Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [55]
OTHER FAITHS
The minority religion of Bhutan is Hinduism, whose adherents – those of Nepalese origin – officially constitute 28% of the population. Although Buddhism has played a central role in the history of Bhutan it has not been made the official state religion and Hindus have de facto freedom of religion. The Druk Gyalpo decreed Dasain as a national holiday, and the royal family participate in its celebration. As the draft constitution stresses, all Bhutanese have freedom of religion and foreign religious personnel are permitted to work in Bhutan, primarily as educators, but are not allowed to proselytise.
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DZOE – SPIRIT CATCHER
Sometimes you will come across a strange construction of twigs, straw and rainbow-coloured thread woven into a spider-web shape. You may see one near a building or by a roadside, with flower and food offerings. This is a dzoe (also known as a tendo), a sort of spirit catcher used to exorcise something evil that has been pestering a household. The malevolent spirits are drawn to the dzoe. After prayers the dzoe is cast away, often on a trail or road, to send away the evil spirits it has trapped.
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IMPORTANT FIGURES OF BUDDHISM IN BHUTAN
This is a brief guide to the iconography of some of the main figures of Buddhism in Bhutan. The images are divided into Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Protective Deities, and Historical Figures. This guide is neither exhaustive nor scholarly; rather it seeks to enable you to identify the main figures on altars and in the temple murals encountered during your trip. The Bhutanese names are given first with the Sanskrit (where applicable) in parenthesis.
Buddhas
SAKYAMUNI
Sakyamuni is the Historical Buddha (of the present age), whose teachings are the foundation of Bhutanese Buddhism. Typically in Bhutan, as in Tibet, Sakyamuni is represented as seated with his legs crossed in the adamantine (diamond/vajra) position on a lotus-flower throne. His hair is bluish black and there is a halo of light around his head. His right hand touches the ground in the ‘witness’ mudra (hand gesture) and his left rests on his lap, usually with a begging bowl in the left palm. His body is marked with 32 signs of enlightenment.
Sakyamuni
OPAGME (AMITABHA)
The Buddha of Infinite Light is one of the five dhyana (meditational or cosmic) buddhas and resides in the Blissful Pure Land of the West (Sukhavati). He is closely associated with Tsepame and Chenresig and represents the transformation of lust into wisdom. He is depicted seated cross-legged on a lotus throne, with his hands resting on his lap in meditative pose and holding a begging bowl. His body is red in colour.
DHYANI BUDDHAS
The Dhyani Buddhas are a group of five Transcendent Buddhas and represent five clans: the Vajra, Buddha, Jewel, Lotus and Action clans. Each clan is associated with one of the five wisdoms of the enlightened mind and is headed by a Transcendent Buddha – one of which is Opagme (described above).
Jampa
TSEPAME (AMITAYUS)
The Buddha of Infinite Life is associated with practices connected to longevity. He has a red-coloured body and holds a precious vase, filled with the nectar of immortality.
JAMPA (MAITREYA)
The Future Buddha is said to be residing as a bodhisattva in Tushita heaven until his time to incarnate on earth as a buddha. He is shown seated with his feet on the ground and hands in front of his chest, in the ‘turning the wheel’ mudra.
SANGYE MENLHA
According to Mahayana tradition, Sakyamuni transformed himself into a deep-blue Buddha who emanates healing rays of light and teaches