|
The following is the sequence of dances at Paro
Tshechu. Most dances are the same at others Tshechus, but the sequence
varies.
Day One
1.
Shinje Yab Yum : Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort
Costume
: buffalo mask and long brocade dress
Jambayang or the Bodhisattva
Manjusri represents the body of wisdom of all Buddhas. In another, more
wrathful form, he is the lord of death, Shinje. The dance is about the role
of Jambayang as the lord of the dead. He is the ruler of the three worlds
and protector of the four continents. He blesses the continents before the
arrival on earth of the gods of wisdom.
2.
Durdag
: Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds
Costume : white skull masks,
short shirts and boots
There are eight large cremation
grounds at the periphery of the symbolic mandala where the assembly of
secret tantric deities reside. In these grounds, dwell numerous beings who
are bound by oath to protect the religion (Chhokyong). Among them are the
Lords of the Cremation Grounds. True to the oath they have taken, these
lords subjugate demonic enemies who violate the doctrine. They offer their
vanquished foes to the gods of the Mandala who reduce them to a mere name.
3.
Zshana : Dance of the Black Hats
Costume : large black hat,
felt boots and long, colourful brocade dress
The Black Hat dancers assume the
appearance of yogis who are empowered to make and take life. They subdue
those who cannot be led to Buddha field through peaceful means. In this they
show an external anger that is compassionate in nature because of the
ultimate intent. On the inside, they have accomplished, peaceful minds.
Bearing the appearance of tantrics, the Black Hats expel and kill evil
spirits. Faced with their wrath, the five poisonous sins disappear into the
sphere of emptiness.
This dance is also referred to as the
‘Gar’ dance, derived from the different traditions of the tantras (texts of
Northern Buddhism). The Black Hat Dancers first build a mandala and then
shred demons into pieces. In this way they take possession of the earth so
that they can protect it. To empress their power on it, they dance the step
of the thunderbolt.
To draw the mandala, they use a
practice taken from a text called Lamey Gyu or the ‘Tantras without
Superior’. These practices are considered so special that they very act of
seeing them purifies and clears the mass of mental obscurity accumulated
over ages (kalpa). The inner and outer obstacles are thus pacified. Given
its importance the Shabdrung himself performed this ritual.
 4.
Dramitse Nga Cham : Dance of the Drums from Dramitse
Costume : animal masks and
knee-length yellow skirt, big drums and curved drum sticks
The name is derived from the place
in Eastern Bhutan where the nun-daughter of Pedmalingpa, Choiten Zangmo,
meditated in the 15th century. Her brother, the learned Lama
Kunga Gyeltshen, not only saw Guru Rimpoche several times and heard his
teachings but also visited the celestial abode, Zangtho Pelri.
While there, the attendants of Guru
Rimpoche took on the form of a hundred peaceful and terrifying deities.
Wielding a big drum in one hand and the curved drumstick in the other, they
performed a dance that left a lasting impression upon Lama Kunga Gyeltshen.
On his return to Dramitse, the lama
established the tradition of the dance he witnessed, to complement other
drum dances composed by the ancient Discoverers of Treasures like Sangye
Lingpa and Ugyen Lingpa.
In the heaven of Zangtho Pelri where
reside beings with accumulated merit, the dancers are decorated with
splendid jewels. The mere sight of the dance is enough to vanquish black
demons and allow the white gods to reign supreme. Men and Gods are happy and
gain Buddhahood, the ultimate objective.
5.
Degye : Dance of the eight kinds of Spirits
Costume
: animal masks and knee-length yellow skirt.
This dance is about the eight types
of spirits who are the masters of the three worlds: sky, earth and
underworld.
The eight comprise the Yaksas, the
Mamos, the Shinjes, the Gyelpos, the Tsens, the Dus, the Lus and the Lhas.
The eight spirits are evil deities
and constantly torment sentient beings, causing great suffering. Their evil
deeds are stemmed when gods such as Yeshy Gompo one of the most powerful in
the pantheon of gods, manifest themselves as the chiefs of these eight evil
deities. In this guise they are able to subdue the deities and restore
peace. The doctrine of the Buddha prevails once more.
Happiness return to the sentient
beings and there is great rejoicing . In order that faith and wisdom be
born, the dance was performed by the gods who had incarnated themselves into
the form of the deities.
