Altar bells such as this one can be used during rituals, ceremonies and healing sessions, especially at the beginning and/or end of the session. They are used for multiple reasons. For example; they clearly mark the beginning and end of the session, making it a period set apart from the rest of the day, their sounds and vibrations cleanse space and energyfields and they call in the helpfull spirits and drive out the heavy ones.
This altar bell has been made in a common Tibetan Buddhist style where a bell such as this is called ‘ghanta’ and commonly forms a pair with a dorje. In that combination, the bell should be held in the left hand and symbolizes the feminine principle of wisdom, as personified by the Great Mother goddess Prajnaparamita. The bell as a whole, with all the traditional depictions on it, can be seen as the mandala of Prajnaparamita.
This bell is more minimalist in decoration than some of the other Tibetan Buddhist altar bells in our shop. On the bell a row of eight lotus petals represent the Eight Bodhisattvas and the face on the handle is that of the Great Mother Prajnaparamita. Above her face, a lotus pedestal forms the base for the crown of a five-pronged dorje.
As is common, the bell is made of a traditional metal alloy (containing different metals like cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and manganese) in very specific relative proportions, giving it a distinct sound and vibration. These sounds are considered 'auspicious sounds' and are related to the sound 'Aum', the all encompassing cosmic vibration of the universe.
Size; approximately 20 centimeters high and 279 grams.
It is from vintage origin and might have some little damages and imperfections that come with age and usage. But over all this is a good quality bell, in good condition and with a good sound.
