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Religion

Guru Rinpoche |
Buddhism is
practiced throughout the country. The male protective deity of the country,
Yeshey Gonpo, or Mahakala, is a tantric Buddhist form of raven. Prior to the
advent of Buddhism, various forms of animistic religions, including Bon, were
followed in Bhutan. In some parts of the country these traditions and rituals
are still practiced by minority groups. |

Mandala
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Bhutan has been home to many
sages and saints over the centuries since Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism in the
8th century. Kuenkhen Longchen Ramjam, Phajo Drukgom, Pema Lingpa, Drukpa
Kuenley, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and Desi Tenzin Rabgye are some of the key
figures of Bhutanese Buddhism.
Drukpa Kagyu, a school of tantric
Mahayana Buddhism, is the official state religion. Although similar to
Tibetan Buddhism, it has its own set of unique beliefs and practices.
Religious institutions continue to play an important role in Bhutan. Besides the
formal monastic structure that is supported by the state, the monk body also
includes monks and nuns who are not part of state-sponsored institutions.
Monks continue to play an important role in people’s ceremonies, and preserve
and promote traditional scholarship.
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chorten |

monks debating with each other |
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The Buddhist faith has played and
continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical, and sociological
development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular
life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well-being. Annual
festivals (tshechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district.
They bring together the population of the district and are dedicated to either
Guru Rinpoche or other deities. Throughout Bhutan, stupas and
chortens line the roadside commemorating a place where Guru Rinpoche or another
Shabdrung may have stopped to meditate. Prayers flags are even more
common. Fluttering on long poles, they maintain constant communication
with the heavens. Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the
tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. |
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To ensure the perpetuation of
Buddhism in the kingdom, one son from each family normally attends monastic
school. While the dzongs are the centres of administrative and government
activities for the entire valley, they are predominantly the homes and temples
of the monastic community. |

prayer flags
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