mbv travel and tourism

dude, seriously ! what the fcuk?!?!?

that can’t be a burial if they brought the dead guy tied up! wtf explain, it looks more like those guys are trying to get rid of a body! if you have the story post it!

A quick Google of Tibetan Burial gets this:

http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burial

Well that’s one way to give back to earth. Quite interesting, and doesn’t take up as much of space as so many graveyards do.

this is the only way i can think i’d like to be ‘buried.’

Geez, what’s eating him?

This is a common practice in older Tibetan communities that has its roots in the Tibetan Buddhist ideal of compassion for all sentient beings. The idea is that when consciousness leaves the body it becomes meaningless, just a shell of meat. So, if you body is of no use to you, you might as well help other creatures survive. In fact, this is such a normal occurrence that the individuals you see cleaving the bodies only do that. That is their occupation, although the Tibetan name escapes me. It is no more gruesome than lower someone into the ground. I have seen children playing at such occasions. So, do not look at this and think “those freaky Tibetans” haha.

Too many images on one page

Wow, that is truly incredible. SPeechless.

Lou
www. vpn-privacy.us.tc

This is amazing. Pretty much taking the literal approach to the “Circle of Life” concept. Absolutely elegant and simple.

Those birds are acting like vultures

I agree that this is quite beautiful; though I do wish the worker would wear rubber gloves and a mask. Excellent way to contract HIV or hepatitis.

Thanks for posting this. I have long read about sky burial and imagined it, but actually seeing this is quite a rare and interesting experience.

Wow… Some people have called it beautiful. I would not say that. But it surely is economical. I sincerely doubt it will catch on in western culture in the foreseeable future… Why would we put a halt on the “wasteful as fuck” trend we’ve been going with for so long?

I agree that it is a rather peaceful, environmentally sound way to go:

The Tibetan sky-burial practices appear to have evolved out of practical considerations: a) most of Tibet is above the tree line, and the scarcity of timber makes cremation economically unfeasible; b) subsurface interment is equally difficult since the active layer is not more than a few centimeters deep, with solid rock or permafrost beneath it.

I have spent lots of time in the Nepal/Tibet region. Buddhism is very circular religion – they believe that they come from the elements of the earth and go back the elements of the earth. The bodies of the dead are given to the creatures of the earth, and when they die, the circular process will continue. The body is tied up so the bones wont go very far after the animals eat the meat. The relative then pounds the bones into dust and mixes it into dough so the rest of the elements can easily got back into nature.

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I found quite a lot of insight into the sometimes nebulous concept of higher rebirth in these rare photos.

Best way to prevent the Zombie Apocalypse

i think tying him up probably has something to do with blood circulation and nicer cuts…

Beautiful. Immediate return to Nature

Edward Abbey surely approves of this.

Very interesting! Organ donor is still the way I’d like to do it, but this looks definitely more appealing than the thought of being embalmed, then cooking and bloating in a too-expensive casket.

In its own cultural context (and not displayed here like a freak show) this is seen as a final act of generosity, which is a good thing [i sound so preachy - that sucks] Anyway, it’s not impossible that I know these people and seriously likely that someone I know knows them. These Tibetans are a lot closer to the realities of life (and death) than we are IMHO.

Wow… simply amazing… Spiritually whole…. Nothing goes to waste.

Still so dark and disturbing at the same time…

Some people do this because they think the body will not be available on the Day of Judgement for accountability. Which is not true.

Oh how nice, all of you are so moved by these pictures comenting how you would want to go out like this, oh it’s sooo beautiful, green and oh so efficient. Any of you sick fucks think this guy may have been murdered? How bout that? Do those guys look like monks? This guy was tortured, bound, then sliced and diced for the vultures. I can’t think of a better way to get rid of evidence than to have it eaten by a couple dozen buzzards. And is this guy at the end, gathering the bones and then eventually cracking the skull to extract the brain for the birds wearing a traditional burial robe? Nope, blue jeans and and visqueen baby. You guys are frickin sick, and I mean old school Jeffrey Daumer sick.

fuck

Where is the blood from cutting the body ?
Has it already been extracted before ?

It’s always fascinating to observe the practices of other cultures. I agree that while it’s certainly not pretty, it makes a lot of sense. Thanks to those of you who took the time to explain this tradition and why it’s carried out. I’ve learned something new today. Not to mention, something that I’ll enjoy grossing people out with in the future…some party fodder. Ha!
I also find the comments very interesting in that those who are well read, intelligent and open minded and those who are well, NOT is very obvious. Just because it’s ‘different’ and a little grotesque does not mean it’s wrong.

i think this would be a good way to stop all serious crime.take a few murders/child rapers/etc tie them to a post give them a few good cuts. let the birds do there thing film it show it at half time superbowl. do you think the crime rate would go down.problem solved if you ask me.

this is certainly different. it may be an honor to be eaten by vultures, but I dont think my family could handle that….as far as the muslim remark….your leaders in those muslim countries are really sick fucks too….the do not obey any religious law in private and they do much worse to some people than what you have seen here….i been there, seen it and seen em do it….so get off your fucking high horse, sick minds are universal.

b germinal

Yeah, Tibet Lost My Vote To Be Free.

