The public religious activities
in Nyingchi have inherited the common characteristics
of Tibetan Buddhism. Differences in customs and traditions
of different minority groups have produced a variety of
religious sects.
| The Gongbo people used to be Bon
believers, and the most famous holy mountain of
Bon, the Benri Mountain, is located in Nyingchi.
It is said that the initiator of Bon religion, Shiro
Main'o, cultivated himself in this mountain and
attained the Way. During its development, the Bon
religion continuously fought with Tibetan Buddhism,
and gradually became a part of the culture of Tibetan
Buddhism. But in Nyingchi, a remaining polytheism
represents the ancestors' religious views. Every
fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Tibetan
calendar, every household member will walk around
the Benri Mountain. One circle around the mountain
is about 35 kilometers, and some old people will
circle it over 10 times. The people will also visit
the one-thousand-year-old trees in the Nyingchi
Village. Every village has its own altar, which
is shrouded with incense smoke during religious
festivals. |
 |
| A monastery of the Red Sect |
|
The Gelug (Yellow) Sect, being predominant in Gongbo area
for many years, has gradually become the major sect in
the area. The Red (Nyingma) Sect is influential in the
bordering areas. The Nyingchi area now has 97 various
religious sites, among which are 49 monasteries, 21 Lhakang
(sutra halls) and 27 Rizui (places where monks cultivate
themselves). The Yellow Sect has 26 sites, the White (Gagyu)
Sect has 9, the Red Sect has 46 and the Bon religion has
5,609 monks and nuns (the nuns number 45). They account
for 0.44 percent of the total population of the area.
Most peasants and herdsmen are believers of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Gongbo area has three major historically famous monasteries;
these are the Demo Monastery, Qangna Monastery and Zhaxi
Radain Monastery. They all belong to the Yellow Sect,
having a history of about 600 years. These monasteries
all house valuable images of Buddha and cultural relics.
 |
| An elderly man taking a ritual
walk |
|
Other famous local ancient monasteries
include the Dagze Monastery, the Lamaling Monastery
(also known as Sangdo Biri), which is uniquely shaped,
and Boqug Segyi Lhakang in Nyingchi County, the
Barqoide Monastery in Nang County, which has a history
of over 1,000 years, the Dordong Monastery in Bome
County (also known as Garwalung Monastery, with
a history of 600 years), the Renqenpeng Monastery
in Medog County, which is located in the White Horse
Hill, the Buddhist holy land, with a history of
350 years, the Renqenpeng Monastery, with a history
of 570 years, and the Lhagyia Monastery in Gongbo'gyamda
County, and the Tarba Monastery in Zaya County,
with a history of over 1,000 years. |
Having implemented the State's policies for religions
in a comprehensive way and having enhanced the administration
of monasteries, the government of the Nyingchi area has
guaranteed the priests' regular religious activities and
the laymen's freedom of religious beliefs. The monasteries
have become havens for studying and spreading Buddhism,
respecting religious beliefs, and protecting cultural
relics and tourism. |
