Archive for August, 2009

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We practice the ancient and profound path of Vajrayana. To do so, we follow the traditions, knowledge and realization transmitted from Wisdom mind, through an unbroken lineage of living masters, down to the present moment. That these methods even exist in our time and space is already miraculous, as we are told that the rapid and demanding path of Tantra only appears rarely in the cycle of world creation and destruction—and whole eons can pass without its appearance.  Vast, profound, sometimes complex, the intricate detail of the sadhanas, visualizations, mantra and mudras, are the container that keeps dharma intact, free of contamination or distortion.

An essential part of this matrix of practice is the remarkable spectrum of sacred implements and instruments that are used daily in Vajrayana practice. Their nature is both practical and symbolic and they perform energetic functions that directly impact the fabric of experience and phenomena. Thus, just like the practice itself, their fabrication, form, proportions, materials and details are all a matter of exacting specifications and standards.

However, since the diaspora from Tibet, and the fracturing of the population and culture, there has been a dramatic degradation of the level of the available sacred objects. Yet these ritual arts have not been lost. The texts describing the proper qualities and characteristics of these items still exist, and far more importantly, skilled craftsmen can be discovered who have kept these traditions intact. However, few Westerns have been exposed to these quality materials so that the difference can be discerned.

We are entering a new era of challenges. With economic, social and personal difficulties on all sides, now more than ever we need an impeccable approach to our dharma practice. Guarding our tradition and its sacred intentions, this can be, not a time of loss and shadow, but a time of transformation.

The mission and vision of DamaruWorks is 5-fold:

1. To perpetuate and preserve the traditions of Vajrayana though the accurate creation and dispersal of ancient Tibetan ritual crafts with absolute integrity.

2. To provide the highest quality traditional practice materials to serious Vajrayana practitioners, especially Chöpas, Ngakpas and Yogis and Yoginis—lay practitioners of the West. Such materials are increasingly rare as commercial, low quality goods have become the norm in India, Nepal and the outlets that sell these products in America and Europe.

3. To support the best traditional craftsmen, who are few in number, so that they may flourish and continue their work, passing on their art to future generations of skilled workers.

4. To provide financial support for our Tibetan, Bhutanese and Nepalese lamas who coordinate acquiring these sacred and precious items.

5. To use funds from sales to further unique projects, related to the preservation and perpetuation of various texts, translations, audio and video archives and so on. In fact, 100% of all profits are to be used to benefit the Dharma, and most specifically the various lineages of Chöd.