The celebration of Losar can be traced back to the pre-Buddhist period in Tibet. During the period when Tibetans practiced the Bon religion, every winter a spiritual ceremony was held in which people offered large quantities of incense to appease the local spirits, deities and protectors. This religious festival later evolved into an annual Buddhist festival which is believed to have originated during the reign of Gungyal I could, the ninth king of Tibet. The festival is said to have begun when an old woman named Belma (mo rgad bal ma) introduced the measurement based on the phases of the moon time. This festival is held during the flowering apricot trees Yarla Shampo region in autumn Lhokha, and may have been the first celebration of what has become the traditional farmers' festival. It was during this period that the arts of cultivation, irrigation, refining iron ore and building bridges were first introduced in Tibet. The ceremonies instituted to celebrate these new capabilities can be recognized as precursors of the Losar festival. Later when the rudiments of the science of astrology, based on the five elements, were introduced in Tibet, the festival 'the farmers became what we now call the Losar or New Year's festival; which was held earlier this month called sPyid ra deer.
Historically, there are three main traditions to delineate the deer ra sPyid month falls during the year. Some say it is the eleventh month; others, the twelfth; Still others claim it is the first. Those who claim it is the eleventh month Konjo follow the tradition of the Chinese princess who married King Songtsen Gampo. According to this tradition, celebrating Losar begins on the first day of the eleventh month. According to the second tradition, Losar is celebrated the first day of the twelfth month, which corresponds to Losar Farmers held in China since the reign of King Trison Deutsen in Tibet. Finally, according to the system Drogon Choegyal Phagpa Lama, lama during the 13th century, the first day of the first calendar month is counted as the beginning of each year; therefore celebrating Losar begins on this date. Despite these three great traditions Losar celebration will take place at different times of the year in various parts of Tibet, according to various seasons and local customs in some places even Losar is celebrated twice year. But throughout the history of Tibet, Losar celebration Standard earlier this year gradually became a standard practiced by the nation, at least at the official level.
Early in the last month of the year, people begin to make preparations for Losar. As they begin the many rituals and household activities related to upcoming lavish parties, they become very busy; therefore, one hears the common saying, "Lesar Losar is" means "new year's new work." The preparations for the Losar basically involves the collection of sweet roasted barley flour for phe sea (sweetened barley flour symbolizing good wishes), gro ma (small dried sweet potato) sil bras (sweet rice) , Phud what (young shoots of wheat or barley symbolizes the birth of the new year), chang (barley beer), tea, butter, sheep numbers, butter lamps, chips and cookies of different sizes fruits and sweets. Food products produced locally are preferable. A complete set of these seasonal delights for the arrangement on the altar is also required. The whole neighborhood is clean, and the houses are freshly painted. New clothes can be prepared, especially for children, but most adults take your best set of old clothes; often, a person will have only one of these sets of fine clothes, which usually remain locked in a trunk until an appropriate event such as Losar or marriage of relatives. As the big day approaches, any or all of the eight auspicious symbols are drawn on the kitchen wall with Fie sea. the mouth of the vessels for the home such as water cans, clay pots and so on, they are linked with wool scarves and window curtains and doors are replaced. The lines are set in white said to the sides of the path of the door to door and in the center of the path symbols like the swastika, symbolizing good fortune indestructible, and draw a shell, symbolizing the flourishing of the Dharma. The offerings are usually placed on the altar on the last night before the first day of Losar. Tibetan fried bread and biscuits (Khab is) different varieties are prepared in large quantities days, weeks or even months before Losar, according to the need of the family unit; Most families, however, they prepared a day before Losar. Khab the basic means of exchanging greetings and together form chang. It is a common fact that just a day or two before Losar, during the preparation of Khab is, many families suffer losses from accidental fires caused by burning oil. However, there is a common belief that these families, although they are temporarily experiencing a loss, prosper and become affluent in the long run. Such a notion is not, however, lead one to deliberately arrange an accident of this nature, as such can be harmful act to the family, both in the immediate future and in the long run. Finally, one of the most tragic to celebrate Losar requirements is the mass slaughter of animals such as yaks, sheep and goats for meat, heads, intestines and so on, to be consumed or displayed during Losar.
