Thursday, January 3, 2019

Meaning of Dzi beads and it’s benefits


The meaning of the Tibetan word "Dzi" translates to "shine, brightness, clearness, splendours"

 

Dzi are priceless and should never be sold. The protection that Dzi give to the wearer is immense and that is the very reason why that is sought after. People don't mind paying huge price to own it and receive continuous blessing from it.

 

People wonder why some people part off money in millions to buy this. There is a Reason!!

 

Dzi stones are said to do a number of things. Some protect its wearer from negative energies or accidents; some attract wealth or wisdom, while others might bring you love and happiness.

 

The benefits of the Dzi are given below and think twice if you have one and planing to sale.

 

1.    One-Eyed Dzi 

The bead of Light; enabled better thinking process and improved wisdoms.

 

2.    Double-Eyed Dzi 

Enabled harmony between husband and wife, build a happy family, successful career and good relationship with others.

 

3.    Three-Eyed Dzi 

Represents the three stars of luck: happiness, honor and longevity. It is the bead of wealth and health to bring continuous fortunes.  Also known as the God of Wealth (Zambala) in esoteric doctrine.

 

4.    Four-Eyed Dzi 

Represents Avalokiteśvara, Mañjuśrī, Ksitigarbha, and Samantabhadra; the four great Bodhisattvas, scattering and destroying all hindrances for the wearer.

 

5.    Five-Eyed Dzi 

Blessing by Kuvera, the god of wealth, for continuous fortunes and longevity, perfect and good luck, endless of happiness.

 

6.    Six-Eyed Dzi 

Restores the physiological functions of the viscera and bodily strength, release from the suffering of the six ways of sentient existence (Samsara), to remove (by magic, prayer, incantation) impending ill fortune, represents increment of fortunes.

 

7.    Seven-Eyed Dzi 

Perfection in every aspect of life: good fate, good name, career, fortune, health, long life and marriage.

 

8.    Eight-Eyed Dzi 

Doing well and complete in everything, venerable and wealthy, protected by Eight Auspicious Signs. Avoids influences by the eight groups of demon-followers and enter the eightfold noble path.

 

9.    Nine-Eyed Dzi 

Accumulation of meritorious virtue, increases compassionate, separates from suffering and obtains happiness, escapes from the human world of woes and finds salvation, resplendent authorities and gains advantages.

 

10.Ten-Eyed Dzi 

Removes all karmic hindrances, increases respect-inspiring virtue, live a joyful life and perfect in every way.

 

11.Eleven-Eyed Dzi 

Represents the five Dhyani Buddhas and the Brilliant Mantra of Six Words, accumulates blessedness and wisdoms and dispels calamities.

 

12.Twelve-Eyed Dzi 

Represents the twelve divine generals mentioned in the sutra of Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajya); accumulation of honor, power and influence.

 

13.Thirteen-Eyed Dzi 

Represents the five Dhyani Buddhas and Eight Auspicious Signs; the body and mind always at ease, unafraid and march forward courageously to achieve the highest level of the conduct.

 

14.Fifteen-Eyed Dzi 

Represents the Seven Treasures and the Eight Dharmas, aids and blesses by Devas to achieve all wishes.

 

15.Twenty One-Eyed Dzi 

Increases the power of Buddha-truth, achieves all one’s wishes, integrated with the nature and reaches the highest Poetic level, the Mahayana. 

 

One thing to remember concerning these curious little stones is this, a Dzi stone may repel things, but it also can store them. When a negativism comes at you, your stone may block it or absorb it. They can also give very positive energies to you, while absorbing a bit of your energy in the process. In other words, a bit of them goes into you and a bit of you will go into them. 

 

The downside to this is that if you are not the original owner of the stone, you may get slapped with some of the first owner’s bad karma. 

 

The way to prevent this from happening is to "cleanse" your Dzi stone when you get it. This will release all of that stored up nastiness, and will allow you to introduce yourself to your Dzi stone, and form a fresh spiritual bond. 

 

Dzi beads are of supernatural origins. 

 

Fortunate Bhutanese owner put on the Dzi during Tshechu and big festivals.

 

Category of Dzi

Category 1 is generally the most sought beads in order of desirability. It should be noted that Dzi with eyes tends to be the most sought after Dzi. 

We view pure Dzi as being of Divine or supernature origin and therefore not made by human hand. Even the bead hole is believed to be a natural occurrence and not drilled by hand. 

Category 1;

Dzi with eyes (which include fusiform, oval and barrel shape Dzi)

Oval Dzi (which can include lotus design, longevity vase, and other decorations. 

Dzi with unusual design (which include a combination of eyes and unique motifs).

Tiger Dzi, these Dzi is an oval shape and display double stripe decoration. Some times rare beads can contain more stripes.

Tasso Dzi, these are single stripe Dzi is not to be confused with double stripes Tiger Dzi.

Luk Mi Dzi or Ta Mik Dzi, this includes both decorated and native varieties that are likely to have originated from India and western Asia. It is the refurbished variety of these tabular beads that are most looked after. Some rare beads can include symbols such as swastika or cross. Only the decorated bead is considered a pure Dzi.

Category 2;

Chong or Chung Dzi with unusual decorations and eyes- some Chung Dzi can display eyes and other Decorations. they are very collectible but not fall into the pure Dzi category and this is reflected in their market value.

