Tibetan Buddhist Teachings

During class discussions and according to readings, space is a "primary means of orientation in the world - physically, socially, and cosmologically. The need for spatial orientation is universal among humans, but the meanings of space are not" (Delaney,1940:35). Tibetan Buddhism places great emphasis on the mind and the space which can be explored within the mind, this is a unique concept. The journey of enlightenment and the ultimate "space" of Nirvana are key concepts of Buddhist teachings. The space within the mind, clarity, peace, and understanding is just as important if not more so than the physical space one occupies. In order to arrive at this space one must follow the three paths of Buddhism. The first path is that of Listner (Sravaka), an individual who follows this path seeks to extinguish all external impurities. The second path is that of Solitary Buddha; Solitary Buddha exists when Buddhism does not exist. The third path is that of Bodhisattva, one who seeks enlightenment and Buddhahood to help others.

The human body and the space that the human body occupies are very important according to Tibetan culture, as it applies to Buddhism. The human body is another key element of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Expressions and actions that the body makes are very important. The existence of the human body must be considered very carefully, one must guard one's body and use the body to practice virtue. While the body is important in Buddhism the act of giving up the body is considered the most important act a practitioner of Buddhism can accomplish. It is important to note that while eventually one release one's self from the body it is not necessary to view the body as insignificant or trivial, but instead as a stage that one must pass through. Practicing Buddhism happens in stages; the time for moving from one stage to the next varies from person to person.

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan religious beliefs and people can be traced back to the land of Avalokiteshavara, the Bodhisattva of compassion in the Yarlung valley. Tibetans believe that they have descended from the union of an ape (Avalokiteshvra) and an ogress (goddess Tara). During the reign of King Lha Thothori Nyantsen Buddhism was first introduced to the people of Tibet, around the time of 173 C.E. Many of the kings of Tibet were highly religious and promoted Buddhism. Buddhism became a way for Kings to practice social control.

During the ruling of King Tri Ralpachen monasteries were built with enthusiasm and speed and thousands of Buddhist transcriptions were translated and standardized. However, this period known as the era of Tibet’s Religious Kings soon came to an end and Tibet’s culture sank into a dark period. Later, in Western Tibet a revival of Buddhism was put into action. Buddhism has continued to be a crucial part of Tibetan life.

Image of a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

There are four schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Geluk. Nyingma (‘the ancient ones’) is the oldest of the schools. Kagyu (‘oral lineage’) relates to deep understanding as well as intellectual and meditational understanding and experience. Sakya (‘Grey Earth’) began in the eleventh century and is most commonly associated with the Khon family. Lastly, Gelug (‘way of virtue’) embraces all of the other three schools of Buddhism and was led primarily by the Dalai Lama. Each school of Tibetan Buddhism has one or more monasteries dedicated to the school’s teachings; monasticism was the foundation of Buddhism in Tibet.

Strong National Identity

Today Tibet has around forty-one different races including, Tibetan, Menpa, Luopa, Han Chinese, Hui, Sherpa, and Deng. The Southern and eastern areas of Tibet are the most largely populated regions. Tibetan people and Chinese people do not consider themselves as part of the same race; they share no common identity with each other. There are no common laws or literature and no common understanding of history or of language between the two separate identities. Tibetans, while suppressed by Chinese government have been able to rebuild and resist Chinese domination over Tibetan beliefs and practices. The unyielding persistence of Tibetan culture is chiefly due to the Tibetan people and their dedication to their national identity.

Tibetan national identity is very strong among the people of Tibet. The national identity revolves around Buddhism; Tibet's primary belief system. Unlike the people of other cultures, Tibetan people find the most meaning of their life through religious (Buddhist) practices. When there religious practices were disrupted by the Chinese government Tibetans were forced to see the world in a new way, a way which they have since rejected.

Mount Kailas of Tibet :

In the foreground are Buddhist shrines which are believed to radiate a healing energy.

Sites such as this were targeted for destruction

Stripping people of their culture in order to install a new culture can be dangerous as well as detrimental. Those who are being forced to be part of a new culture will ultimately either rebel against the new culture or refuse the new culture and be punished for refusing. Many different cultures across the world have either been subdued or have overtaken other cultures; this has resulted in two or more cultures merging or with an entire culture being erased and eventually forgotten. Tibetans, however, continue to hold onto their cultural background.

