Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving
Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving. Click to enlarge.
Prior to the introduction of Buddhism, the main religion in Tibet was the Bön religion which had many shamanic practices. This propitiation of local deities was assimilated into Tibetan Buddhism when Padmasambhava and other highly attained lamas subjugated the many powerful spirits raised by Bön shamans to prevent the spread of Buddhism in Tibet.
The Sherpas were one of the historical peoples of Tibet. They left eastern Tibet more than 400 years ago and settled in the uninhabited Himalayan valleys; hence their name Sher-pa means “people from the east.” These settlers brought with them the rich Tibetan culture including their religious traditions and Tibetan Buddhist literature. These religious traditions include the belief that the mountain peaks, foothills, ridges, passes and fields are the abodes of deities. Thus, Sherpa ceremonies such as the hanging of prayer flags and other rituals of daily life attest to their belief in the presence of supernatural forces that abide there.
A thangka of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) as the central figure, surrounded by Vajrakilaya, Samantabhadra, Rahula, Ekajati, Dorje Legpa and Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more high-resolution Buddha images.
The majority of Sherpas are Buddhists belonging to the Nyingma tradition, the ancient translation school or early dissemination tradition introduced by Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) during the 8th century.
According to an ancient Sherpa legend, the initial Tibetan migration to the Himalayan region was due to a search for a beyul or a supreme hidden valley. The Sherpas believe in the phenomena of termas – hidden treasures of sacred texts and precious objects concealed by Guru Rinpoche – and in the special places called beyul, also blessed by Guru Rinpoche.
Tengboche Rinpoche, the Abbot of Tengboche Monastery, tells of how the Sherpas fleeing Tibet brought books that described the mountain and valley that would provide them with a place of refuge. In particular, the Sherpas believe that the south side of Mount Everest is a beyul, one of several hidden valleys designated by Guru Rinpoche.
Both Sherpas and Tibetans also believe that Mount Everest is the abode of the goddess Jomo Miyolangsangma.
Origins
According to Tengboche Rinpoche, the Goddess Miyolangsangma rides a tiger and holds a bowl of food and a mongoose. Click on image to enlarge.
The Five Long-life Sisters belong to the sman class of worldly deities. They reside on the Himalayan peaks along the Tibet-Nepal border, protecting the area from harm while providing spiritual nourishment to the residents who live on the flanks of these peaks.
Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving, is one of the Five Long-life Sisters. Her abode is said to be at the summit of Mount Everest, known in Tibetan as Jomolungma (Goddess Mother of Mountains), and she is the resident goddess of Mount Everest and the Khumbu area in general.
The Goddess Miyolangsangma is described by the Abbot and reincarnate lama of Tengboche Monastery as;
“…the goddess of humans who rides a red tiger. Miyolangsangma is very pretty. Her skin is orange and on her head is a wreath of bright flowers. She wears multi-coloured silk garments. She holds a bowl of food in her left hand and a mongoose that spits out jewels in her right. She exudes an air of stern benevolence, as if requiring that her beauty and generosity be reciprocated with respect and offerings.”
According to the text ‘Deities of Tibetan Buddhism’, Miyolangsangma is:
“…yellow, her left hand holding a bowl full of the finest food and her right in the act of giving it to others with the thumb and ring finger. She has a gold topknot and is riding a tigress in milk.”
In the 8th century, the Five Long-life Sisters were subjugated by Guru Rinpoche and became avowed protectors of Buddhism. They traveled to India and received further Buddhist instructions in the ‘Dark Noisy’ charnel ground from the teacher Lobpon Chogyi Gocha and the Mahasiddha Kanha.
A thangka of Milarepa, Marpa and Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more high-resolution Buddha images.
In the 11th century, wishing to test the resolve of the great yogi Milarepa, the Five Long-life Sisters created apparitions in an attempt to distract him from his meditations. Unable to cause any real harm due to the vows they had made to Guru Rinpoche, they failed. Three days later, they returned and humbled themselves before Milarepa. Once again, they vowed to protect the Buddhadharma and offered up their life-essence in the form of mantras.
