2118 F I N A L With Bg 2

History of Tibet

How did the history of Tibet impact its culture?

Tibetan Buddhism formed the most significant part of Tibetan culture.

There were three important periods of Tibet history that formulated Tibet’s religion based culture.

1.Initial introduction of Buddhism According to Great Chinese (2002):

In the 7th century:

Tubo King Songtsan Gambo used marriage with

neighboring countries to build up peaceful relationships

in order to strengthen his own rule in Tibet.

Tubo King

He married two princesses:Princess Khridzun from Nepal and Princess Wencheng from Dang Dynasty (China)

These political marriages brought significant changes to

Tibet. This is because Buddhism was initially spread form

the princesses to Tibet.

1.Initial introduction of Buddhism

The initial introduction of Buddhism shaped the core of Tibet culture which was its religion.


Buddhist statues ,texts ,temples were all spread to Tibet.

The famous Jokhang Monastery(Da Zhao Si) was built by Princess Wencheng

Da Zhao Si Princess Wencheng


Buddhism initially was the religion of the King Songtsan Gambo and his wives. It was passed to his later successors and gradually grew form a royal religion to a state religion.

Buddhism originated form 7th century continued its development with local characteristics and became today’s Tibetan Buddhism. (Thrangu Vajrayana Buddhist Centre, 2006)


2.Combination of religion and politics

According to China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture (2008),

Started from Ming dynasty (1445), Dalai Lama became a prestigious title.

The one who gained this title was regarded as “living Buddhist” and was the most influential spiritual leader in the Tibet religion.

In Qing dynasty, Dalai Lama the 7th started to gain political power form the central government of Qing.

Dalai Lama then became a position to help the central government to rule Tibet.

Combination of religion and politics was then formed.

Dalai Lama used his existing religious influence to rule Tibet and secure stability and peace there.


This was very successful because nearly all Tibetan believed in Tibetan Buddhism. Therefore It was very easy to make all Tibetan to comply with Dalai Lama’s rule.


This form of political rule became a significant part of Tibetan culture.

It further strengthened the position of Tibetan Buddhism as the core of Tibetan culture.

Dalai Lama 7th Potala Palace:Center of administration


3. The PRC conquest of Tibet

Since 1950s, The People’s of Republic China(PRC) conquered Tibet, and the polices of PRC shifted its culture

1.Negative approaches by PRC to weaken Tibetan culture

Concerns of the PRC: (Hui ,2008)

a)Combination of religion and politics was the main sector in Tibetan culture in which Dalai Lama enjoyed great political power in Tibet.

The PRC adopts different negative approaches to attack Dalai Lama and Tibetan religion in order to maintain stable control over Tibet and check its independence.

b) Tibetan culture is much different from the one of the main ethnic (Han) in China.


For instance:

-Forcing the monks to insult and criticize their leader(Dalai Lama) (Ming Pao, 2009)

-continued condemnation of Dalai Lama for disturbing peace, creating riots in Tibet (Wen wei pao,2008)

-Stationing working teams in the temples to monitor the monks (Ming Pao, 2009)

Tibetan religion was challenged by the attacks from the PRC. The culture was facing serious crush form the central government


2. Beneficial polices from PRCIn order to strengthen its rule in Tibet, PRC adopted different beneficial polices to provide material assistance to Tibet. (Hui ,2008)

For the passing 50 years, 100 billions RMB have been invested in Tibet. (Ming Pao, 2009)

- improve the economy of Tibet by allowing foreign investment, opening various shops ,and boosting tourism industries in Tibet.

The original religious based culture which is seeking spiritual fulfillment in Tibet started to shift to a culture which emphasized material interests.

2. Beneficial polices from PRC

Cultural Specific Items

Cultural Specific Items-Religion

Marriage

-Under the consultation with a lama

-A woman will marry the eldest son and also

the younger one of the same family

-Aim at easing the inheritance of family

property

Prayer Wheel

-A cylindrical “wheel” with a spindle made by

metal usually.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Swayambhunath_prayer_wheels.jpg


-According to the Tibetan Buddhist

tradition, spinning such a wheel

will have same effect as orally

reciting the prayers.

-The wheel should be turned

clockwise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prayer_wheels_at_Nechung_Chok.JPG

Cultural Specific Items -Religion

Prayer Flag-prayer flags come in sets of five, one in each of fivecolors.-The five colors represent the elements,and the FivePure Lights and are arranged from left to right in aspecific order. Blue (symbolizing sky/space) White (symbolizing air/wind) Red (symbolizing fire) Green (symbolizing water) Yellow (symbolizing earth)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ladakh_prayer_flag.jpg


-Tibetan believe the prayers and mantras

will be blown by the wind to spread the

good will and compassion into all

pervading space

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prayer_flags.png


Sky Burial

-Do not traditional buried their dead

-Dead bodies disposed by sky burial

-Death is seen as a powerful agent of transformation and spiritual progress.

