Eternal horizons

*** This programme contains graphic descriptions of body mutilation ***
In the Nepalese Himalaya, one of the world’s rarest and most spiritually profound funeral rites is still practiced: the Sky Burial. In some circumstances when a person dies, their body is offered to wild vultures. According to local Bon and Tibetan Buddhist customs, this burial is reserved only for those whose karma is deemed pure and whose astrological signs align with sacred guidance. The ritual represents the highest form of cremation, allowing the soul to ascend freely to the heavens.

The arrival of infrastructure projects and modern roads have brought improved connectivity, healthcare and new economic opportunities to these remote valleys in recent years - but they've also created challenges for monastics and Sky Burial practitioners too. As the modern world continues to encroach on these ancient traditions, we follow Tashi Bista as he meets the guardians of this ceremony and comes eye to eye with human mortality.

Presenter: Tashi Bista
Producer: Hunter Charlton
Executive producer: Ant Adeane
An Ember Audio production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Monk praying in Upper Mustang's Nyenyol valley. Credit: Tashi Bista)