China Facts

• General China
• China Visa
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Chinese Food
• Chinese Tea
• Chinese Kung Fu
• Chinese Ethnic Groups
• Chinese Festivals
• Chinese Arts
• Chinese Architecture
• Religions and Beliefs
• Chinese Wine
• Traditions and Custom
• Chinese History
• China Travel Tips
• Chinese Indigenous Wildlife
• More about China

Site Search

 

Before Buddhism was introduced into Tibet, the Zang people believed in the primitive Bon religion. The Tibetan Buddhism originated from India but assimilated some deities and ceremonies of the primitive Bon religion. At the aspect of doctrines, the Mahayana Buddhism is compatible with Hinayana Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism gives priority to the Mahayana Buddhism; the Mahayana Buddhism cultivates both sutra and tantra, with sutra before tantra, takes the anuttaravoga as the highest grade of cultivation and develops Tibetan Tantra. The conjuring nature, the exceptional homage to Lama, the thought of the reincarnation of the Living Buddha, the combination of religion and politics are the four characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism.

The system of the reincarnation of the Living Buddha is unique to Tibetan Buddhism. The "Living Buddha" is the appellation of the Han Nationality. It is called "Zhu Gu" in Tibetan language, meaning the body into the sacred Buddha is reincarnated. According to Tibetan Buddhism, when a Living Buddha passes away, his soul will be transferred and reincarnated into a person with another body, namely, incarnate boy. During the years of Emperors Shuizhi and Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, the Qing government successively and officially created the grandchildren of Zongkaba the Dalai Lama and the Bainqen Erdeni. Hence, the system of the reincarnation of the two Grand Living Buddhas was formally established. The reincarnation of all dynasties shall be ratified by the Central Government.

Now Tibetan Buddhism has four sects, namely: Bka'-gdam Sect (since the monks of this sect wear red cassocks, Buddhist dress and Buddhist hats, it is called the Red Sect.), Sa-skya Sect (since the bounding walls of its temple are painted with the pattern of red, white and black, which symbolize Manjusri (Wenshu), Avalokiteshvara (Kwan-yin) and Vajrapani, it is called the Spotted Sect.), Karmakagyupa Sect (since the monks of this sect wear white Buddhist dress and coat, it is called the White Sect.) and Ge Lu Sect (since the monks of this sect wear yellow peach-shaped Buddhist hat, it is called the Yellow Sect.) The Ge Lu Sect (Yellow Sect) was established by Zong Kaba in the beginning of the 15th century. Later generations of his pupils developed into two systems of reincarnation of Dala and Lama living Buddha. Owing to the conferment and support of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Ge Lu Sect has become a powerful sect in control of political power.

The above-mentioned four sects of Tibetan Buddhism together with the local primitive religion, Bon Sect (since the monks of this sect wear black Buddhist coat, it is popularly called the Black Sect.), is called the five sects of Tibetan Buddhism.