Zaki Lhamo

Zaki Lhamo is a unique guardian of the Sera Monastery of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in China. She is regarded as the incarnation of the Goddess of Good Fortune. According to legend, a long time ago, a monk from Sera Monastery went to Mount Wutai to worship Buddha. During the period, a beautiful concubine in the imperial palace of the capital was poisoned to death due to court struggles. Her soul could not let go and wandered in the palace. After the monk learned about it, he entered into a trance and talked with the concubine to understand her experience and informed the emperor. The emperor punished the criminal, and the monk chanted sutras for the concubine to transcend. On the way back, the monk found that the soul of the concubine followed him and expressed her willingness to convert. The monk was moved by her sincerity and took her back to Sera Monastery. When she saw the golden roof of Sera Monastery, the monk told her that she could not enter the temple, but could only build a residence in Zaki and accept offerings from local people. Zaki Lhamo’s image is gorgeous, holding an auspicious staff, symbolizing happiness and auspiciousness. She is a famous female god of wealth in Tibet and is widely regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness and protection.