1. Tibetan Tantra Buddhism or Vajrayana - Buddhism
In a nutshell!

2. Tibetan Buddhism History
‘Bon’ religion indigenous religion of Tibet,
animistic (believing that nature is pervaded by good and evil spirits)
shamanistic
Buddhism and Hinduism
Initially introduced late 8th century
more steadily from the 13th century onwards
The Great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche blended these three religions in 774 CE resulting in Tibetan Buddhism

3. Tibetan Buddhism - politics
Tibetan Buddhism dominated Mongolia and Manchuria.
Gave rise to a Theocracy – hierarchy of monks or Lamas that govern the country
Dali Lama is both the worldly and spiritual authority

4. Tibetan Buddhist Sacred Texts
Buddhist text were translated into Tibetan 11th – 14th Centuries.
Many text survived in Tibetan translations only
The most famous Tibetan Buddhist text is the Bardo Thodol, popularly known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Describes the experiences of the soul during the interval between death and rebirth. It is recited by lamas over a dying or recently deceased person

5. Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs
Similarities with Mahayana Buddhism
pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors
4 Noble Truths
Eight-Fold Path
Compassion
Monastic life
3 baskets – Tripitaka
rituals such as food and flower offerings
Religious pilgrimages
Religious festivals
Mantras and Mudras
Bodhisattvas

6. Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs cont.
Unique to Tibetan Buddhism
religious pilgrimages
chanting prayers
Prayer wheels
Prostrating
Mandalas

7. Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs cont.
Cham: a dance featuring sacred masked dances, sacred music, healing chants, and spectacular richly ornamented multi-colored costumes
Mudras - used by the monks to invite spiritual energies which generate wisdom, compassion.
monastic debate

8. Tibetan Beliefs - Images

9. Philosophy – Fight fire with fire
Vajra – diamond. Buddha elevated to a savior holding a diamond scepter – evokes the energetic rigor and clarity of the diamond
Task: to shut off the energy of desire to accomplish the cessation of suffering
How: Harness this energy (of desire) and turn it against itself to propel the individual towards enlightenment.
Method: Chanting, Mandalas, mudras, sex

10. Tibet Today Clergy: Lamas (Oligarchy)
Present Dali Lama - 14th in a direct line of succession – through rebirth
won Nobel Peace Prize 1989
Currently living in exile in Northern India
Tibet – currently claimed by the People’s Republic of China

11. Zen Buddhism
In a Nutshell

12. Zen Origins Originated in China 6th Century Was popularized in Japan
Mahayana School
Emphasis - meditation

13. Zen Teachings
Zen: direct experience of truth which is beyond words, thoughts and feelings about truth
Emphasizes experience over speculation
Beyond logical thinking that clutters the mind
Satori – Zen Enlightenment

14. Zen Practices Koans – riddles
Intended to short-circuit the workings of the logical rational mind
Cultivate full attention to everyday life

15. Zen Activities Ikebana – flower arranging Tea ceremony Landscaping
Poetry
Calligraphy
Martial Arts
Sumo wrestling
Bonsai

16. Zen Life Monastic lifestyle Seated mediation Menial work Simple meals
Zen master – “Roshi”
Authority over disciples

17. Zen Images