On the first day, at dawn, the housewife of the family is to pick the first bucket of the year. She burns incense in the source water, tie a scarf around the tap and set a bid for the first portion of Fie chang sea to appease the nagas (snake subterranean beings) and spirits. At home, boiled porridge chang is served while waking up each family member, asking them to "Tashi Delek". After all, now wide awake after tasting the porridge chang (and some perhaps already slightly pickled), dress themselves in their best suits. After performing his devotions at the altar prostrating, reciting prayers, lighting lamps and the like, take their seats, lined up according to seniority within the home. The housewife then serves Fie, chang Phud sweet rice and sea, followed by tea, sweet soup, porridge cooked chang, and a set of khab se llama dkar SPRO. When this formal family ceremony is over, the members of the family to the house of their next door neighbors are escaping, chewing Fie sea chang Phud while shouting "Tashi Delek!" Children especially love to fill their pockets with candy and display their new outfits. On this day people do not socialize much, or spend money freely, to be believed (rightly or wrongly) that if someone were to do so, the fortunes of their home decrease.
From the second day onwards Losar, people visit the houses of others, play, play at dice, cards, dancing and singing songs. If the lunar calendar predicts that the second day will be favorable, people raise prayer flags, both horizontally and vertically, on their roofs. And while on the roof, but also offer incense, sending large plumes of smoke rising into the sky. This ceremony is primarily a ritual of appeasement offered in honor of their household gods (lha Skye); it is also a ritual to increase the fate of family and fortune, and to appease the gods, goddesses, mountain spirits inhabiting (btsan), local spirits (LHA yul) and nagas. This incense offering ceremony is also accompanied by a black tea offering to the gods and goddesses of the house and the town; which concludes with the cry "Ki Ki So So Lha Gyal Lo!" ("¡May the gods on the side of virtue will triumph!") Three times while holding tsampa between thumb and fingertips of the right hand. One then takes the tsampa into the sky, filling the air with a fine layer of dust. When the ceremony of burning incense and prayer flag was held in public, the scene is even more lively and charming. Some people playful and mischievous glee the faces of the other polish with tsampa making fun of them; people of the opposite sex are a favorite target.
The words and methods of making incense offering more or less standardized, like most people and institutions use the text was composed by Guru Padmasambhava after he subdued the evil spirits and tied with an oath to be guardians and protectors of Buddhism in Tibet. This basic text that is common to all Tibetans supplemented by invoking local guardian deity and one text. These days a standard ritual officially published text is available to all.
In private homes, either high or low status, aristocratic or working class, everyone enjoys the holidays, rituals and parades during Losar festival, while the exchange of hospitality and conviviality share. The Losar fun lasts at least a week, and even longer in some places. Some people even get married during Losar especially festive things to do!
In Lhasa, the first day of the new year is officially called Lama Losar. At dawn of this day, the monks of Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, would offer a sacrificial cake (ma GTOR) on top of the Potala Palace to the supreme deity of Dharma protectors the goddess Palden Lhamo glorious. Led by the Dalai Lama, the abbots of three great monasteries, lamas, tulkus, government officials and dignitaries join the ceremony and offer their contemplative prayers, while the monks of Namgyal recite the invocation of Palden Lhamo. After performing this ceremony, everyone will gather in the hall called Excellence of Samsara and Nirvana (srid zhi phun tsogs) for a formal greeting ceremony. Sitting in their seats arranged according to their rank, everyone exchange the traditional greeting, "Tashi Delek." Then Fie sea, tea, sweet rice, lots of cookies (stop chen dkar SPRO), cubes of butter (zan sea) and handfuls of nuts would be distributed.
