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Gurung shamanism

July 21, 2023

Gurung Shamanism is arguably one of the oldest religions in Nepal. It describes the traditional shamanistic religion of the Gurung people of Nepal.[1] There are three priests within the Gurungs which are Pachyu, Khlepree and Bonpo Lama (Pre-Buddhist Lama). Gurung language had their script allegedely burnt by then ruling class Brahmin as a result the Gurungs didn't have a written language. However the Gurungs have recovered their 'Khema Script' which is widely taught even in the overseas countries like in Sikkim, India. The pronunciation of the word 'Pachyu' and 'Khlepree' are often different from one village to another. Pachyu are sometimes referred to as 'Poju or Pajyu' and Khlepree also known as 'Lhori or Ghyabri'. Bonpo Lamais the proper term for a Gurung Lama. The "Pachyu" is understood to be the first priest amongst the three priests followed by Khlepree and lastly the Bonpo Lam. Pachyu, Khlepree and Bonpo Lams' recite chants of ancient legends and myths. These sacred myths and legends within the Pe are historical events and stories which dates back to as early as the creation of Earth to stories which have occurred within the Gurung societies as they are one of the indigenous people of Nepal.

Deprecated terms

Gurung shamanism has been often cited in scholarly texts as well as Hindu world of thought as Gurung dharma, but the latter term is considered inaccurate as it is not considered a form of dharma by its adherents, but rather an ancient shamanistic belief system.

Description

Gurung villages have their own local deities.[2] There are two significant rituals that is carried out amongst the Gurungs which are 'Phailu/Pwelu/' and 'Pae/Arghum'. Phailu/Pwelu is an ancestral worshipping ritual which usually lasts 12 hours and is held yearly or every three years. During a yearly Phailu/Pwelu, Pachyus mostly sacrifice a rooster however if the ritual is carried out every three years a goat must be sacrificed. On the Khlepree's case a goat must be sacrificed. Another ritual which is the known is the funeral. In Gurung language a funeral is called 'Pai' also known as 'Arghum' in Nepali. The funerary rite is the central ceremony, entailing three days and two nights of rituals to send souls to the Land of the Ancestors. These rituals may be officiated by Pachyu and Khlepree or Bonpo Lam (pre-Buddhist Lama). Among the Gurung, death involves the dissolution of bodily elements – earth, air, fire, and water. These elements are released in a series of rituals, nine for men and seven for women. One ritual in the freeing of souls involves a "Klehpree" injecting the spirit of the deceased through a string into a bird, which then appears to recognize family members and otherwise act unnaturally. The bird is symbolically sacrificed with the plucking of a few feathers, received by family members, after which the bird is released.[1] Once in the Land of the Ancestors, life continues much as in this world. incarnations.[3] From the Land of the Ancestors, spirits continue to take an interest in their surviving kinsmen, able to work good and evil in the realm of the living.[3]

According to Gurung Shamanism, the correct method of dealing with a deceased body is burial however, as the Gurung's have migrated to the lower regions many have been influenced by Hindus resulting in cremation. After the burial or cremation, the family of the deceased may constructs a small shrine on a hill to offer food to the spirit, which remains and may cause misfortune. Sons of the deceased observe mourning for six to twelve months, during which they fast from meat and alcohol. A final funerary ceremony takes places a year or more after death, for which an expensive funeral rite is performed. This rite includes an effigy (called a pla) of the deceased, draped in white cloth and decorated with ornaments. The death rituals close as Klehpri addresses the spirit and sends it to its resting place, after which the hilltop shrine is dismantled.[3] Further rites ensue, during which the priest recites supplications to the "spirits of the four directions" for kind treatment as the deceased makes his way to the spirit realm, advises the departing soul on its choice between reincarnation and remaining in the Land of Ancestors, and admonishes it to stay away from its worldly cares and not to return prematurely.[1]

Priesthood

Gurungs employ three categories of priesthood – Pachyu, Ghyapri and Bonpo Lam (Pre-Buddhist Lama) – each following different practices[3] Unlike Buddhist Lamas, Gurung priests - Pachyu and Ghyabri practice oral literature without relying on text

The Pachyu are believed to communicate with spirits and local deities and are often employed by persons suffering illnesses or misfortunes to draw up horoscopes.[3][4][5] Pachyus often operate within their own Gurung villages and communities most notably along the Modi Valley, Nepal. However, today Gurung priests can be found outside Nepal in England, United States and Hong Kong. Most Pachyus and Ghyabris often carry out rituals with those from the same clan. Their practice is largely in the realm of interpreting the supernatural.[5] While their ritual language is also archaic, it is more readily understood by practitioners and laity.

The Ghyabri/ Khlepree are involved with funerary rituals and play drums and large brass cymbals. The ghyabri have no sacred literature, learning all prayers and rituals by heart over several years. These sacred oral scriptures are called Pye tan Lu tan. The sacred language, Gurung-kura, is no longer understood by laity nor practitioners, and may be derived from an ancient religion.[3][4][5]

Influence of Buddhism

Centuries of cultural influence from Tibet resulted in many Gurungs gradually embracing Tibetan Buddhism over the centuries, especially the Nyingma school, and particularly among Gurungs in the Manang region.[6] Gurungs generally believe in Buddha and bodhisattvas. Mainstream Tibetan Buddhist lamas harbor ambivalent opinions about Gurung Dharma (Pye Ta Lu Ta) practices, and syncretic Gurung Dharma may be reluctant to disclose their practices to outsiders.[1]

According to the 2001 Nepal Census, 69.03% of the ethnic Gurung identified as Buddhists, 28.75% as Hindus, and 0.66% as Christians.[7]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Mumford, Stanley Royal (1989). Himalayan Dialogue: Bonpo Lama and Gurung Shamans in Nepal. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 6–10, 30–32, 182–194.
  2. ^ Pachyu, Khlepree and Bonpo Lam all recite 'Pe' which consist of myths, legends and historical events. The Pe consist of stories which goes back to as early as the creation of The Earth to Gurung migration routes from Mongolia and Nepal.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf (1985). Tribal populations and cultures of the Indian subcontinent. Vol. 2. Brill Publishers. pp. 137–8. ISBN 90-04-07120-2. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  4. ^ a b "Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies". 30. University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies. 1967: 720. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b c Archiv Orientální. Vol. 36. Orientální ústav (Československá akademie věd). 1968.
  6. ^ McHugh, Ernestine (2001). Love and Honor in the Himalayas: coming to know another culture. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 32. ISBN 0-8122-1759-4.
  7. ^ Dr. Dilli Ram Dahal (2002-12-30). (PDF). Government of Nepal, Central Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2011-04-02.

Further reading

  • Suvedī, Rājārāma (2003). History of Kaski state. Vidyārthī Pustaka Bhaṇḍāra. ISBN 99933-55-34-8.

