White Umbrella Sungkhor (Protection Amulet)

Traditionally Prepared Talisman and Blessed at Tashi Chöthang Monastery

This traditional Tibetan Buddhist White Umbrella (Sitātapatrā) sungkhor (Tib. srung 'khor, "protection wheel") is a sacred protection amulet traditionally prepared and blessed by Tibetan lamas at Tashi Chöthang Monastery, the principal monastery of Khentrul Rinpoche's root guru, Lama Lobsang Trinley.

Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a sungkhor is far more than a symbolic ornament. Sacred mantras, prayers, and protective diagrams are carefully folded according to traditional methods, wrapped, and consecrated through ritual practice to invoke the enlightened blessings of the deity. Worn close to the body or respectfully carried, these amulets serve as continual supports for Dharma practitioners, strengthening refuge, inspiring confidence, and maintaining a connection with the enlightened activity of the Buddhas.

White Umbrella — Supreme Protection

White Umbrella (Sanskrit: Sitātapatrā, Tibetan: Dugkar) is one of the most powerful protective deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, she emanated from the ushnisha, the crown of the Buddha, as an expression of his boundless compassion to protect beings from suffering and obstacles.

She is revered throughout Tibet as the Supreme Protectress, whose compassionate activity shields practitioners from fear, illness, accidents, untimely death, harmful influences, natural disasters, and obstacles that interfere with both worldly well-being and spiritual practice. Her white parasol symbolizes complete refuge beneath the enlightened protection of the Buddha, sheltering beings from suffering while guiding them toward awakening.

Protection from Outer and Inner Obstacles

For centuries, monks, yogis, and lay practitioners have relied upon White Umbrella's blessings during travel, times of illness, important life transitions, and periods of uncertainty. Her practice is especially renowned for dispelling obstacles, averting harmful conditions, and protecting practitioners from negative influences and adverse circumstances.

On a deeper level, White Umbrella's protection is understood to guard the mind from the inner causes of suffering—fear, anger, attachment, ignorance, and other mental afflictions that obstruct the path to enlightenment. Her enlightened activity supports practitioners in cultivating courage, clarity, compassion, and unwavering confidence in the Dharma.

For these reasons, White Umbrella sungkhors have long been worn by Tibetan Buddhists as sacred supports for protection in daily life and throughout one's spiritual journey.

A Sacred Support for Practice

This blessed amulet is not regarded as a talisman that functions independently through superstition. Rather, it is a sacred support that strengthens one's connection with White Umbrella through faith, refuge, mantra recitation, and Dharma practice.

When respectfully carried and combined with sincere practice, this sungkhor serves as a continual reminder that true protection ultimately arises from awakening the qualities of wisdom and compassion while relying upon the blessings of the Three Jewels and the enlightened activity of the Buddhas.

Care and Respect

To avoid damage to the sungkhor, it is recommended to keep it in a cloth or leather pouch. This also protects it from dust and moisture.

The amulet may be worn around the neck, across the body, or respectfully carried in a bag. It may also be placed on a clean shrine or another respectful location within the home.

As with all sacred Buddhist objects, it should be kept clean and treated with respect. Avoid placing it directly on the floor or in unclean locations.

Traditional Recitation

It is traditional to recite the Dependent Origination Mantra three times before wearing or respectfully handling the amulet:

Om Ye Dharma Hetu Prabhava
Hetun Teshan Tathagato Hyavadat
Teshan Tsa Yo Nirodha
Evam Vadi Mahashramanah Soha

Many practitioners also recite White Umbrella's mantra while wearing the amulet. A commonly recited short form is:

Om Sitatapatre Hum Phat

(Some lineages may use longer forms of the dhāraṇī or lineage-specific recitations received from their teacher.)

May Noble White Umbrella spread her boundless parasol of enlightened protection over all beings. May all obstacles, illness, fear, and harmful conditions be pacified, and may all beings enjoy long life, peace, and the favorable circumstances to practice the Dharma and attain complete awakening.