What does splashing vodka mean in Buddhism. Rite "Oboo takhilga

On Otosho Burkhanai Subarga, in the area of ​​Marakta in the Eravninsky district of Buryatia. If a year ago they told me that I would fold my hands and bow to the idols, I would have laughed in their faces.

Opening of a meditation center financed by Diamed Medical Center.

Necessary background. Since I'm from an area where Buddhism never took root, and almost everyone adheres to Hara Shazhan (shamanism), the concept of faith is rather vague and vague. Grandparents gather, sprinkle vodka and milk, make dugaabari and sasali, honor the spirits of the area and the spirits of their ancestors. As a child, I constantly listened to stories about boohold ghosts, ezhins - the owners of the area, great shamans and shamans. So, from childhood, at the elementary level, I was an adherent of Hara Shazhan.

Getting older, studying the history of other religions, certain doubts began to appear in my soul. The wife of my long-dead great-uncle, in her old age, began to hit religion, moreover, quite eclectically and unsystematically. But thanks to her, I first read the Bible, the works of the theosophists Roerich and Blavatsky, got acquainted with the teachings of Hinduism in general and Krishnaism in particular, excerpts from the Koran and read a small book called "The Life of the Buddha."

At a certain stage in my life, I began to position myself as an agnostic. I didn't like what I read, and especially what I saw. For the first time in Ivolginsky datsan we were in 1996, being children who performed in our folklore ensemble, we were brought on an excursion. Naturally, at the sight of Mahakala, Yamantaka and other angry defenders of the faith, we were horrified, deciding that these were booholds - terrible demons.

Then a colleague, grinning, told a story about how one deputy visited a datsan, and also, seeing Zhamsaran-sakhuyusan, was taken aback and shouted - Booholdoy!

All our troubles come from ignorance. Here comes to mind a line from a song from the film "The Diamond Arm" - "Terrible on the face, kind inside."

Having moved to my native city of Ulan-Ude (I was born in it, but I spent all my childhood and youth in my father's homeland), one way or another, I came across Buddhism. One of my first impressions was when, as a novice journalist, I went to meet with the Bogdo Gegeen. There was a huge queue, everyone was pushing, cursing, in general, there was a depressing impression.

I just wanted to say - calm down, you are going to bow to the hierarch, have respect for him, for yourself and for your faith!

His Holiness Bogdo Gegeen left this world in 2012.

Bogdo received us in a small room, some journalists immediately folded their palms and even fell on their faces. I sat like a fool right hand from the hierarch, blinked his eyes in bewilderment and did not ask a single question.

After that, I saw many ministers, and with Pandito-Khamba Lama Damba Ayusheev, and with Did-Khamba Dagba Ochirov, and with others. Always surprised by their childish immediacy. And yesterday, I also saw this immediacy in dealing with people, innocence, sincerity, goodwill and compassion.

That is why he did not behave like a classic journalist, did not pester people with questions, did not climb into someone else's life, distracting them from thoughts, but simply stood aside and recorded what was happening.

On May 5 of this year, for the first time, I made a meaningful triple goroo, not just for formality, but for the sake of strengthening the spirit and humility. Then for half a day I walked only around the apartment - my legs fell off out of habit. The shamans said that it was necessary to do this, which surprised me quite a bit. Of course, rationalism got involved, I began to talk to myself about the mixing of religions, about syncretism, and then I decided - it's your time to take Buddyn shazhan. Humble pride and learning.

However, one can talk endlessly about Buddhism. However, back to yesterday's rite.

All the sick, suffering from bodily and mental injuries, who have experienced difficult days, months and years of torment, those who want health for themselves and their loved ones, came to listen to the teachers and praise Otosho Burhand - the Buddha of Medicine. Healing mental and physical wounds has always been one of the most important principles of Buddhism.

