Materials: Red Copper. Cast. Silver-gilt. Set with gemstones. Handmade. (Nepal)

Dimensions: 16 cm (approximate diameter * height)

Description:

In Buddhist rituals, particularly those of Tibetan Buddhism (Tantra or Vajrayana), an empowerment vase (often called "bump" or "pumpa," derived from the Tibetan word བུམ་པ་) is a ritual vessel with a spout used to hold sacred water, nectar, or other blessed substances. It plays a central role in empowerment (wang or dbang) rituals, symbolizing the transference of Dharma power, purification, and blessings. Empowerment is a crucial step in Tantric practice. Through the sprinkling of water or contact with the disciple using the vase, the teacher helps purify the body and mind, gain permission to practice a specific deity, and unlock their inner potential.

Specifically, the vase's roles include:

- **Purification and Blessing**: The sacred water within the vase is considered a blessed substance and is used to purify altars, objects, people, or places to remove negative energy, karma, and obstacles. In initiation ceremonies, it is used for vase empowerment (or bumwang), the first of the four types of empowerment (vase empowerment, secret empowerment, wisdom empowerment, and fourth empowerment), which focuses on purifying the body of negative karma, blessing the vajra body, and allowing the disciple to enter the meditation practice of the creation stage. For example, during the ceremony, a lama would sprinkle water from the vase on the disciple's head, symbolizing the infusion of wisdom and blessings, helping the disciple transform the mortal body into a Buddha body.

- **Symbolic Function**: The vase is not only a practical tool but also symbolizes a universal container, wealth, and prosperity. It represents the Buddha's endless teachings and wisdom, and contains the "immortal nectar" (amrita), symbolizing eternal abundance and spiritual nourishment. In a mandala arrangement, the main vase (tso bum) is placed in the center, symbolizing the core of the universe, while the movable vase (le bum) is used by ritual specialists (Chöpön) for purification or initiation. In broader Buddhist rituals, such as offerings or prayers, it is used to hold flowers, incense, or sacred objects, reinforcing auspiciousness and abundance.

- **Ritual Type**: In the Kriyayoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism, the vase initiation is the primary initiation. It is also commonly used in other rituals, such as the sprinkling of water to purify a space or the sprinkling of water with a peacock feather during temple offerings, symbolizing the purification of the body and the manifestation of nirvana.

The Origin of the Initiation Vase

The origins of the initiation vase can be traced back to ancient Indian culture. It originates from the Kalasha (or Pūrṇakumbha, meaning "full pot") in even older Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This is a metal pot with a wide base and a narrow mouth (often made of brass, copper, silver, or gold). Scholars speculate that the Kalasha's origins stem from early fertility cults and fertility rituals in South Asia. The earliest record of the Kalasha in the Rigveda (c. 1500-1200 BCE) describes it as an auspicious symbol used in rituals to hold water or sacred objects, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

In Buddhism, the Kalasha began appearing in art and architecture in the 1st century BCE, such as decorative motifs on temple pillars and roofs. When Buddhism spread to Tibet, it evolved into the Bumpa and was incorporated into the ritual system of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. The Bumpa is considered one of the Eight Auspicious Auspicious Objects (Ashtamangala) of Buddhism, a treasure vase symbolizing boundless wealth, wisdom, and the qualities of the Buddha (yonten). This shift reflects Buddhism's history of borrowing symbols from Hinduism, which emphasizes inner spiritual abundance over material wealth. Vase designs often include spouts for easy dispensing, a practical adaptation unique to Tibetan Buddhism.

Related Stories and Legends

While the initiation vase itself lacks a single, specific mythological story, it is closely associated with themes of abundance and immortality in both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. The following are several related legends and symbolic accounts:

- **Container of the Immortal Nectar**: In Hindu mythology, Kalasha is often associated with the legend of the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), in which gods and asuras churn the ocean of milk to produce the immortal nectar (amrita), which is contained in a vase-like vessel. This motif was borrowed in Buddhism, where the vase symbolizes the container of nectar, representing eternal wisdom and liberation. Buddhist texts such as the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra mention similar symbols of flower offerings and vase, metaphorically illustrating the Dharma as an endless nectar that nourishes all beings. In Tibetan Buddhism, the bumpa is seen as a cosmic container, containing the essence of all things. This symbolizes the legendary concept of practitioners receiving cosmic wisdom through initiation.

- **Symbols of Buddha and Bodhisattva**: The vase often appears in Buddhist art, in stories related to Avalokitesvara or wealth deities such as Dzambala. For example, in some Tibetan legends, Padmasambhava, while transmitting tantric teachings, uses a vase-like vessel to administer initiations and help his disciples overcome obstacles. While not a direct narrative, this reinforces the vase's role as a vehicle for transmission, symbolizing the transmission of wisdom from teacher to disciple.

- **Legends of Auspiciousness and Fertility**: As one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols, the vase's legend originates from a system of auspicious symbols from the Buddha's time. These symbols are said to be derived from auspicious omens following the Buddha's enlightenment. The vase represents an endless supply of treasure, capable of automatically producing whatever is desired, similar to the mythical "Wish-Fulfilling Vase." In Tibetan Buddhism, stories describe lamas using a vase to sprinkle water in the wilderness, transforming dry land into fertile land, symbolizing the transformative power of the Dharma.

Overall, the initiation vase is more than just a ritual prop; it embodies Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing purification, abundance, and the transmission of wisdom. Its origins are woven from ancient Indian culture, and the stories associated with it are often symbolic, reinforcing its spiritual significance in practice.