What is Hada?

Hada is a silk fabric used by Tibetan people for etiquette and a necessary item in social activities. Hada is similar to the rites and silks of the ancient Han nationality.

Some scholars have analyzed that the name Hada began to appear when Basiba just returned to Tibet. As we all know, Basiba is a very important historical great man in the history of Tibet, especially in the history of the relationship between the central government and Tibet. 1244, I visited Kuo Duan, the second son of Yuan Taizong, in Xiliang (also known as Liangzhou, now Wuwei, Gansu) with my uncle Sakya Panditha Gongga Jianzan. After Yuan Shizu ascended the throne, Bathsheba was honored as a Buddhist and a royal teacher. 1265 when I returned to Tibet for the first time, I presented Hada to bodhisattvas, Buddha statues and monks and secular officials. As far as I know, the official record of Hada in history books began at this time.

In Tibetan social communication, Hada, a ceremonial object, has long been popular because of its rich cultural connotation. Tibetans have always believed that whiteness can best express and symbolize people's sincere and pure wishes, so people have used white hada to express their sincere and pure wishes in social communication since ancient times. Therefore, Hada has become an important medium and carrier of Tibetan people's profound cultural psychology.

According to analysis and research, white worship or advocating white is a reflection of the profound cultural and psychological state of the Tibetan people. Recent archaeological work has confirmed that Tibetan ancestors have advocated white since ancient times. Long before Buddhism entered Tibet, Tibetan ancestors worshipped white things and avoided and taboo black things and underworld. In the Biography of King Gesar and many other folk stories, white people, white horses, white clouds and white cranes are used to symbolize and represent just, kind and noble people, troops or things, while black people, dark horses and dark clouds are used to symbolize and represent evil spirits, evil and misfortune. White symbolizes purity, innocence, loyalty, happiness, peace, kindness and justice, while black is the opposite. Generally speaking, it is evil, evil and ominous, which has become a distinct concept of Tibetan culture. This cultural concept and mentality formed by the Tibetan people in their long-term life can be seen everywhere in their daily lives. Paint the walls of houses with white plaster, draw white dots or lines on doors, windows and wooden furniture on New Year's Day, tie hada or wool on flagons and wine dishes, paste ghee on kettles and bowls, put white stones on the top of the stone piles at the main entrance, and so on. As long as you pay attention, you will find the marks of white worship everywhere.

From this point of view, the emergence and formation of Tibetan cultural concept of worshipping white is much earlier than that of Hada, who is only the reflection and carrier of the cultural mentality of worshipping white in the later period, but it is not the only reflection and carrier. As early as before silk products appeared, Tibetan ancestors used white objects such as wool, bazin, white stone and white ash to express and symbolize pure white kindness and sincerity. With the increasing exchanges between people in Xizang and various ethnic groups in the Mainland, the mutual radiation of cultures has been promoted. At that time, the Mongols used the custom of "Hadaka" and the developed silk weaving industry in Han areas, and further found a specific form and convenient carrier to express the Tibetan cultural mentality of worshipping white.

Different nationalities in the world have different colors, and the symbolic meaning of each color varies from nation to nation. So, why do Tibetans advocate white? Some people think that this is caused by being in a snowy area, or it is due to the function of wool. I think this point can be further studied and discussed. But at present, the basis is not sufficient, because snow is only abundant in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, not unique here, and wool is spread all over the world. Yak has the most characteristics of this plateau and is closest to the life of Tibetans. However, its coat color has not become a symbolic color. Of course, the sun, moon, fire and light are even less likely to be the root cause of the white mentality of Tibetan culture, because all ethnic groups in the world have enjoyed the favor of the sun, moon, fire and light in their childhood. The author believes that these natural and living environments undoubtedly have a great influence on the formation of cultural mentality, but they are only external factors, a condition, not the fundamental reason, nor the decisive factor. To be exact, it is only in a specific natural and social environment that the instinct of Tibetan ancestors to worship purity and innocence gradually formed a cultural mentality of advocating white. The so-called social environment or social conditions need more pen and ink. The tradition of emphasizing white in ancient Indian Buddhism influenced Tibetan cultural thoughts with the introduction of Buddhism, and strengthened the concept of emphasizing white in Tibetan culture. At the same time, as mentioned above, the "Hadaka" of Mongolians and the developed silk weaving industry in Han areas further provide concrete forms and convenient carriers for expressing this cultural mentality. Therefore, in this sense, the Tibetan cultural mentality of worshipping white is also a reflection of the mutual exchange and integration of various ethnic cultures.

