Project:About

As a wiki dedicated to Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism, Namtars preserves and freely shares a growing body of oral knowledge, much of which has never before been documented in written or visual form.

Namtars is an activity of Namtars Foundation—The written treasury of oral Buddhist knowledge.

Mountains

Revered as the abodes of protective deities and guardian spirits, sacred mountains have long occupied a central place in Tibetan and Himalayan culture, inspiring a rich body of oral traditions that recount their origins, significance, and sacred qualities.

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Rivers

While Tibet is widely known as the ‘Roof of the World’, it is equally deserving of the title ‘Water Tower of Asia’. The Tibetan Plateau is the source of six of Asia’s great river systems, whose waters have shaped diverse cultures and sustain nearly one-fifth of the world’s population.

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Regions

Spanning vast distances from west to east, the Tibetan Plateau is composed of a rich tapestry of regions and polities, each with its own distinct history, culture, and identity, shaped by centuries of change and interaction.

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Locations

Caves, retreat sites, monasteries, temples, towns, and cities form a sacred geography shaped by the lives of awakened masters. Much of the knowledge surrounding these places has remained preserved in oral tradition and has yet to be widely documented or shared.

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Deities

The countless peaceful and wrathful deities of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism are understood as manifestations of enlightened wisdom, embodying the limitless qualities, energies, and activities of the buddhas in forms that inspire contemplation, devotion, and realization.

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People

From realized masters and scholars to yogins, patrons, and pilgrims, the people of the Tibetan and Himalayan world have shaped its religious, cultural, and historical landscapes. Their lives and stories form the human thread that connects the past with the present.

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Dharma Terms

Refined through centuries of scholarship and contemplative experience, Buddhist terminology possesses a remarkable precision. Many terms encompass multiple layers of meaning, offering insight into the profound philosophical and experiential dimensions of Tibetan and Himalayan culture and religion.

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Practice Texts

Literally meaning ‘means of accomplishment’, a sadhana is a ritual practice text that provides the methods for realizing a particular deity or group of deities. In Tibetan Buddhism, these deities are understood as manifestations of enlightened wisdom and the awakened qualities of buddhahood.

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Stories

The lives of realized practitioners are preserved through stories that illuminate their hardships and joys, insights and accomplishments, and acts of compassion. Passed down through generations, these narratives form the foundation of their biographies and offer enduring sources of inspiration and wisdom.

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Books

Since the mid-twentieth century, and especially since the 1960s, the publication of books on Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism in Western languages has increased dramatically. Together, these works have helped preserve, interpret, and share the rich religious, cultural, and historical traditions of the Tibetan and Himalayan world with a global readership.

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Historical Events

The history of Buddhism in the Himalayas has been shaped by a wide range of historical events, both within Asia and beyond. From political transformations and cultural exchanges to migrations and conflicts, these broader developments have profoundly influenced the transmission, practice, preservation, and evolution of Buddhist traditions.

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