The Shoton Festival
Place: Lhasa, Tibet

The Shoton Festival, also known as Tibetan Opera Festival, is one of the major festivals in Tibet.

Its origin is derived from a rule set by Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug (Yellow Sect of Buddhism), which decreed that Buddhists should cultivate themselves only indoors during the summer, to avoid killing other creatures carelessly. This was because creatures are most active in summer. This rule must be carried out until the seventh lunar month. Then Buddhists go outdoors, accept yoghurt served by local people, and have fun. Generally summer is the best time to go to Tibet.

Shoton means Yogurt banquet. Shoton Festival was began in 17 century, according the rule of Buddhism the monk are forbidden to go out during summer for ten days until summer gone. At that day of the monk go out of temple, they can get yougurt banquet from residents. It original of a religion activities and now become a folk festival.

Activities: "Buddha-unfolding", traditional Tibetan Opera Performance. Local people are drink highland barley wine, ghee tea, eat yougurt to enjoy the performance and other activities.

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