According to the sacred geography of Bon, the great cosmic mountain Yundrung-Guceg stands in the center of the Olmolungring country. This mountain is known by many names: Kailash (Kailash), Gangkar Tise, Precious Snow Mountain.
“The entire landscape was dominated by the 25,000 foot Gurla Mandhata peak. The sacred mountain Kailash was also impressive. 3000 feet shorter, it rises in divine seclusion - outside the Himalayan ridge. When we first saw Kailash, our Tibetans threw themselves down and prayed. Buddhists and Hindus consider this mountain the home of great gods, and the greatest dream of all believers is to make a pilgrimage to it at least once in their lives. They often spend years walking thousands of miles to reach Kailash. On the way, the pilgrims live by begging in the hope that the next reincarnation will make them more decent people as a reward. On the approaches to Kailash, you can find huge piles of stones everywhere. Over the years, they increase: each pilgrim, following ancient traditions, adds new stones to these piles. " Heinrich Harrer. ("Seven Years in Tibet", 2001).
The most sacred mountain in Asia, Kailash (6714 m) *, rises alone over the high plateau of Western Tibet. The snowy peak of Kailash of the correct pyramidal shape is visible from afar and dominates the surrounding mountains. In the Kailash region there are no mountains comparable to the peak, here it reigns supreme. Of the nearby peaks above Kailash, only the peak of Gurla-Mandhata (7694 m), but it is located a hundred kilometers to the south.
Kailash (like the mythical polar mountain Meru from Indo-Aryan myths) unites, as the Tibetans believe, three space zones: heaven, earth and the underworld and is, therefore, a world mountain for all of Asia. In the text "Kailash Samhita" this mountain is described as follows: "And the most holy of all mountains, of all the peaks, is Mount Kailash. On it, dressed with silver light, dwells a formidable and merciful god - Shiva, who contains all the forces of the universe, generates the life of earthly creatures and destroys them."
Mt Kailash is mysteriously associated with the mystical ancient symbol of the swastika. On the "Southern Face of Kailash" - the southern side of the pyramidal peak, the edges of which are oriented almost exactly to the cardinal points, there is a vertical crack, which is intersected by a horizontal one approximately in the middle. At a certain inclination of the sun's rays, these cracks resemble a swastika pattern.
In the Bon tradition, this mountain is known as the "Nine Story Swastika Mountain." The nine swastikas, taken together, symbolize the nine paths (chariots) of Bon. The number 9 in a sacred meaning symbolizes completeness and completeness.
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Victoria Le Paget writes in the book Shambhala - The Enchanting Truth (1996) that “Kailash is known from Bon-po as a nine-storied mountain corresponding to nine worlds”.
The famous American researcher of Shambhala Edwin Bernbaum analyzes in his book "The Path to Shambhala" (1980) the ancient image of Shambhala in the form of a square, on which a nine-story mountain is placed in the center: "Around the inner space there are eight squares, shaped like parts of Shambhala. In the very center, instead of a palace, we see a mountain with the throne of the King of the Olmolungring country at the top. The nine levels of this sacred peak, each level of which is dotted with openings of the sacred caves of meditating lamas, symbolizes the nine ways of Bon, leading to enlightenment. This suggests that the palace of the king of Shambhala may have similar symbolism to the teachings stored in this Buddhist kingdom."
The central figure of the mountain strikingly resembles the image of the mountain in the center of the ancient Tibetan map from the Tibeto-Shangshung dictionary, which became famous thanks to the work of the Tibetan scholars B. Kuznetsov and L. Gumilyov.
Since ancient times, Mount Kailash has been ranked among the holy places. In the caves on its slopes, in solitude and in search of enlightenment, hermits constantly lived, first priests of Bon, later Buddhist monks. Indians and Tibetans alike strongly revere this mountain; according to ancient legends, this mountain was the seat of the main gods of Hinduism and Buddhism.
For the Hindus, Kailash is the seat of Shiva the Destroyer. According to their tradition, “Kailash is inhabited by one of the gods who, along with Brahma and Vishnu, belong to the supreme triad (“trimurti”) - the formidable Shiva, who maintains order in the Universe with his dance“tandava”. When the next Universe finishes its life path - kalpa (4 320 000 000 years), Shiva destroys the decrepit universe with the blow of his trident, making room for a new one … But Shiva, as a great ascetic yogi, spends most of his time in deep meditation on the snow the top of a huge mountain."
The name of the mountain sounds in Tibetan as Gangkar Tise, and in colloquial speech - Gang Rimpoche ("Precious Snow Mountain"). Hindus believe that Kailash is the cosmic center of the universe, and the sacred lake Manasarovar located nearby was created by the god Brahma.
It is believed that a pilgrimage around the mountain promises all sorts of benefits in this life, therefore hundreds of pilgrims annually walk around Kailash, trampling a noticeable path in the stones on the mountain slopes.
