Mani is a Buddhist way of preaching the Buddhist Dharma through drama, folklore and folk song, to the lay people. The term, 'Mani', is derived from the Mantra 'Om Mani Peme Hum' of the Buddhist Bodhisattva, Ava Loketeswora.
During the Mani festival, people wear precious silk clothes, valuable ornaments; invite their relatives, especially their married daughters' parents, for thanks giving. The married daughters, with great respect, weave beautiful woolen red shawls as gifts for their parents. They share good food, and perform the heavenly dances of Gods and Goddesses, and participate in laughter and merriment.
This festival occurs in mid-March in honor of 'Gonpo Tsepagmed', the protector, and lord of long-life Bodhisattwa (Amitayu) and other gods. It takes place at the two-footed Buddhist temple, called 'Kangnyi'.
The Mani festival is performed in honor of all these protector deities. Thanks to this long life God, it is believed all the village people achieve peace, harmony and prosperity.
The villages of Barkhang and Tangshod also demonstrate their indigenous Bonpo dramas, regarding their protector deities. The lay people perform their dramas for 4 days, under the guidance and direction of Buddhist Lamas and village elders.
During the Mani festival, people wear precious silk clothes, valuable ornaments; invite their relatives, especially their married daughters' parents, for thanks giving. The married daughters, with great respect, weave beautiful woolen red shawls as gifts for their parents. They share good food, and perform the heavenly dances of Gods and Goddesses, and participate in laughter and merriment.
This festival occurs in mid-March in honor of 'Gonpo Tsepagmed', the protector, and lord of long-life Bodhisattwa (Amitayu) and other gods. It takes place at the two-footed Buddhist temple, called 'Kangnyi'.
The Mani festival is performed in honor of all these protector deities. Thanks to this long life God, it is believed all the village people achieve peace, harmony and prosperity.
The villages of Barkhang and Tangshod also demonstrate their indigenous Bonpo dramas, regarding their protector deities. The lay people perform their dramas for 4 days, under the guidance and direction of Buddhist Lamas and village elders.