To wish Dalai Lama good luck for the coming year, consecrated long-life pills (tse ril) made out of roasted barley dough are offered to him by the representatives of the three great monasteries, the two Tantric Colleges, and institutions known as the sde Zhe, TSE lun ling, SME and lchag po ri ru (Faculty of Medicine). Then entertainers (Garpa) perform a dance for the amusement of the guests. Two senior monks stage a debate on Buddhist philosophy, and conclude their discussion with an auspicious recitation composed especially for the event, in which the entire spectrum of Buddhist teaching is briefly reviewed. The request was made to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to all holders of the doctrine to remain for a long time amongst beings in samsara in order to serve them through their enlightened activities. The official ceremony concludes with a ceremonial farewell to the Dalai Lama, who then retires to his apartment.
The second day of Losar is known as King's Losar ((rgyal gsar what po) because officially the day is reserved for a secular gathering in the hall of Excellence of Samsara and Nirvana. The Dalai Lama and his government officials, both monastic and lay, he would be greeted by a host of dignitaries of state, representatives of China, India, Ladakh, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia and others staying in Lhasa foreign visitors. like the Dalai Lam made his entrance to ascend to the throne, the Namgyal Monastery monks offer prayers welcome. After the Dalai Lam sat the rest of the assembled guests take their seats. then the Namgyal monks, led by their abbot, would offer seven emblems of royalty, eight auspicious substances, and the eight auspicious emblems, all offered individually in conjunction with the verses that explain its meaning. This was followed by the granting of a hearing to all gathered, they would receive blessings from the hands gracious Dalai Lama . Then, tea and other beverages are served. At this time, artists would offer a special dance was performed only in this case the days of the year. Then members bras ling insect Zhol operatic one company called Cham dance is enacted gar. Finally, the newly appointed government officials receive special blessings at a private function. After all these procedures, a team of athletes traditionally selected from the citizens of the city Shigatze, prove reckless feats like sliding down a rope from the top of chog shar chen, the high ceiling of the mighty Potala Pillar Zhol in the foot of the hill. However, the thirteenth Dalai seeing that it was a (sometimes fatal) dangerous game Lama banned this particular performance. With this type of celebration, the celebration of the day came to an end. This day is called Losar del Rey for the day is occupied mostly by formal and secular entertainment for government executives and guests of honor duties.
On the morning of the third day, the whole multitude of monastic officials know skor as RTSE (monk officials), attend an extensive ceremony invoking all protective deities of Tibet held in the private chamber of the Dalai Lama in the Potala Palace . Invocation Rites Palden Lhamo special, which safeguards the welfare of the nation, were performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery. After a break for lunch, monastic officials (RTSE skor) would make a fortune compared to the tapestry Palden Lhamo in the private chamber of the Dalai Lama. Divination, in which the dumplings were cast in a prescribed manner, regarding welfare of the Dalai Lama, the state of Buddhist teachings, and prosperity of the nation in general. This event is known as the mass of the ball of the third day divination. (TSE gsum bsgril zan). Also on this day that the giant prayer flag Ganden (dga ldan chen give), at daybreak was raised. While monastic officials (skor RTSE) met in the private chamber, all lay employees (skor shoes), attended a ceremony in which the Nechung Oracle was summoned to own the means of Nechung Monastery. At night, the government organized a party subsidy rdzong rgyab where young performers sing and dance, and an archery contest was held. The function would then conclude with the offering of white handkerchiefs and rewards for exceptional service to the officials of the Treasury Department (the Khung phyag blah). This concluded the third day. Later, the leader of the community (my DPON) declare that the Ganden prayer flag had been raised, and early in the morning, the Chief Chamberlain che mgron) would warn and direct both monastic discipline (tsogs chen zhal NGOs) Monastery Drepung about how they were going to control and organize the Great Prayer Festival. In the evening, the monks rushed into the hallway of the main cathedral (gTsug lag khang) to take their seats for the Festival of Prayer (lam smon), during which monastic discipline senior Drepung proclaim the edict foundation (yig bca) issued by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, and to urge the monks to observe strict discipline during festivals. This officially ended the three days of the New Year celebration.
