Earth Vase
Earth VaseThe Vase of the Life Essence of the Earth (Sa-bcumd Bum-ba) is meant to bless and empower the earth where it is placed. It is a way of putting positive mind energy into the natural environment. The benefits of the Vase as told in ancient texts were the prevention of problems due to imbalances in the four elements of earth, water, fire, and air.
The Vase prevented the degeneration of the life essences of the Earth so that fruits, grains and vegetables would thrive and be tasty and nutritious. It restored the life force and fertility of the ground itself, particularly if the ground had been misused or the soil depleted. The Vase protected the land from the ravages of earthquakes, floods, thunder and lightning. it was considered beneficial in preventing damage from pollution, erosion, and over fertilization. It is said the blessings from the Vase extend for fifteen miles around where the Vase is placed. Within this area people will experience good health, long life, wealth, protection, and peace. Contentions within families or groups will be reduced and working relations will be good. Prosperity will prevail.
Empowerment
The vital essence of the earth is concentrated into the Earth Treasure Vase through the practice of the very ancient transmissions of empowerment brought to Tibet by mahasiddhas in the eighth century. The Earth Treasure Vase is empowered by a series of pujas done by Lama Kunga Rinpoche. He transmits thought images to the Vase invoking Bodhisattvas, higher spirits, and wealth deities. The textual basis of this empowerment is from the teachings of the Bodhisattva So Nyingpo (Heart Essence of the Earth).
Outer Manifestation
The outer manifestation of the Earth Treasure Vase is as a vessel which contains images and mantras of the many divine beings which inhabit the Vase. It contains a host of precious substances of the earth such as gold, silver, turquoise, rubies, lapis, pearls, garnets, jade, amethyst, emeralds, and onyx. The Vase also contains minerals, water and soil from various sacred places such as Mt. Shasta, Lake Monoswar, Mt. Kailash, and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It contains grains and many sacred herbs from around the world.
Inner Manifestation
The inner nature of the Vase is as a celestial abode for Vajrapani, Jambala, Sadag Wangchen, six aspects of the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokitesvara, the Northern king Kuvera, No Gyun-ma, and the eight Naga kings. Ruling over these is the Bodhisattva of the earth, So Nyingpo, and the Goddess of the Earth, Ten Ma.
Secret Manifestation
The secret nature of the Vase is the increase of goodness and the elimination of evil.
Wealth Vase
Wealth VaseThe tradition of the Wealth Treasure Vase is a very ancient one. The Vases were very well known in Tibet for centuries, and many families had them. The Wealth Treasure Vase (Norbum) brings blessings to its possessor. The powers of the Vase are concentrated in the building where it is placed, serving to increase the spiritual and material wealth of the residents.
Traditionally, the Vase was considered to protect from the negative influences of both human and non-human beings. It protected from fears of life and death. It strengthened karmic connections so that the obstacles to material gain and prosperity were eliminated. It also improved the spiritual environment so worldly and transcendental accomplishments were more easily obtained. The Vase provided material wealth and spiritual wealth; if one increased, the other did too. It is an axiom of Tibetan Buddhism that it’s good to fulfill your desires as long as you do not harm anyone else. Obtaining what you want brings a great deal of self knowledge. The Wealth Treasure Vase evokes the inexhaustible wealth within us all.
Empowerment
The Vases are empowered by the practice of White Mahakala. This practice is from the Shang-ba Kagyu lineage, and originated with the Indian mahasiddha Rahula Gupta. Trub Chen Kyong-Bo Naljor, one of the most important of the Tibetan born mahasiddhas obtained it from him. Trub Chen Kyong-Bo Naljor became very famous for his wealth and established a large monastery of the Shang-ba Kagyu sect.
Lama Kunga Rinpoche does a series of pujas which empower the Vases. He meditates himself as the deity. He holds a Vajra with a red thread tied to it which encircles the mass of Vases on the altar. He transmits thought images to the Vases through the thread, invoking Bodhisattvas, higher spirits and wealth deities.
Outer Manifestation
The outer manifestation of the Wealth Treasure Vase is as a vessel containing many precious substances such as gold, silver, jade, amethyst, lapis, agate, onyx, pearls, crystals, pyrite, shells, and turquoise. It contains grains such as peas, lentils, rice, etc.; all kinds of good things that beings like. It has pictures and mantras of wealth deities, and it contains a small image of White Mahakala.
Inner Manifestation
The inner nature of the Vase is as a celestial palace in which dwell, among other beings, six aspects of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, Vajrapani, Jambala, Kurukuli, Kuvera, the Northern King, Nor Gyun-Ma, Sadag Wangchen, the mighty earth protector and the great Naga kings. Residing over these deities is the White Mahakala, the supreme god of wealth.
Secret Manifestation
The secret nature of the Vase is the state of a happy and contented mind, the elimination of evil and the increase of goodness.