The custom of circumambulating mountains originates from the Yongzhong Bon religion of Xizang, which was passed down from the ancient Xiangzong era. The direction of circumambulating mountains is counterclockwise, and its teachings are more rigorous, the system is more complete, and the rituals and ceremonies tend to be more institutionalized. The Yongzhong Bon religion spread from Xiangzong and occupied the religious dominance throughout the Tibetan region. Circumambulating mountains represents people's worship, yearning, and pursuit of gods, embodying the Tibetan culture's spirit of coexistence between humans and gods, and harmony between humans and nature. The activity of circumambulating mountains has evolved from personal physical exercise to spiritual enlightenment, then to family blessings, and finally to national religious beliefs. This is the main reason for the long-standing and rich Tibetan Buddhist culture over thousands of years. Essentially, the Tibetan activity of circumambulating mountains belongs to the "mountain" totem culture, which reveres and worships "mountains", but transcends the limited scope of totem culture to include worship rituals, rising to a religious pilgrimage with "mountains" as the totem.
Circumambulating the mountain is a training for the body and a pilgrimage for the spirit.
Circumambulating the mountain is an important religious ritual for Tibetans, symbolizing the purification of the body and mind, the washing away of sins, and the sublimation of the spirit.
Washing away sins: According to the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, circling the mountain once can wash away all the sins of a lifetime.
Avoiding the suffering of hell: Making ten rounds around the mountain can avoid the suffering of hell in the five hundred reincarnations.
Achieving Buddhahood: One is expected to achieve Buddhahood after making 108 revolutions.
Increasing merit: If one circumambulates the mountain during the year of the Horse (a zodiac sign, with a 12-year cycle) in which Shakyamuni was born, one can increase their merit by one cycle, which is twelve times the usual merit. Moreover, this is the most efficacious and long-lasting way to accumulate merit.
In modern society, circumambulating the mountain has become a form of tourism and cultural experience, attracting numerous tourists to participate and pray for themselves and their families.