Religion in Tibet and Nepal

For centuries, Buddhists have turned to the Himalayas as a sacred space where they may gain an understanding of the world and journey toward enlightenment. On the slopes of Mount Everest lie two important monasteries: Rongbuk on Everest’s north side and Thyangboche on her south. Between 1921 and 1953 all nine of the Mount Everest Expeditions witnessed the devotion of the local people to their religion in features across the landscape, from mani walls to prayer flags. Expedition members were also aware of the importance of Buddhism to the Sherpas, in recognition of which they often sought the blessing of their Lamas and Rinpoches. In 1953 when Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest, he took with him his offering to the gods, in thanks.

At a rest stop on the way up to the Kharta Glacier, the local Tibetan porters indulge in some competitive cairn building. Howard-Bury noted that the local people would invariably shout “Lho-gyal-lo,” “Victory to the Gods” as a term of

Above, left: A Buddhist monk fingering his rosary beads at Thyangboche. Ama Dablam is just visible in the distance.

Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953

 

Above, right: The majestic peaks of the Himalayas, including Everest, enveloped in cloud from the golden-topped chorten at Thyangboche monastery, Solu Khumbu.

Photo: Edmund Hillary, 1953

The lamas of Ghoom monastery bless the 1933 Mount Everest Expedition in Darjeeling.

Photo: Frank Smythe, 1933

Above: A group of Buddhas sit in a dark recess of Shegar Dzong monastery. In front sits a line of offering bowls of water and lighted butter lamps.

Photo: C.J. Morris, 1922

 

Right: A blessing was often sought from the Head Lama at Rongbuk monastery on behalf of the Sherpas who joined the Everest expeditions in the 1920s and 30s as porters.

Photo: Frank Smythe, 1936

Stuffed yaks hanging in the entrance to the main temple of Gyangtse monastery.

Photo: Capt. J.B. Noel, 1922

Above: A ceremonial wooden horse inside Shegar Dzong monastery.

Photo: C.J. Morris, 1922

 

Left: The Head Lama of Rongbuk monastery.

Photo: Frank Smythe, 1933

 

Above, left: Tents at Base Camp at Thyangboche with Ama Dablam in the distance.

Photo: George Lowe, 1953

 

Above, right: At a mani boulder just before Taksindhu on the march out to Everest.

Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953

 

Above: Monks blowing horns at Thyangboche monastery. This monastery, the major religious center in the Solu Khumbu, was established in 1916 by Lama Gulu, a practitioner of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Thyangboche has strong links with Rongbuk monastery on the north side of Everest.

Photo: Alfred Gregory, 1953

 

Right: En route to Everest, a team member pauses by a chorten surrounded by mani stones, with Ama Dablam beyond.

Photo: Charles Wylie, 1953