Materials: Copper, Iron Alloy

Dimensions: Approximately 23cm, Pestle (16.5cm)

Description:

An Overview of the Five-Pronged Bell Pestle in Buddhism

The five-pronged bell pestle (also known as the vajra pestle or a combination of the five-pronged vajra pestle and the bell) is one of the most symbolic ritual implements in the Vajrayana (Tantric) tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It consists of two parts: the vajra ("dorje" in Tibetan) and the ghanta ("bell"). The vajra resembles a multi-pronged scepter with a spherical center and multiple "claws" branching out at each end, often with five prongs. The ghanta is a small bell, often with a handle designed in the shape of a vajra, especially a five-pronged pestle, to symbolize unity. In rituals, this pair of instruments is often held in the right hand and the bell in the left (or vice versa). This symbolizes the union of skill (method, compassion) and wisdom (emptiness), embodying the core teaching of Tantric Buddhism: the perfect union of wisdom and compassion.

Role in Buddhist Ritual

In Buddhist ritual, particularly in Tibetan Tantric practices, the five-pronged bell and vajra play multiple key roles. They are primarily used to invoke deities, subdue demons, bless the altar, and guide practitioners to a state of awakening. The following are its specific functions:

1. **Invoking and Awakening Buddhas and Bodhisattvas**: The sound of the bell symbolizes the universal manifestation of emptiness and compassion, awakening sentient beings from their dreams, encouraging diligent practice, and eliminating the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. During practice, practitioners shake the bell, using the sound to summon the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to the altar, while simultaneously pointing the vajra in a specific direction to enhance the effectiveness of the call. This practice is particularly common during fire pujas, empowerment rituals, and deity yoga. Lamas often hold the vajra in their right hand and shake the bell in their left to create a sacred atmosphere.

2. **Subduing Demons and Destroying Obstacles**: The vajra symbolizes indestructible wisdom, as hard and indestructible as diamond. It is used to subdue internal afflictions (the Five Poisons: greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt) and external demonic obstacles. Its five-pronged design specifically corresponds to the Five Wisdoms and Five Buddhas: the center prong represents the Buddha's true wisdom (the wisdom of the Dharmadhatu's essence), while the four surrounding prongs represent the provisional wisdom of the Four Buddhas of the Four Directions (the wisdom of the Great Mirror, the wisdom of the Equality of Nature, the wisdom of the Wonderful Observation, and the wisdom of the Accomplishment of All Actions). During Vajra Path practices or sadhana, practitioners point the five-pronged vajra toward the four corners of the altar, crossing them in a cross shape. This can eliminate sins and samaya violations (violations of vows), achieve siddhis (supernatural powers), foster favorable conditions and merit, and transform enemies into joy.

3. **Symbolizing the State of Practice and Blessing**: The five-pronged bell and vajra is often used in mandala arrangements. Placed in the east, it represents the Buddhas and signifies the return of provisional wisdom to true wisdom. During initiation or empowerment ceremonies, it is used to transmit the "Vajra Vow" and strengthen the disciple's bodhicitta. By holding the bell and pestle, practitioners embody the "union of skillful means and wisdom," helping to transcend duality and enter the Middle Way.

Overall, the five-pronged bell and pestle are not only physical instruments but also living tools in tantric practice, used to transform negative energies into the power of awakening. They are commonly found in Buddhist art and rituals in Tibet, Nepal, and Dali.

Origin

The five-pronged bell and pestle have their origins traced back to ancient Indian Vedic mythology and the evolution of weapons. The Sanskrit word "Vajra" means "thunderbolt" or "vajra," and derives from the weapon of the god Indra in Indian mythology—a lightning-like pestle capable of emitting thunder and shattering everything. Later, this weapon was introduced into Buddhism, particularly in the Vajrayana (Vajrayana) tantric tradition after the 7th century AD, where it was transformed into a ritual implement, symbolizing the "indestructible truth" and "indestructible wisdom" of the Dharma. The vajra bell is a later development, originating from Indian bell instruments, with a vajra-shaped handle to enhance its symbolism. The five-pronged form, popular among the Sakya school (modern translation schools such as Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug), represents the Five Buddhas and Five Wisdoms. Crafted from a combination of metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin, or embellished with lotus petals and linked beads, the five-pronged vajra possesses exquisite craftsmanship.

In Buddhism, the evolution of the five-pronged vajra is documented in texts such as the Great Tibetan Secret Essence, which emphasizes its ability to "sever the two extremes and adhere to the middle path," destroying the ten afflictions and achieving the ten perfections. Beginning in the Tang Dynasty, it was introduced to Tibet and southwestern China along with Tantric Buddhism, becoming a core instrument of Tibetan Buddhism.

Related Stories

The most famous story about the five-pronged bell and vajra comes from the Indian mythology of the Rigveda, which tells of Indra's battle with the demon king Vritra. This is the prototype of the vajra as a weapon:

In ancient times, the drought king Vritra devoured the world's water sources, causing the earth to dry up and all living beings to suffer. The gods elected Indra as their leader, and the wise man Tvashtr forged a vajra for him. This vajra, blazing like lightning, was indestructible and could shatter all obstacles. Indra, holding the vajra, charged at Vritra. After a fierce battle, Indra crushed the demon king's body with a single blow, releasing the imprisoned rivers and rain, restoring life to the earth. This symbolizes the destruction of ignorance and the release of wisdom. Vritra's body transformed into mountains, and the rivers became a source of nourishment for all living beings.

This myth was later absorbed and transformed by Buddhism: In Tantric Buddhism, Indra is considered a guardian deity, wielding a three- or five-pronged vajra, protecting the Dharma. The vajra is no longer a weapon of slaughter, but rather a symbol of bodhicitta, used to subdue the inner demon (defilements). Another related story is found in the Kalachakra Tantra: practitioners hold the vajra and ring a bell, praying for the blessings of the Buddhas, "the power of skillful means and wisdom, to benefit all sentient beings." This story emphasizes that the vajra represents unchanging wisdom and the bell represents ultimate emptiness, and their unity benefits all beings.

These stories not only explain the symbolism of the five-pronged vajra but also inspire practitioners: in daily rituals, holding the vajra and bell reenacts the process of "smashing demonic obstacles and releasing awakening," guiding sentient beings from ignorance to liberation.