Deer Dance

In the tantric deities’ sublime realm, all beings are transformed from their ordinary state in order to carry out enlightened activity for the benefit of others. The Deer represents a male protector deity whose movements call forth the disruptive forces to spiritual development.

This dance consists of four sections:

• Inviting the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
• Making offerings to them
• Displaying fierce movements to overcome the obstacles
• Requesting the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to return to their own abodes

The deer dance was very popular in Tibet because the deer-headed deity was heralded as a great protector.