The Great Ferocious Dakini – Sengdongma
(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Manjushri, Vajrayogini, Sengdongma, Dorje Shugden and Kache Marpo.
Alternative names: Simhamukha (Sanskrit); Lion-Faced Dakini (English) The great ferocious dakini Sengdongma is an impressive female meditational deity. Within the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug traditions, Sengdongma arises from the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantras and is considered to be one of the attendant dakinis within the mandala of Vajrayogini, who is depicted in the upper right hand corner of the thangka. Thus, Sengdongma’s practice belongs to the Highest Yoga Tantra classification. The form of Sengdongma prevalent in the Nyingma tradition is a unique one. In this tradition she is considered the ‘secret’ form of Guru Padmasambhava, according to the inner, outer and secret manifestations of his form.
During the time of Buddha Amitabha which was aeons before Buddha Shakyamuni, there lived a demon by the name of Garab Wangchuk whose daughter was a lion-faced demoness named Tramen Sengdongma. She thrived on killing many innocent beings and her trail of destruction became widespread. She threatened sincere practitioners and undermined Buddha Amitabha’s teachings. It was then that the enlightened beings gathered to manifest an identical-looking being in order to tame the demoness. Through the collective blessings of all the enlightened beings, a wisdom being appeared in the form of a lion-faced dakini, who was empowered by all the Buddhas to subjugate the demoness. The dakini,
Sengdongma, was far more powerful than the demoness and when they fought, the demoness began to lose her strength. Furthermore, Sengdongma entered a deep state of concentration called Taming the Maras and thus emanated countless dakinis who continued her work of subduing demons. In this manner Tramen Sengdongma was subdued and took an oath to serve the Dharma and became a protector.
Buddha Shakyamuni turned the Wheel of Dharma, giving many different types of teachings including that of the Vajrayana (Adamantine Vehicle) tradition which concentrates on the practice of Tantra. At one time, Buddha Shakyamuni made it known that there was a method to dispel ignorance, and so his bodhisattva disciple Vajrapani requested that he teach this method. Buddha Shakyamuni entered into the meditative state known as Taming the Maras and then taught the entire cycle of teachings centred on Sengdongma. He taught in many different ways and these transmissions were received by Vajrapani in order to be concealed and revealed at a later time.
Later in Bodhgaya, a king by the name of Suraya Singha invited 500 panditas – great scholars and masters of various faiths – so that he could make offerings to them. At that time, a debate between the Thirtika and Buddhist panditas was arranged. It is said that Suraya Singha and the Buddhist panditas supplicated Guru Padmasambhava for his
assistance during the debate. He appeared and tamed the Thirtika opponents in a contest of miraculous powers. The Thirtikas then began using black magic to take revenge for their defeat. It was then that Guru Padmasambhava revealed the Sengdongma practice, long hidden by the bodhisattva Vajrapani. He engaged in the practice and defeated the Thirtika panditas once and for all.
Sengdongma provides very effective protection against negative conditions, illnesses and misfortune, particularly those that are specifically sent against us through the use of black magic. Her practice is beneficial in the clearing of spirit disturbances and black magic. Her practice is also excellent for eliminating obstacles and problems to our Dharma practice, ensuring the practitioner’s health and success in both spiritual and secular endeavours.
Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, is propitiated in his myriad forms to increase one’s wisdom, insight and merits.
Dorje Shugden is the emanation of Manjushri and a highly powerful protector of the Dharma and its practitioners.
Kache Marpo is an emanation of Hayagriva and a protector of the Dharma. He serves as Dorje Shugden’s main minister. Together with Dorje Shugden they are the perfect accompanying deities to Sengdongma’s practice to clear obstacles quickly and effectively.
