The Phurba (Pur-ba)
The phurba or kilaya is a very important Vajrayana Implement with a very ancient origin. It was central to the practice of Guru Rinpoche and is now practiced in all lineages of Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and other Himalayan regions.
There are basically two kinds of phurba, depending on their use.
The "Shrine" Phurba
Also known as a support (ten) phurba, this is the residence of the Deity and all the blessings and power that it comes to contain, and is kept on an elevated position on your shrine table—usually above all other statues or representations. Similarly, if one has a Vajrakilaya thangka or photo, it should be hung higher than all other Deity forms. Kilaya practice is most often related to Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurba or Dorje Shonu) or Hayagriva (Tamdrin). The many details and symbolic meanings of the elaborate phurba can be researched online or in Robert Beer's Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs.
The "Activity" (leh) Phurba
The activity phurba is of a simpler design and used by the practitioner in a variety of ways. Thus it is kept next to one, in an upright manner. Iron phurba stands are optimal, though they can be made of wood, and so on.
The associated practices can be highly complex or simple and direct, as are the sadhanas or rituals associated with them. This depends on the lineage and trainings one has received, not on their relative value or effectiveness.
1. Shrine Phurba
We have two types of shrine phurba fabricated—a slender version and broader or wider form. This is simply a matter of preference. They are available from 8 to 12 inches in length (though price is all the same) with special elaborate iron stands.
2. Activity Phurbas
These extraordinary and extremely rare activity phurbas are made from the iron links of the bridges made by TangTong Gyalpo! This is terma iron, filled with the power of one of Tibet's greatest enlightened mahasiddas. Please contact me for the back story, as the full (secret) details and prices of these exquisite items. Very limited supply.
2. Sandalwood Phurbas
The form of these hand-carved sandalwood phurba is traditional, with the three different faces (Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya), makara, triple blade with serpents and all the other features perfectly present. They are hand painted by a master Lama who is a well known chantmaster (Umdze) and pujari in Bouddha, Nepal.
