Tibetan Bells & Dorjes

We offer bell and dorje sets, double dorjes, dorjes, and phurbas in our Tibetan bells and dorjes section. The bell and dorje sets can be played by holding the bell in the left hand (the bell is always held in the left hand) and holding the dorje in the right hand. Place the dorje between the first finger and the thumb and make a clockwise circular motion with your wrist. As the sound of the bell resonates through the air, the bell and dorje balance the negative and positive energy and create harmony. Bells and dorjes are often used in feng shui to clear the space. Like tingshas, bells and dorjes can also be used at the beginning of a chanting session in order to clear the mind. Bell and dorje sets are the main ritual objects in Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. The bell represents wisdom, (prajna in Sanskrit) and the dorje represents action (upaya).

The dorje is also called a vajra, and dorje stands for a diamond or a thunderbolt. This is because it is believed that a dorje, like a diamond, can cut through anything. Dorjes are symbolic of the ability to cut through ignorance. At the end of the dorje, there are two spheres. These spheres represent the lotus flower. One lotus flower represents samsara (the phenomenal world) while the other represents nirvana (the noumenal world). The double dorje symbol stands for pure consciousness, and awareness beyond conceptual thinking.

The phurba is a ritual dagger. It is a three-sided stake in which each of the three sides represent the three spirit worlds. The axis in the center of the phurba represents bringing the three spirit worlds together. The lower part of the phurba represents method, while the upper part represents wisdom. The phurba is used in Tantric Buddhism to ward off evil. The phurba is also often seen in depictions of Vajrakilla. None of the instruments in this section are actually sharp, and they cannot be used as weapons except spiritually.