This Master’s thesis explores the intersection of ritual, belief, and social structure in the Yungdrung Bön tradition as practiced in Tsho (common name: Ringmo), a village in Dolpo, Nepal. Combining anthropological fieldwork with religious and philosophical analysis, it provides a detailed examination of death rituals, their meanings, and their roles in the community.
The research, conducted through interviews and participant observation during field visits between 2017 and 2018, contextualizes these practices within broader academic discussions of Tibetan, Buddhist, and Bön studies. Drawing from theories such as Arnold van Gennep’s rites of passage and Émile Durkheim’s social constructs of religion, the thesis bridges theoretical frameworks with ethnographic findings. It offers a nuanced view of how death is perceived not as an end but as a transition, with rituals designed to guide the deceased through the intermediate state (bardo) toward rebirth or ultimate liberation.
Tsho’s community life is deeply intertwined with Yungdrung Bön, a religious tradition that informs not only spiritual practices but also social cohesion. Family altars and dedicated prayer rooms (chos khangs) anchor daily rituals and seasonal ceremonies, creating a living connection between the villagers and their deities, ancestors, and protectors. In this thesis, funeral practices, including cremation and rites such as zhi khro, are examined in detail, showcasing their philosophical underpinnings and communal significance.
The study also sheds light on how external influences, such as tourism, economic shifts, and migration, interact with traditional practices. Economic reliance on the harvest and trade of Yartsagunbu, a highly valued caterpillar fungus, has significantly transformed livelihoods and social dynamics in the village. Despite these changes, the rituals retain their core purpose, reflecting a balance between tradition and adaptability.
By combining a focus on ritual analysis with an exploration of social change, this thesis highlights the resilience and evolution of cultural practices in Tsho. It contributes to a deeper understanding of how the Yungdrung Bön tradition integrates beliefs about death with the practical realities of communal life, offering a compelling study of the interplay between the sacred and the everyday.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Note on the transcription of Tibetan and Nepalese terms
- Introduction
- The village of Tsho
- Geographical and historical notes
- Population and occupation
- Social Structure
- Religious life in the community
- Thasung Tsholing Monastery
- Remarks on the research
- Field studies
- Methods and Preparation
- Informants
- Monastic informants
- Lay informants
- Essential philosophical characteristics of the concepts of dying and death
- Local protector spirits and sacred places
- Human action as cause and result
- Concepts of soul, mind, and consciousness
- The intermediate states, the final liberation, and the process of dying
- Dealing with death in Tsho
- Practices after death in community
- The first three days and the funeral ceremony
- Local particularities of the cremation sites
- Keeping the bodily remains
- Aspects of the seven weeks after death
- Offering objects as transformative elements
- Intentions and effects of the rituals
- Practices after death in community
- Perspectives of change and transition
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master's thesis aims to explore death rites and beliefs within a specific Bön tradition in the Dolpo region of Nepal, focusing on the village of Tsho. The research investigates the cultural practices surrounding death, their philosophical underpinnings, and the social responses to mortality within this community.
- Death rites and rituals in the Bön tradition of Tsho.
- The philosophical concepts of death, dying, and the afterlife within the local Bön beliefs.
- The social and community responses to death and the role of rituals in processing grief and transition.
- The significance of specific ritual objects and their transformative power.
- The interplay between local Bön practices and broader cultural influences.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by describing the author's personal experiences in Nepal, witnessing death rituals and sparking interest in exploring the social responses to death. It introduces the concept of rites of passage and frames the thesis within the broader anthropological study of transformative life events, highlighting the universality of death and its inevitability within the human experience. The author connects their personal experiences and academic background to establish the foundation for their research into the death rites and beliefs of the village of Tsho.
The village of Tsho: This chapter provides essential background information on the village of Tsho, covering its geography, history, population, social structure, and religious life, including a detailed description of the Thasung Tsholing Monastery. This contextual information is crucial for understanding the cultural setting in which the death rites and beliefs are practiced. The chapter lays the groundwork for analyzing the cultural and religious factors influencing the community's attitudes and practices regarding death.
