Juelu Music of Shuksip Nunnery-Tibetan Buddhist Music

Shuksip Nunnery in Quxu County  is located on the hillside of Xiongse mountain(雄色山) along the southern bank of the Lhasa river, it is the largest Buddhist nun temple in Tibet.

Buddhist Music of Shuksip Nunnery (雄色寺绝鲁) is a significant form of Tibetan Buddhist music belonging to the Kagyu (噶举派) and Nyingma (宁玛派) schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a key cultural and religious practice performed during various Buddhist ceremonies. This unique form of music was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list as part of the Fourth Batch of representative projects in 2014.

Overview

Juelu (绝鲁) is a Tibetan term referring to the music and chanting used during Buddhist ceremonies. The word “Juelu” means “chanting for salvation” or “purification,” with a focus on freeing the soul and dispelling evil thoughts. This form of chanting music is particularly performed at Shuksip Monastery (雄色寺) in Qushui County (曲水县), Lhasa, Tibet, and is used during several key Buddhist ceremonies, such as funerals, sky burials, and the commemoration of the death anniversaries of Gyaltsen Ma Ren Tseng Quni Sang (吉尊玛仁增曲尼桑姆) and Gonchen Langqin Raoqiang (贡钦朗钦饶强), celebrated in the Tibetan lunar calendar on March 13th and the 18th of each month.

Location

Shuksip Monastery (雄色寺) is located at Tsunna Village (才纳村), Tsunna Township (才纳乡) in Qushui County, approximately 4,000 meters above sea level in the Gangri Tsu Ga Mountain (纲日推噶山) area, on the southern bank of the Lhasa River (拉萨河).

Historical Background

Founded in the 12th century, Shuksip Monastery was established by Jigon Chuchen Sengge (结贡•楚陈森格), a disciple of Pakchung Kagyu (帕竹噶举派) and a follower of the renowned Pamo Tülpa (帕木竹巴). Over time, the music of Juelu (绝鲁) gradually integrated into the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It has been passed down from generation to generation and remains a vital tradition at Shuksip Monastery.

Cultural Features

The Juelu music of Shuksip Monastery is characterized by its long, soft, and melancholic tones, creating a sense of spiritual calm and reverence. The music is often accompanied by dance rituals known as Juelu Cham (绝羌姆), performed by five nuns representing five celestial beings. The dance is slow, graceful, and ethereal, with no emphasis on strength or energy, instead highlighting beauty, slowness, and lightness.

The Role of Juelu Music

Juelu music is integral to Tibetan Buddhist practice. Its main purpose is to purify the soul and help practitioners overcome the “three poisons” or “five poisons”, representing negative emotions such as greed, hatred, and ignorance. It is believed that the music has the power to remove obstacles and purify the mind, aiding in the spiritual liberation of both the living and the deceased.

Social Influence

As an essential form of Tibetan Buddhist music, Juelu not only provides spiritual solace to its listeners but also plays a significant role in fostering a sense of community and harmony. It helps deepen the understanding of Buddhist teachings and reinforces the importance of spiritual practice within Tibetan culture.

The Dance of Juelu Cham

The accompanying Juelu Cham dance is integral to the performance of Juelu music. It is traditionally performed by five nuns who embody five celestial beings. The dance’s emphasis is on elegance, with slow movements that reflect the profound spiritual symbolism of the ceremony.

Cultural Significance

Juelu music is one of the most unique forms of Tibetan Buddhist music, found only in Nyingma and Kagyu monasteries in Tibet. At Shuksip Monastery, it is specifically associated with female practitioners and nuns, making it a distinctive form of Buddhist music in Tibetan nunneries.

The music’s integration into Tibetan Buddhist practices not only aids in spiritual purification but also contributes to preserving Tibetan cultural heritage. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the ritualistic traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and provides a spiritual connection for the practitioners.

Protection and Preservation Efforts

In October 2023, the Qushui County Cultural and Tourism Bureau (曲水县文化和旅游局) successfully passed the evaluation for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project Protection Unit, ensuring the continued preservation of this unique Tibetan Buddhist music.

National Recognition

In November 2014, Juelu Music of Shuksip Monastery was officially recognized as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the State Council of China, acknowledging its importance to Tibetan culture and spiritual life.