SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday   Aug 24-30,  2013    

Pang Lhabsol has a special place in Sikkim: Guv

12 Assembly seats are reserved for ‘BLs’: CM

Gangtok, Aug 23: Governor Shrinivas Patil emphasized the need to preserve peace, unity and harmony in the State.

Addressing a function during the annual Pang Lhabsol celebrations here on Wendesday, the Governor said the festival had a special place in the social, political and cultural life of the people of Sikkim.

He said only through the spirit of unity in diversity will the people be able to maintain peace and tranquility in the State.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said his government has taken steps to preserve the State’s traditional way of “worshipping nature in its purest form.”

Referring to the minority Bhutia-Lepchas (BL)  tribals, Chamling said the government has protected the political and land rights of the two communities. He said the 12 seats reserved for the  two communities are “exclusively BL seats.”

“The Chief Minister stressed on the need to ensure the security and identity of the people of Sikkim. He suggested that documents like the Trade License, driving license and other such documents should be granted exclusively to Sikkim Subject Certificate holders. He invited suggestions from the people in this regard,” an official release said.

Pang Lhabsol was observed in several monasteries in the State, including Pemayangtse and Rabong in west and south districts respectively. Pangtoed chaams were also performed in these monasteries

GJM retaliates, calls for fresh shutdown in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, Aug 23: Ruling out dialogue with the West Bengal Government, the GJM spearheading a stir for a separate Gorkhaland on Thursday announced a fresh 48-hour shut down over the weekend in Darjeeling after the arrest of two prominent party leaders and demanded central intervention.

"The Hills will be closed on Saturday and Sunday to condemn the unwanted arrests of GJM leaders," GJM chief Bimal Gurung said in a Facebook post.

The GJM president in a separate post also said that the two-day 'ghar bahira janata' (people on the streets) agitation from Thursday would continue indefinitely till those arrested were released and the cases against them withdrawn.

"There will be no relaxation even on Saturday and Sunday and ghar bahira janata agitation will continue indefinitely till GJM members are released and their cases are withdrawn," he said.

At a public meeting Gurung said, "The strike will continue until the leaders are released. There will be no relaxation even on Saturday and Sunday. Today they were arrested, tomorrow I may have to go to jail, but our movement will continue."

He also announced that 721 GJM leaders and members of GJM who were in judicial custody would go on an indefinite hunger-strike.

Demanding central intervention, he said, "We will not talk to Mamata Banerjee. The Centre has to intervene. We can talk to the Governor."

Binay Tamang, assistant secretary of GJM and an executive member in-charge of Information and Culture Department of the hill council, GTA, was reportedly arrested near the Sikkim-West Bengal border in Kalimpong subdivision, police sources said.

Another GTA member and GJM leader Satish Pokhrel, was arrested along with Tamang, besides two others, the sources said.

The four were produced in a court in Kalimpong and remanded to 14 days judicial custody.

The high court had on August 14 expressed displeasure over the GJM's violation of its order of August 7 which had held the indefinite bandh in Darjeeling as illegal.

Focus on development, not agitational politics: Mamata

Kolkata, Aug 23: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday attacked the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which is spearheading the movement for a separate state, and said its 'political gimmickry' is harming everybody.

"A tri-partite Memorandum of Agreement amongst the Central Government, the State Government and the GJMM created GTA on 18th July, 2011. Accordingly, election was held and GTA Sabha swore in on 3rd August, 2012. Breaking almost 20 years of non-development of the Hills, a new era of ushering peace and development in Darjeeling began," Banerjee said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

"As per the Agreement, transfer of administrative power, functions of various departments and allocation of fund were made to facilitate GTA to function smoothly and effectively for welfare of the people of the Hills," she said.

"I respect all my Darjeeling brothers and sisters. I am proud of them. But it is very unfortunate that instead of developmental works, that political party has resorted to agitational programme stalling the development process," she said.

Attacking the GJM, Banerjee said: "Politics is fine. But it should facilitate development, not impede it. The political mandate is there. It should be used for the benefit of the people of Darjeeling. It should not harm them. The ongoing political gimmickry is harming everybody." She said the ongoing agitation has hit every sectors in the hills.

"My intention is to make Darjeeling a dream destination, which will bring growth and prosperity for the people of Darjeeling. Like Jangalmahal, I have visited Darjeeling more than 20 times. I will be visiting Darjeeling again during the first week of September. The Lepcha brothers and sisters have invited me to attend a programme. We want to see all-round development in all spheres like education, health, employment, industries in Darjeeling," Banerjee said.

