Title

Cham in the Sikkimese Village of Phensang

Description

Every winter, the lamas of Phensang's village monastery hold their annual cham. These dramatic ritual masked dances impart elementary Buddhist teachings while providing entertainment to villagers.Their main purpose is to remove obstacles and ward off misfortune for the village, its inhabitants and the monastery. However, for lamas and more serious Buddhist practitioners, these cham and their rituals hold deep philosophical meanings. In the course of this village event, the deities who emerge in the period between death and rebirth make their rhythmic appearances followed by the Lord of Death who judges one's good and bad deeds in the after life.

Tag

Sikkim, Monks, Monastery, cham. Phensang Monastery, Shawa and Lang Cham, Effigy ritual,

producer

Namgyal Insitute of Tibetology

Location

Sikkim

Extent

01:11:58