Namkhas (colored-thread elemental) are they only Bon?

[Adamantine]

I have the book compiling ChNN's teachings on the meaning of and how to make a Namkha. . in the introduction, it seems to imply this is primarily a Bon practice. Is this true? I was thinking of making one and getting it blessed by one of my Nyingma Lamas but if it is primarily a Bon thing he may not know much about it or even approve.. does anyone have any insight? The book alludes to similar practices being widespread among indigenous cultures around the world, which is interesting..

If it is mainly Bonpo, is there an equivalent and effective practice among Buddhists to harmonize the elemental energies of the individual?

[Virgo]

I have the book compiling ChNN's teachings on the meaning of and how to make a Namkha. . in the introduction, it seems to imply this is primarily a Bon practice. Is this true? I was thinking of making one and getting it blessed by one of my Nyingma Lamas but if it is primarily a Bon thing he may not know much about it or even approve.. does anyone have any insight? The book alludes to similar practices being widespread among indigenous cultures around the world, which is interesting..

If it is mainly Bonpo, is there an equivalent and effective practice among Buddhists to harmonize the elemental energies of the individual?

As far as I know, these instructions were given to Rinpoche in a mind ter. I am not 100 percent sure about this, but this is what I seem to remember from somewhere.

I am sure any Nyingma lama will bless it for you.

Kevin

[Malcolm]

I have the book compiling ChNN's teachings on the meaning of and how to make a Namkha. . in the introduction, it seems to imply this is primarily a Bon practice. Is this true? I was thinking of making one and getting it blessed by one of my Nyingma Lamas but if it is primarily a Bon thing he may not know much about it or even approve.. does anyone have any insight? The book alludes to similar practices being widespread among indigenous cultures around the world, which is interesting..

If it is mainly Bonpo, is there an equivalent and effective practice among Buddhists to harmonize the elemental energies of the individual?

No, thread crosses began as Bon thing and were adapted to Buddhist practice by Guru Rinpoche.

N

[Adamantine]

Oh Ok, so they are considered a proper Buddhist practice then? I just haven't seen them ever on home shrines of my friends in Nepal, etc.. is it something that used to be more widespread or is more practiced in certain areas?

[Virgo]

I just haven't seen them ever on home shrines of my friends in Nepal, etc.

Just put it like next to your bed and stuff or in some good placement in your home


Kevin

[rai]

hello, do you think Namkha could be printed on paper (i made one in a graphic program) or it has to be made of stick/strings/threads to have a function ? thank you!

[Malcolm]

I have the book compiling ChNN's teachings on the meaning of and how to make a Namkha. . in the introduction, it seems to imply this is primarily a Bon practice. Is this true? I was thinking of making one and getting it blessed by one of my Nyingma Lamas but if it is primarily a Bon thing he may not know much about it or even approve.. does anyone have any insight? The book alludes to similar practices being widespread among indigenous cultures around the world, which is interesting..

If it is mainly Bonpo, is there an equivalent and effective practice among Buddhists to harmonize the elemental energies of the individual?

Not it is not just a Bon thing, but if you are going to make a Namkha then you should just do the right to authenticate it yourself, there is no need to bring it to a Lama at all.

N

[Malcolm]

hello, do you think Namkha could be printed on paper (i made one in a graphic program) or it has to be made of stick/strings/threads to have a function ? thank you!

You need to manufacture it or have it manufactured for you. But it better to do it yourself.

[Malcolm]

Oh Ok, so they are considered a proper Buddhist practice then? I just haven't seen them ever on home shrines of my friends in Nepal, etc.. is it something that used to be more widespread or is more practiced in certain areas?

This is something very specific to Dzogchen Community and Norbu Rinpoche's transmisison. It is not common.

Thread crosses are commonly used in Buddhist ransom ceremonies (glud) where they represent the energy of the person's five elements.

N

[Malcolm]

As far as I know, these instructions were given to Rinpoche in a mind ter.

Yes.

[heart]

Oh Ok, so they are considered a proper Buddhist practice then? I just haven't seen them ever on home shrines of my friends in Nepal, etc.. is it something that used to be more widespread or is more practiced in certain areas?

This is something very specific to Dzogchen Community and Norbu Rinpoche's transmisison. It is not common.

Thread crosses are commonly used in Buddhist ransom ceremonies (glud) where they represent the energy of the person's five elements.

N

If you watch the movie here viewtopic.php?f=49&t=6422 , in the end there is a huge thread cross used as a ransom for Dzongsar Khyentse and Neten Chokling if I am not mistaken.

/magnus

[Adamantine]

Just wondering about any personal-experience stories: has anyone on this forum actually constructed and empowered a Namkha for themselves? If so, did you see a difference in your life afterwards, any noticeable benefits that you would attribute to it?

[Malcolm]

Just wondering about any personal-experience stories: has anyone on this forum actually constructed and empowered a Namkha for themselves? If so, did you see a difference in your life afterwards, any noticeable benefits that you would attribute to it?

Yes, and yes.

[JinpaRangdrol]

I remember watching an old documentary following an extremely elaborate Tara puja (possibly Nyingma, but definitely not Terma) in which namkhas were used to construct a mandala of sorts. I wish I remembered more about it, but it certainly seemed to be an old Tara Tantra, just judging by the complexity of the ritual.

[Malcolm]

I remember watching an old documentary following an extremely elaborate Tara puja (possibly Nyingma, but definitely not Terma) in which namkhas were used to construct a mandala of sorts. I wish I remembered more about it, but it certainly seemed to be an old Tara Tantra, just judging by the complexity of the ritual.

Not a tantra, a rite called "grol ma gyul ldog" i.e. The rite of Tara for repelling Armies

[Virgo]

Not a tantra, a rite called "grol ma gyul ldog" i.e. The rite of Tara for repelling Armies

Ooooh.

Kevin

[Adamantine]

I remember watching an old documentary following an extremely elaborate Tara puja (possibly Nyingma, but definitely not Terma) in which namkhas were used to construct a mandala of sorts. I wish I remembered more about it, but it certainly seemed to be an old Tara Tantra, just judging by the complexity of the ritual.

Not a tantra, a rite called "grol ma gyul ldog" i.e. The rite of Tara for repelling Armies

Can we use this to repel the police from continually attacking the Occupy movement? http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-01/occupy-wall-street-arrests/52320900/1

[Lhug-Pa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God's_eye

Interesting.

Does anyone know where to obtain a Namkha?

I know that it's better to make it ourself, however I've never been good at making things and would like to consecrate a Namkha sooner rather than later.

It seems like Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's Ligmincha store use to carry them, but I'm not totally sure.

[Adamantine]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God's_eye

Interesting.

right... why do the god's eyes and the namkhas pretty much look identical?

[Pema Rigdzin]

Is it more effective to create a namkha for oneself vs. purchasing an authentic one made by others?