Seng Dongma, Lion-Faced Dakini

The wisdom dakini Seng Dongma (Singha Mukha, Lion-Faced Dakini) practice's special quality is dispelling obstacles and negative influences. Lama Tharchin Rinpoche recommended Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche's concise daily practice of Seng Dong T'hal Deb (Lion-Faced Dakini with Hand Clapping) as a short but very powerful way to address the negative influences that can arise when we do Dharma practice. We have several recordings of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche teaching this practice, including in the 2007 Dharma Protectors series, in 2013 Lion-Faced Dakini, in 2004 Transforming Obstacles into Boundless Peace, and in 1992 in Santa Cruz (stream for free on SoundCloud and included with the purchase of the 2013 teaching on video).

From this last teaching, Rinpoche explains:

"When we are practicing on the Dharma path, the deeper our practice, that much deeper is the demonic energy that arises. I’m telling the retreatants at Pema Ösel Ling, “If there are Dharma activities, you will have more obstacles. If there are no Dharma activities, then the demons’ office is empty. They don’t have a job!” And when you come close to reaching enlightenment and your motivation becomes stronger, then the demons’ obstacles also become stronger. To remove that kind of energy, practice Seng Dongma. The Seng Dong T’hal Deb has many powerful words. But don’t worry. This kind of enemy is not somebody outside. Who harms you? An outer enemy can’t actually harm you. They don’t have any power. In any case, your life is very short, so how long can that enemy harm you? That kind of external enemy’s harm is really very tiny. Maybe they are not really your enemy anyway. Maybe they are even of benefit to you.

So, who is our biggest enemy? It’s our own delusion and ignorance because that is what totally obscures our own buddha potential, our buddha nature. Ignorance is our most powerful enemy.

Then, reciting the Seng Dongma dokpa practice, you can visualize your right hand like the sky and your left hand like the earth. Then clap loudly! These two elements clap together and destroy your ignorance. That pure bright wisdom state destroys your enemy. And as for obstructors, who makes obstacles for us? Our own afflictive emotions have created delusion and trapped us in samsara for countless lifetimes. Again, clap that one. Enemies, obstructors, any demonic influence, where all negativity comes from – cause and result – clap powerfully and destroy that. Then you are left in a pure wisdom state."

- Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Stream the audio of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche reciting the practice on SoundCloud.

You can download the PDF of the text here. Please receive the reading transmission (lung) for the practice from a qualified Dudjom lineage lama.

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.