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This year, Bhola's workshop will include how to use the phurba in your shamanic practice. (Please see the calendar section for a complete outline of what he will be covering!) We though it might be useful to have a bit of background on this implement. - Editors.
The Phurba
The phurba or kilaya is a ritual implement that is common to Tibetan Buddhist practices, Bön rituals and is also used extensively by Himalayan shamans. Among shamans, the phurba may be seen as a representation of the axis mundi or world pillar. This central column of the cosmos unites the realms of the Upper, Middle and Lower worlds. In addition, the axis mundi functions as the hub for the cardinal directions, the wheel of existence and the still point around which the stars move. In essence, it may be equated with the world tree which literally unites and holds the cosmos together. It provides a counterbalance to the forces of chaos that are simultaneously pulling the cosmos apart into its constituent componants. It may be said that the world tree gives form to life.
Attending to this balance in the human world, the shaman uses the phurba as a stake to anchor themselves to the center as they engage with the forces of chaos and disease. In addition, the phurba not only represents the axis mundi's uniting force, it is also able to dispel or slay the forces of chaos that would disrupt the balance and health of an individual. Its energy pierces but itself can not be destroyed.
In a healing, the phurba can be used to gather negative spiritual energy as one might gather wool on a spindle. This gathered energy is then staked into the ground so that the negative influences are themselves anchored to the earth where they can be transmuted. Functioning in this way like the sacred mountains of the region which are said to be like great pegs holding the Earth itself together.
Made of either iron, copper, clay, bone, horn, crystal or wood, the phurba is a unique dagger having three distinct sections: the pommel, the handle and the blade. These may be seen to represent the Upper, Middle and Lower worlds, past, present, future and the waters, earth and sky. As well as embodying the triune nature of the universe this triple aspect reflects the phurba's power to transmute the three negative energies/poisons known as either attachment/craving/desire, delusion/ignorance/misconception, or aversion/fear/hate. Three is also sacred to the primary god of the Hindu religion, Shiva who is also honored by Himalayan shamans.
The phurba may also be seen as a representation of the Buudhist deity, Vajrakilaya. This being is a wrathful deity who embodies the enlightened activity of all the buddhas. This deity is able to remove obstacles, destroy the forces hostile to compassion and purifying spiritual pollution. When the shaman works, he/she becomes a manifestation of Vajrakilaya--moving through the realms to defeat chaos and bring about harmony.
It is used by the shaman to assist in curing disease, to perform extraction/depossession and exorcism, to defeat demons (negative influences on a person or place), to sanctify food or drink, as a tool for meditation and as a stake on the altar to tether the shaman so that he or she may safely return to this reality.
Three parts of the phurba
The pommel
A Nepalese shamanic phurba has various protective, healing or harmony-producing representations on its pommel. As such this part of the implement may be used to impart a blessing.
Often, the pommel of the phurba bears three faces of Vajrakilaya. The faces one joyful, one peaceful, one wrathful--may be thought to represent the complex energies that the shamanic healer calls upon and embodies during their work.
Other pommels imagery can include:
- The umbrella of the ashtamangala (eight auspicious Buddhist symbols.) This image represents the protection from harmful forces, illness as well as the expansiveness and unfolding of space/heaven.
- A mushroom cap represents the sacred medicinal mushrooms used by Himalayan shamans. An allegory for both vision and healing.
- A monkey. This image is an early form for Buddha as well as Hanuman, the Hindu god/hero who lifted mountains and whose energy is said to remove the fear of demons.
- A stupa or chorten which is a Buddhist shrine. In Nepali shamanic traditions, this image correlates with the symbolism of the Kalachakra tantra which protects against negative influences.
- A horse head. This is a representation of the wind horse. The wind horse has its origins in the shamanic traditions of central Asia. It is an allegory for the human soul--the part of the shaman that can travel through the realms--and also a force that assists in creating order/harmony. Mongolian legends report a magical horse, which was born as a foal with eight legs and the ability to fly. (Like Odin's horse in Norse mythology!) This wind horse was the spiritual child of a shaman woman and helped her to escape the clutches of an evil ruler. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the wind horse's appearance is supposed to bring peace, wealth, and harmony.
- A praying person. Holding the namaste gesture, this figure reminds us of the divinity that we all carry as well as the Oneness to which all life belongs.
