Monks performing ritual prayers

Conducting prayers

Suppressing or subjugating negative forces through performance of ritual prayers

Pơtao Apui refers to the joining of the Fire Lord (Lord of the East) with the Water Lord (Lord of the West)—the two highest-ranking lords of the minority peoples’ earliest religious system in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The lords have supernatural powers, particularly the ability to change drought into rain, bringing about water for the maintenance of the lives of all beings, thanks to the power of their mystical sword, ơi Tha (“old man”). This rain ritual is one of the most iconic rituals of Pơtao Apui, who is the only being who can communicate with the lords to ask for rain, using the mystical sword as a medium.

Dhar-par is considered as the biggest woodblock engraving. The biggest would have a meter in length, a foot in breadth and nearly two inches of width. These are mainly used for printing prayers flags, Thang-ka (tapestry) and Mandalas.

These products are mostly used for the benefit of the deceased, to bring luck and fortunes for those living ones and while the Mandalas images are for rituals purpose.

Yarney is one of the mainstays of monastic life in most of the Buddhist countries from the time of Buddha until today. It is observed as one of the most important annual events in Buddhist monasteries and institutions. ‘Yar’ means ‘summer’ and ‘ney’ means ‘to stay or abide in’. The Sanskrit term for Yarney is Varsavasa (varsa means ‘rains or rainy season’ and vasa means ‘dwelling or residence’) meaning ‘residence for rainy season or residence during rains’. The term widely used in Bhutan is Yarney which literally means Summer Retreat. \n\nThe origin of Yarney can be traced back to Lord Buddha some 2600 years ago in India. The first Buddhist monks did not build monasteries and temples; they were mostly homeless and solely depended their sustenance on alms round. However, during summer, it was not practical for Lord Buddha and his Sangha to make daily customary alms round from village to village and teaching tours due to heavy monsoon rains.\n\nSummer was also the peak time when insects and worms would reproduce and inhabit the muddy walkways and small plants and newly planted rice paddies would start budding in the fields. It was also common trend at that time for Non-Buddhist (Tirthikas) to criticize and accuse the Buddha’s practice of alms round, reasoning that especially during the summer walking around for alms round killed several animals and insects.\n\nSo in order to protect insects and worms being injured or killed while walking as well as crops in the fields from being crushed; or avoid injuring themselves due to the monsoon rains, flooding and displaced wildlife and also to avoid being criticized and accused by non-Buddhists for killing tiny beings, the Buddha established a rule that members of Sangha would not travel during the monsoon rains. Instead, they would remain within the premises of their residences or dwelling places (monasteries) each summer as summer or rainy season retreat. The place where "Yarney" was observed must be conducive to spiritual and mental development of the monk as one of the main object of observing "Yarney" was to practice meditation besides preaching the Dharma more often to lay devotees. The period for the retreat was determined as three months by lunar calendar and, would usually start in June or July and would continue until sometimes in September or October. Since then, there came into practice formally the precept of observing Yarney – the retreat during summer or the rainy season by Buddhists. \n\nThe Buddha and Sangha would stay and spend days in their residences. This was a period for Sangha to spend time in quiet and serious meditation, give Dharma talks and help laypeople and junior Sangha members in spiritual development. It was also opportune time for them to clarify their understanding of every aspect of the Buddha’s teachings (through questions and answers), based on which in the later period of time that the sutras were said to have been written down.

