Forms Of Tibetan Divination
Many techniques produced symbolic responses. Others were far more direct. Most divinatory techniques bear some resemblance to the methods used by other cultures. This clearly demonstrates that humans often turn to similar objects (or natural phenomena) to produce predictions.
Tra, scrying, consisted of gazing into a mirror, the sky, or a lake. Through concentration and chanting, the diviner created images of the future. These images were, at times, actually seen by others, though they were the product of the diviner's mind. In common with Western methods of gazing, the response was usually symbolic. It demanded a person with great interpretive abilities to unlock its message.
Tring-Ba consisted of the use of a mala. This is similar to a rosary, though it has no Christian connotations. Indeed; rosaries were in use hundreds of years prior to their adaptation by the Catholic church.
The mala consists of a string of 108 beads. Used in daily spiritual rituals, it was an ideal tool with which to predict the future.
The mala was held between the hands as the diviner silently asked her or his question. The diviner then randomly changed her or his grip on the mala. A number of beads remained between the hands. These beads were then ritually counted in a number of ways. One of them commonest of these consisted of counting them off by fours. Beginning at the right, four were counted, then four to the left, and so on. Eventually a number of beads between one and four would be left. This number determined the oracle's response. This procedure was repeated three times.
The possible combinations of numbers obtained during the three repetitions were also read together. Ancient texts list hundreds of these combinations and their meanings for specific questions.
Another form of divination, by the use of a lamp filled with butter, resembles techniques of fire observation used around the world. The brightness of the flame; its shape and color, and the behavior of the wick were carefully watched for omens of the future. No symbolism was used here; the flame directly revealed the response.
Tibetans also performed divination using dice and by the observation of birds. Crows were considered to be among the most reliable species.
Divination For Beginners
Reading The Past, Present & Future
Scott Cunningham
ISBN 0-7387-0384-2
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