There is a story told of Padmasambhava, the famous Indian teacher, who more than any other was
responsible for bringing Buddhism to Tibet over twelve hundred years ago.
It is said that the Tibetan king, who was not a Buddhist, deeply resented the reverence and honour the
people of Tibet were showing the great Indian teacher Padmasambhava. Indeed, it seemed to him, the people
revered Padmasambhava more than they did their own king! So he decided to make sure that when the great
teacher visited him, all the country's leaders would see this man, whom they honored so much, pay homeage
to their king.
On the day of Padmasambhava's visit all the courtiers were assembeled to watch him pay his respects to
their king, who waited to acknowledge the great teacher. The haughty king could hardly conceal his delight
when Padmasambhava raised his arms as if to prostrate himself before the royal throne, but flames darted
from Padmasambhava's hands and ignited the king's clothes, which were ablaze in seconds. As courtiers beat
out the flames, the king, stifled by the smoke rising from the folds of his ceremonial scarf, tore it from his
shoulders. Realizing the great teachers power, he threw himself at Padmasambhava's feet in submission and
offered the scarf as a token of humility. Padmasambhava accepted the scarf, then returned it to the king,
draping it around his neck as a blessing and signifying the victory of spiritual over temporal power.
And so it is said in Tibet, a land of few flowers, that Padmasambhava established the giving of katas, or
felicity scarves, as a gesture of respect.
CULTURE
