Ga-phong Dongma
the bat-headed dakini
The yung-drung (gYung drung) of the central chest ornament of Ga-phong Dongma is unique to the Aro gTér cycle of Lamas, yidams, and protectors. The yung-drung is common to both Buddhist and Bön Vajrayana and in both systems it is found in both square and round form. Within the Aro gTér however the yung-drung is arranged as four arms which emanate from a central circle. This expresses the nature of the four Buddha karmas and the primal wisdom-space from which they originate. Here, in this most specialised form of Aro gTér yung-drung, we find two yung-drungs – a smaller male (clockwise) yung-drung within a larger female (anti-clockwise) yung-drung. This represents the non-dual quality of male and female manifestations of energy.
Khandro Déchen says of this wisdom appearance: Ga-phong Dongma wears a five
skull crown – only one is clearly seen. The two next to it are partially obscured by
her ears and two others remain completely hidden. The absence of all five skulls is not
merely due to the limitations of painting – but to the sense in which Ga-phong’s
activity is centred around the transformation of obscurity and occlusion. Ga-phong
functions in terms of what is hidden – both in terms of realisation and
confusion.