Religious Songs (Chhoshey)
 Costume : long black skirt, yellow
shirt, folded brown coat, felt boots, a circular head-dress and a sword.
The song commemorates the opening by
Tsangpa Jarey (1161-1211), of the gateway for pilgrimage to Tsari mountain
(eastern Tibet). Tsangpa Jarey was the founder of Drukpa school.
Arriving at Tsari, Tsangpa Jarey
found his path obstructed by a yak. The yak was actually the frog guardian
deity of the lake of turquoises who had taken on the more fearsome form.
Three of his colleagues, who also arrived at the place, asked Tsangpa Jarey
as to what must be done to clear the way.
Tsangpa Jarey jumped on the frog,
performed a dance and said: ‘if anybody wants to compare himself to me, the
son of the glorious Drukpa lineage, let him come’.
The frog then took on the form of a
rock but was no match for saint who made the imprints of his feet on the
rock as if it were soft mud. Subdued thus, the frog offered its life force
to Tsangpa Jarey. After reinstating the frog as the guardian deity of the
place, Tsangpa Jarey opened the gateway for pilgrimage. All believers
undertake a pilgrimage to Tsari even now, and experience perfect happiness
upon reaching the spot.
Day Two
7. Shinje Yab Yum : Dance
of the Lord of Death and his Consort (same as Day one No.1 dance)
8. Shana Nga Cham : Dance
of the Black Hats with Drums
This dance symbolises the victory of
the Black Hat dancers over the malevolent deities who persecuted the beings
and Buddhists. To celebrate their victory, the dancers beat the great drums
of Buddhism. The sound of the drums represent the religion itself which has
no visible form.
9. Dance of the three kinds of
Ging (Gingsum), with Sticks (Juging), with Swords (Driging), with Drums (Ngaging)
Costume
: knee –length skirts, animal masks for the dance with the sticks,
terrifying masks for the dance with swords and drums.
The fountain of
happiness for all beings of the Three worlds lie in the religion of the
Buddha, one must listen to the teachings, practice thinking and meditate in
sacred in sacred spots. These demons who obstruct the doctrine but have no
superior power and bad intent are called Jyungpo Nyulema. There are many
magical formulae by which these malevolent spirits can be subdued.
The dance of the Ging was one way of
curbing the Jyungpo Nyulema. It was imparted as a blessing to the great
Treasure Discoverer, Pemalingpa at the Zangthopelri, the abode of Ugyen
Rimpoche.
Even as the Jyungpo Nyulema flee in
the corners of the three world, the Ging with the sticks have the
fore-knowledge to find them. They catch them with the hook of compassion,
beat them with the stick of wisdom and tie them with the noose of
compassion.
The Lords of the Cremation Ground
bring the box which contain the mind and body of these demons. The Ging with
the swords then purify the air from such deeds as robbery, killing and the
separation of self from the tutelary deity. The minds of the trapped
Nyulemas are sent to the paradise of pure consciousness while their body is
used as a sacrificial offerings. After this is done, the Ging with the drums
do the victory dance.
The dance with the drums is done to
bring good luck and wish happiness to all living beings. These dances are
considered as blessings and are connected with all religious ceremonies.
10. Durdag : Dance of the
Lord of Cremation Ground (same as Day one No. 2 dance)
11. Driging : Dance of the
three kinds of Ging with Swords (same as Day two, No. 9 dance)
12. Ngaging : Dance of the
three kinds of Ging with Drums (same as Day two, No. 9 dance)
13. Shawa Sachhi : Dance
of the Stag and the Hounds (1st part)
Costume : dog mask, stag mask
and knee-length yellow skirts.
This dance is re-enactment of the
great saint Milarepa’s (1040-1123) encounter with a hunter. Milarepa was in
deep meditation at a hermitage called Nyishangkurta, on border between Nepal
and Tibet, when he heard a man shouting and a dog barking. Going out to
investigate he came upon a profusely panting and sweating red haired stag.
The stag was trembling in fear. Overcome with great compassion, Milarepa
sang a religious song which soothed the stag and made it forget fear. The
stag laid itself on the right of the sage.
