Sherpa People - Religion

Religion

According to oral Buddhist traditions, the initial Tibetan migration, was a search for beyul (Shangri-La). Sherpas belong to the Nyingmapa, the "Red Hat Sect" of Tibetan Buddhism. Allegedly the oldest Buddhist sect in Tibet, founded by Padmasambhava (commonly known as Guru Rinpoche) during the 8th century, it emphasizes mysticism and local deities shared by the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, which has shamanic elements. Sherpa are the group that particularly believe in hidden treasures and valleys. Traditionally, Nyingmapa practice was advanced orally among a loose network of lay practitioners. Monasteries with celibate monks and nuns, along with the practice of reincarnated spiritual leaders are later adaptations.

In addition to Buddha and the great Buddhist divinities, the Sherpa also believe in numerous deities and demons who inhabit every mountain, cave, and forest. These have to be respected or appeased through ancient practices that have been woven into the fabric of Buddhist ritual life. Many of the great Himalayan mountains are respected as sacred. The Sherpas call Mount Everest Chomolungma and respect it as the "Mother of the World." Mount Makalu is respected as the deity Shankar (Shiva). Each clan recognizes certain mountain peaks and their protective deities.

Today, the day-to-day Sherpas religious affairs are presided by lamas (Buddhist spiritual leaders) and other religious practitioners living in the villages. The village lama who presides over ceremonies and rituals can be monastic or a married householder. In addition, shamanic (lhawa) and soothsayers (mindung) deal with the supernatural and the spirit world. Lama identify witches (pem), act as the mouthpiece of deities and spirits, and diagnose spiritual illnesses.

An important aspect of Sherpa religion is the monastery or gompa. There are some two dozen of these institutions scattered through the Solukhumbu region. They are communities of lamas or monks (sometimes of nuns) who take a vow of celibacy and lead a life in isolation searching for truth and religious enlightenment. They are respected by and supported by the community at large. Their contact with the outside world is focused on monastery practices and annual festivals to which the public is invited, as well as the reading of sacred texts at funerals.

Minority religions for Sherpas include Hinduism and Roman Catholicism.