Special Lecture on : Bon Religion: Then and Now, Indigenous Tibetan Traditions and its Interrelation with Tibetan Buddhist Traditions with Emphasis on History, Development and Contemporary Presence

Tibet House, New Delhi, is pleased to announce a lecture exploring the history, development, and contemporary presence of Bon as a distinct religious tradition within the Tibetan cultural world.

The lecture will examine traditional Bonpo accounts of its origins alongside perspectives from Western scholarship, while tracing the development of Yungdrung Bon from the seventh century onward and its evolving relationship with Buddhism. It will also highlight the historical significance of major Bon institutions, including Yeru Wensakha, Menri, and Yungdrung Ling Monasteries.

The lecture will conclude with an exploration of the contemporary presence of Yungdrung Bon across Tibet and the Himalayas, highlighting the diverse practices and meanings associated with the term “Bon” across the region.

Join us for an insightful exploration of one of the important religious and cultural traditions of the Tibetan world.

Date: Friday, 30th October 2026

Time: 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM (IST)

Venue: Lecture Room – 1, Annexe, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi                Click to Register

Lecture Details:  Click

Dr. Kalsang Norbu Gurung is a Scholar of Tibetan religion and history, specialising in Bon and its relationship with Tibetan Buddhism. He holds an Acharya degree from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies and an advanced Master’s degree and PhD from Leiden University. He has taught and conducted research at universities and research institutions in Europe and has presented his work internationally. He is currently affiliated with the University of Bonn, CRCAO and EPHE in Paris, and is involved in the European Research Council-funded “Pagan Tibet” research project, focusing on pre-Buddhist Tibetan religious traditions and the development of Yungdrung Bon.