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VERY RARE TRADITIONAL LARGE 5+" BUDDHIST GHAU GAU AMULET BOX SHRINE HAND CRAFT TIBETAN KHAMPAS

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traditional & authentic Tibetan Buddhist "portable shrine" amulet box
this is a rare item, hard to find and not found elsewhere in eBay
PLEASE NOTE: some of this most current batch from Nepal show some clear staining or discoloration that darkens the tone of the fabric of the outer case, though this in no way affects the beauty of the shrine. THIS IS A MINOR COSMETIC FLAW. But for this reason, I am discounting these.
unique and beautiful shape!!
the silver face of shrine is adorned with the Tibetan symbols for Om Mani Padme Hung
crafted (and probably invented by) Tibetan Khampas who historically led a nomadic life-style, now refugees in Nepal
the sides and back of the beautifully shaped box is made from metal
the pattern of the fabric used to make the case may vary, though all are subtle earth tones
the ghau box is not removed from the case; the case is simply opened
maybe be strung around the neck or tied off to a belt or sash
the box is attached to a long (40 - 42") fabric strap by a brass button closure on each side and it can be removed by unbuttoning
weighs half a pound, unpackaged
Please note: the silver face of the shrine is extremely sculptural, not remotely flat!!
features a small glass window for viewing the deity inside
I currently has shrines for Shakyamuni Buddha or Green Tara, while they last...
the box closed via a fabric loop that goes over a matching brass button
the ghau box is a bit over than 5 inches tall and is 4 inches at the widest point and 1 3/4 in depth
the fabric "necklace" that goes around your neck or onto your belt is 3/4" wide and double layered
brand new and imported directly from Nepal
everything I sell ships free inside the USA!
I ship the same day or next business day, without fail!!
as per eBay policy, buyer pays return shipping
30 day return policy

This is the second style of these Khampa portable shrines (ghaus, gaus, amulet boxes) I currently have in stock and this one is the largest. It has a beautiful shape, sort of a flared rectangle with beautiful curving shape up near the top - please see pictures. The pattern of the fabric used is earthy rusts, browns and/or dark green with a touch of gold. PLEASE NOTE: some of this most current batch from Nepal show some clear staining or discoloration that darkens the tone of the fabric from which the outer case is made. This in no way affects the beauty of the shrine. THIS IS A MINOR COSMETIC FLAW. But for this reason, I am discounting these. In the picture below, left, I have marked in red the Tibetan Symbols for Om Mani Padme Hum. They start at the upper left and go around clock-wise from there. The back side is shown below, center, left. The picture below, right, shows this large shrine placed beside the smaller one I carry that is similar in shape. My third is round and made from bronze (see picture below).

RECENT FEEDBACK:

exactly what I wanted, as always.

The "Khampas", as the people from Kham were known, are regarded as world class horseman and with their horses, they fought a guerilla-style war against the Chinese invaders for many years, just as they have fought against anyone who tried to take control of their lives or their land, on horse-back with outmoded weapons. Their life-style was wonderfully free as they were nomadic, moving their yak, goat or sheep herds from area to area to provide their feed. When they stayed in place briefly, they set up their "tents" made from felt that was created using Yak wool. With this "constantly moving" life-style, it is easy to see why they were the originators of the Portable Shrine Ghau box idea!! For a bit more information about the Khampas and their vanishing life-style, please see below.***

Please note that in the close up picture on the left I have tried to angle the face of the shrine so that you can see how much the symbols stand out from the face - just amazingly crafted!! I also carry a similar, though smaller and lighter ghau shrine that features either Manjushri or Shakyamuni Buddha, if I have both in stock. The pictures below compare that smallest shrine with this biggest one.

To view the ever-increasing collection of Tibetan Buddhist-related items I am currently offering, please visit my Store.

Om Mani Padme Hum ~May all beings have happiness, and the causes of happiness~

As always, please feel free to contact me if I can provide more information. Everything I sell ships free. It is my goal to always ship the next business day, and I rarely fail!

Should you ever be less than satisfied with one of my items, please give me the opportunity to work with you to resolve the situation, before you leave neutral or negative feedback. I want my buyers to be happy with their purchases. If there is EVER a problem, please contact me and you will find me more than willing to work with you to resolve it. My personal ethic requires me to be completely honest in describing the items I sell, but I am also capable of making a mistake. My priority is that you feel that you have received good value and been treated fairly. Thanks for visiting!

ABOUT THE KHAMPAS:

The Khampas (people of Kham), who seem to have a reputation in Asia reminiscent of the Sioux on this continent, are a striking people. Incredibly skilled horse riders, they were also fierce warriors who fought a guerilla war against the Chinese for years in the face of scorched earth tactics and overwhelming odds before being finally crushed. Yet Kham was also filled with monasteries and produced many of the greatest meditation masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhist traditions. Of those who escaped into exile, a number of Khampa Buddhist teachers played key roles in introducing Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

The Kham Tibetans, better known as Khampa/Khamba ཁམས་པ་, number around 2 million. Khampa are traditionally known as the warriors of Tibet. Whether from Beijing or Lhasa, the Khampa have always been resistant to outsiders controlling their land. Throughout their long history, the Khampa have fought and killed anyone who tried to settle in their region.

Tibetan nomads live either in black yak wool tents or in white canvas tents.Their lives are simple and their possessions are few. Inside the tent, there will be a stove in the center. There are no trees in the nomadic regions of Tibet so the main fuel used is dried yak dung. Each morning, the women go and spread yak dung out to be dried. This is one of the most important chores since all the cooking and boiling of water as well as heating the tent depends on the use of dried yak dung. The nomadic regions of Tibet are extremely cold and can often times have snow even in the summer. Outside the tent there is usually a huge long wall of dried yak dung. Often times, Tibetan Buddhist symbols are made in the dried yak dung. Inside the tent there is also a small pile of dried yak dung.

On Feb-11-06 at 05:52:51 PST, seller added the following information: