Material: Round (brass). 

Size: Round (3.6 cm).

Description:

The origin of the Phurba Seat in Tibetan Buddhism

The Phurba Seat (Tibetan: ཕུར་པའི་གདན།, Willy transliteration: phur pa'i gdan), also known as the Phurba Vajra Seat or the Vajra Prudent Seat, is an important ritual implement or symbol related to Vajra (Vajrakīlaya, Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་ཕུར་པ།, Dorje Phurpa) in Tibetan Buddhism, and is often used in practice, rituals and mandala settings. Vajrabhairava is an extremely important wrathful deity in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. It belongs to the Vajra sect and is mainly used to subdue demons, eliminate karma and protect the Dharma. As one of the core elements of its practice, the Vajra Seat has profound symbolic meaning and practical functions. The following is an overview of its origin:

1. **Origin and Symbol**:

- The origin of the Vajra Seat is closely related to the Vajrabhairava deity. Vajrabhairava is the wrathful manifestation of Vajrapāṇi or Samantabhadra, symbolizing supreme wisdom and the power to destroy demons. Its ritual implement "Vajrakīla" is a triangular pyramidal ritual implement, symbolizing the piercing of ignorance and the subjugation of the three poisons (greed, anger and delusion).

- The Vajra Seat is usually the base of the Vajrabhairava, used to enshrine the Vajrabhairava statue or place the Vajrabhairava, symbolizing the foundation for stabilizing the Dharma and suppressing demons. The Phurba Seat is particularly important in the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, as Phurba Vajra is the main deity of one of the eight great practices (eight great Herukas) of the Nyingma School.

- According to legend, Padmasambhava introduced the Phurba Vajra Dharma to Tibet to subdue the demons and evil spirits that hinder the Dharma. Therefore, the Phurba Seat has become an indispensable sacred object in the practice, symbolizing the blessing and protection power of Guru Padmasambhava.

2. **Shape and Symbol**:

- The Phurba Seat is usually made of metal, wood or stone, square or round, with vajra, lotus, flame or mandala patterns engraved on the surface, symbolizing purity and firmness. There is often a groove or fixed point in the center of the seat to place the Phurba Peg or the statue of the deity.

- The design of the Phurba Seat reflects the cosmic order and the indestructible characteristics of Vajra, echoing the structure of the mandala, representing the power of the Dharma to spread to all directions and destroy all obstacles.

- In some rituals, the Phurba Seat is regarded as the "foundation" to suppress evil spirits or impure forces and ensure the purity and blessing of the place of practice.

3. **Relationship with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The Phurba Seat is widely used in Tibetan Buddhist sects such as the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya schools, especially when practicing the Phurba Vajra Dharma or performing rituals of subduing demons and removing obstacles. In the Terma passed down by Guru Padmasambhava, the Phurba Vajra Dharma and its related instruments (such as the Phurba Seat) are regarded as extremely special practices.

- The Phurba Seat is not only used for personal practice, but is also commonly seen in temple mandala or large-scale ceremonies to place the Phurba Peg or the deity statue to enhance the blessing power of the ritual.

How the Phurba Seat is used in Tibetan Buddhism

The Phurba Seat is mainly used in the ritual of the Phurba Vajra in Tibetan Buddhism, involving the functions of subduing demons, purifying karma, protecting practitioners, and stabilizing the Dharma. The following are its specific uses:

1. **Application in practice rituals**:

- **Placement of the Phurba Peg or the deity image**: The Phurba Seat is the base of the Phurba Peg or the Phurba Vajra image, placed in the center of the mandala or in front of the practice altar to stabilize the blessing power of the deity. Before practicing, the Phurba Seat needs to be purified with pure water, spices or amrita pills to ensure its purity.

- **Initiation and blessing**: The practice of Phurba Vajra requires the initiation of the guru. The Phurba Seat is used to place the Phurba Peg during the initiation ceremony as a symbol of the arrival of the deity. Practitioners obtain blessings by visualizing the Phurba Seat and the deity as one.

- **Mantra recitation**: The mantra of Phurba Vajra is "Oṃ Vajra Kīlaya Hūṃ Phaṭ". When chanting, practitioners can place the phurba stick on the phurba seat, visualize the deity coming, piercing through ignorance and obstacles.

2. **Subduing demons and removing obstacles**:

- The phurba seat plays an important role in the ritual of subduing demons. Practitioners insert the phurba stick into the phurba seat, symbolizing piercing through demon obstacles and suppressing evil spirits. In some rituals, images of demons are drawn on the phurba seat and they are subdued through rituals.

- When a place for practicing or a new temple is built, the phurba seat is often buried in the foundation or placed at the four corners of the building to suppress the earth's energy, drive away impure forces, and ensure the purity of the place.

3. **Offering and setting**:

- The phurba seat needs to be placed on a clean altar, offering flowers, candles, incense, nectar, etc. to express respect for Phurba Vajra. When offering, practitioners need to adhere to the pure precepts and keep their body, speech, and mind pure.

- In large-scale ceremonies or mandala practices, the Phurba Seat is often used in conjunction with the mandala and other instruments (such as vajra and bell) to form a complete practice array.

4. **Visualization and Practice**:

- When practicing the Phurba Vajra Dharma, practitioners visualize the Phurba Seat as the indestructible foundation of the vajra, and the Phurba Peg as the blade of wisdom, piercing all ignorance and obstacles. Visualize the Phurba Seat radiating blue or golden light to purify oneself and the environment.

- The Phurba Seat can also be used as a meditation aid to help practitioners focus on the wrathful aspect of Phurba Vajra and stimulate inner wisdom and power.

Precautions

- **Purity and Respect**: The Phurba Seat is a sacred object and needs to be placed in a high and clean place to avoid contact with unclean objects or casual touching. It needs to be purified with clean water or incense before use.

- **Guide by the guru**: The Vajra Dharma is a high-level practice of Tantra. The use of the Vajra Seat must be carried out under the guidance of the guru. Those who have not received the initiation should not practice it without authorization to avoid counter-effects.

- **Right View and Motivation**: The practice of Vajra Dharma and the use of the Vajra Seat must be based on bodhicitta, aiming to benefit sentient beings and protect the Dharma, rather than just for personal gain.

Summary

The Vajra Seat is an important instrument in the practice of Vajra Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from the secret teachings passed down by Guru Padmasambhava and symbolizes the indestructible wisdom of Vajra and the power to subdue demons. It is mainly used to place the Vajra Peg or the statue of the deity, stabilize the practice and blessing, and is widely used in the rituals of subduing demons, removing obstacles, purification and protecting the Dharma. Through initiation, chanting, offering and visualization, the Vajra Seat helps practitioners eliminate karma, protect the Dharma, and achieve inner wisdom. In various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, especially the Nyingma sect, the Phurba Seat is an indispensable sacred object. It must be used with a pure mind and correct view in order to obtain the special blessings of the deity.