Known as the roof of the world, Tibet holds one and all in awe. The autonomous region of Tibet shares its borders with India, Nepal and Bhutan and is the cradle of some of the greatest rivers like the Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Yangtze, Mekong River, Salween River and many more. There are over 1500 lakes in Tibet including the heavenly lake Namtso and the revered Hindu lake called the Mansarovar. Tibet is a land of Buddhist monks and monasteries, high rise mountains that cross the 8,000m range, frozen lakes, gurgling rivers and deep gorges, inhospitable terrain and warm people. Due to the recent opening of the railway track connecting Lhasa to mainland China, it is easier to access Tibet. From the Potala Palace in Lhasa to a cup of tea made from Yak milk on the Bayan Khala mountain pass, Tibet is a land of extremes. Some of the prettiest pictures in Tibet include the Yam Drok Lake and the nomads of Drido county.

Why Volunteer In Tibet

There are different opportunities for volunteering in Tibet and most of them are focused on the education aspect. Teaching is considered important volunteer work and English is a language through which the Tibetans want to reach out to the world.

Types Of Projects Available

As a part of volunteering in Tibet, you will get to choose the kind of project you are interested in. The different types if projects available include:

* Humanitarian work: Volunteering in Tibet has many facets and one of the most important is humanitarian work. Teaching English to children in rural schools of Tibet is one of the most popular volunteering in Tibet projects. One of the regions where volunteers are required for teaching English includes the Jyekundo area also known as Yushu in Chinese. This is one of the most remote regions of Tibet and hence the literacy rate is not high. Although the Tibetan culture is intact here but educating the children is also as important. Volunteering in Tibet will present you with the opportunity to help the Tibetans in improving their lives and that of their children while through higher education.

* Orphanages: There are quite a few orphanages in Tibet and volunteering in Tibet will present you with the opportunity to associate yourself with some of these orphanages. You will get to take care of the orphaned children and also educate them so that at a later age they can be independent and will be able to make a living on their own. Poverty is one of the main reasons why people leave their children on the streets or in orphanages. One of the main reasons of poverty is the fact that Tibet is like a forgotten world. Being inaccessible for a greater period of time in a year makes it a far away land. In spite of being landlocked, it is cut off from the rest of the world and that is the irony of Tibet. Volunteering in Tibet will bring you closer to these orphaned children and you will be able to instill a ray of hope in the intricate ways of Tibetan lives.

* Culture Programs: Volunteering in Tibet will include spending time understanding their culture and traditions. Tibetans are Buddhist and their culture and traditions have similarity with the Indian and Chinese cultures. You will get to travel across the beautiful and scenic Tibetan landscape and visit some of the remote villages of the world. This way you will be able to understand the life of the common village man in Tibet and at the same time educate them to make their life more meaningful.

Volunteer Requirements

Age: The minimum age for volunteering in Tibet should be 18 or older.

Fee and Other details

There is a fee attached to each of the projects that you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and is charged for the following:

1. Accommodation
2. Emergency evacuation services
3. Food/meals
4. Travel insurance
5. Transportation within the region
6. Emergency support
7. All types of training material
8. Supervision by local staff
9. Orientation on arrival
10. Local sightseeing & recreational activities

Conclusion

Tibet has always fascinated the human mind more because of its inaccessibility and awe inspiring landscape. Volunteering in Tibet will help you to join hands with the Tibetans to find a better way of life that is independent of poverty and that will help them to survive in such inhospitable terrains. What you will be rewarded with is an unmatched experience that will captivate you and hold you spellbound.

Seomul Evans is a SEO consultant for Dallas Based Internet Marketing Services company and copywriter for Global Crossroad, a leading Volunteer in Tibet placement service.

Tags: Asia, China, Destinations, environment, social, society, spiritual, tibet, tourism, Travel, Volunteer, volunteering

Beijing has been a focal point for China’s most important religious observances since it become the country’s capital in 1420. Of all the temples built to worship the mighty forces in nature, the Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing is easily the most significant one.

