Tibetan Buddhism


Tibetan Buddhism is a hybrid of three sources of teachings:


1/ Bon tradition, a pre-Buddhist religion (gods worship, magic beliefs,… etc…).

2/ Tantrism (Tantra : Hindu based doctrines aimed at self-realisation),

3/ Mahayana Buddhism : Heart Sutra and Prajna Paramita Sutra.


Having non-Buddhist influence (of Bon and Tantra), Tibetan Buddhism is considered as distinct from other schools of Buddhism. However, it can be regarded as a Mahayana branch because of incorporating a central belief in Bodhisattva practice and attaining Enlightenment.The practice of Tibetan Buddhism includes meditation, chanting and various esoteric rituals depending on the level of spiritual advancement of practitioner, the highest of which is the stage of Lama or High Priest.  Another name for Tibetan Buddhism is Vajrayana Teachings, transmitted today in all sects of the tradition.


The sense of “the divine” in priesthood linage : A “Master” or “Lama” in Tibetan Buddhism is always referred to by “His Holiness”  implying achievement of  a “distinguished spirituality” or “holiness” - as compared with other lower stages of spiritual development of monks and ordinary believers. This distinction is accepted in all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism:

The Nyingma School , Kagyu School, Sakya School and Gelug School.


Tibetan chant: Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum:

TIbetan Buddhism has a common link with Nichiren Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra through its main mantra, implicitly referring to the “Law of the Lotus”.

The literal meaning of the Tibetan mantra is : “Praise to the jewel in the Lotus”. 

Nichiren’s chant: “Devotion to the Law of the Lotus” (Nam-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo)

was derived from the title of the text of the Lotus Sutra. The Tibetan mantra, however, cannot be traced to a precise origin.  Researchers attribute its emergence to the mythological figure of Bodhisattva (Avalokitasvara), called also Bodhisattva “Perceiver of World Sounds”. This Bodhisattva (being a central a pillar of Tibetan Buddhism) appears in the Lotus Sutra as one of the functions operating within the workings of the Mystic Law.


Main Beliefs in Tibetan and SGI teachings


                             SGI Buddhism                                  Tibetan Buddhism


  1. Bullet Devotion:   Oneness of Person and Dharma        -  Various Buddhas and divine beings

                             (Gohonzon)                               -  Tara godess


  1. Bullet Practice:                     Chanting                                 - Meditation, chanting & various rituals

                                                                          


  1. BulletCommunity:            Lay Practitioners                           Priesthood structured

                                                   

  1. Bullet Life’s continuity:           Rebirth                                    Reincarnation  

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pdf/print


The Difference between Rebirth and Reincarnation


Secret and Selective Rituals


Decline of Buddhism (Maitreya myth)


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