A regular ritual for Tibet, revolting to the world, called “sky burial”. In Tibet, the question “what about the bodies?” is an real problem because of the unsuitable geographical conditions.
It is almost impossible for anyone to bury their relatives. For Buddhists, it is not imperative that the bodies of the deceased are preserved. Bodies need to “re-enter” in nature, especially because they believe in reincarnation.
After a solemn procession, the procession reacheas a remote but pre-established location. Then, the man who died is stripped of clothes and put on earth, and his relatives come and make dozens of cuts over the whole body.
They get away from the corpse and wait for “nature to do his part”. Dozens of vultures, attracted by the smell of blood, come and simply devour their “meal”. Then, after the eagles have done their job, the family comes and get the remains of the body: all the bones are gathered in one place and chopped.
But such a procedure is adopted only for the rich because it requires the participation of the most important members of the community. Poor people simply abandon their bodies on the rocks and the nature takes her cours.
The practice of “sky burial” is considered as an act of generosity. He who died offers by “sacrifice
” food to the remaining relatives.
Chinese authorities, who controls Tibet, have banned the practice in the 60, but have accepted it as legal again in the ’80s.
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