A bronze mirror. Melong མེ་ལོང་ (Wylie Me long). 13 x 7.5 cm. The mirror is used by the Lord of Death in Buchen performances in Spiti as a karmic mirror, relecting the life and the good and bad deeds of someone who has just died. Whether it was used in Lama Mani readings is unknown. This particular mirror was used by Buchen Pema Tsewang as a healing device, bound to the waist of children suffering from liver problems. (Pema Tsewang was a nagpa (Wylie sngags pa), a tantric practitioner and healer as well as a Lama Manipa) . Creation dates: Early 18th century. Actual date unknown but suggested by current owner.
Custodial history: An item owned by the family of Buchen Pema Tsewang and passed down through generations of Lama Mani in Tibet. Following his death the material has been handed down to his son Pema Choephel who is not a practising Lama Manipa.
Extent and format of original material: One mirror.
Owner(s) of original material: Pema Choephel. Material inherited from his late father, the Lama Manipa Buchen Pema Tsewang.
