Amitayus holds the ambrosia vase, or tshe bum, his special emblem. From its lid fall four strings of beads representing sacred pills. This vase is used for all life-prolonging ceremonies, in which the consecrated water becomes transformed into an elixir or nectar. In such a ceremony the vase held by Amitayus is connected by a cord to the heart of the officiating priest or monk. Through this cord the life power passes from the divine source to the mortal body. The chanted liturgy describes the process thus: “…it overflows with wavelets of white nectar, which enter into me through the hole of Brahman in the top of my head; it in turn dissolves into the wheel in my heart, with its seed and garland of the mantra; from this there falls a s! tream of nectar which fills up the entire inside of my body and washes its entire outside, so that it cleanses and makes pure all the sins, obscurations, diseases, and impediments to life which I have accumulated from beginningless time; it restores my life and merit and renews the vows and pledges I have broken, and I gain the magical attainment of deathless life.”
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