nyingchi religion
|
Religious Sects, Temples and Altars | ||||||||
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 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.
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. |
page[1]page
.