The People of Tibet

Today Tibet has around forty-one different races including, Tibetan, Menpa, Luopa, Han Chinese, Hui, Sherpa, and Deng. The Southern and eastern areas of Tibet are the most largely populated regions. Tibetan people and Chinese people do not consider themselves as part of the same race; they share no common identity with each other. There are no common laws or literature and no common understanding of history or of language between the two separate identities.

Tibetans, while suppressed by Chinese government have been able to rebuild and resist Chinese domination over Tibetan beliefs and practices. The unyielding persistence of Tibetan culture is chiefly due to the Tibetan people and their dedication to their national identity.

Tibetan national identity is very strong among the people of Tibet. The national identity revolves around Buddhism; Tibet's primary belief system. Unlike the people of other cultures, Tibetan people find the most meaning of their life through religious (Buddhist) practices.

While learning about the the peole of Tibet I have come to realize how important a national identity is for people to have. Tibetans do not have a stable/widely acknowledged geogrpahical location to claim as their own and thus the relationships Tibetans have among themselves is one of the only things that keeps their cluture alive. For me this was a major turning point for my understanding of this culture. The Tibetan people have relied on their communication and connections to both strengthen their culture and ensure that their culture is not forgotten.

Understanding Culture

Rituals, visual expressions, gender roles, work ethic, and means of subsistence are just a few of the essential factors that culture encompasses. The numerous categories and subcategories of culture make exploring the exact meaning of culture difficult. What is certain about culture is that there is no one correct culture. While the actual rituals, beliefs, practices etc. may vary from one culture to the next, cultures across the world ultimately have one linking bond - by studying culture one will discover the way by which humans make sense of their surroundings and the world they live in. Understanding the complexity of culture makes one pay closer attention to and gain a greater appreciation for the diversities among people and why these diversities exist.

Today Tibet, with its unique cultural heritage which incorporates Buddhist spirituality, is truly facing the threat of extinction. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place. Time is running out.

~His Holiness The Dalai Lama

The possibility of losing a culture also means losing a possibility of understanding the world we live in. The culture of Tibet has had a long history of suppression by the Chinese government, especially during the time of the Cultural Revolution. As a result, Tibet's culture is threatened by extinction. The destruction of over 4,000 monasteries and the banning of Tibetan religious practices demonstrate the kind of cultural annihilation the people of Tibet have been forced to suffer. In 1976 the ban on religious practices was lifted and some monasteries have since been reopened. However, the discrimination that many Tibetans must face remains. Protests and actions against Chinese rule have continued for years and are almost always met with violent suppression by the Chinese government.

If an entire culture is wiped out after a period of time the consequences are vast and disastrous. The people of that culture are no longer allowed to perceive the world as they once had. Losing a culture is a detriment for people who would have benefited from or found understanding or enlightenment by that particular culture.

A Site for Cross-Cultural Encounter

Located on the extreme opposite side of the world from the place I call home, the country of Tibet seems to be shrouded in perplexing mystery. At the present time I have only a vague notion of Tibet’s people, customs, and other intricacies. Regrettably, only blurry images of colorful strings of flags, golden Buddha, and misty mountains constitute my understanding of Tibet.

My motivation for expanding my understanding of Tibetan culture surfaced after I watched a documentary on Alexander the Great. I learned from the documentary that the vast empire of Alexander the Great made a big impact on Tibetan culture. Greek statues and figurines influenced followers of Buddhism to create statue representations of the Buddha, which formerly had no such portrayal. I am of Greek parentage and I find that the connection between Greek and Tibetan culture through art and religious representations is intriguing.

Studying Tibet as a whole, I will investigate the country’s diversities and cultural make-up; however, I will be focusing on the religious practices and the beliefs of Tibetan people. I presume these practices and beliefs are vastly different from the religions and beliefs that have surrounded me as I have grown up on the east coast of the United States.

I look forward to gaining insight into how and why the people of Tibet consider their culture one of value and importance, while also developing an understanding for the culture myself.