Beliefs
Like the Mahayana Buddhism, the Tibetan Buddhists have faith in Celestial Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors.
The Celestial Buddhas are those souls who have attained enlightenment and now reside in heaven. Due to their high stature, they are considered inaccessible but blessings and benefits are there for those who worship them. For Tibetans, Celestial Buddha, specifically, the Five Dhyani Buddhas are of immense significance. They are believed to overpower evil with a particular good. Similarly, Medicine Buddha is yet another Buddha revered by the Tibetans as the one who has attained enligtenment for the benefit of the other sentient beings. The Medicine Buddha is considered the source of the healing art and the originator of the Four Medical Tantras, the basis of the Tibetan Medicine. Meditating on him is considered to alleviate physical and mental sickness and suffering.
Bodhisattvas are those living beings who have set out on the path to attain enligtenment but have not yet achieved it. The celestial bodhisattvas are those who have reached a stage wherefrom they can achieve enlightenment anytime they wish. However, for the well being of other people, they have postponed their enlightenment indefinetly. These people are more keen to lend an assisting hand to those who are on their Buddhist path in one way or the other. Of all the bodhisattvas, Tibetans have immense faith in the saviour goddess, Tara or Sgrol-ma (Tibetan name).
The Dharma protectors are the mythic figure who owe their origin in various sources including the native Bon religion as well as Hinduism.
Practices
Most important for a devout Tibetan Buddhist is attainment of nirvana. However, common people show their respect and desire for blessings by simply carrying out rituals like offerings food, flower and water, chanting prayers and lighting butter lamps. They can also undertake a pilgrimage to religious place in order to achieve greater blessings. In Bhutan (Bhutanese Buddhism originated from Tibetan Buddhism), villagers believe that attending annual religious festival is a good way to gain blessings. The religious dances performed during these festivals highlight the ultimate victory of good over evil and remind spectators of the Buddhist principles of peace and compassion. During certain festivals, thongdrol or a huge painting is unrolled for the public briefly so that they can have a glimpse of it and purify themselves from all the sins.
