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Culture
of Tibet
Presenting
Khada
The white khada, made of grege silk, embodies purity
and good fortune. Presenting hada is a common practice
among the Tibetan people to express their best wishes
on many occasions, such as wedding ceremonies, festivals,
visiting the elders and the betters, and entertaining
guests. If you are receiving a khada, do remember
to accept with both your hands! Raise the khada
above your shoulder and bow if you are presenting
a khada to a statue or a high lama !
Proposing
a Toast and Tea
Proposing a Toast and Tea when you come to a Tibetan
family, the host will propose a toast, usually barley
wine. You should sip three times and then drink
up. To entertain guests with tea is a daily etiquette.
The guest has not to drink until the host presents
the tea to you.
Greetings
Don't forget to add "la" after saying
hello to the Tibetan people to show respect. Make
way to others. Try not to make any sounds while
eating and drinking.
Keeping
away from Burials
Sky burial is a common form in Tibet. There are
many prohibitions. Strangers are not allowed to
attend the ceremony. Visitors should respect this
custom and keep away from such occasions.
Tibetan
Buddhism
Also known as the Lamaism, the Tibetan Buddhism
was introduced to Tibet from the mainland and India
in the seventh century. The Tibetan Buddhism consists
of four major sects, the Ge-lug-pa(Yellow) Sect,
the Nying-ma-pa(Red)Sec, the Saturday-kya-pa(Variegated)
Sect, and the Ka-gyu-pa(White) Sect.
Dos
& Don'ts
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Do
not smoke, drink alcohol or make unnecessary noise
in monasteries.
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Do not touch, walk over or sit on any religious
texts, objects or prayer flags in monasteries.
-
Do
not kill or cause anything to be killed in monasteries.o
not be intrusive when photographing monasteries
especially when people are performing religious
ceremonies.
Always ask for permission.
Do not try to harm vultures, and yaks and sheep
wearing red, yellow or green cloth.
Do not step on the threshold when entering a Tibetan
house.
Do not spit before somebody.
Don't put trash in the fire.
Do not engage in public displays of affection.
Do not wear shorts !
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| Buddhism
in Tibet
Tibetans
first came into contact with Buddhism when they occupied
the oasis cities of Central Asia. In the 8th century,
the first of many missionary monks (Padmasambhava/Guru
Rinpoche) arrived and the country's first monastery
was established in 787. However, despite some early
success Buddhism soon went into decline due to opposition
from Bon, the indigenous religion, and political turmoil.
In the 10th century monks from India and Tibetans
going to India re-introduced the religion together
with many aspects of Indian civilization and it soon
began to flourish. As Tantra was the main type of
Buddhism in India at the time, it was that which became
established in Tibet.
From
the 7th century a new tradition of Buddhism began
to develop that was in several important respects
radically different from the earlier traditions. This
new tradition incorporated Tantric elements and is
known as Vajrayana (diamond or thunderbolt vehicle).
Tantrayana is characterized by an emphasis on the
value of magic and the propitiation of the bodhisattvas
and gods in the quest for Nirvana. It is an esoteric
and ritualistic doctrine that incorporates the use
of rituals, sacred gestures, symbols, mantras and
visualization to achieve realization. The key is to
channel the energy of all varieties of emotions, both
positive and negative, into the quest for sacred consciousness.
It has also developed a rich and complex variety of
meditation techniques. Tantrayana developed in Bengal
and Orissa and flourished during the period of Buddhism's
decline in India. (8th - 13th centuries). It had a
significant following in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand
where it was later replaced by Theravada. In Indonesia
it was superceded by Islam and in both China and Japan
it became moribund. It spread from India to Tibet
from the 8th century onward, flourishing and developing
there until its destruction in the 1950s. Today Tantrayana
thrives amongst Tibetan refugees in India and has
become perhaps the most successful Buddhist tradition
in the West.
The
fundamental precepts of Tibetan Buddhism are:
Refuge in the ‘Three Precious Jewels’
- the Buddha (Shakyamuni), Dharma (his teaching) and
Sangha (the monastic community)
‘Bodhicitta’ – the fervent wish
for the salvation of all living things and the desire
to free them from their worldly suffering.
‘Altruism’ – a dedication to bring
happiness to others.
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