Differen thinking I read so many stupid comments, from many people who dont know anything about respect.
but i think that you are priviliged by see mourining process, so in any culture who a traveled are invited to a mourning or wedding are considered to be special guest, more was allowed to take pictures. Thanks to show us the blog.
Refreshing to see I honestly like hearing about this. I worked with a girl, that said this is what she wanted to do when she died. I thought, that really sounds like the best thing. I think it makes much more sense than what we are doing. Of course, it's your own choice. Jeff and Anna, you're entitled to your, of the blog, but deep down, I think maybe you're just jealous, it's not you getting praise for the pictures.
It's JUST a body. I think we should practice the same thing in the US. I really don't see why we don't?
If you understood what happens when we die you really wouldn't be so upset with these pictures. It's not like they kill the body and THEN gave it to the vultures! He will come back to live again, just his BODY was eaten. I see no harm in sharing this with the less fortunate who have not seen it.
Thank you for sharing your pictures, Rotem. It's refreshing to see, as I again, I think the Tibetan's have the right idea, sacrificing their bodies for the living.
Stupidity Yes, there is no excuse, other than pure self-centered ignorance, for disrespecting ANY other culture, especially the religious and sacred traditions of a country. This material should be taken off the internet...But of course that wont happen, as the deeply pathological individual who posted will never likely have that kind of realization... One can hope of course, for the nearly impossible...
Provincial Thought Those who are offended by jhator, along with those put too much importance on it, are both deluded. To Tibetan Buddhists, the body is unnecessary after death, when the (soul) has departed. To dispose of it in a way that is not consistent with a respect for still-living beings would be wrong.
Tibet is a country nearly devoid of ground suitable for burial, and the same is true of fuel that could be used for cremation. Giving the body back to living creatures who can use it is respectful both to the person who has died and to all living things. From a practical standpoint, it also solves a fairly serious health problem.
Westerners, with our morbid preoccupation with death and our quaint ideas about resurrection, find this sort of thing disgusting, but consideration in a respectful, thoughtful way will reveal to most that it is, indeed, far more sensible than destroying a body's integrity with chemicals and sealing it in a container.
There is a movement in the US and Great Britain toward natural burial in burial "parks," to allow the constituents of the body to return to the earth and nourish its beings. That, to me, is true reverence. So is jhator. It is the common Western practices that are barbaric.
it never ceases to amaze me the difference in our cultures. I see nothing wrong with you posting these pictures. First I've heard of this. Thanks for the education.
Photos I think you were perfectly correct in the photos you choose to post. I didn't see any nude body being ripped apart; the pulverized skeleton was a little disturbing, but no longer recognizable as a person. We all have to remember that at that point the body is just an empty vessel. The vultures looked healthy and beautiful.
In the Zorastrian tradition the body is left alone for in a 100 ft tower, called a tower of silence. After time goes by, nature (vultures, ravens etc.) takes it's course. This is still practiced in India, but because of the toxins in many human bodies has lead to a significant decline in the vulture population. The vultures are loved for all their qualities -primarily their patience in waiting and never attacking anything still living.
\"Sky Burial\" Author:Xinran I recently finished reading a memoir of a Chinese woman searching for her husband in Tibet for 30 years. It is a very intriguing and "eye opening" read. The title is "Sky Burial" by Xinran. I highly recommend this read of a beautiful and complicated country.
Sensativity Regardless of the situation, weather you're invited to a ceremony such as this(or wether you intrude) people should be very carefull about how they act. This is a facinating cememony and I was glad to read about it, but is taking photos really needed. How would you feel if a picture of a body of your loved one appeared on a webiste. Tourists/travelers have a very important role to play when it comes to cultural sensativity and I think you've crossed it.
sky burial In traditional Tibetan Buddism in Tibet (NOT CHINA BY THE WAY) the sky burial was seen as the last act of absolute charity. Giving your body for others to feed on. In this culture even a worm or a bird could have been your Mother in a previous life and the body is nothing more than a sacred vehicle so giving it as a last act to support others is the ultimate in selflessness.
kora Kailsh Hi, I made kora around Mt.Kailash 3 times - twice in 1992 and ones in 1995, I think it was in August. All this done without drivers, yaks, porters, permits.
I hitchhiked with lokals all the way from Lhasa, slept in the tent or with the pilgrims. It was very hard time , I will never forget it.
Sky burial The Tibetan have a unique way of understanding of life and death. Its seems barbaric to most people but they are very practical. Why waste limited land with dead bodies that just get eaten by bugs anyway. Why not give back to nature from where we came right up front. Knowing their loved ones will reincarnate, they have not problem with seeing this body die. It's probably that other cultures do not accept death as a natural process as they do, hence get upset by it. I know cremation is done, but I am not sure if you have to be a monk, enough money for the wood, or what...anyway...there are many cultures with different values and beliefs...good to respect them all.
Disapointing I'm disapointed that you would choose to photograph and describe (without understanding of meaning) this event.
I don't intend to explain to you the significance as it's clear your not interested in understanding but purely to check the 'shock' box on your tour of tibet.
Congratulations......
Just silly.. I think it's ridiculous how many people are so upset about these photographs... And whoever claimed this was a case of voyeurism is seriously lacking in vocabulary skills. This is only one man's educational experience and his choice to share the experience with others, which I can appreciate very much. And to bring into the discussion the photographers own family members (asking him if he's ever known someone who died) is the stupidest thing I've heard. These people chose to perform this ritual for their loved one. They do not view death in the same light as most of you condemning the photographer. This is about the deceased individuals wish to give back to nature. The family was obviously aware that photographs were being taken and had no problem with it. So for everyone crying about his disrespect and lack of professionalism... get over yourself. You may not feel comfortable with it and that's your prerogative... But that doesn't at all make you right.