There are generally three kinds of Hada: Tenekuhada, first-class Ahihada and second-class Suhihada. Axi and Susihada are in the upper, middle and lower grades respectively. Some people regard Azahada, the imitation of Asihada, as a kind alone, while others regard Soranghada (soda), an inferior product in Susihada, as a kind alone. The so-called nekuhada is a special hada taken from the royal nekuha. This kind of Hada is wide and long, and its texture is excellent. This Hada side is woven with the Great Wall pattern, and the surface is woven with eight auspicious emblems and blessings. Hadani Madele, or Hidden Flower Hada, is one of them. Nekuhada was not available in the market before. Corresponding to Nekuhada is Waikuhada, but it was later called Susihada.

In the past, there were certain rules, norms and forms for using Hada: on weekdays, officials at all levels should use Hada according to their own identity or name, and they could not deviate from the rules. Private and folk use of Hada should be arbitrary, and there are not so strict regulations. Neikuhada is also used between relatives and friends. There are certain rules and forms for offering Hada: according to the established rules, what is given, what is given, what is given at the same level, what is given to the other side, what is given to the seniors, the peers and the younger generation all have certain rules and pay attention to it. Give Hada, hold it in your hand, or hand it over through an agent; When sending Hada to subordinates, Hada is usually tied around each other's necks, and peers send Hada to each other. According to different uses, Hada's sacrificial methods are also different.

The action of offering Hada varies from person to person. Generally speaking, you should hold Hada with both hands, lift it to shoulder height, then stretch forward and bend down to give it to the other party. At this time, Hada is flush with the top of his head, showing respect for each other and the greatest blessing-good luck. The other party greeted him respectfully with both hands. When offering Hada to venerable persons and elders, raise your hands above your head, lean forward slightly, and hold Hada in front of your seat or at your feet; For colleagues or subordinates, it can be tied around the neck.

Hada is used in quite a few occasions. Hada can be used for weddings, funerals, receptions, thanks and so on. According to different uses, Hada's folding methods are also different. Generally speaking, there are access folding method and dedication folding method.

Nowadays, in people's social activities, Hada is used more widely and widely than in the past, which is understandable, but it is worth noting that some abuses make a good form of social etiquette a bit vulgar.

It is true that there were feudal cultural concepts in Hada's usage rules and methods in the past, but it should be remembered that without rules, there would be no Fiona Fang. Especially as a etiquette in people's social communication, it is marked by certain rules and forms. Therefore, the author thinks that the feudal hierarchy and red tape used in Hada should be abandoned, but certain rules and necessary forms are still necessary.

Hada is a "gift towel" for Tibetans. Hada was originally a precious offering to the gods in Tibetan religious etiquette, and it was also a gift from monks to each other or to the living Buddha. With the development of social economy, it is not only a special offering of religious circles, but also the most common gift in the life of Tibetan people.

Hada is a special silk or hemp fabric, usually about 5 feet long and different in width, embroidered with folk patterns such as "Yunlin" and "Babao". According to the material, Hada can be divided into three types: ordinary cotton textiles, called "Susie", with a length less than 1 m; Mid-range goods are ordinary silk fabrics, called "Axi", about 2 meters long; The high-grade silk used by political and religious figures is the highest grade, called "Langcui", which is more than 3 meters long. According to the color, Hada can be divided into two types: one is a white Hada symbolizing purity and auspiciousness; One is colored Hada, the colors are blue, white, yellow, green and red. Blue means blue sky, white is white clouds, green is rivers, red is the protector of space, and yellow symbolizes the earth. As Ashi (colorful arrow), it is the most solemn gift for the living Buddha or the closest relative. According to Buddhist teachings, colorful hada is the costume of Bodhisattva, so it is only used under certain circumstances. According to the Tibetan scholar Chilequza's record of Tibetan local customs, Hada was introduced to Tibet in the Yuan Dynasty, and when Sakyamuni met Kublai Khan in Yuan Shizu and returned to Tibet, he brought back the first Hada. At that time, Hada was flanked by the Great Wall of Wan Li, embroidered with the words "good luck". Therefore, it can be said that Hada was introduced into Tibet from the mainland and was mostly produced in Chengdu, Sichuan.

