Sky burial

Sky burial, also known as jhator, is a funeral practice where a corpse is placed on a mountaintop.

The body is exposed to the elements or eaten by scavenging animals. These animals often include vultures, crows, jackals, and bears. This practice is endemic to several regions, including Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Inner Mongolia. It is also found in Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India like Sikkim and Zanskar. While Westerners call it "sky burial," Tibetans often use the phrase "giving alms to the birds."

This tradition serves both spiritual and practical purposes in high-altitude environments.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the primary mechanism behind this practice is the belief in the transmigration of spirits. Followers believe that once a person dies, the body becomes an empty vessel. Because the soul has moved on, there is no religious need to preserve the physical remains. The function of the ritual is to dispose of the body in the most generous way possible. This act of providing food to living beings is seen as a final act of compassion.

This generosity is a core virtue within the Buddhist faith.

There are also significant environmental reasons for choosing this method. In much of Tibet and Qinghai, the ground is too hard and rocky for traditional burial. Digging a grave is difficult because the surface is often covered by permafrost or solid rock. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of timber and fuel in these regions. This makes cremation, which is common for high lamas, economically unfeasible for many.

Sky burial provides a practical solution to these geographical and resource challenges.

The procedure is highly structured and often takes place at dawn. It occurs at a charnel ground, which is a specific location for handling the dead. These sites, such as the Drigung Monastery, are usually higher than the surrounding land.

A charnel ground might be a simple flat rock or an elaborate site with temples and stupas. The ritual involves several distinct stages. First, monks may chant mantras or burn juniper incense around the body. Then, specialized workers called rogyapas, or "body-breakers," prepare the remains.

These workers often speak or laugh during the task, which is believed to help the soul transition more easily.

During the disassembly stage, the rogyapas use tools to divide the body. Some accounts mention a ritual flaying knife called a trigu. After the flesh is offered to vultures, such as the Himalayan or griffon species, the bones are addressed. The bones are broken with mallets and ground into a powder. This powder is often mixed with tsampa, which is a mixture of barley flour, tea, and yak butter.

This mixture is then consumed by crows or hawks. This ensures that every part of the body is returned to the natural cycle.

The history of these customs is complex and spans many centuries. Some evidence suggests that sky burials may have evolved from Chöd practices introduced by Dampa Sangye around 1117. Other theories suggest the practice may have roots in non-Buddhist, Zoroastrian traditions of defleshing the dead. There is also speculation regarding connections to very ancient sites like Göbekli Tepe or Stonehenge. In the 12th century, these customs were recorded in the Buddhist treatise known as the Bardo Thodol.

Over time, the practice spread among different groups, including the Mongols during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Today, the practice faces modern challenges and regulations. During the Cultural Revolution, sky burials were banned as part of the "Four Olds." This led to many bodies being buried or thrown into rivers instead. In recent years, the practice has become more regulated by the Chinese Communist Party. This is partly due to the declining population of vultures.

Because vultures are essential for nutrient recycling and carcass removal, their protection is a priority. Protecting these birds helps maintain the ecology of the entire region.