Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 am
- Location: Southern Oregon
Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
I'm concerned that commercially available metal kapalas are not food-grade and so they may leach toxins into the amrita to be taken during the "taking the accomplishments" section of the sadhana. Has anyone else who's doing more elaborate sadhana practice had any thoughts about this and come up with a solution? I'm wondering if there's any reason I couldn't just use a small, short jar in place of a kapala. My lama is away and incommunicado for a short time, so I'll have to wait a bit to ask him. So for now, anyone have any thoughts on this?
Pema Rigdzin/Brian Pittman
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
A skull without a metal lining.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:39 am
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
You can always coat the metal kapala with melted wax , as way to avoid contacting the liquid to the metal .
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
I had this problem - the taste told me there was something wrong. So I painted the inside with polyeurethane varnish. Even a few years later the new bad taste was disgusting. It was OK after about 20 years. (Not exaggerating.)
Think before painting, that was my lesson that I pass on to you now!
Think before painting, that was my lesson that I pass on to you now!
All best wishes
"The profundity of your devotion to your lama is not measured by your ability to turn a blind eye."
"The profundity of your devotion to your lama is not measured by your ability to turn a blind eye."
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
You can also use a nice crystal bowl, or even a plastic cup as a support since ultimately it is all about mind...
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
I'm using a small mason jar while I'm saving up for a real bone kapala.
The profound path of the master.
-- Virūpa, Vajra Lines
-- Virūpa, Vajra Lines
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Possible to use alternative vessels, but there are some good ceramic kapalas available now, which would be less 'chemical' than a resin one, for example.
With a real kapala, source is important. I wouldn't want to be using one from a grave-robbing, executed criminal, etc. Same with all the bone implements as far as I'm concerned.
With a real kapala, source is important. I wouldn't want to be using one from a grave-robbing, executed criminal, etc. Same with all the bone implements as far as I'm concerned.
http://www.khyung.com ཁྲོཾ
Om Thathpurushaya Vidhmahe
Suvarna Pakshaya Dheemahe
Thanno Garuda Prachodayath
Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ (मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्)
Om Thathpurushaya Vidhmahe
Suvarna Pakshaya Dheemahe
Thanno Garuda Prachodayath
Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ (मिच्छामि दुक्कडम्)
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:39 am
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Another approach is to place a small vessel of ceramic or glass in it and fill the kapala with rice to hold it in place .
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Use a glass tea light insert.Pema Rigdzin wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 5:01 am I'm concerned that commercially available metal kapalas are not food-grade and so they may leach toxins into the amrita to be taken during the "taking the accomplishments" section of the sadhana. Has anyone else who's doing more elaborate sadhana practice had any thoughts about this and come up with a solution? I'm wondering if there's any reason I couldn't just use a small, short jar in place of a kapala. My lama is away and incommunicado for a short time, so I'll have to wait a bit to ask him. So for now, anyone have any thoughts on this?
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 am
- Location: Southern Oregon
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Shortly after I posted this, this occurred as a possible option. Great minds think alike! Thanks for your input.aussiebloke wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 8:28 pm Another approach is to place a small vessel of ceramic or glass in it and fill the kapala with rice to hold it in place .
Pema Rigdzin/Brian Pittman
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 am
- Location: Southern Oregon
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
In that case, I think a small mason jar (about 2 inches high, 2 inches wide) should do the trick. And it has a lid to keep the Amrita from evaporating, or spilling if I bump my little puja table.Malcolm wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 8:43 pmUse a glass tea light insert.Pema Rigdzin wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 5:01 am I'm concerned that commercially available metal kapalas are not food-grade and so they may leach toxins into the amrita to be taken during the "taking the accomplishments" section of the sadhana. Has anyone else who's doing more elaborate sadhana practice had any thoughts about this and come up with a solution? I'm wondering if there's any reason I couldn't just use a small, short jar in place of a kapala. My lama is away and incommunicado for a short time, so I'll have to wait a bit to ask him. So for now, anyone have any thoughts on this?
Pema Rigdzin/Brian Pittman
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 am
- Location: Southern Oregon
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Thanks for the input, guys!
Pema Rigdzin/Brian Pittman
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
In our community everybody uses those small bottles which one can buy in a pharmacy.
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:19 am
- Location: Southern Oregon
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Not sure what you're referring to, Ayu. Could you post a picture of what you mean?
Pema Rigdzin/Brian Pittman
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Pema Rigdzin wrote: ↑Sat Nov 03, 2018 10:29 pmNot sure what you're referring to, Ayu. Could you post a picture of what you mean?
