Bon
The Bon religion is an indigenous shamanistic faith that has its roots in the Himalayas, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. It existed before Buddhism was introduced to Tibet. The religion is focused on ritual, ethics, meditation, and magic in addition to belief in a complex pantheon of numerous gods, goddesses, and spirits. The Bon religion was strongly influenced by Buddhism's advent in Tibet in the eighth century, and many aspects of Buddhist doctrine and practice were integrated into Bon teachings. Even while it is a unique tradition in and of itself, it has a lot in common with other shamanistic and animistic cultures from all over the world as well as tantric Hinduism and Buddhism. The religion has a broad range of deities.
Satrig Ersang
Satrig Ersang, one of the Four Transcendent Lords, is the principal goddess in the Bon Religion. She is frequently depicted in a calm state beside other Transcendent Lords. With her hands at her heart, she holds two flowers, a yungdrung (the left-facing swastika) on the right and a mirror on the left, above her shoulders. In a seated position, her legs are tightly crossed.
Sherab Chamma
Sherab Chamma, a manifestation of Satrig Ersang among the Four Transcendent Lords, is known as the Loving Mother of Wisdom. She holds a vase in her right hand and carries a mirror atop a lotus.
Sipai Gyalmo
Sipai Gyalmo is the Queen of the World and a powerful manifestation of Sherab Chamma. She is a meditation deity as well as a guardian. She has a formidable appearance with a black complexion, three faces, and six arms bearing various weapons. Her right hands are holding a triumph banner, a flaming sword, and a peg, while her left hands are holding a trident, a svastika wand, and a blood-filled skullcup. These symbols reflect the removal of illusions and the triumph over the three poisons, that are greed, rage, and delusion. She rides a red mule and sits on a human skin, representing the impermanence of life.
Sipai Gyalmo has various manifestations. Some of her principle forms are:
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Dreu Marmo: She is a form of Sipai Gyalmo riding a red mule.
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Dreu Nagmo: She is a form of Sipai Gyalmo riding a black mule.
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Yeshe Walmo: She is a healing and protective deity and is depicted in a ferocious blue-black complexion with one face and two hands. She is holding a fiery sword in her uplifted right hand and a skullcup near her heart with her left. She stands on one leg with the other raised over a figure lying down, wearing bone ornaments and heavenly attire. She stands atop a sun disc and lotus seat, surrounded by wisdom flames.
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Ugya Chagtong: She is a form with a thousand heads and limbs.
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Machig Lhamo: She is a form with one face and two hands and riding a mule.
The other two noticeable forms depict her riding a bird and bear.
Kyema Otso
Kyema Otso, commonly known as the Ocean of Light, is an important figure in Bon's Ma Gyud teachings. Along with Kalpa Zangmo, Thugje Kundrol, Oden Nyibar, and Sidpa Gyalmo, she is one of the five renowned Khandros (female practitioners) in the Chöd tradition of Bon. Kyema Otso often appears with red complexion, yet she can also be seen with yellow skin. In her right hand, she holds a curved sword, and in her left, a practitioner's skull cap.
Kalpa Zangmo
Kalpa Zangmo is one of the Khandrops (female practitioners). She often appears with a red complexion and four hands, carrying various attributes. She is shown standing on a lady lying atop a lotus.
Thukje Kundrol
She is one of the Khandrops and a Dakini for a long life and good health. She appears with a red complexion and two hands, carrying a curved sword and a spear. She is shown standing on a lady lying atop a lotus.
Five Elemental Khandro
The forces that power everything, including the physical world, our bodies, emotions, and brains, are represented by the Five Khandros. Each element has a goddess who represents the element's enlightened aspect. The central figure is the white Khandro, which represents space and is the source of all other elements. In her right hand, she carries ornaments and diamonds, and in her left, a skull cup filled with rare nectar. Air (green), fire (red), water (blue), and earth (yellow) khandros surround the focal image.
Menmo
Menmo are a class of invisible spiritual beings or worldly protector.
Lam Lha
Lam Lha is a worldly protector and a goddess of travel. She is seen riding on the back of a queen bee, surrounded by 20 manifestations of herself and the eight hazardous animals from which she protect.
