| One of the most popular spiritual paths that | | | | |
| is in the news today is Buddhism - practiced | | | | Another way to define what is Tibetan |
| by everyone from teenagers to celebrities - | | | | Buddhism is to explain the four schools of |
| but just what is Tibetan Buddhism? | | | | Buddhism taught in this country. The first is |
| | | | Nyingma (The Ancient Ones) - the oldest |
| The answer to "What is Tibetan Buddhism?" is | | | | school of Buddhism, which is primarily |
| not something that can be explained in a | | | | focused on the practice of meditation. The |
| word, or even a paragraph. Buddhism is a very | | | | second is Kagyu (Oral Tradition) - there are |
| broad spiritual practice, with all branches | | | | a few subsects in this school, which deals |
| and types of Buddhism having the same goal - | | | | with meditation as an experience and ritual |
| to reach Nirvana. This is the state of being | | | | to test one's self. The Sakya (Grey Earth) |
| completely free of all obstructions to | | | | represents the most scholarly tradition of |
| enlightenment, meaning you are free of all | | | | any of the schools, and the Geluk (Yellow |
| hateful thoughts, desires, worldly obsessions | | | | Hats) is perhaps the most well known Tibetan |
| and negativity. At this time, you will enter | | | | Buddhist sect, headed by the Dalai Lama. |
| a state of bliss that is beyond explanation - | | | | |
| attaining Nirvana. | | | | The popularity of Buddhism in Tibet was |
| | | | greatly increased by a number of monasteries |
| In Tibetan Buddhism, three types of Buddhist | | | | that were started in the country during the |
| devotions are taught in order to practice the | | | | 16th century. It is estimated that during the |
| rules and rituals that will help you attain | | | | time period between the 16th century and |
| this ultimate state of bliss. They are | | | | 1959, when Tibet was invaded, over 25% of the |
| Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana - but | | | | population of Tibet were monks. The most |
| primarily, Tibetan Buddhism is considered to | | | | important monastery today, at least by |
| be Mahayana Buddhism. This means that the | | | | Western standards, is the Drepung Monastery, |
| ultimate goal of all practices and | | | | home to the Dalai Lama. |
| meditations is to attain the state of | | | | |
| Buddhahood, and then to help other living | | | | What is Tibetan Buddhism? While Buddhism |
| beings also reach this state. The name for | | | | itself is already a complicated idea to |
| the motivation of this practice of Buddhism | | | | grasp, the Tibetan form is even more detailed |
| is "Bodhichitta", which means "mind of | | | | and intricate, taking years of study to fully |
| enlightenment". | | | | understand. |