The Mystical Abode of the Tseringma Sisters
Legend has it that the Tseringma Sisters reside on Thonthing Gyalmo, a majestic snow-capped mountain with five peaks, straddling the border between Tibet and Nepal. Also known as Jomo Gangkar or the Nepalese Gaurishankar, this mountain is more than a physical location—it symbolizes the celestial dwelling of these guardian deities.
The Twelve Tenma Goddesses and the Special Protectors
Among their ranks, Karag Khyungtsünma stands out as one of the twelve Tenma goddesses, further emphasizing the sisters’ importance in protecting the Tukdrub Barchey Kunsel terma cycle. This cycle of teachings, rediscovered by the great treasure finder Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa in the 19th century, has the Tseringma Sisters as its special guardians.
Discover the Enchanting Tale of Mount Everest and the Dakinis
Millions of years ago, an endless ocean filled the space beneath the towering Mount Everest. Life flourished around Everest, with lush greenery and the buzz of bees and flutter of butterflies. But peace shattered as five massive venomous dragons rose from the ocean depths, churning calm waters into turbulent waves and devastating the vibrant flora.
The Dakinis to the Rescue
In the animals’ darkest hour, a miraculous multicolored cloud appeared from the east. It transformed into five Dakinis of Wisdom, powerful beings who used their immense powers to tame the ferocious dragons, restoring peace to the land. Despite their initial intention to return to the heavens, the Dakinis were moved by the earnest pleas of the local creatures. Choosing compassion over departure, they bid the sea to withdraw, ushering in an era of prosperity: dense forests in the east, fertile lands in the west, lush meadows in the south, and endless pastures in the north.
The Transformation into the Himalayan Peaks
These benevolent deities then became the five main peaks of the Himalayas, serving as eternal protectors of this paradisiacal land. Among them, the tallest peak, known as the Goddess of Teal Beauty, is what we now revere as Mount Everest, or the Third Goddess, in local lore.
This enchanting tale highlights the mystical origins of Everest and its surrounding peaks, embodying themes of courage, compassion, and eternal guardianship. The Dakinis’ story, a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and divine intervention, continues to inspire awe and reverence in the hearts of those who know it.
Mount Täkar Drosangma: The Swift White Horse Fairy Peak
Täkar Drosangma, (གཏལ་དཀར་གྲོ་བཟང་མ) known in Tibetan as “The Peak of the Swift White Horse Fairy,” represents the fifth peak in the sacred ensemble called “Tsering Chenga,” located to the southwest of Tingri County Town. Täkar Drosangma is celebrated as the green goddess among the “Five Sisters of Longevity.”
In Tibetan art, she is depicted holding grass in one hand and a snake noose in the other, riding a green dragon. She governs the prosperity and breeding of livestock in the snowy realms, bestowing upon people the wisdom of livestock proliferation, hence known as the “Goddess of Domestic Animals.”
Tingi Shalzangma: The Turquoise Beauty Fairy Peak
Tingi Shalzangma, (མཐིང་གི་ཞལ་བཟང་མ) meaning “The Turquoise Beauty Fairy Peak” or “The Goddess of Teal Beauty” in Tibetan, stands 3 kilometers south of Mount Everest, in Kharta Town, southwest of Tingri County Town. Also known as Lhotse and standing at an elevation of 8,516 meters, it opens as one of Tibet’s 44 peaks for climbing and ranks as the world’s fourth-highest peak.
The second of the “Tsering Chenga,” Tingi Shalzangma, offers climbers a formidable challenge with its treacherous terrain, dense glacier coverage, and unpredictable weather. In over fifty years, the slopes of Tingi Shalzangma have claimed the lives of more than 300 daring climbers. A Swiss team achieved the first successful ascent from its western slope in Nepal on May 18, 1956, yet its eastern slope in China remains unconquered.
