Symbolic Ceremonies.
Compared to other Buddhist traditions, Vajrayana ceremonies, as 
practised in Tengboche, appear very elaborate with music and incense, 
stylized hand gestures, costumes and dance. There are also ritual 
offerings of food and torma, the intricate sculptures made from 
butter and flour. All these represent an inner meditation of the 
mind. For instance when the monks hold the bell and vajra, or 'Dorje' 
in Tibetan, it symbolizes the unity of emptiness and compassion.

Mani Rimdu.
The most famous ceremony in Tengboche is Mani Rimdu, performed in the 
ninth Tibetan month (around late October). The name comes from the 
chant, or mantra 'Om Mani Padma Hung' invoking the blessings of 
Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Rimdu, or 'Rildrup', are 
small red pills, consecrated by the blessing of the ceremony and 
given to everyone at the end.

Sand Mandala.
At the beginning of Mani Rimdu, a beautiful and intricate mandala, or 
sacred diagram, is drawn in fine, vividly coloured sand on a special 
altar. The sand is collected from a special place high in the 
mountains. It takes four days to complete the mandala, which is then 
covered and used as the focus for the next ten days' meditation. 
Afterwards the sand mandala is symbolically dismantled, with a 
dedication for general well-being of everybody, everywhere. In other 
words, the ceremony is not for the monks alone, but for all of us too.

The Mask Dances.
At the end of the ceremonies, the monks perform the sacred mask 
dances. In between the 16 dances are comic interludes that delight 
the crowds. These dances recreate the establishment of Buddhism in 
the Himalayas by Guru Rinpoche. The dances convey Buddhist teachings 
from the simplest truth to the most profound realization. The 
conquering of the symbolic demons symbolizes the overcoming of 
hatred, greed and ignorance being overcome through meditation on 
compassion and wisdom. The wrathful deities seem fearful but are 
compassionate.

'One with compassion is kind even when angry,
One without compassion kills even as he smiles.'

During the day the monks dance; at night the Sherpa people enjoy 
traditional folk dancing and singing until the early hours of the 
morning. On the last day, a fire ceremony is performed by the monks 
to dispel all the harm in the world. This tradition has continued 
since the monastery was first built. If it was not carried out, who 
knows what disasters might occur?

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