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The Origin of the Nine-pronged Scimitar Pestle in Tibetan Buddhism

The Nine-pronged Scimitar Pestle (Tibetan: ཕུར་པ་གཅུང་དགུ།, Willy transliteration: phur pa gchung dgu), also known as the Nine-pronged Vajra Prong or the Nine-bladed Phurpa Pestle, is one of the important instruments related to Vajrakīlaya (Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་ཕུར་པ།, Dorje Phurpa) in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and is a core sacred object in the practice of Vajrakīlaya. Its shape and symbolic meaning are closely related to the characteristics of the wrathful deity of Vajrabhairava, and it is mainly used to subdue demons, eliminate karmic obstacles, and protect the Dharma. The following is an overview of its origin:

1. **Origin and symbol**:

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is the main instrument of Vajrabhairava. Vajrabhairava is a wrathful deity of the Vajra family, and is said to be the incarnation of Vajrapāṇi or Samantabhadra, symbolizing supreme wisdom and the power to destroy ignorance. The "nine prongs" or "nine blades" design of the nine-pronged curved knife pestle symbolizes nine kinds of wisdom or nine kinds of pure power, which can pierce nine kinds of obstacles (three poisons, six realms of reincarnation, etc.).

- According to Tibetan Buddhist legends, Padmasambhava introduced Vajrabhairava Dharma and related instruments to Tibet to subdue demons and evil spirits that hinder the Dharma. As the iconic instrument of Vajrabhairava, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle carries the blessing of Guru Rinpoche and is widely revered in the Nyingma school.

- The shape of the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is usually a triangular pyramid, with nine curved blades or protrusions on the top or middle, symbolizing the nine powers or the blessings of the nine deities. Its sharp tip represents the piercing of ignorance and demonic obstacles, and the base often has a vajra or lotus seat, symbolizing stability and purity.

2. **Shape characteristics**:

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is usually made of metal (such as copper, iron, silver) or wood, and the length ranges from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters, depending on the purpose of the practice. The blade part is curved or rotated, divided into nine prongs, symbolizing the nine wisdoms or nine pure realms.

- The body of the pestle is often engraved with the image of vajra, lotus, flame or wrathful deity. The top may have the head of Vajrabhairava or the shape of three faces and six arms, and the bottom is connected to the phurba seat (base), symbolizing stability and blessing.

- In some termas, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is considered to be a sacred object blessed by Guru Padmasambhava himself and has powerful spiritual power.

3. **Relationship with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is mainly used in Tibetan Buddhist sects such as Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya, and plays a core role in the practice of Vajrakilaya. Among the eight major practices (eight great Herukas) of the Nyingma sect, Vajrakilaya is the most important way to subdue demons, and the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is an indispensable instrument in its ritual.

- In Tibetan Buddhist temples or rituals, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is often used in conjunction with the Vajrakilaya seat, mandala and other instruments to suppress evil spirits, purify the environment or bless practitioners.

How the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is used in Tibetan Buddhism

The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is mainly used in the ritual of Vajrakilaya in Tibetan Buddhism, which involves subduing demons, purifying karma, protecting the Dharma and enhancing the wisdom and power of practitioners. The following are its specific uses:

1. **Application in practice rituals**:

- **Placement and offering**: The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is usually placed on the Phurba seat, in the center of the mandala or in front of the practice altar as a symbol of Vajra. Before practicing, the pestle body needs to be purified with pure water, incense or amrita pills to ensure its purity and blessing power.

- **Initiation ceremony**: The practice of Vajra requires the master's initiation, and the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is used as a medium for the blessing of the deity in the initiation. By touching or visualizing the nine-pronged curved knife pestle, the practitioner corresponds to the wisdom and power of Vajra.

- **Mantra recitation**: The mantra of Vajra is "Oṃ Vajra Kīlaya Hūṃ Phaṭ". When chanting, practitioners can hold the nine-pronged curved knife pestle or place it on the phurba seat, visualize the deity coming, and the blade pierces through ignorance and obstacles, purifying the body and mind.

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

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle plays an important role in the ritual of subduing demons. Practitioners insert the pestle into the phurba seat or a specific spell array, symbolizing piercing the demons and suppressing evil spirits. In some rituals, red silk threads are tied to the pestle or images of demons are drawn to subdue negative forces through rituals.

- When a temple or a place for practicing Dharma is newly built, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is often buried in the foundation or placed in the four corners to suppress impure earth energy, drive away evil spirits, and ensure the purity and auspiciousness of the place.

3. **Offering and setting**:

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle should be placed on a clean altar, offering flowers, candles, incense, nectar, etc. to express respect for Phurba Vajra. When offering, practitioners should keep their body, speech, and mind pure and follow the precepts.

- In large-scale ceremonies or mandala practices, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is often used in conjunction with mandalas, vajra pestles, vajra bells and other instruments to form a complete array of practices and enhance the blessing power of the ritual.

4. **Visualization and practice**:

- When practicing Vajrabhairava, practitioners visualize the nine-pronged curved knife pestle as the wisdom incarnation of the deity, with its nine blades radiating blue or golden light, piercing all ignorance, greed, hatred, and external demonic obstacles. Visualize the pestle body and one's own consciousness as one, stimulating the inner pure wisdom.

- The nine-pronged curved knife pestle can also be used as a meditation aid to help practitioners focus on the wrathful aspect of Vajrabhairava, purify negative emotions and enhance the power to subdue obstacles.

Precautions

- **Purity and respect**: The nine-pronged curved knife pestle is a sacred instrument and needs to be stored 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 to maintain its spiritual power.

- **Guide by the guru**: The Vajra practice of Phurba belongs to the advanced tantric practice. The use of the nine-pronged curved knife and pestle 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 negative consequences.

- **Right view and motivation**: The use of the nine-pronged curved knife and pestle must be based on bodhicitta, aiming to protect the Dharma and benefit sentient beings, rather than just for personal gain or malicious subjugation of others, otherwise it may violate the tantric precepts.

Summary

The nine-pronged curved knife and pestle is the core instrument in the practice of Vajra in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from the secret teachings passed down by Guru Padmasambhava and symbolizes wisdom and the power to subdue demons. Its nine-blade design represents nine kinds of pure power, which is used to pierce ignorance and obstacles. It is widely used in the rituals of subduing demons, removing obstacles, purification and protecting the Dharma. Through initiation, chanting, offering and visualization, the nine-pronged curved knife and pestle help practitioners eliminate karma, protect the Dharma and achieve wisdom. In Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Nyingma school, the nine-pronged curved knife pestle is a sacred object that must be used with a pure mind and correct view in order to receive the blessing of Vajrabhairava.

Nine-pronged curved knife pestle