And here it is really necessary to humble your pride. You can sneer as much as you like at people who fall on their faces, make prostrations, and even remember the proverb - "Make a fool pray to God, he will hurt his forehead." Let's laugh at the grandmother who first came to the lamas, holding on to two canes, pulled out her wallet, and put her modest savings for the community - the Sangha.

Let's laugh at wheelchair users who came almost 300 kilometers from Ulan-Ude, and many of them have no chance to walk on the ground with their feet. Let's laugh at those crippled in wars, at those injured at work ...

I liked it when Geshe Dymbryl-bagsha, the rector of Dashi Choynhorlin, after reading the introductory question, asked -

There were quite a few Caucasians among the believers, sorry for the clumsy definition, maybe they were not even Slavs, I especially liked several beautiful fair-haired girls who did all the rites - goroo, adis, bowed to Otosho Burkhanda, and made prostrations.

Or a Buryat family, among which a boy of about ten years old ran, as I was told - they took a Russian boy from an orphanage, he now speaks Buryat and also prayed.

Kim-rimpoche, a South Korean teacher, arrived and demonstrated several health exercises. Seemed very similar to Cary's actor Hiroyuki Tagawa, but with a much kinder expression. He studied at the Shaolin Monastery and many other schools. A professor of medicine, he has now stopped in Ulan-Ude and is receiving "Gandan" in the community.

During the entire ceremony, the weather was magnificent, and in the sky the kites performed mating dances.

A wonderful sign. Huhe Munhe Tengeri itself favored the sacred action. And there is nothing unnatural in this - Buddhism and faith in Tengeri have united and are equally in faith and souls. Personally, I have not yet taken even one step towards the Teaching. So far, only half a step.

After the ceremony, we went to the Egituysky datsan and bowed to the sacred Sandalwood Buddha - Zandan Zhuu Burkhan. According to legend, the sculpture is the first image of Shakyamuni made during his lifetime.

Yaruuna is great. All covered with cow, horse and sheep poop. That all Mongols have a good sign - the land has not become impoverished, fat herds are grazing, and our people will always be in abundance.

I thank Eleanor Dorzhieva and Darima Dymchikova for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony.

Tanai ankharalda, Bulagad ugai, Ongoy yahatanay ARDyn beshegshe)

Water in Christianity

Genesis 1:2 of the first chapter of the Bible says, "And the spirit of God hovered over the waters." And in Genesis 1:6-7, 9 and 10 it is said: “... the firmament (i.e. “dry land”) arose on the water. And in Genesis 1:20-21 there are also references to water, namely: "... at the command of God, the water "produced" living creatures."

On the whole, the whole Old Testament reflects the belief in the possession of water by divine power, capable of cleansing from sins, impurity and opening the way to the rebirth of man.

Most of the religious symbols of life are connected in one way or another with water. Jesus Christ said that water is a means of rebirth in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In a religious sense, water is Spirit. The Spirit purifies the human soul, i.e. bathing a person in water symbolizes the washing of the soul in the water of the Spirit.

Water occupies a special place in the religion - Islam. Any Muslim is required to undergo a ritual bath before praying to God.

Many mosques have special courtyards where you can walk in special fountains or pools located in the middle. But in most cases, ablution takes place outside the walls of the mosque.

Many mosques were often built on the site of sacred springs. For example, kaaba mosque(Mecca) was built directly over the most ancient holy spring.

Since Islam originated in territories covered to a greater extent by deserts, it is not surprising that water in this religion has acquired a special sacred status. Where a person is surrounded by dryness, dust and heat, water is a priori a unique substance.

Water in Judaism

In Judaism, water also has a special meaning. Judaists deify any water. Any water is valuable for them, especially river water. In India, there are seven main rivers that have always enjoyed worship: the Ganges, Godavari, Narmada, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kaveri, Sindhu.

Despite the fact that there are many different religious directions in Judaism, all of them are united by the desire to maintain physical and spiritual purity, to avoid contact with the harmful and mundane, both in the spiritual and physical sense. In Judaism, washing is considered to be a means of maintaining and restoring spiritual purity.