When they requested teachings, Milarepa bestowed upon them the ‘Enlightenment Thought’ and various Vajrayana practices along with Candali and Mudra Yoga, the two special practices of the Hevajra Tantra. Some months later, at the same location, the Tseringma sisters returned and requested detailed instructions on the practice of Karma Mudra which Milarepa consented to give. These are the three encounters between Milarepa and Tseringma.
The Sherpas and Miyolangsangma
The Sherpas believe that Miyolangsangma distributes wealth and good fortune – for certain, expeditions and treks to Mount Everest have brought affluence to many Sherpas in modern times.
Making offerings at a lhap-so at the Base Camp of Everest.
According to Buddhist Sherpa monks, Everest and its valleys are the “palace and playground” of Miyolangsangma. The Sherpas view climbers and themselves as only partially welcome guests since all of them arrive without invitation. As Everest and its flanks are imbued with Miyolangsangma’s spiritual energy, Sherpas say that one should behave with reverence when passing through this sacred landscape. Here, the karmic effects of one’s actions are magnified and even impure thoughts should be avoided to prevent climbing mishaps and accidents.
The Goddess Miyolangsangma (left) is one of the five sisters of long life. Image credit: himalayanart.org. Click on image to enlarge.
A well-known legend associated with Miyolangsangma’s benevolence has its origins in the conquest of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. In his account of the expedition, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay credited the goddess with granting him safe passage on the slopes of Mount Everest and guiding him and Edmund Hillary to the summit.
The Sherpas still believe that climbers seeking to ascend Mount Everest must appease the goddess first, if they want to reach the summit safely. These days, Sherpa Buddhist monks are requested to give blessings to both climbers and Sherpas alike before they attempt to climb Mount Everest. At the start of each expedition, the Sherpas perform rituals and make offerings at a lhap-so (a makeshift shrine built on arrival at Everest Base Camp) to appease the goddess before entering her abode. It is only after having performed the rituals that the Sherpas feel comfortable entering the dangerous Khumbu Icefall.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
Lama Geshe blessing Sherpas. Image credit: alanarnette.com.
Lama Geshe Odiyaana Vajra Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk, was perhaps best known for blessing climbers seeking to scale the treacherous heights of Mount Everest. During the climbing season, Lama Geshe used to bless hundreds of mountaineers by reciting a mantra to Miyolangsangma. Lama Geshe would also give climbers a talisman containing Miyolangsangma’s mantra, to be worn around the neck during the ascent, for their protection.
There is a story of a blogger named Alan Arnette who sought Lama Geshe’s blessing before making the climb. This is his tribute to Lama Geshe after the latter passed away in February 2018:
“I will deeply miss this man whom I’ve known since 1996. Visiting his home and family has always been a highlight of the ascent. After my 2011 Everest summit, along with teammate Mirjam Riser, we visited Lama Geshe again. He was thrilled to see us because, as he told us through an interpreter, everyone sees him going in and no one stops to let him know what happened on the way out! He was thrilled we had reached the summit and were safe. I left his home that day full of energy and happiness.”
A wall mural of Goddess Miyolangsangma. Click to enlarge.
Likewise, when the south side of Everest, believed to be a beyul, was opened for climbing, most expeditions sought out the blessings of the Abbot of Tengboche Monastery, Incarnate Lama Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche. Tenzin Rinpoche has in the past given out cards depicting the Goddess Miyolangsangma.
Miyolangsangma is also depicted on murals inside the Rongbuk and Tengboche Monasteries. During the Mani Rimdu Festival, which takes place in November at Tengboche, the monks offer prayers and dedicate a yak to her, which is released into the hillside to wander in protected freedom. All this is to bring blessings and prosperity to the people in the area, especially those who venerate her.
Prayers to Miyolangsangma
If you are planning a trekking trip to the Himalayas, you too can recite prayers and mantras to Miyolangsangma for safety and blessings. It is an easy and powerful way to create a connection to the ancient goddess of Mount Everest.
Mantra
OM VAJRA-YATRA SIN-SIN HUM JYOH JA (Recite 108x or more)
Name Mantra
OM AH ACALA-HASA AJI-DHARA SOHA (Recite 108x or more)
Short Torma Offering
Herein lies the request for the desired aims for the torma offering to Tseringma according to the New Treasures.
