Tibetan perspectives on the significance of mountains and lakes

[Photo: Tashi Tsering]

By Tenzin Choezin, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center, New York
Translated by Tenzin Bhuchung, UC Berkeley Rotary Peace Scholar
Original source: Trin-Gyi-Pho-Nya [???????????????], Tibet Justice Center, Vol. 1, Issue 3, January 2004.

Tibetans� traditions and their way of life are intimately linked to the landscape: its spectacular high mountains and pristine lakes. The significance of landscape finds meaning and expression both in pre-Buddhist Bon tradition as well as in Tibetan Buddhist culture.

According to the indigenous Bon tradition, Tibetans believe that mountains, lakes, ponds, springs and river sources are dwelling places of the protector gods of Tibet and most of these sites are named, often in a modified version, after the name of a particular deity believed to be dwelling there. Furthermore, all mountains and lakes have at least one amazing legend surrounding them. The sky-touching mountains are believed to be stairways to heaven (???????/Lha-yul) and the crystal clear lakes as gateways to the underworld realm of the Nagas (????????/Lu-yul).

From a Tibetan Buddhist interpretation, mountains like the Jomolangma (????????????/Everest), Ghung-gyal, Amnye Machen and many other high mountains of Tibet are regarded as abodes of the gods and the twelve female guardian deities that were believed to be present at the formation of the Tibetan landscape and civilization. Mountains such as Ghang Rinpoche (??????????????/Mount Kailash), Mount Tsari Tsagong (?????) and Mount Khawa Karpo (???????????) are regarded as heavenly dwelling places of various trans-worldly deities.

Even lakes such as Mapham Yutso (?????????????/Lake Manasarovar), Namtso Chukmo (????????????????), Yamdrok Yutso (?????????????????/Turquoise Lake), Trishor Gyalmo (?????????????????????????/Kokonor Lake) and others are widely revered as abodes various female deities such as Dorji Phagmo (??????????????/Vajra Yogini). There are also lakes that Tibetans believe reveal prophetic visions in them such as Lhamo Lhatso (?????????????), Thod-lung Tsehu (???????????????), O�lkha Tsehu (????????????), and Tsari Yutso (?????????????). These lakes are revered as miraculous sources of protection and are believed to have helped in identifying the next incarnation of Lamas (?????/spiritual teachers) including the current Dalai Lama.



Three lakes in eastern Tibet�Kyaring (????????), Ngoring (????????) and Doring (???????) �are surrounded by high mountain ranges with one mountain rising distinctively higher. Tibetans regard this area as the dwelling place (???????) of King Ling Gesar (???????????????????), and have named the highest mountain after the legendary King. It is a common practice for local Tibetans to offer prayers in these sacred sites. There are also numerous natural fountains and hot springs that Tibetans believe are blessed by the Medicine. Tibetans believe that when they drink or bathe in them, many chronic diseases can be cured. Then there are lakes such as Nagphak Tso and O�tso that serve as winter migration places for rare and endangered species of birds like the black-necked crane (?????????????????).

In particular, Ghang Rinpoche (??????????????/Mount Kailash) and the River Ganga (??????????) are sacred places of worship not only for Tibetans but also for many in India and Nepal. Many of Tibet�s high Lamas (Dharma teachers) have built monasteries and meditation houses near these sacred sites, while others have spent their lives there in solitary contemplation. Thus these places are considered doubly blessed. Animals dwelling in these sacred places are regarded as divine manifestations. Respect for the lives of these animals is such that not even a small plant is cut, let alone the animals killed. Instead, Tibetans customarily pile white pebbles into a heap in such places to symbolize the enhancement of their pure motivations. Instead of fishing, Tibetans throw precious objects into the lakes as offerings to the deities believed to be residing in them.

Even today, the Tibetan people deeply believe in the world of gods (???)and demons (?????). In all their worldly activities, they evoke gods and spirits for their accomplishment. Such traditional practices and belief systems associated with local ecosystems are an inseparable part of Tibetan culture and way of life.