Tibetan Traditions – Weisang

Weisang is a very common religious supplication custom in Tibet. It is a necessary form of religious places. The smoke of Weisang can give people comfortable feelings. On the long history snow-covered plateau, the Weisang has its foundation, social background, and with beautiful legends.

Tibetan Traditions – Origin of Weisang

According to legends, when man go back from battle or hunt, the head of tribe, elders, women and children will gather outdoor to burn a mound of cypress branches and vanilla, and sprinkle water on the body of the campaigner. It means driving off evil spirits with the smoke and water. In fact, this practice is kept in Tibetan traditions until new. If the women in the family give birth to baby, the relations and friends who come to congratulate need to overstride the burning cypress braches. It aimed to protect baby from evil spirits. Later, the Weisang is related with battle. Tibetans use the "Sang" to worship gods and pray for security and victory. The Weisang became the main way to communicate with gods for ancient Tibetans. Tibetans think that the smoke of Weisang can reach the living place of gods. It can transmit delicacy on earth to gods, to entertain them and pray for their blessing. The Buddhism introduced into Tibet in 7th century, Buddhism used some local custom, and Weisang is one of them. Since that, Weisang connected with Tibetan Buddhism and became more popular. We can say that the Weisang is a kind of supplication custom which appeared with the effect of Tibetan original religion and Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Traditions – Meaning of Weisang

"Sang" means "washing, cleaning, and driving off" in Tibetan language. But it is a very obvious worshipping ceremony for the aspects of burning process, the mentality of burning and the articles used. Hence, Weisang has two meanings. The first one is purification, and the second one is sacrifice. Because the articles used for Weisang, except for cypress braches and vanilla, include tsamba, fried barley, tea, sugar, apple, water and so on, the Weisang has the meaning sacrifice.

It is recorded in the historical materials of Bon Religion that the environment should be purified before welcoming gods. The Weisang is action of purification. Every stain, ghost and dirty things will be driving off after Weisang. Weisang has the function of purifying environment, driving off evil spirits.

Tibetan Traditions – Process of Weisang

In Tibet, every place with smoke has monastery, and every monastery will make Weisang. No matter you go to monasteries or common family, you will find the stove of Weisang. When make Weisang, first fire the cypress braches in the stove, and then sprinkle small amount of tsamba, tea, barley, fruits and sugar and so on. At last, sprinkle water with cypress branch toward the burning fire for three times. The people who are doing Weisang should chant the Six Truest Words.