Tibet is very famous for its religious culture. A majority of Tibetans practice Tibetan Buddhism, a distinctive form of Buddhism, which reveres certain teachers and monks as lamas, reincarnations of famous spiritual masters. Like all Buddhists, Tibetan Buddhists base their practice on the teachings of the historical Buddha, a philosopher who lived in the fifth century B.C.E. His basic teachings stress morality, compassion, and respect for others, as well as self-discipline and wisdom. Professor Robert Thurman, a teacher far wiser than myself, explains, “Buddhists believe that everything in life is in a constant state of change. People do not realize they are part of the flow of the universe. They struggle to maintain a sense of permanence for their separate selves. However, nothing is separate or permanent. Everyone dies and is reborn an indefinite number of times. The effects of one's past actions (karma) determine the quality of life a person experiences each time…[but] only by eliminating ignorance…can humans end suffering and attain peace. This state of inner peace and enlightenment is called nirvana.

An even older religious practice in Tibet is called Bön. It is, in fact, the oldest spiritual tradition in Tibet. Its followers are called Bönpo, who strive to achieve peace and balance, much like Buddhists. Many of its practices influenced Tibetan Buddhism, such as the use of oracles, the exorcising of spirits, and the concept of the soul, but there is much for outsiders still to learn about the Bön religion, as it has been pushed to the sidelines in Tibetan culture for many, many years. Only recently have explorers found an ancient treasure-trove of Bon texts, some completely unknown, hidden in caves in the Mustang province of neighboring Bhutan. Our understanding of Bön history and tradition continues to grow.