TSEWANG PHUG, Tshechu

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A relatively broad cave (DIEMBER 1990 edited 1993: 65) or wide open rock shelter with a sacred spring of life-water (tsewang, tshe-dbang) lies at the base of a cliff at the head of a valley and has been used by Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims and mystics in retreat. SITUATION: From Gangla [note 1], crossing the pass of the -turquoise dragons- or Yudrug La (g.Yu-'brug la), the site of the -life-water- can be reached in a few hours. At present, since the level of the glacier has decreased significantly, the unstable lateral moraines make a lower but longer way more convenient and less dangerous. … Tshechu lies in a valley parallel to Gangla. A turquoise lake [note 2] dominates the scenery, and it is said that whoever is endowed with a pure mind and a strong faith can see the prophetic visions on its -most secret surface-. At the end of the valley a cliff pointing to the sky indicates the main place: The spring of life water. In a broad cave at the bottom of the cliff there are a few stone hts which used to be a shelter for pilgrims and mystics in retreat (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1993: 64-65). CAVE DESCRIPTION: At the entrance [possibly facing east or south-east] the compact rock face presents a few cracks from which there runs a thin thread of clear water, which can purge sins, heal the sick and bestow life power (tsewang, tshe-dbang). … Flat quatrangular rocks on the roof of the cave are considered holy books which are still to be taken out and interpreted at the appropriate moment. The little chapel contains a spring of life water just above the altar, a statue of Guru Rinpoche which used to be in Gangla before the monastery was destroyed, a few ritual objects and, at present, numerous pictures of the Dalai Lama (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1993: 65). CULTURAL HISTORY: When Dzatrul Ngawang Tendzin Norbu (1864-1940 (note 3), rDza-sprul Ngag-dbang bstan-'dzin nor-bu), who was a native of Kharta (note 4) and a disciple of the Kuye Lama Gyurme Tinley Namgyal ('Gyur-med 'prin-las rnam-gyal) came here he performed tshewang rituals, considering this place holy for the realisation of life power (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1993: 60, 63-64, 65). Nowadays, this holy site is frequently visited by pilgrims and shepherds on the high pastures (DIEMBER 1990 edited 1993: 65).rin-las rnam-gyal) came here he performed tshewang rituals, considering this place holy for the realisation of life power (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1993: 60, 63-64, 65). Nowadays, this holy site is frequently visited by pilgrims and shepherds on the high pastures (DIEMBER 1990 edited 1993: 65).