Ablution is considered to be any contact with water for the purpose of cleansing, starting from washing hands and feet, and pumping full immersion of the body in "living water". Moreover, “living water” can only be a pool where running water is located, or a natural body of water: a river, stream, lake, sea, etc.

Water in Buddhism

In Buddhism, water symbolizes the unquenchable stream of being. A monk who has gone through the ritual of sprinkling his head with water gives it a sacred meaning.

The wisdom of the Buddha is personified by water. If you cross the water stream, then you pass through the world of illusions and gain enlightenment.

Buddhists store water on the graves, which is used first for washing, and then for drinking. During the funeral, Buddhists pour water into a jug, and then put it in front of the deceased and in front of the monk.

Water in Shinto

Shinto is the traditional religion in Japan. It honors the so-called "kami"- numerous divine beings that live in forests, mountains, on trees, in rocks, near streams.

According to Shintoism, waterfalls are sacred objects. A person standing under a waterfall is cleansed of spiritual impurity.

And in China, for example, temples traditionally have reservoirs. Zigzag bridges are installed over these reservoirs. This form of bridges was not chosen by chance, since feng shui teaching says that spirits cannot cross water in a zigzag, but only in a straight line.

Thus, we can conclude that water is revered in many religions as a unique divine value that can revive and purify the soul and body. Of course, from a scientific point of view, it is impossible to prove this property of water. However, thousands of experiments have already been carried out in the world in order to study the ice crystals of water taken from various sacred sources. We will discuss the results of these experiments in more detail in the next article.

Participated in recent times cases of fatal car accidents at the Mandrik pass on the M-55 highway involuntarily force people to remind people, and especially tourists, guests of Buryatia, how to behave in holy places.

On May 17 of this year, a resident of Elena Montoeva sounded the alarm in one of the republican newspapers: “The Mandrik pass on the M-55 boar highway is considered one of the most dangerous. Residents of Buryatia consider this pass a sacred place. At the very top of Mandrik there is Oboo, where you must definitely show respect for the local spirits - leave coins, sprinkle with alcohol so that the further road is successful and safe. It is believed that Oboo is the seat of the owner of the area.

Mount Mandrik is known not only in Buryatia, but also abroad, here the road goes up a steep ascent and a closed turn. Often this hill is covered with fog. Here on Mandrik, as well as on all Oboos of ethnic Buryatia, one must definitely go out, bow to the local spirits, and ask for a happy journey. Someone tosses coins, someone splashes alcohol.

I want to say right away that splashing the owner of the area does not mean that the traveler should get drunk. Recently, at all ritual rites of Oboo, which since ancient times take place every year with the beginning of summer in all regions of the republic, Agha and Ust-Orda, believers do not drink alcohol, as it used to be in Soviet times. They only sprinkle with white vodka, black tea and milk.

But, if a person carries alcohol on the road, but drives past Oboo without splashing vodka, then failure is guaranteed. Many aksakals talk about this.

Recall that with the penetration of Buddhism into the regions of Tibet, Mongolia and to the north, local cult deities and spirits were introduced into the Buddhist pantheon as local worldly deities. Buddhism retained from pre-Buddhist beliefs the rite of reverence and worship. And therefore, at the annual rites of honoring Oboo, the lamas of the Sangha of Russia are always next to the believers.

As the elders say, oboo cannot be moved.

A few years ago, Oboo bayan baabay was moved in the village of Gegetui, Dzhidinsky district, - says clairvoyant Viktor Darmaevich Batomunkuev. - This could not be done, fell down different kind misfortune.

About how to behave on the holy Oboo, that in no case should you offend, disturb the owner of the area (ezen, Bur.). representatives of the indigenous people of the Buryat-Mongols know at the genetic level. You can not sin, throw away garbage, build alien buildings, and so on.

