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Many eastern classics
and books of wisdom have referred to the Himalayas as the
abode of the gods and home to the immortals. These
descriptions did not stem merely from the majesty and
grandeur of the natural surroundings but perhaps alluded
to a special environment where communion with the divine
was possible through contemplation and meditation. And so
since time immemorial, ascetics, scholars, philosophers
and pilgrim have been drawn irresistibly to these remote
and rugged mountains in their personal search for wisdom,
inspiration, solitude and happiness.
BHUTAN
is a country nestled in the eastern Himalayas. The
country has been visited by a great many saints, mystics,
scholars and pilgrims over the centuries who not only came
for their personal elucidation, but blessed the land and
its people with an invaluable spiritual and cultural
legacy that has shaped every facet of Bhutanese lives.
Visitors and guests to the country will be surprised that
the culture and the traditional lifestyle is still richly
intact and at the degree to which it permeates all strands
of modern day secular life. From the traditional woven
garments to the prayer flags on high mountain slopes, from
the built environment to the natural environment, from the
religious mask dances to the folk dances, this cultural
heritage is proudly evident and offers a unique cultural
setting.
THE BHUTANESE
have treasured their natural environment as it
is seen as a source of all life and the abode of the gods
and spirits. Buddhism has been the predominant religion
since the 7th century and has inculcated deeply the value
that all forms of sentient life, not just human life, are
precious and sacred. Given such a prevailing ethos which
respects the natural environment, it is not surprising
that the Bhutanese have lived in harmony with nature and
that the nation has its environment still pristine and
intact today. The country has been identified as one of
the 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world and as one of
the 221 global endemic bird areas. Its eco-systems
harbours some of the most exotic species of the eastern
Himalayas with an estimated 770 species of birds and over
50 species of rhododendron, besides an astonishing variety
of medical plants and orchids. Bhutan also has a rich
wildlife with animals like the takin, snow leopard, golden
langur, blue sheep, tiger, water buffalo and elephant.
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