Material: Copper. Concealed. Do not open

Size : 13.5 cm

Narrative:

Śmaśāna-adhipati, also known as the Lord of the Cemetery or the Lord of the Cold Forest, is one of the important guardian deities in Tibetan Buddhism and has profound religious significance. The image of the charnel ground lord is usually a white skull, symbolizing impermanence and emptiness, and is closely related to the view of impurity in Tantric practice.

**Origin and Background**

The concept of the charnel ground lord originates from the ancient Indian charnel ground (Śmaśāna), which is an open-air burial ground or cemetery. In Buddhism, charnel grounds are viewed as places where practitioners can practice the contemplation of impurity, helping them to overcome their fear of death and understand the impermanence and emptiness of life. The charnel ground lord is believed to be the incarnation of Heruka and Vajrayogini, responsible for guarding the charnel ground and protecting practitioners.

The image of the Lord of the Corpse Forest usually appears in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, depicted as two white skeletons standing on top of each other, wearing five-skull crowns, surrounded by Prajna flames, and wielding a bone stick or a treasure bottle. These elements symbolize the power to destroy anger and transcend worldly attachments.

**Religious significance and function**

The charnel ground master plays an important protective role in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in Tantric practice. He is responsible for protecting the practitioners, helping them to practice contemplation of impurity in the charnel ground, and subduing negative energies. In addition, the charnel ground master is also related to the eight cold forests. These cold forests are the places where Guru Padmasambhava achieved the eight great Heruka deities, symbolizing the state of practitioners transcending the cycle of reincarnation.

The story and image of the charnel ground master reminds practitioners to face the challenges of life with wisdom and compassion, and to understand the profound meaning of impermanence and emptiness.