Material: Handmade. Brass

Size: 15cm

Description:

The Origin of the Nine-pronged Vajra in Tibetan Buddhism

The Nine-pronged Vajra (Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་གཅུང་དགུ།, Willy's transliteration: rdo rje gchung dgu), also known as the Nine-bladed Vajra or Nine-pronged Vajra, is one of the important instruments in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. It is closely related to the practice of Vajrakīlaya (Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་ཕུར་པ།, Dorje Phurpa), and is often used to subdue demons, purify karma, and protect the Dharma. The nine-pronged vajra is similar to the nine-pronged curved knife pestle, but its shape and symbolic meaning are different in some aspects, especially emphasizing the integration of nine kinds of wisdom or power. The following is an overview of its origin:

1. **Origin and symbol**:

- The nine-pronged vajra is one of the core instruments in the practice 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. Its "nine-pronged" design usually refers to the nine protrusions or blade-like structures on the body or top of the pestle, symbolizing nine kinds of wisdom, nine kinds of pure power or nine kinds of achievements (corresponding to the nine vehicles of Buddhism or the purification of nine kinds of obstacles).

- According to Tibetan Buddhist legend, Padmasambhava introduced Vajrabhairava Dharma and related instruments to Tibet to subdue demons and evil spirits that hinder Buddhism. As the iconic instrument of Vajrabhairava, the nine-pronged vajra carries the blessing of Guru Rinpoche and has an important position in the Nyingma school.

- The "nine-pronged" symbolizes the integration of nine powers, including the purity of the three worlds (past, present, and future), the three bodies (Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya), the three poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance), and the perfection of the nine vehicles of Buddhism, representing the all-round subjugation and blessing power.

2. **Shape characteristics**:

- The nine-pronged vajra is usually made of metal (such as copper, iron, silver) or wood, in the shape of a triangular pyramid or vajra, with nine protrusions, blade-like structures or branches on the top or in the middle, symbolizing nine kinds of wisdom or power. The body of the vajra is often engraved with images of vajra, lotus, flame or wrathful deities, with a sharp tip and the bottom may be connected to the Phurba seat, symbolizing stability and purity.

- Compared with the nine-pronged curved knife pestle, the blade structure of the nine-pronged vajra may be more symmetrical or radial, emphasizing the indestructible nature of the vajra, while the blade of the curved knife pestle is more rotating or curved.

- In some termas, the nine-pronged vajra is considered to be a sacred object blessed by Guru Padmasambhava or his disciples, with powerful spiritual power that can pierce all ignorance and demonic obstacles.

3. **Relationship with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The nine-pronged vajra is mainly used in the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya schools, especially in the practice of Vajrabhairava. Among the eight major practices (eight great Herukas) of the Nyingma school, Vajrabhairava is the main door to subdue demons. The nine-pronged vajra is the core instrument of the ritual and is widely used in temples, ceremonies and personal practice.

- The nine-pronged vajra is also related to the practice of other Vajra deities (such as Vajrasattva and Heruka), symbolizing the power of Vajrabhairava to destroy obstacles and purify karma.

How the Nine-pronged Vajra is used in Tibetan Buddhism

The Nine-pronged Vajra is mainly used in the rituals of Vajrabhairava in Tibetan Buddhism, which involves subduing demonic obstacles, purifying karma, protecting the Dharma, and increasing the wisdom and power of practitioners. The following are its specific uses:

1. **Application in the practice ritual**:

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

- **Initiation ceremony**: The practice of Vajrabhairava requires the initiation of the guru, and the Nine-pronged Vajra is used as a medium for the blessing of the deity in the initiation. By touching or visualizing the Nine-pronged Vajrabhairava, the practitioner corresponds to the nine kinds of wisdom of Vajrabhairava and obtains the blessing of subduing obstacles.

- **Mantra recitation**: The mantra of Vajrabhairava is "Oṃ Vajra Kīlaya Hūṃ Phaṭ". When reciting the mantra, practitioners can hold the nine-pronged vajra or place it on the phurba seat, visualize the nine-pronged radiance of the deity, pierce through the nine obstacles, and purify the body and mind.

