Paper short abstract:

This paper presents the collectively made treasure vases by Chinese Han Tibetan Buddhists and their guru, to examine the aesthetics (of moral and effect) produced and appreciated by the group and individuals.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation is going to discuss the treasure vases used in rituals of Ksitigarbha and the Dragon King treasure vases to pray for sentient beings had suffered in the earthquake in Nepal and Tibet in April 2015.

Treasure vase, metaphorically, is the vase of inexhaustible treasures, which represents health, longevity, wealth and wisdom, and emphasizes the symbolic meaning of wealth and abundance. In Tibetan Buddhist paintings, the treasure vase is portrayed as a fat vase with a short, but slim neck. It is said to have a harmonious effect on its surroundings. I have seen many Han Tibetan Buddhists display treasure vases in their rooms. There is also other type of treasure vase of different themes, which is designed to be buried at Fengshui (Fengshui is an ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing everyone and everything with the surrounding environment to collect good lucks and to refrain from ominousness. It is widely used in buildings and graveyards) determined sites of mountain ranges and water bodies. In my fieldwork, treasure vases used for the ritual were collectively sewed and prayed for blessing by the Chinese Tibetan Buddhists and their guru. I made participant observation with the Tibetan Buddhists at the rituals of making treasure vases, and joined them to display treasure vases into the Yellow River, and buried the remaining vases in the Buddhist mountain of Wutai, to explore meanings of these treasure vases to the Tibetan Buddhists, who were both makers and consumers, of the religious objects.