Tibetan Buddhism

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Tibetan Buddhism Distinctive blend of Mahayana Buddhism and Bonism (a pre-Buddhist shamanism). It mixes meditative monasticism with indigenous folk-religion and involves a system of reincarnating lamas (monks). Both spiritual and temporal authority reside in the person and office of the Dalai Lama. King Srong-tsan-gampo (b.617 or 629) sought to bring Buddhist teachers from China and India to Tibet. The Bon priests opposed the new Buddhist ways, and Buddhism was not thoroughly introduced into Tibet until the 8th century. Following reforms initiated by the 11th-century Indian master Atisha, four major sects emerged in Tibetan Buddhism. Of these, the Gelugpa order, to which the Dalai and Panchen Lamas belong, was politically dominant from the 17th century. There are now two Gelugpa sects, the Red and Yellow monks. The Dalai Lama, a member of the latter, became revered as the ‘Living Buddha’ and the spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet. Each new Dalai Lama is believed to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara. The Panchen Lama heads the Red monks.