A practical rationalization of a necessary sadness. Thank you for your sharing on the Tibetan “sky burial”. It is people like you who remove the wall of ignorance and misunderstanding among people.
That there are people who react so angrily to your sharing here only serves to unmask the inherent barbarism in the “sky burial” that these people want to hide. Down in their hearts, they know such acts of violence against the human body, whether dead or alive, are revolting to the ordinary people and very hurtful to close relatives. Otherwise, why is there such display of anger?
But this does not mean that Tibetans are, by nature, barbaric. They are human beings like all of us and they love and honour their loved ones whether in life or in death.
It may be noted that “sky burial” were for the serfs whose lives worth very little. So their bodies could not be worth more when they are dead. “Sky burial” was a manifestation of extreme property in “traditional” Tibetan society and of geographical necessities which made ordinary burial often impractical. Those who can afford the firewood like the Dalai Lamas have their dead bodies cremated. This shows that the often cited religious justification is nothing more than a practical rationalization of a necessary sadness. Mercifully, “sky burial” is not an indispensable Buddhist obligation. So when cremation is widely affordable to the masses in the future and when Tibetans are better informed, such a practice like many others before it will, in time, die a natural death.
For those who have a romantic fantasy of “sky burial”, please give some thoughts to the feelings of your loved ones who still love you in death.
Anyway, “sky burial” is an oxymoron. You cannot do a burial in the sky.
A Tibetan comments Hi all,
Another Tibetan here to contribute to the discussion. What the writer describes and shared photos of is an important Tibetan custom. Unfortunately, the writer describes what he saw without any appreciation of and sensitivity to local beliefs and philosophy of live. For the Tibetan Buddhist, sacrificing yourself for the sake of others is one of the highest aspirations, and giving your body to the vultures, a lowly being, is act of ultrism even in your death. Also, philosophically, we believe that the body is only physical and impermanent and transitory in nature. The soul is the more important one and it is something that transmigrates to another body upon our death. So attachment to physical aspects of ourselves are discouraged, even while we are living, and definitely, when we die.
All that being said, as a Tibetan and I know many Tibetans will agree with me, I think the practice of Sky Burial should end in this time and age. It is too gruesome and does not accord dignity to the deceased and his family (altruistic though it may be).
Also witness to sky burial Hi. I was also witness to the sky burial, but back in 1984. We were taken at dawn to the site and saw the disposal of 3 bodies in total. They asked that we NOT take photos, although at the end we were able to photograph the vultures. I believe a few years later some journalists photographed the ritual and that caused the ban. I think it is a pragmatic way to dispose of bodies in Tibet. The thing that moved me that most was that a young boy of about 12 years was an 'apprentice' butcher and was helping. That was quite hard to deal with.
from my experience I've been to Tibet few times leading US students and seen myself of this holy practice of sky burial. From the surface it seems cruel to see such acts, but if you look deeper through buddhist perspective than it makes so much sense. THis act is the highest form of giving oneself, a final sacrifice - you come to this world with nothing at birth and you leave this world with nothing! The final act of your sacrfice is to give your body to benefit other beings in this case to these special birds - vultures. This teaches people the meaning of impermanence. That one should not hold to material wealth only! I was definitely reminded of this one when i witnessed this ceremony. I saw some Chinese tourists they were very insensitve, they would go right up front to the site, without even asking and start making all these gestures and talking loud while this ceremony was happening. they couldn't keep their mouths shut to show some decency. But regardless, the American HS students that I was with were all so touched by this ceremony that we didn't talk for about 3 hrs after what we had witnessed and later in the evening when we reached Lhasa we discussed of what they had seen in the afternoon and 99% were so thankful to their parents and loved ones.. that they called their parents in the States to say they love them and thanked them!!! Overall, they felt that life is very valuable and sacred. One cannot take it for granted! This is kinda of the effect that one gets when witnessing such a unique tradition of Tibetan culture. Yes Chinese gov't is using this as ways to attract tourists and unfortunately some people still don't understand and some do.
This obvisouly is too difficult to understand for the Chinese (occupiers) who have no religious understanding and usually label it as "barbaric" culture.
your blog really enjoyed educating myself with your posting. read all the comments/opinons on your posting! i also agree with the circle of life/death way of life the tibet people believe and fully respect and admire it (i even feel a little jealous because i am a "ignorant" westerner and probably will be burnt or buried. can't wait.) i think we may have really lost touch with nature as westerners, and enjoyed a slap in the face of purity from your privelged encounter. i will end with
What is the meaning of life? To prepare to die.
thanks sky
Reply to Tsering I guess most of the Han-Chinese do not mind the Tibetan claim and reserve the right of sky burial, because they will not be able to adapt to this. Only the TIBETAN can have this ritual, this is for sure. As regard to the Panda, you need some time and much efford to try to change the "Chinese Panda" to "Tibetan Panda". Sad, but you can try.
contraversary What a contrary? if you believe in whatever Good is,you then believe that good gives you live and he also takes it from you. inconsequently you have no right over any parts of your body or soul to control. it is all belong to God. He judges and he decides.
Attitude Rotten eggs and Chinese ants -- the filters we bring with us as we travel color the perception others hold of us. Respect is the least we owe when another culture allows us a peek at their daily lives. But it is not always easy to immediately appreciate the differences. After every trip i take i regret not being more generous, more appreciative, more respectful.
There is always next time.
vik
non-member comment
Differen thinking
I read so many stupid comments, from many people who dont know anything about respect. but i think that you are priviliged by see mourining process, so in any culture who a traveled are invited to a mourning or wedding are considered to be special guest, more was allowed to take pictures. Thanks to show us the blog.