In the village of Tulunzha, in the Soviet district, someone built a house right on the mountain. But, the old-timers explained to the owner of the house that he desecrated this place. As a result, he did not live here, the house was abandoned. Last year, a suicide was committed in this house, the owner of the house himself burned down his house.

According to a resident of the Ust-Orda district of the Irkutsk region A.D. Bashitov in July 2012 at the holy places around the village of Bokhan Orthodox Church, led by a member of the public chamber of the Irkutsk region Larisa Bartle, put up crosses. Residents of the village, the Council of Shamanic Communities of the Baikal region appealed to the administration of the district, the village, to remove these crosses, to restore the original balance of faiths, but there was no reaction. Without waiting for an answer, someone sawed these crosses. A week later, a high-ranking brigade from Irkutsk arrived to establish the cause of the incident. To the credit of the arriving commission, it was decided that the construction of various objects of worship in the region must be coordinated with the indigenous people and the local religious organization.

On the territory of the Republic of Buryatia, there are also cases of establishing crosses on the holy Oboo. There was a precedent that the chief architect of Ulan-Ude P.G. Zilberman was forced to fine those who erected a cross on Battery Hill. There are cases when someone cuts these crosses at night.

The authorities of the republic need to solve this problem at the legislative level, including prohibiting the installation of objects of worship without the permission of the indigenous people, religious organizations in accordance with the Law “On the Protection of the Feelings of Believers”.

Recall that many natural objects (rivers, lakes, mountains) have spirits of the area (ezens). And not everyone knows how to behave in these places.

People talk a lot about cases when strangers, out of ignorance, desecrated Oboo (arranged gatherings, made noise, drank alcohol, had sex, and so on), and as a result, the violators paid with their health, or even their lives. There are especially many such cases in healing springs Republic, in particular on the Kuchiger arshan in the Kurumkan region.

Tips

It must be remembered that when setting off on a journey, it is imperative to observe ancient customs and traditions. To honor holy places, have coins, matches, grain (if there is no grain, you can take rice), milk in the car. And, of course, your thoughts must be pure, and your deeds must be good.

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol in a holy place, you can not take coins left for offering, desecrate, leave garbage behind, break something, move stones, etc.

A person who has committed such disrespect for the spirit of the area may fall ill, accidents may occur to him, the spirits from the retinue and their servants may play a cruel joke on him, and he may “touch his head”, get lost, etc.

About the peculiarities of meeting the first day of the White Month, the ceremony of hanging the ritual flag "Horse of Fortune" (khy morin), decorating the home altar - in an interview with the rector of the Buddhist dugan "Mandala" Bulat Lama Bairov.

- Bulat Lama, is it possible to write the names of adult children on one chii morin?

Usually, according to Buddhist tradition, on the second day after Sagaalgan, a khy morin is hung out, having previously consecrated it at the lama. On certain occasions, chii morin is hung out several times a year. There are various chii morin on which many names can be written regardless of age and gender. There are other hiy morin, on which the name of one person is written, depending on the purpose for which he hangs himself. Due to the imbalance of the five elements, a person in a certain period of time experiences a breakdown, health problems, and failures haunt him. In such cases, a chii morin is hung out with a specific color, image, and text. You can find out from a lama astrologer.

Why do they say the higher you hang the better?

In general, hiy morin symbolizes good luck, prosperity, health, success. They must be at their peak, that is, these qualities must rise above failure. Therefore, hiy morin must be hung on hills, symbolizing victory.

It is good, of course, to hang hiy morin in one's homeland, because a person has a special connection with the area where he was born and raised. But this is optional. You can hang hiy morin in other holy places, even in other countries like Tibet, Nepal, India.

- On the first day of Sagaalgan, when should you spray sergem?

