Additional Information

 

More about religion and people:

 

      Bhutan is the only county in the world with the tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. Tantric Buddhism is considered the final development of the religion’s long evolution. Tantric buddhism recognizes bodhisattvas (“BOD-hi-sat-vars”), which is the enlightenment beings who have progressed to the point of Nirvana and help others toward their goal. 75% of the population are tantric buddhists. In Bhutan it is forbidden to force people to change religions, but they may change if they wish to. All branches of Buddhism agree on the basic principles of the belief system. The basic tenets are, The Four Noble Truths (What Buddha has realized, while resting under the fig tree, is that life is ruled by four truths, truths the Buddha called the Four Noble Truths.), The Noble Eightfold Path (What Buddha has realized, while resting under the fig tree, is that life is ruled by four truths, truths the Buddha called the Four Noble Truths.), and The Five Precepts (Buddha’s five rules for everyday life). Bon was an ancient religion that existed throughout the Himalayas before Buddhism arrived in the seventh century. Buddhism doesn’t prohibit the belief of two or more religions, so Bon belief became fused with Buddhism. Some of their beliefs include the fact that Buddha proclaimed the absence of any god and replaced by the philosophy of cause and effect (Karma).

      The most respected people of Bhutan are the monks who, doesn’t handle with money and dedicate their everyday life into helping mankind. There are no large land-owners, any adult can run for election, the distinction of wealth doesn’t lead to social separation, It’s not unusual for villagers to be visited by their king, and the term “gross national happiness” was made by Jigme Singye Wangchuck to create a unique Bhutanese national identity built on traditional values. Also, when a  baby is born, the parents seek out for a monk to name the child.

 

Interesting Facts

 

 

1. Bhutan's name translates to “The Land of the Thunder Dragon”, because of the big and violent storms that come from the Himalayas.

 

 

2. One-third of Bhutan's population has less than 14 years and Bhutan´s median age of Bhutan´s people is 22 years.

 

 

3. Bhutan is the only country in the world that the selling of tobacco is prohibited.

 

 

4. Bhutan is about half the size of the state of India.

 

 

5. Bhutan had the first T.V in the country only 11 years ago.

 

 

6. In Bhutan, they educate you to refuse food when you are asked and you need to put your hands in you mouth after saying the words “meshu meshu”.