Wonders atop the roof of the world
- By Zekarias Woldemariam
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 17, 2015
The summer season is the favorite time for Tibetan farmers to come to the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple and worship as they take a break from their agricultural work. They usually make offerings of money, elephant tusks and porcelain vases among others. Prayer usually involves burning incense, reading holy scriptures and a unique form of prostration in which the laity lie flat on the floor of the temple or the compound. In spite of some differences in basic religious tenets, the ritual ceremonies, construction and decoration of temples and the dress code of the Buddhist monks are amazingly identical to the traditions of Ethiopian Orthodox Church that I belong to. The feeling of proximity made me bless my presence in Tibet.
Buddhism was the earliest religion in Tibet. Later, in the 17th century, Islam and Christianity were also introduced. About 10,000 Muslims and 500 Christians live harmoniously in various cities of Tibet. According to Yixi Ping Cuo, the head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Office of Tibet, followers of both Christianity and Islam have now blended with Tibetan society and live together harmoniously.
Both the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are registered by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. In addition to the sites, the practices of the followers and the culture are also likely to become World Heritage and attract many people from across the world.
Tibet has the highest plateau of the Earth which is over 4,000 meters high. As a result it is nicknamed the roof of the world or the third pole (after the North Pole and South Pole). All these wonders are found atop this strange place, which adds to the uniqueness of a trip to Tibet.
The government of China is playing a key role in conserving the rich culture, language and religion of Tibetan people. One of the important and direct interventions is maintaining the social and physical wellbeing of monks and nuns of the religion. The Tibet Autonomous Region Foreign Affairs Office Director Liu Zheqiang says the government of China provides social security schemes for monks and nuns, free medical treatment and living allowances.
Prior to 1949 Tibet used to be a backward and feudal region where the resources of 95 percent of the people were controlled by 5 percent of the feudal lords. People also had no right to property and rather used to be considered property themselves. During the period a popular saying went: “When slaves die, they do not take anything except their own shadows, but leave behind their labor.”
Tibet remained backward in the manufacturing industry, road, electricity and related infrastructure. With the support of the central government of China, Tibet is now changing its image and progressing well in infrastructure and urban development.
All its progress has ushered in a bright future for Tibet, the Regional Foreign Affairs Office indicates. This is because Tibet has many unique wonders, and the development in infrastructure facilities and hospitality industry will promote its accessibility and popularity.
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