July 21, 2023
gurung, shamanism, gurung, shamanism, arguably, oldest, religions, nepal, describes, traditional, shamanistic, religion, gurung, people, nepal, there, three, priests, within, gurungs, which, pachyu, khlepree, bonpo, lama, buddhist, lama, gurung, language, thei. Gurung Shamanism is arguably one of the oldest religions in Nepal It describes the traditional shamanistic religion of the Gurung people of Nepal 1 There are three priests within the Gurungs which are Pachyu Khlepree and Bonpo Lama Pre Buddhist Lama Gurung language had their script allegedely burnt by then ruling class Brahmin as a result the Gurungs didn t have a written language However the Gurungs have recovered their Khema Script which is widely taught even in the overseas countries like in Sikkim India The pronunciation of the word Pachyu and Khlepree are often different from one village to another Pachyu are sometimes referred to as Poju or Pajyu and Khlepree also known as Lhori or Ghyabri Bonpo Lamais the proper term for a Gurung Lama The Pachyu is understood to be the first priest amongst the three priests followed by Khlepree and lastly the Bonpo Lam Pachyu Khlepree and Bonpo Lams recite chants of ancient legends and myths These sacred myths and legends within the Pe are historical events and stories which dates back to as early as the creation of Earth to stories which have occurred within the Gurung societies as they are one of the indigenous people of Nepal Contents 1 Deprecated terms 2 Description 2 1 Priesthood 2 2 Influence of Buddhism 3 See also 4 Notes 5 Further readingDeprecated terms EditGurung shamanism has been often cited in scholarly texts as well as Hindu world of thought as Gurung dharma but the latter term is considered inaccurate as it is not considered a form of dharma by its adherents but rather an ancient shamanistic belief system Description EditGurung villages have their own local deities 2 There are two significant rituals that is carried out amongst the Gurungs which are Phailu Pwelu and Pae Arghum Phailu Pwelu is an ancestral worshipping ritual which usually lasts 12 hours and is held yearly or every three years During a yearly Phailu Pwelu Pachyus mostly sacrifice a rooster however if the ritual is carried out every three years a goat must be sacrificed On the Khlepree s case a goat must be sacrificed Another ritual which is the known is the funeral In Gurung language a funeral is called Pai also known as Arghum in Nepali The funerary rite is the central ceremony entailing three days and two nights of rituals to send souls to the Land of the Ancestors These rituals may be officiated by Pachyu and Khlepree or Bonpo Lam pre Buddhist Lama Among the Gurung death involves the dissolution of bodily elements earth air fire and water These elements are released in a series of rituals nine for men and seven for women One ritual in the freeing of souls involves a Klehpree injecting the spirit of the deceased through a string into a bird which then appears to recognize family members and otherwise act unnaturally The bird is symbolically sacrificed with the plucking of a few feathers received by family members after which the bird is released 1 Once in the Land of the Ancestors life continues much as in this world incarnations 3 From the Land of the Ancestors spirits continue to take an interest in their surviving kinsmen able to work good and evil in the realm of the living 3 According to Gurung Shamanism the correct method of dealing with a deceased body is burial however as the Gurung s have migrated to the lower regions many have been influenced by Hindus resulting in cremation After the burial or cremation the family of the deceased may constructs a small shrine on a hill to offer food to the spirit which remains and may cause misfortune Sons of the deceased observe mourning for six to twelve months during which they fast from meat and alcohol A final funerary ceremony takes places a year or more after death for which an expensive funeral rite is performed This rite includes an effigy called a pla of the deceased draped in white cloth and decorated with ornaments The death rituals close as Klehpri addresses the spirit and sends it to its resting place after which the hilltop shrine is dismantled 3 Further rites ensue during which the priest recites supplications to the spirits of the four directions for kind treatment as the deceased makes his way to the spirit realm advises the departing soul on its choice between reincarnation and remaining in the Land of Ancestors and admonishes it to stay away from its worldly cares and not to return prematurely 1 Priesthood Edit Gurungs employ three categories of priesthood Pachyu Ghyapri and Bonpo Lam Pre Buddhist Lama each following different practices 3 Unlike Buddhist Lamas Gurung priests Pachyu and Ghyabri practice oral literature without relying on textThe Pachyu are believed to communicate with spirits and local deities and are often employed by persons suffering illnesses or misfortunes to draw up horoscopes 3 4 5 Pachyus often operate within their own Gurung villages and communities most notably along the Modi Valley Nepal However today Gurung priests can be found outside Nepal in England United States and Hong Kong Most Pachyus and Ghyabris often carry out rituals with those from the same clan Their practice is largely in the realm of interpreting the supernatural 5 While their ritual language is also archaic it is more readily understood by practitioners and laity The Ghyabri Khlepree are involved with funerary rituals and play drums and large brass cymbals The ghyabri have no sacred literature learning all prayers and rituals by heart over several years These sacred oral scriptures are called Pye tan Lu tan The sacred language Gurung kura is no longer understood by laity nor practitioners and may be derived from an ancient religion 3 4 5 Influence of Buddhism Edit Centuries of cultural influence from Tibet resulted in many Gurungs gradually embracing Tibetan Buddhism over the centuries especially the Nyingma school and particularly among Gurungs in the Manang region 6 Gurungs generally believe in Buddha and bodhisattvas Mainstream Tibetan Buddhist lamas harbor ambivalent opinions about Gurung Dharma Pye Ta Lu Ta practices and syncretic Gurung Dharma may be reluctant to disclose their practices to outsiders 1 According to the 2001 Nepal Census 69 03 of the ethnic Gurung identified as Buddhists 28 75 as Hindus and 0 66 as Christians 7 See also EditGuru BaajeNotes Edit a b c d Mumford Stanley Royal 1989 Himalayan Dialogue Bonpo Lama and Gurung Shamans in Nepal Madison Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Press pp 6 10 30 32 182 194 Pachyu Khlepree and Bonpo Lam all recite Pe which consist of myths legends and historical events The Pe consist of stories which goes back to as early as the creation of The Earth to Gurung migration routes from Mongolia and Nepal a b c d e f Christoph von Furer Haimendorf 1985 Tribal populations and cultures of the Indian subcontinent Vol 2 Brill Publishers pp 137 8 ISBN 90 04 07120 2 Retrieved 2011 04 02 a b Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 30 University of London School of Oriental and African Studies 1967 720 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b c Archiv Orientalni Vol 36 Orientalni ustav Ceskoslovenska akademie ved 1968 McHugh Ernestine 2001 Love and Honor in the Himalayas coming to know another culture Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Press p 32 ISBN 0 8122 1759 4 Dr Dilli Ram Dahal 2002 12 30 Chapter 3 Social composition of the Population Caste Ethnicity and Religion in Nepal PDF Government of Nepal Central Bureau of Statistics Archived from the original PDF on 2011 05 19 Retrieved 2011 04 02 Further reading EditSuvedi Rajarama 2003 History of Kaski state Vidyarthi Pustaka Bhaṇḍara ISBN 99933 55 34 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gurung shamanism amp oldid 1156624663, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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