Cham mysteries
Cham mysteries or cham dances are mask dances of ritual Tibetan music accompanied by singing . They are listed in the Bon as well as by Tibetan Buddhists .
The origins of the Cham Mysteries lie in the ritual dances and chants of shamanism. These mysteries were then institutionalized in Bon. The Nyingmapa , who were significantly influenced by the Bon, then took over these ritual dances. Within this sect, texts were also kept in which precise and detailed instructions were recorded for both the choreography and the iconography of the masks and costumes.
The Cham Mysteries last two to three days. The dances are rhythmically accompanied by stem drums ( chos-rnga ) and pair cymbals ( rol-mo ). The dancers beat the drums and move similarly to the Bon magicians who play shaman's drums . They prepare for their roles through fasting, meditation, and visualizing deities. The sense of the mysteries is seen in the fact that through the magical evocation the deities who are represented are embodied in the actor and manifest themselves in masks and symbols.
The Buddhist performances begin with Black Hat wizards who represent the powerful Bon magicians. These carry phurbus and exorcise the place of evil influences and demons .
The battles between Padmasambhava and the hostile Bon magicians and deities are particularly emphasized in the performance in the Nyingma order . Other historical events are also listed.
The appearance of Yama , the god of death, and his followers symbolize the bardo , which is particularly important in Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the mysteries, Yamantaka , the conqueror of death, appears and defeats Yama and his followers. The mysteries are supposed to banish all negative and free the viewer from accumulated bad deeds and thoughts.
literature
- Gerhardt W. Schuster: The old Tibet. Secrets and mysteries. St. Pölten (among others), NP-Verlag 2000
Web links
Cham dances in Rongwu Monastery (video) Cham dances in Menri