Human bone ritual implements are sacred instruments crafted from human bones, primarily used within the esoteric practices of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Their purpose is to remind practitioners of the impermanence of life and to inspire deeper dedication to spiritual cultivation—just like the skull images painted in monastery lavatories for the same purpose.
Ordinary Tibetan Buddhists typically do not use such implements. According to the tradition, only bones from individuals with exceptional spiritual attainment—such as high-ranking lamas who vowed to donate their remains for religious purposes—can be used.
Importantly, the use of human bone must be entirely voluntary. It is strictly forbidden to buy bones or obtain them through violence. In Tibet, where sky burials are common, bones left uneaten by vultures may be used to create these ritual items.
The tradition of crafting human bone implements largely disappeared after the Cultural Revolution in China. Today, this practice has become increasingly rare and symbolic.
Due to their scarcity and sacred status, these implements are highly prized by serious Vajrayana practitioners and collectors alike. For instance, in 2005, a skull-drum was priced at RMB 8,000 in some Tibetan ritual artifact shops in Guangzhou.
Types of Human Bone Implements
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Human Bone Robe
The "Robe of Bones" unearthed at Litang Monastery was crafted from over 400 brow bones.
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Human Skin Drum
Also called the Yin-Yang Drum, this instrument is made from the skulls of a spiritually realized man and woman, and used in tantric rituals.
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Human Bone Trumpet
Known as a femur trumpet, it is made from the thighbone of a young girl who died unexpectedly. It is used to summon spirits or tame demonic forces in rituals.
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Skull Cup (Kapala)
Made from a human cranium and often gilded or adorned with jewels, the kapala symbolizes compassion and emptiness in tantric practice. The name "Kapala" is a phonetic borrowing from Sanskrit.
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Skull Drum (Damaru)
Crafted from a pair of human skull caps, this drum is used in exorcisms and summoning rites. It is also referred to as the “Kapala Drum.”
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Human Bone Rosary (Mala)
These prayer beads are made from finger or brow bones of realized lamas. Finger bones are used because lamas use their fingers to count mantras and perform mudras; brow bones are sacred because they are linked to insight and perception. Due to their small size, it takes bones from many lamas—sometimes over 100—to create a complete mala of brow bones.
Each bead is hand-ground, a process that can take many years. The brow bone mala is particularly rare; creating one may span generations, with one monk continuing the work of his predecessor.
Excerpt from a Conversation Between Buddhist Master and Writer Lin Qingxuan:
“This is a human bone mala,” the master said. “It is a unique type of rosary in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Many of our ritual tools are made from human bone.”
“Why use human bones instead of ordinary materials?”
The master smiled. “Not just any bone can be used. Only the remains of accomplished lamas—who have made vows before death—are suitable.”
“Human bone malas are more spiritually potent than regular ones. They constantly remind practitioners of life’s impermanence. No matter how advanced one’s practice, the body still ages and dies. So each time you count a bead, you do so with urgency and reverence.”
“Moreover, because they’re made from sacred remains, these malas have powerful energy for dispelling evil. During death rites, their spiritual efficacy in aiding the dead and protecting the living is immeasurable.”
“In Tibet, offering one’s body to nature after death through sky burial is a meritorious act. Some lamas vow not only to offer their bodies to vultures but also to donate their remaining bones to be made into dharma instruments.”
Only two bone parts are used in mala making:
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Brow Bone (Glabella): It connects to spiritual vision and insight.
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Finger Bones: Used in mantra recitation, mudra gestures, and ritual practice.
“The skull is opened, and the brow bone is carefully removed. It’s extremely hard and must be hand-shaped over many years. The monk shaping it will recite mantras with each stroke—sometimes tens or hundreds of thousands of them—charging each bead with deep spiritual energy.”
“When one lama finishes shaping a bead, it is stored in a sacred reliquary. When another lama passes, his bone is added and shaped into the next bead. It could take over a century, and contributions from more than 100 lamas, to complete a full string of 108 brow-bone beads.”
“No wonder such a mala possesses awe-inspiring power—it’s a physical embodiment of accumulated vows, practice, and compassion passed down through generations.”
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