THIS IS A FREE ARTICLE FROM SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE. Sacred Hoop is an independent magazine about Shamanism and Animistic Spirituality, based in West Wales, published four times a year since 1993. You may share this in any non-commercial way but reference to www.SacredHoop.org must be made if it is reprinted anywhere. To get a very special low-cost subscription to Sacred Hoop please visit : www.SacredHoop.org/offer.html

uddhism came to Tibet in the Left: a Lhamo Beighth century, mostly from India, in Ladakh although with influences from China, performs a which received Buddhism from India healing before it arrived in Tibet. Before that Tibet had a rich shamanic tradition, which it shared with much of Central Asia. This pre-Buddhist tradition is generally known as Bön, but Buddhism quickly started to persecute these pre- Buddhist traditions, and they have changed over the years to fit in, so modern Bön now bears little resemblance to the historic pre- Buddhist traditions of the region. However many of these pre- Buddhist elements are interwoven within modern Bön and Buddhism, especially in the oldest schools of Buddhism known as the ‘Red Hat’ sects, which were established in the early Buddhist days of Tibet. Subsequently Buddhism was ‘cleaned up’ by later reformers who became known as the ‘Yellow Hat’ sects. The Dalai Lama is a member of a Yellow Hat sect. Tibet was a land of spirits, and it still is. When Buddhism arrived it brought with it many of the spirits and gods that had evolved from the Indian gods of monastic the Buddha’s homeland, but it also ‘converted’ a great many of the original Tibetan shamanic spirits, and turned them Buddhist - in much the same way authorised that early Christianity took pagan gods and goddesses (such as Brigid) and Below: Wrathful made them into saints. Tibetan Buddhist shamans Many of these ancient spirits were protector beings. said to have been fought and These are part conquered by Padmasambhava - a of the retinue of powerful Indian Buddhist mystic and a more powerful magician - who was reported to have spirit. Many of travelled all over Tibet, fighting the these retinue ancient spirits and binding them with beings were The Lhapa an oath to thereafter defend once local Tradition Buddhism. These beings are known as shamanic land or dharmapala (chos skyong in Tibetan) protector spirits of Tibet which means protectors of the which Buddhism Buddha’s teachings (dharma). incorporated

S H ISSUE 79 2013 www.sacredhoop.org 15 THIS IS A FREE ARTICLE FROM SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE. Sacred Hoop is an independent magazine about Shamanism and Animistic Spirituality, based in West Wales, published four times a year since 1993. You may share this in any non-commercial way but reference to www.SacredHoop.org must be made if it is reprinted anywhere. To get a very special low-cost subscription to Sacred Hoop please visit : www.SacredHoop.org/offer.html Oracles are people who are taken over by spirits to bring messages. They may be nationally important figures, such as the Tibetan State Oracle, or oracles serving rural communities who are taken over by local land spirits

they might be local oracles serving as Buddhist monks and rinpoches rural communities, who are taken are seen as being more spiritually over by local protector spirits or land potent. Village lhapas generally work spirits, unknown outside of a small under the guidance of their local geographic area. monastery, and they are examined by Generally known as lhapa monks when their shamanic talents (male) or lhamo (female) [lha first manifest, to see if they are truly meaning spirit or god, with pa or a fledgling lhapa or simply a person mo added after to denote if it is a possessed by a harmful spirit. man or a woman], these are Monasteries maintain their control Tibet’s shamans. over the lhapas because lhapas enter Being a lhapa is a serious into what they consider to be an business; there is an account of one uncontrolled, unprescribed Buddhist monastic oracle who did not respect trance state, and also because the the protector spirit who came spirits that possess them are Above: Former This mix of ancient shamanic through them. The spirit took the considered to rank low in the Tibetan State traditions and spirits, and the oracle over, and in trance made him Buddhist pantheon - generally Oracle in full transformed Indian Gods brought disembowel himself and place his because they are the pre-Buddhist regalia to Tibet, make Tibetan Buddhism own entrails on the altar as offerings. local nature spirits. Village