In the early 7th century, Buddhism made its way into the Tubo Kingdom from Nepal and China’s Central Plains (middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River). In order to survive and develop, Buddhism in Tibet absorbed a lot from Bon and other folk religions. Strongly influenced by cultures of the surrounding areas, it grew to possess voluminous classics, rich scriptural tenets, a sound monastic system, a strict sutra study and meditation system; later, the Living Buddha reincarnation system emerged. Finally, it became a special branch different from Han Buddhism and the traditional Pall—language (Sanskrit) Buddhism that is widely known today as Lamaism.
Through long evolution, Tibetan Buddhism split into many sects, some whom exerted profound influence on the traditional culture of Tibet and even the history of China as a whole. Major sects include the Nyingma (known as the Red Sect), Sagya (Colorful Sect), Kagyu (White Sect), Gelug (Yellow Sect) and Jonang Sects. Of them all, Gelug, founded by Zongkapa after his religious reform in the early 15th century, became the most powerful. The two major Living Buddha systems, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Erdeni, came from the Gelug Sect.
Tibetan Buddhism is practiced mainly in Tibet as well as the Tibetan-inhabited areas in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces as well as areas inhabited by people of the Mongolian, Tu, Yugu and Moinba ethnic groups. There are also believers among other ethnic groups such as the Han, Naxi, Lhoba and Pumi. It has worshippers also in Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia and Russia as well as Kashmir. It spread to Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia in the second half of the 20th century.