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These yogis visualize, while reciting verses and mantras of the tantric ritual, that they dismantle their ego. They blow the trumpet to summon spirits and other beings inhabiting the charnel ground and offer them their visualized cut-up body as an offering. They also rhythmically rotate the drum to beat it at appropriate moments of their ritual, which aids in transforming their perceptions.
Leg Bone Trumpet (Kang Ling)
OriginTibet
Date18th-19th century
Dimensions14 1/4 × 3 × 3 1/2 in.
MediumHuman bone, copper, coral, leather
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Robert and Lois Bayils
Object numberSC2019.3.2
Project Himalayan Arthttps://projecthimalayanart.rubinmuseum.org/related/leg-bone-trumpet-kang-ling/
DescriptionBuddhist practitioners who engage in the practice of "cutting the ego" (chod) use implements such as this during their meditation and rituals. Traditionally, they would engage in this practice at charnel grounds, places where dead bodies decompose or are eaten by vultures, to facilitate their experiences.These yogis visualize, while reciting verses and mantras of the tantric ritual, that they dismantle their ego. They blow the trumpet to summon spirits and other beings inhabiting the charnel ground and offer them their visualized cut-up body as an offering. They also rhythmically rotate the drum to beat it at appropriate moments of their ritual, which aids in transforming their perceptions.
mid-19th century
19th century (?)
18th or 19th century
18th or 19th century
19th century
18th century
17th century
ca. 17th century
Date unknown
ca. 18th century
18th - 19th century