"We want to see Darjeeling as a peaceful haven so that its future is settled forever," she said.

Schools, colleges may be exempted from bandh: GJM

Darjeeling, Aug 23: All schools and colleges in the Darjeeling hills would be exempted from the purview of the agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state and reopen from September one, a top Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader on Thursday said.

The decision to keep the educational institutions, which were closed since July 29, out of the ambit of the agitation would be formally announced in the next few days, GJM publicity head Hara Bahadur Chhetri said.

As classes were not held regularly in the 45 or so schools in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseons, most of the outstation students began to vacate the hostels from August 1.

Chheti, GJM’s Kalimpong MLA, said the exemption decision was taken after considering the pleas by the guardians not to jeopardise the future of their wards.

National Liberation Front of Bengalis threaten Bodos

Bus blast leaves 5 injured in Siliguri

Siliguri, Aug 23: At least five people were injured when a bomb went off in a bus in Siliguri, north Bengal, on Sunday, for which the National Liberation Front of Bengalis (NLFB), a new anti-Bodo outfit in Assam, has claimed responsibility.

The NLFB, about which the police have no information, has also threatened to carry out more such attacks unless the “harassment of Bengalis” in Assam stops.

The bomb, which was probably hidden in luggage, exploded when most passengers had got off to have lunch.

“Two letters signed by one Abhijit Das were found inside the bus,” said Amit P Javalgi, superintendent of police, Jalpaiguri.

The supposed signatory to the letter said he was a member of the NLFB and the blast was meant to send the message that the outfit would no more tolerate the “harassment of the Bengalis by Bodos” in Assam.                                                                    

China provokes India again, its troops enter Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi, Aug 23: Chinese troops reportedly intruded into Arunachal Pradesh last week and stayed for a few days, in a repeat of the standoff at Depsang in Ladakh four months ago.

Chinese troops entered eastern Arunachal Pradesh's Chaglagam area and stayed put for three to four days before going back, NDTV reported.

The latest incursion has emerged as India sent a strong message to China on Tuesday with a C-130J Super Hercules transport plane landing at an airstrip in Daulat Beg Oldie near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the site of the April India-China stand-off.

On August 13, locals reported that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) intruded deep inside Indian Territory in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Army denies that the Chinese had camped there - like they did in Depsang for 21 days - but on Tuesday, sources admitted that the Chinese had "come and gone," and Indian troops are now present at the spot in strength.

Local residents, however, say currently PLA forces are camping at the Plamplam check post, 60 km from the border, and efforts are on to persuade them to go back.

According to these sources, there are six unmanned check posts between Chaglagam and the undemarcated LAC running from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.

The Chaglagam area, also known as "fish tail" because of the shape of the LAC in this area, has consistently seen intrusions by the Chinese in the past but they have always gone back immediately.

But this time, Chinese troops dared India by staying on for 3-4 days before going back.

Indian authorities often downplay such incidents saying, "the Chinese patrol up to their area of perception as do we. When we come face to face, there is a set routine called banner drill which is followed. Both sides then retreat to their own areas."

Editorial

PANG LHABSOL

Respect Sikkimese Sentiments

While the annual celebrations of Pang Lhabsol if celebrated genuinely will bring peace and harmony it must be borne in mind that the day is not meant for entertainment, politics and money-making. From time immemorial this special day is set apart for the worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities such as Khangchendzong and Yabdu. Surely, the Sikkimese people, particularly the Bhutias and Lepchas, feel the need to keep one day in a year to perform traditional rituals to appease and thank their mountain gods. Those who fail to positively respond to their sentiments not only fail to realize the significance of Pang Lhabsol but are engaged in activities that are detrimental to the State and its people. Traditionally, the annual Pang Lhabsol pujas are performed in various monasteries all over the State. It must be reminded that Sikkim was a Buddhist Kingdom before the ‘merger’ in 1975.

The worship of nature, including mountain ranges, were a part of the religious practices of the Sikkimese people even before Guru Rinpoche’s arrival in Sikkim in the 8^th century. Guru Rinpoche not only tamed the wild spirits of the former kingdom but also commanded them to protect the place and its people. Those who are bent on harping on ‘peace, unity and harmony’ for their vested interests should urge the government to set apart a particular day for this purpose. This would be greatly appreciated by those who do not wish to defile and disturb the traditional celebrations of Pang Lhabsol.

