Bhutan government has given the nationals the freedom of religious belief for 10 years. Majority of Bhutan population believe in Tibetan Buddhism, while the remaining (mainly Nepalese from the south Bhutan) believe in Hinduism.

Buddhism is the most influential religion in Bhutan. From looking at the natural landscape to playing with the little handicraft, it is not difficult to find the details related to Buddhism during the journey.

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“This is the oldest rope bridge in Bhutan." Said Caiwang, our tour guide. He stopped the shuttle in front of the bridge tower, which is a 2-level traditional Dzongkha building. There are a lot of “chacha” for praying for blessings at the ground floor, while there are mural of three Buddha for blessing people with good fortune.

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Interestingly, the number of Buddha under Buddhism are innumerable. How can we distinguish between them? Just simply look at their hands! Different kinds of Buddha hold different instruments at their hands. After listening to Caiwang’s explanation, I decided to dedicate my time to admire the workmanship of the Buddha rather than distinguishing them!


不丹全國現時有75%人信奉不丹的國教 – 藏傳佛教,而其餘的25%左右人口則是信奉印度教(主要集中在不丹南部的尼泊爾族) ,而其他宗教如苯教(不丹的原始宗教)、基督教、伊斯蘭教等則只佔極少數。

不丹在2008年,立憲賦予國民擁有宗教自由,但不丹立國以來都與佛教息息相關,遊走不丹,處處充滿佛教色彩。

小巴從帕羅機場一直駛往首都廷布,本來疲憊不堪的我來到這個未知的世界,又再精神抖擻,公路沿河而建,望住遠方的青山綠水,實是讓人心擴神怡。Singee 將小巴緩緩停到路邊,公路旁邊有一條小斜坡直接到河岸的一條小吊橋。一串串經藩掛滿吊橋,剎是好看。

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我們的導遊 Caiwang:「這是不丹歷史最悠久的吊橋。」

橋塔同樣是宗卡式的兩層建築,地下一層放滿了一個個細小、泥造、小蛋糕模樣的擺設,叫查查,用以保平安的。在許多不同的寺廟,也很容易見到這些有趣的小東西。

上到二樓,牆壁畫有三個佛像彩繪,三個佛像盤膝而坐,面相形狀各異,最好認的還是最左邊的釋迦牟尼佛。Caiwang 繼續解釋:「中間的是鐵橋活佛,是保平安,避免天災,右邊則是長壽佛,是祝福人長壽,左邊則是釋迦牟尼佛。」

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「佛教那麼多佛,怎樣分辨?」
「中間鐵橋活佛手拿的是一段鐵鎖,長壽佛拿的是長壽寶瓶,而釋迦牟尼佛拿的是佛珠。你看他們手拿的東西,基本上可以分辨出來。」
「鐵橋活佛不也是有長壽寶瓶嗎?」
「鐵橋活佛的長壽寶瓶是單手拿的,而他另一隻手上是鐵鎖,就會用鐵鎖來分辨了。」