I’ve been furiously writing here to get up-to-date, and even though I’m still working on September things seen and heard, I must now share that it’s Yamantaka time! I am currently documenting this highest yoga tantra performed annually at Namgyal Monastery here in Dharamsala.
Highest yoga tantra ritual, Yamantaka, begins pre-dawn at Namgyal Monastery, DharamsalaThe moon shines over Dharamsala Valley as Namgyal monks begin pre-dawn prayers for Yamantaka ritual. This highest yoga tantra occurs annually over the course of about ten days at Namgyal Monastery.
Yamantaka began four days ago before dawn’s light with earth ritual prayers to prepare the ground for this sacred art.
Offerings are made in the thekpu during earth ritual prayers to prepare the ground for the creating a sand mandala
Then came three days of intensive work for the monks to rasp colored sand through metal funnels to create intricate designs symbolizing the main deity and his retinue of associated deities within the palace. For more info on mandalas and tantric, see this earlier post.
Day one involves marking out the eight directions in white, and then monks draw the basic structure of the mandala in black ink before beginning with colored sand.The sand mandala begins with symbolic depiction of Yamantaka deity who resides in the center. A mandala is a two-dimensional representation of a thee-dimensional palace, used as an aide in tantric meditation practice.Day one of creating Yamantaka sand mandala continues, Namgyal Monastery, DharamsalaThe mandala after the first day’s completionDay two of creating sand mandala. This monk is scribing a floral design with a pencil into the background sand, after which he will create it on top in other different gradated colors.Day two of making Yamantaka sand mandala, Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala. The four gateways to the palace can now clearly be seen outlined in black, flanked by black-and-white cornice design.Day two of making Yamantaka sand mandala. The gateways are further elaborated as the green background color is begun for the next section. The monks began early morning and will work well into the night to ensure progress and completion of the mandala within three days.Day three of making Yamantaka sand mandala, with completed gateways, banner designs, vases, and other symbols that are mnemonic devices for tantric meditation, Namgyal Monastery, DharamsalaWorking on the outer borders, day three of making Yamantaka sand mandala, Namgyal Monastery, DharamsalaThe sand is gradated on this outer border, day three of making Yamantaka sand mandala, Namgyal Monastery, DharamsalaWorking on the final outer border which represents the charnel grounds, day three of making Yamantaka sand mandala, Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala
The sand mandala was just finished yesterday.
The completed Yamantaka sand mandala, Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala
With the completion of the mandala, today was the generation stage of the ritual. The monks chanted while visualizing themselves arise as Yamantaka. Tomorrow begins three days of consecration, followed by fire puja, then dissolution of the mandala.
I love this bittersweet last part where the beautiful mandala is swept away. As George Harrison sang, all things must pass. It’s a lesson in the truth of impermanence and the wisdom of letting go. Some of the sand is given to visitors who come witness the event. Most of it is swept into a ritual vase that is then taken to a nearby body of water and poured into it. I think of it as sending good wishes and energy out into the world.
I look forward to seeing it again. It was a wonderful experience here three years ago. It will be a welcome deja vu.
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Thank you, l enjoyed this very much being buddhist, it brought back memories of the Yamantaka mandala in my house blessings…lzy
Thank you, Izy, for sharing your good memories and sentiments.