The Buddhist deity Simhavaktra, a dakini

The lion-headed dakini, or sky-walker, is an attendant of Palden Lhamo, one of the Eight Guardians of Tibetan Buddhism. Simhavaktra strides in the sea of blood that represents samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death. Together with the crocodile-headed dakini, Simhavaktra accompanies Palden Lhamo in her efforts to liberate living beings.

Simhavaktra holds a curved chopping knife, which cuts off the delusions that keep living beings trapped in the endless cycle. She is naked except for the flayed human skin on her back representing her triumph over the limitations of the human condition, and the wheel on her belly symbolizing the teachings of the Buddha. A large lacquer sculpture of this same goddess appears in the center of this gallery.