Subsequently, a red dog, running at
the speed of lightning and full of fiery wrath, came in hot pursuit of the
stag. Milarepa also sang a song for the dog, immediately curbing its temper
and passion. The dog laid itself on the left side of the sage.
This dance is generally performed
like a play in two parts, over two days. The first part has a touch of
travesty, contributed by the clowns (atsaras). The servant of the hunter
appears and is ridiculed by the clowns. Then comes the hunter, crowned with
leaves and armed with a bow and arrows, accompanied by his two dogs. The
servant jokes very irrespectfully with the master who performs good luck
rituals before embarking upon the hunt. A priest performs the rituals in
ways contrary to Buddhist tradition, while the atsaras and the
servant continue their banter.
The second part is more serious and
bears religious connotations.
 Milarepa appears, wearing a long
white dress, white hat and holding a pilgrim’s staff. Cupping his right ear
with one hand, he sings in soft and plaintive voice. The two dogs, the stag
and the hunter, one after other, arrive at the spot and are instantly won
over by the songs. Their conversion is symbolized by a stretched rope over
which the dogs and the hunter jump. This part exhibits some fine acrobatics.
Day Three
14. Dance of the Lords of
Cremation Grounds (Durdag) (Same as day one, Dance No. 2)
15. Dance of the Terrifying
Deities (Tungam)
Costume
: beautiful brocade dresses, boots and terrifying masks
This spectacular and dramatic dance
symbolises the liberation by death of those who can not led to the path of
the Buddha through peaceful means. The core of the dance depicts the
sacrificial killing.
First, the dancers representing the
gods circle the bad spirits and ensnare them in a box. Then the main god,
who holds the phurba (the ritual dagger), kills them. He thus saves
the world from them and at the same time delivers them into salvation. This
is the only way by which the men and the asuras (half-gods) who
become enemies of Buddhism, can be converted.
Hence, Ugyen Rimpoche, who is the
emanation of all the Buddhas, took the form of Dorje Dragpa, ‘Fierce
Thunderbolt’ to liberate such bad spirits and usher them into the superior
sphere of bliss. This incredible feat brought happiness o the human world
and helped increase faith in non-illusionary acts.
16. Dance of the Heroes
with six kinds of Ornaments (Guan Drug Pawos)
The Pawos or mediums are called the
Heroes with six kinds of ornaments because they wear five types of bone
ornaments and hold in their hands a tiny drum and bells (considered as one).
They dance with the purpose of being seen by both the gods and sentient
beings. They arouse the assembly of the Gods and the Tantras from the state
of indifference by the sound of their divine drums and lead sentient beings,
caught in the wheel of reincarnations, along the path of liberation.
17. Kyecham : Dance of the
Noblemen and Ladies (Phole Mole)
 This dance depicts a part of the
love story of King Norzang of the kingdom of Naden in North India and Queen
Yidrogma.
According to King Norzang’s
biography, the son of a hunter in his kingdom was once granted a wish for
saving the life fore of a serpent deity. He borrowed the magic noose which
could capture anything and ensnared Yidrogma, the most beautiful woman
around. He offered Yidrogma as a gift to King Norzang.
King Norzang already have five
hundred Queens but became so besotted with Queen Yidrogma that he began to
neglect the other queens. The queens, unable to bear the king’s
indifference, sought the services of Hari, through black magic, caused King
Norzang’s father to see a prophetic dream.
The prophecy said that enemies,
savage men from the north, were trying to destroy the kingdom. If the
kingdom was to be saved, they must be defeated at once. The father commanded
King Norzang to set out immediately for the north. As King Norzang prepared
to leave, Queen Yidrogma begged him to take her on excursion. The King
explained to her that he could not take her to war although he was sad at
having to part from her. Queen Yidrogma gave to hear beloved as souvenirs
her ring, a set of her clothes and the white silk scarf with which she
covered her head.
King Norzang set out for the north
and conquered the foreign enemies. He then returned to his country and
defeated all opponents within. Queen Yidrogma who had, using magical powers,
fled to her father for fear of being killed, was welcomed back and lived
happily with King Norzang.
In the dance, the essence remains
the same although portrayed differently. The players are two royal couples,
an old couple and the atsaras. The two princes are about to embark for war
and leave the princesses in the care of the old couple. No sooner have they
departed when the clowns corrupt the old woman and try to take advantage of
the princesses.
