Subduing the demons of Tibet

Geomantic magic during the Yarlung dynasty: a landscape archaeology assessment

Bibliographic Data

ID12911468
AuthorsWilliam F Romain (0000-0003-1177-248X, Indiana University Bloomington, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume14
Issue1
Pages33-71
Publication date2021-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTime and Mind (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1751-696X • E-ISSN: 1751-6978
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1751696x.2021.1864946
OpenAlexW3128979439
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited15

Historic documents indicate that during the Yarlung Dynasty (AD 620–AD 842), Tibetan emperors employed geomantic and magical practices in the design and siting of important religious structures. Geomantic magic was used to control indigenous demons that inhabited the land thereby obstructing the introduction of Buddhism and the building of temples and monasteries. In the present article, the Jokhang and Tradruk temples and Samye Monastery are assessed from a landscape archaeology perspective to identify geomantic and magical practices in their design and layout. New findings are presented to include sitings relative to dragon veins, the use of deadly feng shui arrows, and the suppression of demons using ritual phurbas, vajras, and magical mandalas. The demon suppressing methods discussed represent a blend of indigenous Tibetan magic combined with beliefs and practices from China and India. The result was a unique and powerful magico-religious tradition that endures even today

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Buddhism · China · Demon · Indigenous · Literature · MAGIC (telescope · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Historical and Architectural Studies · History · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies

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