Material: Gilded. Printed. Frame. (Two styles: Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams / Kalachakra)

Size: 15 X 10 cm

Description:

The meaning and origin of the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams in Tibetan Buddhism

The concept of **Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams** is mainly derived from the I Ching culture of Chinese Taoism. It is a cosmology and divination system that combines the Eight Diagrams (Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui) with the Nine Palaces, which is used to calculate time and space, the movement of stars, and the solar terms calendar, and has the function of seeking good fortune and avoiding evil. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams are partially absorbed, especially as amulets or house-guarding instruments, combined with the Tibetan Buddhist tantric spells and guardian beliefs, forming a unique religious artifact **Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams Card**.

Meaning

1. **Avoiding evil and seeking good luck**: In Tibetan Buddhism, the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams are believed to be able to dissolve the evil spirits of the home or the individual, turning misfortune into good fortune, and have the effect of warding off evil and protecting the body. It combines the Chinese Eight Diagrams and the twelve zodiac signs, and integrates the tantric mantras of Tibetan Buddhism to become a comprehensive guardian artifact to eliminate ignorance, obstacles and evil spirits.

2. **Symbol of the universe and time and space**: The Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams represent the laws of the universe, and through the combination of the Eight Diagrams and the Nine Palaces, it reflects the philosophical idea of ​​the unity of heaven and man. In Tibetan Buddhism, this kind of brand is used to reconcile the energy field of the environment and the individual, helping practitioners to avoid external interference and keep their minds pure.

3. **Protection and blessing**: The Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams are often used as amulets to carry with you, or hung at home, in the car, etc. It is believed that it can prevent unlucky spirits such as Tai Sui, Sui Po, Jie Sha, etc., enhance good karma, and help wealth, marriage, health, etc.

Origin

The origin of the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams can be traced back to the exchange between Tibetan Buddhism and the Central Plains culture. Since the introduction of Han Buddhist elements (such as the Buddha statues and scriptures brought by Princess Wencheng) during the 7th century, Tibetan Buddhism has gradually absorbed some Central Plains culture, including the Taoist Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams spell system. In Tibetan folk beliefs, almost every household uses the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams as a tool for divination, calendar calculation or warding off evil spirits. This kind of amulet is endowed with Tantric blessings in Tibetan Buddhism, incorporating mantras and Buddhist connotations, and has become a religious instrument that combines Han and Tibetan cultures. [

The meaning and origin of Kalachakra in Tibetan Buddhism

**Kalachakra** (Tibetan: དུས་ཀྱི་འཁོར་ལོ།, meaning "wheel of time") is an important deity and secret system of the highest yoga tantra of Tibetan Buddhism, representing the symbol of time, reincarnation and the laws of the universe. Its teachings are derived from the Kalachakra Tantra, which is one of the most profound tantras in Tibetan Buddhism.

Significance

1. **Symbol of time and reincarnation**: Kalachakra takes the "wheel of time" as its core, expressing the impermanence and cycle of the universe and life. Tantric Buddhism believes that sentient beings are trapped in the suffering of ignorance in the "three times" of the past, present and future. Practicing Kalachakra can help practitioners transcend reincarnation and reach the state of nirvana and tranquility.

2. **Instant Buddhahood**: Kalachakra Tantra emphasizes that by observing the deity (such as the dual-body image of Kalachakra and his consort) and controlling the "living wind" (channels) in the body, practitioners can achieve the unity of "five wisdoms" and "dhyana" and thus achieve the goal of instant Buddhahood.

3. **Shambhala Pure Land**: Kalachakra teachings promote "Shambhala" (Śambhala) as an ideal pure land on earth. If practitioners make sincere vows and practice diligently, they can be reborn in this pure land and escape the suffering of reincarnation.

4. **Mantra and amulet**: Kalachakra's mantra "Ten Aspects of Freedom" (Om Ha Kshe Ma La Va Re Ya Svaha) symbolizes ten kinds of freedom (life, heart, wish, etc.), and is often engraved on mantra cards or stand cards as amulets to help practitioners resist external demons and inner confusion and increase blessings and wisdom.

