Ethnic Minorities in Tibet

There are more than ten ethnic groups in Tibet, including Tibetan, Mongolian, Nu, Drung, Moinba, Lhoba, Hui, Naxi, Deng and Sherpa. Among them, Tibetans are the dominant inhabitants of Tibet, accounting for d92.2 percent of the local population.

The Tibetan ethnic group of China is noted for its diligence, bravery and long history. Tibetans live mainly in Tibet and also in some areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces. They have their own language and written script. Most Tibetan people are Buddhist. Their staple food is barley flour, and they like to drink butter tea, milk tea, barley wine, and eat beef and mutton. They do not eat odd-toed mammals. In ancient times Tibetan people buried their dead. Now they perform cremation, exposure burial and water burial.

The Moinba is an ancient ethnic group on the Tibet Plateau. Most Moinbas live in Moinyu in south Tibet, and he rest are scattered through Medog, Conag, Nyingchi and other counties. Moinbas have their own language but no written script, and the Tibetan language and script are widely used among them. Moinbas live on agriculture, but are also involved in animal husbandry, forestry, hunting and handicrafts. Their staple foods are rice, corn and buckwheat. Most Moinbas believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Primitive sorcery is also worshipped in some areas. Water burial is popular among Moinbas, ground burial, exposure burial and cremation are also conducted.

Most Lhoba people live in Lhoyu in southeastern Tibet, and a small number live in Mainling, Medog, Zayu and Lhunze. The Lhobas have their own language but no written script, although a small number know the Tibetan language and script. Lhobas live on agriculture. Their staple foods are corn, millet, rice and buckwheat.

The Hui people in Tibet are concentrated in Lhasa Xigaze and Qamdo. Most of them are engaged in trade, handicrafts and butchery. They use both Tibetan and Han characters in everyday life, and Urdu and Arabic for their religious rituals. Hui people are Islamic and have built mosques in Lhasa and other places.

The Deng people reside in Zayu County in Nyingchi Prefecture. They have their own language but no written script. The Dengs live on agriculture. Before liberation, the Dengs stills used the primitive slash-and-burn method. After liberation, with the help of the government most of them have moved out of forests and settled on the river valley.

The Sherpa people are concentrated in Lixin Township, Dinggye and Zhentang. They have their own language and use Tibetan script.

The emigration of Han people to Tibet can be date back to the Qing Dynasty. These days Han residents in Tibet are mostly technicians, workers, teachers, medical professionals and officials from other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China.  Incense | Incense Burner | Buddha Statue | Buddha Pendant | Buddha Gifts | Kuan Yin Statue | Prayer Mala | Chinese Deity Statue | Dragon Statue | Lucky Frog Gifts | Feng Shui Gifts | Calligraphy Gifts | Chinese Gifts | Chinese Chop | Chinese Urn | Chinese Jade Gifts | Chinese Vase | Chinese Lion | Chinese Crystal Globe | Chinese Zodiac Gifts | Chinese Puzzle Ball | Chinese Necklace | Chinese Pillow | Chinese Table Runner | Chinese Bonsai Tree | Bonsai Accessories | Bonsai Books | Blue Willow Pottery | Pink Willow Pottery | Meditation Music | Buddhist Music | Thai Gifts

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Tibet Buddhism

Religion in Tibet - Buddhism in Tibet Buddha means 'the enlightened one'. Sankyamuni (saviour of the sakya clan) is a title of respect for the man named Siddharta Gautama, who was born a prince in the north India around 500 B.C.. He grew up in luxury, shielded from contact with human misery, and married young,. One night curiosity led him outside, where he saw shocking examples of disease, old age and death. Determined to find a way to save mankind from suffering sakyamuni left his wife and child, renounced his princehood, and spent long long years wandering as an ascetic. At last, fasting and meditating under a tree, he received enlightenment.

Buddha's insight into ultimate reality was embodied in the four noble truths and the eightfold path. He wished to be a guide, not an authority, and early buddhism was a way of life rather than a religion. Its teaching encouraged people to take full responsibility for their thoughts and actions and to progress along a path to spiritual growth.

Buddha's followers formed open communities of monks and nuns, who lived disciplined lives and sought wisdom, their prime virtue. For 500 years, while buddhism spread throughout India, all teaching was oral. In the third century B.C. this early form of Buddhism in India, called theravada, took root in ceylon and spread onto other parts of south and southeast Asia.

