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Examine the current geopolitical reality of an ancient people as you uncover the past, present, and possible future of Tibet in 24 fascinating and revealing lectures.

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1. Life at the Roof of the World

12m

Dive into the many facets of Tibet and learn why this ancient land is not the "Shangri-la" so often portrayed in the West. Neither is it a mystical place full of happy, meditating monks and carefree nomads, nor an odd jumble of spiritualism mixed with pseudo-psychology. This is your introduction to the real Tibet-a complex intersection of multifaceted geopolitical concerns.

2. When the Dalai Lama Broke With China

23m

China annexed Tibet in 1951, and has designated it the Tibet Autonomous Region since 1965. From the Chinese government's perspective, the region is semi-autonomous but by no means independent. Look deeper into the many negotiations between the Dalai Lama, as the Tibetan leader, and China, and why the Dalai Lama finally felt he had no choice but to lead his government in exile.

3. The Birth of Buddhism's Powerful Gelug Sect

22m

Learn about the history of the Gelug tradition, which started in 1359 with a drop of blood from the umbilical cord of a monk named Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa. Discover how Tsongkhapa went on to become the first of about 100 leaders of the Gelug sect, and why the New Kadampa Tradition opposes the traditions of the current Dalai Lama.

4. The Zhang Zhung and Yarlung Dynasties

17m

Discover the creation story of the Tibetan people-probably one of the earliest creation stories to include a pre-Darwinian idea of evolution. Learn about the ancient texts in the Magao Caves at Dunhuang. These texts remain untranslated and undeciphered, sealed off for unknown reasons since the 11th century. What could these texts reveal about the early Tibetan dynasties?

5. Tibetan Prehistory in Folktales and Song

20m

Learn about the Tibetan Epic of Gesar, considered to be the longest piece of literature in the world, at an estimated one million lines. In 2009, the Epic of Gesar was added to UNESCO'S Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You'll also discover the trickster Aku Tonpa, another popular folklore character, many of whose lessons can be compared to Buddhist ethics.

6. How the Tibetan Language Invented an Empire

22m

The Tibetan language did not exist in standard written form until the 7 century when King Songtsen Gampo directed its creation so he could better give orders. Learn how his admiration of Indian scholasticism paved the way for the translation of Indian Buddhist texts into Tibetan, allowing for the spread of Buddhism throughout the land and the role that Chinese Buddhists played.

7. The Buddha and the Four Noble Truths

23m

Discover how the Buddhist religion and philosophy first began with a prince named Siddhartha who wanted to see the world outside his palace. Abandoning various extreme ways of living and following a middle path instead, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment. He became the Buddha, the Awakened One, teaching four noble truths related to the elimination of suffering in the world.

8. Christians, Muslims, and Bonpos of Tibet

26m

Learn about the most widespread religion among non-Buddhist Tibetans, Bön, and discover the complex relationship between the two religions. Even today, it's not difficult to see the ways in which Tibetan Buddhism retains influences from Bön, compared to other forms of Buddhism around the world. Learn how Christians and Muslims also manage to exercise their religious beliefs in Tibet.

9. Tibetan Tantra and Taboo

24m

Examine the differences between the sutras and tantras of Tibetan Buddhism. Learn why the tantric practices-although performed with the ultimate goal of attaining liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, just like sutras-were often considered dangerous if they fell into the wrong hands and so were rarely written down.

10. The Good Eating and Fun of Tibetan Cuisine

20m

You might assume that because so many Tibetan people are Buddhist, they would tend toward vegetarianism. But because of the difficulty of growing vegetables at such high altitude, meat and animal products are important staples of a Tibetan diet. Discover the many different foods made from female yak milk, as well as the bite-sized momos, pak, and thukpa soup.

Extended Details

SeriesTibet: History, Culture, and Religion

Closed CaptionsEnglish

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The Great CoursesDirector

The Great CoursesProducer

Constance KassorActor

Tibet: History, Culture, and Religion

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