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Shoton Festival in Tibet

 

            The Qingzang Plateau, in the southwest of China, has long enjoyed the reputation of being "the Roof of the World", where the Tibet Autonomous Region, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters and an area of 1.2 million square kilometers, occupies a major portion. The majestic Tibetan highlands stand on top of the world and its unique cultural tradition has an international fame. This is a land of vast contrasts, with snow-capped mountains, deep sub-tropical rainforests and open pastureland set against imposing mountains and dense forests, all offering beauty unsurpassed. The great Himalayas lie in the south with towering Mt. Qomolangma standing above all the world's peaks. Native Tibetans have lived in this pure, mysterious and beautiful land for a very long time. Here, we can find a profusion of interesting features from the winding Yarlung Zangbo River, Mount Everest (Qomolangma), snow lotus, glaciers, yak butter tea, chang (alcohol), visits to Potola Palace and Tashijunbu Monastery, the enjoyment of Thang-ga (scrolled paintings), the Bathing and Shoton Festivals and much more.
             We arrived in Lhasa at the end of July to view the great spectacle of the Shoton Festival. In Tibetan language, "sho" means "yogurt", "ton" means "banquet". Every June and July on the plateau, all things spring into life so, to keep Buddha's discipline of "not killing", the followers of Degelugspa Sect. (Virtuous Order) of Tibetan Buddhism concentrate upon self-improvement and meditation between June 15 and July 30 of the Tibetan calendar. During this time no lamas are allowed to leave the monasteries. They should conduct themselves according to religious doctrine till they are allowed to go out. Through this period local residents offer alms of yogurt to them, hold festivities and play Tibetan Opera around the monasteries. And gradually, it became a festival, so that the Shoton Festival has also been called the "Tibetan Opera Festival".


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