Looks like this, but one imagines it's a skull.
-
- Posts: 2229
- Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:19 pm
- Location: Lafayette, CO
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
It's a common practice these days to put a ceramic bowl or glass jar inside a kapala, even lined ones. Nevertheless and even in that case, the kapala is an important part of the sadhana and definitely has an effect on the outcome. Yes, you can do without it, but better if you use one. My Teacher was quite specific about this. Even the type of kapala (shape, color, lines, male, female, etc.) is important in terms of quickness of outcomes. There are Lamas who are expert in choosing kapalas. In addition, there are tests to determine if a given kapala is "right" for a given practitioner.
The fact that these kinds of samaya substances and "ingredients" are becoming harder and harder to source is just part of the degeneration of the Kali Yuga. According to my Teacher, getting the right implements and accessories is an expression of the practice of the paramita of tsondru (perseverance). Some practitioners (including high Lamas) spend many years and lots of money accumulating all the right equipment for certain Vajrayana practices. We are talking about ceremonial magic after all.
The fact that these kinds of samaya substances and "ingredients" are becoming harder and harder to source is just part of the degeneration of the Kali Yuga. According to my Teacher, getting the right implements and accessories is an expression of the practice of the paramita of tsondru (perseverance). Some practitioners (including high Lamas) spend many years and lots of money accumulating all the right equipment for certain Vajrayana practices. We are talking about ceremonial magic after all.
Pema Chophel པདྨ་ཆོས་འཕེལ
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
If you are going to paint, it is better to use enamel paint, like that used on stove tops.Lingpupa wrote: ↑Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:44 am I had this problem - the taste told me there was something wrong. So I painted the inside with polyeurethane varnish. Even a few years later the new bad taste was disgusting. It was OK after about 20 years. (Not exaggerating.)
Think before painting, that was my lesson that I pass on to you now!
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Does your teacher recommend using a metal-lined kapala or an unlined one?pemachophel wrote: ↑Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:45 pm It's a common practice these days to put a ceramic bowl or glass jar inside a kapala, even lined ones. Nevertheless and even in that case, the kapala is an important part of the sadhana and definitely has an effect on the outcome. Yes, you can do without it, but better if you use one. My Teacher was quite specific about this. Even the type of kapala (shape, color, lines, male, female, etc.) is important in terms of quickness of outcomes. There are Lamas who are expert in choosing kapalas. In addition, there are tests to determine if a given kapala is "right" for a given practitioner.
The fact that these kinds of samaya substances and "ingredients" are becoming harder and harder to source is just part of the degeneration of the Kali Yuga. According to my Teacher, getting the right implements and accessories is an expression of the practice of the paramita of tsondru (perseverance). Some practitioners (including high Lamas) spend many years and lots of money accumulating all the right equipment for certain Vajrayana practices. We are talking about ceremonial magic after all.
Aghori, for example, just use a plain skull cap. Doing away with the possibility of ingesting toxic metals, although I don't belive it is much of an issue for them....
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
Anything from human bones is illegal in Germany, AFAIK. We are only allowed to burry or cremate human bones - or to use them for science with certain permission.
But anyhow, thank you @all for this thread. I wasn't informed yet about this, but that dosn't mean anything 'cause I'm an absolute beginner and in addition I do not understand much.
Now I'm inspired to draw a skull and patch it on my little bottle. I think, that's nice.
They also sell nice little metal bowls with ornaments, but I wasn't attracted to buy such.
But anyhow, thank you @all for this thread. I wasn't informed yet about this, but that dosn't mean anything 'cause I'm an absolute beginner and in addition I do not understand much.
Now I'm inspired to draw a skull and patch it on my little bottle. I think, that's nice.
They also sell nice little metal bowls with ornaments, but I wasn't attracted to buy such.
Re: Alternative to possibly toxic metal kapalas
I made a kapala once using copper sheet. It is quite easy. I just used a rounded skull sized rock to beat the copper sheet over and then I painted the outside with white enamel paint and left the inside copper red. Copper actually purifies anything placed in it, that is why saddhu urns and ayurvedic cups are made from it.Ayu wrote: ↑Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:07 am Anything from human bones is illegal in Germany, AFAIK. We are only allowed to burry or cremate human bones - or to use them for science with certain permission.
But anyhow, thank you @all for this thread. I wasn't informed yet about this, but that dosn't mean anything 'cause I'm an absolute beginner and in addition I do not understand much.
Now I'm inspired to draw a skull and patch it on my little bottle. I think, that's nice.
They also sell nice little metal bowls with ornaments, but I wasn't attracted to buy such.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde