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. Generally, the dance has two types: Rigma Chudruk Cham and Rigma Chudruk Nga Cham. Though the costumes are identical, these dances can be easily differentiated by the instruments they use. The first Rigma Chudruk Cham performs with Drilbu, bell, and Daru or Damaru, a small two-headed drum. The latter dance exclusively plays Nga drums with Ne-tok, drum-stick. 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. The sixteen goddesses not only bestow wisdom but also entertain and bring enjoyable offerings to the enlightened spiritual beings.
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, 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 ma, Skt. Dharmadatu Vajra Dakini, Vajra Goddess of unfabricated awareness. |
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 performers use elaborate costumes: U-gyan, head gear with hair piled up into a double topknot with a precious gem on the top, this is secured to a five-lotus petal crown and worn with a 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
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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