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Tibetan Buddhism

Definition: Tibetan Buddhism
A distinctive form of Buddhism that draws heavily on Mahayana Buddhism, which was introduced to Tibet in the seventh century. The monastic disciplines of early Theravada Buddhism are also an important part of Tibetan Buddhism.
Fast Facts on Tibetan Buddhism
History Buddhism arrived in Tibet in the 7th C; became the official state religion in the 8th C

The Tibetan expression of Buddhism (sometimes called Lamaism) is the form of Vajrayana Buddhism that developed in Tibet and the surrounding Himalayan region beginning in the 7th century CE.

Tibetan Buddhism incorporates Madhyamika and Yogacara philosophy, Tantric symbolic rituals, Theravadin monastic discipline and the shamanistic features of the local Tibetan religion Bön. Among its most unique characteristics are its system of reincarnating lamas and the vast number of deities in its pantheon.

Tibetan Buddhism is most well-known to the world through the office of the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual and political leader of Tibet and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Historically, "Tibet" refers to a mountainous region in central Asia covering 2.5 million sq km. Today, "Tibet" officially refers to the Tibetan Autonomous Region within China, which is about half the size of historical Tibet.

References

  • "Tibetan Buddhism," "Bka'-brgyud-pa," "Dge-lugs-pa." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. Jan. 15, 2005 <http://www.britannica.com>.
  • "Tibetan Buddhism," "Kagyupa," "Nyingmapa." The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion (Shambhala, 1994).
  • Official Site of the Tibetan Government in Exile (London) <http://www.tibet.com/>
  • "Rnying-ma-pa." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service Jan. 15 2005 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9063830>.
  • "Buddhist Scriptures: The Tibetan Canon." Buddhanet. <http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/s_tibcanon.htm>
  • "Bardo Thodol." Wikipedia. Jan. 15, 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Book_of_the_Dead>
  • "Tibetan Buddhism." Wikipedia. Jan. 15, 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism>
  • "Panchen Lama." Wikipedia. Jan. 15, 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchen_Lama>

External Links on Tibetan Buddhism

  • Official Site of the Tibetan Government in Exile (based in London)
  • The Vajrayana: Thunderbolt Vehicle - Buddhanet
  • Biography of the Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Winner - nobelprize.org
  • The Dalai Lama: Spiritual leader in exile - CNN In-Depth Specials (2001)

Sources & Further Reading

  1. The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Volume 1: Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism; Volume 2: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. 2014.
  2. "Tibetan Buddhism." Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. . Accessed 16 Nov 2016.
  3. Aiken, Charles Francis. "Hinduism." The Catholic Encyclopedia.Robert Appleton Company, March 1907. 1910.
  4. Amrutur V. Srinivasan. Hinduism For Dummies. 2011.
  5. Johnsen, Linda. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism. 2009.
  6. Kapstein, Matthew T. Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. 2013.
  7. Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. 2007.
  8. Renou, Louis. St. Paul's Cathedral. 1961.