Verses of the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones

Verses of the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones 

By Mipham Rinpoche

*Note

It is very important to recite this through once before starting on any activity; whatever the project, it will work out exactly as you wish.

Om, nangsi namdak rangshyin lhundrubpe

Om! Homage to the Buddha, Dharma and Noble Sangha

Tashi chok chu shying na shyukpa yi

All that dwell in the auspicious realms of the ten directions,

Sangye cho dang gendun pakpe tsok

Where appearance and existence is completely pure, its nature spontaneously perfect,

Kun la chaktsal dakchak tashi shok

May everything be auspicious for us all,

Dronme gyalpo tsalten dondrup gong

Dronme Gyalpo, Tsalten Dondrup Gong,

Jampe gyen pal gedrak paldampa

Jampe Gyen Pal, Gedrak Paldampa,

Kunla gongpa gyacher drakpa chen

Kunla Gongpa Gyacher Drakpa Chen,

Lhunpo tar paktsal drakpal dang ni

Lhunpo Tar Paktsal Drakpal,

Semchen tamchela gong drakpe pal

Semchen Tamchela Gong Drakpe Pal,

Yitsim dzepa tsal rab drakpal te

Yitsim Dzepa Tsal Rap Drakpal Te,

Tsen tsam tope tashi pal pelwa

Homage to you, the Eight Sugatas, 

Dewar shekpa gye la chaktsal lo

Merely hearing your names increases auspiciousness and success,

Jampal shyonnu palden dorje dzin

Youthful Manjusri, glorious Vajrapaṇi,

Chenrezik wang gonpo jampe pal

Lord Avalokitesvara, protector Maitreya,

Sa yi nyingpo dribpa nampar sel

Ksitigarbha, Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin,

Namkhe nyingpo pakchok kuntuzang

Akasagarbha, and Samantabhadra noblest of all,

Utpal dorje pekar lushing dang

Utpala flower, vajra, white lotus, naga-tree,

Norbu dawa raldri nyima yi

Jewel, moon, sword and sun,

Chaktsen lek nam tashi pal gyi chok

Gracefully holding your emblems, and supreme in granting auspiciousness and success,

Changchub sempa gye la chaktsal lo

Homage to you, the Eight Bodhisattvas,

Rinchen duk chok tashi ser gyi nya

The most precious umbrella, the auspicious golden fishes,

Do jung bum zang yi ong kamala

The wish-fulfilling vase of goodness, the exquisite kamala flower,

Nyendrak dung dang püntsok pal be'u

The conch of fame and glory, the glorious knot of prosperity,

Minub gyaltsen wanggyur khorlo te

The eternal banner of victory and the all-powerful wheel,

Rinchen tak chok gye kyi chaktsen chen

Holding these eight most precious emblems,

Chok du gyalwa cho ching gye kyema

Are the creators of delight, making offerings to the buddhas of all directions and times,

Gek sok ngowo drenpé pal pelwe

Homage to you, the Eight Auspicious Goddesses—Beauty, Garlands, Song, Dance, Flowers, Incense, Light and Perfume,

Tashi lhamo gye la chaktsal lo

Merely thinking of you makes success grow more and more,

Tsangpa chenpo dejung semebu

Mighty Brahma, Siva and Visnu,

Mik tong den dang gyalpo yulkhor sung

Indra the thousand-eyed, the kings Dhṛtarastra,

Pak kyepo dang luwang mikmizang

Virudhaka, Virupakṣa the lord of nagas,

Namtose te lhadze khorlo dang

And Vaisravaṇa—each one holding your divine emblem,

Trishula dang dungtung dorje chen

Wheel, trident, lance, vajra,

Piwam raldri choten gyaltsen dzin

Viṇa, sword, stupa and banner of victory,

Sa sum ne su gelek tashi pel

Homage to you, the Eight Guardians of the World,

Jikten kyongwa gye la chaktsal lo

Who make auspiciousness and positivity grow in the three realms,

Dakchak deng dir jawa tsompa la

With all obstacles and harmful influences pacified,

Gek dang nyewar tsewa kun shyi ne

May the work we are now about to begin,

Dodon pal pel samdon yishyin drub

Meet with ever-growing fulfilment and success, and,

Tashi delek punsum tsokpar shok

Bring good fortune, prosperity, happiness and peace.

*Note

Recite this prayer when you wake up, and you will accomplish all your aims for the day. Recite it when you go to sleep, and you will have good dreams. Recite it before a conflict, and you will be completely victorious. 

