Cloud Inhabitant of Himalayas: Bhotia People

Author: (American) Jiaolton, translated by Li Qiang, Chen Lijie
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Just like the medieval world once was, without machinery, art, literature, and knowledge were all spread by priests. In the homeland of the Bhotia people, supernatural forces still dominate their thoughts. Although they are not perfect, they give people an undeniable impression of unwaveringly following Buddhist ideals—compassion. The Bhotia people believe, "There can be no enlightenment or education without a lama." Tibetan Buddhism is their guide in the invisible world. The eternal Tibetan connection of the Bhotia people lingers deep in the hearts of this ethnic group, and they have a strong sense of homeland and local identity. The Bhotia people of the Kingdom of Nepal live on the southern edge of Tibet, in the near-center of the Himalayan region, with an average elevation of over 2,500 meters. Here, the Bhotia people live a secluded life, and the barren land makes it difficult to sustain them, so they rely on three livelihoods: farming, herding, and trade. The herders lead their herds into the mountains alone, facing various hardships and surviving in the harshest environment in the world. The Bhotia people have an open and generous personality, and it is precisely this openness, generosity, independence, and cleverness that allows them to survive and thrive. The Bhotia people's special exorcism rituals, intricate family relationships, adherence to Tibetan Buddhism, and sky burial ceremonies leave an undeniable impression on people.