Over the past two years I have been engaged in a video project which documents the impact of the free market economy on the selling of Buddhist images in Lhasa, Tibet. This topic is an emotional one for many Tibetans, for the “selling” of Buddhist images, according to classical religious texts, is understood as a sinful act. Following the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government has introduced a market economy to Tibet, and  Buddhist images that had previously been acquired by commissioning an artisan began to be available ready-made from middlemen/statue sellers. Those who engage in the business of images are seen by many as being involved in negative or sinful activity. Over the next year, I will be editing a narrative, which tells the story of the history of the commodification of Tibetan Buddhist images and attempts to show how Tibetans understand and are dealing with this controversial issue. The film was shot in digital video in Lhasa and draws upon interviews with Tibetan artisans, statue vendors, monks, and laypersons. Stay tuned for a forthcoming trailer this fall.