Ganden Podrang
Originally founded in 1518 by the Second Dalai Lama, the Ganden Podrang first served as the administrative office for his estate.
In 1642, as the Fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobzang Gyatso (1617-1682) started to assume both spiritual and temporal leadership on Central Tibet, the Ganden Podrang became the system of government of Central Tibet, until in 1959.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
