Difference between revisions of "Namkha"
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+ | [[Namkha]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ནམ་མཁའ་]]}} [[nam mkha]]' "sky", "[[space]]", "[[aether]]"," [[heaven]]"), also known as [[De]]; ([[Tibetan]] [[mdos]] ({{BigTibetan|[[མདོས]]}}) ) is a [[form]] of yarn or [[thread cross]] composed [[traditionally]] of wool or {{Wiki|silk}} and is a [[form]] of the [[Endless knot]] of the [[Eight Auspicious Symbols]] ([[Ashtamangala]]). | ||
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+ | [[Namkha]], [[space]], is the [[Tibetan]] [[name]] of an extremely [[ancient]] {{Wiki|structure}} made of coloured threads wrapped around wooden sticks, variations of which can be found in other [[traditions]] of the populations of our {{Wiki|planet}}, which from time immemorial, | ||
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+ | [[Tibetans]] have imbued with a very precise, well defined and meaningful function, as we shall see from the [[pure]] [[symbolic]] [[representation]]. | ||
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+ | Used in the [[ancient]] [[rituals]] of [[Bön]] — the pre-Buddhist [[religion]] of [[Tibet]] — in [[reality]] this [[object]] represents the fundamental components and aspects of the [[energy]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}, as defined from the {{Wiki|conception}} until the [[birth]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}. | ||
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+ | [[Knowledge]] about the use of [[Namkha]] were almost completely lost, but in 1983 [[Chögyal Namkhai Norbu]] wrote a text entitled The Preparation of [[Namkha]] which Harmonizes the [[Energy]] of the [[Elements]], and in the same year gave [[oral teachings]] on [[Namkha]] explaining that its function is to harmonize the [[elements]] of the {{Wiki|individual}} and the various [[forms]] of [[energy]] related to them. | ||
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+ | Faithful to the meaning of [[space]], both as origin and of indispensable support of the [[five material elements]], [[Wood]], [[Fire]], [[Earth]], Metal and [[Water]], the [[Namkha]] as a whole represents the global [[space]] in which these interact. | ||
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+ | But whilste being founded on [[astrological calculations]], and in fact certainly not being able to do without them, a [[Namkha]] is not at all the {{Wiki|equivalent}} of a three dimensional [[horoscope]]. | ||
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+ | It is not limited to a mere [[representation]] of the [[elements]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}, but possesses a function, not just [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]] but operative. | ||
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+ | It is in fact a concrete, effective and [[extraordinary]] means to harmonize the [[energy]] of the {{Wiki|individual}}, both internally and in [[relation]] to the total [[energy]] of the time and the [[universe]] as a whole. | ||
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+ | In certain [[tantric rituals]], the [[Namkha]] becomes a [[pure land]] abode of a [[deity]] while in other [[rites]] it may act as a snare for {{Wiki|demons}}. | ||
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+ | [[Tradition]] holds that it was for this [[latter]] {{Wiki|purpose}} that a [[namkha]] was used by [[Padmasambhava]] after his [[Vajrakilaya]] [[Dance]] during he [[consecration]] of [[Samye monastery]] during the first importation of [[Buddhism]] to [[Tibet]]. | ||
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+ | (Pearlman, 2002: p. 18). Weavings of a similar [[nature]] are called "[[God's]] [[eye]]" in English {{Wiki|folk}} [[art]]. | ||
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+ | In the [[Bön]] and [[Vajrayana]] [[Buddhist traditions]], a [[namkha]] is [[constructed]] as the temporary dwelling for a [[deity]] during [[ritual practice]]. The {{Wiki|structure}} of the [[namkha]] is [[traditionally]] made with colored threads [[symbolic]] of the [[elements]] (blue, [[green]], [[red]], white, and [[yellow]]; | ||
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+ | [[space]], [[air]], [[fire]], [[water]], and [[earth]] respectively ), the sequence, and the shape of the [[namkha]] differing for each particular [[deity]] or [[yidam]]. | ||
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+ | The [[namkha]] is placed on the practitioner's [[altar]] or [[shrine]] and an image of the [[deity]] may be placed beneath. | ||
