What is Tibetan Buddhism Prostration

Tibet is a Buddhist holy land that most of the Tibetans and devoted Buddhists, so in Tibet you can see numerous Buddhists doing pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is a traditional practice to accumulate merit and good fortune. The lay practitioner might go on pilgrimage for purifying defilements and conceit, curing an illness, winning a better rebirth, ending spate of bad luck or as thanks for an answered prayer. It is practiced as a devotional exercise in by Tibetans in different methods, two most popular methods including turning prayer wheels while walking to or around the religious sites, and making prostration. Prostration has been raised to a level of particular importance in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists believe that prostration can fully purify their mind and help them earn a better life.

Generally, prostration can be divided into three types – local prostration, short distance prostration and long distance prostration. Local prostration means prostrating without walking. There are niches for Buddha in many Tibetan families, and some people will prostrate in front of the niche every day. Some people also choose to prostrate near the holy sides – Jokhang Temple is the most crowded place to prostrate. Short distance prostration refers to prostrating around the spiritual site, like Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Mount Kailash or some other holy monasteries. Long distance prostration is the toughest holy trip. Many pilgrims leave their remote hometown for the holy city Lhasa. They spared to stand exposure, deprivation and hunger and prostrate themselves on sediment, ice and snow. The pilgrims that you see on the highway are usually undertaking a long distance prostration. Their whole journey may take several months to several years.

How to prostrate with correct way?

Correct Steps of Prostrating

The correct prostrating way can be divided in to 11 detailed steps.

1. With a pray gesture, stand up facing the monastery, chapel, or the front, then put your feet together , but not too close to keep balance.

2. Keep the praying gesture and raise your hands up above your head.

3. Touch your hands down to your brown.

4. Go on touching your hands down to your nose.

5. Get your hand back to your chest and be ready for prostrating.

6. Bend your waist facing the ground.

7. Lower your body on the ground and prop on the ground as the Push Ups.

8. Stretch your arms to the front and put your hands together to make a praying gesture again. For short and long distance prostration, you need to make a sign on your hand position when your arms stretch out. Because you need to walk to the sign and begin another one after you finish this prostration.

9. Keep your legs fold and put up your forearms above your hands.

10. Withdraw your hands and prop on the ground again.

11. Then stand up and prepared for the next prostration.

Popular Buddhist Sites to Pilgrimage or Prostrate

Are you a Buddhist believer or a Buddhism fan? We provide several tours to explore the Buddhist culture in Tibet and Nepal, please check following tours. If you want more, feel free to contact us and our travel constant can tailor-made a tour according to your needs.

>> 4 Days Holy City Tour

>> 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Historical Tour

>> 13 Days Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Yatra Tour

>> 8 Days Nepal Buddhist Shangri-la Tour