NDLI: Tshechu Festival Mask

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Tshechu Festival Mask

Content Provider	IGNCA - Man and Mask
Description	According to Bhutanese accounts, the origin of masked dances there goes back to 747 CE, when Guru Padma Jungney (more familiarly called Guru Rinpoche) came to central Bhutan to attend to Chakhar Gyalpo, King of Bumthang. This is slightly different from accounts elswhere in the Himalayas, which usually trace these rituals to Guru Padmasambhava; in Bhutan, Padmasambhava is thought to be a slightly later manifestation of Padma Jungney, who is himself regarded as a reincarnation of the Buddha. Guru Rinpoche is said to have cured the King by staging a festival of ritual dances, thus bringing Buddhism - and the the Cham – to Bhutan. The festival is celebrated for three to five days on the tenth of the lunar month so that the community can gather and witness the teachings of the Buddha as interpreted by the Vajrayana tradition within Buddhism.There are dances of peaceful and wrathful deities and of the Durdag – lords and protectors of the eight cremation grounds. The Ging dances enact the searching out evil spirits with the stick of wisdom. The evil spirits are then tied with the 'noose of compassion,' their bodies are turned into offerings and their souls sent to heaven. The gods in their terrifying forms encircle the enemies of Dharma and Guru Rinpoche in his form as Dorji Dragpo – ‘the fierce Thunderbolt’ – enacts their ritual killing. The masked animal-headed dancers are Guru Rinpoche’s attendants, who are also manifestations of his power. The masks are made of wood and of papier mache and are highly decorated.
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Ancient Human Practice Anthropology Anthropomorphic Art Work Art History Bhutan Buddha Bumthang Ceremonies and Practices Chakhar Gyalpo Decorative Mask Disguise Dorji Dragpo Drama Theraphy Guru Padma Jungney Guru Rinpoche Himalayas Kargyudpa school of Vajrayana Buddhism Museum Object Nyingmapa School of Mahayana Ornamentation Padma Jungney Pema Lingpa Performance Performing Art Ritual Mask Sculpture
Content Type	Image Text
Resource Type	Visual Artwork

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