5
Jul
2020
Simhamukha Yogini The Female Tantric Buddha
Simhamukha is a tutelary deity arising out of the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantras and belongs to the Anuttarayoga ‘wisdom’ classification. Simhamukha is known as a Dakini and the female tantric Buddha. Simhamukha is the 8th Century mahasiddha.
Table of Contents
Life of Simhamukha Yogini
In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Simhamukha, after that, the short etymological description of the word Simhamukha itself.
Simhamukha is the founder of the sarma school. She is also one of the Phramenma. Simhamukha is found in the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras and although similar in name and appearance is unrelated.
Etymology of Simhamukha
Simhamukha is known as Seng Ge dong Chen Kha dro ma in Tibet. Simhamukha is called Lion Faced Dakini in English.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Simhamukha. Now, we are going to learn about the iconography of Simhamukha.
Iconography of Simhamukha
In the iconography of Simhamukha, we are going to learn about her body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Simhamukha in thangka and statue.
Posture of Simhamukha
Simhamukha’s body is black in color. The face of Simhamukha is that of a white lion with three round yellow eyes. Simhamukha is blazing fiercely with a gaping mouth, a yellow beard, eyebrows, and hair flowing upward.
The right hand of Simhamukha holds upraised a curved knife to the sky. The left hand of Simhamukha there is a skullcup of blood to the heart. Simhamukha is carrying a Khatvanga staff tipped with a trident in the bend of the elbow supported against the shoulder.
Simhamukha is adorned with a tiara of five skulls, red scarf, elephant skin, bone ornaments, a long snake, and fifty freshly severed heads as a necklace. She wears a tiger skin skirt. Simhamukha is standing on the left leg with the right drawn up. Simhamukha is trampling on a double triangle symbol, corpse, sun, and multi-colored lotus seat.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Simhamukha and the iconography of Simhamukha. Now, we are going to learn about depicting a Buddhist deity Simhamukha thangka.
Depicting Buddhist Deity Simhamukha Thangka
The thangka of Simhamukha is from Mongolia. The thangka of Simhamukha is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Simhamukha is from Buddhist lineage. The size of the painting is 46.99×31.75cm. Ground mineral pigment and fine gold line on cotton are used to color the thangka. currently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.
By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Simhamukha with Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava and Tshangpa Karpo.
Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava
Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava is at the top center of the thangka. Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava is white in color. The right hand of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava is holding a vajra. The left hand of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava is supporting a skullcup and vase in the lap.
Tshangpa Karpo
Tshangpa Karpo is at the bottom center of the thangka. Tshangpa Karpo is the wrathful worldly protector. Tshangpa Karpo is white in color with one face and two hands. In the right hand, he holds aloft a spear with a red banner.
On the left, he held to the heart, a flat bowl of jewels. Adorned with a bow and quiver of arrows in a leopard skin pouch. Tshangpa Karpo is wearing lavish garments and a round white hat.
He rides atop a white horse surrounded by flames. He was subjugated and bound as a protector by Guru Padmasambhava.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Simhamukha, the iconography of Simhamukha, and depicting a Buddhist deity Simhamukha thangka. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha thangka.
Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha Thangka
The thangka of Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha is from Tibet. It is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha is from Gelug lineage. The size of the thangka is 77.47×51.44cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Currently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.
By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Simhamukha with primordial buddha Vajradhara and Lama.
Vyaghramukha is at the bottom left off the thangka. Vyaghramukha is ‘Tiger Faced’ Dakini in the same appearance as the central figure except wearing a leopard-skin skirt and a red scarf.
Primordial Buddha Vajradhara
primordial buddha Vajradhara is at the top left of the thangka. Primordial Buddha Vajradhara is blue in color with one face. The two hands of primordial buddha Vajradhara is holding a vajra and bell. primordial buddha Vajradhara is seated in vajra posture.
Lama
Lama is to the right of the thangka. Lama is wearing monastic robes and performing the gesture of ‘giving protection’ with the right hand. The left hand of Lama supports a long-life vase in the lap.
Lama is a seated position in the thangka. He is wearing the traditional yellow Pandita hat of the Gelugpa School.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Simhamukha, the iconography of Simhamukha, depicting a Buddhist deity Simhamukha thangka, and the representation of Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha thangka. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Simhamukha with Samantrabhadra thangka.
Simhamukha with Samantrabhadra Thangka
The thangka of Simhamukha with Samantrabhadra is from Tibet. It is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Simhamukha with Samantrabhadra is from Nyingma lineage. The size of the painting is 78.11×55.25cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Presently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.
By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Simhamukha with Dorje Yudronma and Rahula.
Primordial Buddha Samantrabhadra is at the top center of the thangka. Primordial Buddha Samantrabhadra is embracing the white consort Samantabhadri.
Dorje Yudronma
Dorje Yudronma is at the lower left of the thangka. Dorje Yudronma is peaceful in appearance. Dorje Yudronma is holding an arrow in the left hand and surrounded by 4 attendant figures.
Rahula
Rahula is at the lower right of the thangka. Rahula is the horrific worldly protector with nine heads and the lower torso of a snake.
From this article, we learned about the life of Simhamukha, the iconography of Simhamukha, depicting a Buddhist deity Simhamukha thangka, the representation of Simhamukha with Vyaghramukha thangka and the representation of Simhamukha with Samantrabhadra thangka.
