PENDEN LHAMO
Tibeto-Chinese, late 17th-early 18th century
Gilt bronze with pigment
7 ½ x 7 ¼ x 3 in.
Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham,Massachusetts

Physicaldescription and iconography

Origin:

       Penden Lhamo is the only femaleDharmapala,the protectors of the Buddhist faith.1The eight Dharmapalas are the native deities of Tibet, later convertedtoBuddhism by an Indian named Padmasambhava. According to several historicalsources,Padmasambhava introduced Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century.9
        Despite the history commonlyattributedto Tibetan Dharmapalas, many scholars believe Penden Lhamo hasher originin the Hindu goddess Kali.  Kali, also serves as a possiblesourcefor Tibetan female deities such as Tara.  Shri-devi, PendenLhamo’sSanskrit name, means “great and beautiful 
goddess of welfare."1  tThe scholar Natalie Marsh describesPendenLhamo as an amalgam of various divine figures from Tibet's earlyshamanistictradition.  This amalgam was subsequently 
“layered with imported Hindu goddess indentities and Buddhist identitiescreatedto correspond to the Dharma.”1

She protects the capital city, Lhasa, as well as the Dalai Lama, the leaderofthe Gelugpa sect.For such reasons, the Gelugpa sect especially reveres
her.2 The Nyingmapasectof Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon“traditional”religion of Tibet also give Penden Lhamo privileged status.Some sects considerher a manifestation of another Dharmapala, Mahakala.Devotees consider Mahakala a manifestation of the bodhisattva of compassion,Avalokiteshvara,therebylinking Penden Lhamo to this important Tibetan deity.9Like Avalokiteshvara or Mahakala, Penden Lhamo also manifests in multipleforms,thus helping all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.  Thisabilityfor multiple manifestations makes Penden Lhamo a mahasattava bodhisattva,or“transformative deity.”1

Ben Rogerson

References:

1Marsh,Natalie. “Palden lhamo (dpal ldan lha mo) in her’dpal ldan dmag zorrgyal mo’ form.”http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/*Essays/NM91.001.018PldLham.html.  May 10, 1998

2Fisher,Robert. Art of Tibet.  London: Thames and Hudson, 1997.

3Cummings,Cathleen. "Palden Entourage Figure."  http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/*Essays/C97.075PldnLham.html.June 3, 1998.

4 Marsh,Natalie. “The Benefactress, Palden Lhamo (“Goddess Having Glory”).”http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/prot/prot.html.

5 MetropolitanMuseumof Art. “Palden Lhamo.” http://asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/i31.html

6 Lipton,Barbaraand Ragnus, Nima Dorjee.   Treasures of Tibetan Art. New York:Oxford University, 1996.

7Zaharack,Brian. “Skull Cup.” http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/*Essays/BZ91.001.014SkullCup.html.June 3,    1998

8Marsh,Natalie. “Ritual Bone Apron.”  http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/*Essays/NM91.001.003Apron.html

9Powers,John.  Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.  Ithaca: SnowLion, 1995.
 

Glossary

Bon: The"indigenous" religion of Tibet.  Scholars commonly describe Bonasthe shamanistic and animistic practices of pre-Buddhist Tibet. However,debate rages because "Bon," as a codified, consolidated religioustradition,likely formed only in reaction to Buddhism's introduction toTibet. Back

Dharma: Simply,the teachings and pratices of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. Back

Gelupga: ATibetan Buddhist sect founded in the 14th century by Tsong Khapa. Gelupgameans "System of Virtue."  Tsong Khapa allegedly founded thesect inorder to combat what perceived laziness and degeneration in othersectarianmonastaries.  The Dalai Lama is the religious head of thesect. Back

Nyingmapa:The oldest remaining Tibetan Buddhist sect.  Nyingmapa means "OldSchool." Nyingmapa tradition utilizes the first translations of IndianBuddhist texts,thererby distinguishing themselves from other sectariangroups that relyon the second wave of Indian Buddhist textual translations. Back
 

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