] [[tradition]]. A fierce [[Dakini]], she is also one of the [[Bardo]] Thödol's [[Phramenma]]; a group of [[Female deities]] most likely of [[Bön]] origin. |
| − | [[Simhamukha]] ( [[Sanskrit]]: Simhaṃukhã) or [[Senge Dongma]] ([[Tibetan]]: Seng-gdong-ma) is a {{Wiki|female}} [[Buddha]], a fully-[[Enlightened]] being in the [[Vajrayana]] practice [[path]] as a [[Yidam]] or [[meditational deity]]. | + | [[Simhamukha]] ( [[Sanskrit]]: Simhaṃukhã) or [[Senge Dongma]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[Seng-gdong-ma]]) is a {{Wiki|female}} [[Buddha]], a fully-[[Enlightened]] being in the [[Vajrayana]] practice [[path]] as a [[Yidam]] or [[meditational deity]]. |
Origin and [[Lineage]] | Origin and [[Lineage]] | ||
| − | [[Simhamukha]] first began to appear in [[Buddhist practice]] in [[India]] during the rise of the [[Tantric]] {{Wiki|movement}}. According to Miranda Shaw there was "considerable mutual influence" between the [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] [[tantric]] groups with the closest [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|cultural}} parallels to this lion-headed [[Buddha]] being found in the Kaula strand of [[Hindu]] [[Tantra]] where animal-headed [[yoginis]] appear in the [[Mandala]] {{Wiki|retinues}} of [[Kali]] and {{Wiki|Bhairava}}. In {{Wiki|Orissa}} and [[Madhya]] Pradesh {{Wiki|archaeological}} remains from the 9th to 11th Centuries depict these [[lion]], {{Wiki|tiger}}, {{Wiki|boar}}, {{Wiki|snake}} and bird-headed [[Dakinis]]. | + | [[Simhamukha]] first began to appear in [[Buddhist practice]] in [[India]] during the rise of the [[Tantric]] {{Wiki|movement}}. According to [[Miranda Shaw]] there was "considerable mutual influence" between the [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] [[tantric]] groups with the closest [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|cultural}} parallels to this [[lion-headed]] [[Buddha]] being found in the [[Kaula]] strand of [[Hindu]] [[Tantra]] where animal-headed [[yoginis]] appear in the [[Mandala]] {{Wiki|retinues}} of [[Kali]] and {{Wiki|Bhairava}}. In {{Wiki|Orissa}} and [[Madhya]] Pradesh {{Wiki|archaeological}} remains from the 9th to 11th Centuries depict these [[lion]], {{Wiki|tiger}}, {{Wiki|boar}}, {{Wiki|snake}} and bird-headed [[Dakinis]]. |
| − | [[Simhamukha]] is viewed as a [[Dakini]] [[Form]] of [[Padmasambhava]], the founder of the [[Nyingma]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The [[Lion]] Headed [[Dakini]], Sengdoma in [[Tibetan]], was one of the principal [[teachers]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. Her [[nature]] [[embodies]] the [[wrathful]] force of [[Anger]] redirected as [[Joy]], i.e. [[Enlightenment]]. Even the most [[realized]] [[teachers]] do not immediately [[recognize]] the [[Dakini]], whose {{Wiki|ambiguous}}, {{Wiki|semiotic}} quality accounts for the richness and variety of her lore. | + | [[Simhamukha]] is viewed as a [[Dakini]] [[Form]] of [[Padmasambhava]], the founder of the [[Nyingma]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The [[Lion]] Headed [[Dakini]], Sengdoma in [[Tibetan]], was one of the [[principal]] [[teachers]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. Her [[nature]] [[embodies]] the [[wrathful]] force of [[Anger]] redirected as [[Joy]], i.e. [[Enlightenment]]. Even the most [[realized]] [[teachers]] do not immediately [[recognize]] the [[Dakini]], whose {{Wiki|ambiguous}}, {{Wiki|semiotic}} [[quality]] accounts for the richness and variety of her lore. |
| − | [[Simhamukha]] is usually a dark blue figure although she also appears in a red [[Form]]. She is similar to [[Vajravarahi]], or the "[[diamond]] sow", in [[appearance]] and ornaments.[4] Like her, she has a curved knife in her right hand and a skullcap or [[Kapala]] in her left, however her face is that of a [[lion]], whereas [[Vajravarahi]]'s face is [[human]], with a sow's head appearing over her right {{Wiki|ear}}. | + | [[Simhamukha]] is usually a [[dark blue]] figure although she also appears in a [[red]] [[Form]]. She is similar to [[Vajravarahi]], or the "[[diamond]] sow", in [[appearance]] and ornaments.[4] Like her, she has a [[curved knife]] in her right hand and a skullcap or [[Kapala]] in her left, however her face is that of a [[lion]], whereas [[Vajravarahi]]'s face is [[human]], with a sow's head appearing over her right {{Wiki|ear}}. |
