Culture, Religion and Arts of Tibet

Tibetan Buddhism

To understand Tibetan life, we need to start with Tibetan culture. Archeological evidence suggests that the first people to reside in Tibet were pastoralists; they herded flocks across the wide and high-elevation region on the east side of the Himalayas known as the Tibetan Plateau. By the 1st century BCE, these early Tibetan people had learned to farm, something they likely picked up from Indian or Chinese civilizations.

By the 7th century, the various tribes and kingdoms of Tibet were organizing into a unified state with a unified culture and language. They developed a written language based on Indian writing systems and used it to create their own forms of literature and poetry. One of the most important staples of this unified culture, however, was religion. The Tibetans followed a shamanistic religion called Bon. It was one of the most important elements of their society.

Religion would continue to be a major factor in Tibetan life. In the 8th century, Buddhism entered Tibet from India. Over the next 200 years, Buddhism became popular amongst the people, fused with some of the practices of Bon, and finally emerged as a state-sponsored religion. Buddhist temples popped up all over Tibet and became the centers of religious, cultural, and intellectual life.

The role of Buddhism would expand even further after the 13th century when the Mongols entered Tibet. Tibet became a Mongolian vassal, and the leader of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism impressed the Mongols so greatly that they made him their appointed ruler of Tibet. The third person to hold this position of priest-king managed to convert one of the great Mongol tribes to Buddhism and took the title Dalai Lama. That title was posthumously applied to the first two priest-kings of Tibet as well. We can think of the Dalai Lama sort of like the Pope of Tibetan Buddhism. It's a very important religious, cultural, and political position.

Tibetan Culture

Tibetan Culture. Due to its Geographical and Climatic condition, Tibet has developed a unique culture. With the significate influence from the neighboring cultures from other parts of China, India, and Nepal. The inaccessibility and remoteness of this Himalayan region have helped preserve and develop the distinct local culture in Tibet.

Since its introduction in the seventh century, Buddhism has a strong influence on Tibetan Culture. Tibetan Art, Literature, Music and all our expectations of our daily life contain elements of Buddhist beliefs. Buddhism itself has evolved in this unique form main influence the pre-Buddhist nature religion call Bön religion.

Tibet’s climatic and geographic have encouraged dependence on pastoralism, also the development of a unique cuisine from surrounding regions, which fits the needs of the human body in these high altitudes. During your tours in Tibet, You will experience our unique culture and tradition in Tibet. Because all our Tibet tour packages are designed to maximize authentic Tibet travel experiences.

Tibetan Arts & Architecture

Traditional Tibetan Architecture is easily-Recognizable forms of architecture and one of the world’s most unique. Yet, studies of Tibetan architecture is still very much unexplored field. With the construction of the first Tibetan Buddhist temple in Central Tibet, we have 1300 year of written history of About Tibetan architecture. Tibetan construction activities can be traced back over 1300 years when the first Buddhist temples were built in central Tibet. Jokhang temple is said to be the first construction in Tibet. Yet there are some buildings which are said to be older than the Temple.

Tibetan use the skill and crafts for expressing their belief and devotion to Buddhism. From making the Mask to the painting Thangka, it is most important for us to do it for the proposal to spirituality. Therefore, During your trip in Tibet, you can visit some of the Tibetan handicraft centers. Where you will see the Tibetan arts and Crafts in Making.