Procedures

-Three days after the death the body is

blessed, folded up and carried on the back

of a close friend to the burial site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sky_burial_site,_Yerpa_Valley.JPG

Special body-breakers will chop up the body and feed it to the vultures

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Skyburial.JPG

Cultural Specific Items-Clothings

Traditional Dress- Chuba

-A long sleeved sheepskin

cloak, tied around the

waist with a sash.

-The chuba originating in

the cold climate of Tibet.

Cultural Specific Items-Dinning

Proposing a Toast and Tea

-When you come to a Tibetan family, the

host will propose a toast, usually barley

wine.

-Guests should sip three times and then

drink up.

Cultural Specific Items-Dinning

-Do not eat dog, donkey and horse in Tibet.

-Noise should not be produced when you

are eating.

-Do not have mouth-full of food.

Cultural Specific Items-Art

-Tibetan art refers to the art of Tibet and other present

and former Himalayan kingdoms.

-Reflect the over-riding influence of Tibetan Buddhism

on these cultures.

-Commonly depict deities or different

Buddhas in various forms from bronze

Buddhist statues to painting.

A thangka painting

Painting about Wheel of Life

Cultural Specific Items-Music

-The music of Tibet reflects the cultural heritage of the

trans-Himalayan region.

-Tibetan music is mainly religious music.

-Reflecting the profound influence of Tibetan Buddhism on

the culture of Tibet.

Musician in Tibet

Cultural Impact on Individuals

Impact on Individuals

1.Values and attitude:

Combination of religion and politics:

1.Highly compliable to spiritual leaders(Dalai Lama)

compliable manner, seldom have any conflicts or disagreement

Religion:

2. respect lives

3.Harmonous coexistence with the nature(believed the nature connects to the Buddhists)



2.Living Habits:

1. Sky Burial as the way to treat death

2. Eating habit

Religion:Tibetan seldom eat fish, chicken and duck.They treat each animal as an individual life so they prefereating beef as a cow can feed more people.mostly they just have toast and butter tea as food.

-Dai Lai Bai

A form of worship to the

Buddhist

the whole body will fall

forward the ground to

present the respect

towards the Buddhist

(at least 100,000 times in their lives!)


3.Religious rituals (dominating part of their lives) (Yau,2006)

-Prayer Wheel

Used the prayer wheel to pray, and surround the

temples or mountain at the same time to show their

faith


-Tibetan families have Buddha statues in their home and worship the Buddha everyday.

3.Intellectual impacts

Subjugation

E.g. Karma

Religion:

-They will be good and follow the

Buddhism rules in order to get a better next life.

-The Buddhists are the only one to give peace,

honor and reduce their sins.


Cultural Impact on Society

Impact on Society

Religious based culture impact society

1.Tibetan Buddhism is the state religion

-Over 90% of Tibetan believe in Tibetan Buddhism.

The whole society was following the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism

-concern Pilgrimage as the ultimate goal

-Religious Celibacy to concentrate on pursuing spiritual fulfillment and reduce desire (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet,2008)

Tibetan Buddhism was the mainstream of Tibet, determining the values of whole society

Impact on Society

2.Social stratification:

-Dalai Lama is the spiritual as well as the most influential leader of Tibet

-Lama enjoyed the superior position in Tibet

High power distance:

-Very difficult to reach the position of Dalai Lama(decided not by personal achievement, but fate)

Impact on Society

3.Masculinity

-Female’s status in Tibet is far lower than men

According to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet(2008):

-They are not allowed to become Lama, which enjoy higher position

-Women rights are neglected

-Women are not considered to havethe ability to pursue higher level understanding of Tibetan Buddhism

Impact on Society

Impact on Hospitality and Tourism Industry


1.unique culture promote tourism

-Mysteriousness and the novelty of Tibet e.g. Temples, Buddha statues

-Unique customs and habits that cannot be found anywhere else e.g. Sky burial is a unique way of funeral in Tibet.

Tour operator can capture the unique culture of Tibet, promote this special destination image to tourists.

(Buckley, Ollenburg and Zhong,2008)

Eg. Access Tibet Tour Travel Himalayas Tibet Travel & Tour (P) LTD.

2.Provide service to Tibetan

Eg. Pilgrimage

-Tibetan make Pilgrimages at least once in their lives. They will leave

their home town to Lhasa for worshipping. This activity will last for a

month.

-Hospitality industry have chances providing accommodation ,food

services to them.

Tibetans on a pilgrimage to Lhasa. They are kow-towing every few steps of the way.

A Tibetan woman in Lhasa.


3.Enhance tourists experience

Tourists may like to experience Pilgrimage or other events in Tibet.

So tour-operators can provide tailor-made tours to interested visitors.

These sectors will be benefited:

-Transportation sectors

“The Qinghai–Tibet railway opened in July 2006 and boosted Tibetan tourism markedly due to the increased accessibility and affordability of travel to Tibet.”(Su and G. Wall, 2009,p.652)

Qingzang railway


Food Service:

Restaurants providing Tibetan food for tourists are not uncommon to see.

