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Just
as the kingdom's history is characterized by religious landmarks the
influence of religion is highly visible in every day life of the lay
population. Hundreds of sacred monasteries, stupas, religious
institution, prayer flags and prayer wheels which dot the
countryside provide a strong infrastructure and atmosphere for the
teachings of their living faith.
Both
urban and rural Bhutan, religious ceremonies and rituals are
performed regularly and with reverence. On auspicious days Bhutanese
families make pilgrimages to monasteries to offer prayers and butter
lamps. The horoscope of Bhutanese life is drawn from the scriptures.
National and regional festivities, coinciding with the seasons, are
major events for the entire population the year round. The Buddhist
world, thus, regards the kingdom with special importance as the last
bastion of Mahayana Buddhism. Earlier this century, an ethic
Nepalese minority, settled in the southern regions of the country,
brought Hinduism, which is regarded in Bhutan as being closely
related to Buddhism.
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