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Short Ritual for a Single Practitioner Based on the Bon Version of Losar
This ritual is designed for a single practitioner in the West, inspired by the Bon tradition’s celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It incorporates simple preparatory elements that can be made within a week and lasts 10 to 20 minutes. The ritual captures the essence of Losar in the Bon tradition—purification, renewal, and inviting blessings for the new year—while remaining accessible and practical.
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Preparation (to be done in the week prior)
- Altar Setup:
Create a small altar with an image of a Bon deity, such as Shenlha
Okar (a deity of wisdom and compassion) or Tonpa Shenrab (the founder of
Bon). You can print an image from the internet or draw one yourself if
you’re artistically inclined. Place it on a table or shelf.
- Torma Offering:
Make a simple torma (a traditional ritual offering) by mixing
buckwheat, flax, quinoa or amaranth flour and water into a dough and shaping
it into a small cone or mound. This represents abundance and devotion and
requires minimal effort. The torma can be colored with beet powder or juice.
- Additional Offerings:
Collect these easily accessible items:
- A small candle (for light). Fire
- Incense sticks (for fragrance). Wind
- A small bowl of water (for purity). Water
- Salt Earth
- A small bowl of grains, such as quinoa or flax or buckwheat
(for cleansing and prosperity). Void
These preparations align with Bon practices and can be completed in
a week without specialized materials.
Ritual Steps
Perform the ritual in a quiet space, ideally on the first new or full moon day after the vernal equinox. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
1. Clean the Space (2-3 minutes)
Physically tidy the area where you’ll perform the ritual.
This mirrors the Losar tradition of cleansing to remove negativity from
the past year.
2. Light the Candle and Incense (1 minute)
Sit comfortably in front of your altar. Light the candle
and incense to create a sacred atmosphere and invite the presence of the
deities.
3. Invocation (1 minute)
Recite a short prayer to connect with the Bon tradition:
> “I take refuge in the Bon teachings and deities. May
this space be blessed for the new year.”
This sets the intention and honors the spiritual lineage.
4. Cleansing (2-3 minutes)
Take the bowl of grains and sprinkle them lightly around
the room. As you do, visualize negative energies being expelled, clearing
the way for a fresh start—an essential aspect of Losar.
5. Present Offerings (1 minute)
Place the torma on the altar, ensure the candle is lit,
light the incense if not already burning, and set the bowl of water before
the deity’s image. Say:
> “I offer these to the Bon deities. May they accept them
and grant their blessings.”
These offerings symbolize gratitude and the wish for prosperity.
6. Mantra Recitation (5 minutes)
Chant a simple Bon mantra, such as:
> “Om Matri Muye Sale Du”
Repeat it steadily for about 5 minutes. If unfamiliar
with Bon mantras, you can use this one (a general Bon invocation) or simply
speak words of renewal and blessing in your own language.
7. Meditation (3-5 minutes)
Sit quietly, imagining the deity’s light and blessings
filling the space. Reflect on the transition to a new cycle and feel a
sense of renewal.
8. Set Intentions (1-2 minutes)
Write down or silently state your intentions for the coming
year—goals, hopes, or qualities you wish to cultivate. Ask the deity for
support in fulfilling them.
9. Dedication (1 minute)
Conclude by dedicating the ritual’s merit:
> “May the merit of this ritual benefit all beings. May
the new year be auspicious and bring happiness and prosperity.”
This reflects the altruistic spirit of Bon and Losar.
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Notes
- The ritual emphasizes Losar’s core themes in the Bon tradition: purification
(cleansing the space and sprinkling grains), renewal (setting intentions),
and invoking blessings (offerings and mantra).
- Keep the steps brief to stay within 10-20 minutes. For a shorter
version, reduce the mantra recitation or meditation time.
- Optionally, enjoy a small snack afterward to celebrate, echoing the
communal feasting of Losar, adapted for one person.
This ritual is simple yet meaningful, preserving the essence of the
Bon Losar festival while fitting the constraints of a modern practitioner’s
resources and time.
