A Guide to Self-Consecration Filling for Sacred Tibetan Statues
Complete Instructions for Filling and Blessing Buddha Statues
Before You Begin
This guide is intended for devotees who do not have access to a qualified lama to perform the traditional consecration ceremony.
Note: If you can find an empowered lama to conduct the filling, that is always the preferred and most auspicious method.
I. Preparations Before Consecration
Note: The quantity and sizes of items in a specific pack vary according to the statue's name and size.
Tibetan Buddha Statue Filling & Consecration Pack - Items List:
- a. Mantra scrolls - organize all the Mantra Scrolls in numerical order. If the number is obscured, please refer to the Tibetan-English reference list.①
- b. Yellow Stick - The core pillar, representing the spine
- c. Various medicinal powders and mani pills in colored plastic bags.
- d. Five Individual Mandala paper
- e. No. H82 - 1 yellow sheet of four-interlinked-mandalas pattern.②
① Due to the limited internal space of the small-sized statue, we consolidate multiple mantras onto a few scrolls to minimize the volume.
② The small-sized Buddha statue (below 23cm height) does not include this paper.
To fill the remaining space inside the statue, we recommend using dried tea leaves. They are standardized, easy to obtain, and resistant to insect infestation.
- Cover the statue's face to prevent scratches and damage.
- Place the statue in a stable, upside-down position for easy and safe filling.
- Open the baseplate of the statue, clean the hollow interior to ensure it is pure.
Play it throughout the entire consecration ceremony.
Maintain a clean and hygienic environment.
Filling a 70cm-tall Amitayus Buddha Statue
II. The Ritual Process of Consecration
The sacred consecration process of a Buddha statue begins with placing a relic or mani pill into the crown, symbolizing the Buddha's enlightened mind. The statue is then meticulously filled with mantra rolls, including those specific to the head, throat, heart, and the particular Buddha the statue represents.
To ensure no voids remain, layers of fine incense powder or tea are packed between each stratum of mantras. Precious substances such as a precious pill, crushed semi-precious stones, and gold leaf are placed within the lotus base. The cavity is further anointed with fragrant incenses before the 'Five Mandalas' are positioned, crowned by a vajra seal.
Finally, the opening is covered with yellow silk, and the base is securely sealed using natural glue, ensuring the sacred contents remain intact for eternity.
Back to TopIII. Elaborate Directions
16cm - Consecration Pack Items Position - For 16cm Height Statue
Filling Sequence for a 16cm Statue:
- A. White mani pill (Brain)
- B. Red mani pill (Throat)
- C. Green mani pill (Heart)
- D. No. 40 scroll of head and throat
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Spine
- B. Longest scroll (Contains all mantras for the upper and lower body)
- C. Yellow, orange, and beige mani pills
- D. Scrolls: No. 15, 17, 19 + Specific Buddha mantra (e.g., Medicine Buddha mantra is No. 043)
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- E. Place the 5 mandalas according to the image sequence, with Mandalas 1-4 facing the statue's head, and Mandala 5 facing the statue's base.
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder... Ensure no empty space remains.
- A. Close the base cover and glue it around the edges.
- B. Cover the entire base with yellow cloth, trimming off any excess.
- C. Stamp the center of the yellow cloth with a crossed vajra seal.
- END
24cm - Consecration Pack Items Position - For 24cm Height Statue
Filling Sequence for a 23cm Statue
- A. White mani pill (Brain)
- B. Scrolls 1–3
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Red mani pill (Throat)
- B. Scrolls 4–7
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Green mani pill (Heart)
- B. Scrolls 8–13, specific Buddha mantra (e.g., White Tara mantra is No. 051)
- C. Yellow stick (Spine)
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Yellow, orange, and beige mani pills
- B. Scrolls 14, 15, 17, 19
- C. Remaining scrolls
- D. White, red, yellow, and green medicinal powders
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- E. Place the five mandalas according to the diagram: Mandalas 1–4 facing the statue's head, Mandala 5 facing the base.
- ...Fill with tea leaves or incense powder until no space remains...
- a. Close the base cover and glue it around the edges.
- b. Cover the entire base with yellow cloth, trimming off any excess.
- c. Stamp the center of the yellow cloth with a crossed vajra seal.
- END
Filling Sequence for a 33cm (and above) Statue
- A. White mani pill (Brain)
- B. Scrolls 1–3
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Red mani pill (Throat)
- B. Scrolls 4–7
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Green mani pill (Heart)
- B. Scrolls 8–13, specific Buddha mantra (e.g., White Tara mantra is No. 051)
- C. Yellow stick (Spine)
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- A. Yellow, orange, and beige mani pills
- B. Scrolls 14, 15, 17, 19
- C. Remaining scrolls
- D. White, red, yellow, and green medicinal powders
- ...Fill a layer of tea leaves or incense powder...
- E. Fold and insert H82 yellow mandala paper
- F. Place the five mandalas according to the diagram: Mandalas 1–4 facing the statue's head, Mandala 5 facing the base.
- ...Fill with tea leaves or incense powder until no space remains...
- a. Close the base cover and glue it around the edges.
- b. Cover the entire base with yellow cloth, trimming off any excess.
- c. Stamp the center of the yellow cloth with a crossed vajra seal.
- END