By Wasfia Nazreen
Tibetan Craft community is currently holding the Khampagar Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Cham Ceremony at Khampagar Monastery of Tashi Jong. Started on the 27th of March (the eighth day of the second Tibetan month), this is a full day ceremony of the most elaborate Khampagar traditional ritual dances (cham), depicting the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava and many other sacred dances. The special snow lion dance was held on the evening of 28th of March.
The basic steps, motions and movements of Tibetan sacred dance or Garcham, as well as the corresponding meditations to accompany these actions are based on the writings such as the Yeshe Ngam-log, an early Indian Buddhist text translated and taught in Tibet during the time of Padmasmbhava.
At the time of his death, the Buddha foretold of the coming of the Lotus Born Guru, Padmasambhava, the second Buddha. Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, the ‘Precious Master,’ as he is affectionately known by the Tibetan people, is the Mahaguru who brought the teaching of Buddha to Tibet. History tells that he was invited by King Trisong Detsen, on the advice of the great Indian scholar Shantarakshita. Padmasambhava traveled the length and breadth of the country, teaching and practicing, taming the forces that were inhibiting the Buddha Dharma, and infusing his blessings into the whole landscape of Tibet and the Himalayas.
This highly recommended event is scheduled to continue till the 2nd of April 2007. Tashi Jong is about two hours by road from Dharamsala, past a scenic view of mustard fields and bamboo groves, with snow-capped mountains as the horizon.
Information used by kind permission of the office of Tashi Jong.
