Ceremonial Objects Of The Tibetan Faith, Page 4
Bone Armlet (gdu bu)
These carved bone figures, strung
together with bone, wood, and coral
beads, depict wrathful faces, meditating
yogins, a lotus with a Sanskrit syllable
(possibly Om), a 'Wheel of Doctrine'
(dharma-cakra, chos kyi Îkhor lo), a
vajra, in addition to other purely
decorative elements. This piece is part
of a larger ceremonial costume that
normally includes bone bracelets,
anklets, crown, apron, and chest plate.
Such costumes were used during important
tantric rituals and performances, and
were ideally made from human bone. They
are based on the ornaments usually
associated with the wrathful (heruka)
deities of the highest classification of
tantra (anuttara-tantra, bla na med paâi
rgyud).
Bone Rosary (rus kyi Îphreng
ba)
This rosary (mala, Îphreng ba) of 108
miniature carved skulls is probably made
from yak bone. Rosaries are very
important religious objects for all
Tibetan Buddhists, whether lay or
clergy. They are most commonly used for
calculating the specific number of
mantras one has accumulated over a
period of time. The mala or rosary may
be used formally to compute the number
of mantras one recites in a session of
meditation, or informally as one engages
in other daily activities. Whereas malas
made from seeds or crystal are thought
to be appropriate for practices that
focus on serene Buddhas and deities,
bone malas of this type are most
appropriate for meditation on fierce
deities. This type of rosary is not
particularly common among Tibetans, and
was probably made in Nepal for sale to
tourists.
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