Pumba 寶瓶

pumba

Pumba (Wyl. bum pa; Skt. kalaśa) — a sacred water vase used for ritual practices and initiations.

Although identical in appearance, there are two kinds of water vases: the ‘chief’ or ‘main vase’, or tso bum, and the ‘activity’ or ‘working vase’, the lé bum. The main vase is the support for the visualization of the mandala of deities. The activity vase is used for water purification during the different stages of the ritual. In the new Nyingtik tradition, the main vase is placed at the centre of the mandala house or shrine for ceremonies such as empowerment. The activity vase, used by the chöpön, is usually placed on the vajra master’s table.

A white, blue, yellow, red or green silk ribbon is tied around the neck of the vase, to accord with the Buddha family lineage to which the main yidam deity of that mandala is assigned.

Also see twenty-five ingredients of the pumba.