On their return, the princes are
scandalized by the behavior of the princesses and cut off their noses as
punishment. The old woman is also meted the same punishment. Relenting
later, a physician is called and the noses fixed back. When it comes to the
turn of the old woman, the physician refuses to come near her because of the
stink and instead fixes the nose with a stick.
In the end, the princes wed with
princesses.
18. Shawa Shachhi
- Lencham :
Dance of the Stag and the Hounds (IInd part)
In the first part of this dance (Day
2, No. 13) the saint Milarepa encounters the stag and the hunter and his
dogs in hot pursuit. This part depicts the conversion of the hunter, Gonpo
Dorji, to Buddhism.
When Gonpo Dorji arrives at the spot
where Milarepa has his dogs and the stag seated peacefully on either side,
he thinks the sage has cast a spell on the animals. Gonpo Dorji, who is
fierce, strong and frightening in appearance, is enraged at the sight.
Saying, ‘you protect the stag and the dog, let us see if you can protect
yourself from this arrow’, he lets fly a poisonous arrow.
In the next instant, Gonpo Dorji’s
bow shatters, the bow string snaps and the arrow turns towards himself.
Gonpo Dorji cannot believe what he sees until Milarepa tells him: ‘Gonpo
Dorji, your arrow is returned, now listen to my song’.
As the song wafts through the
forest, Gonpo Dorji is filled with deep remorse for his past actions and
confesses his bad deeds. He promises never to sin again and becomes a
practitioner never to sin again and becomes a practitioner of the religion.
In time he attained full realism.
Day Four
19. Dance of the Lord of Death
and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum) (same as day one, Dance No. 1)
20. Dance of the four Stags (Sha
Tsam)
 Costume
: knee-length skirts and masks of antlers
This dance extols the victory of
Guru Rimpoche over the Wind God, who was also the lord of the North / West
direction.
It tells of a time when the Wind God
used his power to bring about suffering and misery in the world. Guru
Rimpoche subdued the wind God and restored peace and happiness to the world.
As a show of his victory, Guru Rimpoche rode the stag mount of the Wind God.
The stag dance came into existence
after the first incarnation of Nam Nying (Namkhe Nyingpo) found the caurved
head of the stag. During this dance, the gratitude of pious people is
demonstrated as all agitators of the world have been overcome and happiness
and peace reigns supreme.
21. Dance of the Judgement of the
Dead (Raksha Mangcham)
This is based on the Bardo Thoedrol
(book of the dead), a text hidden by Guru Rimpoche and rediscovered later by
Karma Lingpa in the 14th century.
When all beings die, they wander in
the Bardo (intermediate state), waiting to be led by the love of the Buddhas
into the pure fields where no suffering exists. However, when the Buddhas,
who assume both their peaceful and terrifying forms, appear to greet them,
those who had no fervent adoration for the Buddhist doctrine in their
lifetime, do not recognize the Buddhas and are frightened. They think the
Buddhas are enemies and cannot, therefore, be led to paradise. The Buddhas,
however, persist through different good deeds until the cycle of rebirth of
the beings are complete.
Shinje Chghogyel, Lord of Death,
estimates the value of good and bad deeds during the judgement . Also
present are the White God and Black demons who live with every being from
birth, and all the Shinje’s helpers (Rakshas) who emanate under numerous
forms. These are: the ox-headed justice minister; the wild hog-headed helper
who maintains account of the black and white deeds; the khyung-headed bird
(the khyung is a mythical bird) who holds a small sword which cuts the root
of the three poisonous-ignorance, envy, anger-and a big hammer which
demolishes the rocky mountains of the sins; the lion-headed helper who holds
a lasso which represents love and an iron chain representing compassion; the
fierce bear-headed helper who holds the magical noose which ties the means
and wisdom together and a saw which cuts selfishness; the serpent-headed
helper whose mirror reflects all actions; the monkey headed helper who
weighs them on a scale.