Darjeeling Lepchas to honour Mamata on Sept 1

Kolkata, Aug 23: Unfazed by the statehood agitation in the Hills, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit Darjeeling on September 1.

Her visit will spite Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung because the Chief Minister will be in the Hills on the invitation of the Lepcha Tribal Association. The Mamata government formed the Lepcha Development Board on August 5 much to the dislike of Gurung who saw it as a move to divide the united stir for Gorkhaland, The Times of India reported.

"I will be visiting Darjeeling again during the first week of September. The Lepcha brothers and sisters have invited me to attend a programme," Mamata said in a post on a social networking site on Tuesday. The Lepcha Tribal Association has planned to felicitate the CM at a programme in Siliguri on September 2.

Enos Das Pradhan, chairman of the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee refused say much about the trip. "She may come to the Hills but there is no question of reconciliation. Our demand is beyond the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) now, it is about the Gorkhaland state," he said.

Banerjee's impending visit sparked off speculation on whether the government would dissolve the GTA sabha and call for fresh elections.

Guv assures full support to ex-servicemen

Gangtok, Aug 23: Governor Shriniwas Patil said he was aware of the problems faced by ex-servicemen in the State and assured his full support to all projects undertaken by the Rajya Sainik Board.

Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, Col. D.N. Bhutia accompanied by Col. K.B. Tamang, Officer in-charge, ECHS Polyclinic, Maj T. Gyatso, President Ex-Services League, Welfare Officers and the staff of Rajya Sainik Board paid a courtesy call on to the Governor on Tuesday at the Raj Bhawan to welcome him and wish him a memorable stay in the State.

While expressing his happiness to meet ex-servicemen, the Governor said he had close links with ex-servicemen as most of his family members served the Indian armed forces in various capacities.

“He also said that he was aware of the problems being faced by ex-servicemen” and assured the delegation of his “full support in all the projects being taken up by the Board”, an official release said.

PEOPLE & PLACES Sikkim

Significance of Pang Lhabsol

Worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities

By PINTSO CHEWANG

Mahaguru Padmasambhava was born in the 8th century AD at the Dhanakosha Lake, surrounded by dakinis of the Uddiyana country of the present day Afghanistan. He is thus known as Lotus born Buddha, also known as the Buddha of past, present and future. During the later course of his life when He was Professor at the famous Nalanda University in Bihar, He was invited by Chogyal Trisong Duechen of Tibet to subdue the negative forces who were hindering his visionary mission to found the first ever Monastery of Tibet, Samye and thereby firmly establish Buddha’s teaching in Tibet for well being of all the sentient beings.

Khangchendzonga

 In the course, He discovered this hidden country of Sikkim. However, when he reached here, the land was actually predominated by the negative exercises and influences of evil spirits while its all pervading master Khangchen Joenga and his negative forces’ writ run all through the Sikkim Valley. It was then that Mahaguru swiftly converted all the negative forces led by Khangchen Joenga into Sikkim’s Supreme Guardian deity of the land, accompanied by hosts of others in order of hierarchy while Mahakala was also invited to witness the same and in turn, was instructed to ensure that the newly-appointed guardian deities lives upto their commitments and responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the land and its inhabitants which was most crucial for upholding of dharma when the same get defiled at the place of its origin in future.

Khangchen Joenga was specifically commanded to forbid entry of any alien figures in Sikkim other than the appointed ones who shall inaugurate the doors of Sikkim. Even Lhatsun Namkha Jigmed was let into this hidden land by Khangchen Joenga only after he elaborately satisfied himself that he was the destined master to open Sikkim’s door to dharma.

According to the Rigzin Sogdrub tradition, a treasure texts ‘Toerma’ which was revealed by Lhatsun Namkha Jigmed, Khangchen Joenga is credited as (a) Gurui Kasung ba: the one who preserve and maintain the instructions of the Mahaguru, (b) Nay-Ter gyi Dagku: the protector of the sacred sites and dharma treasures of Sikkim and (c) Gyalwa Namtho Sey: holder of prosperity and wealth. Moreover, in Sikkimese tradition, Khangchen Joenga is also adopted /acknowledged as Pholas (paternal deity) by most of its clans, thereby rendering rituals associated to it a more personal flavor as well. In fact, the effect and praise for Khangchen Joenga is all pervasive in Sikkimese fabrics, propitiated and invoked both by the Buddhist monks and Shamanist Bongthings, pawos, nejom, etc.

