#trance runner

After investigating the Tibetan dances, I have a clearer idea about the function of bone ornaments. However, when I re-read Loseries-Leick’s book, I discovered some other functions that I overlooked before.

Bone ornaments were also worn during rites of land consecration, especially in order to introduce, reserve and refresh the experience of Integrated Void or the Natural State of Mind. They should be worn continuously in order to stabilise Samadhi. (*According to Wikipedia, Samadhi refers to a state of meditative consciousness. It is a meditative absorption or trance, attained by the practice of dhyāna (meditation). In samādhi the mind becomes still. It is a state of being totally aware of the present moment; a one-pointedness of mind.) In this function, the trance runners of Shalu used them: And the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa was said to have worn bone ornaments for 17 years.  (47)

So, besides the common exorcist function as well as used in rituals to personify deities, bone ornaments are also used to stabilise a meditative state, the experience of Integrated Void/Natural State of Mind.

I read a little bit more about the trance runners, which I found quite interesting.

It is a ritual once every 12 years, three yogis need to complete a journey which normal people need several weeks to cover within a fortnight, with the purpose of testing the forces of the chief Tibetan yogis, and to purify all places which they have to pass by means of the powers over which the yogis are supposed to have command (Oracles and Demons, p. 534)

The yogis spend 11 years with rigorous training, and when they depart, the master yogi is dressed in the garments of a Heruka with a tiger skin for a loincloth and a leopard skin covering the upper part of his body. He wears a set of bone ornaments, and carries thighbone trumpet.

During the journey, the master yogi is in constant meditation, visualising himself as his meditation divinity. He is running along the vibrations of the secret Mantra, and it is the Mantra power that ensures the yogi’s speed and strength of contemplative Samafhi.

This trance runner ritual is very intriguing to me, I am always impressed by the devotion of the practitioners. Imagine the amount of training, preparation and meditation they need before they embark on this once-in-12-years ritual! Also, they visualise themselves constantly as their meditation divinity. (One thing suddenly strikes me as I remember when I went to V&A Museum during the Christmas vacation, I had absolutely no idea what does “visualisation” as a Tantrik practice means. However, now I am so very familiar with this idea and am more and more attracted by it. I am just amazed how one learns as time goes by without even noticing it.)

Loseries-Leick described the bone ornaments worn by the trance runners she saw in detail in p.123-126 of her book, she was not allowed to take photos, so she provided a drawing in the book, which is very fascinating indeed.