Protectors of the Bon Religion
Amongst the group of protector deities of the Bon Religion (bon skyongs srung ma) it is said that only Sipai Gyalmo is regarded as an enlightened deity. All of the rest are classified as worldly deities. Sipai Gyalmo is the wrathful aspect of Satrig Ersang (Sherab Chamma), one of the Four Transcendent Lords of the Bon Pantheon and foremost deity/god of the Bon Religion.
The most important group or set of guardians of Bon are known as the Three Protectors, Ma, Du, Tsen: meaning the female protector Sipai Gyalmo, Midud, male, who rides atop an otter and Tsen Apse, male, red in colour, in the appearance of a warrior. The protectors listed are only the most important or most common as found in art. There are many other special protectors unique to specific practice cycles such as the Tiger-face Protector unique to the deity Tagla Membar pictured on the Outline Page.