Tibet is a country known for its beautiful landscape, pristine natural environment, rich culture and unique traditions. In Tibet, people are more inclined towards spiritual accomplishment than fulfilling their own desires. This habitual pattern in the Tibetans has contributed to the forming of their culture. Since the country is bound by age-old customs, Tibetan people have different ideas and beliefs about their culture.
The offering of ‘eight auspicious substances’ (Skt. astamangaladravyani) to high lamas and high officials has a vital role to play in Tibetan culture. The eight auspicious substances are: the mirror, the precious medicine, yogurt, durva grass, the bilva fruit, the white conch shell, vermillion powder and mustard seeds. We can see images of these eight auspicious substances in various forms like drawn on walls, carved into wood, made out of gold and silver, and also sewn onto cloth.
According to the Vinaya Sutra and the Sutra of Mindful Establishment, the origin and symbolism of these eight substances relate back to the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is said that when various gods and humans offered these substances to the Buddha, he in turn blessed these substances as auspicious. In this context, I shall share a brief description about these eight auspicious substances with the hope of benefiting the ones who haven’t come across the reasons why these substances are considered to be auspicious.
1. The Mirror (Skt. adarsha)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed the mirror as an auspicious substance when it was offered by goddess Yoedchangma. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness for every sentient being to enjoy the ultimate bliss of reality, free of all obscurations.
2. The Precious Medicine (Skt. gorochana)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed the precious medicine as an auspicious substance when it was offered by the great elephant Sasung. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of purifying the negative emotions and realizing the true essence of ultimate reality.
3. Yogurt (Skt. dadhi)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed yogurt as an auspicious substance when it was offered by Sujata, the daughter of a farmer. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of pacifying the three emotional poisons and realizing the true essence of primordial wisdom.
4. Durva Grass (Skt. durva)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed durva grass as an auspicious substance when it was offered by the Brahmin Kundali. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of acquiring the lifespan of Vajrasattva and discontinuing the affliction of birth and death.
5. The Bilva Fruit (Skt. bilva)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed the bilva fruit as an auspicious substance when it was offered by the goddess Yoedchangma. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of fulfilling all wishes and achieving the state of Enlightenment.
6. The White Conch Shell
(Skt. daksiavartashankha)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed the right-coiling white conch shell as an auspicious substance when Lord Indra, the king of the gods, offered it to him. It was blessed to bring auspiciousness while turning the Wheel of Dharma.
7. Vermillion Powder (Skt. sindura)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed vermillion powder as an auspicious substance when Tenma, the Goddess of Earth, offered it to him. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of a conquering authority over all the wealth of samsara and nirvana.
8. Mustard Seeds (Skt. sarsapa)
Buddha Shakyamuni blessed mustard seeds as an auspicious substance when Sangdag Chagna Dorje (Skt. Vajrapani) offered it to him. It was blessed to bring the auspiciousness of winning over demonic forces and accomplishing the state of unsurpassable strength.
By Pema Tenzin
6th year NNI
