1. Verbal and Nonverbal
Communication in Tibet
Amy Bailey, Benjamin Capshaw, Jennifer
Burns, Jennifer Claggett, Jordan Coby
3 March 2011

2. Understanding the History of
Tibet
By: Jennifer Burns
Topics to Include: Geography, Tibetan Facts, History and Government
(Wikipedia 2011)
(Beebee 2010) Culture is a learned system of knowledge, behavior, attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms that is
shared by a group of people and shaped from one generation to the next. (Pg. 150)

3. Geography of Tibet
Climate
 The overall climate is rather harsh, with thin
air, insufficient oxygen, intense sunlight, and
ultraviolet radiation.
 Northern Tibet sits at an altitude of 14,764 feet
and winter lasts about nine months and is dry
and bitterly cold with an average temperature
below zero. The best time to visit this region is
during July and August, when visitors can enjoy
(Wikipedia 2010)
fresh air, warm temperature, vast green
Location grassland, as well as the snow-capped peaks.
 Tibet is located on the continent of Asia.  Central Tibet is a holy land with many great
Buddhist monasteries. The geothermal springs
 It is bordered by India on the south and the
here are known for their remedial abilities to
west. Nepal and Bhuton border in the cure many skin diseases. The best time to visit
south. China in the north and east. is June through September.
 It sits on the highest plateau in the world, at  The Southernmost area of Tibet’s lowest
an average elevation of 16,000 ft. temperature reaches -34 C. It is the site where
Culture and Communication: (Beebe 2010) the hotspot of mountaineering exploration of
You may not plan to travel the world but the Himalayas is located.
the world is traveling to you. (Pg. 149)

4. Tibetan Facts
 Tibet is referred to as the “Roof of the Earth” because of it’s high elevation. (Wikipedia 2011)
 Mt. Everest, the highest mountain on Earth is located on the border of Tibet and Nepal, sitting at an elevation of
29,029ft.
 The capital of Tibet is Lhasa City.
 Tibet is home to the Tibetan people, as well as a few other ethnic groups: Monpas, Lhobas, and Han and Hui people.
 The official language of Tibet is both Mandarin and Standard Tibetan. Many Tibetans also speak Hindi, Bhutanese or
Nepali. Tibetan is the language most used in daily interaction whereas Mandarin has become the language of commerce.
 Tibet has long been an independent country with it’s own unique culture with it’s own spoken and written
languages, system of government, currency, postal system, style of Buddhism, costume, and architecture.
 Over 1500 lakes are sprinkled over Tibet, of which most are located on the northern plateau, making it the area in
China with the highest lake density and earning it the reputation of being the 'Hometown of Lakes'.
 The economy of Tibet is dominated by subsistence agriculture, though tourism has become a growing industry in Tibet
in recent decades.
 The currency of Tibet is Chinese Yuan Renminbi
 The staple food of Tibetan is Tsampa (roasted barley flour), while the National Drink is salted butter tea.
 The most famous animal belonging to Tibet is Yak, which provides manifold services
 The Qinghai-Tibet Railway line, linking the region to Qinghai in China, is the world’s highest railway line.
 There are two world Heritage sites located in Tibet, Potala Palace and Norbuligka, which were the former residences of
the Dalai Lama.
 Tibetan Buddhism is the most widely followed religion in Tibet.
 The prime crop of Tibet is barley.
(Beebe 2010) Ethnocentrism is the attitude that our own cultural approaches are superior to those of other cultures.
(p. 157)

5. Historical Facts, Dates and Events
 Humans inhabited Tibet 21,000 years ago. (Wikipedia, 2011)
 The history of a unified Tibet begins with the rule of
Songtsan Gampo, who founded the Tibetan Empire.
 In 1578, Altan Khan of the Tümed Mongols gave Sonam
Gyatso, a high lama of the Gelugpa school, the name Dalai
Lama; Dalai being the Mongolian translation of the
Tibetan name Gyatso, or "Ocean“ (Wikipedia 2011)
 Tibet has been under the control of China since 1951
 The Tibet Autonomous Region, which is commonly
referred to as Tibet, is only a part of the historic country of
Tibet, created by China for administrative purposes.
 The current Dalai Lama is Tibet's political and spiritual
leader, who fled from Tibet in 1959 and came to
Dharamsala, India.
 Dalai Lama, along with over 100,000 Tibetans, established
the Tibetan Government in Exile, which is a parliamentary
form of government, with its base in Dharamshala, India.
It is not recognized.
Barriers to Bridging Differences and Adapting to Others-
(Beebe 2010) Our hopes for peace and prosperity
among all of the world’s peoples are often dashed
when we read of violent clashes between people of
different religions, sexual orientations, and ethnicities.
(p. 157)
(dalailamafilm.com)

