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HH Dalai Lama
"The Dalai Lama, the leader of the Tibetan nation and people, fled Tibet from Chinese aggression into exile in 1959. ... he has become one of the world's great exponents of non-violence. For this, he has won (world-wide) admiration ... and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. [More]
HH Dalai Lama

" [Interview]

  Aspects of Tibetan heritage

Contents

  1. The Potala Palace
  2. Old knot
  3. Wonderful carpets
  4. Flag of Tibet, its emblemology
  5. Good dog breeds

The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet

The potala in Lhasa
The Potala in Lhasa, Tibet (click for another view)
THE PALACE is in the northwestern corner of the old Lhasa capital and has a wonderful view of the Lhasa River valley. It was first built in the 600s AD by a king for his princess bride, and was expanded during the 1600s. The building is a mixture of Han and Tibetan styles. The 13-story palace stands on top of a cliff in 3.700 meters altitude and is the largest example of ancient architecture still in Tibet. The building complex has 1000 chambers.
       The sumptuously decorated palace was for 400 years the winter home of the Dalai Lamas. The Chinese government has earmarked money to renovate the palace.

Link: More on the Lhasa palace

To top

The glorious endless knot of Tibet

The endless knot
The glorious endless knot
The Tibetan Eight Symbols of Good Fortune include the Glorious Endless Knot.

In Buddhist Symbols in Tibetan Culture, Dagyab Rinpoche, a Tibetan lama, explains the source and meaning of nine groups of commonly used Buddhist symbols, beginning with the Eight Symbols of Good Fortune, which include the Wheel and the Glorious Endless Knot. He also describes how Buddhist symbols are used to remind practitioners of the "interrelations between inward and outward, between mental activities and material appearances." Intricate images serve as tools for meditation, they also link up past and future in part.
       Dagyab Rinpoche further illuminates the concepts of Tibetan Buddhism, which is grandly visual.

Link: A source link: Buddhist symbols of Tibet


Carpet industry

Carpet example
Tibetan carpet
TIBETAN CARPETS: "Carpet weaving is an important Tibetan art. It is centuries old and has evolved in recent years as the primary means of support for Tibetan people living in exile in Nepal and India. Through the sale of carpets, they are able to provide for the education of their children and care for their elderly. It is also an important source of income for the Tibetan Government in Exile and is used to increase worldwide political awareness of the Tibetan situation."

Link: Source: Tibetan carpets


Flag of Tibet

Flag of Tibet
Flag of Tibet


From the symbolism of the national flag of Tibet:
  • The snowy mountain in the centre represents the nation of Tibet, "the Land Surrounded by Snow Mountains".
  • Six red bands spread across the sky represent ancestors of the Tibetan people: the six tribes Se, Mu, Dong, Tong, Dru and Ra. Red bands (for the tribes) and six dark blue bands for the sky represents incessant enactment of the virtuous deeds of protection of the spiritual teachings and secular life by the black and red guardian protector deities of Tibet.
  • The sun with its rays stand for equal enjoyment of freedom, spiritual and material happiness and prosperity by all beings in Tibet.
  • The pair of snow lions on the mountain slopes are blazing with the manes of fearlessness, which represent the country's victorious accomplishment of a unified spiritual and secular life.
  • The three-coloured jewel held aloft represents the ever-present reverence of the Tibetan people towards the Three Supreme Jewels (or objects of refuge): Buddha, Dharma (law, righteous life, etc.) and Sangha (community life, etc.).
  • The swirling jewel (yin-yang-emblem) held between the two lions represents such as principal virtues for handling life and modes of conduct fit for life.
  • The surrounding border of yellow represents such as the purified teachings of the Buddha.
It's possible to put somewhat more and less into the imagery. - T. Kinnes. Cf. source C further down.

"Today, posession of the Tibetan flag within China is a criminal offence: People have been given prison sentences of two years specifically for this thing alone. It is displayed at most demonstrations. In 1988 a group of protesters were marching around the Jokang temple lead by a man carrying this flag. A Thai businessman reported seeing a soldier kneel down, take aim and shoot the flag bearer." [Source C]

"In China today it is refered to as "the snowlion mountain flag", as to call it the Tibetan Flag might infer some degree of legitimacy on its bearers." [Source C]

Link: Tibetan flag, source A
Link: Tibetan flag, source B
Link: Tibetan flag, source C


Clever and good dogs

Tibetan spaniel
Tibetan terrier, called "the holy dog of Tibet".
very quick learners—very self-reliant—extremely eager to please—not a particularly high energy dog; he normally adapts to the lifestyle and pace of his owners. [Same source]

Link: Tibetan terriers FAQ
Link: Tibetan terriers


Tibetan spaniel
Tibetan Spaniel
Link: Tibetan spaniels
  1. "Yes, they are good with children."
  2. "Tibbies adapt fine to apartment life." [Ibid]

Link: Tibetan mastiffs




Fourth

Etc.
Introducing some parts of Tibetan culture.
© Summer 2000, T. Kinnes. Designed for Netscape 4.0 and upwards, mainly.
Last updated: Autumn 2004.