Materials:
Himalayan crystal
Gold plated copper
Lapis lazuli
Coral
Turquoise
Rubies
Leather

Dimensions & Weight:
Length: 6.3 inches
Width: 5 inches
Height: 4 inches
Weight: 1.8 kilograms

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

Master Nepali craftsman created this exquisite Chod Damaru (a small two-headed drum used as an instrument in tantric practices of Tibetan Buddhism), from a single piece of Himalayan crystal, with leather drum heads, and decorated with gold-plated copper and inlaid with lapis lazuli, coral, rubies, and turquoise. A traditional brocade chopen is also attached; and a brocade case is included.

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition the Damaru is part of a collection of sacred implements and musical instruments that was adopted from the tantric practices of ancient India. These reached the Himalayas from the 8th to 12th centuries, persisting in Tibet as the practice of Vajrayana fourishe3d there, even as it vanished in the subcontinent of India.

It is played single-handedly. The strikers are typically crochet material fastened to the ends of cords around the waist of the Damaru. As the player waves the drum using a twisting wrist motion, the strikers beat on the drumhead. Played slowly and methodically, the droning of the Damaru accompanies the haunting melodies and chants of the Chod ritual, which are accompaniments for the inner meditations and visualizations that are at the heart of this spiritual practice. Damaru of all kinds are traditionally paired with a long sash or tail called a chopen. The chopen is attached to the end of the drum’s handle so that it waves about while the drum is being played. They are most commonly made of brocade using the colors of the tantric elements.

Chod is a spiritual practice found in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism (where it is classed as Anuttarayoga Tantra). Also known as “Cutting Through the Ego,” the practices are based on the Prajnaparamita or “Perfection of Wisdom” sutras, which expound the “emptiness” concept of Buddhist philosophy. According to Mahayana Buddhists, emptiness is the ultimate wisdom of understanding that all things lack inherent existence. Chod combines Prajnaparamita philosophy with specific meditation methods and tantric ritual. The Chod practitioner seeks to tap the power of fear through activities such as rituals set in graveyards and visualization of offering their bodies in a tantric feast in order to put their understanding of emptiness to the ultimate test.

The detail and master craftsmanship of this unique inlaid Chod Damaru is absolutely unique.