Material: Mantra paper, sutra scroll.

Size: Approximately 5-7 cm

Description: Introduction to the "Comprehensive Scripture Scroll" used in the consecration of Buddhist images in Tibetan and Han Buddhism (especially the Tantric system).

In the tradition of consecrating and refilling Buddhist images (Tibetan: བཀའ་འགྱུར་རྒྱུན་སྤྱིའི་མདོ། or "Tibetan Scripture Scroll"), the most common and considered "universal core" comprehensive scripture scroll is called the *Complete Collection of Consecration Scriptures* (or *Great Collection of Buddhist Image Consecration Scriptures*, *Fundamental Tantra of Consecration Scriptures*, *Comprehensive Collection of the Eight Great Canons*, etc.). The most well-known and widely circulated versions include the following:

1. **1. The Complete Collection of Consecrated Mantras Transmitted from the Pure Abode of Orgyen (Sanskrit Transliteration Version)**

→ Legend has it that this was brought down from the Pure Abode by Padmasambhava (Dunpa Shenrab). The most complete version contains approximately 300-400 sutras, mantras, and dharanis.

2. **The Great Collection of Consecrated Mantras Compiled by the Fifth Dalai Lama**

→ Contains 360 major dharanis and is currently the most widely used official version in Tibet.

3. **The Mindroll (Mindrolling Monastery) Lineage Version**

→ Contains approximately 280 dharanis and is considered one of the oldest systems.

4. **The Collection of Dharanis of All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas or the Complete Collection of Consecrated Scrolls from the Esoteric Buddhist System of China**

→ Combines content from the *Buddha's Discourse on the Measurement of Images*, the *Dharani Collection Sutra*, and the Tang Esoteric Buddhist text *The Great Vairocana's Attainment of Buddhahood and Miraculous Blessing Sutra*.

The main contents (core components) of these comprehensive scriptures:

These comprehensive scriptures are usually based on "Dharanis" (mantras), and their content can be divided into eight categories (the Eight Great Collections), covering almost all the essence of esoteric Buddhism from the Buddha, Lotus, and Vajra families:

| Category | Representative Mantras (Examples) | Function |

|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Buddha Family | *Tathagata Heart Dharani*, *Ratnakuta Dharani* | Purifies the root of Buddha images, blesses wisdom |

| Lotus Family (Avalokiteshvara) | *Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra*, *Great Compassion Mantra*, *White Tara Mantra* | Increases compassion, prolongs life, removes obstacles |

| Vajra Family | *Vajrasattva Hundred Syllable Mantra*, *Acala Mantra* | Exorcises demons, strengthens, subdues |

| Ratnasambhava Family | *Yellow Jambhala Mantra*, *Ratnasambhava Tathagata Dharani* | Increases wealth and merit |

| Karma Family | *Amitabha Root Mantra*, *Rebirth Mantra* | Guiding the departed souls to rebirth in the Pure Land |

Eliminating calamities and prolonging life | *Medicine Buddha Empowerment Mantra*, *Seven Buddhas Medicine Buddha Mantra*, *Ushnishavijaya Mantra* | Eliminating calamities, prolonging life, and promoting health |

Pacifying, increasing, attracting, and subduing | *Cundi Mantra*, *Great Auspicious Goddess Mantra*, *Hayagriva Mantra* | Pacifying calamities, increasing benefits, attracting love, and subduing (four activities) |

Protecting the Dharma and the teachings | *Mahakala Mantra*, *Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara Protector Mantra* | Protecting Buddha statues and temples from damage |

In actual consecration, all these hundreds of Dharanis are printed together to create extremely small "miniature scrolls" (Tibetan: *Letsama*, approximately 5-20 cm long and 1-3 cm wide), bound together with five-colored silk threads (yellow, red, white, blue, and green), becoming the "lifeblood" and "heart" of the Buddha statue.

Instructions for Use (Placement and Ritual)

1. **Placement Location** (Depending on the Buddha Image):

- Heart Chakra (Chest) → Place the most important *Complete Collection of Consecration Scriptures* (representing wisdom and compassion)

- Crown Chakra (Top of the head or ushnisha) → Ushnishavijaya Mantra, Tathagata's Crown Dharani (for longevity and increased height)

- Throat Chakra → Great Compassion Mantra, Lotus Family Mantra (for preaching and teaching)

- Eyes → Buddha Eye Mantra, Avalokiteshvara Eye Mantra (for liberation of those who see)

- Hands → Vajrasattva Mantra, Acala Mantra (for blessing mudras)

- Lotus Base → Jewel Box Mudra Dharani (for suppressing the earth and demons)

- Back Spine → Five Great Naga Kings Mantra, Dharma Protector Mantra (for protecting the Buddha image from falling)

2. **Ritual Procedure** (Simplified Version):

- First, wash the scripture with saffron water

- The process involves: coating the scroll with ghee, gold powder, precious stone powder, and Tibetan medicine (twenty-five kinds of Tibetan spices)

binding it with five-colored silk threads (symbolizing the Five Buddhas)

blessing it with mantras chanted by a qualified master (for at least 7 or 21 days)

placed inside the Buddha statue on an auspicious day (usually during the Tibetan month of miracles or Saga Dawa)

finally completed with a "consecration and empowerment" ceremony (sprinkling, touching the crown, and dotting the eyes)

Profound Influence on Buddhism

1. **The Sacred Concept of "Buddha Statue as Living Buddha"** After consecration, the Buddha statue is no longer merely a "sculpture" but is regarded as the "true body of the Buddha," possessing blessings and capable of liberating sentient beings. Tibetans say, "No consecration, no Buddha," a Buddha statue without consecration is equivalent to having no soul.

2. **Continuity of Dharma Lineage and Preservation of Culture** During wars, the Cultural Revolution, earthquakes, and other disasters, many monasteries' scriptures were destroyed, but the miniature scrolls inside the Buddha statues survived, becoming the "seeds" for the restoration of the Dharma. For example, after the 1959 Tibetan unrest, many major scriptures were copied from the scrolls inside surviving Buddha statues.

3. **Deepening of Folk Beliefs** Believers believe that offering consecrated Buddha statues is equivalent to directly offering to the Buddhas of the three times, accumulating immeasurable merit. In particular, the Ushnishavijaya mantra is believed to grant "three kalpas of life extension," becoming the most popular longevity practice in Tibet.

4. **The Highest Embodiment of Art and Craftsmanship** The consecration technique spurred the development of extremely refined "lost-wax casting" and hollow internal structures in Tibetan gilt bronze Buddha statues, and also led to the advanced development of Tibetan medicine, incense, and mineral pigments.

In summary, this tradition of "comprehensive scroll" consecration is the most distinctive "Living Buddha creation technique" of Tibetan Buddhism (and even some esoteric Buddhism in Han areas). It condenses mantras, medicines, relics, and sacred objects all within a single Buddha statue, making it a "miniature mandala" and a "small-scale Tripitaka," with a profound influence that continues to this day.