Buddhists monks performed masked dance in Sikkim
Performed by the lamas in the Gompa' courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, these dances demonstrate perfect footwork and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels jump and sway to the rhythm.
IT LOOKED a virtual riot of colours at Old Rumtek Monastery, 26 km from the state capital Gangtok, on Tuesday, December 17, when many masked Buddhist monks performed a special dance before visitors from within India and abroad. This dance is performed symbolizing the destruction of the evil forces and hoping for peace and prosperity to flourish in every house of Sikkim. Kagyed dances enact a variety of themes from the Buddhist mythology and culminate with the burning of effigies made of flour, wood and paper.
Through these mask dances, teachings of Lord Buddha and other religious values are presented to people, evil spirits and misfortunes are warded off and a new year is ushered in. These masks are usually that of various animals and deities, with whom, as per the local people here, one meets after death. The masks not only enthrall the locals but even the foreign tourists who are the practitioners of Buddhism and find seeing the dance as a blessing.
David Lacina, a visitor from Czech Republic said “A totally new experience. The music and dancing together is extremely strong experience In Europe we hear a lot about Buddhism, but is not practiced widely. I would definitely like to come for this colourful event in years to come.”
Performed by the lamas in the 'Gompa' (monastery) courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, these dances demonstrate perfect footwork and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels jump and sway to the rhythm of echoing drums, trumpeting horns and chanting of monks.
Another visitor from England, Paul Smith said, “A culturally enriching experience, in such a special occasion ahead of the Tibetan new year. Buddhism is a peaceful culture and others should emulate this peace. “
With a total of about 250 monasteries, the culture of Sikkim is closely linked to Tibetan Buddhism. Sikkim is also the seat of 17th Karmapa Lama Ugyen Thrinley Dorje, the only senior monk to be recognised by both China and the Dalai Lama.
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.Sikkim is not the seat of China's "Karmapa" Orgyen Trinley. He lives under the watchful eye and guidance of the despots in Dharamsala who fought hard against the freedom orientation of HH the 16th Karmapa. If this figurehead is accepted, it will be the end of Tibetan Vajrayana. The rest of the world are not a bunch of drunken mountain yokels easily misled by supposed gods incarnate.
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