Origin

1. **Legendary Origin**: According to the "Records of Tibetan Kings and Ministers" and the annotations of "Immaculate Light", the Kalachakra teachings originated from the Shambhala Pure Land in northern ancient India. Sakyamuni Buddha demonstrated the Kalachakra Dharma in the Great Pagoda in Daniyakadaka City in South India and taught the Kalachakra Tantra to King Sucandra (the incarnation of Vajrapani Bodhisattva). King Sucandra brought this teaching back to Shambhala, compiled the annotations, and established the Kalachakra mandala.

2. **Introduction to Tibet**: Kalachakra Tantra was introduced from India to Tibet in the 11th century, and became an important practice classic of Tibetan Buddhism in the 13th century. Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug all have inherited it, and the Jonang school is believed to have preserved the most complete teachings.

3. **Historical Development**: Kalachakra has become the supreme yoga tantra revered by the four major sects in Tibetan Buddhism because of its profound cosmology and practice methods. Around 1027 AD, the "Great Kalachakra" master of Magadha, India, and his disciples are considered the main authors of the Kalachakra Tantra and the Immaculate Light, laying the foundation for their teachings.

The meaning and use of Kalachakra stand

In Tibetan Buddhism, **Kalachakra stand** (such as mantra amulets or thangka forms) are usually engraved with the image of Kalachakra, mandala or the Ten-Aspects Mantra, as a sacred object for practice and protection.

1. **Religious significance**:

- **Blessing and protection**: After the stand is blessed by a high monk, it is believed that it can emit the blessing power of Kalachakra, helping the wearer or worshiper to eliminate obstacles, increase wisdom, and protect from external evil and inner troubles.

- **Contemplation aid**: Kalachakra stand is often used in the visualization rituals of practitioners, especially when practicing Kalachakra tantra, to help practitioners focus on the image of the deity and the mantra and enter deep meditation.

- **Pure Land Symbol**: The Kalachakra mandala or mantra on the stand symbolizes the Pure Land of Shambhala. Offering or wearing it can enhance the affinity with the Pure Land and help practitioners to vow to be reborn there.

2. **Practical Function**:

- **Portable Protection**: The Kalachakra stand or mantra can be worn on the body, hung in the car or placed at home as a talisman to pray for peace, health and career success.

- **Housekeeping and Evil-Repelling**: Worn at home, it is believed to harmonize the environmental aura, dissolve adverse energy, and bless family harmony and fortune growth.

3. **Cultural Fusion**: Kalachakra stands are sometimes combined with the patterns of the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams, reflecting the integration of Han and Tibetan cultures. For example, the sign may be engraved with the Kalachakra mantra and the Eight Diagrams symbols at the same time, combining the Tantric blessing of Tibetan Buddhism and the evil-repelling function of Taoism to form a unique religious instrument.

Summary

- **Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams** absorbed the culture of Taoism in the Central Plains in Tibetan Buddhism. As a talisman and a magical instrument for guarding the house, it symbolizes the laws of the universe, helps to avoid evil and resolve obstacles. Its origin is closely related to the cultural exchanges between Han and Tibetan people, especially the Han elements introduced during the Songtsen Gampo period.

- **Kalachakra** is the core deity of the Supreme Yoga Department of Tibetan Buddhism, representing the transcendence of time and reincarnation. Practicing its secret method can help practitioners become Buddhas in this life and be reborn in the Pure Land of Shambhala. Its teachings originated in India and were introduced to Tibet in the 11th century, becoming an important inheritance of the four major sects.

- **Kalachakra stand** combines the image of the deity and the mantra. As a sacred object for practice and protection, it has the functions of blessing, warding off evil and meditation. At the same time, it may incorporate the elements of the Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams, reflecting the integration of Han and Tibetan religious cultures.

These objects are not only symbols of religious belief in Tibetan Buddhism, but also media for practitioners to connect with the universe and the Pure Land, carrying profound cultural and spiritual connotations

Nine Palaces and Eight Diagrams. Kalachakra Vajra Stand