What are
Namkhas?
◈ A detailed article
Namkha is a thread-cross.
Originating from Bon, pre-Buddhist tradition of Tibet, they were and are widely used in rituals. They are used as offerings to different Bon deities or special protective items.
A Namkha in N. Norbu tradition represents a harmonized energy structure of a person,
which protects from negative influences and brings luck.
*names of aspects are provided according to R.Beer’s “Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs”
A Namkha invites fortune, removes obstacles,
protects and harmonizes one's life
◈ History
You can find similar thread-crosses throughout the world: in India, Africa, North and South America. The shape of thread-crosses may differ, but all of them are made in the same way.
In South America they are called “Ojos de Dios” – “Eyes of God
Slavs also had such charm and called it “Bozhye Oko”, which is translated as “The eye of God”.
As you see, each thread-cross has an “eye” – boldly visible central element.
Many peoples had such item in their culture. It was essential to protect inhabitants’ life from negative powers, illnesses, bring fortune and increase everything positive: prosperity, long life, personal power and other aspects.
Every people had it’s own tradition to empower thread-crosses. Today rituals mostly are lost due to expancy of modern religions.
Tibet and his culture is an exclusion: down to Chinese occupation it saved their unique culture and kept lineages of ancient methods to work with energy. Bon rituals were integrated to Buddhism and survived through ages.
◈ Bon Tradition and origins of Namkhas
Method of Namkhas has been known since ancient times. They are a part of Bon – pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition, which was spread widely in Tibet.
Whereas Buddhism developed much into philosophical teaching, Bon tradion remaind very practical. It had a lot of methods to work with energies of the Nature.
With time Bon methods were integrated to Buddhism and became an organic part of Buddhist teachings. This is how they survived through ages and are still available to practitioners.
However, Bon tradition was mostly not presented to Western Audience, as the genuine lineages of teachings survived only in remote regions of Tibet, India and Nepal and very few scholars reached them.
One of the few books on Bon tradition available now
◈ Namkhai Norbu terma of Namkha
Genuine method to work with energy through Namkhas was discovered by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu – famous master of Tibetan Buddhism. He discovered the Namkha method in 1983.
by means of experiencing mind terma.
Namkhai Norbu received the teaching of Namkha thread crosses through the dream. He got full explanation on how to calculate and construct Namkhas. Also full text of empowerment ritual was received in the dream.
Such masters, having capacity to discover termas, are known as tertons.
C.N.Norbu. Fragment of thangka by Anna Artemyeva.
◈ Meaning of a Namkha
Namkha is translated from Tibetan as “space”. But not only the space that hold planets, stars a and galaxies. It means primordial space, where all object and phenomena appear and disappear.
So each Namkha is an allegory for our life, for everything we have and embrace.
Namkha represents an energy structure of an individual, where all elements are harmonized and balanced.
It means that all aspects of energy are harmonized and balanced, as well as relationship between us and outside world. Between us and space.
◈ The Empowerment ritual
Every Namkha must be empowered with a special ritual– otherwise it won’t work. Ritual requires a transmission from a master in the lineage of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.
Empowerment must be provided on the regular basis – the best option is once a month. The minimum frequency is empowerment once a year.