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