6. Tibetan Government
(factsanddetails.com 2008)
Tibetans traditionally have merged politics and religion. Before China took control of Tibet, monasteries played
major roles in administering. Tibet and the monasteries and their leaders often fought among one another for
political dominance. The Tibetan government at that time was a theocracy controlled by lamas and monks from
their monasteries. The bureaucracy was under the control of the Dalai Lama. It had a religious branch and a secular
branch which collected taxes and provided government services. Local governments were run by village headmen
and estate stewards. They collected taxes and settled disputes. Tibetan style government still prevails in remote areas
of Tibet. (Hays 2008) The history of the Tibetan Government in Exile began in 1949, when China invaded Tibet.
Until this point, Tibet was an independent entity. The Tibetan Government in Exile includes a full cabinet with
officials who focus on issues like education, public service, religion, culture, health, finances, and security. The
Central Tibetan Administration, is an advocacy group subordinate to the 14th Dahlia Lama. The Dalai Lama is the
exiled political and religious leader of Tibet. It’s goals are to rehabilitate Tibetan refuges and restore freedom and
happiness in Tibet. It’s internal structure is government-like, however it claims that it is not designed to take
power., and it will be dissolved "as soon as freedom is restored in Tibet" and a government is formed by Tibetans
inside Tibet. (Hays 2008) The position of the CTA is that Tibet is a distinct nation with a long history of
independence. The current policy of the Dalai Lama is that he does not seek full independence for Tibet, but would
accept Tibet as a genuine autonomous region within the People's Republic of China.

7. Understanding the Culture of
Tibet
By: Jennifer Clagget
Topics to Include: Understanding and Defining Culture, Tibetan Culture,
Education, Nomadic Lifestyle.
(Creenglish.com ,2008)

8. Understanding and Defining Culture
 Merriam-Webster defines culture as “the customary beliefs, social forms and material traits of a
racial, religious, or social group…the characteristic features of everyday existence, shared by
people in a place or time.” (Merriam-Webster, 2011).
 Culture is a term used to describe people’s whole way of life. It includes
arts, beliefs, religion, customs, language, architecture, traditions, food, and clothing. According to
the Blue Book of Communication, a key principle of adapting to others is to be ethical, honest
and truthful and to observe the rights of others. (pg 148) From what we have learned about the
people of Tibet, it is important to be ethical and honest. These principles are also evident in the
practice of Buddhism.
 Cultural values, “whatever a given group of people values or appreciates” (pg 153) are also
important when understanding the people of Tibet. In the United States, we are surrounded by
many different types of cultural values, most of which are very different than the values of the
people of Tibet. In the US, the people of Tibet may experience culture shock because of the
extreme differences; especially in regards to everyday religious practices.
 It is also important to remember to try to adapt to others when communicating using the
techniques outlined in the Blue Book, seek information, ask questions and actively listen to the
answers provided, tolerate ambiguity, develop mindfulness, and become other oriented. (pgs 162-
165) By becoming more aware of a person’s background, it will help develop your
communication skills, both when you are the speaker and the receiver.

9. Tibetan Culture
 Evidence of Buddhism, the most prevalent religion in Tibet, can be seen in
every element of Tibetan culture, from art to language to architecture. People
of Tibet take their religion, beliefs and values very seriously.
"The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances." Atisha.
(gaia.com, 2010.)

10. Education in Tibet
 Education level in Tibet is low for several reasons.
a. Many remote areas do not have schools and parents do not want to send their
children to boarding schools.
b. Families can not afford to pay fees charged by the Chinese government
c. The laws of Tibet say that children do not have to attend school until the age of 9.
(tchrd.org,2003.)
 “Instead of cultivating human and social development of the Tibetan children
education has been the medium of inculcating loyalty to the Chinese Communist
government in Beijing. Education in Tibet is designed to generate love for
communism and the “motherland” and demands the denunciation of the Dalai Lama
and his “clique” in the exile.” (tchrd.org,2003.)
 “The education given to Chinese children in Tibet is far superior to that available to
Tibetans. Tibetan language and culture are treated as a handicap, and few Tibetans
graduate to secondary school. Those that do face little choice of employment unless
they speak fluent Chinese. Tibetans are sidelined in the Chinese language dominated
workforce because of the lack of appropriate access to education, not enough schools
and the sheer expense means many Tibetans do not attend schools”
(freetibet.org,2007.)

