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In a small, unassuming temple in Lhasa’s northern suburbs, pilgrims clutch bottles of liquor as offerings. They line up before a statue so startling it arrests the breath: jet-black skin, bulging golden eyes, a lolling crimson tongue, and claw-like hands gripping ritual objects. This is Drashi Lhamo (Zakiram)—Tibet’s most revered female wealth deity. Her paradoxical presence—terrifying yet profoundly compassionate—holds timeless lessons about prosperity, karma, and spiritual resilience.

(Note: While commonly called “Zakiram” in travel contexts, her formal Tibetan name is Drashi Lhamo—a detail crucial for authentic spiritual practice.)

Why a “Scary” Goddess Embodies Abundance

Drashi Lhamo’s origin story reveals her radical empathy:

• The Poisoned Pilgrim: Legend tells of a Han Chinese royal concubine murdered through poisoning during a court intrigue. Rather than seeking vengeance, her spirit wandered until a Gelugpa master from Sera Monastery purified her suffering. She followed him back to Lhasa, enduring harsh Himalayan trails as a testament to her devotion.

• The Transformation: When denied entry to Sera Monastery (deemed unsuitable for female spirits), she accepted sanctuary at a humble chapel—now Zhai Temple (Tsepak Lhamo Temple). Here, her fierce form emerged: the long tongue resulted from expelling poison; chicken feet replaced limbs severed by assassins; her black skin reflected transcendence beyond worldly illusion.

• From Protector to Wealth Bestower: Initially worshipped by Han merchants in Lhasa for safety, her devotees noticed uncanny business success. Word spread: this “outsider goddess” delivered rapid financial blessings. By the 19th century, she was Tibet’s undisputed wealth deity.

The Wednesday Ritual: Where Devotion Meets Action

Every Wednesday (her sacred day), Zhai Temple thrums with energy. Pilgrims practice three key rituals:

1. White Liquor Offerings: Drashi Lhamo “loves liquor”—symbolizing the transformation of worldly desires into enlightened action. Monks pour bottles into communal vats as prayers rise.

2. Sang Offering: At the temple gate, juniper branches burn in a sang furnace. Smoke purifies intentions, “cleansing greed before seeking generosity”.

3. Clockwise Circumambulation: Moving sunwise around the shrine, devotees touch each chapel, physically weaving prayers into the fabric of karma.

Pro Tip for Travelers:

“Arrive by 6 AM to avoid crowds. Bring a white khata (silk scarf), Sichuan baijiu, and a handful of 1-yuan bills for small shrine offerings.”

Beyond Wealth: Her Teachings for Modern Seekers

Drashi Lhamo’s true gift isn’t money—it’s a blueprint for karmic prosperity:

• Suffering → Strength: Her form embodies a truth: trauma can forge unshakeable resilience. The poison meant to destroy her became her symbol of liberation.

• Generosity Before Gain: Zhai Temple began as a sanctuary for outsiders. Her aid to marginalized Han birthed her wealth-bestowing fame—proving compounding returns start with selfless giving.

• Karmic Accountability: Tibetan texts note her as a “worldly protector” (jigten pa’i sungma), meaning she guides within samsara. True wealth, she teaches, aligns material and spiritual pursuits.

Why Americans Connect with Her Story

In workshops, I’ve seen Drashi Lhamo resonate deeply with Western seekers when framed through three lenses:

1. Sacred Feminine Power: She channels feminine ferocity—nurturing through protective strength, like a mother defending her child.

2. Karmic Business Ethics: Entrepreneurs honor her not for “get rich quick” schemes, but to ethically magnetize resources serving their highest purpose.

3. Shadow Integration: Her form invites embracing our “ugly” emotions (rage, envy) as fuel for growth—a concept echoed in Jungian psychology.

Keywords for Your Practice

To honor Drashi Lhamo authentically, weave these terms into contemplation or altar work:

• Tibetan Buddhist wealth deity

• Karmic prosperity practices

• Drashi Lhamo devotion

• Zhai Temple pilgrimage

• Spiritual abundance rituals

Final Thought: The Tongue That Tells Truth

Drashi Lhamo’s lolling tongue isn’t grotesque—it’s a symbol of radical honesty. It whispers: True abundance flows when we acknowledge our poisons… and transmute them into purpose.

May her fierce grace ignite your inner resilience.