Khangchen Joenga and all his sub-ordinates were made responsible to ensure peace and prosperity, as well as upkeep of its natural environment and bounty in Sikkim and particularly, of the sacred dharma treasures Toermas, that He lavishly hid in large volumes, both major and minor for future purpose in most of the rivers, cliffs, valleys, tress, rocks, mountains, etc., more specifically in and around Drakar Tashiding, the supreme pilgrimage site for the Sikkimese, with appointment of each presiding deity. He also designated Toertens (treasure revealers) at various points of time.

In return, the Mahaguru pledged Khangchen Joenga and other deities of annual offerings by the local inhabitants who shall put in all their effort and exercise to preserve the same. He then spontaneously christened the land as his Bayue Dremo Jong signifying hidden country of precious and sacred dharma treasures and its fruition. In fact, these dharma treasures have been and still are being discovered by the appointed Toertens since for universal benevolence. Mahaguru has further instructed the local inhabitants as well to preserve and protect the sanctity of such sacred sites and locations from any kind of materialistic or humanly interferences, activities and disturbances to prevent the wrath of this recently transformed guardian deities. He proclaimed that this land is the pure realm of the present universe, equal to His own Jangdo Palri (Copper –plated pure realm of the Mahaguru).

Several legends and folklores are found to be associated on Mahaguru’s miracles performed during this period. One such interesting note, as legend has it that when the Mahaguru was in Lho Khandro Jangphu (one of the four cardinal caves), He came across several witches and negative forces trying their best to drive away Him out of the boundaries of Bayue Dremo Jong. Out of compassion, he succeeded in transforming most of them into local deities while the parts of their body representing negativity were thrown on the walls and interior of the cave, stone imprints of which is still visible.

Amongst them, one powerful witch, with the intention of killing the Mahaguru, fled to the cliff of Tsum, somewhere below the present day Gyalshing and pretentiously befriended with Him. In her engraved pursuit to kill the Mahaguru, she obliged Him to hatch some honey at the cliff of Tsum. Accordingly, when He climbed the cliff with support of a clipper and was almost at the summit, the witch cut the creeper while the Mahaguru saved Himself with the support of His own beard engrossed over the creeper and hence the name ‘Ugyen Gyaro’ (Mahaguru Padmasambhava’s beard), a typical plant known in His name.

The witch transformed herself into a wild boar and fled towards Guruthang, Pemayangtse, Sangha Choeling and finally landed at Sangay Tar (Changay Tar) in Thegchoe Yangtse (present day West Sikkim) where she was ultimately subjugated by the Mahaguru with His bow and arrow and transformed her into the local deity. A tree is still preserved at the site where the Mahaguru is believed to have intricately practiced bow & arrow before actually transforming the witch. Recently in 1960-65, the 12th Denjong Chogyal directed the Pemayangtse authority to protect the area and the particular tree, given its significance. However, this particular site at Thegchoe Yangtse stands to encroachment of all kinds, currently.

Great Vajrayana Masters such as Rigjin Goedhem Chen, who founded the first ever Sikkimese Monastery at Pawo Hungri in the then Central Sikkim in the early 14th century AD, Rigjin Lhakden Ja, Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Ngadag Sempa Chenpo, Ka-Thok Kuntu Jangpo, Lhatsun Jigme Pawo, etc. have revealed important treasure texts from various sacred sites of Sikkim. It is clear from this fact that the very concept of the great Pang Lhabsol observance is to propitiate our Supreme guardian deities and others as a mark of our veneration and gratitude. It also reminds both the guardian deities and the inhabitants of their respective responsibilities as scheduled by the Mahaguru. This transformation of Sikkim simultaneously marked the beginning of Shamanism in Sikkim, whose responsibility was but restricted to preservation of the commitments made by the Mahaguru and its sanctity as founded by Him. In fact, with the evolution of time, the role of shamanism also multiplied. The annual Pang Lhabsol therefore is also a celebration of Sikkim as a Vajrayana-Shamanistic system, unique only to Sikkim.