lhapas unlike any other form of Buddhism also rank lower than monastery Top right: Ayu in the world - and it shares so little Lhamo, a famous The lhapas of Tibet have not oracles for the same reasons, as with the forms of Buddhism found village lhamo fared very well since the Chinese their spirits rank lower than the in places like Southeast Asia or from Ladakh invasion, and although there are monastic oracle spirits, and village Japan, that some anthropologists some still within the country itself, trance practice is even less controlled call it ‘Lamaism’ to distinguish it many fled to Nepal, although the than that of ordained oracle monks. from the other forms of Buddhism tradition there is in danger of passing found across the world. away. In other Himalayan Tibetan TOOLS OF THE LHAPA cultural lands outside of Tibet proper When practicing, a lhapa wears a Below: One of the most shamanic - such as Bhutan, Ladakh, Sikkim set of ‘god clothes,’ which are Tibetan elements remaining in Tibetan and Mustang - where the Chinese similar to those worn by monks on Buddhist bell culture is the role of oracles. invasion did not happen - the special occasions such as funerals. (dril‐bu) and These are people who are taken tradition can still be found. These clothes represent the thunderbolt over by spirits to bring messages Most lhapa are lay people clothes of the Buddhas and high (dorje). The from the spirit world, and who give working in the villages, although a spirits, and include a ringa (ritual bell represents healings. These may be nationally few are ordained and work in crown). This headdress is the most emptiness - the important figures - such as the monasteries. They mostly work in important item of dress and it is female principal, Dalai Lama’s own oracle, the trance, having been taken over by a put on last (or second to last as while the Nechung (Tibetan State) spirit or spirits, and it is these spirits sometimes a scarf is tied over the dorje Oracle - who is taken over who are seen to be the ones giving mouth so that the spirit speaking represents by a mighty, nationally the information or doing the healing. through its human is not polluted. form -the known spirit called Pehar In Ladakh the word lus-gyar means This crown represents the male (Dorje Drakden) [see an ‘a person in trance,’ Ius means complex Buddhist cosmology; on principal interview with the current body and gyar means borrowed. the simplest level it represents the State Oracle in Sacred They do not generally enjoy high five Buddha families, but it also Hoop Issue 47], or status in Tibetan society - with a few represents five types of spirits, the exceptions such as lhapas of high five elements (air, water, earth, fire rank like the Tibetan State oracle - and space) which each Buddha S H ISSUE 79 2013 16 www.sacredhoop.org THIS IS A FREE ARTICLE FROM SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE. Sacred Hoop is an independent magazine about Shamanism and Animistic Spirituality, based in West Wales, published four times a year since 1993. You may share this in any non-commercial way but reference to www.SacredHoop.org must be made if it is reprinted anywhere. To get a very special low-cost subscription to Sacred Hoop please visit : www.SacredHoop.org/offer.html

family are associated with, as well it is a hostile and harmful spirit it will AN ENTRANCING CEREMONY Below: Tibetan as the four points of the compass be driven out in exorcisms, but if it is During the diagnosis of a lhapa, ritual dagger and the centre, with which they an appropriate spirit for a lhapa, they sometimes established lhapas and (phurba) are also associated; in effect it is will be encouraged to learn to control monks will together perform a shorthand for a deep, multi level, the spirit and use it for the benefit of ceremony which culminates in the incredibly rich map of creation the local community. creation of a new oracle. This is which holds deep wisdom about However because the often a kind of ‘last hope’ the way aspects of the universe monasteries generally disapprove of ceremony, when the interrelate and are connected. In a these low local spirits, a validation fledgling lhapa is way it is very similar to the Native from a monastery also invites some suffering American medicine wheel. - at best unspoken - disapproval, greatly Below: Tantric Lhapas also generally wear a and some fledgling lhapas try to get Crown with cape and an apron, and often cover rid of the invading spirit through under the images of the their heads with another scarf exorcism and give up any effect of the five Buddha before putting on the