11. Nomadic Lifestyle
 There are about 2 million nomads on the Tibetan
Plateau. ~25% of the population.
 Nomadic herders are known as drokpa.
 Nomadic families tend to be very poor, with a family
typically earning between $100 and $300 a year. Money
is earned by trading animals for grain or selling them
or their meat for money.
 Many nomads live in four-sided or eight-sided tents
made from black yak hair or wool and held up with
wooden poles.
 Most nomads are only nomads in the summer. In the
winter, they live in valleys in houses with wooden
beams and earthen floors and pens or shelters for their
animals. An increasing number have access to
electricity. Some get electricity from small generators
or solar panels.
 Before a caravan before departing for the winter, a
ritual with the gods using a shaman takes place and yak
butter is placed on each yak with the understanding
that gods like butter and will protect the animals to
show their gratitude. Wives also dab butter on the
heads of their husbands. This is believed to protect
(factsanddetails.com, 2008) from rock slides, falls from cliffs, blizzards and other
dangerous weather. (factsanddetails.com, 2008)

12. Religion in Tibet
By: Amy Bailey
Topics to Include: Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan Bön, Islam, Christianity
(sherabchammaling.com, 2004)

13. Tibetan Buddhism
 Dates back to 7th century AD, when Tibet was unified and the Tibetan language was created.
 Buddhism banned under King Lang Darma, switched national religion to Bon.
 Revival in 978, when Indian high priest Atisha (Dipankara Srijanana) came to develop it. New
Buddhism that developed utilized features of Bon
 Nyingmapa, meaning “old” in Tibetan, is oldest Tibetan Buddhist sect, known for wearing red
robes.
 Is also described as an ethical religion that emphasizes the treatment of others. “Buddhism
teaches a similar value, One should seek for others the happiness one desires for oneself”
(Beebe, 2010, p. 9).
 Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama in Northern India in the sixth century BCE.
Buddhists believe that there were countless Buddha before Siddhartha and that there will be many
more after him. A Buddha is a human who has achieved enlightenment.
(www.religioustolerance.org, 2010.)*
 Buddhism is centered around the concepts of karma, dharma, and reincarnation.
a. Karma- the law of moral causation. It takes into account the sum total of an individual's
actions of body, speech and mind, good, bad and neutral, taken in their current and previous
lives.
b. Dharma- is about living a life that promises worldly joys and heavenly happiness. It refers to
the teachings of Buddha, the path to enlightenment, and the fundamental principles that
order the universe.
c. Reincarnation- the rebirth after death into a new body that is either a human, animal or
supernatural being (www.religioustolerance.org, 2010.)*
* Research and bullet points provided by Jennifer Clagget (Religion, 2005)

14. Tibetan Stupa, and a diagram of
the physical symbolism.
(Religion, 2005)

15. Tibetan Bön and Islam
 Tibetan Bön  Islam:
 All the things in nature, including  Brought into Tibet by Muslim
sky, earth, sun, moon, lightning, thunde Merchants in the early 7th or 8th century
r, animals, and plants have spirits  Approximately 4000 Muslims in Tibet,
themselves and are worthy of majority of which are concentrated in
worshipping. Lhasa.
 Earlier followers only indulged in the
 Tibetan Muslims have native
activities of divination, prayer, ghost- characteristics of Tibetans, wearing
exorcising, sacrifice, and Tibetan costumes with a white veil/cap
others, sometimes by using on their head, in church they recite first
supernatural magic. in Arabic and then in the Tibetan
 Bon can be divided into three language, as well as keeping Tibetan
sects, namely Brdol Bön, Vkhyr Bön dining habits and lodging styles.
and Bsgyur Bön.  There are currently four mosques in
 A very ethical religion, Bön emphasizes Tibet, two in Lhasa city, one in
moral principles in every aspect of Shigatse City, and another in
life, including communication. Chenngguan town of Chamdo County.
 Exempted from many things in Tibet
such as vegetarian meals on Buddha’s
birthday which is mandatory for
Tibetan Buddhists, which is not
exempted for those who follow Bön.
(Religion, 2005)

