Why is the Lion-Faced Dakini Simhamukha one of the most popular practices in times of peril - especially when facing any crushing supernatural or psychological threat?
Why do many lineages of Tibetan Buddhism turn to her practice in times of disaster, bad luck, illness, or any form of negative karma ripening?
Why is her mantra often the first one chanted when a yogi practitioner feels threatened by any looming or deadly evil, curse, or bad luck, even black magic?
We answer these questions, and more, in this feature presentation on Simhamukha, the great Lion-Faced Wisdom Dakini.
Despite her wrathful, exotic form, Simhamukha, the Snow Lion-Faced-Dakini is a fully enlightened Wisdom Dakini.
Lama Tsultrim of the Tara Mandala International Buddhist Community described Simhamukha "as a powerful remover of obstacles and as Queen of the Dakinis."
ART CREDIT: Some statue art is courtesy of the superb artisans at Terma Tree. www.termatree.com/products/si...
She is among the most popular of the Enlightened Buddhist Dakinis - in part due to her exotic and ferocious appearance - and her rapid activity in helping her practitioners.
Like many wisdom Dakinis, she is a super wrathful form of Wisdom, a fully Enlightened Buddha, and therefore considered ultimately an aspect of Tara.
Her appearance is deliberately ferocious, with a snow-lion face. Why the lion? The lion represents not only courage and ferocious power, but single-pointed concentration and alertness. As the great Sage Milarepa once taught:
When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it.
Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.
One only throws a stick at a lion once.
Lion-Faced Dakini is the "only once" deity. Those who call on her only once can be assured of her help. Her help is wrathful, however, so expect an energetic, unexpected result.
But, a definite result.
Both Shakyamuni Buddha and Guru Rinpoche are associated with the "lion."
Dharma speech is called the "Lion's Roar."
There are many profound reasons Simhamukha appears with a lion face, including her mantra, which is like the roar of a lion - powerful and irresistible.
Snow lions are mythically even more profound. They roam freely in the high snow mountains without any fear, symbolising the wisdom, fearlessness and divine pride of those dharma practitioners who are actually able to live freely in the high snow mountain of the pure mind, without being contaminated by delusions.
They are kings or queens of the doctrine because they have achieved the power to subdue all beings with their great love, compassion and wisdom.”
Her mantra's fourteen syllables averts all evils and obstacles.
Although you can chant her mantra without empowerment, it is helpful to receive transmission from a qualified teacher when you have an opportunity. Generally, to chant her mantra, the main requirement, as always, is Bodhichitta and the intention to benefit all sentient beings.
The mantra is:
ah ka sa ma ra cha sha dah rah sa mah rah yah pat
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