Tibetan bone mala - traditional - old Ghau

Tibetan bone mala - traditional - old Ghau

Tibetan bone mala handcrafted with exceptional materials, mixing old and new materials. This Tibetan bone mala was made entirely by us, strictly respecting the ancient rules for making such tantric bone malas.

Dimensions of this Tibetan bone mala: 50cm long
Total weight 370 grams

As Malakara, we make all of our malas ourselves, scrupulously respecting tradition .
As a gemologist graduated from the National Institute of Gemmology in Paris, all our materials are appraised and certified.

To know everything about malas, their meanings, their uses, their different variants and also a short explanation on malakaras, the creators of mala, please click on this text taking you to our dedicated and explanatory article on our blog

This Tibetan bone mala consists of:
108 antique beads made from the bone of a domesticated yak (DZO), the quintessential bovine of the Tibetan highlands. These beads are flat and irregular, testifying to an ancient era, thus capturing the authenticity and tradition of artisanal creation.

Antique copper Ghau in finish containing a clay Tsa-Tsa , probably representing the Adhi-Buddha Vairocana.


This ghau was probably consecrated since it contains prayers and mantras on fabric.
Dimensions of this ghau: 60mm high by 45mm wide by 21mm deep.
The ghau is a kind of portable altar in which the image of the chosen deity of the owner is kept, wrapped in silk clothes. The great majority of Tibetans use the ghau at home and carry it during their travels. They keep it on a real altar at home.
It serves as a protective symbol during travel and also allows its owner to demonstrate his devotion to his deity.

ADHI-BUDDHA VAIROCANA


Buddha Vairocana is one of the major Buddhas in East Asia. He is one of the five wisdom Buddhas (the dhyani Buddhas) holding the central place on the cardinal points. In the conception of the five Tathagatas (Buddhas) of Mahayana and Vajrayana, Vairocana is at the center and is considered a Primordial Buddha or Adhi Buddha.
To learn all about the Buddha Vairocana, please consult our article dedicated to this Buddha, please click on this text

Above this ghau is the finishing bead or Guru bead closing this Tibetan bone mala


It is made of buffalo bone and on it is engraved in relief the mantra of compassion "om mani padmé Hum"
Dimensions of this Guru bead: 26.38mm long by 19.56mm wide by 18.45mm deep.
According to Tibetan Buddhism, reciting the Chenrezi Om Mani mantra
Padme Hum, either aloud or inwardly, is an invocation to attention
benevolent and powerful of Chenrezig, the expression of the compassion of the
Buddha. To learn more about this famous mantra, please click on this text which will take you to our full article on our blog

The three counterpearls every 27 beads are also made of carved buffalo bone and are 20 mm in diameter.

On each side of this Tibetan bone mala, we have added the counters, specific to Tibetan malas.
These counters are used to track the number of complete cycles of mantra recitation.


These two counters are made up of 10 18K gold-plated copper rings
Under these 10 rings are placed the Buddhist worship instruments dorje and drilbou (Tibetan bell), also handcrafted in buffalo bones
Dorje (or Vajra) : The dorje is an important symbol in Tibetan Buddhism, representing the indestructible nature of the awakened mind. It is often used as a symbol of stability and spiritual power. When used as a counter, it can represent the completion of a cycle of 10 mantra recitations.
Bell (or Drilbu): The bell, or drilbu, is also a significant symbol in Tibetan Buddhism. It represents transcendent wisdom and is often associated with the feminine and emptiness. When used as a counter, it can symbolize the completion of a cycle of 10 mantras .

Finally, we added on the side of this Tibetan bone mala, a handcrafted representation of a citipati carved in buffalo bone , decorated with a traditional yellow and black tassel.


Dimensions of this bone plaque representing a citipati: 56.79mm high by 32.03mm wide by 15.60mm deep

CITIPATI DIVINITIES

The Citipati, also spelled Chitipati, is a deity or pair of deities in Tibetan Buddhism, associated with the worship of protective deities. Citipati is usually represented by a pair of dancing skeletons.
The Citipati are considered as protective deities or guardians, invoked to ensure spiritual safety and protection of Buddhist teachings.

Their appearance symbolizes the impermanence and transient nature of life. This refers to meditation on death and the acceptance of impermanence as a fundamental aspect of existence.

Their dance is interpreted as a sacred dance symbolizing victory over ignorance and ego , as well as transcendence of dualistic concepts and understanding of the non-material essence of mind.

The Citipati are associated with the practice of tantra, an advanced form of meditation and ritual in Tibetan Buddhism. Their worship is integrated into specific tantric rituals to achieve higher states of consciousness.

Citipati are associated with cremation grounds. They are considered guardians of cemeteries and have a connection with funerary practices and meditation on death.

TASSEL:
Although its primary role is aesthetic, it can also have symbolic meanings in the spiritual context of the mala.
The tassel represents the cosmic energies that emanate from the bone mala, bringing blessings and positive vibrations to the wearer of the mala.
The tassel helps maintain an energetic balance in this bone mala, thus ensuring harmony between the beads and the spiritual energies.

TIBETAN BONE MALA:
A Tibetan bone mala is made using authentic traditional methods. The use of bone is rooted in the long history of Tibetan craftsmanship.

Bones have symbolic meaning in Tibetan culture. They represent life, death, and transformation, themes explored in Tibetan Buddhist spirituality.

The beads of a Tibetan bone mala have a unique texture and a natural appearance, rustic and artisanal aesthetic. A Tibetan bone mala is always unique.

Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala, Tibetan bone mala