| Buddha's Khakkhara | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Gautama Buddha |
|
Type |
Metal Ringed Staff |
|
Effects |
Apathy Dissipation |
|
Downsides |
Subsonic Agitation |
|
Activation |
Contact / Impact |
|
Collected by |
|
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
Aum-7849 |
|
Shelf |
670454-7604-995 |
|
Date of Collection |
January 6. 2014 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Gautama Buddha lived in the 5th-4th century BC of ancient India. Originally born into a royal family, suffering was unknown to him outside the palace walls. On witnessing famine and death for the first time, Buddha renounced his worldly possessions and status to live as a wandering monk in search of answers. Doctrine states he meditated for seven days under a fig tree until he achieved enlightenment. Dukkha was all the stress caused by physical cravings, existential angst and emotional trauma. But abiding by rules of meditation, reflection and detachment allowed one break free from their suffering.
Typically carried by practicing Buddhist monks, the khakkara is a staff connected to chained rings at the top. Each amount represented a specific set of teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, Six Perfections or twelvefold chain of cause and effect. Many were rattled to scare off animals or alert travelers for donation requests. A presiding abbot would strike the ground three times at congregations as a symbol of breaking ignorance, or to keep in rhythm with sutra chants. A monk could also use it as a weapon for blocking and blunt strikes.
Effects[]
Soothes one’s desires into tranquil numbness. All their ambition and laziness alike just flow away. Momentary bliss, detached from one’s worries. All they are aware of is the immediate present. Possibilities of a serene future trickle through, many substituting liveliness for suffering.
Shaking the staff hard or rattling the rings will create an intense sound wave. Nothing too high pitched, but with enough decibel clank to shatter glass and cause splitting blackouts.
Collection[]
Supposedly, the city of Nagara once held Buddha’s own khakkara during the odysseys of Faxian. Made of sandalwood and 16-17 hand widths long, 1000 men could not lift it from residence. It disappeared from monastery records sometime in the 13th century.
At some point, it was placed on traveling exhibition detailing the history of Buddhist teachings. On display was the staff, alongside a prized jewel. Seasoned thieves Joeseph and Simon Barlett infiltrated the hosting museum and tried to steal the artwork. Unknown to them, the jangling of the rings’ knocked out Joeseph and triggered the security alarms. Father Simon left Joeseph in the locked down room while he absconded with the exhibit. Shortly after, Mrs. Frederic visited him in lockup with an offer – use his skills with an expunged record for their missions, or return to prison. The latter was chosen.