KÄ«la (Buddhism)

A Phurba ( also: Phurpa, phurbu or phurpu; Sanskrit: kila ( ya) ) is a three-sided, a dagger or nail ähnelnder ritual object that is used in shamanistic traditions of the Himalayan region, as well as in Buddhism in Tibet and in Bön. The associated with the object or the yidam deity called Dorje Phurba or Vajrakila ( ya).

Importance

The Phurba is one of many iconographical divine attributes ( Tib: phyag mtshan ) that are seen in Vajrayana and Hindu deities. If a Phurba is blessed and bound for use, it shall be deemed nirmanakaya form of Dorje Phurba (Tib.: sprul pa) or Vajrakilaya. It is either used in order to stab into the earth, or even - as is common in the shamanistic traditions of the Himalayas - vertically in a basket or container with rice or other soft grain (if the Phurba is made of wood ). Here you stand before the Phurba as a world axis. In Nepalese shaman, the idea of the World Tree is more commonly used.

A special role is played by the Phurba about in the labeling of a suitable prayer space (see puja ), but only allowed him to use a privy or authorized in the use of person. The energetic aspect is fierce, wrathful, spiking, piercing.

Especially the wooden phurbas further be used in shamanistic healing rituals, the energetic work in terms of harmonization of the energy is in the foreground.

Often intertwined Nagas are mapped to the blade of a Phurba two in what is reminiscent of a Aesculapius or Caduceus. All energies that seem incompatible and isolated are to be united by the Phurba.

Production

Material

A Phurba can be made of different materials or material components. Among them are wood, metal, clay, bone, gems, horn and crystal.

Tibetan phurbas are like most Tibetan tools or instruments are usually made ​​of brass, iron ( in particular also meteorite iron, Tib: gnam lcags ) or less commonly made ​​of copper.

The knob

The pommel shows a Phurba Dorje Phurba, often with three faces. One of them is joyful, one peaceful and one angry. He can by a Ashtamangala screen ( Tib: gdugs; skt: Chattra. ) Or a mushroom cap, a yidam such as Hayagriva, a snow lion, a chorten or similar symbols to be shielded.

The handle

The handle often sees a vajra (see also Dorje ) and Web Knüpfwerk or similar. It includes such pommel and the blade always a triune motif.

The blade

The blade is usually composed of three triangular facets or surfaces that meet at the top. This is the power of the blade to transform the three poisons symbolize.

Use

As a tool of exorcism, a Phurba is to be used to ward off demons or thought-structure, so that their spiritual stream and converted them own mental blackout (or obfuscation ) can be eliminated. Another use is to bind and hold down "negative energy " of an entity, a thought entity, person, or the projection of a group of people to clean the environment by ( Purification ).

Dorje Phurba can be used as the Phurba the inherent destructive ( in the sense of completion and relief ) force against greed ( Tanha ) ( Tib: sred pa), attachment ( Upadana ) ( Tib: len pa) and ignorance ( avidya ) (Tib.: ma rig pa ) can be seen. Greed, attachment and ignorance to be bound by the three sides of the blade of a Phurba and converted by the tip. The knob of a Phurba can be blessed before use. It should therefore never be seen or used as a physical weapon, but as a spiritual tool. A nickname or epithet of the Phurba Dagger is Adamantine of emptiness.

Various cultural references

In order to work with the spirits and demons of the earth, the land and the place, the indigenous peoples of the Mongolian- Manchurian steppe have nailed it. Although the Phurba is indeed associated with the Indian Vajrakilaya, he is also related to the pegs of the tents of the steppe nomads. The In - The - Earth - piercing with a Phurba can be compared with the rite of a groundbreaking ceremony. It is an ancient shamanistic idea that is widespread throughout the region and in Bön and Vajrayana traditions can also be found. According to ancient shamanistic myths for example, mountains are considered large pegs, which should keep the soil in place. The mountain Amnye Make supposed to have been (according to the folklore ) brought about for this purpose from another country. As a further development of this tradition, the Chorten (see cairns ) can be viewed.

Iconographic representation of dorje phurbas

A common representation Dorje phurbas ( Vajrakilayas ) as a single figure shows the deity with three heads, six arms and four legs. His three right hands except the first hand in foreground holding vajra with five and nine spokes. The right hand in the foreground is depicted with open palm in a mudra, as they would grant blessing. His three left hands hold three flaming wish-fulfilling jewels ( see Three Jewels ), a trident and a Phurba. The back Dorje phurbas is covered with the freshly peeled skin of an elephant - which symbolizes ignorance - show their feet forward. One sees a human skin whose hands lie on his stomach across his chest. He wears a necklace with multiple heads that have it hung on her hair. He also wears a knee-length loincloth and girt with a tiger skin, including head, paws and tail. He wears Naga Earrings, bracelets and anklets. The faces of Dorje phurbas are plump and pretty small compared to his body. Despite its huge fangs and his eyes bulging in his wrathful appearance, he is regarded as kind, benevolent and charitable. Many illustrations show Dorje Phurba as Yab -yum with his consort Diptacakra (Tib. 'khor lo rgyas ' debs ma). Another name for Dorje Phurba is Vajrakumara.

Game and movie

• In the Japanese video game Suikoden a Phurba is used as a weapon.
• In the American action movie and the curse of the Shadow Khan a Phurba occurs as a living dagger.
• In the American Comedy In search of the golden child may also appear in a stylized Phurba.
• In the gangster film short and painless the main character Gabriel is given a Phurba as a lucky charm.
• In the Playstation 3 game Uncharted 2 Phurba is a key to Shambhala ( UK ).