The [[Dakini]] [[Simhamukha]] is a {{Wiki|female}} [[meditational deity]] with a [[lion]] face. In the [[Sarma]] [[traditions]] ([[Sakya]], [[Kagyu]], [[Gelug]]) she arises out of the [[Chakrasamvara]] cycle of [[Tantras]] and belongs to the [[Anuttarayoga]] '[[Wisdom]]' {{Wiki|classification}}. In the [[Nyingma]] '[[Treasure]]' [[tradition]] she is one of the many [[forms]] of [[Padmasambhava]], specifically a secret [[Form]] of [[Guru Rinpoche]]. The [[Sarma]] [[tradition]] [[Simhamukha]] is unrelated to the [[deity]] of the same [[name]] and [[appearance]] in [[The Nyingma Tradition]].imhamukha is a [[wrathful deity]]. | The [[Dakini]] [[Simhamukha]] is a {{Wiki|female}} [[meditational deity]] with a [[lion]] face. In the [[Sarma]] [[traditions]] ([[Sakya]], [[Kagyu]], [[Gelug]]) she arises out of the [[Chakrasamvara]] cycle of [[Tantras]] and belongs to the [[Anuttarayoga]] '[[Wisdom]]' {{Wiki|classification}}. In the [[Nyingma]] '[[Treasure]]' [[tradition]] she is one of the many [[forms]] of [[Padmasambhava]], specifically a secret [[Form]] of [[Guru Rinpoche]]. The [[Sarma]] [[tradition]] [[Simhamukha]] is unrelated to the [[deity]] of the same [[name]] and [[appearance]] in [[The Nyingma Tradition]].imhamukha is a [[wrathful deity]]. | ||
| − | The [[Simhamukha]], is a [[deity]] from the [[Sakya]], [[Kagyu]], and [[Gelug]] [[traditions]] and resides in the "[[Lotus Family]]" of [[deities]], but in the [[Nyingma tradition]] it is held that she is one of many [[Padmasambhava]] [[manifestations]]. She is in the [[form]] of a Red [[Simhamukha]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[seng ge]] dong ma [[chen]] mar mo) — with the face of a [[lion]], is fierce by [[nature]], possessing three piercing [[eyes]], the bite of an [[angry]] lioness, and wild red fur — she tramples a corpse of [[ignorance]]. | + | The [[Simhamukha]], is a [[deity]] from the [[Sakya]], [[Kagyu]], and [[Gelug]] [[traditions]] and resides in the "[[Lotus Family]]" of [[deities]], but in the [[Nyingma tradition]] it is held that she is one of many [[Padmasambhava]] [[manifestations]]. She is in the [[form]] of a [[Red]] [[Simhamukha]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[seng ge]] dong ma [[chen]] mar mo) — with the face of a [[lion]], is fierce by [[nature]], possessing three piercing [[eyes]], the bite of an [[angry]] lioness, and wild [[red]] fur — she tramples a corpse of [[ignorance]]. |
| − | The "[[Padma]]" (or [[Lotus]]) Family" resides in the {{Wiki|Western}} "[[Pure Land]]." [[Simhamukha]] and the other [[Lotus family]] members (with the [[primary]] figures being [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]], [[Amitayus]] and in certain schools, the [[Red Tara]]. She is in the {{Wiki|color}} associated with this [[Padma family]], having the [[element]] of [[fire]], and a [[mental]] [[symbolism]] that contends with such matters as [[desire]] and [[lust]]. | + | The "[[Padma]]" (or [[Lotus]]) [[Family]]" resides in the {{Wiki|Western}} "[[Pure Land]]." [[Simhamukha]] and the other [[Lotus family]] members (with the [[primary]] figures being [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]], [[Amitayus]] and in certain schools, the [[Red Tara]]. She is in the {{Wiki|color}} associated with this [[Padma family]], having the [[element]] of [[fire]], and a [[mental]] [[symbolism]] that contends with such matters as [[desire]] and [[lust]]. |
