Kingdom in the Clouds

Interesting legend about the name

Bhutan, in the local Dzongkha language, is called Druk Yul, meaning "Land of the Thunder Dragon." This name originates from the frequent, powerful thunderclaps that occur in the region. Locals believe that thunder is the roar of a dragon, and that thunder represents the dragon's power and authority. This is why you see the image of a dragon with four claws clutching four precious jewels on the Bhutanese flag. The white dragon symbolizes purity and loyalty. The jewels represent prosperity, security, and protection for the people of Bhutan.

Land of spirituality

Bhutan is the last surviving Tantric Buddhist kingdom in the world . Since the 8th century, when Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan, Buddhist practices have permeated every aspect of life there. The religion influences art, architecture, festivals, and daily rituals, making it an integral part of the country's cultural fabric. Traditional Buddhist culture continues to thrive and harmonize with the modern world, and visitors can easily see this celebrated through many unique customs and traditions in Bhutan.

Monks are highly respected in Bhutan and play a vital role in community life and beliefs. Historically, it was common for each family to have one son enter a monastery, a custom and tradition in Bhutan that is less common today. Monks dedicate their lives to contemplation and meditation, prayer, and chanting.

A different conception of happiness

On this planet, most countries use GDP as an indicator to assess their growth and development. However, Bhutan seems to be different, as they don't seem to focus much on the economy . Here, instead of GDP, GNH (Gross National Happiness) is the indicator of the kingdom's success and development.

You can see the impact of this concept on people's lives as regulated by the government . With a greater concern for the mental and physical health of its citizens, as well as the environment, the Bhutanese government actively protects its forests. As a result, Bhutan is the only country on Earth with a negative carbon footprint. Smoking is prohibited in this country.

The Bhutanese live by a unique philosophy that emphasizes humility, renunciation of material possessions, and most importantly, compassion for others. They might even be upset if you chase away an insect from your clothing, as they believe that every living creature has its own life to live and should not be disturbed.

If you've ever felt lost in the pursuit of fame and fortune, take a trip to Bhutan and learn about their perspective on life and their advice on happiness.

Architecture

Throughout its history, Bhutan has largely followed the Tibetan Buddhist architectural tradition. Many of Bhutan's main attractions are the famous Dzong and ancient monasteries. Dzongs are a unique architectural presence in the kingdom because they serve multiple roles: as monasteries, fortresses, palaces, and central administrative centers. The reputation of Bhutanese monasteries is often linked to mythology and folklore passed down through generations, and they are considered sacred sites.

Traditional architecture is also applied to all other constructions. Most recently, in 1998, by royal decree, all buildings must be constructed with multicolored wooden facades, small arched windows, and sloping roofs. Therefore, when you visit Bhutan, you will see a relatively consistent architectural style across different localities, with the only differences being in building materials adapted to the terrain and weather conditions.

Music and dance

Many customs and traditions in Bhutan are rooted in Buddhist philosophy, and this is most evident in their traditional music and dances. Typically, lamas and monks are credited with creating songs and introducing dances. These dances often incorporate traditional musical instruments such as the Chiwang, Dramnyen, Lingm, and Aungli.

Bhutanese traditional dances are truly unique – worthy of being considered a symbol of the kingdom. The dances also serve as a way to pass on cultural knowledge and traditions from generation to generation. Among them, mask dances are an essential part of the festivals. These dances are performed to honor and appease the gods, while also conveying spiritual teachings and educating people about good and evil. The performances are also seen as a way to purify the mind and cultivate inner peace.

Thangka art

Thangka painting is a religious art style originating in India, where Buddhism was born over two thousand years ago. As Buddhism gradually spread to Tibet, Tibetan painting began to develop its own style. As a natural extension, Bhutan developed a truly Bhutanese style of Thangka.

Traditionally, thangkas are painted by Buddhist monks and lamas who have undergone rigorous training in monasteries. They depict Buddhas and/or mandalas and are used to aid in meditation and contemplation – a very long and difficult process. Thangkas are sometimes called “the path to enlightenment,” and they can be considered a visual representation of the highest state of consciousness, the ultimate goal of the Buddhist spiritual path.

A beautiful Thangka painting can take months, even years, to complete because the painting process is very meticulous and elaborate. Besides painting skills, the artist must also have knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and imagery. Before being released to the world, Thangka paintings are often viewed by Lamas who bestow blessings and positive energy upon them. It is said that even looking at such a painting will leave a positive impression on the mind, leading to future happiness.

Traditional clothing

Bhutanese people are proud of their traditional clothing and are expected to wear it to school, work, public spaces, royal holidays, and traditional festivals. However, you'll notice that they don't treat it as a rule; on the contrary, they wear their traditional clothing daily with heartfelt joy.

Men's attire is called Gho, consisting of a knee-length tunic and socks, while women's attire is shorter and includes skirts with accessories. An interesting fact about Bhutanese men's dress code is that the timing of sock wearing is decided by the monks. The announcement to wear socks marks the beginning of the winter months. A similar announcement is made when spring arrives, indicating the time to remove the socks.

Cuisine

Bhutanese cuisine is unique, featuring plenty of meat, cheese, and, of course, chili peppers. Besides being added to dishes, chili peppers are often eaten raw at lunch and dinner. If you visit the local farmers' markets, you'll find countless stalls selling chili peppers – both dried and fresh, whole and ground. I must say I've never seen a market with so many chili peppers in my life.

In Bhutanese culinary culture, there's a etiquette that demonstrates refined hospitality. You must decline food offered by your host for the first time. You should say "Meshu" and then close your mouth to show gratitude and not want to inconvenience them. However, if the host continues to offer, you should politely accept the offer.

Sport

Khuru and archery are the two national sports of Bhutan. Khuru is a team sport, played by about 8 to 12 people. It's similar to darts, so if you can, feel free to challenge yourself.

Furthermore, archery holds a much more serious status and was actually declared a national sport in 1971. If you pay attention to the Olympics, you may have seen the Bhutanese archery team before. Archery in Bhutan is not just a form of entertainment; it is considered an activity that trains both the mind and body.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/vuong-quoc-trong-may/