:: RELIGIONS ::

The earliest Tibetan religion was a type of animistic tribal belief system. The elements and certain mountain deities were worshipped and appeased with incense offerings, and special rock cairns strung with prayer flags would be conspicuously placed at high mountain peaks and passes to assure good fortune. The prayer flags would often be decorated with the longta or "wind horse" which was a symbol of good luck or good fortune. The wind horse was also printed on little squares of colored paper that the people would release in large quantities from high places to go fluttering off across the land. This would be done for special occasions when luck might be needed, like leaving on a trip, or as part of an incense offering. The idea was that the wind would carry the horses and your good luck (symbolized by the jewels carried on his back) higher and higher into the heavens where no one could hinder its manifestation. The wind horses were released with a loud cry of "Lhagyalo!" which means "Victory of the Gods!" Another practice in this religion depended upon a belief that talismanic objects or places were considered to have life supporting powers. A hostile force could therefore be defeated by using a representation of that entity's talismanic object in a ceremony of binding or exorcism. Talismans were also created to serve as objects of protection. Many of these rituals continue to be practiced today as they have been absorbed into the Buddhist tradition. Most people are not even aware that the traditions they practice today were not originally a part of Buddhism at all, but are strictly of Tibetan origin.

Another ancient Tibetan religion is the Bon religion, which was introduced into far-western Tibet from Persia during the time of the early Tibetan kings (approximately 247-100 B.C.). The Bon may have originated in Zoroastrianism or Kashmir Buddhism. It has been dramatically transformed with the introduction of Buddhism from India to the Tibetan Plateau, but originally it was noted for its elaborate funerary rites, its strong veneration of open space, and certain meditative practices. The religion was banned by Tibetan King Trisong Detsen in the 7th century because he felt the numerous animal sacrifices required annually by the Bon faith was causing an economic hardship on the Tibetan people. The Bon religion still exists, and has divided largely into two camps: the traditionalists, who reject all contact with other Buddhist schools, and the modernists, who have accepted more of the influences of the influx of Buddhism to the region.

The main religion practiced today in Tibetan culture is Buddhism, which migrated to Tibet from India in the 7th century. Tibetan Buddhism is divided into five main sects: Nyinmapa, Kagyulpa, Kadampa, Sakyapa, and Gelukpa. Each sect has slightly different ways or practices for following the same basic beliefs. Some of the beliefs common to Buddhism are a belief in reincarnation, and in karma, or a system of retribution for current actions in the next life, as well as a belief in the need to have compassion for all living things. Another important belief in Buddhism is in the Three Precious Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. A belief in the Buddha represents faith in the possibility of enlightenment. The Dharma is the body of teachings of Buddha and represents the model around which one may try to shape one's life when attempting to achieve the path to enlightenment. The Sangha is the community of teachers on this path who act as guides and aids to those seeking the way. There is a sense that these Three Jewels are inextricably intertwined and interdependant. One must have all three in order to effectively reach one's goal.

There are a large quantity of monks and nuns who reside permanently in monasteries and nunneries throughout the Tibetan Plateau, and spend the majority of their time in prayer and study. This religion is more personal than the more community based religions much of the western world is familiar with. The common person who is a Buddhist does not gather for services on a weekly basis with their whole community, but generally will go to a temple or monastery twice a month , and on special festival days or other important dates. They will go either alone or with family to make offerings (in the form of prostrations, butter, incense, kataks, and prayers) towards specific deities that represent different aspects of the Buddha, depending on their current need. The common person's spiritual practice is quite visible in everyday life however, even more so than in most western religions. It is quite common, especially in rural areas, to be at a normal gathering for a meal or conversation, and see several people working their way through a prayer cycle on their mala beads (the Buddhist's rough equivalent to a rosary).

There are three major religious holidays that occur in Tibetan Buddhism. "The Great Prayer"(Monlam in Tibetan) is a monastic festival that occurs on the 15th day after Losar (the Tibetan New Year) which usually falls somewhere in February or March. It is a time when many common people come to the monasteries to make offerings to the monks so that they will say special prayers for them. The monks have an intensive period of group prayer which may last from 10-20 days depending on the monastery. There are open teachings by the lamas during this time that anyone may attend. Usually at the end of the prayer session, there is a mask dance and the annual Maitreya transportation. Maitreya is the future aspect of the Buddha, and every year a representation of this deity is processed around the monastery as a finale to this festive period.

The second important holiday time is Saka Dawa, which is the name of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar. The 15th day of Saka Dawa is very important in Tibetan Buddhism, because three very important events are traditionally held to have occurred on this date: Buddha's birth, his enlightenment, and his death. In honor of this special day most people will spend several days in fasting and prayer. They may choose to eat no meat during the entire month so as to avoid killing any sentient beings. Occasionally, the fasting and prayer may be done at a monastery, but generally it is a personal holiday, followed in the home, and different people have different ways of practicing it.

The third holiday is Tsongkhapa's Anniversary Day, which falls on the 25th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar and is the date of his death. Tsongkhapa was a very important person in Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Yellow Sect (the Gelukpa). In honor of his memory, the people will make offerings of butter lamps. This occurs in both homes and in the monasteries.

This is just a very brief and shallow introduction to a very deep and complex spiritual practice, meant solely to give prospective travelers an idea of the types of practices they may see while journeying throughout the region. Anyone truly interested in learning more about Buddhism should not take this information as any true body of teaching as that is not its intended purpose.

Besides Buddhism, there is also a fairly large Muslim community throughout the Tibetan Plateau, though most reside in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai and Gansu. There are a number of Muslim mosques and cemeteries in various locations, and their presence in these areas is quite visible as it is quite common to see the women on the streets with their headscarves covering their hair. All in all, it is a region filled with diversity and a richly textured belief system made of numerous overlying layers interwoven and interspersed.