Pal Lhamo – the Protectress of Wealth
Pal Lhamo (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Pal Lhamo and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Pal Lhamo (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Sri Lakshmi (Sanskrit)
Pal Lhamo is otherwise known as Sri Lakshmi. She is the peaceful emanation of Palden Lhamo Dudsolma, one of the principal female protectors of Tibetan Buddhism. Pal Lhamo is depicted with a third eye and is typically shown in a peaceful or semi-wrathful expression, white in colour and sitting in royal ease with her left leg extended. She holds an upturned victory arrow tied with a mirror in her right hand and a bowl of jewels in her left. This indicates that she is a wealth protectress. Depictions of Pal Lhamo are common after the 17th Century and she is primarily propitiated within the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Pal Lhamo is a protecting Dharmapala of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Holding an upturned victory arrow tied with a mirror in her right hand and a bowl of jewels in her left indicates that Pal Lhamo is a wealth protectress . Beautiful thangka depicted together with Dorje Shugden the Powerful Dharma Protector of our time. Here Dorje Shugden carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.