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THIS IS A FREE ARTICLE FROM SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE. Sacred Hoop is an independent magazine about 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 SEIZED by the SPIRIT An interview with the VENERABLE THUPTEN NGODUP State of

by TSERING TASHI & LOTSAWA TSEPAK RINZIN

Like in many ancient societies of the world, remain an important part of the Tibetan way of life, and they rely on them for various reasons; to foretell the future, and sometimes to act as healers. However, their primary function is to protect the Buddha teachings and its practitioners from harm.

The Tibetan State Oracle is a tradition many centuries old where the spirit of a Dharmapala (protector of Buddhist teachings) called Dorje Drakden enters into the body of a Buddhist monk, in order to give advise to the Dalai and the

S 6 H WINTER 2005 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 Would you tell us something Education opportunity was CONSULTING THE ORACLE about your background and given to all Tibetan refugee children, but T.C.V. accepted childhood? The Oracle’s elaborate costume consists of several only orphans and my parents were reluctant to send me to a layers of clothing topped by a highly ornate robe of I was born in Tibet on July far away place. So for two golden silk brocade, covered with ancient designs in 13th, 1958 in , bordering years I worked as a coolie with red and blue and green and yellow. On his chest he Bhutan. My parents come from my parents. wears a circular mirror which is surrounded by a peasant family. Following the clusters of turquoise and amethyst, its polished steel Chinese occupation of Tibet in What about your early flashing with the corresponding to 1959 my parents lost their Dorje Drakden. Before the proceedings begin, he freedom and experienced education and monastic hardship under the Chinese training? also puts on a sort of harness, which supports four rule. Then in 1966, during the flags and three victory banners. Altogether, this so-called ‘’, As a child I had a natural outfit weighs more than seventy pounds and the my parents escaped from Tibet inclination to do anything medium, when not in , can hardly walk in it. to Bhutan, with me. l am the religious. I even told my only child in the family but parents of my desire to become The ceremony begins with chanted invocations and have a half-brother who is now a monk, which they agreed prayers, accompanied by the urgings of horns, cymbals living in Dharamsala. In would be worthwhile. So in and drums. After a short while, the Oracle enters his Bhutan, we were temporarily 1969, after our return to trance... Then, as the first prayer cycle concludes and the resettled in a Tibetan refugee Dharamsala from Kulu, I was second begins, his trance begins to deepen. At this point, camp. initially admitted to Gadong a huge helmet is placed on his head. This item weighs My father was a descendant monastery and remained there of a well-known ngakpa2 family for a year. approximately thirty pounds, though in former times it which belonged to the Khon At that time I knew nothing weighed over eighty of the tradition about monastery, Now the Oracle’s face transforms, becoming rather of Tibetan . My which was then temporarily wild before puffing up to give him an altogether strange mother comes from the located at Nazara Kothi (1km appearance, with bulging eyes and swollen cheeks. His Nanying of Gyantse, below Gangchen Kyishong, the breathing begins to shorten and he starts to hiss and later got settled in Phari, seat of the Tibetan government violently. Then, momentarily, his respiration stops. At this where I was born. in exile). Every day I had to go point the helmet is tied in place with a knot so tight that Unfortunately, both of them to Nechung monastery for it would undoubtedly strangle the Oracle if something have passed away. pujas (prayers) and study, and very real were not happening. The possession is now My father was a good chod return to Gadong the same complete and the mortal frame of the medium expands practitioner1, and after our arrival evening. This is how I spent in Bhutan, he often told us about a year. visibly. about his ambition to go to But to be frank, deep down to receive HH the ’s in my heart I started feeling Next, he leaps up with a start and, grabbing a ritual blessings and then leave this closer to Nechung; so my sword from one of his attendants, begins to dance with worldly life to become a hermit. father, knowing the trouble of slow, dignified, yet somehow menacing, steps. He then Later, along with other Tibetan my daily walk between Gadong comes in front of me and either prostrates fully or bows refugees, we left Bhutan for and Nechung, suggested that it deeply from the waist until his helmet touches the ground India to seek our second asylum would be better for me to join before springing back up, the weight of his regalia in exile, and arrived in Nechung, as there is counting for nothing. The volcanic energy of the can Dharamsala in early 1969. technically no difference barely be contained within the earthly frailty of the My family found a home near between the two monasteries. Oracle, who moves and gestures as if his body were made the Tibetan Children’s Village. So this is how I joined We were like the present-day Nechung in 1971. of rubber and driven by a coiled spring of enormous power. new arrivals from Tibet. The Tibetan government in Since 1971 I received all the There follows an interchange between Nechung and exile therefore organised a new basic religious training at the myself, where he makes ritual offerings to me. I then ask camp for our group, and we monastery. After completion of any personal questions I have for him. After replying, he worked as road construction the basic training at Nechung, a returns to his stool and listens to questions put by members labourers to earn our living. The monk could chose either of the of the Government. Before giving answers to these the road above the Tibetan two lines: sung-zang (the chant Oracle begins to dance again, thrashing his sword above his Children’s Village, leading to master’s line), or chod-zheng ba head. He looks like a magnificent, fierce Tibetan warrior the Indian village, was (the ritual master’s line). Since I chieftain of old. constructed by us. I was had a natural interest in the As soon as Dorje Drakden has finished speaking, the around ten years old. skills of creative arts and crafts, Oracle makes a final before collapsing, a rigid and lifeless form, signifying the end of the possession. Above: Tibetan Oracle’s ritual sword. Simultaneously, the knot holding his helmet in place is Left: 19th painted of Dorje Drakden showing him riding on a black horse surrounded by flames. untied in a great hurry by his assistants, who then carry Insets: Ven. Thupten Ngodup, the State Oracle him out to recover whilst the ceremony continues. of Tibet in his monk’s robes, and during the oracle Extracted from ‘Freedom in Exile’, His Holiness the Dalai Lama ceremony at , the Tibetan New Year celebrations.

