Material: Copper. Leather tether

Size: 8cm

Description:

Origin of Wishful Rat in Tibetan Buddhism

Wishful Rat (Tibetan: ནོར་གཡུག།, Willy transliterated: nor gyug), also known as Treasure Rat, Treasure Rat or Treasure Rat, is a sacred object closely related to the God of Wealth (Vaiśravaṇa) in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing the growth of wealth, endless resources and blessings. Wishful Rat is mainly used as a dependent or iconic symbol of the God of Wealth in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the God of Wealth Dharma and related rituals. The following is an overview of its origin:

1. **Origin and Symbol**:

- The origin of Wishful Rat is related to the mythological background of the God of Wealth. The God of Wealth is one of the four heavenly kings. He guards the north and resides in the Crystal Palace to the north of Mount Xumi. He commands the Yakshas and the followers of the God of Wealth. According to Tibetan Buddhist legends, the Wishful Mouse is the sacred object of the God of Wealth, symbolizing the manifestation of his endless treasure house, which can spit out treasures to meet the worldly and transcendental needs of sentient beings.

- The image of the Wishful Mouse originated from the fusion of Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, and may be influenced by the association between the God of Wealth Kubera and the Treasure-spitting Mouse in Indian mythology. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Wishful Mouse is given a deeper religious connotation, representing almsgiving, generosity and the perfection of blessings, which complements the God of Wealth's functions of protecting and blessing.

- In Tibetan Buddhist thangkas and statues, the Wishful Mouse is often depicted as a mouse spitting out jewels, standing at the feet of the God of Wealth or held in his left hand, symbolizing an endless supply of wealth to meet the needs of practice and the world.

2. **Relationship with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The Wishful Rat is mainly related to the practice of the God of Wealth, especially in the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug schools, where the practice of the God of Wealth is widely popular. As a symbol of the God of Wealth, the Wishful Rat often appears in the God of Wealth ceremonies, offering rituals and temple statues.

- According to Tibetan Buddhist literature, the God of Wealth once appeared in the practice of masters such as Padmasambhava and Tsongkhapa, bestowing wealth and resources to help them build temples or spread Buddhism. As a symbol of the God of Wealth, the Wishful Rat carries the blessings of these miraculous deeds.

- The Wishful Rat is also related to the Five Wealth Gods (yellow, white, black, red and green) and the Eight Yakshas and other relatives, who jointly assist the God of Wealth in protecting Buddhism and blessing sentient beings.

3. **Shape characteristics**:

- The image of the wish-fulfilling rat is usually a small spirit rat, spitting out jewels or treasures from its mouth, standing or squatting, and often appears in thangkas, statues or ritual instruments of the God of Wealth. The rat's body is mostly white or gold, symbolizing purity and wealth.

- In some rituals, the image of the wish-fulfilling rat may be integrated into the design of ritual instruments, such as the mandala or ritual instruments for the God of Wealth, which are engraved with a treasure-spitting rat pattern to strengthen the symbol of wealth and blessings.

How the wish-fulfilling rat is used in Tibetan Buddhism

In Tibetan Buddhism, the wish-fulfilling rat is mainly used as a symbol of the practice of the God of Wealth. It is closely related to the rituals, offerings and blessings of the God of Wealth, and is used to increase wealth, eliminate poverty and complete the merits of practice. The following are its specific uses:

1. **Application in the practice of rituals**:

- **Offering and visualization**: The Wishful Rat often appears in the statues or thangkas of the God of Wealth. When practicing the God of Wealth, practitioners visualize the Wishful Rat spitting out endless treasures from its mouth, symbolizing the growth of wealth and blessings. Before practicing the ritual, the statues of the God of Wealth and the image of the Wishful Rat must be purified with pure water or incense.

- **Mantra recitation**: The mantra of the God of Wealth is "Oṃ Vaiśravaṇa Ye Svāhā". When reciting the mantra, practitioners can visualize the Wishful Rat spitting out jewels, and pray for wealth, career success, and the elimination of poverty and obstacles with the blessing of the mantra.

- **Initiation**: The practice of the God of Wealth requires the initiation of the guru. The initiation ceremony may involve the visualization of the Wishful Rat as a symbol of the blessing of the God of Wealth, helping practitioners to correspond with the deity.

2. **Offering and Mandala Plate**:

- The image of the Wishful Rat is often incorporated into the ritual of offering to the God of Wealth. For example, in the Mandala Plate offering, practitioners visualize the Wishful Rat appearing on the Mandala Plate, spitting out endless treasures, offering to the God of Wealth, and praying for the perfection of merit and resources. The Wishful Rat pattern on the Mandala Plate strengthens the symbolic meaning of the offering.

- When offering, practitioners can place flowers, candles, incense, food, etc. in front of the image of the God of Wealth to express respect for the Wishful Rat and the God of Wealth, and enhance the effect of the practice.

3. **Praying for blessings and removing obstacles**:

- As a follower of the God of Wealth, the Wishful Rat is related to praying for wealth, a smooth career, and eliminating poverty. Through chanting mantras and offerings, practitioners pray for the blessing of the Wishful Rat to meet worldly needs (such as wealth and health) and transcendental resources (such as wisdom and merit).

- In temples or ceremonies, the image of the Wishful Rat may appear on the thangka or ritual implements of the God of Wealth ceremony, which is used for collective blessings and to eliminate poverty and obstacles for all beings.

4. **Wearing and protecting**:

- The image of the Wishful Rat is sometimes made into a small amulet or carved in a gawu (amulet box) for believers to carry with them and pray for the protection and wealth growth of the God of Wealth.

- Some sacred objects of the Wishful Rat that have been blessed by eminent monks are believed to have the power to ward off evil and attract wealth, and are especially popular among lay Buddhists.

Notes

- **Purity and respect**: The image of the Wishful Rat or related sacred objects must be stored in a clean place to avoid contact with unclean objects. When offering or wearing it, you must keep your body, mouth and mind pure and follow the precepts.

- **Guide by the guru**: The practice of the God of Wealth belongs to the Tantric practice. The visualization or use of the Wishful Rat must be carried out under the guidance of the guru. Those who have not received the initiation cannot practice it without authorization.

- **Right view and motivation**: Praying for the blessing of the Wishful Rat must be based on bodhicitta, aiming to benefit all beings and complete the practice of merit, rather than just for personal gain. Wealth growth must be accompanied by giving and good deeds in order to correspond to the blessing of the God of Wealth.

Summary

The Wishful Rat is the iconic retinue of the God of Wealth in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from the fusion of Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, and symbolizes endless treasures and the growth of merit. Its image is often seen in the thangkas, statues and ritual instruments of the God of Wealth, and is closely related to the practice, offerings and blessing rituals of the God of Wealth. Through chanting, visualization, offerings and carrying it with you, the Wishful Rat helps practitioners eliminate poverty, increase wealth and complete the practice of merit. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Wishful Rat is not only a symbol of wealth, but also a manifestation of compassion and wisdom. It must be used with a pure mind and right view to obtain the special blessing of the God of Wealth.