Recite it when you embark on any project, and you will be successful. If you recite this prayer every day, the length of your life, your splendour, renown, and wealth will all increase, you will find perfect happiness, you will accomplish your aims exactly as you wish, all harmful actions and obscurations will be purified and all your wishes for higher realms, liberation and omniscience will be fulfilled.” These are the words of the Buddha himself.

This prayer arose from the lake of Jampal Gyepe Dorje’s mind on the third day of the third month of the Fire Monkey year (1896), an auspicious time according to the configuration of planets, sun and constellations.

Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods which, if they are practiced in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practice is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power and self-interests.

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 10 years.  

We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Saga Dawa Festival of Vaishakha Day - May 29, 2018

What is Saga Dawa / Festival of Vaishakha's Day ?

Vaishakha Day is a major Buddhist holiday which commemorates three major events in the life of the historic Shakyamuni Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and pairinirvana. 

Saga Dawa / Vesak Day or Sangye & Nyangde Duchen Day on May 29, 2018 is the 15th (full moon) day of the fourth lunar month. It’s known as the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.  At the age of thirty-five Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya. This day also marks the anniversary of his parinirvana at Kushinagara. 

Saga Dawa / Vesak Day or Sangye & Nyangde Duchen Day, It’s one of the most sacred day for all Buddhists. The effects of all positive and negative actions are multiplied by  10,000,000 times!

The Saga Dawa Festival worships the life of Buddha and coincides with three crucial events in his life: birth, nirvana, and death. In Tibetan  "Saga" means "fourth” and "Dawa" means “month,” which is why the festival is celebrated through the whole 4th Tibetan month and is believed to be one of the most significant religious occasions solemnized in Tibet which casts aside all barriers of color, religion, or nationality. 

Within the framework of their tradition, Buddha, while dying, told one of his followers not to honour him merely with lights, flowers, and incense after his death, but by aiming to follow his teachings about being compassionate and kind and living a big-hearted life. That's why during the celebration, many people give out alms to the pleading and refrain from killing animals.

During this festival, a large number of pilgrims come to Lhasa to visit the monasteries and take part in the ritual walk around the Lingkhor path. A late afternoon picnic in the Dzongyab Lukhang Park is another excellent way to be connected during Saga Dawa, these outings to the foot of the Potala is a yearly ritual for Tibetan people. 

Celebrations are held all over Tibet, but one of the greatest and most famous can be found at Tarboche at the foot of Mt. Kailash. If you want to visit this sacred place, you might need a special permit.

Pilgrims come early in the morning and gather around the huge ceremonial flagpole with hundreds of colorful prayer flags attached to it. Before the ceremony starts, a group of lamas has come closer to the flagpole and play woodwind instruments. When the music begins, pilgrims begin to walk around the prayer flags. 

As soon as the 25m high flagpoles are raised, followers start to throw the Highland barley powder on themselves, which is believed to bring luck.

Thousands of pilgrims start to throw colorful prayers into the air. They are believed to be carried by the wind to heaven. When the ritual is finished, part of the followers make 13 circles around the flagpole and pray, and the other part starts their "kora," which is a sacred trek around Mt. Kailash.

Public Donation

Every drop of water helps to swell the ocean

Every good and bad action will not go unnoticed

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 10 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Tibetan & Chinese New Year - Year of The Earth Dog 2018

Picture courtesy : Google search

Tibetan & Chinese New YearCelebration - Year of The Earth Dog 2018. 

February 16,2018. The Tibetan Losar Festival is likewise a Chinese New Year celebration. In ancient times when the peach tree would blossom, it was viewed as the beginning of another year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D. the first day of the principal month is settled toward the start of the New Year. 

Picture courtesy : Google search

On New Year’s Day, families join together and ‘auspicious dipper’ is offered, and the words ‘Tashi Delek’ are used for individuals to welcome each other. This day is an event when Tibetan families rejoin to expect fortune in the coming New Year and is known as Losar. 

The Losar celebration begins from the first to the third of the principal Tibetan month. Entryways are painted with religious images, making tribute to family, places of worship. On New Year’s Eve, Tibetans eats grain crumbed sustenance with their families. After dinner, it is the time of the Festival of Banishing Evil Sprits!

Lights are lit and people run and shout to free of evil spirits in their homes. Prior to the beginning of the New Year’s Day, housewives get their first bucket of water to get breakfast ready. After dressing up, people open their entryways and go to religious communities. 

On the third day, the prayer flag, which was hung up the prior year will be supplanted with another one. Other activities will be held amid the occasions.

