29/11/2020
Monks And Nuns in Bhutan:))
Images of shaven headed monks and nuns, wearing deep burgundy and maroon colored robes, reciting Buddhist scriptures and rhythmically beating the drums and other ritual objects whilst reciting the prayers, or playing soccer or the Bhutanese version of "darts" during their leisure time are the most common sight in Bhutan. It could be very revealing but the travellers must understand it as a way of life in Bhutan, and not as some tourist spectacle. Majority of monks and Nuns that you’ll meet in Bhutan are likely to have come from poor, rural backgrounds where parents send their sons and daughters for a lifelong service hoping for an education on a respected path that represents a better future which are all fully funded by the government or either by a highly learned Buddhist masters depending upon where the child gets enrolled as monks.
Learning some basics about Buddhism and monks in Bhutan is a great idea for not only discovering one of the bedrocks of Bhutanese society, but a greater understanding of Buddhism and Bhutanese culture will help you travel with more confidence, and it won’t take too long to grasp the basics before you visit Bhutan and you certainly don’t have to be devoutly religious to revel in the incredible architecture and sacred symbolism adorning the country’s centres of Buddhism. All offer travellers a uniquely personal account of Buddhism in Bhutan with no trip complete without hiking to Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest monastery.