| − | When fully appreciating the benefits of this [[wrathful]] [[wisdom deity]] (according to the [[Nyingmapa]] [[tradition]]), it is important to understand that, regardless of her exceedingly [[wrathful]] [[appearance]] and ferocious [[animal]] head, she is not a guardian [[spirit]] rather, she is the principal [[Dakini]] [[teacher]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. [[Padmasambhava]] in [[Sanskrit]] meaning "[[lotus-born]]", founded the [[Tibetan]] school of [[Buddhism]] in the 8th century. | + | When fully appreciating the benefits of this [[wrathful]] [[wisdom deity]] (according to the [[Nyingmapa]] [[tradition]]), it is important to understand that, regardless of her exceedingly [[wrathful]] [[appearance]] and ferocious [[animal]] head, she is not a guardian [[spirit]] rather, she is the [[principal]] [[Dakini]] [[teacher]] of [[Padmasambhava]]. [[Padmasambhava]] in [[Sanskrit]] meaning "[[lotus-born]]", founded the [[Tibetan]] school of [[Buddhism]] in the 8th century. |
| − | "[[Arising]] from the state of the [[dharmadhatu]], Mother of all conquerors, {{Wiki|Queen}} of all the numberless [[dakinis]]; With [[magic]] [[powers]] smashing to dust [[hindrances]] and enemies. Homage to Simhamukha."—Nyingma text. | + | "[[Arising]] from the [[state]] of the [[dharmadhatu]], Mother of all conquerors, {{Wiki|Queen}} of all the numberless [[dakinis]]; With [[magic]] [[powers]] smashing to dust [[hindrances]] and enemies. Homage to Simhamukha."—Nyingma text. |
| − | The practice of [[Simhamukha]] was founded by Jetsunma [[Lochen]]. | + | The practice of [[Simhamukha]] was founded by [[Jetsunma]] [[Lochen]]. |
| − | “…the [[Wisdom]] [[Dakini]] [[Simhamukha]], with a [[Body]] blue-black in {{Wiki|colour}}, one face, two hands; three [[eyes]], red, round and glaring; bared fangs and a curled {{Wiki|tongue}}. The right hand holds aloft to the sky a curved-knife marked with a [[Vajra]]. The left a {{Wiki|blood}} filled [[Skullcup]] to the [[Heart]], carrying a three-pointed [[khatvanga]] [[staff]] in the bend of the left elbow. Orange [[Hair]], eyebrows and beard flowing upwards, with five dry [[human]] heads as a {{Wiki|crown}} and fifty wet, {{Wiki|blood}} dripping, as a [[necklace]]. With five bone ornaments and a {{Wiki|tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}} as a lower garment; [[standing]] on the left leg with the right drawn-up, in the middle of a blazing [[Fire]] of [[pristine awareness]]. | + | “…the [[Wisdom]] [[Dakini]] [[Simhamukha]], with a [[Body]] blue-black in {{Wiki|colour}}, one face, two hands; three [[eyes]], [[red]], round and glaring; bared fangs and a curled {{Wiki|tongue}}. The right hand holds aloft to the sky a curved-knife marked with a [[Vajra]]. The left a {{Wiki|blood}} filled [[Skullcup]] to the [[Heart]], carrying a three-pointed [[khatvanga]] [[staff]] in the bend of the left elbow. [[Orange]] [[Hair]], [[eyebrows]] and beard flowing upwards, with five dry [[human]] heads as a {{Wiki|crown}} and fifty wet, {{Wiki|blood}} dripping, as a [[necklace]]. With [[five bone ornaments]] and a {{Wiki|tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}} as a lower garment; [[standing]] on the left leg with the right drawn-up, in the middle of a blazing [[Fire]] of [[pristine awareness]]. |
She is usually depicted as a maroon, smoke- or wine-colored lioness associated with the [[direction]] [[East]]. | She is usually depicted as a maroon, smoke- or wine-colored lioness associated with the [[direction]] [[East]]. | ||
| − | As Simhavaktra, this [[goddess]] is also an attendant of Lha-Mo, in which case she is deoicted as carrying both a [[Kapala]] and a kartrika. | + | As [[Simhavaktra]], this [[goddess]] is also an attendant of [[Lha-Mo]], in which case she is deoicted as carrying both a [[Kapala]] and a [[kartrika]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 19:27, 25 December 2023
Simhamukha
Skt., Lion-Faced
Simhamukha, aka Sinhamukhi, aka Simhavaktra, is regarded as one of the principal fierce manifestations of Padmasambhava. As such, she is connected with many ceremonies of the Dzogchen tradition. A fierce Dakini, she is also one of the Bardo Thödol's Phramenma; a group of Female deities most likely of Bön origin.
