Articles Index

Tibetan Buddhism: An Introduction
Tibetan Buddhism is distinguished by its rich mythology and art, its esoteric tantra practices, and its reincarnated lamas. Here is a basic introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.

How Buddhism Came to Tibet
This is a brief history of Tibetan Buddhism from in 641 CE, when King Songtsen Gampo unified Tibet and married two Buddhist princesses, to 1642, when the 5th Dalai Lama became ruler of Tibet.

Introduction to Buddhist Tantra
The esoteric teachings, secret initiations and erotic imagery associated with Buddhist tantra have fueled no end of interest. But tantra may not be what you think it is.

Bardo Thodol: The Tibetan Book of the Dead
The Bardo Thodol -- "Liberation Through Hearing in the Intermediate State," known commonly as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" -- is best known as a guide through the intermediate state, or bardo, between death and rebirth. However, the teachings in the book can be read and appreciated on many different, subtle levels.

Gods, Goddesses and Buddhist Tantra
The veneration of tantric deities looks like polytheism, but it isn't. Instead, it is a means to realize enlightenment by realizing oneself as a goddess or god.

Buddhism in China and Tibet Today
Buddhism in China since the rise of Mao Zedong, Buddhism in Tibet since the March 2008 riots.

The Dorje Shugden Controversy
Dorje Shugden is an iconic character from Tibetan mythology with a loyal following. At a time when Tibetan Buddhism is in diaspora and under terrible stress, Shugden followers seem bent on destroying Tibetan Buddhism altogether -- in the name of saving it.

What's a "God-King"?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is often called a "God-King" by Western media. This article examines what that means and what role the Dalai Lama plays in Tibetan Buddhism and in Tibetan history.

Behind the Turmoil in Tibet
After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the people of Tibet continue to protest. China claims it has "liberated" the Tibetans from feudalism and ignorance and has modernized their country. Why aren't the Tibetans grateful?

Rebellion in Tibet
If the government of China had worked with His Holiness the Dalai Lama instead of making him Public Enemy Number One, the bloodshed of March 2008 could have been avoided.