HRIH!
From luminous basic space, the radiance of great bliss wakefulness,
the lokapalas and retinue, the queen and five sisters,
And your retinues of hundreds of thousands of gatherings of the families —
joyfully accept this offering of torma and serkyem.
And protect the victors’ teaching, prolong the gurus’ lifespans.
Make the sangha increase and become rich with the wealth of noble qualities.
Help the practitioners’ lifespan, mastery, prosperity, and renown increase.
Help us give birth to the wakefulness of bliss-emptiness.
Throughout night and day, wherever we may be, nurture us —
my circle, the patrons, and I — with your love.
Protect us from all fears, obstacles, and harm.
Make auspiciousness, virtue, and excellence flourish like a summer lake.
Pacify disease, famine, and conflict in all countries.
Make harvests and livestock flourish and virtuous conduct spread.
Turn all beings’ interest to the dharma
and lead us to the pure celestial realms.
Don’t forget your promise!
With great love and affection enact the activities to
Swiftly and unimpededly accomplish all our aims —
in short, accomplish all activities and siddhis, both mundane and transcendental!
In accord with the omniscient guru Jamyang’s command, Pema Gargyi Wangchuk Tsal (Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé) wrote this down. May virtue and excellence increase!
Concise Torma Offering
The short and concise torma dedication for the protector of the Tukdrub Barche Künsel teaching of the Chokling Tersar, the five Tseringma sisters, and the treasure protectors, Khyungtsünma.
OM SVASTI!
Cleanse the torma with RAM YAM KHAM.
Consecrate it with OM AH HUM HO.
Light-rays radiating from the seed syllable in my heart center invite the protectors of the teachings, the five Tseringma sisters, and the treasure protector, Dorje Khyungtsünma, together with their retinues, secondary retinues, emanations, and re-emanations. BENZA SAMA DZA!
(Saying that, make the invitation.)
OM BENZA DAKINI AYUKEY SHORI HRIH MAM LAM AM TAM CITTA HRING HRING DZA DZA
(With that invoke their heart samaya.)
OM BENZA ARGHAM PADYAM PUPE DHUPE ALOKE GYENDE NEWIDE SHAPTA PRATITSA SOHA MAHA PENTSA AMRITA RAKTA MAHA SUKA BALINGTA PUDZA HOH
(With that make offerings.)
The five Mentsün sisters and retinue partake of the torma, consuming its essence with the light of the hollow vajra tubes of their tongues.
OM BENZA DAKINI AYUKEY SHORI SAMAYA DZA AYU PUNYE PUKTIM KURU SOHA
OM GYANA DAKINI MAM LAM AM TAM SARWA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
OM BENZA MATI HUNG SAPARIWARA IDAM BALINGTA KHA KHA KHAHI KHAHI
(Saying that three times offer the torma.)
Glorious queens of dakinis, born from the pure lands, while not wavering from the basic space of dharmakaya, the state void of constructs, you manifest as the self-appearance of awareness in the form of the five sambhogakaya wisdom dakinis, and in the nirmanakaya form of menmos you protect Buddha’s doctrine. Jomo Tashi Tseyi Wangchukma, Tinggi Shyal Zangma, Miyo Lang Zangma, Chöpen Drizangma, Talkar Drozangma, Kharak Khyungtsünma together with your retinue, the vast gathering of the hundreds of thousands of menmos of the three planes — I supplicate you, offer to you, proffer you these, the most delightful of things, the most pleasing, sublime offerings.
For us practitioners — gurus, disciples, patrons, and circle — reveal your delightful faces! Radiantly smile upon us. Like a shadow never parting from the body, accompany us and bestow vast enjoyments in accord with the Dharma, pacify all temporary negative conditions — fear of punishment by kings and the like — and fulfill all our aims in accord with the Dharma exactly as we wish.
KYE!
Great Dharmakaya mother who gives birth to wisdom,
vajra queen of all victors, yogini,
Supreme consorts of the five sambhogakaya families, the five dhatvisvari,
you appear as the krodhisvari who delight the Herukas.
