Early Tibetan Documents on Phur pa from Dunhuang

The Khadira Wedges and Architectural Lore: Re-Examining the Materials Used in the Making of the Vajrakīla in India, 6–8th Century AD

“…Cathy Cantwell and Robert Mayer note significant descriptions of rituals with prong-like instruments in the Dunhuang manuscripts. 40 When used in rituals for establishing a boundary or subduing the land, they are often symbolically nailed into the ground to pin down earth spirits (Tibetan: sa-bdag, often imagined as serpentine in form). Due to this practice, even though some vajrakīlas were made of perishable materials that could be preserved in the ground, their blades and heads were not damaged during striking.…”

“…45 Dunhuang Tibetan document ITJ331 also mentions using a Khadira (seng ldeng) wedge (phur-pa) to stab the heart of a human figure. 46 ITJ401 records a method to treat severe seizures: "Mix iron powder, gold powder, and brass powder with ordinary powder, have four people hold the limbs of the person with seizures, roast over a fire, shake (the person) above the large fire, and put the (abovementioned) powder into the fire below his body… After three days in the evening, nail five small wedges, tie the limbs and head to the wedges, and fasten five colored strings on top of wedges…" 47 This example of "wedges fastened with five-colored threads" follows the same principle as the previous examples recorded in Sanskrit texts, even though they are used to overcome aversion.…”

“…50 Dunhuang Tibetan scripture ITJ331 is the same case as well. 51 Dunhuang Tibetan scriptures Pt.349 and ITJ.173 use "Rdo rje phur-pa" as a deity. 52 In the Kriyāsam .…”

Effortless Spontaneity: The Dzogchen Commentaries by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe

“…Nevertheless, it must still be emphasized that in the Noble Noose of Methods the term is framed by the ritual context of visualization of and identification with the tantric deities. It will therefore be seen that in the Commentary on the Holy Revered One, Nubchen is reinterpreting several of the key terms relating to mudrā in a 26 Cantwell and Mayer 2008: 36, 142. 27 Cantwell and Mayer 2008: 140-141, 145-146.…”