Bon, the indigenous and primitive religion of ancient Tibetans, was flourishing before the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. The Tibetan Bon religion has its roots in pre-Buddhist religious practices which in its early phase had similarities with animistic shamanist religious forms, when partly absorbed by the Buddhist traditions introduced from India in the 8th century, gave Tibetan Buddhism much of its distinctive character.
At different times in history, the relationship with Buddhism was rather unfriendly. Adherents of Bon were periodically persecuted and often had to convert to Buddhism. Thus many emigrated into the hinterland of Tibet, into the provinces Amdo and Kham as well as the bounder regions in North Nepal, where they could practice their religion in relative freedom. In these areas, Buddhists and Bonpo live peacefully side by side. Today, two Bon monasteries (sMen-ri und gYung-drung-ling) still exist in central Tibet, yet neither of these is surrounded by a huge lay community which could support them.


Buddhism became a major presence in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century CE. It was brought from India at the invitation of the Tibetan king, Trisong Detsen, who invited two Buddhist masters to Tibet and had important Buddhist texts translated into Tibetan.


First to come was Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda in India, who built the first monastery in Tibet. He was followed by Padmasambhava, who came to use his wisdom and power to overcome "spiritual" forces that were stopping work on the new monastery.