The Four major lineages or Schools in Tibet (Chos lugs chenpo bzhi).

The Four main schools or lineages (Chos lugs chenpo bzhi) of Tibetan Buddhism are as follows

Nyingma (rnying ma): Nyingma is the oldest linage of Tibetan Buddhism which is founded by Padmasambhava and khenchen zhiwatso in 8^th century. Nyingma means the ancient ones in English term. Moreover reveling treasure “terma” is particular significance of Nyingma School.

(Founder of Nyingma Tradition: Padmasambhava & Khenchen zhiwatso, 8th Century)

Sakya (sa skya): Sakya means Grey Earth in English and it was headed by Sakya Trizin. This tradition was founded by Khon Konchok Gyalpo (1034-1102), a disciple of great Lotsawa Drogmi shakya and this school represents one of the first Sarma Tradition (new tradition) in Tibet.

(Founder of Sakya Tradition: Khon Koncho Gyalpo, 1034-1102)

Kagyu (bka ‘brgyud): meaning of kagyu is oral transmission and it was brought down through Indian scholars like Tilopa, Naropa and Tibetan masters Marpa Lotsa and Milarepa. It believes that the founder of Kagyu is Marpa Lotswa (1012-1099) and latter it was break down into two, the larger one, Dagpo Kagyu and the smaller shangpa Kagyu linage. Dapo Kagyu further breaks down into four sub-sects and eight minor sub –sect. Four sub sect are karma Kagyu (headed by Karmapa), Tsalpa Kagyu, Barom Kagyu and Pagtru Kagyu. Most of the eight minor sub sect are breakdown from Pagtru Kagyu which is founded by Phagmo Drupa and most notable of these are Drikung and Drukpa Lineages. (Founder of Kagyu Tradition: Marpa Lotsawa, 1012-1099)

Gelug (dge lugs): the meaning of Gelug is a way of virtue in English and it was founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) in 14^th to 15^th century. The head of this tradition is Ganden Tripa and this school emphasis on logic and debate. Gelugpa is youngest but largest sect in Tibetan Buddhism and people call Yellow sect as they wear yellow color hat.

(Founder of Gelug Tradition: Je Tsongkhapa, 1357-1419)

Buddhism in Tibet: Three Dharma King (ཆོས་རྒྱལ། Chosgyal) of Tibet.

Three Dharma King of Tibet.

The Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Detsen and Tri Ralpachen aka Ralpachen were considered as three Dharma king (Chogsyal) of Tibet. Three of them has brought larger range of Buddhism in Tibet during their reign. They had built numerous temples and translated numbers of Buddhist text and also printed countless text to preserve and enhance Buddhism in Tibet. The details of Three Dharma king of Tibet are mentioned as follows.

1. Songtsen Gampo (srong btsan sgam po): Songtsen Gampo is 33^rd King of Tibet and credited with introduction of Buddhism in Tibet. He is emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or chenrezik in Tibet and also first of the three Dharma king of Tibet. During his reign, he has built lots of temples at Tibet including Rasa Trulnang and Ramoche. He got married to Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti aka lha chuk tritsun and Chinese Princess Wencheng. At the age of 13, his father was poisoned and acceded to the throne and moved the capital to Lhasa. He has not only introduce Buddhism in Tibet but also unified the Tibet by making laws, regulations and taxation's systems in a country. After performing countless religious and political works, He was finally passed away in 650 CE due to illness.

King Trisong Detsen

    2. Trisong Detsen (khri srong lde btsan): King Trisong Detsen aka Trisong Deutsen (khri srong lde'u btsan) is thirty eighth king of Tibet. He is son of King Me Aktsom and second Dharma king of Tibet (second of the three great religious kings). Moreover he is one of the main disciple of Guru Rinpoche and due to his efforts, the great masters Shantarakshita aka Shyiwa Tsho and Guru Padmasambhava visited Tibet from India to preach the Buddhism. He has ruled from 755 AD to 797/804 AD and he has played pivotal role in introducing Buddhism in Tibet. some of the wives of Trisong Detsen are Lhamo Tsen (lha mo btsan), Changchub Drön (byang chub sgron), Gyalmo Tsün (rgyal mo btsun), Magyal Tsokarma (rma rgyal mtsho skar ma) and Yeshe Tsogyal from the Kharchen (mkhar chen) family before offering to Guru Rinpoche. His four son includes Mutri Tsenpo (mu khri btsan po), Mune Tsenpo (mu ne btsan po), Muruk Tsenpo (mu rug btsan po) and Mutik Tsenpo (mu tig btsan po) aka Senalek (sad na legs). However some believes Trisong Detsen has three sons Mune Tsenpo, Desong (lde srong) aka Senalek, and Murug or Mutik Tsenpo. He has only a daughter called Princess Pema Sel who is died at age of eight and later reborn as terton Pema Ledrel Tsal and Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam who revealed the complete Khandro Nyingtik.

