In this program. Kunsang Dolma compiled from the talks that the Dalai Lama gave in Portland, Oregon and Madison, Wisconsin on the importance of studying Buddhism. He says the study of Buddhism is not just confined to the monk and nun community, the lay community must also use the opportunity to study Buddhism. . The Buddhist texts are not just to be worshiped and left on the altars, but these texts must be used as text books –to study them. His Holiness said, "Whether you believe in Buddhism or not that is up to individual, but studying Buddhism is very important as it is relevant in today's world." Excerpts from Dalai Lama's address.

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Jamyang Dorjee, a former director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Art, talks about his recent trip to Bhutan for a pilgrimage. Jamyang Dorjee’s article about his memorable experience in Bhutan was published in several newspapers such as Bhutanese daily Kunsel, and Sikkim Express. He and his wife visited Jampa Lhakhang of Bhutan which was commissioned by Tibet’s great king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The guide at the temple told him that the Tibetan King Sangtsen Gampo had commissioned 108 such Lhakhangs (temples), but only two have survived: one in Bumthang and the other in Paro. He was also told that when Tibet was occupied by China in 1959, the two dragon carvings behind the statue shed tears of blood for many days and one can actually see the traces of the tears to this day.

Listen to this week's show focusing on spiritual relationship between Tibet and Sikkim. Jamyang Dorjee, a resident in Gangtok and a former director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Art talks about the Dalai Lama’s upcoming visit to Sikkim and the historic relationship between Tibet and Sikkim. He says that according to a legend, Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava blessed the land of Sikkim and introduced Buddhism. Phuntsok Namgyal was the founder of Sikkim’s monarchy: he was enthroned as the first Choegyal ( Dharma Raja) at Yuksom by three venerated lamas who came from Tibet. Since then Tibetans and Sikkimese became very close. The Dalai Lama will confer a long life empowerment to the public and consecrate a newly built Buddha statue during his visit.

Listen to the continuation of Dalai Lama's teachings on interdependent origination.

Listen to the show on Dalai Lama's teachings on interdependent origination.

Interview with Geshe Tenzin Dorje on the Tibetan Buddhist Festival of Miracles (Tibetan: Chotrul Duechen). Geshe Dorje says that this great prayer festival was started by Je-Tsong-khapa, the founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. This prayer festival commemorates the Buddha’s spiritual victory over forces of ignorance, anger and greed by displaying many miracles at Saravasti, India. This festival is observed from the first to fifteenth day of the Tibetan first month. Geshe Tenzin Dorje is the resident Buddhist teacher at Deer Park Buddhist Center in Madison, Wisconsin

Interview with Khenpo Ngawang on Jonang Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He says that there are four well known schools of Tibetan Buddhism such as, Nyingma, Kargyu, Sakya and Gelug. There is also a fifth living tradition called Jonang which was founded at a place called Jonang near Shigatse by Kunpang Thukjee Tsondue. Followers of Jonang tradition are mostly in Golog and Ngapa areas of Amdo and Gyarong in Kham. Jonang is well known for holding unique transmissions such as Kalachakra and six- limb Vajrayoga.

A feature based on the Dalai Lama’s introductory teachings on Buddhism given during Monlam Chenmo, Great Prayer Festival at Thegchen Choeling Temple in Dharamsala, India.

Geshe Ngawang Tinley, a resident Buddhist teacher at Kurukula Buddhist center in Boston, Massachusetts speaks on Guru yoga practice. He says guru yoga means the practice of guru (teacher) devotion or the meditation which serves to please one’s spiritual teacher. Such devotion would help increase a practitioner’s ability and power to reach his or her ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Interview with Khenpo Tsultrim, a resident Lama of Drikhung Kargyu Center in Maryland on twelve links of dependent origination. Khenpo Tsultrim explains that the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (Tib: Tendrel Yanlag Chu-nye) was first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha to king Bimbisara of Magadha, an ancient kingdom of India. This wheel explains the cycle of samsaric existence.