Picture courtesy : Google search

* The Tibetan and The Chinese Astrology

[ *Footnote - Tibetan & Chinese tradition customs and has nothing associated with Vajrayana Buddhism ]

People born in the Years of the Dog:

1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

If you're born in a Dog year, and the following is deemed lucky for you:

•Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9

•Lucky colors: red, green, and purple

•Lucky flowers: rose, cymbidium orchids

As per both the Tibetan and Chinese Astrology of the Dog, the eleventh indication of the Tibetan and Chinese zodiac is thoughtful, sympathetic and intelligent. 

A person conceived in the Year of the Dog has a twofold way to deal with life and his associations with others. If you benefit from his companionship or his love, a Dog will never disillusion you. 

Picture courtesy : Google search

Featuring - The Tibetan Mastiffs

Tibetan Mastiffs are – you got it – massive! They average about 25 inches tall at the shoulder, and on rear legs stand nearly as tall as people. A solid weight range for Tibetan Mastiffs lies between 85-140 pounds, and their sumptuous thick hide just adds to their size. This breed looks more like a lion than a canine; and in all honesty, demonstrations more like a lion or bear than a dog as well.

Picture courtesy : Google search

The Lion canines

Like bears or the lions, the Tibetan Mastiff’s demeanor is frequently depicted as standoffish. He cherishes his personal space and is profoundly defensive of his den. He’s a guard dog, above all else, and will frequently go off individually to patrol. He has his own schedule and doesn’t appreciate being instructed. As a result, these majestic canines require firm handlers.

With enough practice, and forbearance, Tibetan Mastiffs will work with their masters to come to a compromise. At the point When your Mastiff at last becomes your companion, he’ll be your defender or safeguard for life. 

Picture courtesy : Google search

Ancient War Dogs

Tibetan Mastiffs have a long, storied history. Their precursors accompanied the Persians amid the rule of their empire. They vanquished landmasses by the Romans and the Huns, and antiquarians speculate Tibetan Mastiff forerunners were praised as war dogs to the point when they settled in Tibetan valleys.

In the wake of remaining detached for a considerable length of time, they became more domesticated. This shouldn't imply that they were lap puppies! In actuality, these dogs remained in homes amid the day and roamed free during the evening for the village’s protection. After some time, they became trusted and revered by villagers throughout Tibet and the Himalayas.

Picture courtesy : Google search

Twofold Layer Coats

Tibetan Mastiffs have a generally high maintenance coats. They are thick, with twofold layers, for surviving frigid climates. Some Tibetan Mastiffs have significantly thicker hair close to their neck that resembles like a lion’s mane! 

They should be brushed a couple each week to control shedding and washed when required. Furthermore, their regular shedding, sometimes called “molting”, is so immense to the point that you may need to take them to a groomer.

Tibetan Mastiffs are fierce companions that guard and secure with all that they have. Try not to give their independent nature a chance to trick you – they are the most content when close by their families.

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. 

Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to improve our works and to achieve for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Picture courtesy: Google search

Every drop of water helps to swell the ocean

Every good and bad action will not go unnoticed

As you sow, so shall you reap.  Your deeds, good or bad, will repay you in kind. 

Days slip into weeks, weeks turn into months and months transform into years. Calendars are changing and so am I and you too.

Picture courtesy : Google search

If a person is spreading happiness through charity, good work, being kind and sympathetic toward others, it means he/she is sowing the seeds of happiness that will produce the fruits of happiness in present of future”.

Our life is nothing else but it is just like an agricultural soil; if we want better crop from this soil than we must sow the good seeds in it; because quality and quantity of the crop is completely depends upon the quality and quantity of seeds we have sown.

Picture courtesy: Google search

Law of the Karma stipulates

• The consequences are always depends upon the action.

• Our present always makes or helps to make our future.

• We are the only person in this world; responsible for the effects of our actions.

But many a times it happens; If we do good towards others, even if it doesn’t yield the proper result immediately; it does not mean it has gone in vain; we can certainly expect goodness out of it in the future.

It’s never too late to turn it all around. Be honest with yourself and others. When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world. Forgive those who have harmed you consciously and intentionally. 

Picture courtesy: Google search

Forgiveness does not change the past, but at least it can shape the future. We have to change. We are doing what make us happy. After all, we are responsible for our own happiness because we owe it to ourselves. 

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. 

Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to improve our works and to achieve for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

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Thank you for visiting us! You are one of an increasing number of readers looking up Tibetan Buddhism and culture for analyses and learning and sharing the Buddhist Dharma. 

We strive to keep these articles free for reading. We indeed had been providing free reading and circulation of our posts throughout the last 10 years. We want to keep our posts and journals as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help. 

