Exploring Tibetan Buddhism: Geography, History, and Teachings

Tibet Autonomous Region

Region of China with unique cultural identity.

Ütsang

Central Tibet, religious center with major cities.

Lingkor

Path around sacred city, walked clockwise.

Barkhor

Smaller circuit around temple, walked three times.

Ngari

Desolate far west region, home to Mt. Kailash.

Mt. Kailash

Sacred mountain revered in multiple religions.

Jangtang

Grasslands inhabited by nomadic peoples.

Kham

Lower altitude region known for farming and horse racing.

Amdo

Forested eastern Tibet, home to farmers and nomads.

Major Rivers

Includes Brahmaputra, Ganges, Yangzi, Yellow, Mekong, Salween.

Cultural Overlap

Tibetan culture extends into Bhutan, Nepal, India.

Buddhist Kingdoms

Regions like Sikkim, Bhutan, and Ladakh are Buddhist.

Tibetan Buddhism

Emerges from Bon traditions and Indian teachings.

Songtsen Gampo

Key figure in spreading Buddhism in Tibet.

Dalai Lamas

Spiritual and temporal leaders in Tibetan governance.

1959 Occupation

Chinese takeover led to Tibetan diaspora.

Four Noble Truths

Core teachings of suffering and its cessation.

Mahayana Tradition

Focuses on enlightenment for all beings.

Vajrayana Practices

Includes esoteric rituals and meditation techniques.

Kangyur and Tengyur

Texts forming the basis of Tibetan teachings.

Deity Yoga

Advanced practice involving visualization of deities.

Four Main Schools

Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug represent Tibetan Buddhism.

Role of Lamas

Spiritual teachers guiding disciples in practices.

Tsongkhapa and Milarepa

Influential Tibetan scholars in Buddhist philosophy.

Compassion and Wisdom

Practices develop insight into reality and mindfulness.

Shakyamuni Buddha

The historical Buddha, born a prince.

Middle Way

Path between extremes in Buddhist practice.

Four Sights

Sick man, old man, dead man, sage.

Ascetic Practices

Severe self-discipline for spiritual goals.

6 Realms of Existence

Gods, demi-gods, humans, animals, pretas, hell-beings.

Samsara

Cyclic existence and rebirth in realms.

Interdependence

All phenomena arise from causes and conditions.

The Three Vehicles (Yānas)

Hīnayāna, Mahayana, Vajrayana traditions in Buddhism.

Hīnayāna (Theravāda)

Focus on personal liberation through ethics.

Mahayana

Emphasis on bodhisattva ideal and compassion.

Vajrayana

Esoteric practices for accelerated enlightenment.

Four Noble Truths

Core teachings framing the path to liberation.

Dukkha

Life is marked by suffering.

Tṛṣṇā

Suffering arises from craving.

Nirodha

Cessation of suffering is possible.

Eightfold Path

Path leading to liberation from suffering.

Lamrim

Stages of the path in Tibetan teachings.

Śamatha

Calm abiding meditation for concentration.

Vipaśyanā

Insight meditation for understanding emptiness.

Lojong

Mind training practices fostering altruism.

Tantric Practices

Rituals and visualizations in Vajrayana.

Emptiness (Śūnyatā)

All phenomena lack intrinsic existence.

Madhyamaka

Philosophy emphasizing the Middle Way.

Yogācāra

Mind-Only School exploring consciousness and reality.

Two Truths Doctrine

Distinguishes conventional and ultimate truths.

Karuṇā

Compassion motivating altruistic actions.

Sectarian Developments

Distinct schools in Tibetan Buddhism, e.g., Gelug.

Avalokitesvara

Bodhisattva representing compassion, escaped Samsara.

Three Poisons

Greed, hatred, and ignorance causing Samsara cycle.

Impermanence

All things are transient and constantly changing.

Suffering (dukkha)

Life involves physical and emotional pain.

No Self (anatman)

Concept denying a permanent, unchanging self.

Five Aggregates (Skandhas)

Components constituting the conventional self.

Form

Physical aspect of existence in Five Aggregates.

Sensations

Feelings arising from sensory experiences.

Cognitions

Mental processes of perception and understanding.

Karmic Dispositions

Tendencies formed by past actions influencing behavior.

Consciousness

Awareness and perception of experiences.

1st Noble Truth

Life is inherently suffering (dukkha).

2nd Noble Truth

Desire causes suffering and rebirth.

3rd Noble Truth

Removing desire ceases suffering.

4th Noble Truth

Following Noble Eightfold Path ends suffering.

Noble Eightfold Path

Guidelines for ethical and mental development.

Tantric Buddhism

Vajrayana practices for rapid spiritual transformation.

Initiation (Abhisheka)

Ceremony granting access to tantric practices.

Deity Yoga

Visualization of oneself as a deity.

Dalai Lama

Spiritual leader and temporal ruler of Tibet.

Reincarnation Lineage

Dalai Lamas seen as reincarnations of Avalokiteshvara.

14th Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso, leader since 1940, advocates peace.

Global Influence

Current Dalai Lama symbolizes peace and compassion.

Relics

Remains of religious figures in Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism

The Great Vehicle; emphasizes multiple Buddhas.

Celestial Buddhas

Buddhas residing in pure, blissful realms.

Bodhisattva

An enlightened being helping others achieve enlightenment.

Bodhisattva's Vow

Commitment to help sentient beings until enlightenment.

Bodhisattvas' Sacrifice

Giving oneself for the benefit of others.

Six Perfections

Key practices on the Bodhisattva path.

Prajna

Wisdom cultivated on the Bodhisattva path.

Sunyata

The realization of emptiness in Buddhism.

Luminosity of Consciousness

True essence of consciousness leading to enlightenment.

Avalokiteshvara

Bodhisattva embodying compassion and mercy.

Tara

Bodhisattva dedicated to saving beings.

Manjushri

Bodhisattva representing wisdom and knowledge.

The Three Jewels

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha; core of Buddhist faith.

Shakyamuni Buddha

Historical Buddha, central figure in Buddhism.

Jataka Tales

Stories of Buddha's previous lives and virtues.

Ten Perfections

Virtues practiced by Bodhisattvas for enlightenment.

Queen Maya's Dream

Symbolizes Buddha's purity and spiritual significance.

Buddha's Birth

Miraculous event at Lumbini, signifies spiritual purpose.

32 Marks of a Great Man

Physical signs indicating a significant spiritual being.

Sangha

Community of practitioners in Buddhism.

Dharma

Teachings and laws of Buddhism.

Siddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism, known as the Buddha.

King Suddhodana

Siddhartha's father, shielded him from suffering.

Princess Yasodhara

Siddhartha's wife, mother of his son Rahula.