Nyingma implies ancient and old in Tibetan language. This School is the oldest amongst the four school and is also the largest one after the Gelukpa School. Because, the Nyingma lamas wear red robes and caps, the sect following this school is also called the Red Hat Sect.
History
The School traces its origin to the 8th century when Guru Padamsambhava and the The School traces its origin to the 8th century when Guru Padamsambhava and the Nalanda University abbot Shantarakshita came to Tibet on an invitation of King Trisong Deutsan (742-797) so as to spread Buddhism there. Guru Padamsambhava and Shantarakshitas arrived along with 108 translators and 25 of Padmasmabhava's trusted disciples.
At this point of time, Bon religion was prevalent in Tibet. King Trisong Deutsan entrusted the task of translating the Buddhist Dharma Texts into Tibetan language to both these men and their translators and disciples. Padmasambhava looked after the traslation work of tantra while Shantarakshita paid attention to the Sutra-teachings. These laid the foundation of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet.
From 8th century to 11th century, the Nyingma was the sole school of Buddhism in Tibet. It was a period when Buddhism was severely supressed by the ruling kings. It was only after 11th century that Nyingma recognised itself as a separate School due to the emergence of other Schools. The followers of this School called themselves Nyingmapa
Nyingma happens to be the only one amongst the four schools whose supporters have never been in charge of political power.
Characteristics
Unlike other Schools, where tantric teachings involve four levels, Nyingma School has 6 levels. The Outer Tantra comprises Kriya, Carya or Ubhaya and Yogatantra while the Inner Tantra includes Mahayoga, Anuyoga and Atiyoga/Dzogchen (The "Great Perfection")
The Termas (Hidden Treasures) and the Tertons (treasure revealers) are of special mention. It is believed that during the reign of king Langdarma, when Buddhism was on decline, Padmasambhava, along with his disciples, hid numerous scriptures, ritual objects and relics in concealed places to protect Buddhism. This gave rise to the practice wherein two methods of dharma transmission was adopted. The first one involved "long" oral transmission from Teacher to student in unbroken lineages while the other one was basically a"short" transmission of "hidden treasures". This discovery could either be physical, from the rocks and caves or directly to the minds of terton.
Important Historical Personalities
- Longchenpa (1308-1363)
- Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798) and the Longchen Nyingthig
- Mipham Jamyang Gyatso (1846-1912)
Six Mother Monasteries
Six Monasteries have been considered mother monasteries in the Nyingma tradition. Initially, these monasteries included Dorje Drag, Mindrolling and Palri monastery in Upper Tibet and Kathok, Palyul and Dzogchen monasteries in Lower Tibet. However, the decline of Palri Monastery and subsequent growth of Shechen Monatery led to Dorje Drag and Mindroling becoming the morther monasteries in the upper Tibet. In the central and lower Tibet, Shechen and Dzogchen and Kathok and Palyul Monasteries occupied the position of Mother Monasteries respectively. Quiet often, the Dodrubchen replaces Kathok in the list. From these mother monasteries, several other monasteries were developed not only in Tibet but also in Bhutan and Nepal.
Kagyu ( 'Oral Lineage' )
The Kagyu School is also called the Oral Lineage" and "the Spotless Practice Lineage" school.
History
The Kagyu School owes its origin in Tibet to the great Translator Marpa ( 1012-1097). Marpa spent 17 years in India during which he received teachings from the renowned Indian sages Tilopa and Naropa. Marpa spread this teachings in Tibet. Amongst his disciples, Milerepa was the most important one. Milerepa, in turn, had a disiple Gampopa (1079-1153) who is credited for the establishment of the distinct Kagyu School. Further, Gampopa's teaching also led to the foundation of 'Four Major School' and 'Eight Minor' sub Schools of Kagyu.
Characteristics
Kagyu School is based on its central teaching, the doctrine of Mahamudra or the "the Great Seal". The doctrine lays emphasis on four principal stages of meditative practice (the Four Yogas of Mahamudra) through which the follower achieves perfect realisation of Mahamudra. The four stages include -
1. The development of single-pointedness of mind,
2. The transcendence of all conceptual elaboration,
3. The cultivation of the perspective that all phenomena are of a "single taste",
4. The fruition of the path, which is beyond any contrived acts of meditation.
Four Major Schools
Kagyu School comprises one major and one minor subsect. The major subsect, Dagpo Kagyu, that includes all those Schools dating back to the times of Gampopa, is further subdivided into four major sub-sects: the Karma Kagyu, the Tsalpa Kagyu, the Barom Kagyu, and Pagtru Kagyu. The Pagtru Kagyu (minor subsect) gave birth to eight subsects - Drukpa Kagyu, Drikung Kagyu, Mar Kagyu, Shugseb Kagyu, Taklung Kagyu, Trophu Kagyu, Yamzang Kagyu and Yelpa Kagyu.