In the north, a new form of Buddhism appeared, called mahayana or the greater vehicle, which appealed to many more people. Though sharing basic doctrines with hinayana (thervada), its emphasis changed. Compassion was its chief virtue, and its ideal was the bodhisattva, a perfected individual who gave up release from the cycle of rebirth in order to return to earth and help all sentient beings. Buddha was now treated like a god. Countless mythical Buddhas were invented to embody all of his aspects, and their images were worshipped in temples. By the first century ad, scriptures, called sutras, laid down doctrines and monastic rules and recorded Buddha's sermons as they were remembered. Mahayana Buddhism spread to central Asia, china, Korea and japan.

A third type of Buddhism saw man's harmony with the universe as the key to salvation. Adepts of tantrism in India tried to manipulate external forces by magic, while followers of chan in china induced inner harmony through meditation.

Buddhism died out in India around 1200, as Hinduism revived and harsh moslem invasions destroyed Buddhist centres. But Buddhist doctrines and scriptures lived on in Tibet, where Buddhism was promoted by the kings. The faith almost vanished with the end of the monarchy in the ninth century. When it arose again, Tibet's decentralized conditions allowed Buddhism to split into some 20 sects.

The following five became the most important:

Nyingmapa
The ancient ones, began around 750 ad with padmasambhava. It absorbed the bon faith and produced the Tibetan book of the dead.

Kahdampa
Began with atisha after 1050 ad. Its tradition laid stress on the scriptures and discipline, and it formed a link with India's sages.

Kagyupa
Began around 1060 ad with the teachers of marpa and milarepa. Most typically Tibetan, it stressed yoga as the way to seek enlightenment.

Sakyupa
It arose in 1073 ad at sakya monastery, which later governed Tibet. It was worldly and practical in outlook, less concerned with metaphysics.

Gelugpa
The virtuous ones or yellow hats, began with tsong khapa in 1407 ad. It absorbed kahdampa and carried on atisha's tradition. It dominated Tibet after the 17th century, leaving other sects to play a minor role.
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Monasteries and Temple in Tibet

Tibet is a scintillating and unexampled land which holds its religion and spirituality to top priority. The moment you enter Tibet, you will be able to make out that the religion which is followed most here is Buddhism. Huge and stunning temples and monasteries of Tibet are not the only place where you can see religious arts and artifacts; in fact you will see a religious tinge in almost every man made object in Tibet, be it in a bustling temple town or a sedate village. But still the temples and monasteries are the center of religious activities and gatherings. All these temples have a different aura about them.

What Is the Sanctity of Jokhang Temple !

The most important monastery to Tibetan is the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the only section that has not yet been destroyed by the Chinese invaders. The Barkhor street that runs all around the Jokhang temple, whose origin dates back to 7th century, witnesses many pilgrims walking on it, praying. The temple itself was built in the year 642 by the legendary king Songtsen Gampo. The temple consists of lavishly decorated halls and rooms. The main hall has a statue of Sakyamuni, which is probably the most worshiped statue in Tibet. You will find a huge crowd on almost all days of the year. Apart from pilgrims, tourists also throng to this place.

How Magnificent Samye Monastery Can Be !

  Samye Monastery, located in the Shannan region, is also equally important to the people of Tibet. They say if you see the complete temple, you would have traveled the entire universe. And to be honest, virtually you do. This monastery is built in a manner which copies the formation of universe exactly the way it is mentioned in the sutras. The grand Wuzi hall in the center represents Mount Meru, the central world. The chapels in north and south of the hall are considered to be Sun and Moon respectively. There are many smaller yet classically decorated halls that represent the continents of the world. The uniquely designed monastery is also famous for the various murals on the walls of the monastery and ancient artifacts that are well preserved and can be found only in this monastery.

Can There Be Anything More Grand Then Tashilhunpo Monastery !

Built in the year 1447, Tashilhunpo Monastery has become a prominent landmark on the face of Xigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. The monastery has been the seat of Panchen Lama for hundreds of years who is the second most important religious leader of Tibet after Dalai Lama. The monastery witnesses the largest number of visitors during the Buddha Thangka display festival which is held on every 14, 15and 16 of May according to Tibetan calendar. If possible you too should make a trip to this monastery during these days, the festival sights are really amazing. Inside the monastery, just walk around and you will come across Maitreya hall, the most important of the monastery, where you will see the biggest statue of sitting Maitreya Buddha statue. The hall has different floors, so go to the top floor from where you will get the best view of the statue. The monastery is a must visit for all who come to Tibet.

Is Palkhor Monastery Called A Divine Illusion !