According to legend, at the very top of Mount Sumeru (Sүmber үүlyn oroy deere) there is a world of 33 celestials, a huge tree grows in this area. In the new year, the first day of the lunar calendar, early in the morning, when the first rays of the sun touch the top of the tree, Baldan Lhamo goes around the world. Therefore, it is imperative to get up early in the morning, fumigate the whole room with incense, bring an offering in front of the altar and sprinkle milk or freshly brewed tea on sergem. In certain cases, you can use vodka, but you have to be very careful here. It is necessary to meditate, enter a certain state of mind, imagine yourself as a deity and consecrate vodka by the power of this deity, turning it into amrita.

- Interesting, but in which direction you need to spray?

You can just sprinkle sergem, facing south, as all the Buddhas of all times were born, will be born and achieve enlightenment in the Bodhgaya area in India, where all the Buddhas, bodhisattvas and all the protectors of the Dharma (sahyuusanuud) are concentrated. Or just sprinkle sergeum towards the holy objects in your area.

- Many houses do not have an altar. How, then, should one offer offerings to the deities?

The altar is an external factor. Although it is very important to have at home in order to somehow feel the presence of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. You can simply purchase one image of Shakyamuni Buddha, place it on a shelf in a clean place, and offer pure water or white food. But the most important offering is the spiritual offering, which is to follow the teachings of the Buddha. The fundamental beginning, the basis of the foundations is to perform ten noble deeds and renounce ten ignoble deeds (arban sagaan buyan, arban khara nүgel).

- Is it obligatory to attend prayer services on the days of Sagaalgan or can you just order them?

During prayers in datsans, the whole atmosphere affects the peaceful state of the soul, because prayers have great power when they are permeated with faith and compassion. If you can induce such a state of mind in yourself at home, very good.

- Bulat Lama, is it possible to fumigate a private yard with incense?

Of course, you can fumigate your house, room, yard and body with incense, adis. You need to do this clockwise, imagining that you are being cleansed of all negative energies, defilements, etc.

- What are the rules for reading prayers? How many times do you need to say, for example, om mani padme hum?

Most importantly, tune in to a spiritually peaceful wave, thinking about the virtues of the three jewels. To revive faith in their power, thinking about the suffering of living beings, to cultivate bodhichitta (bodi sadhel, enerhy sadhel). When you feel faith and compassion in your soul, read and recite mantras, take refuge in the three jewels, and then your prayers will have great power, regardless of the number of recitations. Try to maintain this state of mind and maintain it by cultivating this attitude every day.

- What promises to be the year of the bluish wooden Sheep?

This year, compared to 2014, will be less rainy, which means that the fire hazard situation will continue. Therefore, the state of nature depends on us all. We must protect the surrounding nature, not desecrate it and not cut down trees. It depends on us that there are no fires. And so in general, the year will be smooth, without natural disasters.

The year of the sheep will be successful for people of creative and intellectual professions. This year, you need to be attentive to your health, especially those people who have weakened immunity and who are exposed to infectious or viral diseases. Therefore, everyone needs to strengthen their concern for their health, change their lifestyle for the better, healthier side.

- Bulat Lama, what do the stars say about the political and economic situation this year?

In general, there will be a tense situation in the political and economic arena in the first half of the year. The second half will be more or less moderate. At the end of the year, the situation will improve - both political and economic. Western sanctions and bans will not break Russia. It has always been and will remain a great power; moreover, it will strengthen its position on the world stage. But for this, all of us, regardless of nationality and religion, need to be tolerant, believe in the strength and policy of the President of the country, support him, work for the economy and social stability of our country.

Photo by Alexander Garmaev

In summer, residents of all ethnic Buryatia go to mass rituals of worshiping the spirits of the area. Buddhists call them "oboo takhiha", shamanists - "tailgan". But many, taking part in these rituals, do not understand why we carry out this or that action. But in terms of content, this is the second summer holiday of the Buryat people

What is the purpose of this ceremony? What is the significance of it in our life? How to properly prepare for it, how to dress? What needs to be done on the oboo, but what can not be done? Find out all this will help our new series of articles.

Let's start with the basics - how to prepare and how these rituals differ between Buddhists and shamanists.

