Phurba Gallery

The Tantric Phurba – A protective ritual dagger

The is a dagger used in practices. It is used to protect against negative energies and to promote positive change.

The phurba is not to be used for violence or harm, and should only be used for ritual purposes. It is a powerful tool for protection and should be used with care and respect.

Origin of Phurba in Tibet

The renowned , who was initiated by the Indian sage Prabhahastin, is said to have brought Phurba to in the year 747. 9th–10th century.

A text was discovered at , stating that during the of Padmasambhava, the Phurba was first used in his tantric , which are all focused on Dorje Phurba ().

Description of the Phurba

It is a 3 edged peg usually made from metal or . They are sometimes described as daggers with three blades.

Phurbas are usually made of metal, but can also be made of wood, bone, or other materials which has three blades, and each blades representing a different aspect of the ’s teachings.

The best of the metal ones from a Tantric Buddhist are constructed from meteorite iron. Sandalwood is also popular.

The phurba is usually decorated with images of the Buddha, , or other figure and are kept in a shrine or , and is only used by or priests.

Various ritual texts may also specify a specific substance or for the specialized magical application.

These phurbas generally have three faces at the top and are crowned with a half .

The Hayagriva Phurba

A specific type of phurba is connected with the practice of Hayagriva.

This has a horse head at the top rather than a half vajra, although it should be noted that in Hayagriva’s iconographic depictions he does not hold a phurba.

The Nyingma lamas Dorje Dudjom and Jatson Nyingpo are generally shown with the left hand thrusting a phurba downward.

The Bon Phurba

The also uses the phurba as a ritual object.

These Bon ritual Phurbas can generally be identified as having multiple heads with the top crowned with a – the of birds along with a total absence of a full or half vajra.

Types of Phurbas and usage

The phurba is used to protect against evil and to exorcise them from people or places. It is also used compel the evil spirits so they can be destroyed.

The phurba is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we should act with and towards all beings and that Buddha is always with us, and that we can always turn to him for guidance and support.

Phurbas are ritual objects that come in a variety of and metals, typically without a face. The three general categories of phurba are:

  • Recitation phurba: Support for Vajrakilaya or Hayagriva practice, to be kept on the shrine
  • Activity phurba: For performing various activities during development stage practice, e.g. liberation during feast () .
  • Protection: For carrying around to protect oneself from harmful obstacles

Additionally, there are various varieties of phurba. Faces are typically displayed as a devotional object on an .

may hold the Phurba during various , such as a “blessing,” but typically the face is covered metaphorically with cloth in these circumstances.

Alternatively the dagger would be stuck in the to mark the place for the of a .

Iconographic elements of the Phurba

The blade generally has a triangular form comprising of three sides, on which are representations of snakes (naga in , klu in Tibetan) either on their own or entwined in pairs.

They have the power to make it rain and are the guardians of water, the underworld and treasure.

The triple Blades

The blade bursts forth from the jaws of a dragon, a monster half crocodile and half elephant, reputed to have originated in the sea.

The water Dragon is also called in Sanskrit or chu-srin in Tibetan.

Sometimes the makara is replaced by a geometric figure or by another animal such as the mythical bird garuda (khyung in Tibetan), the mortal enemy of the naga and protector against illness.

The body of the Phurba

The is most often a handle representing or evoking the shape of a “thunderboltdiamond” (vajra in Sanskrit rdo-rje in Tibetan) but this can be replaced by an object of polyhedral form that is sometimes decorated with stylized leaves.

This element symbolises the power and strength of the doctrines and practices of .

The vajra or object is held in place by ‘eternal knots’ (equally called ‘Chinese knots’, rgya-mdud in Tibetan) of diverse , balls or tetrahedron, these imitate the cloth knots used to hold the “ incandescent weapon” and on another level are a symbol of and of the cycle of rebirth.

The three faces head

The head is of various forms according to the deity represented. The most common form is that of three identical faces, one (parted lips), one joyful (teeth visible) and one wrathful (tongue showing).

The three faces symbolize the three bodies of Buddha or the victory over the (, , and hate).

The faces are generally grouped together under a communal headdress and the phurba is completed by a knot at the top of the head, a half-vajra, or an attribute of the deity represented or a ring.

In certain cases, the three faces are replaced by the head of an animal (bird, bull, dog, snake…) In general these are representations of minor deities, considered as guardians of the tantric way or vehicle.

The Vajrakilaya Tantra

The principal deity associated with the purba is Vajrakila in his winged form. The divinity also called in Tibetan, is shown half-length in various positions (hands joined, with or without attributes), the legs being replaced by the blade.

The Vajrakilaya is a system of practice perfected and passed down by the deified historical figure Padmasambhava, who is credited with bringing to Tibet in the eighth century and dedicating , the country’s first .

practitioners use this holy text along with the phurba, in the tradition started by early practitioners, or nyingmapa, who brought traditions from to Tibet, to ward off demonic impediments and protect the faith.

Antique Masterpieces

Antique wrathful Heruka

This Antique Phurba with three wrathful heads represent the power of the instrument in ritual as an embodiment of the blood-drinking deity Vajrakilaya.

This big phurba was designed with the idea of an effective, yet aesthetically-impressive ceremonial implement.

It was carved from and expensive ebony, known in Chinese as wumu, and was previously inlaid with large earrings and rows of teeth made of ivory.

The use of pricey materials suggests that this was an imperial commission and was given to a revered Tibetan teacher as a by a royal court.

From & private collections

This is a gallery of master pieces of phurba from divers museums and private collections around the world:

A simple guided meditation

The phurba is not to be used for violence or harm, and should only be used for ritual purposes.

During rituals and the Phurba is consecrated before usage and in some customs the handle might have a string wrapped around it but it can be different in other shamanic rituals. 

Although the Phurba has a physical appearance, it mostly affects the mind and the spirit with its presence and force.

This is a simple process for beginners to practice with a Phurba:

  1. Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight.
  2. Rest your hands in your lap with your palms up.
  3. Hold the Phurba in your right hand.
  4. Focus your attention on the tip of the Phurba.
  5. Breathe deeply and evenly.
  6. Visualize the Phurba piercing through all obstacles.
  7. Feel the Phurba’s power and energy entering your body.
  8. Use the Phurba to metaphorically cut through all negative and emotions.
  9. Release all to the results of your meditation.
  10. Surrender to the Phurba and the guidance it provides.
  11. Allow the Phurba to take you on a journey of self-discovery.
  12. Be open to whatever insights and revelations you receive.
  13. Trust that the Phurba will lead you to your highest good.
  14. Follow your intuition and let the Phurba guide your actions.
  15. Be fearless in your pursuit of your most important life goal.
  16. Use the Phurba to metaphorically cut through all your self-imposed limitations.
  17. Allow the Phurba to empower you to reach your most important life goal.

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About sadiksha

Namaste! I am a Nepali Art Dealer specialized in Mandala and Thangka paintings. I love to write articles about the monastic culture of the Himalayas.

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