Simhamukha ( Sanskrit: Simhaṃukhã) or Senge Dongma (Tibetan: Seng-gdong-ma) is a female Buddha, a fully-Enlightened being in the Vajrayana practice path as a Yidam or meditational deity.
Origin and Lineage
Simhamukha first began to appear in Buddhist practice in India during the rise of the Tantric movement. According to Miranda Shaw there was "considerable mutual influence" between the Hindu and Buddhist tantric groups with the closest Hindu cultural parallels to this lion-headed Buddha being found in the Kaula strand of Hindu Tantra where animal-headed yoginis appear in the Mandala retinues of Kali and Bhairava. In Orissa and Madhya Pradesh archaeological remains from the 9th to 11th Centuries depict these lion, tiger, boar, snake and bird-headed Dakinis.
Simhamukha is viewed as a Dakini Form of Padmasambhava, the founder of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Lion Headed Dakini, Sengdoma in Tibetan, was one of the principal teachers of Padmasambhava. Her nature embodies the wrathful force of Anger redirected as Joy, i.e. Enlightenment. Even the most realized teachers do not immediately recognize the Dakini, whose ambiguous, semiotic quality accounts for the richness and variety of her lore.
Simhamukha is usually a dark blue figure although she also appears in a red Form. She is similar to Vajravarahi, or the "diamond sow", in appearance and ornaments.[4] Like her, she has a curved knife in her right hand and a skullcap or Kapala in her left, however her face is that of a lion, whereas Vajravarahi's face is human, with a sow's head appearing over her right ear.
The Dakini Simhamukha is a female meditational deity with a lion face. In the Sarma traditions (Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug) she arises out of the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantras and belongs to the Anuttarayoga 'Wisdom' classification. In the Nyingma 'Treasure' tradition she is one of the many forms of Padmasambhava, specifically a secret Form of Guru Rinpoche. The Sarma tradition Simhamukha is unrelated to the deity of the same name and appearance in The Nyingma Tradition.imhamukha is a wrathful deity.
The Simhamukha, is a deity from the Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug traditions and resides in the "Lotus Family" of deities, but in the Nyingma tradition it is held that she is one of many Padmasambhava manifestations. She is in the form of a Red Simhamukha (Tibetan: seng ge dong ma chen mar mo) — with the face of a lion, is fierce by nature, possessing three piercing eyes, the bite of an angry lioness, and wild red fur — she tramples a corpse of ignorance.
The "Padma" (or Lotus) Family" resides in the Western "Pure Land." Simhamukha and the other Lotus family members (with the primary figures being Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara, Amitayus and in certain schools, the Red Tara. She is in the color associated with this Padma family, having the element of fire, and a mental symbolism that contends with such matters as desire and lust.
When fully appreciating the benefits of this wrathful wisdom deity (according to the Nyingmapa tradition), it is important to understand that, regardless of her exceedingly wrathful appearance and ferocious animal head, she is not a guardian spirit rather, she is the principal Dakini teacher of Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava in Sanskrit meaning "lotus-born", founded the Tibetan school of Buddhism in the 8th century.
"Arising from the state of the dharmadhatu, Mother of all conquerors, Queen of all the numberless dakinis; With magic powers smashing to dust hindrances and enemies. Homage to Simhamukha."—Nyingma text.
The practice of Simhamukha was founded by Jetsunma Lochen.
“…the Wisdom Dakini Simhamukha, with a Body blue-black in colour, one face, two hands; three eyes, red, round and glaring; bared fangs and a curled tongue. The right hand holds aloft to the sky a curved-knife marked with a Vajra. The left a blood filled Skullcup to the Heart, carrying a three-pointed khatvanga staff in the bend of the left elbow. Orange Hair, eyebrows and beard flowing upwards, with five dry human heads as a crown and fifty wet, blood dripping, as a necklace. With five bone ornaments and a tiger skin as a lower garment; standing on the left leg with the right drawn-up, in the middle of a blazing Fire of pristine awareness.
She is usually depicted as a maroon, smoke- or wine-colored lioness associated with the direction East.
As Simhavaktra, this goddess is also an attendant of Lha-Mo, in which case she is deoicted as carrying both a Kapala and a kartrika.