S H WINTER 2005 7 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 I joined the second group and appropriate point - and all of a those dreams, the person in trance gradually rose to the highest rank. sudden - I was possessed by the was not me. It was somewhat like in 1981 I became Cho-pon (the spirit of the Nechung. This was the the previous Medium and ritual leader). first time I was seized by the spirit. sometimes it was even not clearly This incident was immediately recognisable. How and when were you brought to the notice of His recognised as the Nechung Holiness the Dalai Lama by the In 1985, during the Kalachakra abbots, officials and (Wheel of Life) initiation in Kuten or the Medium of the representatives of the monastery. Bodhgaya, I bled a lot from my State Oracle? After two days I was summoned by nose and mouth. The blood I His Holiness and I went to him swallowed was vomited out. In After the passing away in 1984 of with Venerable Thupten Phuntsok. between, I lost hope of survival, the previous Medium, Venerable His Holiness asked many although I felt no special fear of Lobsang Jigme, there was no questions of us - and particularly dying. I also had a very special Medium for the of me - concerning various signs I emotional experience, though I for about three years. His Holiness had, some in dreams. I reported could not understand what it Tibetan the Dalai Lama wrote a prayer for every single incident from the meant at that time. I began Buddhist the speedy return of the Medium, beginning. His Holiness then experiencing more and more Oracles wear and commissioned Nechung asked me to carry out a retreat unusual signs and wondered what monastery and the Drepung very elaborate and accordingly, I fulfilled the these emotional feelings could monastery, with whom the Oracle ceremonial commitment. mean to me. But gradually, I has a special relationship, to recite recovered from the illness and was costumes the prayer. which include Briefly tell us about the dreams able to attend the actual Then on March 31 1987, Kalachakra ceremony. a special large and other signs you Drepung Lhatze (‘Day of Then one night, during the metal experienced before being Drepung’s Summoning of the same occasion in Bodhgaya, I (mirror) which Oracle’) was requested at recognised as Nechung Kuten dreamed of a long staircase where is worn on Nechung monastery. In Tibet, or the Medium of the State a lot of monkeys accorded a straps which observed this Oracle? ceremonial welcome. The monkeys run across day every month, but in exile, were holding fruits in their hands, their chests. since Drepung is far away in South I personally consider that to become and one of them held my hand and India, they observed the day by a medium is definitely a result of led me through the higher steps. offering an invocation rite in front This use of one’s past karmic connections and Upon reaching a platform, I saw a of Nechung’s thangka (scroll mirrors by prayers. Also, as a child, I used to big tree which had a hole into painting) at their monastery. But shamans and have very strong feeling of which I was led. occasionally, when the previous oracles is a closeness with the It is commonly believed that medium of Nechung was alive, the very ancient Protector, and I had a special faith seeing monkeys in one’s dream Drepung monastery would send tradition that and devotion in him. After the signifies connection to the Dharma their representatives to has very close passing away of the previous Protector. Although at that time I Dharamsala during the annual parallels to Medium, I dreamed of the Dharma had no such thought. Nevertheless, teaching programme of His the use of Protector in trance on when I had this dream, I really Holiness the Dalai Lama, at the ancient several experienced a pleasant main Theckchen Choeling temple, Chinese occasions. feeling, so peaceful and perform the Drepung Lhatze bronze In and gentle, a at Nechung monastery. mirrors by very unusual feeling. shamans in And so it was that on March Mongolia and 31, 1987, a number of Siberia, from Drepung monastery came a tradition to Dharamsala to receive which teachings from His Holiness, predates the and later sought Nechung’s introduction blessings at Nechung of Buddhism monastery - as if there was to Tibet. a trance going on, although there was no Medium of Some of the the Oracle. mirrors used I was among the by Siberian attendants holding incense shamans can pots in the hall. As the be up to 2000 monks started reciting the years old and text of the invocation, at an they are normally Tibetan divination made of mirror, partially gilded bronze. silver set with turquoise.

