[ Dr Yeshi Gyesen ]
Bon is one of the oldest spiritual traditions of Tibet, with its origins dating back to several centuries before the introduction of Buddhism to the region. It is a unique and complex religion that emphasises harmony with nature, reverence for deities, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Despite being largely overshadowed by Tibetan Buddhism in later centuries, Bon remains an important part of the cultural and religious fabric of Tibet, as well as the surrounding Himalayan regions.
Historical origin of Bon:
The history of Bon can be traced to the ancient shamanistic traditions of the Tibetan plateau. Initially, Bon was not a single, unified religion but a collection of beliefs and practices related to nature worship, ancestor veneration, and the veneration of deities associated with mountains, rivers, and other natural elements. The earliest forms of Bon were animistic, with rituals intended to honour the spirits of the natural world and seek their protection.
The term ‘Bon’ is often said to have originated from the word ‘bön’, which means ‘good’ or ‘proper’. Bon adherents claim that their tradition existed even before the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet in the 7th century CE. The early Bon religion was characterised by shamanistic practices, including rituals performed by priests, known as Bonpos, who communicated with spirits through trance, prayer, and offerings.
The arrival of Buddhism and the development of Bon:
With the rise of Buddhism in Tibet, Bon was marginalised and at times suppressed. However, the Bon religion survived and adapted, absorbing elements of Buddhism while retaining its unique features. In the 10th century, Bon received a revival under the leadership of prominent Bonpo figures such as Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of the Yungdrung Bon tradition, who is regarded as the Buddha of Bon.
Yungdrung Bon, which translates to ‘Eeternal Bon’ or ‘Enduring Bon’, is the main tradition of Bon practiced today. It incorporates a vast body of scriptures, rituals, and philosophical teachings. The Bonpos began to develop a distinct monastic system similar to that of Tibetan Buddhism, with monasteries, meditation practices, and a hierarchical clergy. Bon also developed its own cosmology, mythology, and meditative practices, drawing on ancient Tibetan concepts of the mind and spiritual development.
Core beliefs and practices:
Bon, like Tibetan Buddhism, emphasises the importance of compassion, wisdom, and spiritual liberation. However, it also maintains unique features that distinguish it from other Tibetan spiritual traditions.
- Nature and deities: The Bon cosmology is deeply tied to nature, with many deities representing the forces of nature. Among the most prominent deities are mountain gods, spirits of rivers, trees, and ancestors. Offerings and rituals are conducted to appease these forces and ensure the wellbeing of the community. Bon practitioners believe in a strong connection between the physical world and the spiritual realm, where balance and harmony must be maintained.
- Shamanism: A key feature of Bon is its emphasis on shamanistic practices. Bonpo priests, or shamans, mediate between the human world and the spiritual world, often through rituals that involve chanting, music, meditation, and trance states. These rituals are performed to heal the sick, protect communities from harm, and ensure spiritual harmony.
- Reincarnation and karma: Similar to Buddhism, Bon believes in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Karma, the law of cause and effect, plays a significant role in determining one’s future life, with both positive and negative actions influencing future experiences.
- The Yungdrung Bon texts: The Yungdrung Bon tradition holds a vast collection of sacred texts, including the Bönpo scriptures, which cover a wide range of topics such as rituals, philosophy, astrology, and medical knowledge. These texts are used by Bonpo priests and scholars for religious practice, meditation, and study.
- Meditation and spiritual development: Meditation in Bon aims at attaining enlightenment (known as lha), understanding the nature of the mind, and achieving spiritual liberation. Bonpo practitioners often engage in meditation retreats, where they practice solitary reflection, visualisation, and prayers to gain insight into their spiritual nature.
- Rituals and festivals: Bon rituals play an important role in the lives of practitioners. The Bonpo community celebrates various festivals and ceremonies to mark important life events such as births, deaths, and seasonal changes. One of the most important Bon festivals is Lha-Soisa, a ritual held annually to honour local mountain gods and deities before the arrival of spring. Offerings of food, animals, and prayers are made to appease the gods and ensure a good harvest.
Bon in contemporary Tibet:
Today, Bon remains a vibrant religious tradition, particularly in the western regions of Tibet, Nepal, and parts of India, where Tibetan refugees have preserved their cultural and religious practices.
Although it is a minority religion compared to Tibetan Buddhism, Bon continues to play a vital role in the spiritual and cultural life of Tibetan communities. Bon monasteries and practitioners still carry out rituals, preserve sacred texts, and maintain spiritual teachings that have been passed down through generations.
In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in Bon both within Tibet and among the global Tibetan diaspora. Many Bon practitioners have sought to protect their unique traditions while embracing aspects of modernity. Bon teachings are also being shared with the wider world through translations of texts, scholarly work, and interfaith dialogue.
Conclusion:
Bon is an ancient and resilient spiritual tradition that continues to thrive despite centuries of external challenges. Its emphasis on reverence for nature, the importance of rituals, and the pursuit of spiritual growth make it a deeply meaningful tradition for its followers. As a unique aspect of Tibetan culture, Bon is an essential thread in the rich tapestry of spiritual practices found in the Himalayas and beyond, offering a distinct path to understanding the mind, the spirit, and the universe.
Through its sacred rituals, texts, and teachings, Bon maintains a profound connection to the spiritual and natural worlds, ensuring its place in the spiritual heritage of Tibet and continuing to influence those who seek wisdom and enlightenment in the modern world. (Dr Yeshi Gyesen is Principal, Dorjee Khandu Government College, Tawang.)