Running an empire that held the worlds largest population, the Chinese emperors couldn’t just rely on intimidation and an effective government. They had to rule by legitimacy from Heaven.

Once forbidden ground, the Temple of Heaven is now ready to welcome you in and reveal all its mystery.[I:http://buddhisminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/DavidCheng49.jpg]

On the west side stands the Hall of Abstinence. This was where the emperor stayed to prepare himself for the ceremonies. He abstained from meat, onions, garlic, alcohol and sexual relations. Everything looks very simple in the hall. Here, the emperor didn’t have the luxurious furnishings and ornaments found in the Forbidden City.

Standing opposite to this, on the east side, are the Animal Slaughtering Hall and the Divine Kitchen. Cattle, sheep, pigs, and other sacrificial animals were slaughtered and prepared for the ceremonies here. Almost 50 workers would have to work for quite a few days before they could get the job done.

Music was also an important facet of all ceremonies in the Temple of Heaven. In the Hall of Divine Music Administration, imperial orchestras practiced compositions day and night. When rituals were held, they would play all throughout. Sometimes rituals lasts a whole day and into the night!

The number of antique instruments displayed in the hall is a big hit. And be sure to enjoy the mock performances, which are staged every two hours.

Soon you’ll be standing before the Circular Altar, the most significant structure in the temple. The altar was built to worship Heaven. You can’t miss taking a picture here, for it was believed to be the center of the universe.

And this was where the emperor would bow on his knees to take vows and confirm his legitimacy to rule China. A Chinese philosopher once wrote:If the ruler is right, then the creative energy of the universe will be harmonious and compliant. The rain and wind will be timely. Auspicious stars will appear, and then, the yellow dragon will descend.

The ritual gave the emperor absolute power to rule his empire.

Tags: altars, Asia, Beijing attractions, Beijing temples, Beijing tour, Beijing travel, buddhism, China, religion, temple, Temple of Heaven, Tiantan park, tourism

Beijing has been a focal point for China’s most important religious observances since it become the country’s capital in 1420. Of all the temples built to worship the mighty forces in nature, the Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing is easily the most significant one.

To run a country of hundreds of millions, the emperor needed more than just intimidation and an effective government. He had to obtain his legitimacy from Heaven to rule.

As you enter this tremendous temple, a mysterious world once closed off from the average person is now ready to show all its mystery.[I:http://buddhisminfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/DavidCheng49.jpg]

The Hall of Abstinence is on the west side. The emperor used this area to prepare himself for the prayers to Heaven. He would keep himself away from alcohol, meat, garlic, onions, and sexual relations. The hall was kept simple, for a luxury-loving emperor wouldn’t be favored by Heaven.

On the east side of the complex are the Animal Slaughtering Hall and Divine Kitchen. Sacrificial animals such as sheep, cattle, and pigs used to be slaughtered and prepared in these two halls. It would take many workers several days to prepare all of the food.

Also, music was essential to the ceremonies. In the hall of Divine Music Administration, imperial orchestras practiced compositions day and night so that no mistake was made when the rituals were held.

The number of antique instruments displayed in the hall is a big hit. And be sure to enjoy the mock performances, which are staged every two hours.

The Circular Altar, standing at the center of the temple, is the most important structure in the Temple of Heaven. A radial terrace, the altar was built for the emperor to worship Heaven. Dont skip your photo opportunity here, as in ancient China this was believed to be the center of the universe.

Each year, the emperor would pray to Heaven and validate his right to rule the kingdom. It is said that the weather would be good if the emperor did things right, while there would be death and natural disasters if Heaven rejected him.

The ritual gave the emperor absolute power to rule his empire.

Tags: altars, Asia, Beijing attractions, Beijing temples, Beijing tour, Beijing travel, buddhism, China, religion, temple, Temple of Heaven, Tiantan park, tourism