RELS 256 Borderland Buddhisms: Religion in Tibet and the Himalayas

Tibetan Buddhism is a globally recognized religion, with the Dalai Lama, red-robed monks, prayer flags, and prayer beads occupying a unique position in the popular imagination. These images, though, flatten the diversity and historical complexities both of the Buddhist traditions of Tibet and the spread of these traditions into surrounding regions of the Himalayas. This course will provide an overview of these traditions, exploring their trajectories of development and interactions with diverse communities, while also considering local differences and agency.