Section 1 - History and Culture of Tibet

In the first section, visitors learn about Tibet through informative panels, an illustrated timeline, photomurals, and key objects. The beautifully crafted, gilt copper sculpture of Songtsen Gambo is a rare surviving image of the king who united Tibet into a strong empire in the 7th century. Through his marriage to two Buddhist princesses (from Nepal and China), he established Buddhism as the dominant religion in Tibet. Also featured in this section is the Seal of the Fifth Dalai Lama, popularly known as the Great Fifth (r. 1617-1682). This historic seal, with the Dalai Lama’s title given in Tibetan, Manchu, and Chinese, documents his importance in Central Asia, where he commanded respect as the temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet. The Great Fifth built the Potala Palace in Lhasa to house the religious and government offices.