Tibetan Tartan Launched

[Fearnest]

TRY TARTAN TIBETAN-STYLE
Published on 13/03/2007


New design: Tibetan monk Tubten Kunsal and nun Rinchen Khandro with the new tartans designed for the Samye-Ling Tibetan centre in Eskdalemuir

CHECK it out... monks and nuns at a Buddhist monastery in Scotland will soon be sporting their own tartan.

It has been designed by the abbot at Samye-Ling Tibetan Centre near Eskdalemuir in Dumfriesshire, to mark the 40th anniversary of its foundation.

The simple red check, known as Samye Sangha, has been officially listed on the world’s tartan registry. It will be used to line the maroon robes of the monks and nuns and may also be made into hats and sashes.

Abbot Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, originally from Tibet, said: “We are fortunate to be established as part of the Scottish community and we wanted a tartan to show how much we appreciate the Scottish people, culture and traditions.”

His brother Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche, one of the founders of the monastery in 1967, has created a more colourful check, called simply Samye, for lay members of the community.

He said: “Its five colours represent the elements of earth, air, fire, water and space. When they are in perfect balance, as in this tartan, there is perfect harmony.”

Dr Akong, who travels the world to promote Tibetan charities, is having a suit made of the multi-coloured tartan.

It will also be worn by Fergus Hall and his partner Julie MacLeod who are to be official pipers at the centre, named after the ancient Samye monastery in Tibet.

The couple, who helped with the production of the tartans, look after the retreat houses at the centre and the four yaks that graze in the surrounding countryside.

Fergus said: “Julie and I have taught ourselves to play the bagpipes so that we can be official pipers for the abbot and the founder. We don’t claim to be great players but we can raise a tune!”

The centre – its name means ‘the place beyond conception’ – has arranged an extensive programme to mark its 40th anniversary.

Visitors could be excused for thinking they have been transported into the midst of Tibet.

Beyond the huge, decorated entrance gate is a massive, colourful temple, a garden of peace which includes statues of the Buddha, a room with over 1,000 candles, prayer wheels and flags.

[macwilkin]

I wonder if they'll send some of the material to His Holiness the Dali Lama? I've seen photos of one of his visits to Canada where the RCMP Pipes and Drums played for him -- evidently His Holiness was very impressed by the pipes.

Thanks for posting this.

T.

[ccga3359]

evidently His Holiness was very impressed by the pipes.

T.

Aren't we all?

[gilmore]

Actually, they are not Tibetan tartans, but Buddhist tartans designed by people living in Scotland, one of whom is of Tibetan origin. Not unlike, say, an Episcopalian tartan designed by some one living in the US of British descent.

Plaids and checked cloth have been made and worn by Tibetans, Bhutanese and others in central Asia for millennia. See, e.g., the Tokharian tartan here: http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tart...an_id=2654.htm

"The 'Mummies of Urumchi' which were found in the Mongolian Desert were at least from 3000BC. They were clothed in various woven designs of which this was one."

These are the first Buddhist tartans that I know of. Has anyone heard of others?

[Pour1Malt]

in ma local paper...

[David Dalglish]

I cant say I like these tartans. But it is nice that the monks are going to wear the tartan

[macwilkin]

Thread merged with similar one in heraldry & tartans section.

TJW

[Pour1Malt]

Thread merged with similar one in heraldry & tartans section.

TJW

thanks- ai didnae see the other threid!