Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival falls on the 10th day of the 4th Lunar month

Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival falls on the 10th day of the 4th Lunar month of the Tibetan Calendar. It is one of the most important religious festivals in Tibet with the original purpose of commemorating the eminent Indian Monk - Padmasambhava who came to Tibet to teach Buddhism. Now, it is held to scare devils away and pray for peace and good weather. Besides, this Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival is also a way for monasteries in Tibet to communicate with each other deeply.

Located about 70 kilometers from Lhasa, Tsurphu Monastery is the seat of Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1187 by the First Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa and he established the seat of Karma Kagyu order there. Dusum Khyenpa predicted his reincarnation, which started the tradition of Tulku. It is the main reason why Tsurphu Monastery can be well-famous even if it is located in a remote ravine. As an important religious activity in Tsurphu Monastery, representatives from Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery will come to attend this grand festival.

Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival

Cham Dance is very colorful as monks put on those beautiful costumes to perform. It can only be performed by monks and lamas because it conveys religious meaning. Monks and lamas wear different costumes to impersonate deities and protectors, a way to tell religious stories to the audience. Even if it was used to teach in the early days because most people were illiterate back then, it is still a great activity to teach Buddihism nowadays. That is also the reason why this festival can be very famous and popular among Tibetan people. What's more, Cham Dance can also be considered as a way to pray for a peaceful world and a function to protect people from getting hurt by demons. People believe this Cham Dance can bring them happiness and good health.