| Dreams have been an integral part of the cultures of | | | | typically shown with an angry face. And although they |
| the Orient since the dawn of time. | | | | have been described as wrathful, beneath their rough |
| In particular, India and China have a vast treasure trove | | | | exterior lies a very compassionate merciful heart." |
| of dreams that have been a part of their respective | | | | Gankhuyag continues: "So when we consider the |
| cultures for millennia. Of all these dreams however, | | | | vision of Shiva in 'Phags-pa's dream it is reasonable to |
| arguably one of the most interesting is that of | | | | conclude he may have experienced considerable |
| Phags-Pa, a Tibetan monk, who, according to legend, | | | | pressure as he sought to fulfill his mission as an |
| altered the course of Mongolian history and culture as | | | | important propagator of the Buddhist faith. In fact it is |
| a result of his dream. | | | | well known that Khublai Khaan had initially rejected the |
| It is said that 'Phags-pa's dream occurred after Khublai | | | | fledgling spiritual leader. It was only during subsequent |
| Khan, the exalted ruler of the vast Mongol Empire, | | | | meetings that Khublai Khaan was able to appreciate |
| made a specific request to meet with the monk to | | | | the wisdom of the great Tibetan lama." |
| come to understand the central tenets of Buddhism. | | | | "And quite astonishingly according to ancient Buddhist |
| Unfortunately their initial meeting did not go as planned | | | | texts, it is reported that 'Phags-pa even severed his |
| as 'Phags-Pa was forced to interpret a text, which he | | | | own body parts, to show his formidable magical |
| struggled to understand. | | | | powers to the great Khaan. It was shortly thereafter |
| Thoroughly distraught by his inability to complete this | | | | that a strong relationship between Khublai Khaan and |
| important task, he then saw a series of images in his | | | | 'Phags-pa developed. Phags-pa then became the |
| sleep that allowed him to understand the essential | | | | official spiritual leader of Tibet. And the spiritual |
| meaning of the sacred book. Shortly thereafter the | | | | foundation between Mongolia and Tibet was firmly |
| monk provided an explanation to Khublai Khan. The | | | | established." |
| great Khaan then became an advocate for the | | | | A Legendary Meeting |
| Buddhist faith. And 'Phags-pa became known as "the | | | | The extent to which 'Phags-pa's dream is merely a |
| King of the Doctrine of Three Nations: China, Mongolia | | | | myth rather than real life experience is certainly worthy |
| and Tibet." | | | | of further exploration. The fact remains however that |
| An Illuminating Dream | | | | 'Phags-pa and Khublai Khaan formed a strategic |
| While 'Phags-pa's remarkable life is documented in | | | | partnership that has had significant impact upon |
| various accounts of Mongolian history, relatively little is | | | | Mongolia-Tibetan relations to this day. The nature of |
| known about his illustrious dream. In Mongolian and | | | | this relationship and the various motives behind it |
| Tibetan folklore however, it is reported that as | | | | continue to have a major impact upon how this |
| 'Phags-pa slept, he had a vision of an old man within | | | | important part of Mongolian history is construed. |
| his fateful dream. The man purportedly appeared as a | | | | A review of the historical record does however |
| Brahman with snow-white hair. | | | | indicate that several theories abound. Perhaps the |
| With a knot tied atop the crown of his head, and a | | | | most common hypothesis is that the relationship |
| flute made from a human thigh-bone held in his | | | | between these two legendary men was born not of |
| quivering hand, the old man ordered 'Phags-pa to light a | | | | divine inspiration, but rather it was the product of a |
| lamp. The man then produced a box from which he | | | | pragmatic calculated decision made in the clear light of |
| took the sacred book. He handed it to 'Phags-pa who | | | | day. The theory suggests that because Khublai Khaan |
| perused its pages. And shortly thereafter the monk | | | | possessed the political and military power to propel |
| memorized it's contents. | | | | Phags-pa to a position of considerable power, |
| On the following day 'Phags-pa again met wit the | | | | 'Phags-pa's motivation to form and maintain such a |
| great Khaan as instructed. On this occasion he | | | | relationship could also have been simply due to |
| however did not fail. After hearing 'Phags-pa's inspired | | | | personal interest. |
| explanation, Khublai Khaan, impressed by his words, | | | | Other theorists have argued that the relationship |
| was able to appreciate the basic essence of the text. | | | | between these two legendary men was based upon |
| Soon after the monk performed a benediction and the | | | | Khublai Khaan's desire to make a favorable impression |
| great Khaan became a proponent of the Buddhist | | | | upon the Tibetan people. Certainly Khubai Khaan's |
| faith. | | | | ability to work closely with a Buddhist monk in an era |
| The Appearance of Lord Shiva | | | | of religious fervor would have given him a certain |
| While it would appear that this story is relatively simple | | | | degree of moral credibility. It also provided Khublai |
| in nature, a closer examination reveals that the old man | | | | Khaan with the opportunity to counter any animosities |
| in this dream was in fact a representation of the Hindu | | | | that were undoubtedly an inseparable part of his |
| god, Lord Shiva. He is worshiped by millions of Hindus | | | | military conquest. |
| the world over and is believed to be one of the central | | | | It is also important to note that the power held by |
