bhutan - Auspicious Days

At the second temple, a much larger structure situated on a hilltop overlooking Thimphu, I was able to see, at once, many different ways of religious ritual that are so important to Bhutanese culture. Above you see circumambulating and the turning of prayer wheels. A prayer is offered with each turn. You will also see the site for the daily water bowl offering as mentioned below.
You see too that people carry their rosaries ( Chengm). The rosary contains 108 beads which are divided into four sections of 27 beads. The thread which strings all of the beads together is believed to represent the strength of the Buddha's teachings.
It may be difficult for westerners to understand religion as culture but, in Bhutan, not only is there no separation of church and state as we know it but there is also no separation of church and daily life. Hence, the daily religious rituals, prayers and offerings are intergrated aspects of social structure, law, art and, to a degree, science.