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+ | The [[namkha]] is often accompanied in [[rites]] and [[ritual]] workings with the [[tantric]] and {{Wiki|shamanic}} tool, the [[phurba]]. | ||
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+ | Pearlman (2002: p. 18) states how [[Padmasambhava]] [[consecrated]] the land for the building of [[Samye Monastery]] by the enactment of the [[rite]] of the [[Vajrakilaya dance]] which employed [[namkha]] to capture [[malevolent]] [[spirits]] and thoughtforms. | ||
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+ | [[Ngak’chang Rinpoche]] comments: "These threads symbolize the ‘thread’ that is the literal meaning of the [[word]] ‘[[tantra]]’ and describe the manner in which each point in time and [[space]] is the warp and weft of the loom of experiential / [[existential]] [[emptiness]]." | ||
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+ | see also: [[Space]] ; [[Thread Cross]]; | ||
+ | {{W}} | ||
{{TibetanTerminology}} | {{TibetanTerminology}} | ||
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+ | [[Category:Namkha]] |
Latest revision as of 08:44, 21 November 2015
Namkha (Tibetan: ནམ་མཁའ་ nam mkha' "sky", "space", "aether"," heaven"), also known as De; (Tibetan mdos (མདོས) ) is a form of yarn or thread cross composed traditionally of wool or silk and is a form of the Endless knot of the Eight Auspicious Symbols (Ashtamangala).
Namkha, space, is the Tibetan name of an extremely ancient structure made of coloured threads wrapped around wooden sticks, variations of which can be found in other traditions of the populations of our planet, which from time immemorial,
Tibetans have imbued with a very precise, well defined and meaningful function, as we shall see from the pure symbolic representation.
Used in the ancient rituals of Bön — the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet — in reality this object represents the fundamental components and aspects of the energy of the individual, as defined from the conception until the birth of the individual.
Knowledge about the use of Namkha were almost completely lost, but in 1983 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu wrote a text entitled The Preparation of Namkha which Harmonizes the Energy of the Elements, and in the same year gave oral teachings on Namkha explaining that its function is to harmonize the elements of the individual and the various forms of energy related to them.
Faithful to the meaning of space, both as origin and of indispensable support of the five material elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, the Namkha as a whole represents the global space in which these interact.
But whilste being founded on astrological calculations, and in fact certainly not being able to do without them, a Namkha is not at all the equivalent of a three dimensional horoscope.
It is not limited to a mere representation of the elements of the individual, but possesses a function, not just cognitive but operative.
It is in fact a concrete, effective and extraordinary means to harmonize the energy of the individual, both internally and in relation to the total energy of the time and the universe as a whole.
In certain tantric rituals, the Namkha becomes a pure land abode of a deity while in other rites it may act as a snare for demons.
Tradition holds that it was for this latter purpose that a namkha was used by Padmasambhava after his Vajrakilaya Dance during he consecration of Samye monastery during the first importation of Buddhism to Tibet.
(Pearlman, 2002: p. 18). Weavings of a similar nature are called "God's eye" in English folk art.
In the Bön and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, a namkha is constructed as the temporary dwelling for a deity during ritual practice. The structure of the namkha is traditionally made with colored threads symbolic of the elements (blue, green, red, white, and yellow;
space, air, fire, water, and earth respectively ), the sequence, and the shape of the namkha differing for each particular deity or yidam.
The namkha is placed on the practitioner's altar or shrine and an image of the deity may be placed beneath.
The namkha is often accompanied in rites and ritual workings with the tantric and shamanic tool, the phurba.
Pearlman (2002: p. 18) states how Padmasambhava consecrated the land for the building of Samye Monastery by the enactment of the rite of the Vajrakilaya dance which employed namkha to capture malevolent spirits and thoughtforms.
Ngak’chang Rinpoche comments: "These threads symbolize the ‘thread’ that is the literal meaning of the word ‘tantra’ and describe the manner in which each point in time and space is the warp and weft of the loom of experiential / existential emptiness."
see also: Space ; Thread Cross;