Question asked by Dan
I have noticed in visualizations that many deities such as Manjushri and Saraswati are often to be visualized as 16 year olds. Why is this so? As for visualization for seed syllables and mantras, I found that the seed syllable for Palden Lhamo was "Jo", but was is her mantra in Tibetan? Could you please provide that?
Dear Dan,
Thank you for your questions. The reason why in many visualisations the deities are often visualised as 16-year olds is because in ancient Indian culture (which was the culture that Buddhism arose), this was an age which was considered the mid-point between childhood and adulthood. At this point, it was said that a person’s body was mature and yet youthful. What we need to remember is that at the time the teachings arose, life expectancy was not as long as it is now. Therefore, it would make sense that a 16 year old, was considered the epitome youthfulness. Since these deities, most often the Bodhisattvas, are visualised in this way, they are said to be the epitome of both youthfulness and maturity at the same time, they are full of the wisdom of age, coupled with the youthfulness of the young.
In regards to Palden Lhamo, there is an excellent post here about her and her practice available here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/palden-lhamo.html. Palden Lhamo’s practice is extremely beneficial and her mantra is: JO RAMO JO RAMO JO JO RAMO TUNJO KALA RACHENMO RAMO AJA DAJA TUNJO RULU RULU HUNG JO HUNG. The syllable ‘Jo’ is repeated many times in the mantra. I hope this helps.
Thank you.