Subduing the demons of Tibet: geomantic magic during the Yarlung dynasty: a landscape archaeology assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Historic documents indicate that during the Yarlung Dynasty (AD 620–AD 842), Tibetan emperors employed geomantic and magical practices in the design and siting of important religious structures. Geomantic magic was used to control indigenous demons that inhabited the land thereby obstructing the introduction of Buddhism and the building of temples and monasteries. In the present article, the Jokhang and Tradruk temples and Samye Monastery are assessed from a landscape archaeology perspective to identify geomantic and magical practices in their design and layout. New findings are presented to include sitings relative to dragon veins, the use of deadly feng shui arrows, and the suppression of demons using ritual phurbas, vajras, and magical mandalas. The demon suppressing methods discussed represent a blend of indigenous Tibetan magic combined with beliefs and practices from China and India. The result was a unique and powerful magico-religious tradition that endures even today.