About Chöd Damarus

The Chöd damaru is one of the key ritual instruments for the practice of Chöd, which was established by the Tibetan yogini Machig Labdron. It is one of the most powerful and effective practices for developing non-attachment, overcoming self-grasping and cutting the self-cherishing mind.

During this Tibetan tantric meditation practice, practitioners visualise their bodies transformed into food and other desirable objects for unseen beings to enjoy. This visualisation of sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others assists our cultivation of Bodhicitta.

Usually played with the right hand, the Chöd drum summons dakas and dakinis to the dance of ego-annihilation and summons spirits to the great feast. The sound of the drum represents impermanence and the cutting of our ego.

The long tail-like ornament is the pendant (chopen) which represents the victory banner proclaiming triumph in vanquishing our inner maras. It is made from five-coloured silk fabric, representing the five Buddha families - Vairochana (white), Amoghasiddhi (green), Amitabha (red), Ratnasambhava (yellow) and Akshobhya (blue).

Further Reading

• Wisdom from an old lady by Tsem Rinpoche
• The founder of Chöd: Machig Labdron
• A study on Chöd practice
• Kyabje Zong Rinpoche explains and performs Chöd (video)

• Material: Himalayan acacia wood
• Length (including tail): 1150 mm (45.3-in)
• Diameter: 225 mm (8.9-in)
• Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lb)