Performing the nirmanakaya dances of the sugata,
vajra, ratna, padma, and karma dakinis,
You appear in myriad forms in all the places, valleys, and charnel grounds,
queen of the mandala of Dharma Protectors in the Land of Snow
From the coemergent lady’s wisdom display,
bestowers of the supreme siddhi, five Mentsün sisters,
From the coemergent lady’s wisdom display,
bestowers of the supreme siddhi, five Mentsün sisters,
Your emanations and re-emanations surpass thought.
Universal rulers of all dakinis of appearance and existence,
The inconceivable gathering of the magical net —
I devotedly praise you, bestow all desired siddhis!
(With that praise and request the activities.)
This was condensed from the root treasure text and arranged by Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo. May it bring about virtue and excellence.
Tengboche Monastery in 2000
VIDEO: The Mani Rimdu Festival
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/miyo-mani-rimdu-festival.mp4
Sources / References:
- The Mammoth Book of Everest: From the First Attempts to Today, 40 First-hand Accounts
- The Call of Everest
- https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044011/https://www.colorado.edu/APS/landscapes/tibet/everest.htm
- www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/history/rongbukmon.html
- www.alpineascents.com
For more interesting information:
- Sacred Yamdrok Yumtso Lake: The Abode of Goddess Dorje Geg Kyi Tso
- Sacred Mountains Around the World
- Mount Kailash and more
- Why in the Mountains?
- Wonderful Nepal
- Nepal is the land of spirituality, beauty and mystery
- Hunting for the Yeti!
- Searching for the Yeti
- Protection from Black Magic and Spirits
- Bigger and more Buddha statues makes a difference | 为何佛像越大、越多越好
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Miyolangsangma is the Tibetan Buddhist goddess who lives at the top of Mount Everest. Many climbers seek her help at the traditional stupa in which a Buddhist Lama will prays for them and they go through certain ceremonies. The Sherpas and Tibetans do strongly believe that Mount Everest is the abode of the goddess Jomo Miyolangsangma. Hence they will perform religious ceremonies such as the hanging of prayer flags and other rituals for protection. Interesting legend it seem that Miyolangsangma’s benevolence and blessing that Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made their way safely to the summit. To this days the tradition continues where Sherpa Buddhist monks will give blessings to both climbers and Sherpas before they attempt to climb Mount Everest. That’s wonderful.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Hi,
Thank you for the effort and passion in developing this interesting and informative series of pages. Wondering if it might be possible to license for one time use one of the images of “Miyo Lungsungma”. I’ve been trying to locate an artist or collection that has the rights to grant such use and I certainly appreciate all your images of her here. I especially like what appears to be your older looking painting as it appears in the style of Kappa Kalden, one of the masters from the Sherpa village of Khumjung in the Everest region.
All the best!
Pete
May Goddess Miyolangsangma continue to protect all those who climb and trek in the Himalayas. I feel it is important to respect mother nature as she can be giving but also wrathful. As the Goddess Miyolangsangma is part of the local traditions and customs it would be advisable for those who climb Mount Everest to pay her some respect and ask for her blessings and protection for a safe journey.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
It is interesting to know Miyolangsangma who has been subjugated by Guru Rinpoche and became avowed protectors of Buddhism.???
May Goddess Jomo Miyolangsangma watch over all those people and protect them on treks through the Himalayas.
I pray that those who are about to climb Mount Himalaya, may they come across this article. It’s important to respect mother nature and it’s equally important to respect the culture there too.
May Goddess Jomo Miyolangsangma fulfills her promise and protect those who are in her abode.
Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at Tengboche, Thame and Chiwong Monasteries of Solukhumbu Nepal. This is a sacred ceremonies and series of events of empowerment. It is a sequence of nineteen days celebration, which concludes with three days public festival. Sherpa get time to gather and celebrate this festival with monastic community. Lamas and Sherpa gather at the monastery for five days for the welfare of the world. Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear elaborate mask, costumes’ and through a series ritualistic Lama dances, dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon, The main first days of festival involves prayers, second day for colorful lama dancing, they wear brocade gown and wonderfully painted papier-mâché masks. Last day is for some humorous dances and chanting prayers. Hundred of local people and foreign tourist attend the performance. This trek rewards you to see the real and ideal culture of Sherpa people and great Himalayan picturesque views (Source from :https://bit.ly/2YsBoWP)
Guru Rinpoche is well known in subduing the local spirits or local deities and turn them to be the Dharma Protector, so Miyolangsangma is one of them who has been subjugated by Guru Rinpoche.
