Like the Mani stone, “chacha” is also spread throughout Tibet, and is worshipped by people. It is similar to the Mani stone, the difference being that, the Mani stone is natural white stone, while “chacha” is an artifact. Mani stones can come in many different sizes, but the “chacha” generally is small. The Mani stones are usually placed in fixed positions, but people can carry the “chacha” with them.

The pronunciation of “chacha” originates from Sanskrit and refers to a Buddha statue made of clay. The better the original clay material, the better the “chacha”, and here Meizhukongka County stands above all other Tibetan areas. A concave mould must be prepared first, and these are made of copper, iron or wood; the moulds vary with the type of “chacha” required. The process of making them is very simple: pack wet mud into the mould and then leave it to dry. However, a firing process is usually necessary for the semi finished product to be stable enough to turn from a small clay Buddha into a pottery one. In this way, the “chacha” becomes solid and beautiful. Besides the self-colored type, a colored version is also available. The colors include black, red, blue, etc. In addition, the surfaces of some “chacha” are decorated with colorful paintings. The production materials and processes have obvious regional characteristics, and people familiar with “chacha” can identify the production place according to the soil texture, extent of firing, appearance, color, etc.

Clay is not the only material that can be used. The “chacha” only made of clay are common and widely available, but some become precious because additional materials used, such as gold, silver, pearls, gemstone, coral, etc. There are also a more precious and sacred “chacha” better reflecting the religious significance. This kind of “chacha” is made of the bone ashes of a Living Buddha mixed with clay. The top-class “chacha” is called “cloth tsha”, and outshines all others. The “cloth cha” is special because of the production materials including clay, blood of the Living Buddha, salt and precious Tibetan medicine. The Living Buddha‘s referred to here are the few Dalai and Panchen Lama's qualified for dagoba burial. Before this takes place, the body of the Living Buddha must receive rigorous treatment, i. e., the blood must be drained off and the body interior dried by using salt and Tibetan medicine, etc. Believers regard such noble and sacred “chacha” as capable of curing all diseases and resisting all evils.

A “chacha” is a holy object expressing the desires of Tibetans, and is generally enshrined and worshiped in such places as a holy mountain, river and lake, monastery, middle road, and intersection. ”Cha health” buildings similar to dwellings are specially built for their storage. Some “chacha” are stored in large Buddha statues and pagodas. People take some with them, regarding them as a kind of good-luck amulet. In short, “chacha”, Mani stones and prayer flags are regarded as important ways of praying for Tibetans.