We’re in the mountains of Asia in a far-removed town called Derge. It took us three days to get here—even though we haven’t even left the province! But many of the roads that brought us here zigzagged up one side of a mountain and back down the other, eventually carrying us to an elevation of more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Traveling across this rugged terrain is no easy task!
Derge is a sacred town to Tibetan Buddhists because it’s the location of the world’s largest collection of the hand-carved, wooden tablets that are used to print their scriptures. In addition to printing new copies of their texts, select, expert craftsmen have been chosen to carve new tablets here to replace the ones that wear out.
As we approach the printing house, we see dozens of devotees walking a kora: a clockwise path ’round and ‘round the building as they spin their prayer wheels and chant a six-syllable phrase that no one seems to know the meaning of.
…but I have a theory about the meaning of these six syllables. I think these words welcome the kingdom of an entity that opposes the kingdom of our God, Creator of heaven and earth, King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
And my hunch is this continuous welcome of a contrary kingdom is what makes this place feel so oppressive. Some of our traveling companions—all of whom are believers in Jesus—suffer headaches, while others experience a heaviness that prompts them to leave the printing house. For me, there’s an oppressive dullness that settles over me in this place—and other locations like it.
We’ll continue to see devout Tibetan Buddhists throughout this region walking koras at temples, monasteries, stupas (monuments that hold relics), and other sites that they consider to be sacred. The most auspicious kora is the one around Mount Kailash near the border of China and India. It usually takes two or three days to perform this kora, but it is supposed to give so much merit that some people make their living by hiring themselves out to do this for others.
And all the while they chant that six-syllable phrase over and over again, ignorant of what they’re saying, but in all probability, welcoming the kingdom of darkness.
Efforts to reach these areas with the Good News of Jesus Christ have been going on for centuries. The Jesuits arrived in this region in the 1600’s, and Protestant missionaries came in the mid-1800’s. Hundreds—if not thousands—of Christians have given their lives to love and serve the Tibetan Buddhist world throughout the years. But there has been very little fruit. Could it be because some other entity is being continuously welcomed and honored? Could it be that their praise is creating a stronghold, even though they don’t have any idea about the meaning of the words they say?
And if that’s the case, what is the result of our praise and thanksgiving as we welcome the one and only True God? When we pray, “Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven,” knowing the meaning of what we pray, what spiritual impact might that be having?
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.” (1 Corinthians 14:15 NLT) Can you imagine how our songs and prayers in the spirit AND with understanding must be resonating in the heavenlies? If the unknowing chants of Tibetan Buddhists can change the spiritual atmosphere of their region, how must the songs and prayers we offer up—empowered by God’s Spirit and with our full understanding—be shifting the atmosphere all around us?
So let’s lift up our voices in praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Let’s exalt the Lord our God, three in one! Let’s partner with Trinity in our adoration! Your kingdom come! Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven!
~ Kathryn Kircher, writer and photographer
