Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism - the Sakya Monastery of ...

The Distinctive Character of Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism draws upon the teachings,meditation techniques, and ordination vows ofthe Theravada, and the philosophy and cosmologyof Mahayana. But it was in Tibet that manyof the Vajrayana teachings were preserved, andmost of the distinctive qualities of Tibetan Buddhismcan be found in its Vajrayana heritage.The Vajrayana path largely follows the Mahayanaphilosophical teachings, but there aresome variations in attitude. Whereas Mahayanaseeks to destroy the poisons of craving, aggression,and ignorance, Vajrayana places an emphasison transmuting them directly into wisdom.This is based in the Tibetan Buddhist beliefthat the mundane world (samsara) is inseparablefrom enlightenment.Tibetan Buddhism is distinguished by its manymethods and techniques of spiritual developmentand for its great acceleration of the spiritualjourney. Theoretically, the path of the Mahayanapractitioner takes three incalculableeons to reach full awakening; by contrast, thepath of the Vajrayana practitioner can be asshort as one lifetime.In order to accelerate the process of enlightenment,Vajrayana uses advanced yoga techniquesin combination with elaborate meditations.The meditations incorporate visualizationsof personified archetypes of enlightenment, frequentlyreferred to as “meditational deities.”These archetypes are often represented in Tibetanreligious art in the form of bronze sculptures,or in painted portable scroll icons, knownas tangkas. The scriptures containing the esotericteachings for yogic practices (such asmeditative visualizations) are called tantras, andare part of a larger body of Buddhist sacredtexts, based on the public teachings of the Buddha,called sutras. (Vajrayana’s use of tantricliterature explains why it is sometimes referredto as “Tantric Buddhism.”) Mantras (chanted sacredsyllables or phrases), mudras (ritual handgestures), and mandalas (symbolic representationsof enlightened worlds) are all used as partof Tibetan Buddhist meditational practices.THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAMATibetan Buddhist tradition places great emphasison the importance of the lama (the Tibetanequivalent of the Sanskrit term guru). Thesevenerable teachers are often given the honorifictitle of Rinpoche (“Precious One”). All lamascomplete a long course of study that preparesthem for their future role as the bestowers ofinitiations and esoteric teachings. Qualified lamasintroduce students to particular teachingsand through “initiations” bestow spiritual energyso that specific practices can be successfullyundertaken by students. Formal and informalface-to-face oral transmissions of spiritual insightand wisdom typically occur between lamaand student. The lama is the focus of passionatedevotion for the aspirant, and is acknowledgedto embody the Three Jewels (the Buddha,his teachings, and the sangha) as well asthe qualities of the meditational deities.Tibetan Buddhism innovated the idea of“incarnate lamas,” the belief that the mind of adeceased lama can reappear in the new body ofa child. The most famous example of recognizingreincarnated lamas is the centuries-long traditionby which H. H. the Dalai Lama is identified.Page 11Short Overview of Tibetan Buddhism3