Tsatsa (Sacred Clay Molds)

Lopen Sonam Tshering

Oct 19

1 min read

The making of sacred clay molds is an ancient and labour-intensive Buddhist practice. For these sculptures, clay is gathered from sacred sites across Bhutan and combined with precious stones, medicinal plants, and holy water, which is also collected from sacred sites. The clay is then pressed into molds to create images of enlightened beings. This transformation of ordinary earth into sacred form is understood as a practice that purifies negative karma.

The images depicted in these molds are the Tse Lha Nam Sum, the sacred triad of longevity deities. They were created as an offering for the longevity of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on the occasion of His Majesty’s 70th Birth Anniversary. Following their creation, they will be used as inner relics for Project 108, an initiative through which 108 temples will be consecrated in a single day.