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

- The nine-pronged vajra plays an important role in the ritual of subduing demons. Its nine-pronged structure can simultaneously treat multiple obstacles (such as inner confusion, external demons, and impure earth energy). Practitioners insert the vajra into the phurba seat or a specific spell array, symbolizing the piercing of demon obstacles and the suppression of evil spirits.

- When a new temple is built or a place for rituals is purified, the nine-pronged vajra 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 vajra should be placed on a clean altar, and flowers, candles, incense, nectar, etc. should be offered to express respect for Vajrabhairava. 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 vajra is often used with mandala, vajra, vajra bell and other instruments to form a complete practice array and enhance the blessing power of the ritual.

4. **Visualization and Practice**:

- When practicing Vajrabhairava, practitioners visualize the nine-pronged vajra as the wisdom incarnation of the deity, with its nine prongs radiating blue, golden or red light, piercing through nine obstacles (such as the three poisons, the six realms of reincarnation, etc.) and purifying the internal and external environment. Visualize the unity of the vajra body and one's own consciousness to stimulate pure wisdom.

- The nine-pronged vajra can also be used as an auxiliary tool for meditation, helping practitioners focus on the wrathful aspect of Vajrabhairava, purifying negative emotions and enhancing the power to subdue obstacles.

Notes

- **Purity and respect**: The nine-pronged vajra 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 of Phurba belongs to the high-level Tantric practice. The use of the nine-pronged vajra must be carried out under the guidance of the guru. Those who have not received the empowerment should not practice it without authorization to avoid negative consequences.

- **Right view and motivation**: The use of the nine-pronged vajra 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 vajra is an important instrument in the practice of Vajra of Phurba in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from the secret method passed down by Guru Padmasambhava. It symbolizes nine kinds of wisdom and pure power and can pierce nine kinds of obstacles. It is mainly used for subduing demons, removing obstacles, purifying and protecting the Dharma. Through initiation, chanting, offering and visualization, it helps practitioners eliminate karma, protect the Dharma and achieve wisdom. In Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Nyingma school, the nine-pronged vajra is a sacred object that must be used with a pure mind and right view in order to obtain the blessing of Vajrabhairava.

# The origin and use of the nine-pronged vajra in Tibetan Buddhism

Origin

- **Origin**: The nine-pronged vajra is the core instrument of Vajrakīlaya, the wrathful deity of the Vajra family, and is said to be the incarnation of Vajrapani Bodhisattva or Samantabhadra Tathagata, symbolizing supreme wisdom and the power to destroy ignorance.

- **Inheritance**: It was introduced to Tibet by Guru Padmasambhava to subdue demons and evil spirits, especially in the eight major practices of the Nyingma school. It occupies an important position. - **Shape**: triangular pyramid or vajra shape, with nine protrusions or blade-like structures on the top or in the middle, symbolizing the nine kinds of wisdom or pure power, and the bottom is often connected to the phurba seat.

## Usage

1. **Ritual of practice**:

- Placed on the phurba seat, and used as a symbol of phurba vajra after purification.

- Used as a medium for the blessing of the deity during the initiation, chanting the mantra "Om Benza Jila Jilaya Hum Padi".

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

- Inserted into the phurba seat or the talisman array, symbolizing piercing the demon obstacles and suppressing evil spirits.

- Used for foundation suppression to ensure the purity of the practice site.

3. **Offering and setting**:

- Offer flowers, candles, incense, etc., and use with mandala, vajra, etc.

4. **Visualization practice**:

- Visualize nine rays of light piercing the nine obstacles and purifying the body and mind.

Notes

- Keep it clean, store it in a high place, and avoid being touched by impurities.

- It requires the guidance of the guru, and cannot be practiced without permission.

- It is based on bodhicitta, and aims to protect the Dharma and benefit sentient beings, not for personal gain.

Nine-pronged vajra