Search Victorian Collections

Used in Tibetan Buddhism, a dorje is a representation of a thunderbolt, symbolising the male aspect of the spirit and held during invocations and prayers.

Brass double dorje

tibetan buddhism, holy objects, worship devices

A kangling is a trumpet made out of a human thighbone, used in Tibetan Buddhism for various chöd rituals. The practitioner, motivated by compassion, plays the kangling as a gesture of fearlessness, to summon hungry spirits and demons so that she or he may satisfy their hunger and thereby relieve their sufferings. It is also played as a way of "cutting off of the ego." The hip end of the thigh bone is cut off, forming a nearly circular opening in the bone’s shaft, and it becomes the mouthpiece. The large flaring at the knee is left intact except for two gouged openings through which air and sound escape. The “bell” end of a kangling is usually covered with tightly sewn skin to ensure durability.

Made out of a human thighbone, reinforced with leather.

tibetan buddhism, musical instruments, ceremonies, ritual implements

Shakyamuni Buddha is a name given to the historical Buddha. It is depicted here seating in meditation on a lotus throne. His legs are crossed in the lotus position. His right hand is holding an alms bowl, signifying care and compassion for all beings. His left hand touches the ground in a gesture (bhumisparsha mudra) calling the earth to witness his determination to achieve enlightenment, despite the temptations of the evil goddess Mara.

Brass Buddha statue, with head and face painted in a traditional Tibetan way.

buddhist art, tibetan buddhism, holy objects, statues

Representing the original Indian pandits (Hindu scholars) who brought Buddhism to Tibet; used in the Cham Dances performed by monks during the Monlam Prayer Festival.

A solid wood mask carved in a Tibetan style

tibetan buddhism, worship devices, rituals

Amitayus, also called Amitabha, is the Buddha of Infinite Light, associated with longevity. He is holding in his hands a vessel containing the nectar of immortality. Amitayus is considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism.

Amitayus Buddha statue, wearing jewelled ornaments of a peaceful heavenly god according to the classical Indian system of divine aesthetics.

tibetan buddhism, holy objects, buddhist art, statues

Printing stamps were traditionally used as personal seals for letters and documents. They were usually made of brass or iron alloys.

Ornate printing stamp, shaped like a foo dog

stamps, personal seals, everyday life

Gau boxes are ancient religious objects with deep cultural and spiritual significance in Tibet. Worn on a chain around the neck and hung close to the heart, they are believed to ward off negative energy and attract blessings. They open up to a concealed inner space, containing a picture of a deity, a scroll of mantras or sacred relics, blessed by a lama.

Large square gau box incrusted with turquoise

ritual implements, amulets

A prayer wheel is used in Tibetan Buddhism for personal worship. Tibetans believe that spinning the prayer wheel which as thousands or millions of mantras inside is equal to saying that many mantras, while being done in a fraction of the time. This helps accumulate merits, purify negative karma and obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

This wheel has a hollow metal cylinder attached to a rod handle, made of ivory (with carved elephants), inlaid with coral and turquoise. Inside the cylinder is a tightly wound scroll printed with numerous mantras and wrapped around a spindle. The cylinder is embossed and decorated with inlaid coral and turquoise. A chain with a small weight at the end (made out of copper alloy) is affixed to the cylinder, allowing it to be spun by a slight rotation of the wrist.

tibetan buddhism, holy objects, worship devices

Teapot used to make butter tea which is the national beverage. It is ideal in the extreme climatic and geographical conditions of the Tibetan plateau due to its high butter content. Although butter tea is the most popular tea, black tea is also popular.

Ornamental Teapot Inlaid with lapis, coral and turquoise

everyday life, silver, gemstones

Copper disk based on traditional Tibetan calendar chart that follows the cycles of time, seasons and planets. An astrological calendar (called Srid-pa-ho), based on traditional Tibetan calendar chart that follows the natural cycles of time, seasons and planets. It is associated with improving the physical and emotional balance, and offers protection from negative influence arising from seasonal, planetary or cosmic phenomena.

astrological calendars (almanacs), brass

Brass pendant, silver and turquoise pendant on chain. Examples of jewellery worn by women; with coral, turquoise and lapis lazuli inlaid in silver.

Brass pendant jewelry with coral, turquoise and lapis lazuli inlaid in silver

everyday life, jewellery

Called Zom-pa in Tibetan. Tibetan boots, often knee-high and fastened below the knees with a leather string, have a variety of names depending on regional linguistic differences or differences in material. The most common materials for Tibetan boots are cowhide, pigskin, corduroy, and pulu, a traditional woolen fabric.

Handmade boots, with leather soles and embroidered tops, worn tied up at top with laces.

everyday life, clothing, boots

Tibetan hats are in various forms. The men are known to wear cloth/felt hats; these sometimes come with tassels or even purplish decorations woven out of silk. On the other hand, women are seldom seen wearing hats during summers but are seen wearing hats made of white felt or white Woollen raincoats with a hat during the monsoons. The winters due to the biting cold they face; individuals are seen wearing fox or sheepskin hats or scarves. The Tibetan hats not only help to keep warm, but also add beautiful decorations to the clothing they wear.

Traditional hat with silk brocaded crown and large fur flaps to protect the ears and face from high winds.

The TFG initials written in ink inside.

everyday life, clothing, hats

Thangkas are cloth scrolls unique to Tibetan Buddhism, depicting deities, venerated spiritual figures, or common religious symbols. Intended for personal meditation or instruction of monastic students, they are invested with the spirit of a deity to whom they are consecrated. A thangka is a composite three-dimensional object consisting of: a picture panel which is painted or embroidered; a brocade mounting; and one or more of the following: a silk cover, leather corners, wooden dowels at the top and bottom and metal or wooden decorative knobs on the bottom dowel.

A Tibetan thangka depicting Shakyamuni Buddha.

buddhist art, tibetan buddhism, holy objects

The print was created using a traditional woodblock technique. After ink is spread over a rectangular block carved with words and religious images, a thin piece of paper is placed atop the block and a roller is run over it. Then the paper is put aside to dry.

This woodblock print on hand-made paper depicts Gesar, a legendary Tibetan warrior king who is invoked as a protector of the Buddha's teachings and emanation of Padmasambhava. Gesar's image is surrounded by four magical animals - garuda (top left), makara (top right), tiger (bottom left) and snow lion (bottom right).

padmasambhava, tibetan buddhism, woodblock printing