This meal could be my last. This walk, too. And when I go to sleep tonight, I might not wake up tomorrow. For many Bhutanese, reminders of their imminent demise are woven into the weft of daily life. Tsa-tsas – palm-sized cones moulded by monks from the ashes of loved ones – are speckled across caves and roadsides in prayers for the departed. White flags hoisted on poles bristle on mountain tops, releasing well-wishes into the wind. In the country’s numerous temples, flesh-devouring demons, skulls and hellish monsters dance across the walls in timeworn Technicolor. All there to remind you: you’re going to die.
這頓飯可能是我的最后一餐，這次散步也是如此。而當(dāng)我今晚入睡時(shí)，明天可能醒不過(guò)來(lái)。對(duì)于許多不丹人來(lái)說(shuō)，對(duì)他們即將死亡的提醒被編織進(jìn)日常生活的經(jīng)緯中。Tsa-tsas——由僧侶用親人的骨灰制成的手掌大小的錐體——散布在洞穴和路邊，為逝者祈禱。豎立在山頂?shù)陌灼煸陲L(fēng)中飄揚(yáng)，傳遞著美好的祝愿。在這個(gè)國(guó)家的眾多寺廟中，食肉惡魔、骷髏和地獄怪物在古老的彩色壁畫(huà)上舞動(dòng)。所有這些都是為了提醒你：你終將死去。