The tradition of pilgrimage around the sacred mountain has ancient roots, the ancient ritual dates back to pre-Buddhist times and is also present in Hinduism. It is known from Tibetan history that during the reign of Janchuba Gyaltsen (1358–1364), rest houses and warehouses with provisions were built on the pilgrimage routes around the sacred mountains of Tsari and Kailash. On the roads to Kailash, which passed through the districts filled with robbers, military posts were established to protect the pilgrims.
The worship of Mount Kailash, as the abode of Shiva, is reflected by the Hindus in temple construction. The cult complex in India on Ellora in the spurs of Western Ghatakh is world famous, the crown of which is the Kailash Nath temple ("Lords of Kailash"), carved out of a monolithic rock in the VIII century. The complex includes 34 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves.
The unique Kailash Nath temple, completely carved out of the rock by the hands of stonecutters, is compared in terms of the complexity of the work with such a great creation of mankind as the pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. The ancient stonecutters did a tremendous job, first breaking through an 80-meter trench in the shape of the letter "P" 30 m deep, and the remaining monolith inside was then turned into a carved stone temple (length 60 m, width 32 m, height 29 m). The entire stone building of the temple along the perimeter is covered with ornamental friezes on the theme of myths about the life of Shiva and her wife Parvati, who live on the top of the sacred Kailash.
The trail around Kailash has a length of 56 km (according to other sources, 53 km) and it takes one long day, or three easy days. The trail passes through the pass at an altitude of 5700 meters above sea level.
It is believed that "bark" - the sacred circumambulation around Kailash - relieves of all sins of life. Most Buddhist pilgrims make three bark circles. The most aspiring and dedicated make 13 rounds of Kailash, after 12 times they get the right to circumambulate the mountain along an inner circle about 25 km long, this crust passes near the very "heart" of Kailash. Sometimes you can find a real ascetic ascetic on the outer crust, performing 108 circles around the peak! This is approximately 3-4 years of life.
It is believed that one circumambulation cleanses the sins of one life, 108 circumambulations guarantee Enlightenment. Full moon bark counts as three. Bark in the year of the Horse - over 13.
In front of Kailash there are two sacred twin lakes Raksas Tal (the Tibetan name for Lanak-Tso) and Manasarovar (Mapam Tso). The water of the first of them is black, the second is white as milk. According to legends, a magic key lies in the white lake, which opens the secret door of Mount Kailash, leading to the valley of the sages inside the mountain - to Shambhala.
Lake Manasarovar with fresh water at an altitude of 4700 m is known as the Lake of the Great Nages. According to legend, the Great Nagas, the supernatural Mahatmas of Shambhala, like to rest on the large flowers and lotus leaves floating on the water surface of this lake. Their figures with a radiant halo around their heads are often seen by the locals.
Lake Manasarovar in Hinduism, as in Buddhism, is sacred - its waters flow in the shadow of the great Kailash. It is a lake born in the mind of God. It was created to show the power and greatness of the manas (mind) of God-Brahma. Originally the lake was called Manasa-sara, in Tibetan the name of the lake sounds like Madro, "lake of cool waters" or Mapam Tso, "Invincible Lake".
The Indian poet Kalidasa wrote in the 3rd century AD: “When the land of Manasarovar touches the body, when someone bathes in it, he will go to the Paradise of Brahma. Whoever drinks his water will go to the paradise of Shiva and will be freed from the consequences of sins for 100 lives. Even the beast named Manasarovara will go to Brahma's paradise. Its waters are pearls."
Lake Manasarovar is the highest fresh water reservoir on Earth. But the water in it is not just fresh; analyzes confirm that it is unusually pure and has remained so for many millennia. Manasarovar is surrounded by eight Buddhist monasteries. According to religious beliefs, the lake, together with the mansions, is the image of the great Wheel of Life with eight spokes. Believers perform parikrama here, a sacred tour that takes four to six days.
Tradition says that it is here that the earthly paradise is located, and herbs grow in it, curing all diseases of the spirit and body. Indeed, many kinds of medicinal plants grow in the vicinity of Manasarovar; curative radioactive sources hit here. The lake itself is rich in trout, carp and other freshwater fish.
Manasarovar is the most sacred, revered and famous lake in all of Asia. Kailash and Manasarovar are called the ideal sacred couple: masculine and feminine, father-heaven and mother-earth. It is believed that in order for the pilgrimage around Kailash to be harmonious, it is necessary to first make a "kora" - a sacred walk around the lake.
Near Lake Manasarovar, the ruins of one of the cities of the Guge (Shang-Shung) state - Yanpachan (the ancient Indian city of Vaishali?), The strongest Himalayan Tibetan state, are known, the other two were called Purang and Marul.
Mount Kailash is shrouded in mystical legends. According to legend, a person who sees the abode of Shiva will face inevitable death. For climbers, pyramidal-shaped mountains are notoriously unfortunate - they are believed to bring misfortune. According to yogis, triangular slopes concentrate negative energy.
For religious reasons, all ascents to Kailash are officially prohibited and nothing is known about the facts of recorded ascents to this mountain. With the exception of the founder of the Bon religion Tonpa Shenrab, who allegedly descended from heaven to the top of Kailash, and Minarepa, who reached the top by grasping the first morning sunbeam, no one has ever set foot on the top of this mountain.
