Dagger

Dagger (phur ba)

• A ritual implement (Skt. kīla), held in the hands of the mediational deity Vajrakīla, which has a pyramidal blade with three edges representing the transformation of delusion, attachment, and aversion, surmounted by one or three faces, indicative of the deity Vajrakīla. The practices associated with Vajrakīla comprise both higher rites (stod las) conducive to the supreme accomplishments of liberation and buddhahood, and lower rites (smad las) which through pacification, enrichment, subjugation and wrathful force, bring about protection and removal of obstacles. Among the rites of enrichment, are those which enhance the lifespan (tshe phur) or secure one's existence in the world (srid phur). See Robert Mayer, A Scripture of the Ancient Tantra Collection, and Martin Boord, The Cult of the Wrathful Deity Vajrakīila in the Northern Treasures Tradition of Tibet, and bDud-'joms Rin-po-che, NSTB, pp. 710-716. 297