BUDDHISTS:fromTheirNorthAmerica)SummaryChineseTibetseverelyoppressed . - PDF document

BUDDHISTS:fromTheirNorthAmerica)SummaryChineseTibetseverelyoppressed , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 Davidpossessedsharpmind,peoplecomfortablehispresence,waswasDavid,naturalreturnChrist.Daviddreamsambitions.relatedracialprejudicesomedaylikemarry.ButteachingsBuddhaChrist,believed.timeourlivesdriftedapartfinallylostcontacteachother.SomedayseeDavidmeetingwillGod’skingdom.    TIBETANBUDDHISMHiddensomeLa,isolatedtoweringliesremotecountryTibet.HereBuddhismflourishedformquitedistinctfromschoolsBuddhism.earliestaccountsBuddhismTibetdatebackseventhcenturyunifiedTibetnationbecameitsfirst625.Priorthistime,Tibetwasseparatetribes,prevailingbeliefreligionshamanism,magic,andprimitiveworship.TibetansinitiallydidwelcomeBuddhism.OnlyBuddhismTibetabsorbedocculticfeaturesTibetansreligionown.TibetantraditionstatesBuddhismfirstancientTibetwhileLhatoThorirulerfigureregardlegendary.Oneday,traditionmaintains,casketfellfromLhatoThori’swhilestoodpalace.BuddhistmodelgoldenBuddhisttempleformtower)casket,bookswerewrittensyllables:ManiPadmeHum,whichbecamesacredprayerTibetans.translationsyllablesHailBuddhaourTibetanBuddhistsbelievesyllableswilldeliverpersonfromrebirthpersonnirvanaHistoricalrecordspresentclearerunderstandingemergenceBuddhismTibet.Songtsenhisreign,marriedprincesses,otherChinese.weredevoutBuddhistsexercisedtremendousinfluenceoverking.SongtsensubsequentlyBuddhistTibetanscholarssurroundingcountriesBuddhism,importedBuddhistteachers.Furthermore,movedYarlungplacewhichlocatedcentralTibetBhutanandbecamecenterBuddhism.TrisongDetsensucceededSongtsenthronehispoliciesfurthersecuredBuddhismTibet.institutedmonasteriesTibet,andcontinuedimportBuddhistmasters,wasPadmasambhava,broughtdoctrineTantricBuddhismfromTibetansquicklyadoptedhisteachings,soonbecamereveredPreciousTeacher.syncretismdoctrinesMahayanaBuddhism,andTantricpracticesPadmasambhavadevelopedTibetanBuddhism(alsoknownVajrayanaBuddhismTantricBuddhism)today.century,BuddhiststremendousdevelopmentBuddhismTibet.OnePanditAtisha,BuddhistscholarfromBengalTibet1042.foundedKadampasect,whichlaterevolvedGelukpaorder,officialsectotherwasMilarepa,TibetancompareFrancis.Milarepacalledcladbecauseworegarment.poetascetic,lifeexemplifiedcompassionrenunciation.1071,orderwasestablishedShigatse,TibetLhasa.TibetanschoolfurthercombiningTantricmysticismphilosophyMahayanaBuddhism.sect, , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 requiredcelibates.religioushierarchysecuredcertainfamiliespostabbot(monasteryhead)waspassedfromson.centurydescendantleadersectTibetcomedevisesysteminteractionpeopleseffectTibetanBuddhismdynastyandinstallingsectpoliticalpowerTibet.Later,KublaideclaredTibetanBuddhismnationalreligionhisempireselectedPhakpa,leaderhisadvisor.dynastyChinaoverthrewMongolruleCentralcentury,ChineseemperorsextendedpatronagetowardTibetMongols.Mongoldynastycollapsed,powerdwindled.ReligiouseconomiccorruptionTibetangovernmentunderpeopleclamoredreform,brilliantscholaransweredcall.preachedreformandfoundedmonastery,disciplesbecameknownfollowvirtuousway.OneimportantreformsTsongdecreeprohibitingmarriagehisfollowers.policyterminatedtransmittingpoliticalreligiouspowerfromson.alsostruckblatantglorifiedtantricexperience.institutedacademicstandardsmonasteriesspiritualadvancement.didreformBuddhism.TsongwassucceededGedunGedundieddistinctiveTibetanBuddhistincarnationsfromsuperiorinstituted.Tibetansbelievedsincehadattainedandthereforeliberatedrebirth,hadtransmigrate(reincarnate)anotherhumanbodyreassumeleadershipoverGelukpa.century,Gyatso,headsupposedincarnationcourtMongolia.result,wasconvertedBuddhism,soonproclaimedBuddhismnationalreligionMongolia.conferredtitleDalaiGyatso.Dalaiwordmeansocean.renderingwisdom.NgawangbecameDalaiestablishmentDalaireligiouspoliticalTibetbecamecompletepower.Fromcenturyearlycentury,TibetprotectoratedynastyDuringthisperiod,wastitularheadTibet.Europeanpowersslicedseveralpiecesmelon,Tibetoncerule.British,conductedbloodymilitaryexpeditionsTibetwrestlefromafterrevolutionChina,DalainegotiatedpeacetreatyBritishindependenceTibet.From1950,TibetexperiencedrelativebecauseprotectionBritish.Gyatso,DalaiguidedTibetyears.corruptionbecomereligiouspoliticalsystemsTibet.reformbothreligiongovernment.activereformermovedareas,LauraPilarski.revisedscalestaxationassessrichmoreadequately;revampedsystem,abolishingcapitalallseveresentencesmutilationtreason;introducedschoolreforms.DecemberbeforewarninghiscountryTibetanslearnedprotecttheirwouldconquered.wordsbecametragicprophecy.TibetemergedturmoilturbulentpoliticalinstabilitywithinTibetstarting1933werepreludewar1947.currentcandidate , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 wasstillTibetwasregency,TibetlackeddynamicleaderprecariouscountryhadBritishprotectioncommunistscontrolChinesegovernment.FearinginvasionTibetansprepareddelegationsvisitIndia,Nepal,GreatBritain,Statesofficialrecognitioncountry’sindependentalongsomekeepingChinese.Thesedelegations,becausenegativeresponsefromcountriesapproached.nation,India,wantedclaimsagainstChineseones.Finally,communistsinvadedTibetOctober1950.November17,TenzinGyatso,15,wasinstalledlaterremovedborderpersonaldangerChineseweresuccessfultheirmilitarydrivetowardLhasa,couldfleeandtherebyheartpeoplewith1951,Tibet.DalaidecidedreturnLhasacomforthispeople.ChineseinitiallytriedconvertTibetanscommunismpeacefulpropaganda,theTibetansresentedcustomsdisturbedbeliefsystem.1959,dramaticepisodescontemporaryhistory,DalaifledhisrealizedbetterservehispeopleoutsideTibet.Disguisinghimself,membershisfamilyhadtakendifferentpoint,travelingrafts,crossingtreacherousriversvalleys,Dalaireachedbordersafelydays.SincerulerscompletelydestroyedthespringsTibetancivilization,DavidSnellgroveRichardson,renownedscholarsTibetancultureandhistory.Indeed,religioncreativeculturalforcevillageandTibetmore.Meanwhile,thousandsTibetansfledtheircountryjoinedDalaiexile.himtheirculture,theirreligionwillrestored.Dalaihasbecomemostreligiousleadersworld,PowersIntroductionTibetanBuddhism.SincePrize1989,greatpublicspeaker,widelyrecognizedleadingfigureinternationaleffortspromotehumanrights.nationalcatastropheTibethadleastpositiveresults,althoughfacttragedyinvasion,doessharedsufferingTibetanpeople.   