Setting.² Rewalsar, a village near Mandi, is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.3 For Tibetans, it is associated with Guru Padma,4 the eighth century VajrayAna master famed for his role in the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet and recognised as a "second Buddha". For the rNying-ma-pa, he is not only a key historical figure in the transmission of the "Ancient Tantras" which they follow, but he represents the inner Root Guru: he is equated with the enlightened principle which unfolds realisation within, and innumerable Guru Yoga practices focus on him. The Buddhist story concerning Rewalsar5 comes from the "miraculous birth" accounts of Guru Padma,6 and it is appropriate that the main annual ritual dance at the Rewalsar rNying-ma-pa monastery is that of his eight "names" (mtshan) or aspects.

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