Palden Lhamo: The Fierce Protector and Guardian of the Dharma

Palden Lhamo, who is alternately referred to as "Sri Devi," ranks among the most significant protector gods in Tibetan Buddhism. Through the New School of Thought, Old School, and the Dalai Lama's movements, she is the one who always guards the Dharma and its followers. Being the embodiment of both wisdom and power, Palden Lhamo is sometimes depicted as the angel and the demon, the former casting out evil and the latter keeping the door shut.

Iconography and Symbolism

Palden Lhamo is represented in a manner that is very fierce and scary; that is to say, she is shown in such a way as to signify her power to defend the Dharma and the practitioners against both external and internal dangers.

• Wrathful Expression: Palden Lhamo has a terrible, wrathful face, with a very wide-open mouth and the teeth all bared. This is taken as a sign of the woman’s ability to wipe out ignorance, delusion, and negative forces that are on the way to spiritual progress.
• Riding a Mule: She is usually depicted as riding a Mule, which is a sign of her power to push through all the hurdles that are against spiritual enlightenment. The donkey sometimes stands for stubbornness or ignorance; however, its defeat by Palden Lhamo is a clear demonstration that the power of wisdom is greater than that of ignorance.
• Skull Crown: Palden Lhamo is at times shown to be wearing a skull crown, a sign of her going beyond death and impermanence. This, in turn, points to her being the one who cleanses the attachments and fears that are the obstacles.
• Weapons and Tools: Among her different ritual items, a sword or a trident is one of them, and they stand for her capacity to strike down ignorance and protect the Dharma. In some images, she may even be seen with a bowl full of blood, and this is a sign of the negative forces being wiped out and wisdom being safeguarded.
• Dark or Red Skin: The color of her skin, whether dark or red, stands for her wrathful energy and fiery nature.

Role in Buddhist Practice

• Palden Lhamo is considered a defender of the Dharma, helping practitioners to clear their way to nirvana.
• She is called upon to ensure that the Buddha's teachings are not influenced by evil and, in this way, she safeguards both the holy teachings and the people who practice them.
• One of her main functions is to remove all sorts of obstacles—physical, emotional, or spiritual—that put practitioners to the test.
• People especially seek her power during hard times or when danger is around.
• It is believed that the fierce energy of Palden Lhamo can purify one's negative karma, consequently, turning negative experiences into wisdom and encouraging spiritual liberation.
• She is, in fact, the protector deity of the Dalai Lama and of great importance, supporting him in the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Legacy and Influence

Palden Lhamo, a prominent character in Tibetan Buddhism, especially among the Nyingma and Gelug traditions, is known for her major part in the protective rituals. The rulers of Tibet have always respected her, and they used her as their protector in times of war and famine. In the Tantric tradition, her mantra aids the practitioners in eliminating obstacles and at the same time, empowering them. Furthermore, she is seen as a symbol of bravery and empowerment, being the actual force that drives one to continue fighting against the spiritual trials.