In Vajrayana Buddhism and Bon, a purba (Skt. kila) is a ritual three-bladed dagger or stake used to subdue or pin down the spirits of the earth during rituals, or when demarcating sacred space for mandalas or temples. Purba daggers are also personified in the deity Vajrakila, the “Vajra Dagger.”

Published November 10, 2022

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