Add Or 3034

Initiation ceremonies for dGe-lugs-pa monks.

Inscribed: ‘This represents the ceremonies attending the instalment or investment or investiture of a Lama of the Gelukpa’ [dGe-lugs-pa]’ sect.’

‘1. When a boy is 5 months of age then he is taken to a Lama and gives a present and he receives his name whatever it is to be. Mingdoka’ [min-hdog-pa]’ ming (name) dokpa (to keep or retain) for instance Tushitundup’ [bKra-sis-bstan-sgrub]’ which is a zemindar’s name.’

‘2. The boy here is 3 or 4 years of age, and is being made a chelah or disciple; his hair is cut off entirely, until the lock usually left on the su mmit of the head is cut off he cannot be elected or enter the order: he then receives another name, his first was probably that of a cultivator it is now changed to that of a Lama: scented wood is burnt over a cinder and a prayer said: the priest here receives 5 tunkahs’ [than-ka]’ and a kutag’ [ ]. ‘The Lama then gives a piece of yellow silk which is bound round his throat: in No.1 he gets a piece of white silk: his arms are required to be always bare and a garment called Ringha is put on him. He is called Shakyahungka.’

‘Shakya corresponds to our surname & the latter to our Christian.’ Inscribed on picture at ‘Caption 2 dkra’ [i.e. skra]-’phud-hbul-ba (hair first-fruits-offering).’

‘3. He is represented learning his letters which he does till 8 years of age, when he receives other orders (spiritual promotion) called Rubjung trubpa’ [rab-hbyun sgrub-pa]’ and title Gyetsuldugpa’ [dge-tshul-sgrub-pa]’ Caption 4-7.’

‘4. He receives instructions from a higher Lama. This is the ceremony of installing the Gyétshul [dge-tshul]. The disciples all kneel before the principal of the gunpa’ [dgon-pa, monastery]. ‘A prayer of benediction being pronounced an image of Shakya is placed on the head, which is merely touched with it: this ceremony seems something to resemble our confirmation. After Shakay’s image has been placed on the head, the head is touched by a book called the Gyatongpa in a similar manner: after this a chorten’ [mchod-rten]’ is placed on their heads similarly. It is supposed that the one touched with the image may become like Shakya: that the virtue of the book is equal to the speech of Shakya, and the chorten that they die or depart this world as Shakya did. The three are pronounced together Ku-song-tugten. Ku’ [sku]’ (image): song’ [gsun]’ (speech): tug’ [thugs]’ (spirit): ten’ [rten]’ (place of residence).’

‘5. is the Kursil’ [Kha-gsil]’ or a symbol of Shakya: each disciple then grasps this.’

‘6. Longzit (I believe to mean the alms dish) in which both the food is placed and charity received. From this each disciple takes some kind of sweetmeat and eats it, or what we would call a sugar plum.’

‘7. Chutsak’ [chu-tshags]’ or instrument for straining water. In the time of Shakya no one drank water that was not first strained: each touches this.’

‘On that particular day when this ceremony takes place the shuntub’ [sam-thabs]’ or garment must not be higher than the waist: the upper garment is called todgguk’ [stod-hgag]. ‘The small red bag is meant to contain water and is called chubluk’ [chu-blugs]: ‘they wear the bag as Gyetsul, but are not allowed to have water in it until they attain the higher rank of Gelong’ [dge-slon]. ‘The other thing worn is Nyugtog’ [snug- ]’ for holding a stick for writing with. On this day they receive 36 different commands for the Gyétshul: such as not to drink spirits, to abstain from fornication, not to commit theft etc etc, and if you wish to detect a man who wishes to make himself above this occupation: you ask him if he is a Gyétsul: he will probably try to deceive you and say no, I am a Gelong: then ask him how many commandments he has: and he dare not deceive you.’

