ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the physical and human setting of Tibet, then turn to a discussion of the main tenets of the Buddhist faith as it was practiced in Tibet, and begins with a short analysis of Max Weber's theoretical concepts as they bear on Tibetan polity. Tibet, popularly known as "the roof of the world," is in the center of Asia; it is a land of high plateaus and river valleys surrounded by snowy mountain ranges, and-because of its altitude-it geographically dominates the surrounding Asian scene. Lhasa, the seat of the Dalai Lama's government and dominated in the background by the magnificent Potala Palace, was the unquestioned religious, political, economic, and social center of the country. The historicity of Thonmi Sambhota, who, according to Tibetan tradition, became Songtsen Gampo's minister, has been questioned because of the lack of contemporary documents. The Karmapa sect became the most important, and it was to play a major part in Tibetan politics.
