The World of Tibetan Buddhism : From Introduction of Buddhism to Dalai Lama

Yoshimizu Chizuko

doi:10.14989/hsm.17.146

Buddhism deeply penetrates the life and society of Tibetan people. Buddhism was introduced into Tibet in the seventh century. Tibetans adopted Buddhism as their state religion in the same manner that Japanese did. Throughout the Tibetan history, Buddhism played an important role in political scenes as a diplomatic tool. Tibetan Buddhism disseminated in Inner Asia and helped Tibetans to survive among strong neighbors during the period of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. They created the system in which religious and political authority is one and the same, i.e., the rule of Dalai Lama, on the basis of the idea of reincarnation. Until now, Buddhism as well as the Dalai Lama has been the core of Tibetan culture and psychological support for not only Tibetan people but Buddhists in Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan. Tibetan monasteries has contributed to the development of various sciences and cultural resources. Most Tibetan Buddhist sects which were established between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries still survive today. Tibetans currently live in Tibetan autonomous region and the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan and Gansu within the People's Republic of China as well as in surrounding areas like Nepal, Bhutan and Ladakh of India. Those who sought refugee outside are scattered all over the world. The Tibetan government in exile is located in Dharamsala, India. What unites these Tibetans is also Buddhism. Being Buddhist forms their Identity. The present paper aims to depict the historical development of Tibetan Buddhism from its origin to flourishing by the establishment of the Dalai Lama government in the seventeenth century.

The World of Tibetan Buddhism : From Introduction of Buddhism to Dalai Lama

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