Important Historical Personalities
- Marpa
- Milha Ribba
- Tabolhagyi
Kagyu Monasteries
Important Kagyu Monasteries are mostly centred in Kham which itself lies in eastern Tibet. Some of the important Buddhist Monasteries of Tibet include Palpung Monastery, Ralung Monastery, Surmang Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery.
Sakya 'Grey Earth'
History
During the late 11th century, when the Buddhist scripts were being translated from Sanskrit to Tibetan language in the second round of translation, Sakya Schools of Tibetan Buddhism emerged. The credit for its foundation is given to the "Five Venerable Supreme Masters" - Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, Sonam Tsemo, Drakpa Gyaltsen, Sakya Pandita and Chogyal Pakpa. The first monastery of this sect was established by Tibetan lama, Khon Konchog Gyalpo. The monastery was erected at a unique grey landscape of Ponpori Hills near Shigatsein southern Tibet. It is from here that Sakya, that translates into 'Pale Earth' draws its name.
Characteristics
The most important teaching of the Sakya sect is the system of Lambdre or the "Path and its Fruit". This is drawn from the siddha Virupa (Birwapa/Birupa) and rests upon the Hevajra Tantra. The esoteric Vajrayogini lineage known as "Naro Khachoma" and tantric practices also forms part of the Sakya School.
Unlike other Schools, Sakya has two different forms of teachings. The first one is for generic audience and has sutra as its basis while on the other hand, the second is private education with tantra as its base.
Subschools of Sakya Sect
Two sub schools of Sakya sect spring from the main lineage. The Ngor was established by Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo and Tshar was founded by Tsarchen Losal Gyamtso.
Important Sakya Monasteries
Important Monasteries associated with Sakya sect include the Sakya Monastery, Gonggar Monastery and the Erer Monastery. The Gonggar Monastery is located in Gonggar county of Shannan Perfecture while the Erer Monastery stands near Shigatse.
Gelug 'Way of Virtue'
The most recent, nonetheless the largest of all the Schools, the Gelug is the School of the Virtuous.
History
It was founded by Gyalwa Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) as a reform movement within the Tibetan Buddhism. Gyalwa Tsongkhapa was a philosopher and a Tibetan religious teacher who was greatly influenced by the Kadam School of Tibetan Buddhism (11th century). The Kadampa had three lineages and Tsongkhapa combined all the three along with Sakya, Kagyu and other teachings to present his doctrine.
The first monastery of the Gelug School was founded by Tsongkhapa at Ganden. This monastery, till present date, is the nominal head of the school, however, its temporal head and most influential figure is the Dalai Lama. The first Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gedun Drupa, was the disicple of Tsongkhapa. The current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.
By the time, 16th century drew to its end, the Gelug School had established itself as the most important School in Tibetan Buddhism. From 17th century onwards to the mid of the 19th century, the Dalai Lama held the political power over central Tibet.
Characteristics
The primary teachings of the Gelug School are Lamrim, or the "Stages of the Path" and the systematic cultivation of the view of emptiness. The first teaching rests upon the teachings of Atisha, an 11th century Indian master. This is united with the deity yogas of Highest Yoga Tantra deities where the central focus is the realization of the indivisible union of bliss and emptiness.
Each Gelug Monastery has its own set of texts, however, the texts written by the Gelug School founder are considered most important. These texts are - The Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path, The Great Exposition of Tantras, The Essence of Eloquence on the Interpretive and Definitive Teachings, The Praise of Relativity, The Clear Exposition of the Five Stages of Guhyasamaja and The Clear Exposition of the Five Stages of Guhyasamaja.
Important Gelug Monasteries
Important Gelug Monasteries include Ganden Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Tashi Luhnpo Monastery. The monks of this monastery wear yellow hats which is why they are also called the Yellow Hat Sect.
