As the official language, Dzongkha is learned by most of the people and is often
times the language of communication between groups although in some parts of the
country no one speaks this language natively so there is little motivation to learn
it. English and other popular international languages are spoken in much smaller
numbers. Very few people learn these languages and many of the people who do work
in the tourist industry or government.
About three quarters of Bhutan's population is Lamaistic
Buddhist, including most of the ethnic Bhotes and Sharchops. Among the last quarter,
most of the people are Hindi, most commonly among ethnic Nepalese.
Buddhism is a religion or philosophy that encourages people to strive for enlightenment.
Adherents believe that each being is reborn until enlightenment is reached, at which
time they escape the cycle of birth and death. To accomplish this, every being must
speak, act, and live in a positive manner; this is magnified with the force of karma,
which dictates an individual's later life and/or their rebirth.