One of the striking and unique features of the KPC Temple is the extensive crystal collection.  Unlike the crystals displayed at the Smithsonian, these crystals are not just beautiful specimens to be admired.  They were carefully placed to form a grid under Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo’s guidance to aid in anchoring and amplifying universal prayer energy.  While you will not find crystals like this in other Buddhist Temples, crystals are used in Tibetan Buddhism.

During empowerments, spiritual transmissions, a Buddhist master confers “nature of mind” transmission, wherein he holds up a perfectly clear quartz crystal for students to gaze upon.  In this case the clear crystal is symbolic of one’s Primordial Wisdom Nature.

One of the most famous Buddhist text is called the Diamond Cutter Sutra.  It is a text on emptiness.  The diamond, the hardest substance known, is symbolic of the indestructible wisdom nature.  The nature of a diamond is indestructible and perfectly clear – like our primordial wisdom nature, which is pristine and pure.

Another common use of crystals in the Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhist tradition is prayer beads or malas.  Malas are often made of crystals, such as clear quartz, amethyst, rose quartz.  The crystal is selected for the specific qualities, which the student wishes to cultivate, such as clarity, compassion, and purification.