An open online library of knowledge from the roof of the world

Summer in Kham Draza Lagang Village by Thupten Dargee

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Library Highlights

Drama

Resources to understand how Bhutanese performers use body, speech, and song to communicate religion, history, and humor.

Sera Monastery

This collection explores Sera Monastery, one of the three great monastic seats of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism, located two miles north of Lhasa.

The Dragon Roars from the South

Performed to impart auspiciousness for all those gathered, this cheerful folk song is often sung at weddings and other joyous gatherings.

Holy Sites of Kham

A full-text Tibetan language account of sacred sites throughout cultural Kham.

A nomad cares for her herd

Domesticated animals provide nourishment to nomadic communities, though their care requires near-constant effort. Photo by Drolmatso.

Games and Sports

Creative uses of strings, stones, and arrows are among the photos, videos, and texts documenting games and recreation in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.

Samyé Monastery

Considered to be the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samyé was founded in the 7th century and is now occupied by a modern reconstruction.

Trashi Lhünpo

Located in Shigatsé (TAR), this expansive complex is one of the four main monasteries of the Geluk tradition and has served as the seat of the Panchen Lama incarnations.

Painting murals at Pabongkha

Central Tibetan artists finishing a mural depicting scenes from the life of Tsong Khapa (1357-1419). Photo by Alex Catanese.

About THL

The Tibetan and Himalayan Library (THL) publishes texts, photographs, audio-video recordings, studies, and other resources relating to the Tibetan plateau and southern Himalayan regions. All content is open access and built collaboratively by people across the world who share a love for these Lands, peoples, and cultures.