‎Tibet: History, Culture, and Religion - Apple TV

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In Tibet: History, Culture, and Religion, Professor Constance Kassor will show you the real, multidimensional Tibet and its people who live on the “Roof of the World.” In 24 fascinating and eye-opening lectures, you will uncover the past, present, and possible future of this amazing region and better understand its current geopolitical reality.

Documentary · 2024 · 12 min

Starring Constance Kassor

EPISODE 1

Life at the Roof of the World

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.

11 min · Jun 2, 2024
EPISODE 2

When the Dalai Lama Broke with China

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.

22 min · Jun 2, 2024
EPISODE 3

The Birth of Buddhism’s Powerful Gelug Sect

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.

21 min · Jun 2, 2024
EPISODE 4

The Zhang Zhung and Yarlung Dynasties

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?

16 min · Jun 2, 2024
EPISODE 5

Tibetan Prehistory in Folktales and Song

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.

19 min · Jun 2, 2024
EPISODE 6

How the Tibetan Language Invented an Empire

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.

21 min · Jun 2, 2024

Constance Kassor

Host