Playing with a Human Skull?

Not long ago, I stumbled upon an old article I had posted — and let me tell you, I was stunned!

Apparently, quite a few people were intrigued — some were eager to try it out, others felt uncomfortable, and of course, there were those who immediately mocked it:

"Why don’t you just polish a human skull while you're at it?"

Well... hold on, because that's actually a real practice.

This topic sparked a heated discussion among collectors, raising a key question:
Is it really appropriate to collect and handle a human skull as a form of art or spiritual object?

Some believed:

"Nothing good can come from playing with human bones."

Others argued:

"It’s deeply disrespectful to the deceased."

However, one comment caught my attention — someone mentioned that in Tibetan culture, the human skull is actually revered as a sacred ritual item.

Coincidentally, just today I came across a post where someone was looking to purchase a "Tobpa Bowl".
At first, I had no idea what that was.
After doing some research, I was shocked to learn: the Tobpa Bowl is none other than the Kapala — a sacred Tibetan ritual bowl made from a human skull, often adorned with crystal, gold, and other precious materials.
It is also known as an Inner Offering Skull Cup.

Traditionally, a Kapala holds offerings like nectar, sacred pills, precious substances, Tibetan incense, barley wine, butter, red wine, white wine, or even milk.
For Tibetan practitioners, a human skull cup symbolizes offering the nectar of wisdom and prosperity, representing both protection and abundance.

Of course... it’s still made from a real human skull.

But it's important to note: not just any skull can be used.
According to tradition, the human skull must be voluntarily donated by a high monk or a revered spiritual practitioner.

This brings to mind Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty — a historical figure often cited as an example of non-consensual use.
Imagine having your human skull taken after death without permission and turned into a ritual item — it’s easy to see why this can stir strong emotions.

Thus, one of the biggest controversies surrounding the Kapala is authenticity:
How can we be sure the human skull was willingly donated by a revered monk?

For some devotees, a human skull transformed into a Kapala is a sacred vessel, a bridge to higher spiritual realms.
For others, it’s an unsettling reminder of mortality and a violation of human dignity.

In today’s collector circles, some people genuinely revere and cherish their human skull bowls, carefully polishing them to a beautiful patina over time.

Among collectors, high-quality Kapalas are judged based on:

• No visible cracks

• Semi-translucent, jade-like texture ("jadeification")

• Absence of marrow holes

Still, no matter how exquisite the craftsmanship, for many outsiders, the idea of playing with a human skull is simply unthinkable.

Perhaps some things are not meant to be "played with" at all.