Event sectors:Locals arrange special events for tourists. Eg. Tibetan dance

Sho dun (Shotun) festival Tibetan dance food


4.Acculturation in hospitality

Accommodation sector:

-Tibetan cultural influence the design of Inns

and hotels in Tibet.

-The colours used are mainly gold, red and

white.

-Pictures about Buddhism can be found

everywhere in the place of accommodation.

The Lhasa Hotel

A hotel room in Lhasa hotel

The common room is full of Buddhism decoration


Hospitality and Tourism Industry impact on Tibetan culture

Benefits:

1.Create job opportunities for Tibetan.

They join this industry by :

-providing accommodation

- food services

- being tour guides.

-Even Lama are learning English

to welcome tourists!


2. Tibetan’s lifestyle modernized from grazing (primary) to trading (tertiary) providing.

3. Foreign currency exchange increases.

E.g. Tibet earned 1.1 billion and it has increased 36.27% compared to the national holiday week in 2008.(Ming Pao, 2009)


1.Conflicts between tourists and local community

1.Tourists may break the taboos of Tibet due to

misunderstanding

e.g. -touching a kid’s head is an impolite behavior in Tibet

-touching religious text

-wearing inappropriate dress (shorts)

-smoking(Die Ethnologie Tibets,2004)

Drawbacks:


-Prayer Wheel are sold as a kind of souvenir andbecome a tool to make money than to pray to the god.

-Tourists only regard the temples as place for sightseeing, but not for worshipping.

disrespecting

2. Tibetan is unpleasant with tourists disrespecting behavior to the Tibetan culture and religion.


2.commercializationHospitality commercialized the Tibet culturethe original culture started to disappearE.g. More tourists rush to visit celestial burials and so there are less sky burials nowadays

E.g. Tibet building are pulled downto build more commercial facilities, like cinema or karaoke to serve tourists.


Cultural Specific Items are losing their meanings Potala Palace

“The Potala palace will become nothing more than a mere showpiece of tourism for Chinese package tours. For Tibetans it’s just another example of the death of their culture.”

(Trevor H.B.Sofield & S.Li,1998,p 375 )

A crowded place for trading, tourist sights, not a place for worshiping Buddha.


Nowadays Lhasa:

tourists can no longer experience Lhasa as the centre of religion in Tibet.

only a commercialized Lhasa can be observed


1.Tourism industry brought prosperity to Tibet, the lifestyle of Tibetan has been changed.

E.g. they no longer ride on horse or live in tent.

2.The traditional thing that tourists saw in Tibet is mainly performance.

3.The changing culture of Tibet alter the form of tourism from ethnic tourism to cultural tourism.

Mutual Impact:


Tourists may not wish to visit Tibet as they cannotexperience the genuine Tibetan culture there, butexperience the “commercialized Tibetan culture”

Tourist arrivals may decrease sharply and affect all sectorsof tourism in Tibet.

Vicious Cycle was resulted:


Conclusion-The Tibetan culture impact the hospitalityand tourism industry in Tibet - However, the rise of tourism without properplanning destroy the culture.-Therefore, we should take a balancebetween conservation and development oftourism in order to have a sustainable tourism

Conservation of culture in Tibet

Hospitality and tourism industry

Reference

1. Yau, C. F. (2006). Listening Tibet. : Dharma Drum Publishing Corp

2. Great Chinese (2002). Retrieved, 2009 from http://www.greatchinese.com/emperors/empress/wenchenggongzhu.htm

3. Thrangu Vajrayana Buddhist Centre (2006). Brief introduction to Tibetan Buddhisim.Retrieved, from http://www.thranguhk.org/buddhism_history.html?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=550&width=760

4. China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture (2008). Qing policies toward Tibet. Retrieved, from http://big5.tibet.cn/g2b/www.tibetculture.net/zt2008/zzlsywh/lwjc/200809/t20080924_428347.htm#

5. Hui, W. Y. (2008). From Tibet to sensible nationalism, and the issues of autonomous city . Retrieved, from http://www.fireofliberty.org/trad/article/8917.asp

6. The ethnical conflicts in China. (2009, September 28). Ming Pao

7. Chinese representation condemned Dalai Lama. (2008, June 7). Wen Wei Pao

8. Sofield, H. B. & Li, F. M. (1998). Tourism Development and cultural policies in China. Annals of Tourism Research, 25 (2), 362-392.

9. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet (2008). Retrieved, 2009 from http://www.dalailamaworld.com/topic.php?t=175

10. There are 30 thousand tourists visited Tibet during the Golden Week. (2009, October 10). Ming Po

11. Su, M. M. & Wall, G., The Qinghai–Tibet railway and Tibetan tourism: Travelers’perspectives . Tourism Management, 30 652.

12. Die Ethnologie Tibets, Retrieved, from http://tibet.wordblog.de/2004/02/18/tibet-culture-and-custom-etiquette- taboo/

2118 F I N A L With Bg 2

Spiritual

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