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Bell and Dorje
The dorje and bell are the primary Ritual Tools of Tibetan Buddhism. Always kept together they represent many layers of intricate symbolism and meaning and are used in almost all Tibetan ritual ceremony, chanting and magical operations. Primarily dorje and bell represent the masculine and feminine principles in the cosmos and in the individuals energy body. The dorje is always held in the right hand and the bell in the left as these are the sides of the right and left channels in the body.
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Bell
As the archetypal feminine principle the Dill boo [bell] represents the perfection of wisdom which directly perceives the primordial nature of shunyata [emptiness]. Its sound describes emptiness as it the sound arises from silence and dissolves back into silence. As such it represents the mandala of creation and dissolution; the bottom rim of the bell reps the disc of emptiness from which all arises, these being symbolised by the ring of lower dorjes, the garlands of hanging pearls, the upper horizontal dorjes, all forming the base for eight seed syllables of the eight goddesses. The main feature fo the handle is the face of Vajra-para-mita, the greatest Goddess representing the union and perfection of all wisdom and awareness. From her elaborate crown rise the five wisdom jewels which form the vajra cap to the bell.
Dorje
DORJE
As the archetypal male principle the dorje it is the quintessential symbol of the 'diamond mind of enlightenment' so hard that it is able to cut through all illusions and deceits and arrive at the clearlight of truth in its two forms. These two forms of truth are symbolised by the two pronged dorje and are relative truth - needed for daily living ie. science, practical knowledge etc., and absolute truth which reveals the inner nature of the universe. The central hub from which the prongs arrive represents the sphere of actual reality. From this sphere arise two eight petalled lotuses crowned by two full moon 'discs' from which emerge the five upper and lower prongs. These five represent the Five Buddha families, the five elements, and the five skandhas [form- feeling - perception - motivation and consciousness- which the outer four are curved into and merge with at the tip.] As such the dorje is the great alchemical symbol and represents the creation of the 'philosophers stone'. In Tibetan dorje means the indestructible stone. The dorje is considered the ultimate spiritual weapon in that it is used to banish the forces of darkness, ignorance and disharmony with its power of lightning and clear truth. It is held in the right hand and twirled according to the pattern of the particular ritual, where it also represents 'skilful method'.
Siku Design
This Bell and Dorje siku detailing, Siku is a process of putting patterns in the product by wielding copper, silver, or other metal wires, Creating various eye-catchy designs. this type of craftsmanship is unique to Nepali culture. and is made by very skillful artists of Nepal
Phurba : Iconographic
The kīla(nail) or phurba is a three-sided peg, stake, knife, or nail like ritual implement traditionally associated with Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, The kīla is associated with the meditational deity Vajrakīla or Vajrakīlaya
Long description
Most of what is known of the Indian kīla lore has come by way of Tibetan culture. Scholars such as F. A. Bischoff, Charles Hartman and Martin Boord have shown that the Tibetan literature widely asserts that the Sanskrit for their term phurba is kīlaya (with or without the long i). However, as Boord describes it, "all dictionaries and Sanskrit works agree the word to be kīla (or kīlaka). I suppose this [discrepancy] to result from an indiscriminate use by Tibetans of the dative singular kīlaya. This form would have been familiar to them in the simple salutation namo vajrakīlaya (homage to Vajrakīla) from which it could easily be assumed by those unfamiliar with the technicalities of Sanskrit that the name of the deity is Vajrakīlaya instead of Vajrakīla. It should also be noted that the term (vajra)kīlaya is frequently found in Sanskrit texts (as well as in virtually every kīlamantra) legitimately used as the denominative verb 'to spike,' 'transfix,' 'nail down,' etc.
