Religions of Tibet: Buddhism and Cultural Contexts

U-Tsang

Central Tibet region, home to Lhasa city.

Lhasa

Sacred city, cultural and religious center.

Ngari

Remote high desert area in Tibet.

Mt. Kailesh

Important cultural monument, sacred to multiple religions.

Jangtang grasslands

Grasslands located next to Mt. Kailesh.

Kham

Low altitude farming area in western US.

Amdo

Region in eastern Tibet, known for nomadic farmers.

Shakyamuni Buddha

Original Buddha from India, prophesied great leader.

Four Sights

Sick man, old man, dead man, sage seen by Buddha.

Middle Way

Balanced approach between extremes in Buddhist practice.

Samsara

Cyclical existence of death and rebirth in Buddhism.

Karma

Actions lead to future positive or negative consequences.

Mara

God of samsara, aims to keep beings trapped.

Three Poisons

Hatred, ignorance, greed that trap beings in samsara.

Human Realm

Best realm for achieving enlightenment through karma.

Impermanence

All created things are transient and ever-changing.

Dukkha

Suffering inherent in existence and constructed things.

Anatman

Concept of 'no self' in Buddhist philosophy.

Conventional Reality

Everyday existence, things appear stable and consistent.

Ultimate Reality

True nature of existence is constant change.

Conventional Self

Composed of five heaps: form, cognitions, sensations, dispositions, consciousness.

Four Noble Truths

Framework for understanding and overcoming suffering.

Nirvana

State of escaping suffering, means 'blowing out'.

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings who help others achieve nirvana.

Relics

Remains of deceased priests, believed to offer benefits.

Mahayana Buddhism

'The Great Vehicle', developed in South Asia.

Cessation of Suffering

Achieved by removing desire and attachment.

Mahayana Buddhism

Emphasizes multiple paths to enlightenment.

Celestial Buddhas

Buddhas assisting beings from different realms.

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings helping others achieve enlightenment.

Six Perfections

Practices leading to enlightenment: giving, morality, patience, vigor, meditation, wisdom.

Luminosity

Essence of consciousness enabling enlightenment for all beings.

10th Stage Bodhisattvas

Highly compassionate beings aiding others in samsara.

Avalokiteshvara

Bodhisattva of compassion, watches over all beings.

Tara

Bodhisattva with four forms, helps women.

Manjushri

Bodhisattva of wisdom, depicted with a sword.

The Three Jewels

Buddhism's core: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.

Songtsen Gampo

First Dharma King, introduced Buddhism to Tibet.

Tulku Lineages

Reincarnation lineages maintaining spiritual authority.

First Dissemination

Buddhism brought to Tibet by royalty.

Second Dissemination

Continued import of Buddhism from South Asia.

King Yeshe O

Sent scholars to India for Buddhist studies.

Rinchen Zanpo

Mongol who returned with Buddhist teachings.

Khon Family

First priest-patron relationship in Tibetan Buddhism.

Sakya Sect

First sect formed through priest-patronage.

Geluk Sect

Founded by Tsong Kapa, known for logic.

Buddhist Temple

First temple built by Songtsen Gampo.

Nyringma Sect

Focuses on non-monastic tantric practices.

Guru Rinpoche

Central figure in Nyringma Sect, a layperson.

Kagyu Sect

Emphasizes oral lineage and practical teachings.

Tilopa

Founder of Kagyu Sect, known as 'Mad Saint'.

Cho

A fast track to enlightenment in Kagyu.

Bon

Resembles Buddhism but is not officially Buddhist.

Tulku lineage

Bodhisattvas reborn to assist others.

Dalai Lama

Reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, chosen from families.

5th Dalai Lama

Established Geluks as government leaders in 1617.

6th Dalai Lama

Wrote love poems, resisted monastic duties.

14th Dalai Lama

Will reincarnate only where Buddhism is free.

Monastic authority

Authority based on monks' education and training.

Tantric authority

Male-dominated authority outside traditional Buddhism.

Institutional Authority

Authority linked to monasteries and schools.

Charismatic authority

Authority centered around a single leader.

Reincarnation lineages

Belief in rebirth through specific lineages.

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings who delay nirvana to help others.

Tibetan Leadership

Traditionally male-dominated, evolving due to social changes.

Mingyu Peldoron

18th-century educated female leader and nun.

Sara Khandro

Tantric leader active from 1892 to 1940.

Deloks

Women who return from death to share experiences.

Bardo

Period between death and reincarnation, lasts up to seven weeks.

Monastic Life

Considered superior to family life in some beliefs.

Charismatic Authority

Deloks gain influence through convincing family of their return.

Economic Merit

Monasteries profit from offerings during Bardo period.

Agency in Tibet

Women had more freedom compared to other Asian cultures.

Political Leadership

Women allowed roles in leadership, though rare.

Marriage Types

Included monogamous, polyamorous, and polyandrous arrangements.

Land Consolidation

Marriages often aimed at keeping land within families.

Arranged Marriages

Parents typically arrange marriages; elopement is acceptable.

Astrological Compatibility

Considered important in marriage arrangements.

Monogamous Relationships

Common among landless individuals or nomads.

Female Lamas

Very few positions held by women in religious authority.

Cultural Perception

Women viewed as inferior in leadership roles historically.

Chinese Occupation Impact

Catalyzed changes in women's roles and leadership.

High-Level Monks

Oppose changes in women's involvement in leadership.

Life Path of Deloks

Involves suffering, death, and returning with authority.