25/05/2025
TENCHI FESTIVAL .
Vajrakila (Dorje Phurba) or Vajrakumar (Dojre Shonnu) is a name of tutelary deity Yidam in Vajrayana Buddhism. This practice was popular in India and Nepal for long time. Buddhist masters Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra and Shilamanju (of Nepal) introduced this practice into Tibet in the 8th century AD. There were many lineages of Vajrakila practice in Tibet. Among them Khon tradition Kila (Phurba) is one of the major practice in Sakyapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava instructed major steps in sacred dance of Vajrakila at Samye Monastery in Tibet.
The Tenchi Festival was started in the early 15th century. It was introduced by Reverent Khenchen Sonam Lhundrup, son of the 2nd king of Mustang. But, the practice of celebrating this festival was abolished for some reasons. In the 17th century Mustangi King Samdup Rabten invited Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga Sonam in Lomanthang. He resided at Monthang Chhode Monastery and performed special Vajrakila ritual for the well being of all sentient beings and dispelling negative elements in Mustang. He started special religious dance related with the meditation of Vajrakila. Later in 1963, this practice was reintroduced. According to legendry, one can speak with the power of God. It is necessary to celebrate it continuously for the prosperity and growth of Buddhism, and for the removal of obstacles of every creature it has been said that if this festival is not celebrated then there would be more pain, hardship and natural calamities in human life. Therefore, this festival has been celebrating every year for the sake of all sentient beings for relinquishing their obstacles, pain and Hardship. However, it mainly focuses in the flourishing of peace and harmony in all the land of our vast universe, Since, we incessantly see and hear about immense destruction, conflict, icredibly bad incidents and huge devastation caused by earthquake, volcanoes and many other natural calamities. So, these kind of virtuous deeds are good factors for bringing peace and prosperity in our universe. The original name of this ritual dance is Tenpa Chirim which means benefit of Buddha's teaching and all sentient beings. In Mustangi (Lobo) dialect it is pronounced as Tiji (or Tenchi). It is a part of Sadhana (meditation practice) based on root and explanatory Ta**ra text related with Vajra Kumar (Vajra Kila). Performers of dance should have received empowerments of Vajrakila. Most of the important elements of wrathful Sadhana are performed in this sacred dance. There are two types of activities during the development/creation phase of meditation. There are peaceful steps of dance in the first activity (Toele) while subjugation of negative elements is depicted in the second activity (Mele).
There are 3 major topics in this sacred dance namely preliminary, main practice and conclusion. In the preliminary part of this scred dance, there are 15 steps. Generation of celestial palace and generation of deities are the two steps in main practice. In conclusion, there are steps to clear away eternal and nihilistic views as well as providing auspiciousness. Different poses and gestures signify different processes of meditation in symbolic away. These all steps in dance have deeper meaning. All the obstacles in life are cleared by seeing these steps with faith and respect. Also, auspiciouse conditions will happen. This sacred dance ceremony is a skillful means used by past Buddhist masters for the benefit of all sentient beings. The main dancer (Tsowo) has to complete 3 months retreat practice before the main event. Mustang royal family and all the villagers of seven provinces of Upper Mustang (Lo Chhodun) praticipate in this sacred dance with ritual. It is held for a total of four days; it always begins on the 26th and ends on the 29th of the third month of the Tibetan calendar every year. A day before Tenchi festival, which means the 25th, monks make various religious cakes and some other preparation for Tenchi festival as well. Every four days the monks perform the Vajra Kilaya Puja and the Mahakala Puja in Thupchen Monastery. On the first day, we perform puja for the whole day and on the second day we finish our puja before lunch. Afterwards, we begin our ritual performances in the compound which is in front of the king's palace. On the third day, we perform more ritual dances by putting on various kinds of masks and pious ancient traditional costumes. On the last day. we go outside the village to throw the religious cakes according to the astrologer's decision. The astrologer determines the direction in which the religious cakes must be thrown. Furthermore, we have some other important ritual dances too. But unfortunately, we are unable to present them because the costumes and the masks of those dances are in a very delicate condition. In fact, these dances had been disappearing slowly which is a great shame to us. On this festival you can also enjoy the rich culture of Upper Mustang. We have cultural programme from different schools and youth clubs of Upper Mustang and we are sure that you can get much information about our authentic cultural heritage through such programme. So, let’s get together and celebrate it for bringing peace in the Universe.