ringa crown. possible lhapa career. spirits and often reluctantly familes The sacred items a lhapa uses But those who pursue agrees to incorporate them can be quite extensive, depending on the calling train with an harmoniously, and so become a their specialisation, but they will established lhapa who acts as their lhapa to end their suffering. normally have close to hand a double teacher, the teachings often given In this ceremony, a sided damaru drum, which can vary in exchange for substantial sums room is prepared and an in size from a few inches to around a of money. The teacher will teach altar built and ritual arrows foot across, a Buddhist bell (dril-bu) ceremonies, healing techniques, are placed in pots of barley. or a Bön bell (shang), a ritual bronze how to maintain the shrine to their Ritual arrows feature quite a lot in thunderbolt (dorje), prayer beads spirits and other practical matters, both Buddhist ritual and non- (tenga), an metal extraction pipe for and the teacher-pupil bond is often Buddhist magic in Tibet. sucking out poison (puri) and a ritual very close and life-long. The established lhapa then dagger (phurba). Training is also closely calls their spirits to come into connected with the local monastery, them, and goes into trance. BECOMING A LHAPA and in particular with a local The fledgling lhapa then enters Often the role of lhapa runs in a rinpoche or high ranking lama, who the room and sits opposite the family, but this is not always the will suggest sacred places to visit established lhapa. case. However, it is not uncommon on pilgrimage, and Buddhist A plate of barley dough torma for a relative of a recently practices to develop the fledgling (offering cakes), which had been deceased lhapa to inherit the lhapas spiritual muscle. ritually made by the monks, is then calling, and this is explained as the Being a lhapa is most often a thrown. The throwing of torma is need of a spirit to find a new part-time occupation, a lhapa will often a part of exorcisms - the Below: Ayu vessel to come through. But as continue to be a farmer or whatever blessed torma are thrown at Lhamo performs always, even before a close relative trade they had before they received invading spirits. After this the a healing on a lhapa is recognised, they will still their calling. possessed, established lhapa young woman have to undergo exactly the same testing as someone from a non- lhapa family who develops the symptoms. Men and women become village lhapas or lhamos in roughly equal numbers. The untrained lhapa will be a person who experiences a violent loss of control, which in Western culture we would call an episode of mental illness. In local terms however, this means that the person is ‘weak’ and a spirit can take them over easily. A diagnosis will be made, either by an established lhapa or a monk, and if the diagnosis is that the affected person is really a fledgling lhapa, (rather than someone who is mentally ill), this diagnosis must then be ratified by a high ranking monk or rinpoche before it can be accepted. As mental illness is considered to be spirit-caused anyway, it is essential for the monastery to determine which spirit is invading. If S H ISSUE 79 2013 www.sacredhoop.org 17 THIS IS A FREE ARTICLE FROM SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE. Sacred Hoop is an independent magazine about Shamanism and Animistic Spirituality, based in West Wales, published four times a year since 1993. You may share this in any non-commercial way but reference to www.SacredHoop.org must be made if it is reprinted anywhere. To get a very special low-cost subscription to Sacred Hoop please visit : www.SacredHoop.org/offer.html

starts to sing ritual songs home to rescue her he meets the trance, consecrated dough torma encouraging the fledgling lhapa to dwarf and they play dice; the song offerings are given to every house in become fully possessed by the describes the game. Gesar starts the village and special offerings to spirit. The song instructs them to badly and loses everything - wrathful spirits called ‘golden drinks' pick up all the items of a lhapa - kingdom, wife and horse; then his (black tea or barley beer poured into which are laid out before them - guardian spirit tells him to gamble a special offering vessel called a his ribs and Gesar wins the throw. serkyem until it overflows) are made. “If you are a true spirit, The dwarf is so terrified at the take your lhapa’s clothes. thought of losing his ribs that he THE LHAPA CAREER PATH If you are a true spirit, promises great help to Gesar. The cover your mouth with a scarf. Village lhapas