About Kartika (knife)

A kartika is a small, crescent-shaped hand-held ritual flaying knife used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be "one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful Tantric deities." It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis."
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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Monks attending the 2003 Kalachakra empowerment in Bodhgaya, India.

Vajrayana – Buddhist tantric traditions

10
Jul
2022
Vajrayāna
Vajrayana is Tantric Buddhism, the form of Northern Buddhism that relies primarily on the Tantras, technical manuals said to have been taught by the Buddha, and offer complete enlightenment in 1, 7 or 21 lifetimes. practices are connected to specific lineages in Buddhism, through the teachings of lineage holders. Others might generally refer to texts as the Buddhist Tantras. It includes practices that make use of mantras, dharanis, , mandalas and the visualization of .
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