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Bön
Bön (Tib.).
1. The ancient pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet and some neighbouring areas. It was founded by the legendary teacher Shen-rap Mi-wo (Tib., gshen-rab mi-bo) and comprises two main aspects: the positive White Bön (bon-dkar) and the negative Black Bön (bon-nag). Three historical phases of White Bön are distinguished: the unreformed pre-literate Bön (brdol-bon) of pre-Buddhist times primarily involving rituals for the suppression of evil spirits and the worship (pūjā) of ancestral deities; imported Bön ('khyar-bon) which was initially widespread in areas to the east of Tibet such as Brusha and Changchung and then propagated in Tibet following the reign of Drigum Tsenpo; and translated Bön (bsgyur-bon), also known as the ‘White Water Tradition’ (chab-dkar) which was developed during the 8th century ce in reaction to Buddhism by modifying or recasting Buddhist literature into Bön versions. Black Bön dealt mainly with black magic, malefic rituals, and practices. Supporters of Bön were often hostile to the introduction of Buddhism which they saw as a threat to their role of state religion and several Tibetan kings are known to have been assassinated in the ensuing power struggles. Under Buddhist influence a monastic system was developed which survives to the present day in parts of eastern Tibet and in exile in India. |
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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bön." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bön." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Bn.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "Bön." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Bn.html |
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Bön
Bön (Tib., ‘invocation’). The non-Buddhist religion of Tibet which was indigenous and unorganized before the first diffusion of Buddhism there (7th cent.), but which became organized at the time of the second diffusion (11th cent.). In spite of claims of uninterrupted continuity, however, any connection between ancient and modern Bön is extremely tenuous.
The nature of original Bön—beyond probable animism and shamanism and definite non-literacy—is hard to determine, since all early descriptions of it are Buddhist and intended to discredit. Contrary to the popular misconception that Buddhism was significantly influenced by Bön when it entered Tibet, it is clear that what is known of Bön today is almost completely influenced by Mahāyāna Buddhism, which was itself transplanted from India into Tibet virtually unchanged. |
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Bön." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Bön." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Bn.html JOHN BOWKER. "Bön." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Bn.html |
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Bon
Bon a Japanese Buddhist festival held annually in August to honour the dead; also called Festival of the Dead and Lantern Festival.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Bon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Bon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Bon.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Bon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Bon.html |
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Bon
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Bon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Bon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Bon.html JOHN BOWKER. "Bon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Bon.html |
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