Religion in Bhutan

Bhutan is a religious kingdom.  When you come to Bhutan, temples are a must-visit place for tourists and the highlights of their trip to Bhutan. For those who want to understand the religion in Bhutan, this article will definitely bring you great help.

Brief Introduction

Bhutan respects Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion. The people of the country generally believe in religion. Every household has shrines. Every village or stockade has at least one temple. There are more than 2,000 ancient Buddhist temples and more than 1,000 pagodas in Bhutan.

There are three main religions in Bhutan, Buddhism (state religion), Hinduism, and Bhutan primitive religion. Among them, 75% believe in Buddhism and primitive religion, and 25% believe in Hinduism.

Religion has a great influence on the politics and life of the Bhutanese, as religion is widely believed. Customs and habits often have a strong religious color, and the lifestyle is very simple.

Buddhism

The Buddhism of Bhutan is Tibetan Lamaism, which is the state religion of Bhutan. Bhutan Buddhism believes in a branch of Tibetan Lamaism-Kagyu Lamaism. The history of the introduction of Buddhism into Bhutan can be traced back to the middle of the 7th century. The earliest temple in Bhutan was built in 637. The Jampa Monastery was first built in central Bhutan valley by Songtsen Gampo, king of the Chinese Tibetan, to spread Buddhism. So today, Bhutanese all regard China's Tibet as a holy place for Buddhism.

Tibetan Lamaism

Buddhism prevails throughout Bhutan. Most Bhutanese are Buddhists. In the south, most Bhutanese of Nepalese and Indian descent believe in Buddhism. Yeshi Gonpo or Mahakahala is the main patron saint of Bhutan and it often appears in the form of a crow. The people of Bhutan are very pious, and the importance of Buddhism is clearly shown in all aspects of the lives of the people of Bhutan.

The religion of Bhutan has received strong support from various industries. Monks, nuns and gomchen (home meditation practitioners) occupy very important positions in people's daily lives. The monk officials in the religion of Bhutan are divided into the positions of Je Khenpo, the dean of the central monastery, and the dean of the local monastery, etc. Among them, the monks are the main body of Bhutanese Buddhism, accounting for the vast majority in number.

Hinduism

A small number of people believe in Hinduism. Hinduism became popular in India in the 8th and 9th centuries. As some Indians and Nepalese emigrated to Bhutan, Hinduism began to prevail in southern Bhutan. The followers are still the Indians and Nepalese who settled in Bhutan.

Hinduism

Hindus are mainly in the south, and there are Shiva, Vishnu and Sexualists. Hindu temples are also scattered in Thimphu. Bhutan also has Bon religion, but most of it has been absorbed by Red religion.

Primitive Religion

Primitive religion, also known as Bon or Bonpo religion, is a primitive religion in Tibet of China. It is an indigenous belief that combines spirit worship with witchcraft. Primitive religion was very popular before Buddhism was introduced into Bhutan. It is mainly manifested as animism, totem worship and ancestor worship.

Primitive Religion

Believers give all natural phenomena to gods. Heaven, earth, mountains, rivers, sun, moon, stars, thunder, electricity, forests, animals, etc. are all objects of worship. As soon as Buddhism was introduced to Tibet in the 7th century, it was welcomed by the main members of the royal family. For the sake of its own survival, the Bon religion has waged a long-term struggle with Buddhism, but its basic doctrines were unable to adapt to the needs of the emerging slave-owning class and eventually declined.