Chong Dzi with stripes

Phum Dzi– These wonderful beads usually display net or longevity decoration and in some rare cases they can display eyes and other decoration. They are usually gray and black in color and display a white decoration, They can also be much fatter than other beads and have a less uniformed shape.

Natural banded agates or heat treated agate beads. These beads can display a variety of colors and natural banding. the most sought after of these beads will display natural eye formations and the stronger darker base color.

Natural round (some times barrel-shaped) agate beads known as Bhaisajyaguru, Soloman, or Suleimani beads. they are usually opaque beads that are black/brown/grey in color and can display natural crystalline banding they are considered perfect beads for spencer and complete Malas.

Decorated (Also known as etched) agates and carnelians (which include the Pyu beads Burma and decorated beads found in southern India and western Asia). These beads can display stripes, eyes and unusual decorations. They also come in a variety of shapes and size and can range from subtle orange to deep ruby red in color( if made from Carnelian ). Their decoration is usually white but can also appear in black.


Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Lolay a song sung during Nyinlo (Winter Solstice) that wishes a household prosperity.


Lolay is performed on the eve of “Nyilo” (winter solstice) where young boys and girls go from door to door singing Lolay song wishing every household a very Happy New Year and at the same time earn something, usually eatable items. Later they make a big feast and share whatever is left out. That was big a deal two decades ago. 

Unfortunately, the tradition of Lolay is gradually dying in the country. Young generation feels it is like an act of begging not worth practicing in an economically progressed society. However, they are mistaken. 

They must know that it is a noble act of young minds collectively wishing each family of the household a very Happy New Year at their very doorsteps. Physical presence and wishing is more powerful than exchanging greeting through social medias.

We must revive this tradition and educate our youth to take part during such occasion. Such traditions make Bhutan a unique country.

So here is the standard verse.

“Good New Year! Good New Year! 

Let livestock fill the ground floor, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let horses fill the entrance, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let grains fill up the middle floor, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let sons and daughters fill the house, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let flagpoles fill the roof, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let meat fill the meat store, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Good New Year! Good New Year! Let wines fill the wine store, Good New Year! Good New Year!

Now we hear thumping of footsteps, here comes the fortunate host. Picking up the golden phueta, Opening the golden box,

Here come the lavish one phueta of rice, a pair of pork slices, and one sang of butter”.

The family gift them food, snacks and ration for a picnic. 


It must be noted that the household should ensure that the gift includes all essential food items and also given in a good measure thus the family can hope for a good harvest for the coming year. 

It is also believed that the group of children singing “Lolay” should be in odd numbers when visiting homes, as even numbers bring bad luck.

Hope our Kids uphold this tradition. When I was young I have actively participated in Lolay culture.

Image courtesy: His Majesty the King. 
A group of children from schools in Thimphu recited lolay to mark Nyilo  (Winter Solstice in the lunar calendar) before His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen at the Lingkana Palace.


Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Winter Solstice (Nyinlo)

3rd January 2019 is Winter Solstice and a Happy Nyinglog to everyone.

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. 

The start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel.

Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. 

In the Northern Hemisphere this is the December solstice and in the Southern Hemisphere it is June solstice. 


The length of the day in Bhutan is around 9 hours 26 minutes where as in Rovaniemi (Finland) it is 2 hours 16 minutes and in Ushuaia (Argentina) 17 hours 20 minutes.


In Bhutan, the winter solstice is called Nyilog that literally means “the return of the sun.” It is the day that the amount of daily sunlight increases, signifying the start of longer days. It is considered to be the most auspicious day of the year for Bhutanese. 


The people have traditionally believed that on Nyilog, past mistakes may be erased and karmic value of good deeds is multiplied. However, if resort to bad deeds, that too have multiplying effect. So please ensure No fights, no quarrels, No gossip, No killing, No cheating etc. Also avoid giving money. 

Particularly, in the villages of Wangdue phodrang and Trongsa, winter solstice is an important day for which elaborate preparations are made to celebrate the occasion. This marks the end of previous year and beginning of New Year. 

Some senior Bhutanese say that on this day, they all get one year older, but one can avoid the passage of time by hiding in the basement of houses.  
For instance, a baby born on the eve of the Nyinglog carries the old animal year (Dog) while the one born after the start of New Year will carry the new animal (Pig).

Even during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign and also in the period of Desi ’s rule, the New Year in the documents was recorded on the day of Nyinglog. 


On this day, elderly people visit religious landmarks and monasteries. Butter lamps are lit all over the country with the belief that the merits of the people that light them will be magnified. 


Young Bhutanese in-group goes door-to-door singing songs of best wishes for the New Year, and in return they get food and money. Many families have verities of feast on this day.


Apart from Haa and Paro, the valleys of Shar (Wangduephordang district) and the Hen kha speaking part of Mangde valley (Trongsa) observe Nyinlog and pray their village deities as Lha Bon. This is obviously a Bon tradition, which was adapted to the Buddhist system of Lunar Calendar.


The Winter solstice was also a convenient period form a major celebration as the crops have been harvested and stored up in the houses. With adequate food in reserve and beginning of the dry season of winter, it was a good time for fun and merry making.

 

Have a nice Day and Happy Nyinglog 2019.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐣𝐞

Once a Dorje and Drilbu have been selected, it is essential to mark the head of the Dorje so that it is always held in the correct orientati...