The Essential Teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism (1/5)

Buddhism in Tibetan Following China's conquest of Tibet, the religion known as Tibetan Buddhism was driven from its native territory and into exile. It was once believed that one in six Tibetan men was a monk practicing Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in India since escaping the Chinese takeover of his nation in 1959, is the most well-known representative of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Tibetan Buddhism incorporates elements from an old Tibetan religion known as Bon, Tantric, and Shamanic teachings, as well as the core teachings of Mahayana Buddhism.

While Vajrayana Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism are sometimes confused, they are not the same. In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrayana is taught alongside the other vehicles. 

History

By the end of the eighth century CE, Buddhism had grown significantly in Tibet. The Tibetan ruler, Trisong Detsen, welcomed two Buddhist masters to Tibet and had key Buddhist writings translated into Tibetan before bringing them back from India. 

The first person to arrive was Shantarakshita, the Indian abbot of Nalanda, who established the first monastery in Tibet. After him arrived Padmasambhava, who used his might and knowledge to subdue "spiritual" forces halting construction on the new monastery. 

The Four Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism Over the hundreds of years that the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism :

1)Nyingmapa, was the oldest sect,  founded by Padmasambhava and is well-known in the West for its adherence to the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

2)Kagyupa: Led by the Karmapa Lama, the Kagyupa tradition was founded by Tilopa (988–1069). Three notable Kagyupa instructors are Milarepa, Marpa, and Naropa.

3)Sakyapa: Gonchok Gyelpo (1034–1102) and his son Gunga Nyingpo (1092-1158) are credited with creating Sakyapa.

4) Gelugpa: The School of Virtuosity This tradition was started by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also known as Je Rinpoche) in 1357 and is currently led by the Dalai Lama.

The New Kadampa Tradition is a prominent Buddhist institution in the United Kingdom, established by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a Tibetan by birth. The NKT is seen as being outside of the mainstream tradition by certain Buddhists and non-Buddhists. 

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, and gods and spirits taken from earlier Tibetan religions continue to be taken seriously.

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, and gods and spirits taken from earlier Tibetan religions continue to be taken seriously. 

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For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

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Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

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