Lamaism of Tibetan Minority

Tibetan Minority in Yunnan is an important ethnic group, with the majority residing in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) but also scattered across Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. In Yunnan, Tibetan communities mainly reside in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the northwest part of the province, bordering Sichuan and Xizang (Tibet). Tibetan Buddhism, also called Lamaism, is central to the culture and spiritual life of these communities.

Tibetan Buddhism: Core Beliefs and Practices

Tibetan Buddhism is not just a religious practice but also a cultural system encompassing philosophy, ritual, and art. Below are the core aspects of Tibetan Buddhism:

Philosophies and Teachings

Madhyamika and Yogacara: These are Indian Buddhist philosophical schools that emphasize emptiness (shunyata) and the nature of consciousness, respectively. Madhyamika teaches that all things are empty of inherent existence and that reality is interdependent. Yogacara focuses on the mind and its role in creating experiences.

Tantra: Tibetan Buddhism incorporates Tantric rituals to achieve spiritual goals quickly, using mantras, mudras (hand gestures), mandalas (spiritual diagrams), and visualizations to connect with enlightened beings. Tantra is seen as a means of transforming ordinary experiences into paths for enlightenment.

Theravadin Monastic Discipline: This refers to the rules of behavior for monks and nuns, emphasizing the path of ethical discipline, meditation, and wisdom.

Bön Religion: The native Tibetan religion, Bön, includes animistic and shamanistic practices, which were absorbed into Tibetan Buddhism. Elements of Bön are still visible today, such as the worship of mountain spirits and deities.

The Tibetan Pantheon and Reincarnating Lamas

Pantheon of Deities: Tibetan Buddhism includes an extensive list of deities, Bodhisattvas, and protective spirits. Notable figures include Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), Manjushri, Tara, and various Wrathful Deities. These deities symbolize different aspects of enlightenment and are invoked for protection, wisdom, and compassion.

Reincarnating Lamas: One of the most unique aspects of Tibetan Buddhism is the system of reincarnating lamas, such as the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, who are believed to be the rebirths of their predecessors. This system ensures the continuity of spiritual and political leadership within Tibetan Buddhist communities.

Brief History of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism

Early History and Spread of Buddhism

Buddhism’s First Arrival (7th Century): Buddhism entered Tibet during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo (r. 609-650), who married Princess Wencheng of China and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal, both of whom brought Buddhist scriptures and images. King Songtsen Gampo is credited with establishing Buddhism as the state religion and constructing some of the earliest Buddhist temples, such as the Jokhang and Ramoche temples in Lhasa.

Padmasambhava and the Formation of Tibetan Buddhism: Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who arrived in Tibet in 774, is often considered the second Buddha. He synthesized Tantric Buddhism with the local Bön religion, creating what we now know as Tibetan Buddhism. His teachings focused on the esoteric and Tantric aspects of Buddhism, which remain central to Tibetan practices today.

The Tibetan Buddhist Canon: Between the 11th and 14th centuries, Tibetan scholars translated most Buddhist texts from Sanskrit into Tibetan. This was essential for the preservation of many Buddhist scriptures, including teachings lost in their original languages.

Tibetan Buddhism’s Political and Cultural Role

Mongol Yuan Dynasty and Manchu Qing Dynasty: Tibetan Buddhism played a significant political role, especially during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and Manchu Qing Dynasty. The Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan made Tibetan Buddhism the state religion of the Yuan Dynasty. Later, the Manchu Qing Dynasty continued this tradition.

Exile and Spread to the West: After 1959, when China occupied Tibet, the Dalai Lama and many Tibetan Buddhists fled to India, establishing Tibetan Buddhism centers in the West. This led to an influx of Western interest in Tibetan Buddhist practices and philosophy, with many Westerners becoming students of Tibetan Buddhist teachers.

Tibetan Buddhist Sacred Texts

The Tibetan Buddhist Canon is one of the most comprehensive collections of Buddhist scriptures. It consists of more than 300 volumes and includes various texts related to the foundational, Tantric, and esoteric teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.

Bka’-‘gyur (Kanjyur): The “Translated Word”

The Kanjyur is composed of texts that are considered the direct teachings of the Buddha. These teachings are divided into:

Sutras: Discourses on ethics, meditation, and wisdom.

Vinaya: Monastic rules and discipline.

Abhidharma: Scholastic and philosophical analysis of Buddhist teachings.

The first printing of the Kanjur occurred in 1411 in Beijing, China.

Bstan-‘gyur (Tenjyur): The “Transmitted Word”

The Tenjyur consists of commentaries and treatises written by later Buddhist scholars. It includes:

Commentaries on Sutras and Tantras.

Philosophical texts written by major Tibetan scholars, including Shantideva and Tsongkhapa.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol)

The Bardo Thodol is perhaps the most well-known Tibetan Buddhist text. It provides guidance for the deceased and describes the intermediate state (bardo) between death and rebirth. It includes:

Chikhai Bardo: The moment of death and the experience of the clear light.

Chonyid Bardo: The experience of various Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Sidpa Bardo: The experience of rebirth and karma-driven visions.

Distinctive Beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism incorporates several distinctive beliefs that set it apart from other Buddhist traditions.

The Role of Bodhisattvas

Tibetan Buddhists believe in Bodhisattvas, beings who have reached enlightenment but remain in the world to assist others in attaining Buddhahood. The most revered Bodhisattva is Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), the embodiment of compassion.

Dharma Protectors

Dharma Protectors are mythic figures whose role is to protect the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). They come from various traditions, including Bön, Hinduism, and Chinese Taoism, and are believed to possess supernatural powers to protect practitioners.

Distinctive Practices of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhist practices are deeply ritualistic and often esoteric. Here are some key practices:

Ritual Offerings

Butter lamps: Lit as a form of offering to increase the merit of practitioners.

Tsa-tsa: Small clay sculptures of Buddha that are created as offerings.

Pilgrimages

Tibetans often engage in pilgrimages to sacred sites like Mount Kailash or the Jokhang Temple, and they may perform prostrations as part of their spiritual practice.

Tantric Practices

Mudras (hand gestures), mantras (chants), and mandalas (sacred diagrams) are used in Tantric rituals.

Meditation practices like Mahamudra and Dzogchen aim to help practitioners achieve profound levels of wisdom and understanding.

Cham Dance

The Cham Dance is a sacred ritual dance performed at major Tibetan festivals. Monks wear elaborate costumes and masks to represent Buddhas and deities, often accompanied by music and chanting.

Schools of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is divided into four primary schools, each with its unique teachings and practices.

Nyingmapa

The oldest school, emphasizing Dzogchen, a form of meditation focusing on the “great perfection” of the mind. It retains a significant number of shamanistic elements from the Bön religion.

Kagyüpa

The Oral Transmission School, emphasizing meditation techniques like Mahamudra and practices involving Tantra. It has a deep focus on lineage teachings, where wisdom is passed directly from teacher to disciple.

Sakyapa

The Sakyapa school emphasizes Vajrayana teachings, especially the Lamdre (Path and Goal) teachings, and had political significance during the 13th and 14th centuries.