Xuanfa Institute has been very fortunate to receive several outstanding gifts for the future temple and retreat center. Disciples in Beijing sent a rare antique phuba bearing the head of the Horse-Head (or Horse-necked One) Deity, Hayagriva. Hayagriva is a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin) Bodhisattva having three faces, six arms, and a horse or several horses growing on top of his head. The horse is significant for it’s neigh is believed to cut through false attachments, revealing the reality of enlightenment. Hayagriva is the fierce, dynamic manifestation of Avalokiteshvara’s undying compassion. The Bodhisattva’s compassion transforms into a fierce energy that compels one to overcome internal obstacles and subdue outer hindrances. Hayagriva provides a means through which a practitioner recognizes his or her own innate altruistic compassion.
The middle part or handle of this bronze instrument is a vajra. It stands in an ornately decorated base of snarling demons.
A phuba is a three-sided ritual dagger that is used in various esoteric ceremonies. It is said that the three blades have the power to transform the negative energies known as the “three poisons” of attachment/craving/desire, delusion/ignorance/misconception, and aversion/fear/hate. A phuba may serve to bind and pin down negative energies or obscurations from the mindstream of an entity, person or thoughtform, including the thoughtform generated by a group, project and so on, or to administer purification.
OCT
2011