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Windhorse and Buyanhishig

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
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Shamanism deals with personal power and bringing good fortune into one’s life. While every day brings an individual into contacts which intersect one’s personal world with others, the core issues of life lie within one’s personal universe. In this individual aspect of the cosmos, a person stands at the perfect center of the universe, supported by Mother Earth and enveloped in the clear blue vastness of Father Heaven. At the center one’s cosmic soul (suns) shines as a bright white star, and the body soul (ami) is a red point of light. One can fly freely within the vastness of space or travel upon the earth.

Because each person has their own path, one is ultimately responsible for one’s actions. Personal psychic power is called hii (wind), or hiimori, (windhorse). This force is housed within the chest and will vary in size according to how one uses and accumulates it. Very strong windhorse allows one to think clearly and analytically and see through deception. Windhorse is the power which allows shamans and other powerful people accomplish what needs to be done simply and easily. Use of one’s personal power toward harmful ends or to upset the balance of the universe depletes windhorse, which is one reason why truly evil people tend toward self-destructive behavior over time.

Windhorse can be increased by actions to restore balance in the universe and through religious practice. Simple everyday actions foster windhorse, such as offering drink to heaven, earthd the ancestors, prayer, and veneration of the heaven, earthd the spirits of the ancestors and nature. Sacred smoke from incense, thyme, juniper, and other herbs can raise windhorse when done during shamanist worship. Sacrifices are another way to raise windhorse if done for specific purposes or at the traditional festivals. A related concept to windhorse in buyanhishig, which is blessing from Heaven or the spirits. One can view buyanhishig as being almost like a bank account which can be increased or decreased according to one’s actions. A large accumulation of buyanhishig (also known as buyan for short) will result in good fortune, protection from harm, and happiness.

One can also lose buyan by violating taboos, showing disrespect for the spirits or the ancestors, or by offending the spirits of nature by killing animals for no purpose. Personal filthiness also is harmful to buyan. Buyan is increased through acts of generosity such as giving food and drink to visitors and donating goods to needy people. Buyan, like windhorse, is also increased through living an upright (yostoi) life, religious acts, and sacrifices. Father Heaven and the spirits can also be called through the dallaga ritual, which literally beckons buyan into one’s life or into the community when done collectively. It is done by making a circular motion with the hands in a sunwise fashion accompanied by the words “hurai, hurai, hurai!” By being conscious of windhorse and buyan one can walk one’s life path in power, safety, and with good fortune. This attitude toward life creates self-awareness in one’s actions and consciousness of how individual actions shape one’s own fate. The ideal person learns to live yostoi (following the customs), which means living respectfully and not violating the taboos against upsetting balance in the world.

Source

buryatmongol.org