Tibetan Religious Dances

Language: Tibetan text and annotated translation of the ‘Chams Yigâ€
Pages: 319 (28 B/W Illustrations)

From the Book
This unique work provides invaluable material related to the Tibetan Sacred Dances, which have met

their doom with the destruction of monastic life in Tibet.

Nebesky-Wojkowitz, during several periods of his field work in the Himalayas had studied

these Buddhist temple dances. He brought to their description his expert knowledge of Tibetan

iconography and ritual. Of particular interest is the translation of the Tibetan texts containing detailed

instructions for the performances of the dances. The existence of such choreographical manuals

explains the uniformity in the performance of temple dances and the persistence of an unchanging

tradition over long periods. Realizing that none of the Buddhist rituals referred in this book can be

performed in the present day Tibet and with the rapid decline of the art of chams-dances, Dr. de

Nebesky-Wojkowitzs posthumous work becomes all the more valuable.

Foreword

Among the papers of the late Dr. Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz, whose sudden death at the age

of thirty-six brought a brilliant academic career to a tragically early end, was found a manuscript on

Tibetan sacred dances. Though in an incomplete form, this manuscript contained so much valuable

material that its publication seemed to be clearly indicated. During several periods of fieldwork in the

Himalayas the author had studied the Buddhist temple dances of Sikkim and other areas, and he brought

to their description an expert knowledge f Tibetan iconography and ritual. Had he lived to complete the

book, he would undoubtedly have expanded and deepened the analysis

Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz, a scholar and adventurer who studied Tibetan culture (primarily in Sikkim), journeyed to the Himalayan region in the 1950s just before and during the Chinese invasion of Lhasa, when great upheavals were taking place in Tibetan society and culture.