In Tibetan areas, offering Hada is a universal and lofty etiquette. Whether it is weddings, funerals, folk festivals, paying homage to elders, welcoming guests, worshiping Buddha, exchanging news, interceding, building a new house, admitting mistakes and confessing crimes, etc. Have the habit of offering Hada. Offering Hada shows purity, sincerity, loyalty and respect for each other. Of course, it has different meanings in different situations. For example, on the festival day, people give Hada to each other to express their congratulations on holiday happiness, happy life and good health; When a man and a woman propose marriage, the middleman presents Hada first. If Hada is accepted, it means that marriage can be discussed. If Hada is returned, it means rejection. Hada was presented at the wedding, which means congratulations on the happiness of the wedding and wishes the newlyweds a mountain of love and a long life together. When welcoming guests, present Hada to express warm welcome and high respect to distant visitors; Hada was presented at the funeral, expressing deep condolences to the deceased and comfort to the families of the deceased; At the Buddhist ceremony, Hada was presented to the Lama and the living Buddha to express his infinite admiration for the Lama and his piety to religion. When praying in front of the Buddha, offer Hada to show your devotion to the Buddha. I hope the Buddha will bless you and everything will go well. In the letter, attach a hada to show the sincerity of the writer's feelings and the solemnity of his will; Give money and things to the actors in Hadari to show the sincerity of the audience; Call on elders to pay tribute to Hada, show respect for elders, and wish happiness, longevity and good luck; Offering Hada to your opponent shows that you want to make peace and get back together.

Offering Hada is a sign of civility and courtesy, so it is very particular. The giver of Hada should fold Hada into four pairs of double stare blankly, and pay tribute to the giver with double stare blankly, bow and hands neatly. The offeree must also bow and accept with both hands in return. Never give gifts with one hand and receive them with the other. There are many different ways to offer Hada: when offering Hada to superiors, younger generations, elders and living buddhas, you should bow your head and hold Hada in your hands and put it on the table or at your feet in front of your seat. The other party does not return to Hada. At this time Hada expressed his respect and gratitude; As a gesture of friendship, the peers offer Hada equally, and they should give it to each other, and the other side should return Hada; The superior presents Hada to the subordinate, and the elder presents Hada to the younger generation to show cordial care and kindness. Hada can be hung directly around the other person's neck. If it is a festive ceremony, the host often returns Hada to the giver and wraps it around his neck. When others present Hada to themselves, they should lean forward slightly, respectfully take it with their hands, and then hang it around their necks to show their gratitude.

In Tibetan areas, borrowing money, petitioning or asking for help is also a respect for Hada. Hada refused to accept it and returned it to Hada's face. Sometimes the requester insists on submitting, goes back and forth many times, and refuses to accept, which shows that the requester's wish can never be realized. In many places, there is also the habit of offering Hada to buildings, utensils, bridges, cowhide rafts, etc. When a new building is built and a new ship is built, a ceremony will be held and Hada will be tied to express congratulations. During the spring ploughing ceremony, Hada was tied to a loudspeaker to wish a good harvest in the new year. At the wedding, when the bride enters the door, the sender will present Hada to the man's gate, stairs, pillars, kitchen, wool mat, Buddhist shrine, etc. As a sign of good luck and peace.

Offering Hada is a fine traditional habit of Tibetan people, which has been regarded as the supreme etiquette for generations. Hada is priceless. Although it is not as valuable as gold, it is more respected than gold. Because it symbolizes a golden heart, represents the most sincere feelings, entrusts with the best wishes and marks the highest respect.