I was intrigued, when I
heard of Nyungne because I hardly had the knowledge about it although I was
familiar with the name Nyungne. Shortly, I came to know about it, when I
attended the Nyungne practice at Ramthangkha, Paro this September, 2013
coinciding Thimphu Tshechu (Mask Dance Festival). I vacillated over my
participation in the Nyungne practice before I gathered some information on
Nyungne from various sources. Thus, I
concluded that I need to attend the fasting practice eventually it’s a
benevolent of the world and oneself.
Before I scribble about
my experiences, I would be writing down a brief background on Nyungne
practice. Nyungne practice is so
structured to purify our negative karma and accumulate merit or accomplish
enlightened qualities. The practice is based on the practice of Thousand Armed
Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), Bodhisattva of Compassion. The practice has been
originated from Gelongma Pelmo, one of the few female Buddhist lamas, who eventually
attained enlightenment.
The Nyungne practice in
Ramthangkha, Paro involved more than 35 hours of practice, which included strict
keeping of vows. It involves 30 hours of fasting from food and drink,
recitation of Buddhist mantras and prostrating frequently. (Vows: not to kill, not to steal, not to commit
sexual misconduct, not to lie, not to take intoxicants, not to take high or
luxurious seats, not to sing, dance or wear ornaments and not to eat and
additional vows of not eating, drinking and talking). It is also
said that if we complete one Nyungne practice, the door closes for one’s rebirth
in lower realms. It is a known fact that Gelongma Pelmo practiced Nyungne at
Ramthangkha in Paro, hence the place is renowned for Nyungne practice.
Gelongma Pelmo was born
to a Royal Family in India, she had chosen to follow the path of Buddhist practice
which she practiced for 12 years, after abandoning the Royal palace and privileges.
She overcame severe illness of leprosy and attained enlightenment. Thereafter,
she passed down the practice of Nyungne, which still continues to be practiced
these days.
 |
| Ramthangkha Lhakhang (Temple), Paro |
I am sharing some brief
experiences that I had during my participation in the Nyungne practice. We started
off the practice at Ramthangkha Temple at 4 am; we were accompanied by other locals
which consisted mostly of senile community. We altogether were around 50 of us.
We took the Nyungne vows as mentioned above, in the first day and also we were
briefed about the practice. We had some room for forgiveness, if we are unable
to carry out or fulfill our vows.
We were fed lavishly at
the first day till the noon, everyone had heavy lunch and thereafter, we had to
skip our dinner but of course, we had the privilege to drink tea till 9 pm. The
next day was our strict fasting period, where we should strictly undertake the
vows. We got up the next day at 4 am; we are not allowed to talk nor eat but keep our vows. We recited mantras although we wanted to talk to each other,
but instead we were looking at each other’s face.
We had been prostrating
in front of altar and recited mantras the whole day without having any food or
drinks led by a lama. We were fine while
depriving us from breakfast and lunch, but without dinner it was a difficult
situation, even to have a sound sleep. I toured around kitchen but in vain, in
fact it just titillated my starvation. In fact most of us slept for maximum of
one hour but I slept for only for half an hour. That night I realized how the hell
would be like. It was really an egregious situation for me; no food, no sleep, no
talk, no music, nothing else, but I regret not. The situation has become an
inveterate practice for the older participants; they showed no sign of malaise.
It was also an unforgettable
and interesting experience. Some of us happened to talk accidentally and
thus we got to prostrate apologetically invoking for forgiveness. For some
loquacious persons, it would have been a difficult task to remain quiet but just
reciting some prayers. It wasn't so easy to keep the vows; most of us broke
some trivial vows and had invoked for forgiveness a hundred times or more. It was
really a hard task to communicate with one another without talking, I wondered for the first time how will it be, to lead a dumb life. It was also fun to watch
others but difficult to keep it to oneself.
For someone like me who
is a late sleeper, faced difficulty in sleeping as early as 7 pm and waking up
at 1:30 am, unfortunately I got to sleep for about half an hour despite being
enervated. I managed to get some nap in the temple though I had to invoke for
forgiveness. Our fasting period came to an end at 5 am, where initially we were offered
to drink a handful of holy water and thereafter a series of drinks and food. Hence,
everyone seems to be convalescent and alive once again with a conspicuous smile
on everyone’s face after the heavy meal. I realized how fortunate we are and
even realized that life as such has nothing in it, it’s just a realm towards
attaining enlightenment. Now, I have conceived that there is really a hell and
heaven.
NB: Highlighted only few incidents. No Proof Read