Believers are characterized by belief in the supernatural properties of Kailash. Many ancient texts repeat the beliefs that existed in ancient times that: “No mortal dares to climb the mountain where the gods dwell. The one who sees the faces of the gods must die”*. Probably, this belief is the source of numerous references to the deadly diseases of climbers who dared to approach the sacred peak and the house of Shiva.
Legends also say that the legendary black stone "Chintamani" (Skt. - tchintamani) from Orion is kept in the cave labyrinths in Mount Kailash. This ambassador from a distant star system contains a certain substance supposedly helping to store the vibrations of distant worlds. He gives rays that penetrate all oceans and mountains for the benefit of people.
According to one legend recorded by N. Roerich, this stone was in the center of the shield of the Son of the Sun, which fell to the ground to help people. When unexpected darkness swallowed up the Sun, the Son of the Sun despaired, dropped the shield and it broke when it fell to the ground. The stone from the broken shield, possessing the power of peace, went to King Solomon. This stone was in turn owned by King Solomon, the rulers of China, India, Tibet. The black stone had wonderful properties that could change the world:
“The dark stone, which enclosed the crystal of life … has the shape of a flattened fruit or an elongated heart … Signs are indicated on the stone, which appear and go deep into the depths. The stone warns its temporary owner of any significant events. The stone will crackle on special occasions. Becomes especially heavy or, conversely, lose weight. Sometimes the stone starts to glow…. " (N. Roerich. "Stone", 1925).
The Russian explorer of Mongolia A. Pozdneev (1887) left the following note about the Chintamani stone: “It has eight corners and emits five-color rays from itself; its high advantage is its ability to deliver coolness in hot weather, and to produce heat in cold weather. In the place where the Chintamani jewel is, there is no sickness and untimely death; he fulfills every wish …”.
The author of the book "From Whom We Come From" E. Muldashev generally considers Mount Kailash to be an artificial pyramid (?), In the caves of which the gene pool of mankind has been preserved in a state of "samadhi" since the time of the Atlanteans. He allegedly even visited one of these caves (?).
This is how new legends are born …
The Bon tradition says: “At the foot of Mount Yungdrung four rivers flowing in four directions originate. The mountain is surrounded by temples, cities and parks. To the south is the Barpo Sogye palace, where Tonpa Shenrab was born, to the west and north are the palaces where his wives and children lived. In the east there is a temple called Shampo Lhatse. All palaces, temples, rivers, gardens and parks with Yungdrung Peak in the center make up the interior of Olmolungring. It is surrounded by 12 cities, four of which stand exactly on four cardinal points. Behind these cities begins the outer world, surrounded, in turn, by the ocean, and behind it - by a chain of inaccessible snow peaks. The only access to the magical Olmolungring is the "arrow path": before his visit to Tibet, Tonpa Shenrab shot an arrow through the outer mountains and made a passage. One day Tonpa Shenrab,then already an authoritative teacher of the doctrine of Bon, pursued a demon who stole his horses. In pursuit, the teacher arrived in Tibet. On his only visit here, Tonpa Shenrab passed on only some of Bon's rituals to the people, seeing that the country was not yet ready to receive a more complete teaching. Subsequently, six disciples of Mucho Demdrug, Shenrab's successor, descended to Tibet and brought the first Bon texts to the people”(www.ansravel).
The Bon texts say that “the land of Olmolungring is divided into four concentric regions: innermost (nang gling), intermediate (bar gling), outer (phyi gling) and borderline (mtha1 gling). The inner and intermediate regions consist of twelve districts or islands, the outer sixteen, and the borderline twelve. These areas and districts are separated by rivers, lakes and inland seas. The innermost region is geographically shaped like an eight petal lotus flower, and the sky above it is shaped like a wheel or chakra of eight spokes. In the very center of this intimate land rises the sacred nine-step mountain of the swastika, Yundrung-Guceg, a crystal monolith in the shape of a pyramid. These nine steps (or levels) of the sacred mountain mean the Nine Paths of Bon, into which the teachings leading to liberation and enlightenment are divided. In the Bonpo cosmological system, the number nine is especially important. In the symbolism of the mandala, it represents the center and eight directions, main and intermediate. From the surface of the earth, nine steps or levels of heaven, inhabited by heavenly gods, rise upward, and nine consecutive hells, inhabited by nagas and other demonic creatures, go down. The middle world-mountain binds together these three levels of existence: heaven, earth and hell. While on it, the adept can move freely, going up or down to other worlds and dimensions. This cosmology is shared by North Asian shamanism. The swastika or yungdrung in Bonpo symbolism corresponds to the vajra or diamond ("king of stones") in the Indian Buddhist system. Both symbols indicate the qualities of eternity, inviolability and purity. As an adjective or as an adverb "Yungdrung" means eternal, everlasting, uninterrupted. As the axis of the world, this sacred middle mountain is indestructible and imperishable. " J. Reynolds. Olmolungring: The Unbreakable Sacred Land.
Sergei Volkov