Unique Tibetan Butter Sculptures
After 5 hours of driving with a ramshackle local bus on a narrow mountain road we reach finally a messy bus station. I remember that at the end of the street are many local eateries, and shops. Around the corner is there also our homestay. There they tell me about tonight's sculptures. Excited we walk to the large square in front of the monastery, I still have to take it easy because of the altitude. Many pilgrims, locals and visitors are already there. Monks walk from different sides with pieces of the sculptures, in order to build them up. In my enthusiasm I follow some monks, to see where the sculptures come from, They tell us about the unique handicraft of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Butter Sculpture is made of ghee and has colorful and vivid shapes such as figures, flowers, etc. The Tibetan Butter Sculpture in Labrang Monastery, dates back to 1768. It has a history of more than 250 years. Butter sculptures (or Torma) are part of an ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition; yak butter and dye are still used to create temporary ritual offerings for altars during the Tibetan New Year and other religious celebrations. They are normally brightly colored with dye, and include milk, flour and other substances. Ideally yak butter is used. A variety of Tibetan Butter Sculptures are enshrined in Labrang Monastery. Sculptures with different themes will be made every year (the sculptures are various in size). The festival is traditionally considered to be a part of the Monlam Prayer Festival. During the day, people go to temples, and there are displays of sculptures made of colored butter of Buddhas or animals, flowers and birds. It's great to experience this, even before the big crowds from tonight. What a colorful experience and a beautiful moment!
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