Tibet Local Customs

 
by ozalp
 
  •   Local Customs
    by ozalp
  •   Local Customs
    by ozalp
  •   Local Customs
    by ozalp
  • Sakya Monastery - of the Sakyapa Order
      Sakya Monastery - of the Sakyapa Order
    by Maria81
  • Inside the Assembly Hall of Tashilhunpo
      Inside the Assembly Hall of Tashilhunpo
    by Maria81
 
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Bon religion

by tompt

Bon religion is based is based on the concept of a world ruled by good and evil spirits, more shamanistic than Buddhism. It was the indigenous religion of Tibet was partly absorbed by the Buddhist traditions and gave the Tibetan Buddhism much of its distinctive character. In the eighth century, Songtsen Gampo established a unified Tibet, introducing Buddhism as the chosen religion. To prevent the Bon religion from being wiped out, the followers of the Bon introduced reforms and adopted aspects of Buddhism. You find Bon aspects like the animals in some temples today. In the pictures there are dead animals (all predators) hanging in front of a protector chapel. In this sort of chapel there are all demon statues, to frighten the human ghosts, the dead predators have to frighten the animal ones.A distinct difference between Bon and Buddhism is: Buddhists turn the prayerwheel clockwise and...

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Yakbutter

by tompt

In every monastery you see the yakbutter lamps burning. The lamps are filled with yakbutter by the pilgrims. It is used because there is no smell when the fat butter is burning.Originally it was real yakbutter from the yaks of the pilgrims. But today you can buy a yellow package in front of the monastery, it is not the real thing it is imported butter from India or elsewhere, mostly not even from the yak. Most pilgrims bring it in the yellow package, but you also see pilgrims with molten yakbutter in thermos cans.

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Dharma Wheel

by tompt

The Dharma Wheel, often in golden color, symbolizes the unity of all things, but also the spiritual law ans Sakyamuni himself. It is usually flanked by two deer. The deer were the first to listen to Sakyamuni's teachings. The male deer symbolizes the realisation of paradise while the female deer symbolizes the realisation of emptiness.The Dharma Wheel is often seen on the entrance of monasteries.

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Om Mani Padme Hum

by tompt

Om Mani Padme Hum is the most common mantra in Tibet, recited by Buddhists, painted or carved on rocks and prayer wheels.Tibetan people believe it is good to recite the mantra of Chenrezi (The protective deity of Tibet). It helps against negative Karma, helps you to reach your goal and so on.It is not easy to translate the mantra into other languages. The Dalai Lama said the mantra means one can transform one's impure body, speech and mind into those of a Buddha by following the path which is inseparable integrality of method and wisdom. Om, symbolize one's impure body, speech and mind, but also the pure noble body, speech and mind of a Buddha. Mani means jewel and symbolizes factors of method, compassion and love.Padme means lotus and symbolizes wisdom. Hum means inseparability and symbolizes purity.You hear this mantra everywhere and sometimes Tibetans asked us say it. They were...

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Prayerwheel

by tompt

The prayerwheel is the most common religious object in Tibet. There are different kind of prayerwheels. They start little attached to a wooden stick to hold in your hand. While walking you can turn it and the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is send to the heavens every turn is equal to saying the mantra.Then are those that are attached to the walls, often in long rows along a pilgrim route, turn the wheel around as you walk by and the result is the same. We also saw one that was turned by a small stream, diverted from the river.See our short movie of the prayerswheel attached to the wall of the Labrang monastery in Xiahe here.Although Xiahe is outside the area that is called TAR (Tibetan Autonomous Region) in the past it was a part of Tibet and the Tibetan tradition is kept alive here.

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Prayerflags on the mountains

by tompt

Ofcourse the wind blows best at the top of a mountain. That is the place you see the most prayerflags. People hang prayersflags at this locations to get happiness and health for oneself, their loved ones and neighbors. But it is also said to work for complete strangers in the area or even your enemies..

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Prayerflags on houses

by tompt

On top of every house you will see these colorfull prayerflags. They are used to purify the air and to please the gods. When the flags wave the prayers are going to the heaven.The flags are basicly pieces of cloth in 5 colors with Buddhist sutras printed on it.The colors are red, green, yellow, blue and white representing the elements: fire, wood, earth, water and iron.

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Wheel of Life

by tompt

The Wheel of Life is often seen at the entrance of monateries. It depicts the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. It is devided in parts that depict the different stages of life.The wheel is held by the lord of death. In the middle are the snake (anger), the pig (ignorance) and the cock (vanity). Around that is a ring devided in two parts (day and night). The next ring is devided in six parts, the six sorts of rebirth: humans, demi-gods and gods in the upperpart, hungry ghosts, animals and hell in the bottom part.The outer ring is telling about life from birth untill old age.

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Sky Burial 3

by Bonobo2005

The vultures are temporary kept away while the body breakers break and chop the bones.It's quite an unusual sight for Westeners, but less "disturbing" than expected for most. However, don't even consider staying around if monks or others have the slightest objections!

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Tashi-Delek to the Locals!

by jadedmuse

We enjoyed exploring around the Jokang Temple and in doing so, came across a wonderful older woman who befriended us and brought us into a small, side temple. We couldn't understand Tibetan and she didn't speak English - but she gave us a lovely tour nonetheless and we'll always remember her sunny smile and warm personality. Most Tibetans are unassuming and friendly like she was....if you treat them with respect and show a genuine interest, most of them will want to share of themselves with you. It's really remarkable.

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Local traditions and culture in Tibet

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Local Customs: Cities in Tibet
  1. Lhasa Local Customs
  2. Gyangze Local Customs
  3. Xigaze Local Customs
  4. Samyai Local Customs
  5. Zhigung Local Customs
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Q:  Hi there! Me and my friend would like to got to Tibet Mid-August. Since we are both AUSTRIAN we are currently looking for two to... 

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A: Just reading the news two monks burned themselves alive in front of the Jokhang temple In Lhasa one died. Protesting against the Chinese occupation. 

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