About Kapala

A kapala or skullcup is a cup made from a human skull and used as a ritual implement (bowl) in both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra (Vajrayana). Especially in Tibet, they are often carved or elaborately mounted with precious metals and jewels.

Products related to Kapala

A leaf from a Prajñāpāramitā (Perfection of Wisdom) manuscript.

Tibetan Buddhist practices – Schools, sutras & tantras

5
Aug
2022
Vajrayāna
Apart from classical Mahāyāna Buddhist practices like the six perfections, Tibetan Buddhism also includes tantric practices, such as and the as well as methods which are seen as transcending tantra, like . In Tibetan Buddhism, practices are generally classified as either Sutra (or Pāramitāyāna) or Tantra ( or Mantrayāna), though exactly what constitutes each category and what is included and excluded in each is a matter of debate and .
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Manjuvajra Embracing His Consort

Tantric practices – The esoteric South Asian traditions

22
Jul
2022
Culture, Hinduism, Mahāyāna, Yoga
Tantra are the esoteric traditions of and Buddhism that developed in South Asia from the middle of the 1st millennium CE onwards. The term tantra, in the Indian traditions, also means any systematic broadly applicable text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique or practice. A key feature of these traditions is the use of mantras, and thus they are commonly referred to as Mantramārga ("Path of Mantra") in Hinduism or Mantrayāna ("Mantra Vehicle") and Guhyamantra ("Secret .
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Prayer wheels at Nechung Chok, Lhasa

The unavoidable Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements

15
Jul
2022
Dharma, Mantras
Tibetan Buddhism, in the form of Vajrayana ritual, provides a critical set of techniques for dealing with everyday life. Tibetans came to see these techniques as vital for their prosperity in this life. Tibetan Buddhism rituals are generally more elaborate than in other forms of Buddhism, with complex altar arrangements and works of art (such as and ), many ritual objects, hand gestures (mudra), chants, and musical instruments. A special kind of ritual called an .
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Appearances and Identifications of Vajrapani

7
Jul
2021
Deities, Vajrapani, Vajrayāna
is one of the earliest and most recognizable characters of . He is known for carrying a  scepter and being a close attendant to the historical according to the . In , Vajrapani is entrusted to safeguard all of the literature and in this regard, he is known as Guhyapati - the Lord of Secrets. Different of Vajrapani Vajrapani manifests in a variety of forms and looks, ranging from placid .
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marichi Thangka

Explaining Goddess of Dawn and Light Marichi

5
Mar
2020
Art, Deities, Himalayan Art
The Goddess of the Dawn is depicted in many different . Sometimes rides a white horse through the sky, banishing the darkness and driving back the night with the orb of the in the outstretched right hand. More commonly Marichi is yellow or red in color, with one, three or more faces and six to twelve arms, seated on a chariot drawn by seven pigs, or horses, removing all obstacles to and .
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Dorje Neljorma

Vajrayogini Dakini – Origin, Lineages and Iconography

1
Nov
2019
Culture, Deities, Gods, Meditation, Vajrayogini, Yogini
is a deity who is also called as Vajravarahi in , or , a tradition in which she is considered the supreme deity more revered than any male . She represents the path leading to female . She is also a , a term that describes a female supernatural being or an accomplished , and is considered the queen of the dakinis. Her name comes from the , , which means “diamond” or “thunderbolt,” .
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Lion Faced Dakini – Singhamukha Yogini

27
May
2019
Deities, Dharma
Lion-faced is a secret form of also has a relationship to Troma and the practice of . She is appropriate for clearing obstacles of the most pervasive and malignant kind and cutting through the “” of . This practice has been important in since the of . PeGyal Lingpa received this revelation directly from , appearing in a red-black form, instead of the more common dark blue .
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Green Tara

All About Green Tara

27
May
2018
Deities, Dharma, Green Tara
Mother sincerely and with strong faith, will protect us from all obstacles and fulfill all our wishes. Since she is a , and since she is a manifestation of the completely purified wind element, Tara is able to help us very quickly. Tara is our common mother, our Holy Mother. When we are young we turn to our worldly mother for help. She protects us from immediate dangers, provides us with all our .
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Buddhist Ritual Items and Symbols

14
Apr
2018
Culture, Dharma, Symbols
is one of the most established world that has ever seen. Over the great expanse of , it has quietly established its own set of symbolisms – that are as old as time itself. This is only but with all the religions of the civilized world. And as such, many of these are considered recognizable icons of and . The more prominent symbols .
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Description of the Kingdom of Shambhala

3
Apr
2018
Biography, Culture
Descriptions of the kingdom of are based both on literature said to emanate from Shambhala itself and by later commentators, mainly , who claimed to have visited the kingdom in the material realm, on an etheric plane, in dreams, or by some other means. As the descriptions will make clear, this is not of “historical” Shambhala; i.e., a country that once existed in the - continuum recognized by Western historiography—for instance, the kingdom .
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