Material: Copper Tsa Tsa mold. (With wooden storage box) Lion Zambala

Size: 9 X 10 cm (large)

Description:

Thank you for your suggestion on the meaning and origin of "Treasure God" (Tibetan: ནོར་ལྷ་མཛོད་པའི་རྒྱལ་པོ་, Willy's transliteration: Nor lha mdzod pa'i rgyal po, Tibetan pinyin: Norlha Dzopa Gyalpo, Sanskrit: Vaiśravaṇa, Chinese translation: "Vaiśravaṇa" or "Vaiśravaṇa") in Tibetan Buddhism. The God of Wealth is an important guardian deity and god of wealth in Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of the four heavenly kings and is in charge of the north. He has the role of protecting Buddhism and bestowing wealth. The following will discuss in detail its origin, symbolic meaning and influence in Tibetan Buddhism, combining historical background and sect characteristics, and referring to relevant materials.

1. The origin of the God of Wealth

1. **Historical and cultural roots**

The God of Wealth, whose Sanskrit name is "Vaiśravaṇa", means "knowledgeable", indicating that his blessings are spread all over the world. He is one of the four heavenly kings of Buddhism, guarding the north, living in the crystal palace north of Mount Xumi, and commanding the Yakshas and Rakshasas. Its origin can be traced back to the mythological traditions of ancient Indian Buddhism and Hinduism, and is related to the god of wealth Kubera. Kubera is the patron saint of wealth and treasure in Hinduism. Later, he was absorbed by Buddhism and evolved into Vaiśravaṇa, becoming a guardian deity and god of wealth.

- **Introduction to Tibet**: The worship of the God of Wealth was introduced to Tibet along with Buddhism in the 7th century. Tibetan Buddhism began in the period of Songtsen Gampo (617-650), and was introduced to Buddhism by Princess Vijudi of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. In the 8th century, Trisong Detsen (742-797) invited Śāntarakṣita and Padmasambhava to Tibet and established Samye Monastery, laying the foundation for Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava incorporated the God of Wealth into the Tantric Dharma Protector system, strengthening his role as a god of wealth and guardian, making him one of the important deities of Tibetan Buddhism

- **Bon Fusion**: Tibetan Buddhism absorbed the worship of gods of the native Bon religion, and the image of the God of Wealth was integrated with the wealth and guardian gods of the Bon religion, adding Tibetan characteristics. For example, his attribute of commanding the Yakshas echoed the worship of mountain gods in the Bon religion, strengthening his function as a guardian.

2. **Tsongkhapa and the promotion of the Gelugpa**

The God of Wealth is particularly valued in the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect). When Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelugpa, was young, he received the empowerment of the God of Wealth from his teacher Donzhub Rinchen Rinpoche and regarded him as the main protector and god of wealth. It is said that when Tsongkhapa was building a temple, the God of Wealth appeared many times, bestowing wealth and resources to help him complete his work. Tsongkhapa's biography records the miraculous stories of the God of Wealth appearing on the Dharma drum, altar or mandala, making him a must-have deity in the Gelugpa temple.

3. **Image and inheritance**

In Tibetan Buddhism, the God of Wealth (Tibetan name: Namthöse) is regarded as the incarnation of Ratnasambhava in the South or Amoghasiddhi in the North among the Five Buddhas, and has a high status. His typical image is:

- **Appearance**: Golden body, one face and two arms, wearing a five-Buddha crown, golden armor, and precious necklaces, holding a treasure banner (or victory banner, symbolizing the victory of Buddhism) in the right hand, holding a treasure rat (Nyule, spitting out endless treasures) in the left hand, sitting on a white snow lion in the posture of a bodhisattva or a king, radiating light like 100,000 rising suns.

- **Subordinates**: The God of Wealth commands the eight wealth gods (eight horse wealth gods), each of which is responsible for the eight directions of the heavenly storehouse, helping them to protect sentient beings and fulfill their wishes for wealth.

- **Standardization**: Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes that the clothes of the God of Wealth (such as armor) symbolize the protection of war and wealth. Some thangkas in Nepal depict him naked (similar to the Yellow God of Wealth), which is considered irregular and may lead to the origin of "lack of food and clothing".

2. The symbolic meaning of the God of Wealth

1. **Dual role of Dharma protector and god of wealth**

As one of the four great heavenly kings (along with the Eastern Dhritarashtra, the Southern Virūdhaka, and the Western Virūpākṣa), the God of Wealth is the guardian of the north. He lives in the Crystal Palace in the north of Mount Sumeru, leads the Yakṣas, and protects Buddhism from outsiders and evil spirits. At the same time, he is in charge of wealth and is in charge of worldly and transcendental treasures, symbolizing the perfection of merit and resources. Tibetan Buddhism believes that he is the manifestation of the eighth-level bodhisattva, a transcendental Dharma protector, and has a deep connection with the Pure Land of Vajrapāni Bodhisattva (the northern willow leaf palace).

2. **Symbol of Discipline and Purity**

The God of Wealth pays special attention to the discipline (Śīla), and his blessing is regarded as proof of the practitioner's pure observance of the precepts. According to Tibetan Buddhist literature, the living Buddhas or accomplished people who are protected by the God of Wealth usually have strict discipline and pure practice, which is regarded as a symbol of excellence and glory in Tibet. Therefore, the God of Wealth has become a must-have protector of all temples and retreats, and is praised and offered every day, reflecting respect for the discipline and the Dharma.

3. **Balance between wealth and compassion**

Although Buddhism emphasizes the elimination of greed and encourages a simple life, Tibetan Buddhism recognizes the importance of worldly resources for practice and the spread of the Dharma. The God of Wealth symbolizes the proper use of wealth, and teaches believers to benefit others with compassion (Dāna), not to hoard wealth, not to be stingy, and to accumulate merit by offering to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). His teachings remind practitioners that wealth should be used to serve the bodhicitta (Bodhisattvacitta) and save all sentient beings, rather than to satisfy personal greed.