Do they put mustard on the body in one of the pictures?

This is disgusting, you people are sick fucks. Get your fucking head on straight.

the body is tied and folded so it can be carried offroad on a horse or motorbike into the countryside and away from people’s homes.

Truly wonderful! I have always wanted to see images of a sky burial. It is without a doubt the most sustainable way to be buried. We elevate human cadavers to spiritual status, when in reality there is no spirit left, only flesh and bone. It is a vivid reminder that we are still animals after all, and the rest of the animal kingdom is recycled in much the same way. Circle of life!

The reason why there is rope is because Tibetans are very sensitive about touching the dead. It’s not a murder or a sign of disrespect. It’s their tradition.

Wow…that is a messed up way to die!!! That dude with the long hair is a total psycho!!! Was he arrested after this???

they believe that there souls soar with the birds after this

seems less morbid than our practices…

It’s amazing how distanced we are from death in America. An outside agency comes and takes our deceased away, the body is prepared in relative secrecy… and made ‘presentable’ for the living. Very few people understand the processes the body goes through once dead, as evidenced by all the ‘where’s the blood???’ comments. Few people seem upset by all the imitation death and violence on t.v., but when shown real death’s true face and nature, they call it horrible and disgusting. We should go out much as we come in – naked and vulnerable to the elements, not covered in make-up and wrapped in a pretty box.

WHAT ABOUT THE VULTURE SHIT ON YOUR WASHING???

Can you imagine the mess?

I’ve heard of this before. They let the animals fest upon you because it’s your last act of selflessness. The monks spend like 3 days (or 7?) leading your soul through the afterlife. Then your taken to the top of a hill and the animals feast on you.

It looks sick but it’s a reasonable explanation. I mean you’re going to rot away in a grave anyway, this just speeds up the process.

I just want give my comment on this article’s title, it should be “Burials in Tibet. NOT FOR “EDUCATED” MINDS!”, cuz soul doesn’t really mind, only mind who minds. The burial which one mind choose to have really depends on the way that mind have been teached about how an appropriate burial should be.

We have to ask someone else to treat our dead body according the way we want, or it will just rot in the place we die. No dead men ever protested on it’s dead body, either it was buried, cremated, drowned, or even scattered all over the place.

“One question– do these vultures absolutely confine their gustatory duties to the dead bodies provided for them? It seems to me that any animal exposed to whatever taste they might develop for human flesh might be tempted to attack the much fresher live mourners and even folks back in the town. Or are the buzzards TRAINED to only prefer the dead?”

Vultures won’t attack a live creature, they only eat animals that have died. Birds that do this are called carrion birds.

I would certainly like to go like this!

This is brilliant! I have heard of this type of burial but have not seen much of it. This is how I would wish to be taken care of when my time comes. No cost, no chemicals, no waste, no corporate control, no funerary products. It is an act of absolute heroism for the planet!

Great photo essay. In case anyone wants to read about the possible origins, this practice may come from the Zoroastrian practices. This is an old ritual.

http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Silence

ever wonder that there would be no blood cos it would have coagulated and the heart has stopped too! Doh!

Yes, we Zoroastrian used to do this back in the days when we were allowed to practice our religion freely. After 3 days, since we believe that is the time it takes for the spirit to elavate.
We would put it on tope of a hil like, man made device so after the flesh was eatn, the bones would drop in.
I have to ask our Mobed what would be done with the bones, as I do not know it. Sorry.BTW, Zoroastrian is an old religion of Iran.
Some who migrated to India after Islam came to Iran still practice this, as I have heard. I hope this was helpful for the curious.
Our main belief and duty is to: Think Good, Say Good, and Act Good.

If this was a Chinese burial practice, it would be heathen, gross, savage, etc. But it’s a Tibetan burial practice, so it’s “green, economical, beautiful”…

arh now that has put me off my dinner, thank the lord I live in a country that is easy to dig a hole

Isn’t it funny how western “civilised” people find this abhorrent and disgusting? Where do you think we all come from, KMart? Or do celebs get bought at Prada and Armani shops, cos they’re that bit classier and closer to God don’tcha know?

The elevation of self to delusional levels is endemic in the west, particularly in that cesspit on the other side of the Atlantic. I’d like to see most of Hollywood’s finest go this way. Sad to see so many ignorants on here, though…

have had the process described to me by one who performs the ritual in tibet and this visual was not only as described but, moreover, a beautiful recycling of mortal remains… as the birds (yes, they are vultures) travel upward after feasting, they defecate higher into the mountains/heavens, thus perhaps, permitting a higher state and or physical location of reincarnation. beyond that, it is a wonderfully eco- burial – skyward and heavenward… much to consider and perhaps learn from this custom… namaste!