8 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 I also had other significant headache, but took courage to bear in the presence of Guru Rinpoche3 Music forms dreams. These dreams, no doubt, it because HH the Dalai Lama was and Arya Avalokiteshvara4. At that a very central gave me a very pleasant and an giving a public teaching on Vipasana moment I wondered if this meant I part in the ecstatic feeling. I felt full of peace (Special Insight). It was not the kind was going to be the Medium of the ceremonies of and serenity in my heart. of headache I would normally suffer Dharma Protector, so I prayed “If I the Tibetan However, it was a year later on and I felt like being closer to His am going to be so, this would be a State Oracle. March 31st 1987 that I was Holiness’ presence, walking nearer precious opportunity to be able to actually seized by the spirit of the His Holiness’ throne. This feeling serve the Buddha Dharma. If it

Dharma Protector. turns out to be true, I For a week or so shall serve the Dharma The thunder before I felt mentally and Tibet to the best of of big drums very disturbed. At my ability. May all the and the that time HH the obstacles be removed.” rattle of small Dalai Lama was I was really doubtful at double headed giving teachings on the time but it grew damaru drums; the Lam-rim stronger and stronger. (‘Graded Path’) text. I felt was so involuntary, it was Later I left the main temple together with reluctant to accompany the other overwhelming me. behind the rest of the monks. the crash of Nechung monks to the temple for When everyone had a break, I When I reached our monastery, I cymbals, the these teachings, and stayed still did not feel like joining them, found that Khamtrul had ringing of bells behind to go last, and alone. Also I but got up and stood in the left a clay for me to fix. The and the blare wished to leave the temple last, at corridor - almost lost in thought. top-knot had fallen apart. So that of trumpets the very end of my fellow-monks. That day the emotional currents in night I spent quite some time fixing accompany This disturbed the state of mind me were extremely unusual. When it so I could return it to Khamtrul the prayers lingered for a few days and the friends sitting around me noticed Rinpoche the next day. This done, and readings unpleasant feeling started growing this behaviour, they asked me, I felt a bit more comfortable. which enable more intense as days passed by. “What is the problem.” I said, “No, But the same night in my the spirit who When I found out that in a few nothing, just a little headache.” I dream I saw mushrooms the oracle days time the Drepung monks were sat bending my head down. I everywhere on the lawn around will embody to perform the Drepung Lhatze, I simply wanted the teaching Nechung monastery. It was early in to appear felt so insecure, and intense fear session to finish earlier. the morning and the monks were gripped me. The day before the As soon as the session was about to perform the Drepung before the Drepung Lhatze was to be over and His Holiness had left, I Lhatze. I saw myself walking on gathered performed, I had a severe went inside the temple and prayed the roof of the temple, from where questioners.