Our blog administrative takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.

If everyone who reads our posts, who likes it, helps to support it, our future would be much more secure. In any case, we do need funds to continue the struggle for Justice, Freedom and Solidarity of the critically endangered Tibetan culture and heritage. 

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To maintain these, we do require and acknowledge subsidizing and sponsoring from public. Contribute however much you want or choose one of our structured fundraising initiatives. 

Whatever the amount, a donation to Tibetan Buddhism does not go without a lot of appreciation and thanks.  Please know that every single cent that you donate to us, goes towards a very good cause. A cause that brings peace to people's body, mind and spirit.

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development. We need you to help secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. 

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A Spiritual Journey To Our Holy Land - Tibet

A spiritual journey to our holy land - Tibet . Tibet is our holy land and heaven on earth.

Tibet is one of the most beautiful, standout and purest places on the planet,, Tibet is otherwise called  “The roof of the world” because of its tallness that is around 4000 meters over the sea level. 

Tibet’s tourism is presently counted in the most popular tourisms on the planet as not just the people from neighboring countries seem to visit Tibet, but from everywhere throughout the world, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to this region that has the highest plateau on the earth’s surface.

Lhasa, The Potala Palace 

There are a number of amazing places that come in the list of “must visit places in Tibet”, the ideal trip that covers most of the places is from Lhasa to Kailash via EBC (Everest base camp) that generally takes 16 to 18 days to complete the tour. 

Typically the most of the Tibet tours start from Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet self-governing region. Here, in Lhasa, many remarkable palaces and temples are there that are amazingly great and worth-visiting on a Tibet tour. 

Lhasa is more than 1300 years old and lies on the northern slopes of the Himalaya Mountains, that makes this place more celebrated. This city is extremely influential in spiritual aspects, not just because of the pure, natural and magnificent beauty but also because of the Tibet’s old culture and sacred atmosphere.

The Holy Mount Kailash 

Another iconic place of the Himalayas is the Mount Kailash that is honored as one of the most sacred places in the world and is situated around 22,000 ft above sea level. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that the Mount Kailash is the home of Lord Shiva. 

A number of monasteries and great places fall along the route to Mt Kailash. The Mansarovar lake which is 18 miles from the Mount Kailash, is one of the greatest lakes in the world, its holy water provides spiritual benefits, but it takes a willingness to take a dip in the ice-cold water of the lake. 

Samye Monastery - First Monastery Built In Tibet

Located in the quiet piedmont area of the Shannan Region, the Samye Monastery is the first monastery built in Tibet and the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. With these unique features, this splendid monastery has become an attraction for visitors from near and far.

The monastery was built by the Trisong Detsen (reigned 742-798) of the Tubo Kingdom and was presided over by the Buddhist master Padmasambhava. The Detsen contributed a lot to the project. First, it was said the name (meaning surprise in Tibetan) originated from an exclamation he made. 

When the monastery was completed, Detsen took part in the foundation ceremony and then ordained seven descendants of blue blood to cultivate in the monastery. They became the first group of monks to live at the monastery and later the so-called 'Seven Enlighten Disciples of Samye'. Since then, Buddhism had become widespread within Tibet and forms a branch of splendid culture. Now, the monastery is listed as one of the cultural relics of national importance under the protection of the state.

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northwest. According to local mythology, Yamdrok Lake is the transformation of a goddess.

Yamdrok Lake, has a power station that was completed and dedicated in 1996 near the small village of Pai-Ti at the lake western end. This power station is the largest in Tibet. The lake with an area of 621 square kilometers and the unknown depth is fan-shaped, spreading to the South but narrowing up to the North. 

The mountainous lake has a dozen of islands, the largest of which is about 3,000 square kilometer. The lake freezes up in winter. Like mountains, lakes are considered sacrosanct by the Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers.

There are shoals of fish living in Yamdrok Yumtso lake, which are commercially exploited by local population. From April to October, fish caught from this lake are sold at markets in Lhasa. Besides, the lake's islands serve as rich pasture land to local herdmen.

North Everest Base Camp

North Base Camp is in Tibet at 5,150 metres (16,900 ft). These camps are rudimentary campsites on Mount Everest that are used by mountain climbers during their ascent and descent. South Base Camp is used when climbing via the southeast ridge, while North Base Camp is used when climbing via the northeast ridge.