16. Christianity
 Tibet’s first Catholic church was built in 1626, but was promptly
destroyed four years later by Tibetan Buddhists.
 Until 1741 only 26 Tibetans, servants and missionaries, were persuaded to
receive the Baptism of Catholicism.
 In 1921, a church was built in Lhasa City.
 Catholics in Tibet number over 740 now, over 600 of which are locals.
 While keeping their own beliefs, they also have similar living styles to
Tibetans, including using a Tibetan translation edition of the Bible and
wear Tibetan costumes, having a European name given by the priest, and
receiving a burial according to the Catholic teachings.
 Tibetan Catholics recognize the Tibetan New Year as the beginning of a
year, while still celebrating Christmas day. The Church is mixed Catholic
and Tibetan architectural style, and traditional Tibetan offerings of Khatag
can be seen in front of the picture of the Virgin Mary. The current priest
of the Yanjing Catholic Church is a local Tibetan.
(Religion, 2005)

17. Gender Roles and Nonverbal
Communication
By: Ben Capshaw
Topics to Include: Marriage, Family, Interpersonal Relations, Tibetan Social
Norms, Family Hierarchy
(http://www.hkreporter.com/talks/thread-882795-1-1.html, 2010)

18. Interpersonal Relations, Social Norms, and Marriage
 Men stretch arms out, with palms up, and bow to each other as a symbol of respect)
 When greeting an unrelated elder, one must nod their head, while sticking out the tongue.
 Women are significantly less educated then men. A highly educated woman is considered
insubordinate.
 Daughters of the family are allowed to leave the home only by marriage, and only if the father is
lavishly compensated.
 Arranged Marriages
 Society is dominated by males
 Women are expected to be subordinate
 When married, wife has specific purposes
 Breeding,
 Cooking
 Cleaning, etc.
 Divorce is only granted for men
 If female cannot produce a son to carry on the family name,
 If female has persistent health issues (that can be passed on to children)
 If female gossips (potential to smear the families reputation)

19. The Family Unit and Hierarchy
The oldest living male in the  Multiple generations on
family has ultimate authority family compound.
among all members. The chain  All male family members
have authority over
of command is distributed by females, including
the age of the male family son/mother relationships
members. Females are given  Entire families can be
authority by age, after the last prosecuted for a crime
male. The oldest female has committed by a family
member.
authority underneath the
 The family men inherit and
youngest male family member. monopolizes the property
and dwellings.

20. Tibetan Clothing
with emphasis on nonverbal communication
By: Darin Auvil
Topics to Include: Nonverbal Communication
Defined, Location, Etiquette, Jewelry and Adornments
(Xiaosui, 2011)

21. Defining Nonverbal Communication
 Nonverbal communication defined: “communication
other than written or spoken language that creates
meaning for someone” (Beebe, 2010)
 Symbols can be gestures or visual images that represent
thoughts, concepts, objects or experiences, or they can
be representative of the body, like posture or facial
expression, how we dress and accessorize with the use
of clothing and jewelry; all of which can be perceived to
express ideas, attitudes, and feelings

22. Location
 North:  South
 “Northerners who live in a much  “Southerners on the other hand live a
colder climate also live a much more much harder life than their Northern
nomadic, simplistic and prosperous neighbors, toiling the land. As farmers
lifestyle as herdsman, than their reaping the fruits of their labor, their
Southern counterparts. Their clothes clothes are much less ornate and light
are mad of silk and furred robes and weight due to the type of work and
are decorated colorful cloth stripes” warmer and more humid climate”
(Eastbay, 2010). (Eastbay, 2010).
(China Tibet Information Center, 2011) (Tibet Daily, 2011)

23. Etiquette
 Demonstrates respect or a rite of passage
 Apron
 Strips of cloth in women’s hair
 Gold and silver ornaments
 Jewelry to indicate religion and marital status
 “heavenly head” hair style
 Hada scarf
 Adornments indicate social status
 Spur the attraction of a suitor, for single women
 Wealth that may be brought into a marriage
 Blue book of communication states “jewelry, tattoos, piercings,
makeup, cologne, eyeglasses and so on can be displays of culture”
(Beebe, 2010, p. 95).

