Here at Nalanda Monastery we have many years of experience in filling statues and stupas. Through the years the monks have managed to collect all the necessary mantra rolls, ingredients and precious substances needed to fill holy objects in the best way possible. It has become a tradition that has been passed on from the elder Nalanda monks to the younger, and is practiced by our monks community with great care and pleasure, in accordance with the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Step-by-step process explained by Ven. Tenzin Rigchog:
1. When we receive a statue with the request for us to fill and bless it, we first start with cleaning the statue well. Mostly some residue from the mould has been left behind in the statue that needs to be removed first. Traditionally this is done with some soap and saffron water.
2. We paint the inside of the statue red with ecological paint, and while the paint is still wet, cover the inside with powder that contains the six great medicines, other medicinal powders, saffron, the five cow substances' pills, and camphor all mixed together.
3. We make a lid to cover the bottom of the statue since the lids that come with the statue are mostly of poor quality.
4. We do the blessing ceremony called Sung Drub to clear away contaminations and polutions from the statue and the ingredients, and bless them.
5. When the face is already painted, we cover the face well to protect it against damage and place the statue upside down in a container.
6. We start with a pearl or relic pill in the crown of the statue that symbolizes the brain of the buddha.
7. Then we fill the statue with as many mantra rolls as possible. We insert head, throat and heart mantras, the name mantras of the specific buddha the statue represents, the Dharmakaya relic mantra that is especially advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to use as much as possible, and other mantras for auspiciousness.
8. Between every layer of mantras we put fine incense powder to make sure every gap is completely filled. In the lotus we put substances like a precious pill, crushed semi-precious stones, and gold leaf.
9. We cover it with fragrant incense and other substances and finally add the 'five mandalas' with a vajra on top.
10. We cover it with yellow silk and close the statue with the lid using natural glue.
11. We seal the statue to make sure it is completely closed and will never open again.
12. Finally we perform a final consecration called Rab Nä and the statue is ready to be sent back to its owner.
Please visit our website if you want your statue or stupa to be filled and blessed:
nalanda-monastery.eu/workshop/