Material: Original red copper. Cast

Size: 12 cm

Description:

The Mythological Story of the Goddess of Good Fortune

The Goddess of Good Fortune (Tibetan: དཔལ་ལྡན་ལྷ་མོ།, Wylie transliteration: dpal ldan lha mo, Tibetan pinyin: baidain lhamo), transliterated as Palden Lhamo, also known as Maha Kali, is an important female guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism and the patron saint of Lhasa and the Dalai Lama. She originated as a wrathful incarnation of the Hindu goddess Maha Kali. Through Tibetan Buddhism's absorption and transformation, she became a guardian deity possessing both power and compassion. The following is a summary of her mythological story:

1. **Origin and Mythological Background**:

- **Hindu Roots**: The prototype of Lakshmi can be traced back to the goddess Lakshmi in Hindu mythology, also known as the Goddess of Merit or the Goddess of Wealth. She is said to have been born when the gods and asuras churned the Ocean of Milk. She symbolizes happiness and wealth and is closely associated with Vishnu. Legend has it that she was his consort or the sister of Vaiśravaṇa, the god of wealth. Later, Brahmanism and Hinduism portrayed her as a goddess in charge of destiny and wealth.

- **Transformation into Tibetan Buddhism**: In Tibetan Buddhism, Lakshmi was subdued by Vajrapani and became a Dharma protector. According to the "Vowed Dharma Protector Ocean Biography," she attained enlightenment long ago and manifested as a Dharma protector to protect the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and adapt to the karmic conditions of sentient beings in this degenerate age.

**Legend**: One legend describes the Goddess of Good Fortune as a beautiful woman, but due to her promiscuous behavior, she was imprisoned in a kennel by her father and later secretly released by her mother. While escaping on her donkey, her father pursued her and shot an arrow. The arrow accidentally hit the donkey's rump, causing the wound to grow an eye, enabling the donkey to escape faster. Her father's curse transformed her appearance into a hideous, dark blue, and ferocious complexion.

**Deeds of Subduing Demons**: The Goddess of Good Fortune married the demon king, a man of many evil deeds. Enlightened by Avalokitesvara, she reformed, swallowed the sun to obscure her husband's vision, killed him and his men, and decapitated her two daughters (whom she later replaced with elephant and crocodile heads, becoming her dependents). Using human skin as a saddle, she rode her donkey from the depths of the sea and became the supreme ruler of the three realms, symbolizing the power to subdue demons and protect the Dharma.

2. **Mythological Symbolism**:

- The image of Lakshmi is rich in symbolism: her blue-black skin represents might, the five-skull crown and tangerine-red hair symbolize wrath, the half-moon ornament signifies supreme power, her three eyes symbolize insight into the three realms, she holds a blood-filled skull bowl in her left hand (a symbol of happiness), and a vajra staff in her right hand (a weapon for subduing demons). The donkey she rides has eyes on its hip and a saddle covered with human skin (legend has it that it was her son's), signifying her determination to sacrifice her relatives for the sake of justice and to subdue heresy.

The Influence of Lakshmi in Tibetan Buddhism

Lakshmi holds a high status in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Gelugpa sect, where her influence is profound, as evidenced by the following:

1. **Religious Status**:

- **Guardian of Lhasa and the Dalai Lama**: According to legend, when King Songtsen Gampo built the Jokhang Temple in the 7th century, he invited Lakshmi to serve as the temple's protector. She later became the patron saint of Lhasa and the Dalai Lama. In the Gelugpa sect, she is considered the most important black guardian deity, second only to the tenth-level goddess and the head of the guardian deity hierarchy.

- **A Key Supporter of the Gelug School**: When Tsongkhapa founded the Gelug School, Avalokitesvara appeared numerous times to provide assistance. For example, during her retreat in Wokha, she caused her divine mule to create a clear spring, resolving a water problem. The sacred spring still exists today. Gelug practitioners often regard her as a vital protector, aiding their practice.

- **Demon-Subduing and Dharma-Protecting Function**: Avalokitesvara, in her wrathful form, eliminates karmic obstacles, subdues demons, and protects the spread of the Dharma. It is said that she protected Tibetan Buddhism from extinction during Langdarma's anti-Buddhist campaign.

2. **Cultural Influence**:

- **Avalokitesvara Festival**: Baila Rizhui (Fairy Festival or Avalokitesvara Festival), held annually on the 15th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar, is a major festival in Lhasa. Monks from Murug Monastery hold a grand ceremony at the Jokhang Temple, while believers offer khatas and burn incense in prayer. The festival legend ties in with Bairam, the daughter of Goddess of Good Fortune. Legend has it that Bairam, cursed by her mother for her promiscuity, could only meet her lover, Tripu Zongzan, on this day each year. This festival has become a time for young men and women to pray for love.