The North Base Camp has vehicle access (at least in the summer months). Climbers typically rest at base camp for several days for acclimatization to reduce the risks and severity of altitude sickness.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

A New Tibet Comes With A Price

A few facts of Tibet Nowadays 

Modernization poses a new challenge for a new Tibet and herecomes with a price and the causes and effects of Urbanization and modernization of Tibet under People's Republic of China. 

Tibet in recent decades is transformed beyond recognition. Modern Face of Tibet is in fact, modernization poses a new challenge for a new Tibet and herecomes with a price.  What can we find true or real face of Tibet?

Pollution into the environment with new high rise apartment buildings, new highways, new railroads, new airports, new malls, business hotels, pubs and lounges, underground disco, KTV , alcohols, drug abuses , crime rate on the rise and diseases that easily find a place in Tibetan Soil.

STD and AIDS in Tibet autonomous region (TAR)

Tibet, one of the latest places in the world to be exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is now becoming a place of high prevalence rate, according to some studies that have been kept low key where the first case was diagnosed in 2002. 

While the number of HIV-positive Tibetans are going up yearly, many residents of major Tibetan regions in Gansu, Qinghai, Suchuan and Yunnan Provinces and the Tibet Autonomous Region do now know what AIDS is or realize it is fatal, said Chupal Sangpo, deputy director of an NGO in Sichuan dedicated in educating Tibetans about HIV.

At the end of 2015, new HIV cases in Tibet went down, while 77,000 people diagnosed as HIV-positive received treatment in the past 12 months.

Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. At one time it was thought that 1 in 6 Tibetan men were Buddhist monks. The best known face of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since he fled the Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.

Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of the Theravada and 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.

History

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 Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, who came to use his wisdom and power to overcome "spiritual" forces that were stopping work on the new monastery.

The Groups within Tibetan Buddhism

1) Nyingmapa: Founded by Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, this is oldest sect, noted in the West for the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

2) Kagyupa: Founded by Tilopa (988-1069), the Kagyupa tradition is headed by the Karmapa Lama. Important Kagyupa teachers include Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa.

3) Sakyapa: Created by Gonchok Gyelpo (1034-1102) and his son Gunga Nyingpo (1092-1158).

4) Gelugpa: (The Virtuous School) Founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also called Je Rinpoche) (1357 - 1419), this tradition is headed by the Dalai Lama.

In addition, Tibetan is widespread as a liturgical language throughout the Tibetan Buddhist cultural area. Tibetan culture and language are today under strong pressure. Tibet has today the status of an autonomous region (TAR) in the People’s Republic of China. The number of Tibetans living in China is disputed. According to official Chinese statistics, the number is between 4 to 5 million, and under half of these live in the TAR, while the rest are found in other Chinese provinces.

Somewhat more than 100,000 Tibetans live in South Asia, primarily in India, and in the West. According to the Tibetan Government in Exile, the total number of Tibetans is approximately 5 - 6 million. Tibetan Buddhism is a strong and living religious tradition in Tibetan areas in China and parts of neighboring countries. 

Together with Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism is the Buddhist movement which has spread more widely in the West.  Buddhism came to Tibet in the 7th century A.D., first and foremost from India. It assimilated local religious traditions and became what we call Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetans adopted an Indian alphabet in order to translate Buddhist texts and for practical purposes in the country's administration, and is still used today.

Buddhism was transmitted into Tibet mainly during the 7th to 10th centuries. Notable early teachers were the illustrious 8th-century Tantric master Padmasambhava and the more orthodox Mahayana teacher Shantirakshita. With the arrival from India in 1042 of the great teacher Atisha, a reform movement was initiated, and within a century the major sects of Tibetan Buddhism had emerged. 

The Dge-lugs-pa, or One of the Virtuous System, commonly known as the Yellow Hats ( The Gelupa lineage ) the order of the Dalai and the Panchen Lamas, was the politically predominant Tibetan sect from the 17th century until 1959, when the hierocratic government of the Dalai Lama was abolished by the People’s Republic of China.

Much of the Buddhist literature that was lost in India exists today in Tibetan translations, and Tibetan is therefore one of the important languages in the study of Buddhism. Since the 11th century, Tibetans have also composed their own Buddhist literature, which consists of historical, biographical and liturgical texts, commentaries, meditational texts, poetry, grammar and philosophy and, since the twentieth century, also secular literature, which comprises poetry, novels and short stories. 

In the second half of the 20th century Tibetan Buddhism spread to the West, particularly after the subjugation of Tibet to Chinese Communist rule sent many refugees, including highly regarded “reincarnated lamas,” or tulkus, out of their homeland. Tibetan religious groups in the West include both communities of refugees and those consisting largely of Westerners drawn to the Tibetan tradition.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

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