Monday, August 20, 2018

Nechung Oracle and Nechung Monastery



If you walk down from Drepung monastery you find Nechung monastery on your left side. Nechung monastery is the seat of the State Oracle of Tibet. Pehar, a spirit protector, had been moved from Kokonor to finally Nechung. The State Oracle is a Nyingma monk, who is possessed by Peharas Dorje Drakden (one of his aspects) during trance.  I’ve also heard that the Oracle wasn’t only in trance but also drunk, so that his slurred voice had to be interpreted. 

Wikipedia has: “When the State Oracle is possessed by Pehar, he becomes very agitated, with tongue lolling, bloodshot eyes and displays superhuman strength, lifting heavy weights, twisting swords, etc. He mumbles words which are recorded and then interpreted by monks and also blesses grain which is thrown to the crowd.” He needed superhuman strength as the dress had been very heavy (70 pounds / “Altogether, this outfit weighs more than seventy pounds and the medium, when not in trance, can hardly walk in it”).

If you dig deeper into the practice of the State Oracle, you find the phowa practice, which is a meditation practice ("the practice of conscious dying" or "transference of consciousness at the time of death").

There is quite a lot of Nyingpa and Bönpa influence, but the Dalai Lamas consulted the State Oracle before important decision. I’ve heard rumors that the 14th Dalai Lama wants to abolish the institution of the State Oracle.

If you’re more skeptical: “In spite of holding the respected position of state oracle, the Nechung oracle over the centuries has been beset with numerous controversies. Hence, many high lamas both in the past and today refuse to consult the Nechung oracle even on the smallest of matters as this oracle has been proven to give inaccurate pronouncements and prophecies over the years.” [The Unreliability of the Nechung Oracle]

Nechung had been destroyed, but has been rebuilt. It looks very similar compared to old pictures. Even the two stone incense burner are in front of the main hall.








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