Jan 28 2009
Of Religion and Life
The Tantrik form of Mahayana Buddhism or Drukpa Kagyu is the official religion of Bhutan. Bhutan is the only country in the world where this religion is practiced and recognized as the official one. Practice of religion is an integral part of social life and cultural development of Bhutan. Naturally, the Tantrik school of Mahayana Buddhism deeply affects the secular lives of the devout Bhutanese people.
Annual festivals like tsechus and dromchoes bring together people in each district, as do the numerous places of religious offerings and prayers like chortens and stupas. People circumbulate the chortens with prayer beads and prayer wheels. Every Bhutanese house has a room called chosum for exclusive use in offering prayers. The hills are seen dotted with prayer flags called dashi. These are believed to help the people maintain steady communication with the heavens.