TIBETANBUDDHISMAMERICATarthangareknownTibetanBuddhistmastersAmerica.Bothwereaccordedtitlewhichpreciousmaster,andbothfledTibetinvasion.wasbornnortheasternTibet1939.LikeTibetans,hiswaspoor.one,fromKagyupaschoolTibetanBuddhismfrompovertyandtrainedleadertheirorder,fourmajorordersBuddhism.fromTibet1959.Duringhisexile,TrungpaOxford1967,foundedMeditationCenterScotland.1970,establishedTailTigerGreenVermont.laterstartedhisknownKarmaMeditationCenterBoulder,Colorado,Aprilpassedaway.Trungpa’sconstantwasfriendhisguru.believedshouldtheirThus,hisinstructionwasusuallyindividualpersonal.most, , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 simplemeditation,whileadvancedtaughttraditionalTibetanmeditationalexplainingBuddhistLayman,ChogyamTrungpafirstdiffersfrommeditationChristianity...ininvolvingconcept‘higherbeing’triescommunicate.contrastTrungpa,TarthangwasbornGellekeasternTibet.regardedreincarnatedTarthangBeforeinvadedTibet,becomemonasteryTibetanBuddhism,anothermajororders.1959,alsoescapedcommunistChinese.firstexilewasprotectorateRepublic1962,DalaicommissionedteachSanskritBenares,becausewasskilledSanskrit,EnglishFinally,StateswherelaterestablishedTibetanBerkeley,California.centerfirstitsfoundedspecificallyAmericans.1973,foundedNyingmaInstitute,alsolocatedBerkeley.1975,TarthangreceivedacresNorthernCalifornia.monasteryOdiyanTibetanCenter,retreatTibetansOdiyanfromIndiancitywherePadmasambhavasupposedlywasborn.firstBuddhistmonasterydesignedtraditionalstyle.Tarthangtriescloserelationshipallhisdisciples.turnregardspiritualguideteacher,BuddhistmasterbringingculturebetweenphilosophiesTrungpaTarthangtheirpositionsTibetanculture.TrungpapopularthroughSpiritualMaterialismeffortappearTibetanpracticeTibetanlifestylehindrancespiritualdevelopment.otherhand,TarthangencourageshisdevelopappreciationTibetanculturepreserveliterature,art,religionTibet.OneknownWesternersbecomeTibetanBuddhistGovinda.histruereligion,studiedmajorreligions.choseBuddhism,wrote,outsetmorelessconvincedsuperiorityChristianityChristianfurtherproceededmoremyselfBuddhism,becameclearBuddhismwasreligioncouldfollowfullestconviction.WesternersconclusionGovinda.AlthoughfarWesternersconvertedTibetanTantricBuddhismcomparedandNichirenBuddhism,possessdeeptheirfaith.respectinvasionTibetbrightforTibetanBuddhists.ProbablyTibetanBuddhistswouldhavetheirisolationHimalayastheirforcedTibetanBuddhistsaddedanothertributarymainstreamAmericanreligions.tragedystruckTibetsendingitspeoplefleeingthousandsfrontiers.SinceLamasrecognizethat,theirrecoveredwithingeneration,sacredknowledgevanish.areeagerinstructallsincerelydesirelearn.PHILOSOPHYTIBETANBUDDHISM , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 SometimesidentifiedVajrayanaTibetanBuddhismclassifiedschoolBuddhism.differentfromBuddhismdoctrineandpractice,becausemonopolizescertainregionspeoples,VajrayanaBuddhismreasonablyconsideredBuddhistphilosophyitsrightTheravadaBuddhismandMahayanaBuddhism.VajrayanawasbornprobablyseventhA.D.,althoughfollowersthisvehiclewouldargueearlierdatelaterreligionMongolia.recognizedTibetanBuddhismLamaism.TibetanBuddhistsVajrayanadiamondbecauseconsiderchangeless,pure,andclear.AnagarikaGovinda,vajraregardedsymbolspiritualpowerirresistibleinvincible.thereforediamond,whichcapableasunderothersubstance,whichEvenmoresyncretisticMahayana,theVajrayanaabsorbedTantrisminroadsHinduism.Sinceelementdoctrine,VajrayanaBuddhismbecameknownTantricBuddhism.BuddhistsclaimearlyBuddhismtendenciesdatingbackfirstcenturyHindusborrowedfromBuddhism.scholars,assertTantrismfruitHinduism