Tibetan Buddhism

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Vajrayana Buddhism - the Buddhism of visualisation

Tibetan Buddhism has been called 'Vajrayana Buddhism', because it is part of the tantric Buddhist current, within Mayahana Buddhism.

The word Vajra can be explained as 'thunderbolt' or 'Diamond like'. It stands for the clear constancy of the mind of the enlightened meditator. Vajrayana is then the path of meditation, specifically visualization meditation. This doesn't mean all Tibetan Buddhists meditate, far from it. It does mean that the most respected of their spiritual leaders DO.

Prayer Wheels 

Detail of Prayer Wheels with Tibetan Pali Script, Kagbeni, Nepal


One of the most famous aspects of Tibetan Buddhism is the prayer wheels. These are turned by the faithful in the conviction that the prayer will go up in the air and help humanity gain enlightenment.

Books about Tibetan Buddhism 

Buddhism Between Tibet and China (Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism)

Buddhism Between Tibet and China (Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism)

by: Matthew Kapstein

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Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 12/15/2009) Buy Now

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, Revised Edition

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, Revised Edition

by: John Powers

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Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/15/2009) Buy Now

The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism

The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism

by: Robert Thurman

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Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/15/2009) Buy Now

Devotion - an alive aspect of Tibetan Buddhism 

Buddhist Pilgrims Outside Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet


Tibetan Buddhists believe ritually walking around a a mountain, a temple or a monastery, will help cleanse them spiritually. This circumambulating is often done while prostrating at every step - as shown in this picture. If you remember the Tibetan Climate and height - you will realize that this is no small feat.

Types of Tibetan Buddhism 

There are 4 or 5 main schools of Tibetan Buddhism (depending on who you ask).

The Nyingma Tradition

The Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origin to the Indian adept, Guru Padmasambhava, who came to Tibet in 817 C.E. at the invitation of King Trisong Deutsan (742-797) in order to subdue the evil forces then impeding the spread of Buddhism. Guru Rinpochey, as he is popularly known, bound all evil spirits by oath and transformed them into forces compatible with the spread of Buddhism. In collaboration with the great Bodhisattva Abbot Shantarakshita, Guru Rinpochey then built Samyey monastery, which became a principal centre of learning and the site where many of the texts that would make up Tibet's vast Buddhist literature were first translated into Tibetan.

More about the Nyingma lineage

The Sakya Tradition

The Sakya tradition is closely bound up with the Khon ancestral lineage, which derived from celestial beings. The lineage has descended intact up to the present time from Khon Könchok Gyelpo(1034-l 102), founder of the Sakya tradition through hereditary lama's.

More about the Sakhya lineage

Gelugpa tradition

Drepung Monastery The Kadampa tradition founded by Atisha was the direct source of inspiration for the development of the Gelug tradition founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).

More about the Gelugpa lineage

Kagyu tradition

The Kagyu lineage, sometimes referred to as the "oral lineage" of Tibet, originated with the great yogi Tilopa, who lived in Northern India around the 10th century A.D. He is considered the founder of the lineage and, in addition, he received four special transmissions (Tib: bka-babs-bzhi) for which he became the lineage holder.

more about the history of the Kagyu lineage

The schools of Tibetan Buddhism in a historical line up

The leader of Tibetan Buddhism: the Dalai Lama 

featured lens The 14th Dalai Lama: Tibetan leader in exile

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, popularizer of Buddhism and head of the Tibetan Government in Exile. The Dalai Lama's life is a unique convergence of religion, politics and an admirable stand on peace in the face of aggression. This lens focuses on his l...

featured lens Best Dalai Lama Books

The Dalai Lama is that unique mix of a spiritual teacher and a political leader. Unlike the Pope he is virtually uncontested as a spiritual inspiration. His continuing attempts at peaceful dialog with the Chinese government is amazing. His attempts a...

featured lens Best Dalai Lama DVD, CD and Blueray Disks

The Dalai Lama is one of the most famous religious leaders of our time. His Buddhist teachings have charmed the world. His peaceful attitude in the face of colonial (Chinese) aggression has brought him honour and esteem wherever he goes. His story is...

featured lens Best books and movies about the Dalai Lama

The most famous man in Buddhism. The arch enemy of the Chinese government who write to every government that receive him. They probably have a clerk for the duty, because the Dalai Lama is received by most heads of state - as he's respected world wid...

featured lens Quiz: Dalai Lama facts and trivia

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The Bodhisattva Vow 

In all forms of Mahayana Buddhism, including Vajrayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Vow plays an enormously important part. The idea of staving off salvation (Nirvana) till all sentient beings have been saved is inspiring after all.
featured lens Bodhisattva - living for others in Buddhism

The bodhisattva ideal is embodied in the bodhisattva vow: May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. This practically means that one vows not just to attain enlightenment or Nirvana (ambitious enough of itself), but to postpone...

Mandalas and other Tibetan Buddhist art 

featured lens Tibet Wall Calendars and Desk Calendars 2010

When thinking of Tibet, most people automatically think about China, the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism. However, like other countries, Tibet is more than just those political and religious factors. There are ordinary people there, not all of whom...

featured lens Mandala Calendars, Date Books, Agendas and Engagement Planners

Mandalas are beautiful, usually round or square, symmetrical paintings. The tradition stems from India but has been taken up most famously in Tibetan Buddhism. It's sand paintings have become crowd drawing events world wide - and a major source o...

featured lens Mandala Meditation Posters 2009

An art form developed in India and Tibet, mandalas have come to be seen as symbols of inner peace and balance. These mandala posters are sometimes based on traditional Tibetan thankas, but are in other cases modern spiritual art. See also these Budd...

featured lens Tibetan Buddhist Jewelry

The colors and shapes of Tibetan Buddhism are unique. This has a lot to do with the letters: spiky forms derived from devanagari (the letters most used to write Sanskrit and Hindi) translate into fiery forms for Om and Om Mani Padme Hum for instance....

More Buddhism 

featured lens Best books on Buddhism

If you are into a specific type of Buddhism - don't think you already know what 'Buddhism' is. Buddhism comes in a variety of forms and they disagree on issues you probably take for granted. These books will amaze and inform you. I'm going to be sen...

featured lens Buddhism: practice, religious views and beliefs

Buddhism is one of the most inspiring world philosophies. On this lens you will find information on the Buddhist path, basic concepts and links to more information.

featured lens Buddha Dharma Calendars, date books, pocket planners and agendas

These Buddhist calendars have inspirational quotes and beautiful pictures. Plan your week, your month, your year - or just have Buddhist quotes (from Zen, Tibetan Buddhism etc.) in your life every day. Unless otherwise mentioned, these are dated ca...

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