to benefit the spirits of the dead. To help propagate the faith, itinerant monks travel from village to village carrying portable shrines with many small doors, which open to reveal statues and images of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and notable lamas. Bön in Bhutan Before the introduction of Buddhism, Bön religion was prevalent in Bhutan. Imported from Tibet and India, perhaps in the eighth century, Bön doctrine became so strongly reinvigorated by Buddhism that by the eleventh and twelfth century it reasserted itself as an independent school apart from Buddhism. Bön continues to be practiced in modern Bhutan. See also Bhutanese art Freedom of religion in Bhutan Dratshang Lhentshog Dual system of government Buddhism in Nepal References Bibliography External links Menjong Chöthün Tshogpa Buddha Dordenma Image Foundation About Bhutan and Buddhism in Bhutan Bhutan Bhutan