Tsurphu Foundation, a non-profit tax exempt organization in the United States, is working together with Digital Resource Corporation of Maui to produce an interactive CD-ROM for the Macintosh called Virtual Tibet - Inspirations of Peace.

This CD-ROM will cover many of the most fascinating aspects of Tibet. It will include a brief pilgrimage to some of the sacred power places and ancient historical sites of this inspiring land.

The theory of reincarnation will be presented through revealing the great spiritual masters of Tibetan Buddhism called Tulkus. The CD-ROM will feature pictures of these great lamas in their previous life and then show the same lamas as young reincarnates, and tell the story of their remarkable discoveries.

In particular it will include the story of the famous Black Hat Lama, of the Karma Kagyu Lineage. He was the first lama to consciously reincarnate, and make a vow to return to this world for 21 incarnations under the name Karmapa. The Karmapas are the only lamas that leave a clear letter of prediction to their close disciples that state where the new incarnation will be found. It indicates precise details such as parent's names, location and other events surrounding the birth. His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, discovered in 1992, is the current Karmapa incarnate.

Virtual Tibet will also provide an overview of some of the deeper esoteric aspects of Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism; its divinities, rituals and rites. The divinities represent aspects of conscious awareness within our own being. As we move towards the next century it is important to be aware of manifesting the proper energies on the planet. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, has envisioned Tibet as a world zone of peace. He believes that maintaining the delicate balance of Tibet's environment will promote world harmony.

The images and video clips included in Virtual Tibet provide a beautiful behind-the-scenes look at the lamas, the monastery and its surroundings. Most were taken by photographer Ward Holmes, who has visited Tibet yearly since 1986, and traveled extensively throughout Asia. He has produced two documentary videos about the Karmapa and the monastery at Tsurphu. He is currently the director of the Tsurphu Foundation which is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this CD-ROM will go toward the foundation's fund for rebuilding the Tsurphu Monastery.