🛕 Religious Etiquette for the Mount Kailash Kora

🪷 Core Kailash Kora Etiquette

🕉️ Direction of Circumambulation

• Buddhists & Hindus: Walk clockwise (顺时针) around the mountain. This follows the Buddhist principle of chokhor (circumambulation), symbolizing the path to enlightenment.
• Bon Followers: Walk counter-clockwise (逆时针). For practitioners of Bon, this direction honors the mountain as the seat of the Bon deity Shenrab Miwo.
• Respect All Pilgrims: If you encounter someone walking the opposite direction, step aside with a slight bow or nod to acknowledge their faith.

📿 Mani Stones & Prayer Walls

• Add to, Don’t Remove: Mani stones (刻有六字真言的石头) are sacred offerings. You may add a stone to a mani wall or pile, but never take one away—this is considered a serious offense.
• Walk Around, Don’t Step On: Mani walls, prayer flags, and stupas (佛塔) are holy objects. Always walk around them in the direction of your circumambulation (clockwise for Buddhists, counter-clockwise for Bon).

📜 Wind Horse Flags (Lung Ta)

• Blessing & Respect: Wind horse flags carry prayers and blessings to the heavens. Do not touch or walk over them. If a flag falls, you may rehang it or place it on a mani pile—never throw it away.
• Traditional Offering: Many pilgrims bring small bundles of lung ta (paper wind horses) to scatter at high passes like Drolma La. This act symbolizes releasing prayers and wishes into the wind.

🧘 Pilgrim Practices

• Kora with Intention: Whether walking, prostrating, or meditating, maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor. Avoid loud talking, music, or laughter that may disrupt others’ spiritual focus.
• Prostration Pilgrims: If you encounter pilgrims performing full-body prostrations (ketsana), give them plenty of space. These devotees often take months to complete the kora, and their practice demands deep respect.

🏯 Monastery & Temple Etiquette

🙏 Before Entering

• Remove Shoes & Hats: Shoes must be removed before entering a monastery or temple. Hats and sunglasses are also removed as a sign of respect for the resident deities.
• Dress Modestly: Shoulders and knees must be covered. Avoid tight or revealing clothing—carry a scarf or shawl to cover up if needed.

🕯️ Inside the Monastery

• Silence & Observation: Speak softly and move slowly. Do not touch statues, religious artifacts, or prayer wheels unless invited to do so by a monk or nun.
• Prayer Wheels: If you use a prayer wheel, spin it clockwise (for Buddhists) with your right hand. This sends blessings outward into the world.
• No Photos Without Permission: Many monasteries prohibit photography of sacred images or ceremonies. Always ask a monk or staff member before taking pictures.

🪔 Offering Practices

• Butter Lamps: You may light a butter lamp (酥油灯) as an offering. Use the provided cotton wicks and butter—never use your own matches or candles.
• Cash Offerings: If you wish to make a cash donation, place it in the offering box (khatak box) near the main altar. Do not hand money directly to monks or nuns unless they specifically request it.

🔱 Bon & Tibetan Buddhism: Key Differences & Unity

🔁 Circumambulation Direction

• For Buddhists, clockwise movement symbolizes alignment with the dharma (teachings of the Buddha).
• For Bon practitioners, counter-clockwise movement honors the mountain as the “navel of the world” in the Bon creation myth.

🔱 Sacred Symbols

• Buddhism: The om mani padme hum (六字真言) is the most sacred mantra, inscribed on mani stones and prayer wheels.
• Bon: The om matrei muye sale du mantra is central, often paired with symbols like the swastika (a traditional Bon symbol of good fortune, unrelated to its modern connotations).

🙏 Shared Devotion

🪢 Fascinating Local Customs

🪢 The Khatak Offering

• A khatak (哈达) is a white silk scarf symbolizing purity and respect. You may offer a khatak to a monk, nun, or sacred statue. When presenting it, hold it with both hands and bow slightly.
• Receiving a Khatak: If a local offers you a khatak, accept it with both hands and do not throw it away—this is a grave insult. You may wear it around your neck or tie it to a mani pile as an offering.

🔥 The Fire Ceremony (Sang)

• At high passes like Drolma La, pilgrims often perform sang (熏烟仪式), burning juniper branches, barley flour, and butter. This act purifies the air and sends prayers to the mountain deities.
• Participate Respectfully: If you join a sang ceremony, do not throw trash or non-traditional items into the fire. Stick to the offerings provided by local pilgrims.

💧 The Sacred Water of Lake Manasarovar

• Many pilgrims bathe in or drink water from Lake Manasarovar (玛旁雍错), believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual merit. If you drink the water, use your right hand and avoid taking more than you need.
• Offering Water: You may also pour a small amount of water into the lake as an offering, whispering a prayer or wish as you do so.

📜 Pro Tips for a Respectful Journey

• Learn Basic Phrases: A few words of Tibetan can go a long way:
  • Tashi Delek (吉祥如意): The traditional greeting, meaning “good luck” or “blessings.”
  • Thank You: Dhay chee (谢谢).
  • Excuse Me/Sorry: Tsum ke (对不起).
   
• Follow Local Lead: If unsure about a custom, watch how local pilgrims behave and follow their example. When in doubt, ask your guide or a monk for guidance.
• No Alcohol or Smoking: Alcohol and smoking are prohibited in sacred areas, including monasteries and the kora route. Respect these rules to avoid offending local sensibilities.
• Leave No Trace: Carry all trash with you and dispose of it in designated bins in Darchen. The kora is a pristine environment—leave it as you found it for future pilgrims.

🚶 Ready to Embark on a Respectful Pilgrimage?