Phurba Dagger- The Tibetan Buddhist Ritual Instrument

In Sanskrit it is called the kilaya or the kila, and in Tibetan it is called the phurba, phurpa. The phurba is also called ‘the magic dagger’. ‘Phur’ is translated from the Sanskrit ‘kila’ and it means peg or nail. Padmasambhava is widely assumed to have invented the phurba. Padmasambhava used the phurpa to consecrate the ground when he established the Samye monastery in the 8th century. The phurba is a three-sided stake that is used in Buddhist rituals. Because Tibet has always been a nomadic culture, the tent is an important part of Tibetan lives, and placing the tent pegs into the ground is always seen as sacrificing the ground. The shape of the phurpa may have come from the stake used to hold down tents.

The three-sided style of the phurba comes from an ancient vedic tool used to pin down sacrifices. The phurba has three segments on its blade. The three segments represent the power of the phurba to transform negative energies. These energies are known as the ‘three poisons,’ and are attachment, ignorance, and aversion. The three sides of the phurba also represent the three spirit worlds, and the phurba itself represents the axis of the three spirit worlds. The phurba brings the three spirit worlds together. The handle of the phurba represents ‘wisdom’, while the blade represents ‘method’.

The phurba is often stabbed down into a bowl of rice or other grains in Tibetan rituals. Phurbas can be made from wood, bone, or metals such as copper and brass. If more than one metal is used to make a phurba, it is done in a combination of three or nine metals, which are both meaningful combinations numerically.

There are always carvings at the top of phurpas. Some popular images are skull heads or Buddha heads. Sometimes the Buddha heads come in threes to mirror the blade, so that each way the blade is turned, there is always a Buddha’s head facing you.

The phurba symbolizes stability, and it is often used during ceremonies. The phurba is often used by Tantric practitioners. The phurba can also hold demons in place. Only those who are empowered to use the phurpa may use it in these rituals. The phurba can be used to tether negative energies during ceremonies, or as a stabilizer. The blade on a phurba is never sharp, it is only used as a ritual dagger, not an actual weapon.

The phurpa is also used by Dorje Phurba a.k.a. Vajrakilaya, who is the wrathful form of Vajrapani (who is one of the wrathful deities). Vajrakilaya is often seen holding the phurba on Buddhist statues and thangkas (Buddhist paintings). Vajrakilaya is a wrathful deity who removes obstacles. Vajrakilaya’s consort is Khorlo Gyedunma, and she is a manifestation of the Green Tara.

Phurpas are only to be used ritualistically by Shamans or those who have been taught how to properly do so. To use the phurba, practitioners first meditate, then they recite the sadhana of the phurba, and invite the deity to enter the phurba. They then stab the phurba into the ground, or into a bowl of rice or grain, and imagine that the evil spirits or negative energies are underneath the blade. Phurpas can also be used as decoration in homes and temples, and many use phurbas as part of their meditation rooms. To see our selection of phurbas, please check out our bells, dorjes, and phurbas section.

Shopping In Tibet

The Magic of Shopping in Tibet !

Tibet, without a doubt is full of scenic fantasies and historical wonders, but still, a trip to Tibet is never complete without a long shopping spree here, even if you have explored all the destinations inch by inch. Shopping in Tibet, over the time has generated great interest in travelers and now people often travel to Tibet for its shopping bonanza. That’s how fascinating and unique the experience of shopping in Tibet is. You can start your stint from Lhasa where you will get everything, from a pin to a palace, and then move onto places that are special for their specialties.

Where to Shop From !

For small and big shopping flits one has to just hang around in the city. Lhasa Department Store, is located on the west end of Yuthok Lu, one of the largest and best-known market hub in Lhasa. It sells all the items one can ask for on urgency basis, or a tourist cannot do without like cotton clothing, mugs, canned food, towels, and toothpaste, plus local handicrafts. Barkhor is another most famous shopping market in Lhasa, where you will find more traditional Tibetan artifacts in small roadside shops. Buddha figures, prayer flags copper teapots, horse bells and jewelry inlaid with turquoise and other gem makes that allure any visitor. Though be aware of the quality of the material that you are buying, because few of them might be fake. But still, unique designs and cheap rates make them great souvenirs that you can take back home.

What are the Famous Shopping Items !

Tibet is actually famous for its handicrafts and paintings like the Thangka which is a kind of a Tibetan scroll painting that generally have their base in Buddhist religion where as Tibetan crafts are often made from different metals like gold, silver, copper and stones like turquoise. These beautiful items with the most exceptional carvings on them have become the most shopped for item in Tibet. Apart from crafts, you should check out some of the most scintillating jewelry that you would have ever seen. There are numerous varieties of jewelry like pearls, agate, gold and silver ornaments.

What Else on Shopping Streets !

Just Wander down the Barkhor street and you will see not only handicrafts, paintings and carpets, but also precious gems, stones, exotic masks, dazzling knives and much more, that will make your head turn and your hands move towards your pocket. The one thing that you must remember is that if you buy a knife, make sure that you send it through mail to your home town, as you are not allowed to take knives with you on flight. You will also come across bookstores from where you can get books related to Tibetan history, culture and even travel like maps and postcards, so don’t forget to take a look inside these useful stores.

Are You Ready For Shopping Thrill !

A single page cannot in any way, hold everything that you can shop here, but still a lot of main things that are sure to capture your attention have been mentioned here. Tibet is full of shopping treasures that are absolutely unique and spectacular, other thing for sure is that every one will get everything that one is looking for, just bring your pocket full ….not to repent later.

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Vintage Style Tibetan Handmade Bracelets

Tibetan Handmade Incense Burner

The use of incense dates back to biblical times and may have originated in Egypt, where the gums and resins of aromatic trees were imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts to be used in religious ceremonies. It was also used by the Pharaohs, not only to counteract unpleasant odors, but also to drive away demons and gratify the presence of the gods, as they believed.

The Babylonians used incense extensively while offering prayers to divining oracles. In India, some 2000 years BCE, various writings mention ‘perfumers’ and ‘incense sellers’. Evidence suggests oils were used mainly for their aroma. Incense spread from there to Greece and Rome. It was imported into Ancient Israel in the 5th century BCE to be used in religious offerings.

Brought to Japan in the 6th century by Chinese Buddhist monks, who used the mystical aromas in their purification rites, the delicate scents of Koh (high-quality Japanese incense) became a source of amusement and entertainment with nobles in the Imperial Court during the Heian Era 200 years later.

During the 14th century Shogunate, samurai warriors would perfume their helmets and armor with incense to achieve a proud aura of invincibility. It wasn’t until the Muromachi Era during the 15th and 16th century that incense appreciation (Kōdō) spread to the upper and middle classes of Japanese society.