Remarks on the research: This chapter details the research methodology employed, outlining the fieldwork conducted, the methods of data collection and preparation, and the characteristics of the informants (both monastic and lay). This section is crucial for evaluating the reliability and validity of the research findings, explaining how the data was gathered and ensuring transparency in the research process. The diverse perspectives offered by both monastic and lay informants enrich the overall understanding of the studied community’s beliefs and practices.
Essential philosophical characteristics of the concepts of dying and death: This chapter delves into the core philosophical tenets of the Bön tradition relevant to understanding concepts of death and dying. It explores local protector spirits and sacred places, the belief in human actions as cause and effect, and local understandings of soul, mind, and consciousness. These elements provide a framework for interpreting the ritual practices described in subsequent chapters, demonstrating the theological foundation of the studied culture's approach to death and the afterlife.
Dealing with death in Tsho: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the death rites and rituals practiced in Tsho. It meticulously describes the practices observed during the first three days following death, the funeral ceremony itself, specific aspects of cremation sites, the customs of keeping bodily remains, and the significance of the seven weeks following death. The chapter synthesizes these diverse practices, highlighting how they collectively shape the community's response to death and contribute to the process of mourning and transition.
Perspectives of change and transition: This chapter likely analyzes how the death rituals and beliefs within the community reflect and shape the perspectives on change and transition within the broader life cycle. This section likely explores the cyclical nature of life and death, offering insights into the community's worldview and their understanding of the process of transformation in the face of mortality.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Death rites, death beliefs, Bön tradition, Dolpo, Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism, funeral rituals, cremation, afterlife, intermediate states, ritual objects, social responses to death, cultural anthropology, ethnographic research, rites of passage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Language Preview" HTML document about?
This HTML document represents a comprehensive language preview from a publishing company, containing OCR data for academic use. It outlines the contents of a study, focusing on death rites and beliefs within a specific Bön tradition in the Dolpo region of Nepal, particularly in the village of Tsho. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What does the Table of Contents include?
The Table of Contents lists the main sections of the study: an introduction, detailed information about the village of Tsho (geography, history, population, social structure, religious life, and Thasung Tsholing Monastery), remarks on the research methodology (field studies, methods, preparation, and informants), philosophical characteristics of dying and death, the community's approach to death (practices, offering objects, intentions, and effects of rituals), and perspectives on change and transition.
What are the objectives and key themes of the study?
The master's thesis aims to explore death rites and beliefs within the Bön tradition of Tsho. Key themes include death rites and rituals, philosophical concepts of death and the afterlife, social and community responses to death, the significance of ritual objects, and the interplay between local Bön practices and broader cultural influences.
What do the chapter summaries cover?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter. The Introduction sets the stage. The chapter on the village of Tsho provides background information. "Remarks on the research" details the methodology. "Essential philosophical characteristics of the concepts of dying and death" explores philosophical tenets. "Dealing with death in Tsho" describes death rites and rituals. "Perspectives of change and transition" analyzes how death rituals shape perspectives on change.
What are some of the keywords associated with this study?
The keywords include: Death rites, death beliefs, Bön tradition, Dolpo, Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism, funeral rituals, cremation, afterlife, intermediate states, ritual objects, social responses to death, cultural anthropology, ethnographic research, and rites of passage.
Who were the informants in the research?
The informants were both monastic informants and lay informants from the village of Tsho. Their diverse perspectives enriched the research.
Where is the village of Tsho located?
The village of Tsho is located in the Dolpo region of Nepal.
What type of rituals are discussed in the study?
The study focuses on death rites and funeral rituals, including practices after death in the community, cremation ceremonies, and the significance of objects offered during the rituals.
- Citar trabajo
- Amrei Vogel (Autor), 2021, Death Rites and Death Beliefs of a Village Bön Tradition in Dolpo, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1552887
