sealing mantra

sealing mantra happened in Dharamsala, India, the capital of exile Tibet. A monk is working on a Sungkhor amulet, a tradional Tibetan Buddhist protection charm that contains a miniature Mandala and Mantras of a specific deity, written on paper in Tibetan script, many times folded, wrapped in colored threads and sealed with wax - hence the candle used to produce the heat necessary for melting.

A Sungkhor is believed to act as a protection wheel, supporting positive conditions and blessings whilst protecting the wearer from negative forces, hostile actions and mental obscurations.

Our monk is meticulously crafting his next amulet, fully dedicated to his valuable work. The new Sungkhor will probably be given to one of the local monks or sold to a passing tourist seeking protection and blessing. In this remote part of the world a passing tourist is likely to be Tibetan him- or herself, as foreigners are a rare breed around here. So we may assume - and hope - that its future wearer will actually experience the blessings and honour the spiritual value of this very Sungkhor and not treat it as a funny cheap souvenir.