24. Striped aprons and necklaces(Cultural- Intricately braided hair (Hays, 2010)
China.com, 2010)
Traditional adornments (Cultural-China.com, 2010)
Hada scarf (Cultural-China.com, 2010) Beaded headress (Cultural-China.com, 2010)

25. Tibetan Rituals
By: Jordan Coby
Topics to Include: Buddhist Death Rituals, Lunar Calendar, Buddha
Ceremonies, Prayer Flag and Wind Horse
Monk performing rituals
(tibetanlivingcommunities.org, 2009)

26. Buddhist Death Rituals
 Buddhism death rituals include the belief that there will be life after
death, death can be seen as a rebirth
 Three forms of burial: cremation, water burial, and sky burial
 “Sky Burial”: technically not a burial, a process in which the remains of
the dead are fed to vultures
 Custom is known as jhator
 Takes place at dawn in a specific location
 Relative’s are not allowed to view this ritual
 On a flat rock, monks and rogyapas (“body breakers”) ritually cut the
corpse into small pieces and flay the body in order to expose tissue
 The bones and flesh are beat against the rocks to create a pulp
 This pulp is mixed with barley flour, tea, butter, and milk, the mixture is
left for the vultures
 The human bone is used to make costumes that will be used in religious
ceremonies to allay the fear of death
 The ritual use of bones connects the world of living to the world of
dead, this reinforces the Buddhist concept of the clynical nature of
existence

27. Lunar Calendar
 Calculates the dates for ceremonies, very important for keeping the time
 the moon is where all the importance is put
 on a 29.5 day synodic cycle, the moon rises at different times each
day, makes it difficult sometimes
 Every 30 months a month may be added to keep on track with seasons
 Very complex to calculate the calendar, students often learn this from
masters
 Specific days are given special significance, whether good or bad
 Most important date of Tibetan year is Saga Dawa, this is the anniversary
of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away.
Leaf from a Tibetan lunar calendar, written in Mongolia in the second half of the 19th century with hand
written Tibetan script and painted images of a dog and a boar
(carters.com.au, 2011)

28. Buddha Ceremonies
 Daily ceremonies take place in temples
 Other ceremonies do not necessarily
take place in a temple
 Throughout the year these rituals are
performed for things such as propitiate
deities, to precipitate rain, to avert
hailstorms, diseases, and death, to
ensure good harvests, to exorcise
demons and evil spirits, and of course
to destroy the passions of the mind
and, ultimately, the ego
 Each ceremony features weapons and
these weapons have special significance
 They retrieved the weapons from a
battlefield or from cremation grounds
 The weapons represent images of
destruction, slaughter, sacrifice
 The weapons were wrestled from hand
of evil and turned against ultimate root
of evil (metmuseum.org, 2011)

29. Prayer Flag and Wind Horse
 Prayer Flag, decorates monasteries, houses, and even mountain
passes
 Blessings printed on them that get spread throughout the world
by the wind
 Five main colors include, blue for sky, red for fire, white with
clouds, green with water, and yellow with earth
 The Wind Horse is a mythical creature from pre Buddhist times
 Combines the speed of the wind and strength of the horse to
carry prayers from earth to heavens
 Most prevalent symbol used on prayer flags, an ancient design

30. Open Ended Questions:
 In what ways does the Tibetan government differ from
the U.S.A’s government?
 Buddhism has influenced the Tibetan culture in many
ways. What effects do you think Buddhism has played
in our culture?
 Tibetan clothing is unique in the sense that it can
communicate social status, marital
status, wealth, age, and even geographical location. In
what ways might clothing in the United States
communicate similar things?

31. References
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http://www.freetibet.org/about
 Beebe, S. A. (2010). Interpersonal Commuications, Fifth Edition. In S. A. Beebe, The Blue Book of Communications Studies (p.
78). New York: Pearson Custome Publishing.
 Cultural-China.com. (2010). Traditions, Clothing and Ornaments. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from Cultural China:
http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/116T32T129.html
 Duntak, J. (2007, July 06). The tibetan stupa. Retrieved from http://tibettalk.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/the-tibetan-stupa/
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 Eastbay. (2010). About Tibetan Clothing. Retrieved February 19, 2011, from English.Eastday.com:
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 Facts, Religion. (2005, January 16). Bon. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/bon.htm
 Facts, Religion. (2005, January 16). Christianity. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/index.htm
 Facts, Religion. (2005, January 16). Islam. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/index.htm
 Facts, Religion. (2005, January 16). Tibetan buddhism. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects/tibetan.htm
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 Hays, Jeffrey. (2008) Tibetan Government. Retrieved From: Facts and Details: http://www.china.php?itemid-
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 HOWARD, C.. (2001). Bhutan. In Melvin Ember & Carol Ember (Eds.), Countries and Their Cultures, Vol. 1(pp. 238-244). New
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 (The Official Website of the Central Tibetan Administration, 2009). A website providing information on the Tibetan
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http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/Tibet/tibet-local-custom.html
 (Wikipedia, 2011) A website providing information on Tibet. Retrieved From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet