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The amount of water contained in the Bumpa(vase) is
believed to predict, Sikkim's prospects for the year. If
the Bumpa is full, it prophesies revolution and disturbances. If the
level falls, then there will be floods, amines and diseases. What
the devout pray for is a half full Bumpa which indicates prosperity,
happiness and peace.
The Bumchu ceremony draws thousands of people from Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal,
Darjeeling and surrounding places who braves the chill and arduous climb through the
forest and the cart road to participate in the ceremony.
The sacred Bumpa (vase), well preserved under
lock and seal, at Tashiding Dupche Lhakhang is believed to be
granted its magical properties by Guru Padma Jullgne after
completion of his five billion 'om mani padme hung' chants.
The power of this mantra produced a Bumpa full of water. Several
deities entered the water following the Guru's initiation. The
water is believed to have overflowed spreading to all directions
like the "rays of the Sun". Legend holds that the water showed no
signs of decreasing even after being distributed to thousands of
devotees. This event dates back to the reign of King Trisong
Deutsan of Tibet. Later, in the year 1646, the
first Bum Chu ceremony was introduced to Sikkim by Ngadak Sempa
Phuntshog Rinzing (one of the three Lamas who met at Yoksam and
coroneted Sikkim's first Chogyal, at Lhakhang, near Norbughang,
Yoksam. The miracle replicated with Ngadak Lama's completion of
one lakh "Kyang Chaak" and "thungchur" (billion) incantations of 'om
mani padme hung'. In 1647,
Tashiding was
selected for the yearly Bum-Chu ceremony. Tashiding- the place
blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, the temple of the Dharma rajas, a
place where a thousand prayer flags flutter way to glory amidst
the parade on lichen- lad, lime-washed chortens.
Tashiding is
suitably christened the ‘Thakkar Tashiding'. 'Thakkar' means
white-spoted rocks, stones and precipices. This is also the spot
of the most holy chorten'. So sacred is this chorten that the mere
act of beholding it is supposed to cleanse all sins as its name
suggests -Thong-warang or a saviour by mere sight. The Chorten is
constructed around a 250 old pine believed to have grown from Guru
Padmasambhava's walking stick, which he left behind after a brief
rest here. The chorten contains funeral granules of the Buddha
deposited by Jigme Pawo (successor and incarnate of Lhatsun Chenpo).
The six-syllabled mystic chant
"om mani padme hung"
surrounds the wall of stones around the chortens. For the last
forty years, an old artist has been diligently re pairing the
carved inscriptions at Tashiding.
Tashiding Monastery was founded by Ngada Sempa
in the year 1641 AD and houses some hundred monks at present. The
monastery was extended and renovated by the third Chogyal, Chagdor
Namgyal, and belongs to the Nyingmapa sect.
"Bumpa is made neither from soil, sand nor from
any metal. Its shape, size and weight cannot be replicated. It's
an extraordinary' 'taer' (relic) brought from Tibet," informs the
Khyenpo (senior Tashiding monk) in his talk delivered to the
gathered devout on the night before the Bum-Chu. Many scholars
however believe it to be made from a mixture of sacred soil, water
and five precious jewels collected from holy areas of the Earth.
The neck of the Bumpa is full of" Khadas' making it "invisible" to
the people.
Bum-Chu is an annual festival held on the
fifteenth day (full moon) of the first of the Tibetan Calendar.
The rituals surrounding it have remained unchanged, since 1646. A
seven day prayer, from the eight to the fifteenth day, is offered
each year in hopes of revealing a favourable water level.
The Bumpa is opened on the fourteenth day. First
three 'tings' (cups) of water are taken from the vase and offered
first to the royal family, the second to the monks and the third
distributed amongst the devotees,
The mountain stream Rathong Chu provides the
water for replacement. Monks are sent for three tings of water at
around midnight, "We get water from Dzongri, the Rathong water
here is bit impure," Tsutimba of the Tashiding Gompa informs.
The devout are housed under '"deras' and 'shedas'
for Rs.500 per night. Others just slept on the lawn, tents and mon astery verandas, The numbers present could be gauged from the
number of vehicles lined up from Siney bazzar, Tashiding to the
Gompa foothill. Some 60- 70 elderly women from outside Tashiding
underwent a three-day retreat prior to the ceremony. A mani
teacher stressed, “This retreat is very different and more
beneficial than any others retreats. We are blessed now."
Youngsters from groups to sing "Om Mani Padme Hum" followed by
'chi-kor' (outside round of the monastery), The stall owners also
saw brisk business, Tourists could be seen meditating. Rainfall on
the fourteenth day is a usual phenomenon and considered an act of
washing away all sins and evi1 acts. The
miraculous powers of the Bumpa are best illustrated in the Khyenpo's
own words: "It is incredible that the Bum-Chu is pure, clean,
fresh and germ-free even though unwashed and kept away from the
Sun since 1646." |
