Fierce Lion-faced Goddess, Simhamukha

The lion-faced female wrathful deity Simhamukha originated in northern India and became popular with the oldest Tibetan Buddhist religious tradition, known as the Nyingma. She is believed to repel all negative forces and obstacles, both outer and inner. In the Nyingma tradition she is associated with the legendary teacher Padmasambhava. She is also worshiped in other Tibetan Buddhist traditions, though in those contexts she is associated with the Tantric deity Chakrasamvara. This sculpture shows the deity adorned with skulls, snakes, and jewels; standing in an animated dancing posture; and holding a curved knife and a skullcup. These two implements are commonly used in Tibetan Buddhist ritual practices throughout the Himalayas and are also common attributes of other tantric deities.