Oboo from the point of view of llamas

The word "oboo" is translated as "mountain", "hill". This is the home of the strongest and most influential spirit of the surrounding area. From time immemorial, local residents have revered them, knowing that there are certain places where people are closest to nature, to mountains, to valleys, to rivers and lakes. Such lands have their owners - sabdaks (sabdaguud).

Sabdaks are the same living beings (spirits) with their minuses and pluses, they can be reborn even those who have not found a human birth. Therefore, Sabdaks are divided into simple and sublime (those who have reached the level of Arya). Shamanists often call these spirits "Ezhins or Ezens".

Each village has its own oboo, usually located on a hill and marked with a specially erected stupa. On the appointed day, according to the lunar calendar, the locals gather near the oboo, they call the lama to perform the ceremony. Also, oboo attracts all those who were born in the area, but live in another village or city. The main purpose of the ceremony is to present treats to the owners of the area, to ask that the summer turn out well, there was no drought, it rained. The lama reads a set of prayers, usually beginning with a prayer to cleanse the area from the negative energy accumulated over the year. People hang on special poles the “hiy morins” they brought with them, on which they write the names of their relatives.

Along with oboo takhiha, the rite “Lusud takhiha” is performed,” explains the rector of the Buddhist University Dymbryl-bagsha. - This is an offering to the owners of water, the ceremony is held near rivers, lakes and streams. Again, each village has its own specific place where this ceremony of offering to the nagas (owners of water) is held.

For spirits to understand better prayer to the owners of the area and water to pronounce in their language, i.e. Sanskrit, Buryat, Mongolian.

Do not ask the spirits too much

As the lamas note, one should not ask too much from the owners of the area.

People often make wishes, ask for a cure for illnesses or some great desires,” Dimbryl Lama said. - Unfortunately, the owners of the area are not able to satisfy requests, among them there are many samsaric beings, that is, those who are in the wheel of samsara, therefore, when making offerings to them, you should not ask them for everything.

The owners of the area tend to solve more everyday problems: so that there is no misfortune on the way, so that everything is safe at home, so that there are no strong natural disasters, such as floods, droughts.

Tailgan from the point of view of shamans

The word "tailgan" (takhil) comes from the ancient common Mongolian form "takhihu", which turned into "taikhu", which means "honoring" the gods. Usually, tailgans were arranged on the tops of mountains, from where a wide view of the uluses located at the foot opens. After all, the owner of the area usually lives where he can survey his possessions. Sometimes tailgans were arranged at the foot of a mountain, on the banks of a river or lake, each tailgan had its own permanent, picturesque venue.

Open heaven's gate

One of the largest tailgans is considered the rite "Opening the gates of heaven." It is usually held in the last days of May. As shamans say, it must be held at a certain time, which can be recognized by natural signs: flowering began, the cuckoo cuckooed, trees blossomed, grass turned green - all these evidences of summer indicate that it is time to open the heavenly gates. To do this, at the appointed time, shamans gather (about 50 people this year) and perform a ritual. The main goal is to ask the deities - 13 Khats, or, as they are also commonly called, the Northern Noyons - prosperity, prosperity, peace and tranquility. For the ceremony, a 2 - 3-year-old black ram, necessarily castrated, is specially sought. It is hammered, the meat is boiled in a common cauldron, and the most valuable part - the head ("toole") - is used as offerings to the deities.

Planting a birch grove

In addition, shamans plant a "birch grove". These are young birch trees dug in at the place of offerings of a certain number - 3, 12 or 14. They are decorated with white and blue (symbolizing "silver"), red and yellow ("gold") knitting, a hadak is tied at a distance of an elbow from the top (usually of blue color). In addition, the first birch is called "ur" - it is decorated with three nests made of wool, each of which contains three "golden" eggs. Images of animals are cut out of the fabric - squirrel, gouran, hare. The symbols of the sun and moon, also suspended from a birch, are connected by images of nine girls, also carved from fabric. In addition, birches are decorated with silk. Lamps are made from dough. All this is done so that the called deities and spirits come and enjoy the treats presented to them.