With regards to Katies comment, if kept in relatively low temperature conditions (-5 Celsius to +5 Celsius) for a period of 24 hours plus the HIV/Hep B or C strain would most certainly die, moreso with HIV. Of course there are exceptions but the cold/dry conditions of Tibet would certainly aide the process.

If this was a Chinese burial practice, it would be heathen, gross, savage, etc. But it’s a Tibetan burial practice, so it’s “green, economical, beautiful”…

Naw they would just dump the bodies next to the river in China! They should have done it in New Orleans, then there would not have been so many floaters after Katrina

I think there should be a maturity limit imposed on the Internet so that immature, ignorant people are fired from talking and/or posting.

I find nothing wrong with the Sky Burials. I cringed a little at the beginning when I saw the cuts, but I reminded myself that the deceased man isn’t feeling any of it. I also cringed at the end when the relative had to crush the bones for the vultures. But, somewhere in the middle there’s a photograph of the vultures eating away and the same relative sitting on the hillside, watching, and he appears to be mourning.

To those in western cultures who find this disgusting, you only find it disgusting because you’re so far removed from what happens to deceased bodies in our own culture. The body isn’t just taken and placed in a nice casket and buried. It’s usually dissected (with a fair amount of disrespect I might add) to confirm the cause of death, organs are removed and disposed of, the body is embalmed, etc. There are quite a few disgusting steps in our own culture that happen between death and burial, but most people choose to remain ignorant of what those steps are.

Amazing footage! The shots of the initial body preparation and the skeletal remains after the birds visited are incredible. Thanks for this glimpse of a foriegn burial service!

Savage mud people! 5/14/88

sure saves on funeral costs.

Yes, we Zoroastrian used to do this back in the days when we were allowed to practice our religion freely. After 3 days, since we believe that is the time it takes for the spirit to elavate.

“DOH” and how long does it take for all the rubish in the creek to Elavate…hmmmm is this your Free Religion Practice too .

I can understand that this is an economical and green way of doing things that is appropriate for the terrain. I can respect that this has been done for years as a cultural practice. I even understand giving back to the earth-pretty cool. However as a silly little ‘merican who probably has troubles fully being able to let go- knowing and understanding that my loved one’s soul is gone, I would not be able to stop associating their body=with them as I last knew them. Which would make me emotionally paralyzed if faced with even touching their dead body. If that makes me a perfect example of a death-abhorring Westerner who is far less enlightened-then okay. Then again the last time I read about this the family all seemed to go through death rituals-for days, so, I dunno. I might able to do that.

It’s a sky burial. Vultures are viewed as sacred in some cultures because it is believed that they aide in the death process. They help us to pass on to the other side.

In a manner of speaking, this is a beautiful way for our earthly forms to be returned to nature. If our souls are to be reincarnated, then it makes sense to give back our bodies rather than preserve and bury them.

wow… I mean at first I was really grossed out, but once you read a little about it it’s actually really beautiful. What an amazing ritual. I really wouldn’t mind going this way I don’t really need this body once I’m gone so, why not recycle?

well waste not want not cheaper then the 2-4 grand it cost to bury people……. if thats how they do it who says it wrong we waste to much mich time in uk crying over dead people enjoy the life they had dont cry over it…………. id rather this kind of ending then be put in a box and buried only to be eaten eventually eny way by worms ect…………

Wow, the arrogance in this thread is stunning. Not just the people who are disgusted by it (to whom I say you WILL die and your body WILL be food for something- get over it), but also those who come off as though they fully understand it. It drives me up the wall when people watch an hour long TV program, or in this case some pictures and a trip to wikipedia, and they think they’re a freaking expert on it. It’s one thing to appreciate this, but something else entirely to think you totally “get it”. I for one hope their culture isn’t shallow enough to be fully fathomed so quickly.

That said, I don’t think being food for carrion is any more “in tune” with nature than being food for worms. The key difference here is that this is so humble- they’re not trying to preserve their carcass in some base instinctual frenzy to hold onto life after death. In giving their dead bodies to the birds, they seem to be acknowledging death for what it is instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s certainly admirable.

Apart from the religious or moral beliefs, thanks to the internet, now everybody can watch this pictures and the body of this dead guy being eaten by vultures. I think that is sad.

I have seen these sky burial sites several times while traveling in Tibet. At first it was shocking to me, but after a bit I began to feel more comfortable around death and I found it very helpful for me to accept that fact that one day I will die. According to the teachings of Buddhism, I don’t think that it should be any kind of insult to the deceased to show these photos. Once the spirit/soul/consciousness has left the body, it is just a hollow shell, some old junk to be disposed of. Attachment to this life, to this body, that we will one day have to part from, is the root cause of our suffering.

I get the idea that the butcher, in his rave playground with military fabrics, sort of enjoys his job. “Feed em to the vultures”- I say this because the slicing part seems kind of unnecessary – those birds have tasted human before.

I don’t want my butt to be sliced like that tho. that hurts. but very cool pictures. eyes opening! good post.