The Damaru

The Chöd Damaru (Chöda) is the central instrument of Chöd. It is a sacred Vajrayana implement that—if made correctly—has extraordinary properties:

• It is the dwelling place of the divine feminine, the Dakini;
• It is itself synonymous with the enlightened forms of Prajnaparamita, Vajrayogini and Troma.

• The damaru is the sound of Sunyata or complete openness, a bridge that connects us to the essential source, the basis of being that is beyond name and form.
• It is also a unique channel for the profound blessings and power of the lineage and a portal for the mystical forces that protect the dharma.
• The damaru is thus the sound of the dharma itself and a proclamation of the fearlessness of the solitary yogin or yogini.

All this being so, an important and deep relationship comes to exist between the Chöd practitioner their Chöd drum.

Every part of the drum has both symbolic meaning and energetic function (such details to be published in my forthcoming Tibetan Chö: Cutting Through to Freedom from Snow Lion). This being the case, there are many requirements and essential components to its manufacture and use.

Until recently, the art of making these according to the exacting Vajrayana specifications seemed almost extinct, but on a recent trip to Bhutan I discovered that the ancient art of damaru fabrication is still vibrantly alive! Now, we are offering completely authentic and accurately-made Chöd damarus in the West for the first time.

Our fabricator is a Bhutanese Chöd and Troma practitioner himself, who upholds the highest standards of workmanship and respect for sacred implements. These Chöda will last a lifetime as a fitting vessel for taming our own mind and that of suffering sentient beings. As sacred works of art, they can be passed on with pride to future generations of practitioners!

Wood

• The drum shell is made of finest hand picked SengDeng wood (Acacia spp.) or Rosewood (Pterocarpus santalinus), according to tradition, free of defects, cracks, etc., with exquisite finish.
• Proper dimensions of the Chöd damaru are maintained, showing a 2:1 ratio of diameter, depth and the opening between the two sides or bells of the damaru.
• They are finished so that the wood grain shows, whether of the “gold” style (SengDeng) or “black style” (Rosewood).

Skin

In accord with terma, skins are buried with minerals salts (copper) and herbs for a month. Do not lose tone or become warped and damaged.If they become looser from moisture at any time, merely coming into a dry area restores the original tone. The living skins should be gently rubbed with a small amount of lanolin on a regular basis. (Note: the inner skins are marked by the highly secret “35 Dakini Blood,” as prescribed in the authoritative Mindroling Manual of Vajrayana Implements (2003).

Mantra

The interior of the drum has a red pigment ground, upon which are hand-drawn gold mantras and seed syllables, as prescribed by traditional texts and terma. These include mantras of the Prajnaparamita, Dudjom Vajrayogini, Troma and so on. Commercial damarus either have no mantras or have cheap photocopied paper mantras glued in

Conch and Iron Rings

A white conch shell ring encircles the strap of the collar, having symbolic significance and providing an essential support for the base of the hand holding the strap. A metal ring (iron, steel or copper) connects the strap tot he the chöpen banner.

Band and Hand Strap

We use a broad strap, either of genuine silk brocade, or leather—old style. The handle is thick, making it easy to grasp and comfortable for long playing. The suede texture of the leather helps prevent chaffing or blistering, familiar problems during long Chöd

Cases

The case, or “shoop,” is not just for carrying the damaru. Our cases are sturdy with wider straps, tight fit and a moisture-protective red wool lining throughout. The case also has a removable DamaruWorks crest.