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Tibetan Name: Phur-pa Materials: Sterling Silver with Inlays of Bone, Turquoise, Coral and Lapis Lazuli, Made in Nepal Height: 9 inches Width: - inches Depth: - inches Weight: 2 pounds Click here to view more images of the Silver Phurpa Three menacing faces of the dharmapala, Hayagriva, glare outwards from the hilt of the ritual dagger. Magnificently carved, their features are both powerful and expressive: their flaming eyebrows are furrowed, their eyes are bulging, their nostrils are flared, and their mouths are open, each baring a set of sharp fangs. The artist has masterfully used ivory inlay for the faces and has enhanced Hayagriva’s terrifying nature. The top is surmounted by the head of a horse. The central section of the stake consists of a structure, similar in appearance to a vajra scepter. Beneath, a three edged blade ensues from an intimidating, snake-spewing makara head. As the embodiment of Vajrakila, the phurpa represents the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Its tripartite blade, symbolizing the unity of the three doors of liberation (signlessness, wishlessness, and voidness) as well as the Three Bodies of Buddhahood, the only force capable of transmuting the powerful negative energy of vice and egocentrism into benevolent compassion. When purportedly introduced in Tibet by Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche during the eighth century, the magic dagger was thought to be used to suppress forces hostile to Buddhism. From that period on, the phur-pa as been considered to be one of the most spiritually important and quintessentially Tibetan ritual weapons in existence. Although always taking the form of a peg or dagger, Tibetan phurbas vary greatly in style, material and even iconography. The Phurba is a ritual object traditionally associated with Tibetan Buddhism or Bön. The Sanskrit term for phurba is kilaya. Please email or call us, toll free, with any questions or comments 1(888)DHARMA-4, info@dharmasculpture.com |
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