generally remain game in the ceremony is played If you are a true spirit, suspect, not only to the monastic until Gesar wins. take up this drum and bell.” authorities but also often to the Next, two special offerings are local people. But if they serve the The song mentions every article given to the spirits. One is a small local people well, then over time of the ritual dress and equipment, black doll representing a girl, and their reputations get better. and as the fledgling becomes fully the other is a small white doll Their reputation also depends possessed, a second song is sung representing a boy. These type of upon close links with the local which asks the invading spirit to offerings, called lud, are often monastery, which not only provide a come fully into their midst and substitutes for a sick person, and public validation of their authenticity, speak through the fledgling lhapa are given to the spirits causing but also gives a deeper training in illness as a kind of ransom during Buddhism. Some lhapas will spend “Please, don't stay healing ceremonies. half their days in meditation and at the top of the mountain, The fledgling lhapa is then prayer, and go on long pilgrimages come here to the people. asked to speak and declare each year. Some, if they can afford come fully into this person themselves and their intention. it, also give donations or gifts to and speak to us.” The spirit possessing the their local monasteries. Then sometimes monks begin to established lhapa then challenges it With this steady focus on their play a game of ritual dice, while the and asks if the spirit possessing reputations, over time, they are spirit possessing the conducting the fledgling lhapa is willing to be seen less and less as an lhapa sings a song from an ancient taught by them - yes or no! incarnation of demonic low spirits, epic tale about King Gesar, a first- If they say “no” or say nothing who might even be enemies of the shaman figure who travelled at all, they are banished from the Buddhas, and instead increasingly through the worlds of gods, spirits fledgling lhapa and the reasons for become seen as incarnations of and humans at the dawn of human the failure and any remedies the higher spirits. time. Lhapas often make claims of needed are given by the officiating Well respected lhapas can also kinship with Gesar, and some lhapas possessing spirit. acquire more spirits who can begin construct detailed genealogies that If the fledgling lhapa’s spirit says to use them as vessels as more Below: Pouring reach right back to him. “yes” they are told that they must Buddhist teachings are learned. If strong black tea The song tells a part of the epic help all living beings and follow the these are not merely local land into a serkyem where Gesar plays dice with a dwarf. advice of the high lamas. spirits, but instead are monastery as an offering to Gesar has learned that his wife has Then the officiating established spirits, known to defend Buddhism the wrathful been captured by the enemy who lhapa’s spirit sings more songs, and be essential parts of Buddhist protector spirits are invading his country. Rushing challenging the fledgling lhapa’s teaching, the lhapas status spirit to answer questions increases considerably. about the spirit world and the spirits who live in it. Tibetan Buddhism, Lamaism, This is where the ritual has often had a troublesome arrows are used, as they relationship with shamanism. In represent these different Mongolia, where it eventually spirits, and are used to spread, it experienced much conflict demonstrate that the with the local shamans, although it fledgling lhapa’s spirit never managed to subjugate them knows the correct as fully as it did in Tibet. cosmology. Many ancient shamanic spirits Eventually the last arrow are now hidden within Buddhism, - a black one - is picked up incorporated into it and the same by the fledgling lhapa and spirits are still worked with by broken. This broken arrow, shamans in Mongolia and up into representing evil, is then Southern Siberia - sometimes with thrown outside to a chorus a mix of both Buddhist and of “tha gyallo” (victory to shamanic elements in the ritual, the gods). Then further with even both Buddhist lamas and questions and instruction is shamans taking part in them. given and eventually both Although heavily controlled by the officiating lhapa and the Buddhism, it would seem - as in fledgling lhapa bless all Christianised Europe - the ancient those present and come spirits will have their voice, and out of trance. After the nothing can stop them. S H ISSUE 79 2013 18 www.sacredhoop.org