- Ganesha or an elephant. Ganesha is a Hindu deity who is also honored by Buddhists as Ganapati a powerful worldly protector, as well as by shamans. Ganesha is the Remover of Obstacles, Insurer of Success and the Lord of Beginnings. He also puts up beneficial obstacles to impede negative forces. It is also said that Ganesha holds the cosmic eggs of past, present and future inside of his belly and that he is a representation of "OM," the seed syllable of creation.
The Handle
A phurba's handle often has the vajra or dorje at it's core. The vajra/dorje is the incorruptible, diamond lightning bolt. It can cut any substance but not be cut itself and is an irresistible force. It represents the flash of insight and the enduring nature of spirit and spiritual power.
This vajra/dorje is also has three parts and echoes the triune nature of the phurba. The vajra/dorje is also implied through the representations of either knot work or two lotus blossoms on either side of a sphere.
The Blade
Repeating the triune theme, the blade of a phurba has a triangular, three-sided point. As it is the "business end" of the implement, it sometimes originates with the mouth of a fierce being. This may be a wrathful aspect of Ganesha/Ganapati--insuring the success of the healer, a sea monster, which is associated with the Lower World or a Garuda. The Garuda is a protective entity represented in Hindu, Buddhist and Bön traditions. It is a mythical, semi-divine bird-like creature who is the enemy of the serpent spirits or nagas. The nagas are nature spirits with a duel nature. On one hand, they guard springs and rivers and bring fertility in the form of rain. In their negative aspect, they may bring illness. Garuda is typically invoked in order to counter illnesses provoked by the negative naga spirits. Whichever being is represented, the blade's origin in their mouth implies that it is the "voice" or power of the deity manifesting in the world--in other words, their protective energy in action. In addition, since the blade is preceded by the vajra/dorje, it emanates that protective and harmonious energy, as well.
The blades of many phurbas are decorated with serpents. These as nagas, are under the influence of the and are therefore benevolent in nature. Shown entwined, they are working on behalf of harmony, fertility and creation.
Using the Phurba
As with all of a shaman's implements, a phurba becomes a living thing. It is capable of generating the harmonious and healing energies of it's own accord. Placed upright in a bowl of rice on the altar or staked into the ground, it keeps the shaman safely connected to the world tree. It also calls the power of all the realms into the space in which the shaman works.
In the hands of a shaman, the phurba augments his or her intent. The tool can be used to collect and pull out intrusive energies from a patient. Once freed from the body, the phurba is stabbed into the ground to fix the negative influences to the earth so that they may be transmuted. In the same fashion, a phurba can assist the shaman in clearing a space of harmful entities.
A patient who is dissociated or ungrounded may be told to hold the phurba or may have the phurba aligned with their midline to organize and harmonize their energy system.
Following a shaman's intent, a phurba can also be used to sanctify a drink or healing potion on behalf of a patient by placing the tip of the blade into the liquid.
The pommel of the phurba can also be used to impart a blessing or calming influence upon an overly excited patient or to calm a space's energy.
As is the case with every shaman's tool, the phurba is a living entity whose uses can shift and change based upon current circumstances and the needs or intent of the shaman who wields it.
© 2009 Evelyn C. Rysdyk
Nepali shaman, Bhola Banstola will be offering more wisdom about the phurba when he comes to Maine on the weekend of June 20 & 21st. To find out how to register contact Spirit Passages at (207) 846-6829 or through their website, www.spiritpassages.org. - Editors.
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Evelyn C. Rysdyk, author of Modern Shamanic Living is a nationally recognized presenter. Included in the book Traveling Between the Worlds she is among the world’s most influential writers and teachers of shamanism.
Originally trained in core shamanism, she has integrated practices taught to her by elders from North and South America, Central Asia, Nepal and Siberia. She is also a Medicine for the Earth Teacher--teaching ways that transfigured human energy can heal our planet.
With her partner C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, LCSW, DCSW she presents
eco-spiritually focused training programs--which include advanced shamanism and shamanic healing---across the USA and Canada. In addition, as a founding member of True North, a unique, integrated medical center in Falmouth, Maine--she collaborates with physicians, nurses, a psychiatrist, a naturopath and several other complementary healthcare practitioners to provide a new model of health care that includes Spirit.
www.spiritpassages.org
www.spiritliving.org
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