I like how the rituals was done for Miyolangsangma when they offered up a Yak to her and then release it at the hillside, this is far more meritorious and beneficial act of offering, for many of the religion that I know and heard of, many of the prayers are offering up the animals and then kill them which I find it very cruel as what benefit do we get by killing other’s life as an offering?
Tibetan Buddhism is a tapestry of pure Buddhism interwoven with local deities who were subjugated by learned masters as well as legends from the Himalayan. Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving from the 8th Century, is one of the sman class of worldly deities subjugated by Guru Rinpoche and became avowed protectors of Buddhism. Miyolangsangma is the resident goddess of Mount Everest as her abode is aid to be the summit of Mount Everest. She is one of the Five Long-life Sisters. It is the belief of the locals that climbers seeking to ascend Mount Everest must appease the Miyolangsangma first to be granted with the blessing to reach the summit safely. The late Lama Geshe Odiyaana Vajra Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk, was known for blessing climbers of Mount Everest during the climbing season by reciting mantra to Miyolangsangma. He would also give climbers a talisman containing Miyolangsangma’s mantra to be worn around the neck during the ascent. Therefore, climbers of Mount Everest, it is best to seek the blessing through Prayers to Miyolangsangma before ascending. Thank you for this sharing.
Thank you so much for this article. By reading this article, i get to know that the initial Tibetan migration to the Himalayan region was due to a search for a beyul or a supreme hidden valley. At the same time, Sherpas and Tibetans also believe that Mount Everest is the abode of the goddess Jomo Miyolangsangma.
Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving, is one of the Five Long-life Sisters. It is a belief that Miyolangsangma distributes wealth and good fortune for certain, expeditions and treks to Mount Everest have brought affluence to many Sherpas in modern times. Thank you.
Interesting write up about Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving. is one of the Five Long-life Sisters. Her abode is said to be at the summit of Mount Everest, known in Tibetan as Jomolungma (Goddess Mother of Mountains), and she is the resident goddess of Mount Everest and the Khumbu area in general.The Goddess Miyolangsangma is described by the Abbot and reincarnate lama of Tengboche Monastery as;the goddess of humans who rides a red tiger. Miyolangsangma is very pretty. Her skin is orange and on her head is a wreath of bright flowers. She wears multi-coloured silk garments. She holds a bowl of food in her left hand and a mongoose that spits out jewels in her right. She exudes an air of stern benevolence, as if requiring that her beauty and generosity be reciprocated with respect and offerings.”. Thank you very much Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for this interesting background Miyolangsangma, the Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving ?????
Miyolangsangma is the Tibetan Buddhist goddess who lives at the top of Chomolungma . Many climbers of Chomolungma beseech her favour at the traditional stupa in which a Buddhist monk prays for them and they go through certain ceremonies. Sherpas share a rather straightforward motivation: Mountaineering is their livelihood, and they do it to support their families. Miyolangsangma, also known as the “Goddess of Inexhaustible Giving.” The mountain is seem to be her palace and playground, and Sherpas view climbers and themselves as only partially welcome guests, all of them having arrived without invitation. It is this goddess’s power, one Sherpa Buddhist monk said, that has willingness delivered to the Sherpas for their effort guiding expeditions and foreign travellers, to climb to the peak of the world highest mountain.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Elena Khong Jean Ai for this wonderful article of the Tibetan Buddhist goddess which I first time coming across.
The Great Indian Pandit, Padmasambhava is renowned for his ability to subdue demonic forces and subjugate deities to protect Buddhism. Miyolangsangma is one of the deities who vowed to Padmasambhava to protect Buddhism. She bestows protections to mountain climbers and grants prosperity to the people residing that area. Due to Padmasambhava true compassion, many unwholesome activities were transformed into Dharma deeds, redirecting them to the journey towards spiritual awakening.
In Bhutan, Miyolangsangma resides in Tengchen Gonpa to the South.