Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs
and Practices

One of the deep core Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: Padmasambhava, pictured here in this statue,
is considered to be the founding father of Tibetan Buddhism.

Read about Padmasambhava

About the author (devoted dzogchen practitioner)

Tibetan Buddhist Beliefs: The Vajrayana

The basic difference between Tibetan Buddhist beliefs and other Buddhist traditions would be cultural, since Tibet is a most unique land untainted by outside influences for centuries due to its remote geographical location in the Himalayas.

As a practitioner of The Vajrayana for more than twenty years, I'd say that Tibetan Buddhism is quite powerful and rich in ritual, color and cosmological mythology and symbology. It's the most sophisticated, complex type of Buddhism, and in my opinion, the most complete.

Vajra is Sanskrit for diamond, (meaning indestructible); yana, Sanskrit for path. Hence, Tibetan Buddhism is known as The Diamond Way or The Diamond Path. This topic, Tibetan Buddhism beliefs is quite a large discussion which requires a number of basic Buddhist beliefs to be covered as an overview to help facilitate an understanding of such a fascinating subject.

As mentioned in another page here at 360, (there are many) the Buddha's teaching (Dharma) came to Tibet directly from India (not through China as other Mahayana branches did). Therefore, most scholars agree that core Tibetan Buddhism beliefs and practices are a hybrid of Mahayana and Theravada schools including a unique weaving of Tantra. Sometimes Tibetan Buddhism is actually called The Tantrayana. Tantra is Sanskrit for weaving, and sometimes is translated as continuum; yana, as I mentioned earlier, is path.

The Tibetan tradition is the last of The Buddha's teachings, or the most 'recent' branch of it. Now that Buddhism has spread to the West it will be interesting to see how the Dharma Teachings merge, blend and integrate with American culture in forthcoming centuries.

Tibetan Buddhist Beliefs: Bodhisattva & Lineages

One of the most important Tibetan Buddhism beliefs is in the great Bodhisattva. Bodhi is Sanskrit for awakened wisdom, and sattva is a Sanskrit word that means being, or essence.

As Tibetan Buddhist practitioners, cultivating the mind for enlightenment to help others is what the ultimate aspiration is. One actually takes a vow, The Bodhisattva Vow, to help all sentient beings become enlightened, for the benefit of all. I've taken this vow three times. In other words, it's not enough to become enlightened. Yes, that achievement is wonderful, however, a Bodhisattva (during ceremony reciting Tibetan mantras) agrees to help all sentient beings become enlightened, also -- however long that takes!

One of the beliefs of Buddhism: All Beings are Sacred.

The essential Tibetan Buddhist beliefs include practicing (meditation methods and prayers) for the sake of all sentient (conscious) beings. Developing loving kindness, compassion and wisdom is the cornerstone of this philosophy. It doesn't matter what specific lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is practiced; they are not sects, which would imply a differing of views. All schools have the same basic beliefs of Buddhism.

Lineages: The four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism are:

• Nyingma (the oldest lineage teachings from Padmasambhava)
• Shakya
• Kagyu
• Geluk (the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama)

There is also the Kadam school (the Kadam-pas) which is sometimes considered a fifth lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: Lama, & Deity Yoga

One of the core Tibetan Buddhism beliefs is importance of the heart Lama. I know you've heard of the Dalai Lama, yes? Lama is a Tibetan word for guru, which is Sanskrit. Guru basically means "one who removes the darkness." When studying Tibetan Buddhism it's essential to know about The 3 Jewels. Learn "The Triple Gem" Here

Dzogchen Master, Khenchen Palden Rinpoche I've been blessed for many years to sit at the feet of two Lamas, Masters of Tibetan Buddhism, stainless upholders of the Nyingma Lineage. They were brothers, known affectionately as The Ven. Khenpos.

His Eminence, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, (seated right in the photo) offered Transmissions and Empowerments of the sacred teachings in an unbroken oral lineage from the time of Padmasambhava in the eighth century AD. (Sadly, my heart-friend passed in 2010.) It's said in Tibet that a student should take twelve years to discern if a Lama is their "spiritual friend." This is a Buddhist term for a mentor or spiritual teacher. As mentioned before the culture of Tibet is quite unique. The relationship of Lama and student is very key in The Vajrayana. Besides meditation advice and instruction, the Lama gives the "permission," the Wang or Abisheka (empowerment/initiation) for Deity practices.

Deity Yoga is one of the most fundamental Tibetan Buddhism beliefs. The goal is to recognize (re-cognize, re-know, re-member) that one's own mind is inherently Buddha Mind. Just below is a Thangka painting (Tibetan iconographical art) of Manjushri, embodying the Wisdom of all Buddhas. This is an example of Deity Yoga. Visualize yourself merging with Manjushri...you ARE Manjushri. Meditate on the ultimate primordial nature of wisdom as nondual reality.

One of the core Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: Your mind is Buddha Mind.

This brief discussion on Tibetan Buddhism beliefs and practices has just barely scratched the surface of a vast and complex subject which I hold dear to my heart-of-hearts. (I teach an introductory course on Tibetan Buddhism online at Metropolitan Interspiritual University.) (See link below)

There's so much more to explore such as Tibetan mantras, chakras, the Sutras vs. the Tantras and the great completion, Dzogchen.

Thank you for visiting today. I trust you may have gained some insight into the powerful Vajrayana, The Diamond Way. As a long-time practitioner I'll say that it's important to study the basic beliefs of Buddhism, yet we must practice, too. So, get on the cushion--your meditation pillow--and proceed with an open heart and vajra courage.

Since one of the biggest Tibetan Buddhism beliefs is emphasis on practicing meditation, it helps to guide us in maintaining the VIEW. What is this vision? Keep your "360" view spacious in all directions. (More at the link below) Keep the Vajra View. Like Guru Padmasambhava, aka the Lotus Born, great Guru Rinpoche (precious one) taught so long ago in the Root Prayer of the Six Bardos:

"...enter into the natural sphere of unwavering attentiveness."

Best with Blessings, Dr. Nancy Ash

What is this 360 Vision?

Read my article: Five Tibetan Rites (Tibetan Style Yoga)

My online University graduate/postgrad course in Tibetan Buddhism

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