The observance and relevance of Pang Lhabsol gets momentum with the institutionalizing of blood brotherhood between the Bhutias and Lepchas at Kabi Longtsok in 13th century A.D., which had the Supreme Guardian Deity Khangchen Joenga as its witness deity. The oath culminated in ensuring male issues to the issueless Prince Khey Bumsa and his consort, by the Supreme Lepcha Master Thekong Tek who in turn bounded Bumsa to let his descendants live and rule Sikkim. In fact the Supreme Patriarch Thekong Tek blessed Bumsa with four sons. Consequently, Bumsa’s eldest son Mipen Rab became the nucleus to the future rulers of Sikkim vis-à-vis Namgyal dynasty and many other Sikkimese clans.

    Nesol (prayers / offering to the guardian deities) forms the very essence of Pang Lhabsol rituals and prayers which is performed in all the major and minor Sikkimese monasteries on the occasion. Even private households offer Neysol prayer at their private alters. Till the inauguration of the modern history of Sikkim, Pang Lhabsol remain a reserved ritual, confined only to designated locations and volume with less mass participation.

It was however, the reign of the 3rd Denjong Chogyal Chyag-Dor Namgyal, additions were made to the rituals and observance with more intricately set Pangtey Chham, which actually was received as Toerma treasure by the Chogyal in his trance at Rabden Tse Palace, thereby enlarging it with more and more public participation. Offerings of new produce Jejhug are made by the people to the Yulha Jibda, the guardian deities through the Chogyal of Sikkim on the occasion. Pangtey literally translates into offering / praise to the deities and Chham is dance, hence, dance/musical offering to the deities, and is performed at the Royal Tsuglakhang, Gangtok, which is being suspended for couple of years now with the hope of its early revival under the blessings of His Royal Majesty Miwang Denjong Chogyal Wangchug Namgyal, the present Chogyal of Sikkim.

 Chogyal Chyag-Dor Namgyal was known for his advance and profound wisdom, both on Buddhist philosophies and astrology, commanding high esteem from the neighboring countries as well. The energetic Pangtey dance including emergence of the ‘Goen-Joe Nyi’’ duo (Goen for Goenpo= Mahakala and Joe for Joenga= Khangchen Joenga) during the Chham is the center of attraction. One of the most significant parts of the Pang Lhabsol ritual is the Shaylen, invocation of the guardian deity and submission and re-affirmation of the commitments made by the Mahaguru Padmasambhava, both to the guardian deities and the inhabitants.

   This Shaylen is traditionally performed at the Tsuglakhang in front of the ‘Goen Joe Nyi’ and in presence of the ruler and the ruled, their reaffirmation to perform their duties in accordance to the doctrine as scheduled by the Mahaguru in the 8th Century AD. This makes the entire observance still very lively and relevant for all times to unfold, particularly when most of the sacred sites and locations are currently either under grave threat of materialistic pollution and encroachment or are already under its influences following several senseless development projects thrown over it.

The preservation and continuity of a ritual of such significance as the annual Pang Lhabsol is therefore not a mere question of sustaining one’s tradition or lineage, but more of one’s own survival for we only stand to the wrath of our own protecting deities, otherwise generous and compassionate, if we fail to deliver our own parts as committed to it by our supreme masters and ancestors in the remote past.

Pang Lhabsol chaam at Tsuklakhang may be revived from next year

By KUNGA CHUKIE & SONAM DEKI

The traditional Pang Lhabsol chaams may be revived at the Tsuklakhang Monastery, Gangtok, next year. Though the annual Pang Lhabsol celebrations still continue at Tsuklakhag, the Royal Chapel,  chaams or masked lama dances were discontinued in latter part of the 1980s. The 13^th Chogyal of Sikkim, Wangchuk Namgyal, who has been in retreat for a long time doing meditation and religious studies, have entrusted the religious and spiritual matters of the Tsuklakhang to the Tsuklakhang Trust.

There has been a steady public demand that the traditional chaams performed on Pang Lhabsol in honour of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities be revived for the benefit of Sikkim and its people. Sources said the chaams may be revived next year.

This year there has been a sizable increase in those who witnessed the Pang Lhabsol at Tsuklakhang. Organised by the Tsuklakhang Trust, among the prominent individuals who participated in the celebrations were Princes Hope Leezum and her husband Wangyal Topden, former MLA Kunga Zangpo, LP Barfungpa, Major T. Gyatso and representatives of some leading families in Gangtok.