2500 years ago Buddha Shakyamuni taught the path to enlightenment for the first time to sentient beings of his day. As the reputation of this unique fully enlightened teacher grew, during his lifetime the Buddha's message spread throughout large sections of India. In the centuries after the Buddha entered parinirvana, his teachings flourished all over India and eventually spread to most countries in Asia where they brought happiness, well-being and, in many instances, liberation to those who put them into practice.

In Tibet, the teachings of the Buddha were embraced with a zeal and devotion unparalleled throughout history.