Tibetan Buddism

Question 1

What is the aim of Tibetan Buddhism?

Answer 1

To unite all aspects of a person towards reaching enlightenment

Question 2

How do Lay Buddhists worship?

Answer 2

Through simple acts to manipulate the fabric of the universe such as prayer flags, prayer wheels and giving offerings such as lighting butter lamps

Question 3

How do Tibetan Monks worship?

Answer 3

Complicated acts of Tantra which requires training from a Lama to help perform visualisations through reciting mantras, mudras, mandalas and the Ghantra and Varjra

Question 4

What types of Theravada Buddhism is there?

Answer 4

Pure land Buddhism, Lay Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddism

Question 5

What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

Answer 5

The diamond vehicle
Influenced by Bon traditional Tibetan Buddhism, the religion is named after a Hindu god and focuses on the importance of Tantra (role of rituals and initiations)
Belief in supernatural beings

Question 6

What is a Mundra?

Answer 6

Mundras are symbolic shapes made with hands to represent skilful means towards integrating the physical body and mind towards enlightenment.
They have connections with the Buddha and Bodhisattvas which represent certain parts of the mind.
Performed whilst holding the Dorje and Ghanta

Question 7

What an example of a mundra? SPELLING

Answer 7

Bhumiparsa Mudra-“Gesture of the Earth Witness”

First performed by the historical Buddha when he was being tempted by Mara under the Bondhi Tree whilst he meditated

Question 8

What is a Mantra?

Answer 8

Scared sounds, a tool for thinking and moving the mind away from the mundane.
Mantras are tools for thinking that help purify or focus the mind, can offer devotion to a deity (Buddha or Bodhisattva) or to mature spiritual development

Question 9

What’s special about mantras?

Answer 9

They are available to all regardless of understanding due to sound being more important than understanding. Accessible due to being written on prayer wheels, buildings, flags and stones.

Question 10

What are Mandalas?

Answer 10

Cosmic diagrams which act as a symbol of the universe. The outer circles on the diagram represent samsara whilst the inner circles represent nirvana or the palace.

Question 11

How did Tibetan Buddhism develop?

Answer 11

Two Buddhist masters brought it over towards the end of the 8th century, it was the last Asian region Buddhism spread to. It was influenced by Bon a traditional Tibetan religion and Tibetan culture meaning it developed in isolation due to Tibet’s geography.

Question 12

What are the key features of Tibetan Buddhism

Answer 12

• Status of the teacher of ‘Lama’
• Importance role of rituals and initiations (Tantra)
• Extensive visual symbolism
• Belief in the supernatural
• Mantras and meditation practices, the belief that enlightenment can be reached in this lifetime

Question 13

What does Tantra mean?

Answer 13

Weaving or thread

Question 14

What does Sunyata mean?

Answer 14

The Mahayana belief that everything is interdependent and empty of inherent existence

Question 15

How does Sunyata link to Tantra?

Answer 15

If the whole universe (Sunyata) is interwoven (Tantra) then Tibetan Buddhists believe that they can weave their own interpretations into the fabric of reality to influence it as everything is connected. This is called Tantra

Question 16

What do Lamas teach?

Answer 16

Tantra as a very advanced skilful means, involving secret rituals which are only possible for those who have reached a sophisticated understanding of spiritual practice. This is through passing initiation ceremony’s.