Tibetan Tantra Buddhism or Vajrayana - Buddhism In a nutshell!

Tibetan Buddhism History Tibetan ‘Bon’ religion - indigenous religion of Tibet, animistic (believing that nature is pervaded by good and evil spirits) and shamanistic Buddhism and Hindu Yoga were introduced to Tibet in the late 8 th century and then more steadily from the 13 th century onwards The Great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche blended these three religions in 774 CE resulting in Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism - politics Tibetan Buddhism exerted a strong influence from the 11th century AD among the peoples of Central Asia, especially in Mongolia and Manchuria. It was adopted as an official state religion by the Mongol Yuan dynasty and the Manchu Qing dynasty of China. Gave rise to a Theocracy – hierarchy of monks or Lamas that govern the country Dali Lama is both the worldly and spiritual authority

Tibetan Buddhist Sacred Texts All available Buddhist text were translated into Tibetan 11 th – 14 th Centuries. Those original Buddhist works that have been lost survive only in their Tibetan translation Tibetan Buddhist canon includes the sacred texts recognized by various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, the Tripitaka and Tantric texts. The most famous Tibetan Buddhist text is the Bardo Thodol, popularly known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Describes the experiences of the soul during the interval between death and rebirth. It is recited by lamas over a dying or recently deceased person

Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs Similarities with Mahayana Buddhism pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors 4 Noble Truths Eight-Fold Path Compassion Monastic life 3 baskets – Tripitaka rituals such as food and flower offerings Religious pilgrimages Religious festivals Mantras and Mudras Bodhisattvas

Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs cont. Unique to Tibetan Buddhism religious pilgrimages chanting prayers Prayer wheels Prostrating Mandalas Cham: a dance featuring sacred masked dances, sacred music, healing chants, and spectacular richly ornamented multi-colored costumes. Mudras - used by the monks to invite spiritual energies which generate wisdom, compassion. monastic debate

Tibetan Beliefs - Images

Philosophy – Fight fire with fire Vajra – diamond. Buddha elevated to a savior holding a diamond scepter – evokes the energetic rigor and clarity of the diamond Task: to shut off the energy of desire to accomplish the cessation of suffering How: Harness this energy (of desire) and turn it against itself to propel the individual towards enlightenment. Method: Chanting, Mandalas, mudras, sex

Tibet Today Clergy: Lamas (Oligarchy) Present Dali Lama - 14 th in a direct line of succession – through rebirth won Nobel Peace Prize 1989 Currently living in exile in Northern India Tibet – currently claimed by the People’s Republic of China