Just as the Mani stone, the 'Tsatsa'is also ubiquitously revered by the Tibetan people. However the two objects are differentiated by three aspects:

First, the Mani stone is a natural white-stone; while the Tsatsa is a artifact. Second, the Mani stone varies very much in size; while the Tsatsa is usually small-sized.

Third, the Mani stone is usually fixed in a place; while the Tsatsa can be carried about.

Tsatsa is the pronunciation of a Sanskrit word, the exact meaning of which is hard to convey. It roughly means small clay molded Buddha statue. By and large, the quality of clay is essential to the Quality of the finished products. For example, the Tsatsa in Maizhokanggar County is very famous, mainly because of the superb clay quality there. The concave formed dies should be prepared in advance, which can be of either copper, or iron or wooden; and which should be in different shapes. Then you just fill the clay into the die and dry it. Then a Tsatsa in made. However, this kind of Tsatsa is not robust enough. People usually bake it into pottery, making it both robust and beautiful. There is colored Tsatsa, looking more beautiful. The raw material and technology also vary with the place. The expert can tell the original place of making by looking at its clay quality, baking extent, shape and color, etc.

Clay is the basic material of making Tsatsa. Most of them are made of mere clay. However. There are also some valuable materials added to the clay, such as gold, silver, pearls, gems, coral, agate, and so on. There are a more sacred and religious Tsatsa, which are made of a mixture of bone ash of Living Buddhas and clay. Among all, the top class one is called Butsa, which uses a very rare material: the clay mixed with the salt lump fully steeped with the Living Buddha抯 blood and body water and valuable Tibetan herbs. This can be only from very few Living Buddhas, such as the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, who are mostly consigned with the stupa burial. Before burying the passed-away Living Buddha into the stupa, his body should be carefully processed, during which the salt and the Tibetan herbs will be used to absorb the blood and body water in the corpse. Tsatsa made of this blended material is regarded as priceless. To most believers, this kind of holy Tsatsa can cure all and ward off all evils.

In short, the Tsatsa is a shrine of the Tibetan people, which is consecrated in Holy Mountains, deity halls, and monasteries; river- or lake-side, middle of the path or crossroad. For those place on the middle of the path or the cross roads, people build a kind of special shrine hall called Tsakham to enshrine them. Some Tsatsas will be placed inside of giant Buddha statues or stupas; while some are carried about with the people as their talisman. In general, it just as the Mani stone and prayer-flag, serves as an important prayer apoproach of the Tibetan people.