Fifty shamans begin to sing. In their prayers, they talk about themselves, explain why the ritual is performed, for whom it is done. First of all, they enter a trance and establish a connection with their shaman ancestors, so that they become a kind of curators of the ongoing ritual. They ask to convey to the deities that people send them offerings, pray for well-being. Then 13 Huts descend in turn, the patrons of all living things from the Urals to Pacific Ocean. The last to descend is the supreme hut Bukha Noyon. Shamans, through their ancestors, ask him for permission about whether it is possible to present treats to the deities. Then the birch grove is burned. After burning the grove, the head shaman throws the bowl. If she fell upside down, then everything is done correctly. Shamans begin to read prayers for good luck. Then all the deities and ancestors are escorted with treats. All those present sprinkle milk, tea and vodka, throw the offerings they have brought in the direction the shaman points out. Then the shamans sit down and ask for well-being from all six directions: west, east, south and north, heaven and earth. For three days after the ceremony, everyone who was present there should not be given anything to anyone, so as not to miss the luck received.

Map of holy places of Buryatia

Click on the picture to enlarge

How to prepare according to the rules?

Despite the differences in the rituals themselves, the preparation for them is largely similar.

It is necessary to determine exactly where and when it is carried out. Buddhist oboos are held according to auspicious dates in lunar calendar. Find out the exact number in the local datsan.

What foods to bring Buddhists:

Strong black brewed tea without milk Rice From dairy: milk, sour cream or butter. Sweets: cookies and candies

Attention! Vodka or any other alcohol is not advised to be carried on the oboo.

Buddhists eventually refuse offerings of vodka, because they do not want to poison the spirits with alcohol, says Dymbryl-bagsha.

Don't forget to prepare chii morinas in advance

Hii morins, which people hung on Sagaalgan, lose their strength over time. Good luck prayers inscribed on hiy morins are erased under the influence of natural conditions, so they need to be renewed at the oboo rite, says Dymbryl-bagsha.

Recall that it is preferable to write one name on one hiy morin - your relative, friend, colleague or your own. They come in five colors, which color you need depends on the symbol of your year of birth, you can find out about this in the datsan of the lamas.

Don't be tied to a specific area

Contrary to stereotypes, shamans do not strictly tie rituals to the locality.

Ancestors will come to you in any case, this applies to ancestral tailgans, it is not necessary to go to the place where you were born, where your ancestors lived. The spirits of the ancestors, in any case, will hear you and respond to the call. If we are talking about an offering to the spirits of the area, then you need to go to a certain place, for example, a tailgun at Five Fingers or in honor of Bukhe Bator in Omulevka, - said Radna Dashitsyrenova, deputy chairman of the supreme shaman of Tengeri. - Dates and places of tailgans are appointed by the supreme shaman immediately after Sagaalgan.

On the tailgun, you must definitely take a blue hadak with you, symbolizing heaven.

What products to bring to shamanists:

Strong black tea with milk brewed in the morning Arrange biscuits, sweets and butter on a plate. Buy a small bottle of vodka and milk.

Bring with you a list of friends, relatives or colleagues - all those for whom you want to pray, and a fee to the shaman (any amount), which is attached to the list.

Whose boot to go?

The question often arises: on whose oboo should a person ride? Father or mother?

Of course, it is preferable to go to the ceremony in the father's homeland. However, in our country there are cases when a child grows up in an incomplete family. In this case, he needs to go to the ceremony in the homeland of the parent with whom he lives, the lamas answer.

Whose oboo should a wife go to: her native area or where her husband was born?

Here the issue is resolved simply: after marriage, a woman goes to her husband's family and, according to tradition, must follow him everywhere, including going to oboo rituals. However, there is no particular strictness here, if there is a desire, then she can visit her native village to conduct the ceremony, the lamas say.