9 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

I could see a rainbow wrapping the that the Dharma Protector is in How was the official ceremony The costume temple. I then picked mushrooms trance, and simply imagine we are of your recognition as the of Tibetan and collected them in my zan (the offering the black tea.” He further medium of the State Oracle Buddhist maroon shawl worn by monks). advised me to distribute chag ne Oracles, Could this be an auspicious (blessed grains) to the public. conducted? made up coincidence connected to the Normally, during Drepung of beautiful Dharma Protector? Lhatze, the monks perform an The ceremony took place in the Chinese silk Next morning, when I joined the ablution ceremony at the corridor early hours of September 4th 1987, brocade, others, everyone was busy. I felt of the temple before they enter. in Nechung monastery’s hall. Tibetan is often very extremely unpleasant, emotionally So, while they were performing government officials and Nechung spectacular. disturbed and short-tempered. the ablution ceremony, I went and monks greeted me with traditional When the Venerable Thupten picked up the incense pot, though scarves. Then at 9am I went to Phuntsok asked me to prepare a it was not necessary; I took it receive blessings and advice from black tea to be offered to the inside and left the pot near the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Later, I Dharma Protector’s went to Ling Rinpoche’s residence, throne. I then Serkong Rinpoche’s residence and turned to move out then to Theckchen Choeling temple. of the temple When I was seated on the throne, through the main the members of the Kashag (Tibetan door, but found it Cabinet) were first to greet me with impossible. I felt as scarves. They were followed by if there was some Tibetan Government officials and force that was representatives from Namgyal dragging me to stay monastery, Gadong monastery, inside. My legs Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, and almost became many other organisations. numb and, despite What feelings did you have on effort, I felt I could being recognised as the not move. Finally I managed to go out Nechung Kuten and did this through the back change your life? door and ran around the temple To become Nechung’s Medium is to join the monks at not an ordinary duty. It is a the corridor. By responsibility of national then the ablution importance. I feel that if it is able to ceremony was render good service, especially to already over and the Buddha dharma and Tibet, then the monks had my personal life is insignificant. assembled inside After becoming the Medium, I the temple for the had to automatically resign from invocation rite to be the post of the ritual master and, in led by the Nechung accordance with our tradition, was monks. expected to look after the affairs of the monastery as its head lama, When the rite even though I am not a very began I rushed learned person as I ought to be. inside and picked up I also have to study more, and the incense pot. But meet more people and attend as soon as I entered official functions and ceremonies. the inner chapel of Many people, including journalists, the Dharma come to ask all sorts of questions Protector, I felt a regarding the Dharma Protector A photograph Dharma Protector, I got agitated sudden electric current in me. Then and the Medium. taken in the and replied, “When there is no instantly my vision went blurred, It is a tradition of Nechung late 1920’s Medium to possess the spirit of and my body started trembling Monastery that once you become showing an the Dharma protector, to whom wildly. I had no control of my own the Medium you automatically Oracle in full should we offer black tea?” body. I looked around and saw become the abbot of the monastery ceremonial Thupten Phuntsok felt it was Venerable Thupten Phuntsok. All I as well. Taking this post is not regalia, standing unnatural of me to respond in such could remember was handing over merely a question of receiving the complete with a manner because normally I the pot to him. title, but one has to actually preside hat, ritual would never dare to answer him Then, in a flip of a second, I was and lead the ritual ceremonies, weapons and a that way. I have always treated my completely overwhelmed as if caught many of which are of wrathful large metal elders with respect. in an electric shock. It was so swift nature connected to the Dharma melong strapped Thupten Phuntsok told me, that I could not remember anything Protector’s cycle of ritual traditions. to his chest. “Well, you are right, but let us think that must have happened to me. These are very important. SH 10 WINTER 2005 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

