Buddhism prior to Buddha, Bon Religion still thrives in Dolpo
“Bonpo, people who follow Bon, deem in evil spirits and nature spirits that control all walks of existence in the taxing, wandering and ruthless conditions of the rugged Himalayan terrains.”
Bon is a divine path of supernatural values, insight, manifold gods and pantheism that still thrives in the isolated highlands of western Nepal, Dolpo. Extensively practiced in innermost elevated hamlets and by nomadic tribes for millenium, Bon is truly a religion worthwhile observing during the trek in Dolpo. Bonpo, people who follow Bon, deem in evil spirits and nature spirits that control all walks of existence in the taxing, wandering and ruthless conditions of the rugged Himalayan terrains. Bon grasps the bodily hardship has a religious grounds and that every being exists to be open-minded or enlightened.
“Bon emphasis its religious grounds more on spirits and deities rather than the philosophy and hence the religion is sometimes regarded as Shamanism.”
One of few last regions where Bon Religion still exists in its primitive form is Dolpo. Some of the Bonpo Monasteries in Dolpo are the oldest existing ones. Bon was the prevailing religion in Tibet before the majority of Tibetans adopted the Buddhism. Though Bon and Tibetan Buddhism existed side by side for ages, the present form of Bon adapts the fusion form of Bon and Buddhist principles hence; the indigenous form of Bon seems to fade out. The origin of Bon Religion relates to the myths of sacred figure Tonpa Sherub who lived in Western Tibet. Bon emphasis its religious grounds more on spirits and deities rather than the philosophy and hence the religion is sometimes regarded as Shamanism.
“Chanting mantra of the Bon is “Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du” but the Buddhists chant “Om Mani Padme Hum”.”
The Bon practices are the key factors that differentiate the religion with Tibetan Buddhism. Circumambulating the shrine anti-clockwise unlike Buddhists undertake the process clockwise. Similarly, revolving the prayer wheel to left and inscribing swastikha to the left are Bon’s practices whereas; Buddhists perform these rituals to the right. In addition, chanting mantra of the Bon is “Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du” but the Buddhists chant “Om Mani Padme Hum”. Bon also distinguishes itself from Buddhism on interpreting ancient teachings, religious dance forms, costumes and masks used during ceremonies and the patterns of religious paintings and statues.