Yarney is one of the mainstays of monastic life in most of the Buddhist countries from the time of Buddha until today. It is observed as one of the most important annual events in Buddhist monasteries and institutions. ‘Yar’ means ‘summer’ and ‘ney’ means ‘to stay or abide in’. The Sanskrit term for Yarney is Varsavasa (varsa means ‘rains or rainy season’ and vasa means ‘dwelling or residence’) meaning ‘residence for rainy season or residence during rains’. The term widely used in Bhutan is Yarney which literally means Summer Retreat. \n\nThe origin of Yarney can be traced back to Lord Buddha some 2600 years ago in India. The first Buddhist monks did not build monasteries and temples; they were mostly homeless and solely depended their sustenance on alms round. However, during summer, it was not practical for Lord Buddha and his Sangha to make daily customary alms round from village to village and teaching tours due to heavy monsoon rains.\n\nSummer was also the peak time when insects and worms would reproduce and inhabit the muddy walkways and small plants and newly planted rice paddies would start budding in the fields. It was also common trend at that time for Non-Buddhist (Tirthikas) to criticize and accuse the Buddha’s practice of alms round, reasoning that especially during the summer walking around for alms round killed several animals and insects.\n\nSo in order to protect insects and worms being injured or killed while walking as well as crops in the fields from being crushed; or avoid injuring themselves due to the monsoon rains, flooding and displaced wildlife and also to avoid being criticized and accused by non-Buddhists for killing tiny beings, the Buddha established a rule that members of Sangha would not travel during the monsoon rains. Instead, they would remain within the premises of their residences or dwelling places (monasteries) each summer as summer or rainy season retreat. The place where "Yarney" was observed must be conducive to spiritual and mental development of the monk as one of the main object of observing "Yarney" was to practice meditation besides preaching the Dharma more often to lay devotees. The period for the retreat was determined as three months by lunar calendar and, would usually start in June or July and would continue until sometimes in September or October. Since then, there came into practice formally the precept of observing Yarney – the retreat during summer or the rainy season by Buddhists. \n\nThe Buddha and Sangha would stay and spend days in their residences. This was a period for Sangha to spend time in quiet and serious meditation, give Dharma talks and help laypeople and junior Sangha members in spiritual development. It was also opportune time for them to clarify their understanding of every aspect of the Buddha’s teachings (through questions and answers), based on which in the later period of time that the sutras were said to have been written down.\n

Woman reciting sura from Holy Quran around tablecloth during Guli arghuvon festivity in ‘Do’sti khudo’ graveyard in Ferghana

It is a local festival based on the ancient tribal traditions of \nthe rural communities of Bokonbaev and Ton villages. The festival has been held since 2003 every year on the first Sunday in August. The elders of Bokonbaevo and Ton villages gather with young generation in the holy place of Manzhyly Ata to commemorate ancestors and pray to the spirit of the revered local holy sage and falconer Moitke ake, who lived in the Middle Ages and is considered the patron saint of these places. The elders lead the participants to worship the spirits of their ancestors to the holy place "Manzhyly-Ata", where a sacrificial animal - a ram - is cut on the grave of Moitka Ake. Old people tell the participants of the festival stories and legends connected with the holy place, sage Moitke Ake and his hunting birds - falcons. Hunters showcase the ancient traditions of falconry, local artists and artisans display their works and products related to the theme of traditions and spiritual values, traditional musicians and storytellers compete with each other in skill. The festival ends with a ritual meal with a "tul bata" - collective prayer of the festival participants for a blessing, addressed to the spirits of the ancestors.\n

It is a local festival based on the ancient tribal traditions of \nthe rural communities of Bokonbaev and Ton villages. The festival has been held since 2003 every year on the first Sunday in August. The elders of Bokonbaevo and Ton villages gather with young generation in the holy place of Manzhyly Ata to commemorate ancestors and pray to the spirit of the revered local holy sage and falconer Moitke ake, who lived in the Middle Ages and is considered the patron saint of these places. The elders lead the participants to worship the spirits of their ancestors to the holy place "Manzhyly-Ata", where a sacrificial animal - a ram - is cut on the grave of Moitka Ake. Old people tell the participants of the festival stories and legends connected with the holy place, sage Moitke Ake and his hunting birds - falcons. Hunters showcase the ancient traditions of falconry, local artists and artisans display their works and products related to the theme of traditions and spiritual values, traditional musicians and storytellers compete with each other in skill. The festival ends with a ritual meal with a "tul bata" - collective prayer of the festival participants for a blessing, addressed to the spirits of the ancestors.\n\n

It is a local festival based on the ancient tribal traditions of \nthe rural communities of Bokonbaev and Ton villages. The festival has been held since 2003 every year on the first Sunday in August. The elders of Bokonbaevo and Ton villages gather with young generation in the holy place of Manzhyly Ata to commemorate ancestors and pray to the spirit of the revered local holy sage and falconer Moitke ake, who lived in the Middle Ages and is considered the patron saint of these places. The elders lead the participants to worship the spirits of their ancestors to the holy place "Manzhyly-Ata", where a sacrificial animal - a ram - is cut on the grave of Moitka Ake. Old people tell the participants of the festival stories and legends connected with the holy place, sage Moitke Ake and his hunting birds - falcons. Hunters showcase the ancient traditions of falconry, local artists and artisans display their works and products related to the theme of traditions and spiritual values, traditional musicians and storytellers compete with each other in skill. The festival ends with a ritual meal with a "tul bata" - collective prayer of the festival participants for a blessing, addressed to the spirits of the ancestors.\n\n