In the past when we had will Nechung also give This is a misunderstanding on the Left: A Nechung Rinpoche, he would take prophesies in other languages? part of the Press. Perhaps, the charge of leading the ceremonies reporter mentioned this to elevate drawing from and the Medium did not have to the position of the Oracle or the the Nyigmapa, Until now, Nechung has spoken shoulder these ceremonial Medium. But he has made a red hat sect only in Tibetan. As for the future, I responsibilities. But as I have been mistake. I personally have not met of Tibetan have no comments. Our senior trained as a monk of this community any press men or others who Buddhism, monks say that in the past the since my childhood, I do not have raised this issue with me. showing Pehar prophesies were extremely poetic much difficulty in joining the pujas His Holiness does not need (Dorje Drakden), and difficult to understand. and ceremonies. I may be lacking spiritual advice from the Protector. riding an some qualifications but whenever I If he did, what about the interim elephant. have to take the responsibility of period? From 1984 until I was English leading a ritual ceremony, I sincerely recognised, there was no Medium. translation pray from the depth of my heart to However, His Holiness never failed of the express the power of the truth or the to lead the Tibetan government and Tibetan text: ultimate reality. its people during that time. I believe ‘Long ago, Also, since I became the that Nechung acts as a divine coerced by Medium, I have to some extent colleague in the conduct of His the master lost my personal freedom of Holiness the Dalai Lama’s spiritual , movement. When I want to go for and temporal responsibilities, and as guardian a holiday, for instance, I have to not as an adviser. of the glorious make sure that it coincides with breadth and the absence of His Holiness from What advice do you have for depths of Drakmar, you the town. I must also seek the Tibetan people? permission from the Office of HH were bound in the Dalai Lama and inform the oath as the I would advise the Tibetans to Tibetan government where I can custodian of Gradually the prophesies became realise that Arya Avalokiteshvara, be contacted. Then, in terms of all dharma‐ more and more clear; and during by virtue of his prayers, has come my diet, I am required to observe wheels. my predecessor’s time and now, in different manifestations to guide certain dietary discipline. For Homage to Nechung’s prophesies have the Tibetan people.This is because instance, I am not supposed to eat Pehar.’ become even more clear. But of our karmic connections and fish, eggs and pork. normally the prophesy is spoken in prayers. HH the Dalai Lama has the form of a poem in stanzas, or always worked for our benefit, But basically not much has prose style, or a mixture of both. especially since the Chinese changed. Although many people The language however, is certainly invasion. The awareness of Tibet in advise me not to do ‘ordinary’ not exactly like the common the world is now growing. This work, I still do things that interest language. It is spoken with a tune does not merely come from political me, and sometimes lead young unique to Nechung. forces, but from our , monks in mundane tasks, like culture and people. They have painting the monastery. I believe in Do you recollect what has been appealed to a worldwide audience. dignity of labour. said during a trance? We must not forget this, and every Tibetan, including government NOTES. Before going into a trance, officials, must work hard and 1: A Ngakpa is a lay No, certainly not. Just before the Tibetan Buddhist what levels of change do you sincerely for our common cause. trance, I see and sense what is tantric ceremonialist His Holiness and the Dharma and magician. Their experience? going around me. But gradually Protector have said that in a few role is similar to that even my senses dissolve and then of a tantric shaman. years time, a bright chance lies It depends on who requests the in a kind of sleep-state I become See the article on ahead for the people of Tibet. So Padmasambhava trance. Sometimes my inner totally absorbed, and do not this is what we must all on page 12 for feelings get disturbed a day or two correctly remember what has more information. concentrate on. Giving and before the trance, and sometimes happened and been said. Normally, 2: Chod (cutting) is a receiving freedom will take only a only a few hours before. For when I am seated on the throne ceremony where the day, but running a government and practionier offers instance, if His Holiness or the with my costume on, I do my themselves as food a nation is not an easy task. Kashag commissions the trance to meditations while reciting . to wrathful spirits Let us, therefore, all work summoned in the take place, then it comes a day Slowly I get possessed into a together. The Dharma Protector has ceremony, in order before and gets stronger as the deeper state of absorption, and to let go of the said on a number of occasions that time for the trance draws closer. then gradually feel distant from my attatchment to “The achievement of Tibet’s goal is their body and The following morning - and own identity and surroundings. It is the joint responsibility of both the their sense of self. especially when I wear the costume like having a dream and not people of Tibet and the Protectors.” 3: Guru Rinpoche is and sit amidst monks chanting the remembering it the next morning. another name for So if the people work hard and Padmasambhava. See call for trance - the inner feeling A news agency recently becomes so intense that it is hard sincerely, the Protectors will always the article on page 12. reported you as the ‘spiritual be enthusiastically with us. 4: Avalokiteshvara is to describe. the Boddhisattva of adviser’ to His Holiness the compassion. See an Sacred Hoop would like to thank Tsering The prophesies have so far Dalai Lama. What is your article about his Tashi and Tibet House for their help with this practice in Sacred reaction to this? article, which was abridged from one which Hoop Issue 35. been given in Tibetan. In future, appeared in the ‘Tibetan Bulletin’ magazine. SH WINTER 2005 11