This article traces the history of the Bumchu (bum chu, water vase) which is kept at Tashiding (bkra shis sdings) monastery in Sikkim. The vase is said to have been used by Padmasambhava himself and people gather from all over the region for the opening of the vase every year on the night of the 14th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. The beginning of the article briefly summarizes the transmission of Buddhist teachings, particularly of the Nyingma (rnying ma) tradition, to Sikkim. (Ben Deitle 2006-02-16)