SEVEN BOWLS OF WATER IN THE ALTAR OF THE SIKKIMESE BUDDHIST HOUSE HOLDERS.                                                                                               S.G. Dokhampa   

To state the fact honestly, Sikkimese Buddhists are the bigoted Buddhists and they follow the Himalayan Buddhist Tradition in terms of Rites and Rituals. They received Buddhism through the Eminent Buddhist Masters of Tibet who visited Sikkim in 17^th to 18^th century A.D. Prominent among them were 1. Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, 2. Ngadag Sempa Chenpo and 3. Kathok Kuntu Zangpo who paid visit to this ‘Sacred Land’ between 1641 to 1642 A.D, and established the Buddhist Monarch. It is believed that in 8^th century A.D, Lord Guru Padmasambhava visited this land with his principle disciples in order to sanctify the land, while in Tibet.

Later, the third successor of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo known as ‘Lama Jiged Pawo’ in the beginning of the 18^th century compiled all the prescribed prophecies (Lungten), description of the sacred religious objects (Nayig) and route guides (Lamyig) with regard to this land and brought them in a text form giving it a name as “Beyul Demojong gi Nayig”. Now a day, this book has become a main reference for the writers who wish to discover the mystery of this ‘Hidden Land’.

The original Sikkimese Bhutias follow the tradition of the Nyingmapa and Kagydpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. However, they differ from the Tibetans in the practices of many rites and rituals, which are unique to this land only. If any family member falls ill they consult with a Lama or an Astrologer and perform the Rites or Rituals according to the prescriptions to heal the ailing member.

The Foreign Tourists are often found interested to learn about the significance of the ‘Seven Bowls of Water’ offered in the Altar of the Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim. Nothing is put into practice without significance in a religious tradition. The items illustrated in the picture above are the actual offering items made during the ceremony. However, they are replaced with the seven bowls of water on daily basis. The descriptions of the seven items are given in the table below to visualize while offering the ‘Choepa’ or seven bowls of water in the Altar:

Sl N0	TIBETAN	SANSKRIT	MEANING AND SIGNIFISNCE IN ENGLISH
1.	CHOEYON	ARGAM	Excellent drinking water meant for quenching the thirst of the Deities/Gods who are invoked.
2.	SHABSIL	PADYAM	The cool water meant for washing the feet of the Deities/Gods who are invoked.
3.	METOK	PUSHPE	The flower for decking the hair of the Deities/Gods.
4.	DHUKPOE	DHUPE	The incense for purifying the environment of Deities/Gods who are invoked.
5.	MARME	ALOKE	Lamp for lightening the darkness of the shrine where the Deities seated.
6.	DRICHAB	GANDHE	Perfumed water meant for anointing the body of the Deity who is invoked.
7.	ZHALZE	NAIWIDYA	A sacred cake meant for offering as food to the invited Deities/Gods.

The above described items are pre requisite in every ceremony and a simple way to earn the merit even by a poorest household in the society. After offering the above mentioned Items the invited Deities and Gods are entertained with ritual music. A pair of small cymbal on the last rice bowl shown in the picture above signifies a musical offering and it also forms the 8^th part of the offerings. Some Sects of the Lamaism reversed the order of the offering items when doing a certain kind of ‘Yidam’ or Tutelary deity worship. A more elaborate arrangement of offering items can be seen in the banquet to the whole assembly of the Deities and Gods such as “Konchog Chidue” or “Shitho”, etc. which are occasionally held in the monasteries.

When these offerings are made in thousand forms, it is called “TONGCHOE” we normally do this after the death of the dear and near relatives. Of course you can also do ‘Tongchoe’ in your lifetime to earn a merit. It is not that ‘Tongchoe’ is done only after relative’s death. For a poor people who is unable to bear the expenses for the ‘Tongchoe” can do “Choepa” daily in his own shrine with profound faith. The merit is equal when it reaches thousand in number.

A picture of  'Tongchoe' set.

Every Sikkimese Household follow the practice of offering seven bowls of water with a butter lamp daily in their own shrine to earn the merit. The Children carry further the father’s Cultural heritage without any difficulty.

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