In the general public’s mind, when they hear the country of Tibet, they think of Tibetan monks wearing robes and practicing traditional methods in a peaceful environment. However, what most people don’t know is that the Tibetan people have gone through turmoil and despair due to the constant struggles between their Chinese neighbors. Due to this turmoil, their economic advancement speed was hindered in comparison to other countries around the world. With economic problems, their technology was hampered as well. However, with new initiatives from the Chinese government in the recent year of 2000 to help the Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet had a rapid spread of landline and mobile phones.
With these phones, villagers and workers are now able to communicate with each other and with technologies such as television, households, and automobiles, their economic profitability and advancement have increased dramatically, from an increase of mean income per household of about 7,000 to 16,000 yuan in just eight years. In response to these technological and economical improvements, the Tibetan monks have also followed suit to the advancement.
Now in the modern era, Tibetan monks use electronic household products in aiding them with everyday chores. Due to the economic rise, monks are also able to spend money on non-subsistence activities. With Tibetan monks going abroad to study the different cultures around the world, some have even started using the newest technology inventions such as smartphones and have taken their scope to the internet and social networking sites. Even with traditions following monks for centuries, monks are still people in the end and will follow the current trend.
Childs, G, Goldstein, MC, Wangdui, P (2008) "Going for Income" in Village Tibet: A Longitudinal Analysis of Change and Adaptation, 1997-2007, University of California Press 48:514- 534
With these phones, villagers and workers are now able to communicate with each other and with technologies such as television, households, and automobiles, their economic profitability and advancement have increased dramatically, from an increase of mean income per household of about 7,000 to 16,000 yuan in just eight years. In response to these technological and economical improvements, the Tibetan monks have also followed suit to the advancement.
Now in the modern era, Tibetan monks use electronic household products in aiding them with everyday chores. Due to the economic rise, monks are also able to spend money on non-subsistence activities. With Tibetan monks going abroad to study the different cultures around the world, some have even started using the newest technology inventions such as smartphones and have taken their scope to the internet and social networking sites. Even with traditions following monks for centuries, monks are still people in the end and will follow the current trend.
Childs, G, Goldstein, MC, Wangdui, P (2008) "Going for Income" in Village Tibet: A Longitudinal Analysis of Change and Adaptation, 1997-2007, University of California Press 48:514- 534