Tibetan iconography depicts Tingi Shalzangma as a green goddess who holds a magic mirror and a ribbon-tied stick, riding atop a wild horse. She plays the primary role of divining light from darkness, fortune from misfortune, bestowing upon people the wisdom of divination, which earns her the title “Goddess of the Spherical Light of Divination.”
Chöpen Drinsangma : The Peak of Wishes Fulfilled
Chöpen Drinsangma, (ཅོད་དཔན་མགྲིན་བཟང་མ) translating to “The Peak of the Fairy Who Fulfills Wishes,” stands as the fourth peak in the revered “Tsering Chenga” sequence. Located southwest of Tingri County Town, this peak embodies the essence of aspiration and fulfillment.
Tibetan art portrays Chöpen Drinsangma as a red goddess, cradling a treasure box filled with pearls in her right hand and a large gemstone in her left, mounted on a coral-colored red deer. She governs the prosperity and sustenance of the human world, offering the wisdom of wealth and treasures, thus celebrated as the “Goddess of Wealth.”
Tashi Tseringma: The Auspicious Longevity Fairy Peak
Tashi Tseringma, (བཀྲ་ཤིས་ཚེ་རིང་མ།) meaning “The Auspicious Longevity Fairy Peak,” is the highest and the first of the “Tsering Chenga,” with an elevation of 7,134 meters. This peak is located in Rongshar Township, southwest of Tingri County Town, and is one of the 44 peaks open for climbing in Tibet.
Depicted as a white goddess in Tibetan iconography, Tashi Tseringma is the leader of the “Five Sisters of Longevity.” She has three eyes, wears a silk garment, waves a nine-pronged vajra in her right hand, and holds a bowl of nectar in her left, riding a white lion. She oversees the prosperity, longevity, and safety of the Tibetan people, bestowing upon them intelligence and wisdom, thus known as the “Goddess of Fortune and Longevity.”
Chomolungma Peak : Highest peak in world
Mount Jomo Langma, known as the highest mountain in the world, is surrounded by a rich tapestry of myth and spirituality. Among the pantheon of deities associated with this majestic peak, Miyo Lozangma (མི་གཡོ་བློ་བཟང་མ) stands out. She is revered for her embodiment of unwavering stability and the sublime state of a motionless mind.
Depicted as a radiant yellow goddess, Miyo Lozangma’s iconography is both powerful and nurturing. With a serene expression, she holds a bowl filled with an assortment of delicious foods in her right hand, symbolizing abundance and nourishment. In her left hand, she gently cradles a mongoose, an ancient symbol of wealth in Tibetan culture, often shown releasing precious jewels as a representation of generosity and the endless bounty that accompanies virtuous actions.
Her mount, a majestic tigress, underscores her power and the protective nature of her divinity. The tigress represents fearlessness and speed, yet, in the context of Miyo Lozangma, it also signifies the controlled energy of a mind that remains immovable in the face of distractions and turbulence. This pairing of dynamic power with the tranquility of a steadfast mind encapsulates the essence of Miyo Lozangma’s divine role.
The Tseringma Sisters: Protectors of Milarepa’s Lineage
According to sacred texts and traditions, the Tseringma Sisters have a fascinating history of commitments and oaths to protect and uphold the teachings of Buddhism. Their journey of oaths began in the charnel ground known as “Singha,” under the guidance of the dakini Sengdongma. This initial commitment marked the beginning of their role as protectors.
Their journey continued as they took further vows with Guru Padmasambhava in Kham, at a site called Lanyi Khala Rongo. Here, they promised to guard the teachings of Tukdrub Barchey Kunsel, a treasure cycle hidden by Guru Padmasambhava himself. Their pledge was strengthened in India at Munpa Drado charnel ground with the mahasiddha Krishnacharya, and finally with Jetsun Milarepa in Tibet, ensuring their eternal guardianship of these profound teachings.
These peaks not only challenge the spirit of adventurers but also enrich the cultural tapestry of Tibet with their divine guardianship and mythical narratives, embodying the harmony between nature, spirituality, and the quest for understanding the universe.
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