Yaque Buddhist Mass in Huiyuan Monastery: Entertaining Both Humans and the Gods

Starting from the 3rd day of the 6th month by the Tibetan calendar, the Yaque Buddhist Mass lasts for three days in the Huiyuan Monastery, located in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The Qamo dance, featuring drum beating and dancing, is the climax of the holy Mass. It is a feast of sight and sound. A procession of richly costumed Lamas walk towards the square in front of the palace in the Huiyuan Temple holding musical instruments used in the religious ceremony. When they reach the square, the ceremony begins.

Two Lamas beat the Lama drums vigorously, and, just as vigorously, groups of Lamas and monks, clad differently as gods or humans or ghosts, dance for hours on end in different manners and with intricate steps before they withdraw in the thunderous din of drums and bugles and praises from spectators. It seems that humans, gods, and ghosts are dancing together to celebrate the big occasion. 

Author:Lency

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