‘For instance, the Lama now teaching me was first named Oogyen Lundup’ [U-rgyan- ] ‘as a disciple he was named Lobzung jumyung’ [Blo-bzan-njam-dbyans] as’ a Gyétsul he was called Jumyung Chuikirigzin’ [hJam-dbyans-chos-kyi-rig-hdzin]. ‘Like our highland chiefs they are seldom called by their names, but by the name of their houses. My Lama did not approve of the Gélongs’ [? Gelugs]’ customs, but followed the customs of Lopun Rinpochi who did not admit of the rank of Gelong. The house name of my Lama is Kurdun Chuizut’ [bKah-gdams-chos-rgyud ??] ‘the first the name of his house and Chuizut is the son of a high Lama. By this he is always called and few know the real name he had as a Gyétsul.’

‘8. This is the ceremony of installing a Gyetsul as a Gelong, which he cannot attain before the age of 25.’ [caption on picture: ‘dge-slon-sgrub-pa]’

‘9. is a Gelong clothed and standing; his petticoat is called tungshum’ [thun-sam],’ which is made up of many pieces: he has water placed in the bag and has an iron spoon to drink water out of : he also each receives an iron pot, and a water strainer: and they only eat once in 24 hours but they can drink at pleasure. Their food is made into a chotpa before they eat it, it is called pochud’ [pho-mchod caption on 8]. ‘He receives from the priest a small image of Shakya which he must wear about his person as long as he has life. This image is called Drébung and you may always detect a Gelong by this: he usually wears it enclosed in a small silver case and strapped over his shoulder. Instead of 36 commands he receives 250.’

‘10. Is called ‘dingwa’’ [ldin-ba]’ a woolen cloth on which he sits.’

‘11. Tchuigu’ [chos-gos, literally ‘religious clothing’]’ is the blanket he wears as a shawl; it is very fine made of wool.’

‘12. Numchur’ [rnam-phyar, i.e. snam-sbyar]’ made of goshen, koi-’chin [gos-chen]’ or satin, he only wears this three times in a month, on the 8th after new moon called Ségyat the second at the full moon, Chémah, the third when there is no moon or between last quarter and new, Numgang. On these days all assemble and pray: it is called Sojong’ [gsol- ]. ‘When a Gelong gets its name, it is in the following manner. As many as are to be made, the Principal write the same number of names according to his fancy or custom, on paper: but they must have Shakya or Lobzung prefixed: a strip with a name on it is then given to each: and each reads out his own name which for the future he always receives and retains.’

‘13. A Gyétsul mounted on horseback is called Taba’ [gra-pa in caption, mistake for phonetically similar rta-pa, a horseman?]’ and always a cap as in the picture, called Pulsha, Palzha’ [dpal-zva]’ or noble cap, no.2 in my list of caps, and he is allowed to have bells round his horses neck, which he alone is entitled to. The red tassel must be worn close up under the horses jowl, and a man of high rank under the horses chest.’

‘14. When a Gélong’ [dge-slon]’ rides he wears a cap called Jhasir’ [zva-ser, i.e. yellow hat, ordinary name for the dGe-lugs-pa sect].

‘15. Is a Kanpo’ [caption sprul-sku-mkhan-po]’ who is a Gelong of high degree or head of a gunpa: he is always on horseback thus dressed.’ [sprul-sku, pronounced Tulku, are the re-incarnating Lamas, e.g. the Dalai Lama, who hold particlar positions in various monasteries - usually the ‘abbot’].

‘16. Guldung Tipa’ [dGah-ldan-khri-pa]’ is the highest degree of a Gélong: his horse has gold ornaments and he has a chattah held over him: a Gélong of this degree can alone mount the throne of Songkapa’ [Tson-kha-pa] [dGah-ldan-khri- pa is the title of the head of Ganden, dGah-lGah-ldan. monastery founded by Tson-kha-pa, which means ‘the Ganden enthroned one’]. ‘The cloak he wears is called ‘gunchur’’ [gon-gun ( ) chur (loose)].

‘When a woman gets old she has the name of gunchur applied to her in ridicule, meaning that her flesh hangs loosely upon her bones.’