Ciren Zhandui- Inheritor of Epic of King Gesar in Tibet

Ciren Zhandui (次仁占堆), born on January 29, 1968, in Bangka County (班噶县), Nagqu Prefecture (那曲地区), Tibet Autonomous Region, is one of the most revered Tibetan epic chanters and a prominent inheritor of the Epic of King Gesar (格萨尔). The Epic of King Gesar is considered one of the longest and most important epic tales in the world, and Ciren Zhandui’s contributions to preserving and transmitting this tradition are invaluable. His role as an oral storyteller, preserving Tibetan folklore, and passing down the epic is widely recognized in both Tibet and throughout the Tibetan cultural community.

In recognition of his significant contributions, Ciren Zhandui was included in the first batch of representative inheritors of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list for the Epic of King Gesar in 2007. He is widely regarded as the living embodiment of the Gesar tradition and has been instrumental in preserving this oral heritage for future generations.

Personal Information

Full Name: Ciren Zhandui (次仁占堆)
Ethnicity: Tibetan
Date of Birth: January 29, 1968
Place of Birth: Bangka County (班噶县), Nagqu Prefecture (那曲地区), Tibet Autonomous Region
Key Achievement: Recognized as the “Epic of King Gesar Chanter” and a Living Buddha of Sam Temple (桑姆寺), part of the Nyingma Sect (宁玛派).
Cultural Recognition: National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor of the Epic of King Gesar (格萨尔).

Biography
Key Achievements
Cultural Legacy and Impact
Performance Style
Awards and Recognition
Major Works and Performances
Life and Family

1. Biography

Ciren Zhandui’s journey as an epic performer began at an early age and was deeply connected to his family and spiritual practices. His father, Qusang (曲桑), was a Bajong (巴仲) or divine-inspired artist, who passed away in 1981. In 1981, Ciren Zhandui had an extraordinary experience in a cave, where he spent three months but felt as though only a short time had passed. This spiritual encounter led him to start telling disconnected, incomprehensible stories, which he later realized were parts of the Epic of King Gesar.

He soon began to experience vivid dreams in which he received new Gesar stories. These dreams became the foundation for his oral transmission of the epic. Despite having no formal education, Ciren Zhandui became able to narrate the Gesar stories in a coherent and ordered manner. His ability to chant Gesar’s stories in an organized fashion surprised those around him.

In 1983, Ciren Zhandui was able to complete a spiritual invocation (降神) through the use of a copper mirror (铜镜), a technique commonly associated with Tibetan shamanic traditions. This further solidified his role as a sacred storyteller, blessed with divine inspiration to preserve the Epic of King Gesar.

In 1986, he began assisting the Gesar Rescue Office (格萨尔抢救办公室) of the Tibet Autonomous Region by recording Gesar stories. He helped produce nearly 50 cassette tapes, preserving different versions of the stories, such as The Battle of Galing (噶岭之战) and The Battle of Moling (魔岭之战).

2. Key Achievements

1981: Ciren Zhandui’s spiritual encounter in a cave led to his deep connection with the Epic of King Gesar, starting his journey as a narrator.
1983: Successfully performed spiritual invocations using a copper mirror to channel divine knowledge.
1986: Assisted in recording Gesar stories for historical preservation, producing over 50 cassette tapes.
1988: Recognized as a Living Buddha at Sam Temple (桑姆寺), Bangka County, belonging to the Nyingma Sect (宁玛派).
2007: Included in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors, specifically for the Epic of King Gesar.

3. Cultural Legacy and Impact

Ciren Zhandui’s efforts have had a profound impact on the preservation of Tibetan oral traditions. As one of the most renowned storytellers of the Epic of King Gesar, he has helped safeguard a cultural treasure that is centuries old. His contributions to the oral transmission of Tibetan mythology and history through the Gesar stories have shaped the identity of the Tibetan people and their connection to their ancestral past.

His work also includes significant research and documentation. Since 2012, Ciren Zhandui has worked tirelessly to collect and document various Gesar chants, compiling over 100 different melodies. These efforts have contributed to the preservation of the traditional Gesar performance style. Additionally, Ciren Zhandui has also written extensively, including works such as Tibetan Dreamers (藏地追梦人), documenting the lives of Tibetan artists.

4. Performance Style

Ciren Zhandui’s performance style is characterized by his powerful and resonant voice, which commands attention despite his slight physical frame. His performances are rich in expression and emotion, drawing upon a variety of Tibetan singing styles and oral storytelling techniques. He often switches between different characters and singing styles within a single performance, which is a hallmark of his unique approach to storytelling.

He is known for his ability to captivate audiences with his vocal range and the dramatic tension he creates through his performances. His style is deeply influenced by both the Amdo folk songs and Amdo-style Gesar chants, which he incorporates into his storytelling.

5. Awards and Recognition

Ciren Zhandui’s artistic excellence has been recognized widely, earning him several prestigious awards, including:

1991: Awarded the title of “Epic of King Gesar Chanter”.
2007: Included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list as a representative inheritor of the Epic of King Gesar.

His work has been instrumental in preserving the Gesar tradition and ensuring its transmission to future generations.

6. Major Works and Performances

Ciren Zhandui has performed and recorded several key episodes from the Epic of King Gesar. Some of his most notable performances include:

The Lineage of Gesar (格萨尔世系)
The Battle of Menling (门岭之战)
The Battle of Galing (噶岭之战)
The Battle of Moling (魔岭之战)
The Battle of Huo (霍岭之战)
The Battle of Geshan (姜岭之战)

In total, Ciren Zhandui has contributed to preserving 33 major episodes and 18 thematic categories from the Gesar epic.

7. Life and Family

Ciren Zhandui was born into a family with strong ties to Tibetan artistic traditions. His father, Qusang (曲桑), was a renowned Bajong (巴仲), a divine-inspired performer. Ciren Zhandui’s spiritual journey was significantly influenced by his father, who passed away in 1981. Additionally, Ciren Zhandui has two sisters and one brother.

His deep connection to Tibetan oral traditions and family lineage has made him a key figure in the preservation of Tibetan folklore. He has also contributed to documenting the stories of Tibetan performers, ensuring their inclusion in the broader Tibetan cultural heritage.