Unfurling the Giant Silk Thangka

Location:  China, Tibet, Drepung Monastery

Before sunrise a long, snaking ritual procession of monks in regal garb carry on their shoulders the massive, rolled-up silk tapestry.   After unloading and unwrapping the roll at the bottom of a giant steel scaffold, the ritual continues with more incense, gongs, symbols, rgya-ling oboes and dung-chen long horns.  Gradually the silk thangka is raised by ropes.  The painting shows the last step – lifting the thin gold silk veil from the Buddha’s face.  The thangka is only shown once a year, for only one hour at sunrise.

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