Buddhism in Bhutan

Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan. According to a 2012 report by the Pew Research Center, 74.7% of the country's population practices Buddhism.^[1]^[2]

Although the Buddhism practiced in Bhutan originated in Tibetan Buddhism, it differs significantly in its rituals, liturgy, and monastic organization.^[3] The state religion has long been supported financially by the government through annual subsidies to Buddhist monasteries, shrines, monks, and nuns.^[3] In the modern era, support of the state religion during the reign of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck includes the manufacture of 10,000 gilded bronze images of the Buddha, publication of elegant calligraphic editions of the 108-volume Kangyur (Collection of the Words of the Buddha) and the 225-volume Tengyur (Collection of Commentaries), and the construction of numerous chorten (stupas) throughout the country.^[3] Guaranteed representation in the National Assembly and the Royal Advisory Council, Buddhists constitute the majority of society and are assured an influential voice in public policy.^[3]

^ US State Dept 2022 report
^ "Table: Religious Composition by Country" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-05.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1993). Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 282–284. ISBN 0-8444-0777-1. OCLC 27429416. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2020-11-02. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

[1] US State Dept 2022 report

[2] "Table: Religious Composition by Country" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-05.

[:2-3] Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1993). Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 282–284. ISBN 0-8444-0777-1. OCLC 27429416. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2020-11-02. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

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