| forces of the universe. But unlike the other two major | | | | 'Phags-pa and Khublai did not proceed unchallenged. |
| divinities Brahma the Creator, and Vishnu the | | | | Reports of insurrections were common and in the end |
| Preserver, Shiva is the dissolving destructive force of | | | | 'Phags-pa was purportedly poisoned by political foes. |
| life. He destroys life so that new forms may be | | | | This alleged murder was part of a larger effort to |
| created. For Shiva, a fierce intimidating god, death is | | | | facilitate a coup d' e'tat. |
| the primary medium for rebirth. And it is through death | | | | Not long after the death of 'Phags-pa, conflicts |
| that meaningful life will ultimately recur. Shiva is at once | | | | between rival groups competing for power continued. |
| respected and feared and ceremonial acts are | | | | The Saskya sect of which 'Phags-pa was a part was |
| performed not just to praise his wisdom but also to | | | | able to maintain its power until the middle of the 14th |
| placate him and prevent potential acts of serious harm. | | | | century despite challenges from the Brikhung sect with |
| Understanding the Dream | | | | the assistance of the Hulegu and the Ilkhanate. |
| Sh. Erdenchimeg, a social psychologist at the National | | | | A Contemporary Interpretation |
| University of Mongolia comments on 'Phags-pa's | | | | 'Phags-pa's unofficial title, "" The King of the Doctrine of |
| dream: ""Mysticism has certainly played an important | | | | Three Nations: China, Mongolia and Tibet"" and the |
| role in the development of Buddhist thought. It is | | | | optimism expressed within his dream appears |
| therefore no surprise that a number of folk stories | | | | bittersweet in the context of the present situation of |
| have focused upon lamas of historical prominence. | | | | the religion. The Buddhist faith in some parts of Asia, |
| When we consider 'Phags-pa, who had a major affect | | | | notably China and Tibet is experiencing less of a |
| upon Mongolian history, we can assume that his vision | | | | spread and more of a recession. The current Dalai |
| of the Hindu deity was a manifestation of his wish to | | | | Lama remains in exile. Tibet and Mongolia have |
| understand, and ultimately resolve the various | | | | become increasingly sinicized. And vile forms of abuse |
| concerns that were occupying his mind. If some one is | | | | continue to be perpetrated against people who |
| troubled, dreams may function as a suitable solution to | | | | challenge the governments' leadership. |
| a pressing problem. Human memory, imagination and | | | | One would hope that the people of Tibet and Inner |
| fantasy are the important elements which allow the | | | | Mongolia will someday enjoy the freedom to make |
| important dream work to take place."" | | | | their own choices in a system of government that |
| She also says that Mongolians and perhaps Asian | | | | represents their own collective goals. At the present |
| people in general may place great emphasis upon the | | | | time however, there is no reason to believe that the |
| detailed images that exist within dreams. Mongolians | | | | current leadership will allow freedom of worship, |
| for example believe that if a dream happens at a | | | | without the governmental regulation and periodic acts |
| particular time on a specific day, or during an important | | | | of highly repressive intimidation. Sadly the current |
| period of time, certain events, either good or bad, are | | | | political leadership routinely rationalizes their own |
| more likely to occur. Perhaps it is somewhat akin to | | | | aggressive hard-line tactics, arguing that they are |
| the ancient practice of divination. in which future events | | | | conducive to both the social stability and economic |
| were believed to be controlled or predicted by specific | | | | growth of the entire Chinese nation. But as large |
| behaviors, or other important rituals. | | | | numbers of Han Chinese continue to migrate into the |
| She adds that, as Asian people are perhaps more | | | | Tibetan region and the basic human rights of the |
| likely to be introverted than their European | | | | people in both Tibet and Inner Mongolia continues to be |
| counterparts, the content of these dreams may be | | | | undermined, the decimation of these two vibrant |
| more firmly rooted in the deep recesses of the human | | | | cultures continues to be a frightening possibility. |
| mind. Outward expression of the content of the dream | | | | In the context of 'Phags-pa's dream, perhaps the real |
| may be less likely to occur. And expressions of the | | | | solution lies in winning the hearts and minds of people |
| dream in daily life may be more subtle and less direct. | | | | who remain apathetic about the fate of the people of |
| She also refers to the ancient customs and traditions | | | | Tibet and Inner Mongolia. If anything, we could hope |
| of various cultures across the Asian continent that | | | | that the sentiment contained in this legendary tale will |
| encouraged people to safeguard their dreams behind | | | | contribute, however modestly, to a renewed |
| a number of trusty locks. | | | | commitment to keep 'Phags-pa's inspirational dream |
| Perspectives of a Modern Monk | | | | very much alive. |
| M. Gankhuyag, an erudite young monk at Ulaanbaatar's | | | | Sources: |
| Gandan Monastery says, "Älthough I am not | | | | B. Laufer, Inspirational Dreams in Eastern Asia, Journal |
| familiar with references to Shiva in ancient Buddhist | | | | of American Folklore, Volume 44, No. 172 (April 1931) |
| texts, there are other fearless deities who have | | | | pp. |
| protected the Dharma as well. They include Mahakala, | | | | 208-216. |
| and Vajrapani, among others. Both of them are | | | | |