 The Rakshas separate with equanimity
the black from the white actions of all beings, just as in the case of the
sinner Nyelwabum and the virtuous Chimdapelkye. The frightening court of
justice cannot be avoided by condemned beings, but after enduring certain
sufferings, their sins are washed away. Progressively, they are led to the
pure fields and paradise. Unfortunately, some beings do not understand that
everything is the result of their mind, whether it is pure or impure. The
dance shows that if they devote themselves to virtuous actions, the will be
immediately to paradise. Regarding the different forms of Shinje’s
helpers, those beings who are born into the human world where the doctrine
of Buddha has been propagated, recognize them as incarnations of Buddha.
They are thus delivered from the frightening Bardo the paradises. The origin
of this dance is to be found not only in Sutras and Tantras, but also in the
books discovered by Karma Linga.
The dance can be described as more
of a play than a dance and lasts approximately two hours. Firstly, there is
the long dance of all the Rakshas during the judgement. Then Shinje himself
appears, symbolized by a huge puppet which holds a mirror. The White God and
the Black Demon enter the courtyard with him. Then the judgement begins.
First the Black Demon and the main helpers perform a dance. Then the sinner
who is dressed in black and wearing a hat arrives. He is very frightened and
tries to escape but is recaptured each time by the helpers. From his basket,
a freshly severed cow’s head is taken, implying that the sinner was
responsible for killing it. The judge then weighs his actions. Afterwards
the White God sings of the merits of the man, followed by the Black Demon
who expounds the sins of the man. Finally a black strip of cloth symbolizing
the road to hell, is spread and the sinner sentenced there.
This is followed by a general dance
after which everyone assumes their former seating positions. Another man
arrives. He is clad in white and holds a prayer flag and a ceremonial scarf,
indicating his virtues. The same scene as above is re-enacted and at the
conclusion a white strip of cloth, symbolizing the road to heaven, is spread
out. Fairies elaborately dressed in brocade and bone ornaments come to fetch
him. At the last moment, the Black Demon, furious at having lost a being,
tries to grasp the virtuous man but the White God protects him.
22. Dance of the Drums from
Dramitse (Dramitse Nga Cham) (Same as Day one, Dance No. 4)
23. The Great Paro Thongdrol is
unfurled early in the morning and a Shugdrel ceremony performed.
 The history and significance
of the Paro Thongdrol (Thanka)
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas possess
indiscernible virtues which permit them to liberate from sufferings even
those who are sent straight to hell.
There, people have only to think, to
touch, to taste, to smell, to listen and to see the body supports of the
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This is called liberation by mind, by touch, by
knowledge, by taste, by smell, be listening and by sight.
The people who know virtuous and
unvirtuous deeds, because of their devotion and faith in the support of
Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha, have created the thanka, the mere sight
of which liberates. Nowhere in this mundane world can be found a more
superior treasure.
In order to help all the sentient
beings who are nowadays impure, the Buddhas of the ten directions consulted
each other and united their virtues of compassion resulting in the arrival
of Ugyen Rimpoche on earth.
During a previous life, he was born
to a woman poultry farmer. At that time, while erecting the great chorten of
Jarunghashor (Bodhanath in Nepal), Ugyen Rimpoche vowed to have compassion
for sentient beings, particularly those of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim.
This is why our accomplished
forefathers made the great thanka which represents Ugyen Rimpoche and his
eight manifestations, the sight of which liberates. They also established
the code of veneration and offerings to it. Both in this life and the next,
it is hoped that those who have a great desire to be delivered from
trans-migratory existence develop and protect this excellent ancient custom.
Shugdrel Ceremony (blessing and
Offering Ceremony performed by the Monk Body in front of the Thanka).
Regardless of the size and importance of any auspicious occasion, the
Shugdrel Ceremony is done to show the main achievement of the Glorious
Drukpa. For this Shugdrel Ceremony, there are three of five accomplished
elements as follows :
An accomplished place
It is here in the Kingdom of Bhutan,
the Valley of Medicinal Herbs where the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Shakya
Thubpa (the historical Buddha) Ugyen Rimpoche (the saint who leads people
away from the five impurities) and the powerful Drukpa shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal, have diffused the Tantras.
An accomplished master
He is Ugyen Pemajyune
who incorporates within himself all the Buddhas. His image can be seen on
the great Thanka which liberates all from bad reincarnations.
An accomplished retinue
The holy clergy and even the devout
people who wear rich clothes and ornaments are in the middle of the assembly
like a gathering of celestial stars.
