Pendants & Amulets

An amulet is an object to which something has been entrusted. Protection, strength, an intention, a connection to something larger than oneself. This practice is as old as humanity and is found in every culture in the world. In Tibetan Buddhism it has reached a particular depth and precision, with a rich tradition of symbols, mantras and consecrated objects passed down over centuries.

Tibetan pendants and amulets take many forms. The endless knot, one of the eight Tibetan symbols of good fortune, symbolises the inseparable connection of wisdom and compassion and the endlessness of life. The dorje as a pendant carries the indestructible power of the awakened mind close to the body. The Om symbol, the most sacred sound in Sanskrit, recalls the connection with the origin of all things. The lotus flower stands for purity and for the capacity to rise from the mud of daily life into flower.

Particularly meaningful are ghau pendants, small Tibetan reliquary containers in silver or brass. Inside a ghau is a folded mantra, a small image of a deity or a consecrated substance. Whoever wears a ghau carries a whole practice on the body. In Tibet it is customary for lamas or spiritual teachers to consecrate the contents of a ghau and so to bless it personally.

Choosing an amulet is a personal decision. Some people choose a symbol that fits their practice. Others follow an intuition, a sense of attraction that arises at first sight. Both ways are right.

At tibet-markets.ch we carry pendants and amulets in various materials and finishes, all handmade and carefully chosen. We are glad to advise you personally if you are looking for the right piece for yourself or as a gift.