Simhamukha (Lion-Faced Dakini)

SIMBHAMUKHA (Tib. Seng Dong.ma)

All schools in Tibetan Buddhism carry a lion-faced dakini practice because of the belief that she is the wrathful manifestation of the “Guhyajnana dakini” – the secret Wisdom dakini who is said to have been the principle female teacher of Padma Sambhava in Oddiyana. Also that of Atisha in his youth when he studied in the same region and that of the Dalai Lama incarnations in their pre-Dalai Lama life as Ratnadas. Her lion face demonstrates fearlessness and that all fierce emotions are turned into a constructive activity towards enlightenment.

© Andy Weber 2003