The majority of people in Tibet practice Buddhism. There are also a large number of Hindus in Tibet. Hinduism and Buddhism mingle together and share some festivals and the worship of Buddha. The most accepted religion in Tibet is Buddhism. Tibetan Buhddism differs form other  countires methods of practicing Buhddism. And with the increase in Chinese people intibet, Isalm is now becoming more practiced and in fact in Lhasa there is quite a sizable Islamic community with there own market, shops and Mosque. This place is called the muslim quarter.

Hindu
Hinduism is one of the oldest practiced religions, with firm roots extending back 1000 years BCE. It is based on a number of holy books, most important of these is The Four Vedas, or books of “Divine Knowledge” which create foundations of Hindu philosophy. Dharma, Artha and Karma are the three aims in the life of Hindu. i) For filling ones duty to family and caste and gaining religious merit through having a wholesome life. (ii) The lawful making of wealth. (iii) Desire and satisfaction. A Hindu links these goals with the four stages they progress through in a full life.

(i)Child and student-this time is devoted to learning about life and education and correct social behavior from their parents and guru.
(ii) the house holder-at this time a person proves themselves by being able to manage a household and raise children, most importantly to bare a son.
(iii) meditation and solitude-once proven as a householder, a person is free to take up a life of celibacy and meditation.
(iv) finally in the latter stages of life a person renounces all possessions and ties in hope to achieve Moksha.

The main concern for most Hindus is to reduce bad karma and to hopefully gain points to be born with a higher status in their next life. This is achieved by worship and honest and charitable living within the restrictions imposed by a person’s caste. Most Hindus have a shrine in their homes dedicated to a chosen a Deity to which they perform a puja to everyday. Puja is an act of prayer and offerings to a god

Buddhism
The Buddhist religion was founded in northern India around about 500 BCE, by Siddhartha Gautama who was known as Gautama Buddha. Siddhartha Gautame was born in Limbini, Nepal to a very wealthy family and grew up as a prince. At the age of 30, unsatisfied by the explanation of worldly suffering by his Hindu gurus and convinced that asceticism did not lead to spiritual enlightenments, he renounced his family, riches and life style too pursue a life of mediation and wondering. During his mediation, in a place called Bodhgaya in India, he reached a state of enlightenment. After this he spent the rest of his life teaching Dharma, the true nature of life, the world and spiritual attainment. Prior to his death, Buddha established a community of monks and nuns who took over his teachings. Most Buddhists, don’t consider Buddhism as a religion and they don’t consider Buddha to be a god. Buddhist consider Buddhism as a guide to living a good life, like a science for the mind and the deities found in the monasteries are there as symbols to aid deepened spiritual awareness. The Buddha’s view of life includes the Hindu concepts of samsara and Karma, but the ultimate goal of the religion is Nirvana a state of clarity of mind, pure understanding and unimaginable bliss. Buddhism prohibits any form of killing. There are two main schools of Buddhism which are Hinayana and Mahayana. Where Hindus worship many gods, Buddhist chiefly worship Buddha, though some Buddhist also worship Shiva and other Hindu gods.

Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced to Tibet in the Seventh century, and integrated to a certain extent with the indigenous Bon culture before emerging as a faith considered incorporating all three vehicles: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Tibetan Buddhism recognizes a historical Buddha, known as Sakyamuni, alongside previous Buddha’s and a host of Bodhisattvas and protector deities. The Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism, is the fourteenth in a succession of incarnate bodhisattvas. For Buddhist monks and nuns, and some members, meditation is an integral part of religious life. Most Buddhist concentrates on Dana and sila and on the auspicious day of Buddha’s birth day. Many Buddhists devotees gather together in silent meditation or join in chants taken from early Buddhist texts. Among Tibetan communities, devotees hang prayer flags, turn prayer wheels and set stones carved with mantras in rivers in hope that they are sending the word of Buddha with the wind and water to all corners of the world.

Islam
Unlike Hindus, Muslims believe in only one god-Allah. Islam is submission to god through strict rules and daily worship. Muslims pray five times a day, prayer is done in the mosque which is specially designed to face Mecca, the main pilgrim point for Muslims. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia and once a year during Hajji millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage to this most holy place. There are also special prayer rooms in the house and work places for women and people who cannot make it to the mosque.