mDzod Rum by Abysskvlt "Treasury of the Womb of Existence" Tibetan Bonpo Ritual Funeral Doom Metal

1. sGo 11:47
2. lDemig 11:42
3. Phuglam 15:14
4. g.Yang-Ma 31:21
5. Dre'i Khroba 21:10
6. Nags Ligbu 16:56
7. Rigpa'i Khubyug 14:21
8. Mu Zhi mThu 22:02

In the Bön tradition of Tibet, mDzod Rum (more commonly referred to as the Srid pa'i mdzod phug) translates to the "Innermost Treasury of Existence" or the "Treasury of the Womb of Existence."
It is one of the most sacred and fundamental scriptures in the Bön religion, serving as the primary source for their cosmology, metaphysics, and cosmogony (the study of the origins of the universe).

1. The Origin and Lineage
The mDzod Rum is considered a terma (revealed treasure) within the Bön tradition. According to Bön history:
Source: It is attributed to Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of Bön, who is said to have taught it in the ancient language of Zhang Zhung.
Translation: It was later translated into Tibetan by the scholar Gyerpung Nangzher Lopo.
Rediscovery: It was rediscovered as a "treasure text" in the 11th century (specifically around 1017 CE) by the tertön (treasure-revealer) Shenchen Luga.

2. Core Themes: Light vs. Darkness
The text provides a complex, poetic explanation of how the world began. Unlike the more philosophical Buddhist Abhidharma, the mDzod Rum uses highly symbolic and dualistic imagery:
The Primordial State: It describes an original state of "voidness" or potential.
The Two Principles: It details the emergence of two fundamental forces: Light (representing order, divinity, and positive existence) and Darkness (representing chaos, non-existence, and negativity).
The Cosmic Egg: A famous element of this text is the description of "cosmic eggs" (white and black) from which the various gods, demons, and humans eventually emerged.

3. Philosophical Significance
While it is mythological in its storytelling, the mDzod Rum functions as the Bön Abhidharma. It categorizes:
The structures of the physical universe (mountains, oceans, and heavens).
The different classes of sentient beings.
The psychological and elemental components of existence.

Why it Matters
For a practitioner or scholar of Bön, the mDzod Rum is not just an old story; it is the map of the universe. It explains the relationship between the human soul and the environment, emphasizing that the world is populated by various spirits and energies that must be understood and respected.
In the mDzod Rum, the story of creation is not a "creation out of nothing" by a single god, but rather a process of emanation driven by the interplay of light and shadow.

Here is how the first beings and the world as we know it emerged from the cosmic eggs.

1. The Primordial Stirring
Before the eggs appeared, there was a state called Ye (the beginning/potentiality). From this state, two great "causes" arose:
The Cause of Light: A brilliant, white, and creative force.
The Cause of Darkness: A thick, black, and chaotic force.
As these forces interacted, a great wind began to blow, swirling the elements until they condensed into two massive eggs.

2. The White Egg: The Birth of Being
From the White Egg of Light, a being emerged named Sangpo Bumtri (also known as Ye-smon rgyal-po, the King of Created Light).

Appearance: He is often depicted as white in color, radiant, and peaceful.
Role: He is the "Father of the World." He represents the principle of existence (Yod-pa) and order.
Creation: From his own body and mind, he brought forth the gods (Lha), the pure realms, and the positive forces of the universe. He is the source of all that is visible, tangible, and life-affirming.

3. The Black Egg: The Birth of Non-Being
From the Black Egg of Darkness, a being emerged named Munpa Zerden (the King of Empty Darkness).
Appearance: He is depicted as black or dark blue, representing the void and chaos.
Role: He represents the principle of non-existence (Med-pa). He is the master of the "Dark World."
Creation: From him came the demons (Dud), the spirits of plague, darkness, and the fundamental obstacles that sentient beings face.

The "Nine Brothers and Nine Sisters"
Following the birth of these two kings, the text describes the further proliferation of the world. Sangpo Bumtri and his consort (who emerged from the light) produced nine brothers and nine sisters. These are the original "ancestor spirits" who govern different aspects of the natural world:

The spirits of the mountains.
The spirits of the waters (Lu or Naga).
The spirits of the atmosphere and stars.

This explains why Bön practitioners pay so much attention to the local spirits of the earth—they are seen as the literal "siblings" of humanity, all originating from that first burst of light.

The Psychological Layer
Interestingly, Bön scholars often interpret this text both literally and psychologically. The "White Egg" and "Black Egg" are also seen as the potential for wisdom and the potential for ignorance within every human mind. The struggle between Sangpo Bumtri and Munpa Zerden is the struggle we face every day between clarity and confusion.