Bhutan is one of the few remaining countries where Tantric Buddhism still flourishes. Few of the populace are literate and the Buddhist texts are communicated through ritual dances at gatherings called Tshechus. Most of the dances are rather long, even to the initiated, and jesters dressed as monkeys try to keep the crowds entertained.
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Seat of Bhuddism in Bhutan. Here is where in the 8th century CE, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava or second Buddha) made his legendary trip from Eastern Bhutan to Western Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress to subdue the evil spirits who hindered Buddhism. After defeating them, he blessed them as guardians of the doctrine and so introduced Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan. Taktsang (or Tigers Nest) in the Paro Valley is where he landed and today it remains one of most sacred places in Bhutan.
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