Buddhism's Influence On The Tibetan Culture
Tibetan Culture
The Tibetan culture did not just appear on its own, it was created because the geographic and climatic aspects of the area. It has been influenced by its neighboring countries like, Nepal, India, and China, but still remains a very distinct, influential culture. Buddhism has had a major impact on the Tibetan culture since it was introduced in the 7th century. Buddhist missionaries had come from the neighboring countries and they had exposed the Tibet's to their ways of literature, arts, and customs. The Tibetan culture is very strong in their traditions and has changed very little over time, and will continued to be recognized by surrounding cultures, and countries. Art is a very big part of the Tibetan culture. Buddhism
has a major influence on this aspect of their culture. Their arts include a wide range of paintings, frescos, statues, ritual objects, ornaments and furniture. A famous piece of art in the Tibetan culture is their rugs. They are primarily made of sheep's wool. It used to be all hand made until they advancement in technology. Rug making did not originate in Tibet, but Nepal people brought the knowledge of it. Scroll painting is also very popular in the Tibetan culture. The scrolls are primarily made from cotton or linen. In the scrolls there are deities, famous monks, and other religious figures depicted in the paintings. To make sure the scrolls are not destroyed or disturbed they are put in a colorful silk broad cades, the rolled up. In Tibet you can find frescoes and furniture on the Buddhist walls. Tibetans tend to be conservative when they dress. They do not like skin showing, even if it 100 degrees out. Some of them have started wearing Westernized clothes. Women wear dark-colored wrap dresses over a blouse, and a woven apron called a “pandagen.” A “pandagen” indicating she is married. Men and women both wear long sleeves, even during summer. Tibetans either wear their hair long or in a braid wound around their heads, which makes them look like they have a crown on. In their left ear they will wear a heavy, silver ring which is decorated with a huge ornament in either coral or turquoise. Tibetans cuisine differs from its surrounding neighbor`s cuisine. Thier crops have to be able to grow because of such the high altitudes in Tibet. Although in some places of Tibet you can grow crops such as rice, corn, oranges, bananas, and lemons. Their most price crop is called barley, and they use barley and flour to make tsampa the most stable food in Tibet. Tsampa is usually eaten with their national beverage, butter tea. It fits the needs of the human body in the high altitudes perfectly. Thukpa is noodle soup, Balep is bread eaten for breakfast and lunch., and Momos are Tibetan dumplings. Most of the cuisines are traditionally served with bamboo chopsticks. Tibetan differs from American culture in many ways. But it is interesting to learn new things about a culture you knew nothing about before. Tibetan culture will never change. I believe they will stay the strong culture they are and continue their social norms. It is also interesting how Buddhism has influenced Tibet so much, especially in their art and beliefs.
The Tibetan culture did not just appear on its own, it was created because the geographic and climatic aspects of the area. It has been influenced by its neighboring countries like, Nepal, India, and China, but still remains a very distinct, influential culture. Buddhism has had a major impact on the Tibetan culture since it was introduced in the 7th century. Buddhist missionaries had come from the neighboring countries and they had exposed the Tibet's to their ways of literature, arts, and customs. The Tibetan culture is very strong in their traditions and has changed very little over time, and will continued to be recognized by surrounding cultures, and countries. Art is a very big part of the Tibetan culture. Buddhism
has a major influence on this aspect of their culture. Their arts include a wide range of paintings, frescos, statues, ritual objects, ornaments and furniture. A famous piece of art in the Tibetan culture is their rugs. They are primarily made of sheep's wool. It used to be all hand made until they advancement in technology. Rug making did not originate in Tibet, but Nepal people brought the knowledge of it. Scroll painting is also very popular in the Tibetan culture. The scrolls are primarily made from cotton or linen. In the scrolls there are deities, famous monks, and other religious figures depicted in the paintings. To make sure the scrolls are not destroyed or disturbed they are put in a colorful silk broad cades, the rolled up. In Tibet you can find frescoes and furniture on the Buddhist walls. Tibetans tend to be conservative when they dress. They do not like skin showing, even if it 100 degrees out. Some of them have started wearing Westernized clothes. Women wear dark-colored wrap dresses over a blouse, and a woven apron called a “pandagen.” A “pandagen” indicating she is married. Men and women both wear long sleeves, even during summer. Tibetans either wear their hair long or in a braid wound around their heads, which makes them look like they have a crown on. In their left ear they will wear a heavy, silver ring which is decorated with a huge ornament in either coral or turquoise. Tibetans cuisine differs from its surrounding neighbor`s cuisine. Thier crops have to be able to grow because of such the high altitudes in Tibet. Although in some places of Tibet you can grow crops such as rice, corn, oranges, bananas, and lemons. Their most price crop is called barley, and they use barley and flour to make tsampa the most stable food in Tibet. Tsampa is usually eaten with their national beverage, butter tea. It fits the needs of the human body in the high altitudes perfectly. Thukpa is noodle soup, Balep is bread eaten for breakfast and lunch., and Momos are Tibetan dumplings. Most of the cuisines are traditionally served with bamboo chopsticks. Tibetan differs from American culture in many ways. But it is interesting to learn new things about a culture you knew nothing about before. Tibetan culture will never change. I believe they will stay the strong culture they are and continue their social norms. It is also interesting how Buddhism has influenced Tibet so much, especially in their art and beliefs.