Mayer (1996) contests Boord's assertion, pointing out that eminent Sanskritists such as Sakya Pandita employed Vajrakīlaya Further, he argues:
it is possible, on the other hand, that the name Vajrakīlaya as favoured by the Tibetans could in fact have been the form that was actually used in the original Indic sources, and that there is no need to hypothesize a correct form Vajrakīla". "Vajrakīlaya" could have come from the second person singular active, causative imperative, of the verb Kīl. Indigenous grammar (Pāṇini Dhātupāṭha I.557) gives to Kīl the meaning of bandha, i.e. "to bind", while Monier-Williams (285) gives the meanings "to bind, fasten, stake, pin". Hence the form kīlaya could mean "you cause to bind/transfix!", or "bind/transfix!". This, taken from mantras urging "bind/transfix", or "may you cause to bind/transfix", might have come to be treated as a noun; and the noun might then have become deified; hence Kīlaya might have started out as a deified imperative, in some ways comparable to the famous example of the deified vocative in the name Hevajra, and a not unheard of phenomenon in Sanskrit tantric literature. This suggestion is supported by Alexis Sanderson, a specialist in Sanskrit tantric manuscripts whom I consulted on this problem.[3]
Fabrication and components
The fabrication of kīla is quite diverse. Having pommel, handle, and blade, kīla are often segmented into suites of triunes[4] on both the horizontal and vertical axes, though there are notable exceptions. This compositional arrangement highlights the numerological importance and spiritual energy of the integers three (3) and nine (9). Kīla may be constituted and constructed of different materials and material components, such as wood, metal, clay, bone, gems, horn or crystal. Wooden kīla are favored by shamans for healing and energetic work.[citation needed]
Like the majority of traditional Tibetan metal instruments, the kīla is often made from brass and iron (terrestrial and/or meteoric iron. 'Thokcha' (Tibetan: ཐོག་ལྕགས, Wylie: thog lcags) means "sky-iron" in Tibetan and denote tektites and meteorites which are often high in iron content. Meteoric iron was highly prized throughout the Himalaya where it was included in sophisticated polymetallic alloys such as Panchaloha for ritual implements. The pommel of the kīla often bears three faces of Vajrakīla, one joyful, one peaceful, one wrathful, but may bear the umbrella of the ashtamangala or mushroom cap, ishtadevata (like Hayagriva), snow lion, or stupa, among other possibilities. The handle is often of a vajra, weaving or knotwork design. The handle generally has a triune form as is common to the pommel and blade. The blade is usually composed of three triangular facets or faces, meeting at the tip. These represent, respectively, the blade's power to transform the negative energies known as the "three poisons" or "root poisons" (Sanskrit: mula klesha) of attachment/craving/desire, delusion/ignorance/misconception, and aversion/fear/hate.
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Siku Design
This Bell and Dorje siku detailing, Siku is a process of putting patterns in the product by wielding copper, silver, or other metal wires, Creating various eye-catchy designs. this type of craftsmanship is unique to Nepali culture. and is made by very skillful artists of Nepal
Finishing: Stone Setting
The Bell and Dorje is adorned with an exquisite array of semi-precious stones, including turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli. These stones are carefully selected and meticulously placed on the Bell and Dorje's surface, adding a touch of opulence and enhancing its overall beauty. Each stone is thoughtfully positioned using a high-quality adhesive, ensuring secure and long-lasting attachment. The vibrant colors and unique patterns of the stones create a captivating contrast against the backdrop of the Bell and Dorje, elevating its visual appeal and making it truly eye-catching.
Beyond their decorative purpose, these semi-precious stones carry symbolic significance in various cultures and traditions. Turquoise is often associated with protection and healing, coral represents vitality and passion, while lapis lazuli symbolizes wisdom and truth. The inclusion of these stones not only adds to the aesthetic allure of the Bell and Dorje but also imbues it with deeper meaning and cultural symbolism.
The intricate placement of these semi-precious stones showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into the creation of the Bell and Dorje. It is a testament to the skill and artistic vision of the artisans who delicately adorn the statue, resulting in a truly remarkable and captivating piece of art.
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About Elector Gold Plating
The Bell and Dorje has been crafted using the ceramic mold casting process, a modern approach that provides an alternative to traditional methods such as the lost-wax system or rubber molding. Also referred to as ceramic molding, this technique involves the creation of a ceramic mold to cast the statue. The process begins by making a precise and detailed wax model of the desired sculpture. The wax model is then coated with layers of ceramic material, creating a sturdy mold. Once the mold is complete, it is fired in a kiln, causing the wax to melt and escape, leaving behind a cavity that perfectly replicates the original sculpture. Molten metal is then poured into the mold, allowing it to fill the cavity and take on the desired form. Once cooled and solidified, the ceramic mold is carefully broken away, revealing the final metal statue.
The process begins with the thorough cleaning and preparation of the object to be plated. A layer of silver plating is first applied to create a base. Subsequently, the object is submerged in a solution containing gold ions, while an electric current is passed through the solution. The gold ions are attracted to the surface of the object, forming a layer that can be polished to achieve a smooth and radiant finish.
The Full Electro Gold plated finishing offers several advantages, including affordability and high-quality results. In Nepal's handicraft industry, this method of gold plating is gaining popularity due to its ability to produce exquisite and long-lasting handicraft items. Skilled craftsmen employ their expertise to ensure that the gold plating is of the utmost quality, resulting in beautiful and durable Bell and Dorje products.
By choosing the Full Electro Gold plated finishing, you can enjoy the luxurious and captivating allure of gold, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Bell and Dorje product while ensuring its longevity and enduring beauty.
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