Dhih Ji Itar Chose Can..This Is The way It Is..

  Namdroling Monastery is the hub of Tibetan monks in exile and is a centre of Palyul Lineage of Nyngma School of Tibetan Budhism. Its just about 4 kMs from Kusalnagar, the border point of Coorg and Mysore districts of Karnataka State.Every time I go to Kusalnagar, ( which is about once in a month or so)  I make it a point to visit the Monastery too.Its an abode of peace and tranquility and gives you a certain energy. You get lovely Budhist artifacts and curios at the society shops there. This is the place where 5000 odd monks and nuns practice the pure upholding of the teachings of Budha at the Ngagyur Nyngma Instititute or "Shedra". ( Any links to "Kshetra", as in 'a temple of learning'?)

By being kind of regular, have some awareness about some of the rituals and practices here. But was intrigued and clueless about one activity in particular; the Mock slapping, clapping and intense taunting the disciples indulge in group of pairs.It was a chance interaction with a monk that gave some insights into this strange ritual and the importance in their way of learning the sutras and tantras in depth.
                                      As part of the traditional curriculum, this one and a half hour ritual  starts by invoking Manjusri, the Celestial Patron of Wisdom. " Dhih Ji Itar Chos Can which means, "This Is The Way It Is". The individual debate is known as "Tsoda" and the questioner who stands is called "Niklampa" and the defender sitting down is called " Damchawa".

After the invocation, the topic would be raised by the Niklampa and seek the counter thesis by Dhamchawa. The defender has three options namely
"Do" means I Agree, "Ta Madrup" means No reason and "Khyappa Majung" means the question or poser is not blending in.He has to answer them immediately or else, the Niklampa would clap his hand three times and say " Chir Chir Chir" aka why  why why. 

As the debates go on, both parties will try to gain the upper hand by posing strategic nuances like, say in normal parlance the lawyers do. Finally, if the defender no longer able to provide a proper counter, he will be forced to say Khyappa Majung for which the questioner victoriously will say " Tsawe Dhamcha Tsar" means, "the argument is finished". Sometimes it ends with victory to the defender when the questioner suddenly may not have enough reason to further ask anything to justify his topic. 

For the laymen witnessing the high wire event, it would come across as a form of physical aggression with clappings, and mock slappings, gestures that borders at taunting and ridiculing someone. The violent hand gestures like, circling the hand above the Dhamchewa's head three times and the shrill screaming of "Di Khor Sum" - These are three circles, would instill a fear of an imminent slug fest.

But nothing happens. Both would take it in their stride and see it as kind of a mental sport that actually sharpens the mind. I heard, sometimes, before the ritual ends, they actually change positions too. At the "Shedra", students are prepared for such small exercise of reasoning called "Rikchung" as part of their assessment.

  The corner stone of any learning is the ability to seek, receive, sharpen and reinforce the bits and seeds of wisdom streaming in one's way. In the Tibetan traditions of learning , Debates are used to test the knowledge, to condition the temperament and to actively seek interpretations of the doctrines and scriptures. May be it is such conditioning that actually helps these people in exile still go on despite the setbacks and sufferings. It may be how they still cling on to the beliefs of the three jewels of Budha, Dharma and Sangha incessantly and going on spreading the lights and prayers of peace everywhere.


   "Om Mani Padme Hum"