Traditionally, the wrathful form of Lion-Faced Dakini Protects from Evil, Obstacles, Disaster, Supernatural Threats. In modern terms, we'd say, it also protects against internal doubts, fears, and incorrect perceptions. Here, chanted in original Sanskrit, this most protective mantra is helpful when you feel stressed or under siege, to clear away the looming doubts and obstacles.
Here, to symbolize the fearless wisdom of the lion-faced dakini, our Buddha Weekly band chants the 14-syllable mantra with forceful, almost martial intensity, like an irresistible force.
Generally, to chant her mantra, the main requirement, as always, is Bodhichitta and the intention to benefit all sentient beings.
The mantra is:
ah ka sa ma ra cha sha dah rah sa mah rah yah phat
आह का सा मा रा त्सा शा दा रा सा मा रा या फट
༄། ཨ་ཀ་ས་མ་ར་ཙ་ཤ་ད་ར་ས་མ་ར་ཡ་ཕཊ་།།
Why a lion? The lion symbolizes fierceness, but equally wisdom. Shakyamuni Buddha was called "the lion among humans." This is because with Wisdom comes fearlessness. The knowledge that obstacles and dangers are self-made and can be calmed with wisdom and calm contemplation.
Lion-Faced Dakini represents both the fierceness -- Shakyamuni's "lion among humans" strength -- together with wisdom, represented by the Dakini. (In Buddhism, wisdom is normally symbolized in female form).
Lama Tsultrim of the Tara Mandala International Buddhist Community described Simhamukha "as a powerful remover of obstacles and as Queen of the Dakinis."
Her appearance is deliberately ferocious, with a snow-lion face. Why the lion? The lion represents not only courage and ferocious power, but single-pointed concentration and alertness. As the great Sage Milarepa once taught: When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.
One only throws a stick at a lion once. Lion-Faced Dakini is the "only once" deity. Those who call on her only once can be assured of her help. Her help is wrathful, however, so expect an energetic, unexpected result. But, a definite result. Both Shakyamuni Buddha and Guru Rinpoche are associated with the "lion." Dharma speech is called the "Lion's Roar."
FOR A DOCUMENTARY ON LION-FACED DAKINI and her mandala, see this exciting Buddha Weekly Documentary: [ Ссылка ]
