Reading Religious Biographies

Holy biographies or hagiographies are read in Bhutan either slowly with the comprehension of the content or as a ritual of loud recitation. People believe reading holy biographies of enlightened masters would help them gain merit and protection from the righteous spirits, which would clear away harms and misfortunes. Religious biographies are read aloud among the listeners also to share the inspiring stories and to help encourage people emulate the protagonist in following the path to liberation. Biographies are thus called 'namthar' or liberation because they have this liberative role.