An accomplished time
This is when religious practices
continuously flourish, ranging from reciting Mani and Baza Guru up to the
practice of the Tantric path.
An accomplished requisite for offerings
All kinds of offerings are combined,
good food and fruits, prayer flags, nectar like alcohol, tea and
sweet-smelling incense.
Like cheerful minded gods in a small
grove of trees, a number of men and gods are seated in rows (literal meaning
of Shugdrel) and are making these offerings. This good custom is called the
Shugdrel Ceremony.
 24. Dance of the Heroes (Pacham)
Costume : knee-length yellow
skirt and golden crown. The dancers hold a small bell (drilbu) and a small
drum (Damaru).
The great
‘Treasure-Discover’ Pemalingpa arrived in the presence of Ugyen Rimpoche, at
the summit of the Zangtho Pelri, in the middle of a marvelous palace of
lotus beams which reflected the wisdom large and deep as the sky, without
obstacles. There he saw Ugyen Rimpoche, the Lord who leads the beings of the
three worlds, sitting among his assistantsin the centre of a limitless
mandala which was made of lines of rainbow beams. In the mandala, the
assembly of the sages, of the tutelary deities, of the heroes (Pawos) and
the heroines (Kandom Pamo) were dancing in the forms of various emanations
of the peaceful and terrifying deities. All sorts of dances were performed
and all sorts of harmonious melodies which are the sounds of the religion of
the Great Path (Northern branch of Buddhism) were sung. Among this
congregation, the assembly of the peaceful heroes and heroines is the most
important. They are as numerous as the moving clouds in order to celebrate
the deep and large religion and their function is to lead the believers who
die into the presence of Ugyen Rimpoche.
25. Dance of the Ging and
Tsholing
Costume : The Tsholing wear
long colourful dresses and terrifying masks. The Ging wear orange skirts,
terrifying black and orange masks with a flag on top, and hold a big drum
and a curved drumstick.
On the occasion of the
consecration of the Samye Monastery in Tibet, Guru Rimpoche initiated this
dance to show the people of Tibet the Zangtho Pelri, his realm.
The dance depicts the paradise of Ugyen Rimpoche from where all the incarnations of Ugyen Rimpoche, essence of
all the Budhas, are sent to the Three Worlds. In the middle of a great
palace is seated Ugyen Rimpoche. On his right the holy men are Tibet and
India are seated in a row and on his left the learned men (Pandits) from
Tibet and India. In all the intermediate zones are the 108 ‘Treasure
Discoverers’ (terton) who are his incarnations, and also his twenty five
disciples, including the king of Tibet Trisongdetsen.
 In the centre of a rainbow, the
assembly of tutelary deities (Yidam), heroes (pawos) and fairies (Kandoms),
peaceful and terrifying, as if by magic, sing, dance and spread from the
clouds three kinds of offerings. It is these offerings that grant both the
ordinary and extraordinary realisation.
All the protectors of the religion,
male and female, in their fierce form, are guarding the four outer dooars
while the four Guardian Kings of the directions command an army of eight
classes of spirits. These subdue all the demons who create obstacles to the
Doctrine of Buddha. All these wonders have been personally observed by the
‘Treasure Discoverer’ Pemalinga.
Besides, a long time ago in Tibet,
in order to introduce Buddhism, King Trisongdetsen built a large monastery
in Samye. Ugyen Rimpoche, by showing hi magical powers through incarnations,
subdued all the demons who were preventing its construction. Thus he
fulfilled a religious commitment to the King.
These incarnations are manifested in
the Ging and Tsholing Dance: the inner dance called the Ging Dance is
performed by the assembly of heroes (Pawos), tutelary deities (Yidams) and
fairies (Hansoms) as well as the various terrifying deities. The outer dance
called Tsholing Dance, is performed by the protectors of the religion with
their retinue of eight classes of spirits. This dance, which brings
blessings, is performed in order to remove all obstacles to the Doctrine as
well as to bring happiness to all sentient beings. When the Ging and
Tsholing performed this miraculous and agitated dance, they discourage the
external demons and demonstrate clearly their magical powers by which they
can overcome the demons.
