Phur Pa Artifacts
The Phur-pa
My artifact, brass or bronze, is a little over a foot long. There is heavy oxidation that darkens the low details in the design. There are several different forms in this artifact, each creating unique individual elements in the overall design. At the very top there is a horse surrounded by three crowned elephant heads facing outward. Just below this there is a vertically symmetrical, five pronged hourglass shape with a sphere at the axis. This form gives way to an animal-like-figure with, what can be best described as, a three edged blade held in its mouth. On each of these elements there are designs etched our chased to create a more intricate design. What is this artifact and what is its use? Where did this artifact come from? …show more content…
The phur-pa is a ritual implement used in Vajrayāna Buddhism according to author Detlef Ingo Lauf. Vajrayāna originated in India, and is the basis of Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayāna is known for producing the text known as Tantras; tantric writings used to enhance ritual practices, both mystical and magical (Lauf 1976:2). However, according to Robert Mayer, Vajrayāna and phur-pa do not share the same origin. The phur-pa was incorporated into Vajrayāna from Bӧn practices (Mayer 1990:3). According to John C Huntington, linguistically, phur-pa translates to peg or spike, in dictionary forming in a metaphorical or metaphysical barrier. Huntington also states that the alternative word phur-bu translates to, son of the phur. Huntington explains, more or less, although they technically have different translations the words are interchangeable (Huntington 1975:1). These translations serve in the understanding of the objects function. Huntington explains that these daggers are used in mediation and “exorcistic rituals” (Huntington 1975:1). Phur-pas a manifestation of the meditation deity Vajrakīla or Vajrakumara; this association makes the use of phur-pa, Vajrakīla, and Vajrakumara interchangeable references (Cantwell and Mayer
My artifact, brass or bronze, is a little over a foot long. There is heavy oxidation that darkens the low details in the design. There are several different forms in this artifact, each creating unique individual elements in the overall design. At the very top there is a horse surrounded by three crowned elephant heads facing outward. Just below this there is a vertically symmetrical, five pronged hourglass shape with a sphere at the axis. This form gives way to an animal-like-figure with, what can be best described as, a three edged blade held in its mouth. On each of these elements there are designs etched our chased to create a more intricate design. What is this artifact and what is its use? Where did this artifact come from? …show more content…
The phur-pa is a ritual implement used in Vajrayāna Buddhism according to author Detlef Ingo Lauf. Vajrayāna originated in India, and is the basis of Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayāna is known for producing the text known as Tantras; tantric writings used to enhance ritual practices, both mystical and magical (Lauf 1976:2). However, according to Robert Mayer, Vajrayāna and phur-pa do not share the same origin. The phur-pa was incorporated into Vajrayāna from Bӧn practices (Mayer 1990:3). According to John C Huntington, linguistically, phur-pa translates to peg or spike, in dictionary forming in a metaphorical or metaphysical barrier. Huntington also states that the alternative word phur-bu translates to, son of the phur. Huntington explains, more or less, although they technically have different translations the words are interchangeable (Huntington 1975:1). These translations serve in the understanding of the objects function. Huntington explains that these daggers are used in mediation and “exorcistic rituals” (Huntington 1975:1). Phur-pas a manifestation of the meditation deity Vajrakīla or Vajrakumara; this association makes the use of phur-pa, Vajrakīla, and Vajrakumara interchangeable references (Cantwell and Mayer