One of the most outspoken female Buddhist deities, Penden Lhamo is known for her various roles within the confines of Tibetan Buddhism. She is regarded as the protector of the city of Lhasa, the Dalai Lamas of Tibet and the Gelukpa Order. Legend has it that she was invited to Tibet during the eleventh century from India before which she once reigned as the queen of Sri Lanka's demons.

She vowed to kill her only son if he did not promise not to lead the people of Lanka to greater violence and cannibalism. The intense figure of Lhamo is meant to represent the will to overcome the obstacles that are in the way of attaining the unity of wisdom and compassion. Her devotee would focus on transforming her energy into creative energy that can transcend the human ego. These images of violence are understood by initiates as sacred symbols of inner transformation in a compassionate religious culture that shuns every form of action, thought or word that might be harmful to other living beings.

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