This dance is clearly a dance of
purification before the arrival of Guru Rimpoche. People whistle to chase
away the bad spirits and Ging hit everyone on the head with their drumsticks
to chase away impurity from the body.
The Tsholing, after having destroyed
the evil spirits symbolized by an effigy in a black box, are chased away by
the Ging who stay alone and perform a dance of victory by beating their
drums.
26. Dance of the Eight
Manifestations of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Tshen Gye)
 The eight different forms that Guru Rimpoche assumed in order to convert different kinds of beings into Buddhism
are represented in this dance.
Ugyen Rimpoche is the second Buddha
and the incarnations of Avalokiteshvara (Thugje Chenpo), Lord of Compassion.
When he was born the son of a poultry farmer, he vowed to guide all beings
of the world, particularly those of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet. That was why
he came to these regions. When Buddha was about to enter Nirvana, he
prophesized to his disciples: ‘Don’t be sad, I will be coming from the
West’. Thus he reappeared as Ugyen Rimpoche.
When the 100,000 fairies of wisdom
were begging the Buddhas of the 10 directions to send somebody to guide all
being, this was discussed at length and then all the virtues of their body,
speech and mind were summed up in Ugyen Rimpoche. He came in order to guide
he beings who live in the age of impurity.
His activities are beyond
description, However, here is how he helped the beings of this continent
through his eight manifestations :
He was born from a blue lotus on the lake of Danakosha in
Oddhyana and was invited to become the son of King Indrabhuti. Then he was
called Guru Tshokye Dorji, ‘Diamond Thunderbolt’ born from a lake’.
He renounced his kingdom and went to receive teachings from
the Master Prabhati in the Maratika cave in Nepal. Then he was called Guru
Shakya Senge., ‘The Lion of the Shakya clan’.
After listening to all the teachings of the Vajrayana, ‘The
Diamond Path’ and after mastering the sciences of all Indian Pandits, he
obtained full realization and was able to see all the gods and tutelary
deities (yidam). The he was called Guru Loden Chogsey, ‘Guru’ who wants to
acquire supreme knowledge.
 After the marriage with the daughter of the King of Zahor, he
was condemned to be burnt by the King. Through his magical powers, he turned
the pyre into a lake and converted the kingdom to Buddhism. The he was
called Guru Padmasambhava, the one ‘born from a lotus’.
·
When he returned to Oddhyana, the evil chiefs there wanted to
burn him. But the fire would not consume his body. So the chiefs offered him
the kingdom and its subjects. Then he was called Guru Pema Gyelpo, the
‘Lotus King’.
When he was preaching to the fairies (Khandoms) in the eight
cremation grounds, he caught the ‘life force’ of the evil deities and turned
them into protectors of the doctrine. Then he was called Nyma Yeoser, the
‘Sunbeam’.
As five hundred heretic Masters were trying to destroy the
Doctrine of Buddha, he vanquished them all through the power of his words.
He brought down the thunderbolt which burned them. He was then called Senge
Dradrok, ‘the one who speaks with a lion voice’.
When he was at Senge Dzong in Kurtoe and at Taktsang in Paro,
he was in the form of Dorje Dragpo, the ‘Terrifying Thunderbolt’. He subdued
all the evil spirits who hindered Buddhism and blessed them as guardians of
the Doctrine. He was then called Guru Dorji Drolo, the ‘thunderbolt’.
The fairy who is standing on the
right of Guru Rimpoche is Mandarava, the lady of wisdom. Ugyen Rimpoche made
her his own emanation for the benefit of the beings to be converted in the
Kingdom of Zahor.
The fairy who is standing at his
left is Yeshy Tshogyel. She represents the goddess of knowledge, mother of
all the Buddhas. She helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet for the benefit
of all beings.
27. Dance of the Sixteen Fairies
(Rigma Chudrug)
The sixteen fairies (Rigma
Dhudrug) are sixteen emanations of the same person. They are Goddesses of
offerings who are divided into four categories. Each category is again
divided into four, totaling 16.
The dance brings total happiness for
the people who believe in the manifestations of Ugyen Rimpoche. It is a
celebration of the changeless faith in the glorious deeds of Ugyen
Rimpoche’s mind, speech and body.
28. Chhoshey : Religious
Songs (same as Day one, No. 6)
 top
of page
 E-mail Us
|
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