- **Thangka Art**: Goddess of Good Fortune is a prominent subject in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas. Her images are divided into peaceful forms (Bairam, with a kind and beautiful appearance) and wrathful forms (blue-black, with a fierce and ferocious appearance). Her thangkas often depict her riding a mule through a sea of blood, adorned with skulls and human skin, symbolizing her power to subdue demons and are deeply revered by believers.

- **Tibet's Chief Protector**: As the wrathful guardian of Green Tara, she is considered Tibet's most sacred guardian deity. Together with other guardian deities (such as the Five Sisters of Longevity and One-Knotted Ganesha), she forms part of the Tibetan Buddhist system of guardian deities.

3. **Social Impact**:

- Goddess of Good Fortune Festival is not only a religious event but also an occasion for Tibetan women to pray for happiness and wealth, reflecting her importance in folk beliefs. Women dress elaborately during festivals and pray to the Goddess, reinforcing her image as the "Goddess of Happiness and Wealth."

Her story and image influence gender norms in Tibetan culture, showcasing the dual qualities of women as both compassionate and powerful, resonating with the Tibetan Buddhist concepts of compassion and wisdom.

How to Use the Goddess of Good Fortune (Practice and Rituals)

In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of the Goddess of Good Fortune is primarily carried out through rituals, offerings, and prayers, aiming to pray for protection, remove obstacles, and increase merit. The following are common methods of practice:

1. **Offerings and Offerings**:

- **Thangka or Statues**: Devotees often display a thangka or statue of the Goddess of Good Fortune in temples or at home, accompanied by offerings such as khatas, incense, flowers, and lamps, as a sign of devotion. Thangkas are typically painted in the Rekong style, depicting her in either wrathful or peaceful forms.

**Festival Offerings**: On the Day of the Tenth Month of the Tibetan Calendar, believers gather at the Jokhang Temple to offer khatas, burn incense, and offer alms to the statue of the Goddess. Monks carry the statue of the Goddess through the streets and perform a descent ceremony, praying for the removal of obstacles and blessings.

**Daily Offerings**: During the offering ceremony, one can light butter lamps, offer water or flowers, and recite praises or mantras to the Goddess of Good Fortune, seeking her blessings.

2. **Practice Ritual**:

**Preparation**: Before the practice, one must purify the body and mind. Set up an altar in a clean place, place the statue of the Goddess of Good Fortune or a thangka, and prepare offerings. Practitioners should generate bodhicitta and pray for the blessings of all sentient beings.

**Visualization and Mantra Recitation**: During the practice, visualize the wrathful or peaceful form of the Goddess of Good Fortune, and feel her powerful protective power. Commonly used mantras include:

- **Simple Mantra**: "Om Ah Hum Bandar Ram Hum Phat" (Om Ah Hum Palden Lhamo Hum Phat).

- **Long Mantra**: As described in the "Mantra for the Goddess of Good Fortune to Repel Enemies," this involves complex hymns and mantras and should be practiced under the guidance of a guru.

- **Divination and Invocation**: Goddess of Good Fortune is regarded as a deity of divination. Believers can pray for guidance through specific rituals, such as rolling dice. Red dice represent destruction, while white dice represent transformation, symbolizing her power to subdue demons and educate.

- **Repelling Enemies and Removing Obstacles**: Practicing the Goddess of Good Fortune can eliminate external demons and internal karmic obstacles, making it particularly suitable for practitioners facing difficulties or spiritual obstacles. The ritual often includes subjugation mantras and fire offerings to protect the deities.

3. **Applications for Specific Occasions**:

- **Protecting Career and Wealth**: As a woman of wealth, she is often used to protect her.Devotees pray to the Goddess of Good Fortune for successful careers and increased wealth, especially before making important business decisions.

- **Pacifying Disasters**: The Goddess of Good Fortune is believed to quell natural and man-made disasters. Temples often hold large ceremonies during disasters, chanting her mantra to seek protection.

- **Prayers for Women**: Due to the tradition of the "Fairy Festival," women often pray during festivals for love, marriage, and family happiness.

4. **Precautions**:

- Practicing the Goddess of Good Fortune requires piety and a pure mind, avoiding wrong views or disrespect. The practice of wrathful protectors must be conducted under the guidance of a guru, as their energies are potent and improper practice can have adverse effects.

- When offering, avoid using unclean offerings and keep the altar clean.

- Practitioners should vow to dedicate the merits to all sentient beings, in accordance with the spirit of bodhicitta.

Summary

The myth of the Goddess of Good Fortune blends elements of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, depicting her transformation from a goddess of wealth to a powerful protector deity, rich in legend and symbolism. In Tibetan Buddhism, she holds a profound influence as the patron saint of Lhasa and the Dalai Lama, particularly prominent in the Gelugpa tradition and thangka art. Her practice includes offerings, chanting, divination, and rituals, all designed to protect practitioners, dispel obstacles, and increase merit. Through festivals and rituals, she is not only central to religious beliefs but also an integral part of Tibetan culture and folk life.