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Monastery life |
Author:sichuan Source:china-panda time:2006-3-31 |
There used to be thousands monasteries in Tibet. Every family was expected to send at least one boy to the monasteries. Usually boys would be ordained at the age of seven and girls a bit older. Only at the age of 20 could they be fully ordained to take 253 Bhiksu vows. The monastery life used to be the only access to education and improved social status. People went to monasteries to get educated, to merit their family and to pursue religious fulfillment. However monasteries still draw Tibetans although educational and economic conditions in Tibet have been greatly improved.
The monastery life is rigorous. Monks are involved in all kinds of religious services and administrative tasks, on behalf of individual study and the monastery community. Daily life starts in the early morning and ends in the late night. The whole day is occupied with communal and individual religious services and the management of the monastery. Older monks, usually learned lamas, hold greater responsibilities such as maintaining discipline and leading the group prayers while younger monks help by running the kitchen, shopping and serving food and tea.
Religious study and services are the main theme of the monastery life. The newly ordained monks start from basic Tibetan language, grammar, literature, sutra chanting and prayers. Then time will be spent on Buddhism canons such as Abhidharma (Higher Knowledge), Prajnya Paramita (The Perfection of Wisdom), Pramana (Logic), and Madhyamika (The Middle Way). Generally the study process will last for 18 years or more. They study sutras and tantras and read Buddhist texts. Crafts, astrology and medicine are also the subjects they need to learn. Long term solitary retreat will be resorted to reflect and meditate on the meaning and implications of Buddhist philosophy. Sutra debate is important to help master and deepen Buddhist theology. Examinations are debates between applicant monks and high lamas. Those who pass the examinations held in their own monasteries will be qualified to participate the Monlam (The Great Prayer Festival) debate and a Geshe Lharampa Degree, which represents the highest degree in Tibetan Buddhism theology, will be conferred on those who win out. A Geshe Lharampa who wants to advance to a higher religious and scholarly fulfillment needs to attend to tantra colleges to get the Geshe Ngarampa Degree (Tantra Master). Only a few talented monks can enter a scholarly religious life and advance to religious fulfillment. Many others fall into more secular jobs such as craftsmen, builders, artists and cooks.
Nuns live a life similar with monks, in a more invisible manner. Their religious practice mainly focuses on meditation and prayer rather than advanced philosophical studies in less structured nunneries, although there were a few female great adepts in the Tibetan history.  |
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2009 Tibet Tour
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Classical tibet tour |
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These tours cover the World Heritage Sites of the Potala and Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Pilgrimage circuit, the huge monastic institution of Drepung and Sera Monastery, and also the holy lake - Namtso lake, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery, Nyingchi, E.B.C...
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Kham overland tour |
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These route are two main routes of Sichuan-Tibet Highway which links the Tibetan areas of Western Sichuan with mainland Tibet. The journey goes through the wild, mountainous and remote Tibetan areas of Western Sichuan, you will be amazed to see that Tibetan culture is in many ways better preserved here. The route offers an insight to the culture, custume and tradition of Khama people.
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All the way from Lhasa to Mt.Kailash, you will visit Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Lake Monasarovar. Make a 3-day trek around holy Mt.Kailash...
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Tibet is a land of rich cultual and ecological contrasts. The most popular trekking is in the centre of the region, around the major towns and highways. In our tibet trekking tour, we have recommended 5 popular trekking routes in Tibet, with a fantastic walking, superb scenery.
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