Author: Rene De Nebesky-Wojkowitz
Editor(s): Christoph von Furer-Haimendorf
Publisher: Paljor Publications
Year: 2001
Language: multilingual
Pages: 319
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8176240060
Description
This unique work provides invaluable material related to the Tibatan Sacred Dances, which have met their doom with the destruction of monastic life in Tibet.
Nebesky-Wojkowitz, during several periods of his field work in the Himalayas had studied the Buddhist temple dances. He brought to their description his expert knowledge of Tibetan iconography and ritual. Of particular interest is the translation of the Tibetan texts containing detailed instructions for the performances of the dances. The existence of such choreographical manuals explains the uniformity in the performance of temple dances and the persistence of an unchanging tradition over long periods. Realizing that none of the Buddhist rituals referred in this book can be performed in the present day Tibet and with the rapid decline of the art of chams-dances, Dr de Nebesky-Wojkowitz’s posthumous work becomes all the more valuable.
Contents
Preface by Christoph von Furer-Haimendorf
Introduction
CHAPTER I: DANCES OF SECTS
Dances of the Bon
Dances of the rNying ma pa and rDzogs chen pa Sects
Dances of the Sa skya pa
Dances of the bKa brgyud pa
Dances of the dGe lugs pa
CHAPTER II: ANALYSIS OF CHAMS
CHAPTER III: CHAMS YIG
Introduction to chams yig
The authors of the chams yig
Iconographic details
The participants in the dance
The phases of the chams
Tibetan text of the chams yig
Translation of the chams yig
The rhythm of the dance
Appendix
Sketch-Map of Tibet
Bibliography
Indexes
Plates