Lion’s Roar All-Seeing Lord – Simhanada Avalokiteshvara

Simhanada is a form of Avalokiteshvara connected with removing illness caused by nagas. Simhanada Avalokiteshavara belongs to the Kriya Tantra classification and arises from the Simahanada Tantra and the text of the Arya Avalokiteshvara Dharani.

His primary activity is to remove sickness and disease especially illness caused by nagas. Jowo Atisha and Mal Lotsawa popularized the practice of Simhanada in the land of Tibet.

Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is known as seng ge dra chen re zi in Tibet. Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is also known as the Lion’s Roar All-Seeing Lord in English.

Iconography of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara

In the iconography of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara, we are going to learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara in thangka and statue.

Posture of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara

Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is presented in front of an ornate palace. Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is seated on a lotus on the back of a lion with a green mane. His body is white in color.

He has one face, two hands, and three peaceful eyes with the face slightly smiling. The right hand of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is extended above the knee in the mudra of giving refuge. The palm of the left hand of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is supported on the moon seat.

He is holding the stem of a red lotus. The petals of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is blossoming next to the ear. The left breast of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is covered with the skin of a Krishna Sara deer.

He is encircled with a white Brahmin string necklace. He is with a lower garment of red silk. The body of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is slightly thin and dexterous.

Depicting Bodhisattva Deity Simhanada Avalokiteshvara Thangka

The thangka of bodhisattva deity Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is from Tibet. It is made in between 1800 to 1899 AD. Simhanada Avalokiteshvara is from Kadam, Sakya, and Uncertain lineages. The size of the painting is 55.88×37.47cm. 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 are going to learn about the presentation of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara with different deities such as Nagaraja Buddha, Arya Nagarjuna,  and Eight Great Nagas, etc.

Nagaraja Buddha

Nagaraja Buddha is at the top left of the thangka. Nagaraja Buddha is known as the king of the Nagas. The body of Nagaraja Buddha is blue in color and a white face.

The head of Nagaraja Buddha is adorned with a canopy of seven hooded snakes. With the hands, Nagaraja Buddha displays the mudra which prevents lower births.

Arya Nagarjuna

Arya Nagarjuna is at the right of the thangka. Arya Nagarjuna is known as the Indian Pandita. Arya Nagarjuna is wearing monastic robes.

Arya Nagarjuna is adorned with a canopy of hooded snakes above the head.

Eight Great Nagas

Eight Great Nagas are in front of the palace in the cool reflection pond containing many precious objects in the thangka. Eight great nagas such as Vasuki, Karkota, Shankhapala, Ananta, Takshaka, Kulika, Padma, and Mahapadma. These mythical creatures of the animal realm are in various colors.

The upper body of eight great nagas is like the human body. The lower body of eight great nagas is of a snake. In the presence of Simhanada, their hands are folded together in a gesture of respect.

Lineages of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara

In this section, we are going to learn about the list of lineages of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara.

1. Vajradhara
2. Simhanada
3. Candragomin
4. Shridhara
5. Naropa
6. the Phamting Brothers
7. Asthulya Vajra
8. Manju Ling Thugje Chenpo
9. Mal Lotsawa
10. Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158)

Simhanada Avalokiteshvara with Amitabha Buddha Thangka

he thangka of bodhisattva deity Simhanada Avalokiteshvara with Amitabha Buddha is from Tibet. Simhanada Avalokiteshvara with Amitabha Buddha is a Buddhist lineage. This thangka is from a private collection.

By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Simhanada Avalokiteshvara with Jangsem Dawa Gyaltsen and Shadbhuja Mahakala.

Amitabha Buddha is at the upper left of the thangka. Amitabha Buddha is also known as Amitayush Buddha. Amitabha Buddha is a celestial buddha according to the scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism.

Amitabha is the principal buddha in Pure Land Buddhism.

Jangsem Dawa Gyaltsen

Jangsem Dawa Gyaltsen is at the upper right of the thangka.

Shadbhuja Mahakala

Shadbhuja Mahakala is at the bottom center of the thangka. Shadbhuja Mahakala arises from the Eight-Chapter Mahakala Tantra belonging to the Kriya classification. The interlocutor or sponsor of the tantra was the deity Hayagriva.

Mahakala is a general class of protector deities in Tantric Buddhism and primarily associated with the Anuttarayoga Tantras. In general Mahakala, forms are wrathful emanations of Vajradhara Buddha. From among the different forms of Mahakala, only this Shadbhuja form is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara.