The Final Funeral Customs of the Forbidden Land.
Author - Biswarup Chatterjee The remote and mystic land of Tibet, often termed the Forbidden Land, is home to a unique tapestry of spiritual beliefs and ceremonial practices that govern life and death alike. Among its most compelling and culturally distinctive traditions are its funerary customs, which reflect a deep-rooted Buddhist worldview, shaped by the philosophy of impermanence, rebirth, and the pancha bhuta or five-element theory. These customs—such as sky burials, celestial and earthly interments, and the ritual mummification of revered lamas—not only demonstrate the Tibetans' profound spiritual detachment from the body but also their perception of death as a natural transition rather than a final end. The article explores these diverse rites in detail, drawing from historical accounts, travelers’ observations, and Tibetan religious practices. It reveals how religion, culture, geography, and cosmology converge t...