  Situated in Xigatse around 230 km from Lhasa, Palkhor Monastery is also called Baiju Monastery(Chinese name). The temple is famous for the incredible combinations of temple and stupa that was once seen in monasteries from 13th to 15th century. You will find its main attraction, the Myriad Buddhas Stupa to be immensely ravishing. The stupa has more than 3000 statues in it of many legendary icons from Divine Buddha to famous King Songtsen Gampo. With time, the monastery has become a favored tourist destination and you just can't afford to miss it.

Sakya Monastery - Can Magic Be Carved in Stones !

This monastery for sure has to be the most treasured part of Tibetan soil. The monastery, built in 1073 and having more than 900 years of history is considered as the 'Second Danhuang'. The monastery houses around 3000 pieces of sutras and precious work of art that are over thousand years old. The main attraction of the monastery is the Lakhang Chenmo hall that covers more than 5500 sq. m. and has 40 huge pillars. Even the big Chanting Sutra Hall is going to leave you spellbound by its sheer size. The monastery is specially going to be a wonderful treat for all antique and artifact lovers.

Temples and monasteries of Tibet are the timeless classics that everyone should see and experience at least once in their life. No place in the entire world is so dedicated to its religion as Tibet is and this is evident from the number of monasteries present and the effort that has gone into preserving them. Visit them and listen to the voiceless stories that they all have to tell.
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Culture of Tibet

Culture of Tibet - Natural Hues of Colorful Lives ! Tibet has the richness and the depth of its traditions that is deep rooted in its cultural heritage. The wisdom, the knowledge about life, compassion, tolerance and peace of mind, all contribute in making the culture of Tibet. The simplicity of life, the spirituality of minds and rich customs and traditions give a strong hold to this alpine region which is entirely bedecked with its holy charisma. Comes and experience this magical world of culture.

Which Are The Famous Dances of Tibet !

The most stunning part of Tibetan culture is its performing arts. Every Tibetan can sing and dance. Be it music, dance or drama, they all have been unimaginably impervious to western influence. They purely reflect the cultural heritage of trans-Himalayan region. Unlike other countries, the music and dance here is not mainly for entertainment, but most of the songs here are religious, reverberating the influence of Buddhism on Tibetan culture. Listen to the songs carefully, you will notice the singing style of Tibetan's is quite peculiar; the songs are sung from throat in a different way that makes the sound echo in the valleys and can be heard even from long distances. They consider this as another medium of spreading their beliefs and religion as far as possible.

But dances definitely have an entertainment edge as well to them. They are generally performed during various festivals or any personal celebrations. Dances like Guoxie, Duixie (Tibetan Tap dance) and Quamo dance make the prominent part of every cultural event in Tibet. 

Does Religion Play an Important Role in Defining Tibetan Culture !

Culture of every country is hugely driven by the religion that is followed by the people of that country, and it is no different in Tibet either. Impact of Buddhism, which is the most widely practiced religion, can be seen on almost every thing you set your eyes on, even on the attractive key chain that you buy from the smallest of street shops have a depiction of Buddhism in some form or the other. People of Tibet take their religion, beliefs and values very seriously. In the past, every family was expected to send at least one boy to monastery which were religious centers imparting education. Even though the economic stability of Tibetans has increased many folds but still many people go to these monasteries for their studies.

What Do Art of Tibet Symbolize !

Art is probably the most visible form of religion in Tibet. The Paintings and craft works are deeply religious in nature. They are inspired by almost all religious beliefs, Mahayana Buddhist, Tantric influence, Bon influence, all have their say in the paintings of Tibet. Find the most amazing pieces of art works in the form of Thangka paintings, Wood prints and cliff paintings. You can buy them from any general store or from an art gallery. Whenever you pass by a big rock, look around it, you might just find the most intricate and beautiful piece of cliff painting on it, and it might be the oldest one as well, as the cliff paintings in Tibet is said to be ongoing from pre historic times.

Need to Know More About Tibetan Culture !

Culture of Tibet which is completely dedicated to Buddhism is arguably the most particular and convoluted of all that have evolved with time and made their presence felt. Everyone in your family can have a taste of the Tibetan culture during the many live performance shows that you can catch anywhere, on streets or in open fields. It's a good exposure for the youngsters to know about a different culture and tradition that will generate awareness and sense of tolerance towards other's religion. These shows equally fascinate the young and elderly people as they are full of life, colours and vivacity. For a more professional show, check out the timings of the shows from the tourism department. Most of the shows, by professional troops are held during festivals and fairs.

So don't let this opportunity go by, come to Tibet and find new paths towards happy life and learn new ways of living your life, satiated.
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