Brief introduction of Tibetan Buddhsm: 
Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with
Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called
Bon.
Although Tibetan Buddhism is often thought to be identical with Vajrayana
Buddhism, they are not identical - Vajrayana is taught in Tibetan Buddhism
together with the other vehicles.
Buddhism became a major presence in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century
CE. It was brought from India at the invitation of the Tibetan king, Trisong
Detsen, who invited two Buddhist masters to Tibet and had important Buddhist
texts translated into Tibetan.
First to come was Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda in India, who built the
first monastery in Tibet. He was followed by Padmasambhava, who came to use his
wisdom and power to overcome "spiritual" forces that were stopping work on the
new monastery.
Groups within Tibetan Buddhism
- Nyingmapa: Founded by Padmasambhava, this is oldest sect, noted in the West
for the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
- Kagyupa: Founded by Tilopa [988-1069), the Kagyupa tradition is headed by
the Karmapa Lama. Important Kagyupa teachers include Naropa, Marpa, and
Milarepa.
- Sakyapa: Created by Gonchok Gyelpo (1034-1102) and his son Gunga Nyingpo
(1092-1158).
- Gelugpa: (The Virtuous School) Founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also
called Je Rinpoche) (1357 - 1419).
Special features of Tibetan Buddhism
- the status of the teacher or "Lama"
- preoccupation with the relationship between life and death
- important role of rituals and initiations
- rich visual symbolism
- elements of earlier Tibetan faiths
- mantras and meditation practice
Tibetan Buddhist practice features a number of rituals, and spiritual
practices such as the use of mantras and yogic techniques.
Supernatural beings are prominent in Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhas and
bodhisattvas abound, gods and spirits taken from earlier Tibetan religions
continue to be taken seriously. Bodhisattvas are portrayed as both benevolent
godlike figures and wrathful deities.
This metaphysical context has allowed Tibetan Buddhism to develop a strong
artistic tradition, and paintings and other graphics are used as aids to
understanding at all levels of society.
Visual aids to understanding are very common in Tibetan Buddhism - pictures,
structures of various sorts and public prayer wheels and flags provide an
ever-present reminder of the spiritual domain in the physical world.
Tibetan Buddhism is strong in both monastic communities and among lay
people.
The lay version has a strong emphasis on outwardly religious activities
rather than the inner spiritual life: there is much ritual practice at temples,
pilgrimage is popular - often including many prostrations, and prayers are
repeated over and over - with the use of personal or public prayer wheels and
flags. There are many festivals, and funerals are very important ceremonies.
Lay people provide physical support to the monasteries as well as relying on
the monks to organise the rituals. |
