It is a practice of the two main types of Buddhists, there— Mahayana and Vajrayana, as well as four major sects.
In Ladakh, Buddhist lamas (priests) chant sacred texts reflecting the spirit, philosophy, and teachings of the Buddha.
Sacred texts that have been preserved by monks living in the monasteries in Ladakh have been passed along to future generations, ensuring that the practice of Buddhist Chanting continues for generations to come. Sacred texts are preserved in the libraries of the monasteries and represent the spirit, philosophy, and teachings of the Buddha.
Chanting is performed by the monks at a variety of events, such as annual festivals, agrarian cycles, life cycles, for general wellbeing, and for attaining Buddhahood. On various occasions, including family functions and important days in the agrarian calendar, the villagers invite the monks to their houses for chanting. Every day, the sound of chanting can be heard in the villages throughout Ladakh. Chanting is done in groups, either sitting indoors or accompanied by a dance in monastery courtyards or private houses. The chanting is aimed at appeasing evil spirits or invoking the blessing of various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities, and Rinpoches.
It is performed with a special costume and hand gestures for the Buddha, and instruments such as bells, drums, cymbals, and trumpets make the chanting sound. The chants are practiced in a monastic assembly hall every day. Acolytes are trained under the rigorous supervision of the senior monks, repeating texts until they are memorized, and practicing the chants as a prayer to the deities for world peace and their personal growth.
Historically, ancient Ladakh was considered to be culturally richer than it is today. Buddhist Ladakh is struggling to reinterpret its entire Buddhist culture that has evolved over 2000 years. Some visionary leaders had foreseen the cultural apathy seen today, and a number of steps have been taken to preserve that unique culture. Several steps were taken about 50 years ago to preserve this unique cultural identity.
Currently, the young people of Ladakh seem to find the vocation of monkhood rather old-fashioned, and they opt for modern jobs instead. Continuing the monastic traditions, including chanting, is vital for the preservation of Ladakhi culture and the spiritual heritage of the region. Because Ladakh is a remote region in India, it remains cut off for a substantial period of time every year, due to its extreme weather. The culture and beliefs of the region are little known to the general public.
References
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