19/02/2023
2 days before Lhosar on the day of Gutor, the ritual dances of lamas, known as Cham are performed at monasteries. The purpose of Cham is to clear obstacles, and to prepare our body and mind for a fresh new year.
There are three types of obstacles: outer, inner, and innermost.
- Outer obstacles are such things as famine, sickness, and all sorts of inconveniences of life.
- Inner obstacles are hatred, pride, jealousy and similar negative emotions.
- Innermost or secret obstacles are what Buddhists call conceptual obscurations. These prevent one from seeing things as they truly are, from seeing the path to enlightenment.
The performance takes a few hours and consists of four parts: pacification and neutralization, subjugating and destruction.
Thank you to all the wonderful monks of Benchen Shedra Monastery who dedicated this day for entire sentient beings. I've captured better visuals through my camera. Stay tuned. For now here is a montage captured via phone.
