Thangkas are not only artworks but part of a living religious heritage. Conservation of this type of heritage requires a different approach to assess what values are carried by the objects and what is to be conserved. It implies the necessity to broaden our thinking beyond the actual Western conservation ethical standards, which may be oriented too exclusively on material conservation. Some examples of acceptable compromises can be found through dialogue with all involved communities and by sharing knowledge and experiences with them; the aim is to find innovative ways to integrate conservation awareness within a living culture.