Simhamukha

Simhamukha. (Source: Himalaya Art Resources.)

Simhamukha (Skt. Siṃhamukhā; T. seng ge gdong ma) a deity known as the "Lion-faced dakini".

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. The Sarma tradition Simhamukha is somewhat unrelated to the deity of the same name and appearance in the Nyingma tradition, although the Nyingma Simhamukha is based on the Sarma tradition of Bari Lotsawa according to Nyangral Nyima Ozer. In the Nyingma 'Treasure' tradition Simhamukha is regarded as one of the many forms of Padmasambhava, specifically a 'secret' form of Guru Rinpoche within the system of outer, inner and secret manifestations.

External links

• Buddhist Deity: Simhamukha Main Page, Himalayan Art Resources
• seng_ge_gdong_ma, Rangjung Yeshe Wiki
• Senge Dongma, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
• Siṃhamukhā Series, Lotsawa House