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Explore Tibet
Tibet Religion |
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| Tibet Religion : |
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Religion is very important to the Tibetans with everything being centered
around it.along with education cultural was based on religious beliefs.
Article 7 of the 17-Article Agreement signed on May 23, 1951, includes the
clause " the policy of freedom of religious belief laid down in the common
Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference shall be
carried out. The religious beliefs, customs and habits of the tibetan
people shall be respected, and lama monasteries shall be protected.
Bon :
The Tibetan people are very self respected and we can easily faith on him.
Generally they known as very faithful people. The oldest religion is Bon,
after that the Buddhism has been spread. This religion is a blend of the
Bon and the Buddhism. Bon is the ancient religion of Tibet. It is
difficult to distinguish between Tibetans who follow the tradition of Bon
and those who adhere to Buddhism. Both share a common heritage, as well as
popular religious practice such as chanting mantras, making offerings, and
spinning prayer wheels. Monks receive training in astrology,
medicine, poetry, and the making 0f religious objects. Bon monks are often
called to laypersons homes to perform rituals on holy days, when there is
illness, and when someone dies.
Buddhism :
Probably buddhism was first introduced to Tibet in 173 CE during the
region
of the 28th Yarlung King Thothori, but had apparentely no impact. The
first official historic introduction of a buddhist scripture into tibet
happend during reign of a King Hlato. Buddhsim revived, wity the help of
King Yeshe O. A real revival occurred after 1042, when Atisha-di-Pankhara
pur Tibetans "Back on the right Track". He presented the buddhist
philosophy in a very clear and condensed manner, which became the basis for
philosophical teachings in most Tibetans traditions. Buddhism is still
prevent in Tibet and the temples and monasteries that were destroyed are
rebuilt. The Chinese government still has a strong hold on religious
practices, including placing a limit on the number of religious buildings.
Lama's :
They are the teachers of Buddhism. Lama's play an important role in
Tibetan Buddhism. Lama teach all the monks. The Lama is the one that takes
care that the system of buddhism will continue to work. In 1578 the Lama
Sonam received the title of Ta-Le (Dalai) from the Mongolian ruler Atlan
khan. Because he wad the third reincarnation found in a row he became the
third Dalai Lama. |
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List of Dalai Lama : |
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Which Dalai Lama |
Name |
Time |
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First |
Gedun Drupa |
1391-1474 |
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Second |
Gedum Gyatso |
1476-1542 |
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Third |
Sonam Gyatso |
1543-1588 |
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Fourth |
Yonten Gyatso |
1589-1616 |
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Fifth |
Lobsang Gyatso |
1617-1682 |
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Sixth |
Samyang Gyatso |
1683-1706 |
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Seventh |
Keisang Gyatso |
1708-1757 |
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Eighth |
Jampei Gyatso |
1758-1804 |
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Ninth |
Longto Gyatso |
1805-1805 |
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Tenth |
Tshutrim Gyatso |
1816-1837 |
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Eleventh |
Khedru Gyatso |
1838-1855 |
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Twelfth |
Chinlei Gyatso |
1856-1875 |
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Thirteenth |
Thutan Gyatso |
1876-1933 |
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Fourteenth (present) |
Danzeng Gyatso |
1935- |
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Tibetan Religious Symbols : |
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When traveling in Tibetan monasteries you can see many religious symbols.
they are used as sacred adornments. |
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Dharma Wheel: |
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Dharma Wheel symbolizes the
unity of all things, spiritual law and Sakyamuni himself. The wheel is
usually flanked by two deer, the first to listen to Sakyamuni's teachings.
The male deer symbolizes the realization of great bliss while the female
deer symbolizes the realization of emptiness.
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Swastika : |
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It symbolizes infinity, universe, and sometimes sun and moon. Buddhist
draw it clockwise while bon followers draw it anticlockwise. |
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Wheel of Life : |
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The demon of impermanence holds a wheel, segmented into six sections.
Which mean all realms of existence respectively. these are heaven,
demigods, humankind, hell hungry ghosts, and animals. |
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Sun & Moon : |
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It symbolizes the source of light and union of opposites. |
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Kalacakra Seal : |
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It symbolizes the highest initiations into occult knowledge which can only
be possessed by a few high lamas. |
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Prayer Flags : |
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Flags are actually colorful cotton cloth squares in white, blue, yellow,
green, and red. Woodblocks are used to decorate the prayer flags with
images, mantras, and prayers. at the center of prayer flag, there is an
image of the wind horse which bears the Three Jewels of Buddhism. O the
four corner of the flag, are images of Garuda, Dragon, Tiger and snow Lion
which are four sacred animals representing the four virtues of wisdom,
power, confidence, and fearless joy respectively. Prayers and mantras are
printed in the blank spaces of images. There are two kinds of prayer
flags,
a) The Horizontal Prayer Flags
: known as Lungta. Flags are square
connected at the top edges with a long thread.
b) The Vertical Prayer Flags : known as Darchor. These flags are used less
than Horizontal Prayer Flags. The are usually single squares or groups
sewn on poles which are planted on rooftops.
Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown heavenward as
offerings to their deities and will bring benefits to the one who hangs
them, his neighborhood, and all sentient beings, even flying birds.
However, if the flags are hung on the wrong astrological dates, they will
bring only negative results. And the longer it hangs, the greater the
obstacles which will arise. Old prayer flags are replaced with new ones
annually on Tibetan New Year. |
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