Proper Etiquettes
( 2005-10-27 )

  Presenting hadas

Present hadas is a general ceremony in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. People present hadas in weddings, funerals, or celebrations; when having an audience with people of higher status; when praying on the religious forms; and when sending off friends, and so on. Hada is a kind of raw silk that is spun sparsely like a net. Another kind of hada is made with excellent silk. Hada is often 3 to 5 chi or 1 to 2 zhang (1 zhang equals about 3.3 meters) in length.

Presenting hadas expresses heartedness and loyalty. Hadas are always white, as since ancient times, Tibetans have regarded white as the symbol of chastity and fortune. Certainly there are multicolored hadas, such as blue, white, yellow, green, and red. Blue means sky, white means cloud, green means rivers, red means divinity, and yellow means earth.

The multicolored hadas are to be used with cai jian (swords), which are the best ceremonious gifts offered to Bodhisattva statues and close relatives. The Doxy of Buddhism explains the multicolored hadas are used on special occasions, as they are the costume of bodhisattvas.

Hadas were introduced to Tibet in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). When Baciba-Saqia Fawang met with Hubilie -- the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty --, he brought a hada back to Tibet. At that time, both sides of hadas had the design of the Great Wall, with characters of Ji Xiang Ru Yi (Good fortune as wishes) written in the middle. Subsequently, people attached religious significance to the hadas, said they were the streamers of fairy.

 Proposing a toast and tea

Tibetans are all hospitable. When Tibetans offer guests Qingke (which is a kind of wine made of highland barley), they fill wineglasses and offer them to the guests. The guests should take a wineglass in both hands, then raise the glass with the right hand, and, using the third finger of the left hand, dip into the wine lightly and flick to the sky. That means heavenly-mindedness. Guests should then flick a second and third time, which means terra-respectfulness and Buddha-respectfulness respectively.

Such a kind of traditional custom tells people the derivation of Qingke is connected nearly with the benefaction of the sky, the terra, and Buddha. So before drinking, people should toast the deity.