Articles by alphabetic order
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 Ā Ī Ñ Ś Ū Ö Ō
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0


Phurba : Tibetan Ritual Dagger

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Xe37.jpg
Phurpa.jpg

The Phurba is triple sided Tibetan ritual dagger or stake. Tibetan meaning for Phurba refers to a stake used for tethering or a peg used for securing a tent. While other objects of similar shape can be considered Phurba, it is usually a knife with three distinct segments, one of which is a characteristic three - sided blade or point. The segments and the triple blade represent the three spirit worlds, while the Phurba as a whole symbolizes the "worlds axis" bring all three worlds together. This ritual Buddhist dagger or dart symbolizes the slaying or destruction of foe or obstructions. This ritual object is usually made of various clay, woods, metals or human or monkey bones or a combination which is considered a powerful element for driving away evil spirits, however wood and bone are also used and often required for certain ritual events. The lower part of the blade is said to represent "Method" while the handle "Wisdom". These would have been two objects that were vital in the survival of people in these hash regions. The Phurba is patterned after an ancient Vedic tool, a stake used to tether sacrifical animals. It is also regarded as a powerful weapon which subdues evil spirits and negative energies, transforming them into positive forces.

The Phurba also Phurpa is a ritual dagger (not meant to actually hurt in any way a sentient living being, the blade is not sharp). It is used against evil spirits by the tantric practioner. The idea is not release the spirit out of its suffering and thereby buide it to a better rebirth. A spirit (more commonly the ghost in the west) is a non physical being which lingers in confusion between differnt realms. By plunging the dagger in it, it will be thrown out of its confussion and thus gets the chance to be reborn (probably a lower kind than human realm). Phurba is used as a means of destroying voilence, hatred, and aggression by tying them to the blade of the phurba and then vanquishing them with its tip. Phurba (Ritual Dagger) is used in the ritual slaying of negative emotions, such as anger. It is regarded as possessing magical powers, and is an essential artifact uses sacred mask dances. It is also regarded as a powerful weapon which subdues evil spirits and negative energies, transforming them into positive forces. It is therefore that the phurba is not a physical weapon, but a spiritual implement, and should be regarded as such. The Phurbas were traditionally for the use of hunting down the demons. Certain demons however, are immune to attack from any earthly weapon. Thuse when a meteor fell out of the

Power Of Phurba:

The Phurba bears may abilities;

  • Phurba - Ritual Dagger is used to drive away evil spirits or negativity.
  • Phurba causes aggravated damage and double damage to spirits.
  • Phurba is capable of moving under it's own power by flying about and is quite fast and capable of lifting a man off the ground (When attempting to resist the Phurba by main strength, the Phurba has strenght of four unless thime magic or some other cheat is used, you will not be able to outrun it).
  • The faces on either side of the pommel can animate and bite anyone gripping the handle (This causes completely negligible damage but requires a Sta roll against a different of eight to hang on to it).
  • Phurba can unerringly track any being whose blood it has already tasted.
  • Anyone killed by a Phurba, has his psychic linkges severed and is thrust into oblivion.
  • Victims of the Phurba never return as ghosts.
  • Phurba also has the strange effect of completely crasing the cause of death to any form of scrying except time magic. Prime, spirit and mind magic will yield nothing in term of sensory impressions and even Necromancy will draw a blank.
  • Any Euthanatos using this dagger should keep a close eye on his Jhor taint.
  • Since the blade of Phurba is triangula in shape, wounds that are caused by it will not close by themselves, this causes the victim to lose his health conditions.
  • Lastly, Phurba are immune to destrucion with entropy, matter or forces magic. Attempting to use any kind of magic or control the dagger will invite attack.

Use Of Phurba:

The Phurba - Ceremonial Dagger, is a central ritual tool for all shamanic rituals - so central, in fact, that its use is rearely specified but simply presumed. Phurba in Buddhist ceremonies to exorcise demons or as a spiritual nail to pin down the distractions of gree, desire, envy. The sides of the Phurba destroy the three poisons: attachment, aversion, delusion.

Phurba also Phurpa is used as a means of destroying voilence, hatred, and aggression by tying them to the blade of the phurba and then vanquishing them with its tip. Phurba (Ritual Dagger) is used in the ritual slaying of negative emotions, such as anger. It is regarded as possessing magical powers, and is an essential artifact uses sacred mask dances. It is also regarded as a powerful weapon which subdues evil spirits and negative energies, transforming them into positive forces. It is therefore that the phurba is not a physical weapon, but a spiritual implement, and should be regarded as such. The Phurbas were traditionally for the use of hunting down the demons. Certain demons however, are immune to attack from any earthly weapon.

Phurba also Phurpa is used to pin down restless energy and create a stable "protected" and thus "hallowed ground." It is often used in tantric ceremonies to intiate a protective circle by establishing a boundary of Phurba stakes nailed into the ground and connected by a thread or threads of a certain color. The Phurba may be of various woods, clay, metals or human or monkey bones or a combination. But is is more than a ritual object; in Nepal during a healing it is the Jhankri (a man who chases evil spirits away) himself. During his trance, the Jhankri transforms his spiritual body into a phurba and takes flight through the spirit worlds in this form. It is considered be one of the ultimate weapons of intention and is never to be used casually.

The Phurba as an implement is also directly related to Dorje Phurba or Vajrakilla, a wrathful deity of Tibetan Buddhism who is often seen with his consort Dorje Phagmo or Vajra Varahi. He is embodied in the Phurba as a means of destroying voilence, hatred, and aggression by tying them to the blade of the phurba and then vanquishing them with its tip. It is therefore that the phurba is not a physical weapon, but a spiritual implement, and should be regarded as such.

Source

himalayanmart.com