.Tantrism?centuryA.D.,booksappearedreligiouscirclesIndianlife.werereferredTantraswordtantrarelatesweaving.Thus,Tantrisminterdependence,onenessallTantrismmysticalbeliefsystemincorporatesmagicalproceduresparanormalpowers.TantricBuddhismpowersareemployedquestforEnlightenment.PractitionersTantrismspeech,theirTechnicalaidsmantrasyantrasmudrasBuddhistsattributeconsiderableimportancemantraaudiotechniquemeditation.believesacredsyllableshavepowerpenetratedivinespirits,ratherBuddhasBodhisattvas.TheirmostsacredmantraManiPadmeHum.yantravisualmeditation.mostimportantaidmandala,whichdisplaysintricatepatternsymbolicfigures.Buddhistsecretforcesfromwithinhisconsciousnessthroughfigurespeacefulwrathfuldeities,BuddhasBodhisattvas.mandalaoncesymbolicrepresentationentiremudrasbodilygesturesmeditation.gesturesareparticularlysignificant.positionsandfingersidentityBuddhasBodhisattvasfromanother,eachrepresentingdistinctspiritualquality.totaldedicationquestthroughTantrismknownShortPath.ShortemploysreachEnlightenmentmorethroughfarfewerlifetimeswouldotherwiseaccomplishedthroughMahayanapractices.SincespiritualTantrismarepowerfuldangerous,Buddhistsurgeunderinstructionguidancetrainedshort,TibetanBuddhistsenlistspecialTantrictechniquesmantras,attainEnlightenment.doctrineTibetanBuddhismabsorbedfromHinduismrelatedTantrismShaktism,beliefsystemworshipsdivinepowerconsortparticulargod.Translateddoctrine,ShaktismattributedeachBuddhaBodhisattvafemalecounterparts.Tibetanbecamesymbolupaya.lovecompassion;active,principle.goddessesbecamesymbolPrajnaknowledge;thepassive,femaleprinciple.andprajnabecamespiritualsymbolachievingnirvana. , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 TibetanBuddhistShaktism,moretakesliterally.ManyotherTibetanBuddhistsregardthisdoctrinesymbolicexpressiononenessspiritblisswisdom.disdainreferenceTibetanBuddhismbeingformShaktism.upayaprajnamustorderpersonattainpersonnotabusethisprinciplepromiscuity.illustratethispoint,DalaiLama,Buddhavarioustantras,whileappearingprincipaldeityrespectivemandalaconsort.Therefore,practitionersalso,theirimaginations,visualizedivineaspectunionconsort.OtherBuddhistsconsiderprajnaunion.believebetweenandduringsacredwillacceleratePerfection.TIBETANBUDDHISTSTibetanBuddhistsactuallycomprisegroups:Tibetannationalstheirdescendants,WesternerschosenTibetanBuddhismtheirfaith.communistconquered1951,about100,000TibetanstheirbecausecommuniststreatedTibetanpeoplecruelty.InitiallyTibetanexilessincecomeTheseexilesreligiousleaders,Dalaiotherandlaity.understand,therefore,missionaryTseringpointsout,BuddhistpeoplesseeBuddhismrallyingpointculturalsurvival.individualseriouslyconsidersreligiousbecomeschargestreasonsocialbetrayal.Meanwhile,WesternershaveconvertedTibetanBuddhism,adoptedTibetancustomsdress,food,speechpatterns.Some,Govinda,becomelamasthemselves.EVANGELISTICSUGGESTIONSSincecommunistsruthlesslytriedexterminateTibetancultureparticularlytheirreligionnearlyhalfcentury,importantChristiansunderstandTibetansareextremelyresistantperceiveChristianattacksreligionandculturalshouldcarefuloffendtheirculturalsensibilities;respectpolitenessarticulatingothernotignorepresentingSoutheasternBuddhists,ChristianswilleffectivetheirevangelismTibetanBuddhiststrylearnaboutTibetancultureandreligionbeforehand.TseringmakesfollowingastutecommentChristianmissionsTibetanBuddhistsAsia:MissionsconductedkeyBuddhistbeliefssuffering,redemptionrunafoulunintendedmeanings.ThisalsotrueevangelismTibetanBuddhistsAmerica.WesternersbecomeBuddhists,mostassumealreadyknowteachingsChristianitybelieveinferiorBuddhism.fact,usuallyhaveunderstandingdistortedWesternculture.possible,redlettereditionTestamentencouragereadwordsJesusmoderntranslation.theytrulySpirittheireyesreadandconsiderChrist’swords. , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 hisbookPowerCompassion,Dalaisays,Onereligionobviouslysatisfycircumstances,varietyreligionsactuallynecessarythereforesensiblealldifferentreligionsworktogetherandhelpinganother.said,supposecomepeaceearth.bringpeace,sword.cometurnhisdaughtermother,daughtermotherenemieswillmembershishousehold10:3436).soundmoreloving,peaceable,compassionate?Understandably,wordsDalaisoundmorepleasingourears.Butthesucculentfirstarticleseriespeachlookedfineoutsiderotteninside),arenecessarilyappearDalaiotherBuddhistsChristianstoleranttheirbeliefs,justareours.thatdignityChristiansboth.Butsilentaboutultimatelife,ChristiansstrivepersuadesalvationChrist.1975,wasBuddhismCornellUniversity.talk,approachedstoryme.forgottenalwaysrememberstory.firstnoticedthiswoman,wantedupbraidnarrowChristian.dressedexpressionwhiteWesternerembracedEasternmysticism.Butwaswrong.grownfamilyconsideredChristians,rarelyattendedchurch.accidenthusbandanothersoughtlifeexaminingdifferentreligions.ThissearcheventuallyTibetanmonasteryCalifornia.firstteachingsTibetanBuddhismfascinatedButmembersthisBuddhistcommunitybecameincreasinglycriticallifeteachingsChrist,becamemoremoreseveralthismonastery,finallyrealizedillusionbelieveBuddhismwastolerantreligions.becamedisillusionedwantedButproblemswithhealthworsened,feardeathcompelledthinkBecauseBuddhismdetachfromsufferingsrealizingallareimpermanent,becausethishadbroughtcomfortdecidedseekanswerssufferingsreadingGospels.short,likescalesfallingfromeyes.decadesdealingpersonalsufferingherefforts,castherburdensChristfinallyenjoyedpeacestrengthenedsoul.sharedfaithChristalsoobjecteddeclarationtheresalvation.ThisdidasksHisfollowersdo.Whoeveracknowledgesbeforewillalsoacknowledgebeforeheaven.Butwhoeverdisownsbeforewilldisownbefore10:3233).Shortlyafterward,passedJesusacknowledgewellacknowledgeLord,beforeour        , P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271 Phone (704) 887-8200 and Fax (704) 887-8299 LauraPilarski,Tibet:Heart(Indianapolis:Bobbs1974),90.AfterDalaiTibetanoraclesandomensincarnationDalaiidentificationmadechildselectsobjectsbelongedpreviousDalaiLama.Pilarski,101.106.DavidSnellgroveandRichardson,HistoryTibet(Boulder,PrajnaPress,1980),268,273.Powers,IntroductionTibetan(Ithaca,LionPub.,186.McCloyLayman,BuddhismAmerica(Chicago:99.Govinda,TheWayWhite(Berkeley:Shambhala,1970),Blofeld,TantricTibetYork:Dutton,1970),Govinda,61.BodhisattvasareseekEnlightenmentdelayextinction)ordersaveothersfirsttheirmerits.personifiedTibetanart,suchillustrationecstaticembrace(Father—Mother)figures,statuesdepictingdivineDemchog(highestDorjePhasmo(transcendentalknowledge).TenzinGyatso,FourteenthLama,Tibetan(Boston:Publications,1995),MarkuTsering,TibetanBuddhistJournalFrontierMissions,July1993,DalaiPowerCompassionFrancisco:1995),