| Description |
Rigma Chudruk Cham is a pacifying dance, performed solely by monks wearing exquisite costumes to represent the sixteen goddesses that make various offerings to enlightened beings. The sixteen goddesses not only bestow wisdom but also entertain and bring enjoyable offerings to the enlightened spiritual beings.
Generally, the dance takes two forms: Rigma Chudruk Cham, which is performed with a drilbu bell and daru/damaru drum in hand; or Rigma Chudruk Nga Cham in which dancers play Nga drums with Ne-tok, drumsticks. Though the costumes are identical, these dances can be easily differentiated by the instruments dancers use. The dance is known by various names across different Buddhist traditions: Rigma Chudruk Cham; Khandro-mai Cham, Dance of Dakinis; Zhe-wai Cham pacifying dance; Dorji Lhamo Chudruk, sixteen Vajra Dakinis; Choe-pai Lhamo Chudruk Sixteen Offering Goddesses; and Dodyon-gi Lhamo Chudruk Sixteen Pleasurable Goddesses.
These goddesses are generally classified into three groups: Outer, Inner, Secret Offering Goddesses.
The first group consists of four members:
1. Gegmo-ma Skt. Lasya Goddess of Grace
2. Threngwa-ma Skt. Mala Garland Goddess
3. Lu-ma Skt. Gita Singer
4. Gar-ma Skt. Nirti Dancer
The second group has also four members:
1. Meto-ma Skt. Pushpe Flower offering Goddess
2. Dhugpe-ma Skt. Dhupa Incense offering Goddess
3. Nangsel-ma Skt. Aloka Lamp offering Goddess
4. Drichab-ma Skt. Gandhā Perfume offering Goddess
The third group has five goddesses:
1. Piwang-ma Violin player
2. Lingbu-ma Flute player
3. Ngadum-ma Drum player
4. Zanga-ma Skt. Muranyyaze Clay-drum player
5. Zuk Dorji-ma Skt. Vajra Dakini Vajra Form Goddess
The last group has three.
1. Ro Dorj- ma Taste Vajra Goddess
2. Rek-ja Dorji ma Feeling Vajra Goddess
3. Choying Dorji maSkt. Dharmadatu Vajra Goddess of unfabricated awareness |
| Social and cultural significance |
Rigma Chudruk, or Sixteen Wisdom Goddesses, are the celestial beings that make various sensual offerings to please the enlightened beings. They are considered to be the pacifying forms of guardian deities who protect and aid in propagating the sacred teachings of Buddha. The resplendent costumes and resounding music of their instruments help all the sentient beings arouse deep faith in the dharma and believe in instant enlightenment through seeing, Thong-drol. |
| Transmission method |
Rigma Chudruk is normally presented during the interval session of the masked dance of Guru Tshengye Kucham, The Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, in the presence of Guru Padmasambhava and his manifestations. Dancers also sing a praising spiritual hymn in between their performances. The other Rigma Chudruk Nga Cham is performed separately without an association with any other mask dances.
The make performers use elaborate costumes: U-gyan, head gear with hair piled up into a double topknot with a precious gem on the top. The hair ornament is secured to a five-lotus petal crown worn over the wig. Phoe-gho, an ankle-length brocade tunic; Dorji-gong, a cape-collar with Vajra motif; Zhab-lham boots. Finally, they are adorned with Rue-pai gyan-druk, six bone ornaments, which are:
1. Nyen-gyan Ear rings
2. Guel-gyan Necklace
3. Pung-gyan Arm-band
4. Chag-dup Bracelet
5. Zhab-dub Anklet
6. Se-mo do or do-shel A long necklace, which includes
Rue-pai dra-mig druk-chu re-zhi An abdominal ornament made from bones with 64 inter-knots.
Dancers learn the performance essentially through participation. They carefully examine the performances of a master, memorizing the choreography and lyrics of Choe-pai Lu, a spiritual song of offering, and by impersonating the skilled performers. An enthusiast must learn how to hold and twist the drums, playing Damaru and bell in accordance with the choreography.
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| Community |
The performers are monks who have participated in Masked Dance Performances, Gar cham, in the Monastic Centers thus, the performance falls under Tsun-cham category.
Data collected by: Yeshi Lhendup, NLAB |
