Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
som and his left hand is in the 'teaching'
mudra
. He is often yellow and may have blue
hair or an elaborate crown. He is sometimes called Manjughosa.
Drölma (Tara)
A female bodhisattva with 21 different manifestations or aspects, Drölma is also known as
the saviouress. She was born from a tear of compassion that fell from the eyes of Chen-
resig and is thus considered the female version of Chenresig and a protector of the Tibetan
people. She also symbolises purity and fertility and is believed to be able to fulfil wishes.
Images usually represent Dröljang (Green Tara), who is associated with night, or Drölkar
(White Tara), who is associated with day (and also Songtsen Gampo's Chinese wife). She
is often seen as part of the Tsela Nam Sum longevity triad, along with red Tsepame
(Amitayus) and three-faced, eight-armed female Namgyelma (Vijaya).
Protector Deities
Protectors are easily recognised by their fierce expressions, bulging eyes, warrior stance
(with one leg outstretched in a fencer's pose), halo of flames and Tantric implements. They
either stand trampling on the human ego or sit astride an animal mount, dressed in military
regalia and flayed animal or human skins. They represent on various levels the trans-
formed original demons of Tibet, the wrathful aspects of other deities and, on one level at
least, humankind's inner psychological demons.
Four Guardian Kings (Chökyong)
The four Chökyong (Lokapalas in Sanskrit) are normally seen at the entrance hallway of
monasteries and are possibly of Mongol origin. They are the protectors of the four cardinal
directions: the eastern chief is white with a lute; the southern is green with a red beard and
holds a sword; and the western is red and holds a green
naga
. Namtöse (Vaishravana), the
protector of the north, doubles as the god of wealth (Zhambhala or Jambhala) and can be
seen with an orange body (the colour of 100,000 suns) and clumpy beard, riding a snow li-
on and holding a banner of victory, a jewel-spitting mongoose and a lemon.
Dorje Jigje (Yamantaka)
Dorje Jigje is a favourite protector of the Gelugpa order. A wrathful form of Jampelyang,
he is also known as the destroyer of Yama (the Lord of Death). He is blue with eight
heads, the main one of which is the head of a bull. He wears a garland of skulls around his
