Ancient Phallus Worship is Growing in Popularity Among Bhutan Buddhists

RELIGION NEWS
By Tara Limbu, Religion News

A phallic painting on a building in Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan.

BHUTAN---For centuries, Buddhists in this tiny landlocked Himalayan kingdom have had a special devotion to the most unusual of objects: the phallus. Painted on the walls of their homes, hanging from the eaves of their houses and seen in vehicles and on rooftops, images of the phallus are an essential part of Bhutan’s traditional ceremonies. Bhutanese believe the “scandalous” yet integral image aids in fertility, offers protection from evil and dispels malicious gossip. The popularity of phallic worship is attributed to the 15th-century Buddhist teacher, Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as the “Divine Madman.” A young Bhutanese female author has released a new book, “Phallus: Crazy Wisdom from Bhutan,” a filmmaker is working on a film that explores phallic culture and an artist has carved a provocative phallus with dragon. [link]