Illustration of the Supreme Deity Sangpo Bumtri from an old Yungdrung Bon text
Sipa Sangpo Bumtri, Deity of Phenomenal Existence, is one of the Four Transcendent Lords of the Yungdrung Bön. The other three are The Great Deity Shenlha Ökar, The Great Mother of Space Satrik Ersang and Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoche. These Four Deities are traditionally displayed together in every Yungdrung Bön temple and are often surrounded by the 1,000 Enlightened Beings.
On September 1, 2014 in Amdo, Tibet, an official consecration ceremony was held for the newly erected statue of the Lord of the teachings, the Great Lama Drenpa Namkha. The sacred image was erected at the Yungdrung Bön monastery of Gamal Gomchen which is the largest in the area. The consecration was performed by the great abbot Sherap Yungdrung Wangyal Rinpoche, Ponlop Menri Geshe Sherap Tharchin, the supreme tulku of Dangri Do Ngak Shedrup Gyaltsen and many other lamas and monks from the five main monasteries and the thirteen branch monasteries. Additionally, there were many well known and respected Yungdrung Bön practitioners present.
The supreme tulku of Dangri Do Ngak Shedrup Gyaltsen
The sacred statue was erected by the supreme tulku of Dangri, Do Ngak Shedrup Gyaltsen, for universal benefit and especially for the benefit of the Amdo region. This is the first time that such a statue of the Great Lama Drenpa Namkha has been erected in this area of Tibet.
Official Consecration Ceremony for the Sacred Image of Lachen Drenpa Namkha
The sacred image was empowered with countless sacred and blessed objects from knowledge holders and superior beings of the past from both Zhang Zhung and Tibet. In particular, these countless sacred objects included a collection of objects of support for enlightened Body, Speech, and Mind from the great masters of this area of Amdo.
Countless blessed and sacred items to be placed inside the sacred image
The original article appeared on the Tibetan language website Himalayan Bon. You can read the full article and see more photos by following the link:http://www.himalayabon.com/news/2014-09-05/451.html#jtss-fb
A Tibetan style locket called a ‘ga’u’. Photo credit: Transhimalayan Heritage Arts
Because of the Enlightened Teacher Tonpa Sherap’s immeasurable compassion, there are teachings and methods of help available according to each individual’s ability and capacity. Included are methods of liberation using each of the five senses such as the well known “Liberation through Hearing” texts. Similarly, there are sacred things that are meant to be held or worn close to the body and liberate through touch. Often, mantras and texts such as these are carried on the body within a special container.
Each of the letters of the Tibetan alphabet are associated with one of the five elements according to their inherent sound. The letters associated with the space element are AH, KA, KHA, GA NGA, and HA.
White ornaments made from butter decorate a ritual offering torma.
Nine Ways 