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People Of Bhutan
The country's population of 600, 000 is composed of
three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are
considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan,
live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of
Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly
Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and
are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The
Lhotsampas who re of Nepalese origin settled in a
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the southern foothills of the
country in the early twentieth century. This ethnic
diversity of the people has resulted in numerous
dialects and languages that are spoken throughout
the country. Dzongkha is the National language.
English is the medium of instruction in schools and
is widely spoken. |
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Religion In
Bhutan
Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan in the 7th
century by Guru Padma Sambhava. in the centuries
that followed, Bhutan was home to many sages and
saints including the great saints-scholars like
Longchen Ramjam, also known as Kuenkhen Longchen
Raamjam, (1308 - 1363). Various schools of Buddhism
in Bhutan assimilated other earlier practices and
beliefs. The aspirations towards enlightenment and
the belief in the
widely shared among Buddhists and majority of the
innate goodness of human beings are Bhutanese are
Buddhists. Hinduism is another religion, practised
particularly in Southern Bhutan. The Hindu religion
as practised by Southern Bhutanese has many common
saints and divinities with Vajrayana, the school of
Buddhism prevalent in Bhutan. Buddhism has a
significant influence on the values of the Bhutanese
and has shaped the institutions, organizations,
arts, drama, architecture, literature and social
structure. Bhutan's culture, as in other societies,
is continually adapting itself in the face of
development.
The importance of religious institutions continues
in present day Bhutan, as signified by the strength
of the monk body who number about 5000 in Dratshangs
or Rabdeys supported by the state. This figure takes
into account only those monks who are part of the
formal monastic structure supported by the state and
excludes those who are not part of the state
sponsored Dratshangs. The Rabdeys are based mainly
in dzongs. Each Rabdey is healed by a Lam Neten who
is appointed by His Holiness the Je Kherpo (Heal
Abbot), the elected Head of the Central Monk Body.
The present je Kherpo is the 70th incumbent. His
Holiness the Je Kherpo is the chairman of the nine
member Dratshang Lhentshog. Monks continue to play
an important role in the daily lives of the people
in performing religious ceremonies, and in promoting
and preserving traditional scholarship. They are
also actively involved in the process of development
while constantly renewing their relevance to society
in times of change.
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History of
Bhutan
Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan was
split up into small independent principalities.
After the arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh
century, the various Buddhist schools began sharing
the power in the country with the old aristocratic
families.
The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united the
independent principalities into one state. After his
death the theocracy disintegrated and the provincial
lords fought to gain control over the central power.
Only the establishment of the monarchy in 1907
brought peace again. Today the fourth King of Bhutan
is leading his country into modern times.
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Geography Of Bhutan
Bhutan is a landlocked country. It is about 47,000
kilometres - roughly the size of Switzerland. It is
located between Tibet in the north, Indian states of
West Bengal and Assam in the south, and Arunachal
Pradesh in the east.
Bhutan has three major land regions. The Great
Himalayan region in the north rises more than 4300 m
(14,000 ft) along the Tibetan border. This area is
uninhabited except for a few scattered settlements
in the high valleys. The Great Himalayas radiate
southward into central Bhutan, creating the Middle
Himalayan zone. |
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