Tibetan Buddhism: From Padmasambhava to the Dalai Lama

Tibet Before Buddhism

Before Buddhism, Tibet was a tribal society organized into local kingdoms. The dominant religion was Bon.

The Introduction of Buddhism

The Official Introduction (7th c.)

The official introduction of Buddhism is attributed to King Songtsen Gampo. He married Wencheng, Chinese princess (in 641), and Bhrikuti, Nepalese princess. Wencheng brought Buddha statues and Buddhist texts.

Samye and Padmasambhava (8th c.)

Padmasambhava founded the Samye Monastery in 775, the first in Tibet.

The Persecution of Langdarma (838-842)

King Langdarma persecuted Buddhism.

The Four Schools

1. Nyingma

Founded by Padmasambhava. Practice: Dzogchen.

2. Kagyu

Founded by Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa. Practice: Mahamudra.

3. Sakya

Founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo. Practice: Lamdre.

4. Gelug

Founded by Tsongkhapa. Practice: Lam-rim.

The Institution of the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lamas are incarnations of Avalokiteshvara. The 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682) unified Tibet.

The 20th Century: The Chinese Invasion (1950-1959)

The Chinese Invasion (1950)

The Chinese army invaded Tibet in 1950.

The Flight of the Dalai Lama (1959)

The 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in March 1959.

The Dalai Lama and His Message

The 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. His focus: non-violence, interreligious dialogue, science and Buddhism, Tibetan cultural autonomy.

Current State

In Tibet (China)

• 700 monasteries destroyed since 1950
• Less than 10,000 active monks today

In Exile

• Active communities in India, Nepal, Bhutan
• Relatively free practice

In the West

• Vajrayana communities in North America, Europe, Australia
• Important centers: Shambhala, Naropa, Diamond Way

Sources

• John Powers: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
• Dalai Lama XIV: My Land and My People
• Alexander McKay: The History of Tibet