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Bhutan Culture |
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Bhutan Information |
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| The
Tsenmar Wang in Bumthang |
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| Getting
blessed in Bhutan generally constitutes receiving a light tap on the head.
However in Tamzhing lhakhang, Bumthang, it is slightly different; blessings
are bestowed by getting hit across the back with two leather sacks, stuffed
with hay and sacred relics (zungs).
It
is known as the Tsenmar blessing and is given on the last day of the Tamzhing
phala Choedpa. |
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Two
monks, wearing mask dance robes, carry the pillow-sized leather sacks and
hit the backs of devotees. One monk hits from the right and the other from
the left as devotees move in single file to receiving the blessings.
During
the Tamzhing Phala Choedpa mainly girls and children took the blessing.
A few lost balance and fell to the ground from the impact of the blessing.
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| A devotee being blessed
The
blessing is known as Pakpa (leather bag) Wang. The leather bag weighs around
three
kilogrammes and contains spiritually blessed holy relics, which are usually
kept in the goenkhang (inner chapel of the lhakhang).
It
is said the blessing drives away and protects one from evil spirits and
influences.
A
teacher of the Tamzhing monastic school said that the zungs date back to
more than 400 years but the leather bags are changed every now and then
because of wear and tear. |
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According
to the Lopen Yonten Norbu, the Tsenmar Wang is conducted only at Tamzhing
Lhakhang, one of the residences of Terton (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa.
He
said that Tsenmar is one of the important Choesungs (Dharmapala) of Pemalingpa and the Tsenmar Cham followed by the Tsenmar Wang were important traditions
of the Pemalingpa households.
Tamzhing
lhakhang was built during the 15th century by Pemalingpa.
| Contributed
by Nima Wangdi, Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2006 |
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| Information on Bhutan |
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