“Thogcha” – Thousand-Year-Old Tibetan Amulets And The Bon Culture

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Enigmatic small amulets known as' thokchas' (thogchags) are made of iron, meteoric iron, or, as Tibetans say, "sky metal" or "sky-iron" denote tektites and meteorites, which are often high in iron content.

Tibetan thokcha, showing crouching lion in centre. Credit: Clemensmarabu - CC BY-SA 3.0

"Thogcha," heavenly iron or sky iron, has been used by Tibetans for thousands of years to create small talismans with a strong connection to the sky. Their tradition is much older than the Buddhistic tradition in Tibet and has its beginning in the pre-Buddhist period of Tibet.

Historically, thokchas were highly respected objects and used for sacred metallurgical fabrication of weapons, musical instruments, and sacred (religious) tools, like - the phurba, a three-sided peg, stake, knife, or nail-like ritual implement traditionally associated with Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Bon (Bön), a Tibetan religion and Indian Vedic traditions.

The use of 'thogcha' in the metallurgical fabrication of sacred objects cast of Panchaloha is well-documented. The term has also denoted ancient metal objects as amulets made from thokcha. They are traditionally endowed with magic and protective power and are comparable to Tibetan Dzi beads.

Tibetan thokcha in the shape of a small arch. It may originally have been a tool used to open knots in leather straps that secured pack animal loads. Credit: Clemensmarabu - CC BY-SA 3.0

It was when the so-called Bon religion and culture with its heavenly origin dominated.
Even today, many rituals to attract luck and good fortune and chase away evil forces are conducted regularly because the power of tradition and human beliefs has always prevailed.

Bon's indigenous religion and culture were long-time dominant religious forces in the plateau. Though considerably transformed by Buddism, the Bon has survived and is still preserved among Tibetan communities living in exile.

Many ancient Tibetan scriptures supported by archeological evidence refer to the Bon culture and its roots spanning 18,000 years.

As John V. Bellezza, an explorer, a writer, and the foremost archaeology specialist in the cultural history of Tibet said that there is "... a close association with indigenous Tibetan religious beliefs and their practitioners and form a very important part of the country's pre-Buddhist and Buddhist heritage. For instance, the frequency of animal designs recalls the sacred status of animals in Tibetan culture..."

Meteorite DZI bead "9 eyes" carved from Aletai iron meteorite. Image credit: IPlantagenet - CC BY-SA 4.0

Believed to be magically formed, powerful thogchags belong to the most treasured possessions of the Tibetans. As they say, if you own one, you are happy, but the Gods bless you if you own nine of them!

They are most often worn around the neck on a blessed cord. Sometimes they used to be attached to a mala used for spiritual practice, a prayer wheel, or objects frequently used by Tibetan magicians, healers, and shamans, in rituals performed by them.

Sacred "thogchags" represent a variety of shapes and forms, from simple depictions of animals, and tiers symbolizing the five elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth). These elements compose the universe

 

The most ancient depictions on the small miniatures are beyond the comprehension of modern-day Tibetans, who do not understand their true meaning. In this way, they remain the concealed mystery of the ancients.

Priceless "thogchags" are considered to have great medicinal value and almost supernatural quality. Due to their mystical healing properties, they are true treasures. Families in Tibet pass down these sky relics from one generation to another.

No one has ever questioned their value and importance.

Written by – A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

Updated on August 18, 2022

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