This book provides an in-depth examination of the Yungdrung Bon religion in light of
globalization. In its global dimension Bon has been attracting a growing number of Westerners
particularly to its Dzogchen teachings and meditation practices. In this expansion Bon
operates in a dynamic context where forces that create changes in the tradition coexist
sometimes in tension and sometimes in tandem with other forces that aim to preserve it. In
tracing the process through which Bon has become a global religion this monograph narrates the
story of the principal figures who initially facilitated this transmission following their
journey from Tibet to India and Nepal. The narrative then moves to explore the dynamics taking
place in the transmission and reception of Yungdrung Bon in Western countries opening up a new
viewpoint on the expansion of Tibetan religious traditions into the West and painting a
comprehensive picture of the modern history of the Yungdrung Bon religion as narrated by its
participants. In so doing it makes an invaluable contribution to the study of Tibetan
traditions in the West as well as to the wider history of religions social anthropology
psychology and conversion studies.
