These Manjushri tsa tsa molds are beautifully detailed. It is recommended to use clay for making tsa tsas with metal molds. Once blessed, tsa tsa are sacred images and should be treated as such.
Making tsa tsas is considered a meritorious action. Individuals, historically, made pilgrimages to make many tsa tsas in auspicious places.
Instructions:
1. Lightly oil the mold to allow for the tsa tsa to release from the mold. It is important no excess oil collects in recesses in the mold or the tsa tsa will not be well defined.
2. Knead the clay to soften and shape before filling the mold.
3. Press the clay into the mold. There are a couple of options to make it easier to get the tsa tsa to release:
a. Use extra clay to make a base extending approximately 1/2 inches beyond the bottom of the mold to give you something to grab to release the tsa tsa;
b. Add a little handle made of clay to the back of the tsa tsa to give you something to grab to release the tsa tsa or;
c. Use extra clay to allow you to press the tsa tsa down onto a board and this will allow you to lift the mold while leaving the tsa tsa behind. This method requires the trimming of the tsa tsa.
4. To bless the tsa tsa, either make a small hole in the bottom/back and fill with blessed rice or mantra roll and cover the hole OR write or stamp a mantra on the bottom/ back.
5. Carefully remove the tsa tsa from the mold.
6. Dry the tsa tsa completely.
7. Paint or varnish the tsa tsa.
There are lots of videos available online for more detail regarding making tsa tsas.
These are hand made and have some slight variations between items. Molds have some cosmetic finish defects that will not impact the imprint of the tsa tsa.
