pretty completely intermixed, but there has been relatively little intermarriage with the
indigenous peoples by the other Bhutanese.
RELIGION
In religion, 75% of the peoples are Buddhists and Buddhism is the state sponsored
religion. The remaining 25% are Hindus. There are elements of animistic practices
among the indigenous peoples as well as their being intermixed with Buddhism and
Hinduism. Only Buddhist temples are permitted in the country, but the Hindus are not
suppressed in their religious practices. The King participates in both Buddhist and
Hindu rituals and holidays.
Many of the Buddhist temples contain statues of Hindu gods and goddesses, like
Ganesha and Lakshmi; therefore, many Hindus feel quite comfortable in those
temples. After all, Buddha reached enlightenment among the Hindus of India and
preached his first sermon in Sarnath, India! Buddhism penetrates every aspect of a
Bhutanese person’s life. They are devout and deeply spiritual. Buddhism determines
names given to children, the dates of acceptable marriage, the chosen partner for
marriage. Houses must be blessed by religious figures on a yearly basis.
Prayer flags are everywhere. No Bhutanese person would pass a prayer wheel without
twirling it. Offerings are made regularly in the temples by the common people. The very
land itself is considered mystical and sacred because lamas and holy men sat under this
tree, or created an impression in stone with their bodies over there, and monasteries
are situated like eagle’s aeries on high mountain shoulders overlooking the valleys
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