Material: Copper, gilded, cast, engraved

Dimensions: Height 18cm / Body diameter 8.5cm / Base diameter 7.5cm

Description:

A Treasure Vase (Bumpa) in Tibetan Buddhism

In Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana), the treasure vase (Tibetan: Bumpa, Sanskrit: Kalasha or Bumpa) is an extremely important ritual implement and auspicious symbol. It mainly takes two forms: one is a symbolic treasure vase as one of the **Eight Auspicious Symbols**, and the other is a practical **wish-fulfilling vase** or **wealth vase**, often used in rituals, offerings, or feng shui adjustments. The following explains its origin, method of consecration, usage, meaning, and influence.

Origin: The origin of the treasure vase can be traced back to ancient Indian culture. Originally, it was a water container (arkala), symbolizing the purity and merit of water. After Buddhism was introduced to China, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, the treasure vase was incorporated into Tantric rituals:

- It is one of the **Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism** (Ashtamangala), originating from offerings made by deities (or one of the Buddha's auspicious marks) at the time of his enlightenment.

- In Vajrayana Buddhism, the treasure vase becomes an initiation implement (used for vase initiation), filled with nectar and adorned with peacock feathers or wish-fulfilling trees.

- A special "wish-fulfilling vase" or "earth treasure vase" originates from the terma teachings of Padmasambhava in the 8th century, prophesied to be used in the degenerate age to heal the earth and restore elemental balance. Successive masters, such as Dujiong Rinpoche, have made these vases for accumulating wealth, increasing longevity, and pacifying calamities.

From the Qing Dynasty onwards, the treasure vase also influenced secular life, such as the "Golden Urn Lottery" system, which uses a golden urn to determine the reincarnation of a Living Buddha.

The Correct Way to Consecrate a Vase Tibetan Buddhist treasure vases, especially wish-fulfilling vases or wealth deity vases, require a strict **consecration/filling** procedure, presided over by a qualified high lama or Rinpoche, following the rituals for concealing hidden treasures (terma). The purpose of consecration is to infuse the vase with blessings, transforming it into a sacred object akin to a mandala.

**Main Steps and Contents**:

1. **Preparing the Vase**: Usually made of copper, silver, gold, or clay, the vase is round-bellied, narrow-necked, and adorned with a wish-fulfilling jewel or flame bead at the top.

2. **Purification**: The vase is purified with mantras, smoke offerings, or nectar.

3. **Filling in Sacred Objects** (Core Consecration):

- **Representatives of the Five Elements**: Five grains (cereals), five treasures (jewels such as turquoise, coral, and crystal), five medicines (precious medicinal materials), five fragrances, etc.

- **Sacred Objects and Relics**: Dutsi (amulet pills) of past masters, relics, terma (hidden treasures), and soil and water from sacred sites.

- **Mantras and Mandala**: Tightly rolled Dharani mantras (mantras of body, speech, and mind; mantras of the wealth deity, etc., written in gold ink), a mandala of the wealth deity or Guru Rinpoche, and protective amulets.

- **Others**: Precious gems, medicinal herbs, sacred mountain soil, royal items, wish-fulfilling branches, etc., symbolizing wealth accumulation, longevity, and pacification of calamities.

- The base often contains a Yaksha wealth deity mandala, the center a portrait of the principal deity, and the top cover a wealth deity father tantra mandala.

4. **Sealing and Blessing**: After filling, seal the container and tie it with five-colored threads (representing the five wisdoms). The top is decorated with a peacock feather or a wish-fulfilling tree. Perform several days (usually 3-7 days or longer) of rituals, offerings, and empowerments to invite the principal deity to reside within.

5. **Precautions**: The consecration must be performed by a pure and disciplined master, during which silence and mantra chanting are observed. After completion, it must not be opened and should be treated with the same reverence as a Buddha image.

Different lineages (such as Nyingma and Kagyu) have slightly different details, but all emphasize dependent origination and blessings.

Correct Usage

- **Offering:** Place on a clean and pure spot on your home altar, in your office, or a temple (do not place on the ground), facing inwards. Offer lamps, water, and incense daily, and recite mantras to bless it. Multiple offerings are possible (e.g., different wealth deity vases).

- **Burying:** Earth vases are often buried in the earth, mountains, water sources, or the foundation of houses to heal the environment, gather positive energy, and improve feng shui.

- **Ritual Use:** Used to purify the deity during empowerment with nectar; used as a container for the deity during wealth deity rituals.

- **Principle of Respect:** Treat it as a living sacred object; touch it after bathing and changing clothes to avoid defilement. It can be re-blessed annually (yang-gug wealth-gathering ritual).

Meaning and Influence on Tibetan Buddhism

**Meaning**:

- **Auspiciousness and Perfection**: As one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols, it symbolizes perfect wisdom and merit, complete and unblemished wealth, prosperous fortune, and longevity (as represented by Amitabha Buddha's offerings).

- **Wealth and Abundance**: The wish-fulfilling vase symbolizes an inexhaustible treasure, gathering both material and spiritual wealth (merit).

- **Healing and Balance**: Represents the harmony of the five elements (earth, water, fire, wind, and space), and the four activities of pacifying, increasing, attracting, and destroying.

- **Symbolism of Buddhism**: The nectar within the vase is like the Dharma flowing from the Buddha's mouth; the rounded neck and throat symbolize the Buddha's unimpeded preaching.

**Influence**:

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the vase is a core ritual implement of Tantric Buddhism, widely used in initiations, offerings, and feng shui adjustments to enhance the believer's blessings and environmental harmony.

- Influence on Tibetan Culture: Widely seen in Thangka paintings, temple murals, home decorations, and clothing, it has become an auspicious symbol.

- Extending to secular applications: improving health, wealth, and family harmony; historically used in politics (such as the Golden Urn lottery) and healing the earth (a prophecy of the degenerate age).

- Modern dissemination: Many Rinpoches create treasure vases and promote them globally for ecological healing and personal merit.

The treasure vase is not merely an object, but a vessel of auspicious connections and blessings, reminding all beings to accumulate merit and pursue perfect liberation. If you wish to acquire a treasure vase, it is recommended to seek it from a lineage-certified master to ensure authentic blessings.