King Tri Ralpachen.

3. King Tri Ralpachen aka Ralpacan (ral pa can): He is also known as Titsuk Detsen and became 41st King of Tibet. Ralpachen is one of the grandson of Trisong Detsen and son of Mutik Tsenpo aka Sadnalegs. He is third of the three Dharma King of Tibet, who is extremely devoted to the teachings of the Buddha and he has built one thousand temples. He has invited many scholars from India such as Surendrabodhi aka lhé wangpo changchub, Shilendrabodhi (tshul khrims dbang po byang chub), Danashila and so on. He has simplified all the translations made during his forefathers in accordance with grammar rule and made easier to understand. King Tri Ralpachen is second of five brother, the eldest prince Tsangma took Buddhist vows and latter reach to Bhutan and stated lots of noble families in Bhutan. Third brother of Ralpachen is Langdarma who was anti-Buddhist and ruled after the death of Ralpachen. Two younger brother was died from the young age.

Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo & Trisong Detsen.

The Buddhism in Tibet was first originated in seventh century CE during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo and Buddhism became a major presence in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century CE and in ninth century during the reign of King Trisong Detsen.  Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo was traditionally credited with being the first to bring Buddhism at Tibet. He is also said to have built many Buddhist temples and translates numerous Buddhist texts from Sanskrit into Tibetan. During his reign he has built 108 temples in a day for the benefits of sentient beings which includes Paro Kichu Lhakhang & Bumthang Jampa Lhakhang in Bhutan.

Latter during the reign of Tibetan king, Trisong Detsen, he has invited lots of Buddhist masters to Tibet and had important Buddhist texts translation into Tibetan. The great masters like Shantara-kshita, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Vimalamitra and many scholars and Sages of India were invited and translated Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana Teachings into Tibetan. Hence Tibet became center for entire range of Buddhist teachings and preserved the teaching of three yanas in an unbroken transmission from ninth century to middle of the twentieth century.

Latter the due to break down of tantaras called Ngak Nyingma and Ngyak Sarma, four major lineages or schools were developed in Tibet namely:            1. Nyingma from old tantaras, and three from new tantaras- 2. Kagyu, 3. Sakya, and 4. Gelluk. Details of four major linages will be elaborate in next post.

ORIGIN OF BUDDHISM & LIFE OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI.

Buddha is the universal truth, and the Buddhism is part to realize it. Buddhism began in India over 2500 years ago and Shakyamuni Buddha is one of the many beings through the path of Buddhism. Shakyamuni or Prince Siddhatta Gotama was born with numerous auspicious signs over 25 centuries ago at Lumbiney gar-den to king Shuddodana and queen Mayadevi of shakya linage. Very soon he has become very skilled in various arts and got married to consort princess Yashodhara and consort Princess gave birth of Prince Rahula. 

The prince has lived affluent and joyful life until a journey during which he saw overwhelming suffering of an old age, a sickness, death and endless woes. Then he realized, whatever born ends in death, whatever brought together ends in separation. Whatever full of joy ends in pain. Goutama was shocked and distressed at suffering in the world and left his family to seek enlightenment. He left his home and went to number of famous Sages of India and meditated accordingly. He spent six years on bank of the Nairajna River which generated high stages of absorption, peace and joy. However it does not led him to ultimate goal of seeking total freedom from grasping at self. At the age of 25 he realized that physical austerity was not effective means of reaching the truth, then he drank some refined milk and went to Vajrasna now called Bodhgaya. During eve of full moon of fourth month, he sat under Bodhi tree and entered into absorption.

The demonic forces has tried to disturb him from attaining enlightenment where the thundering and rain of weapons were appeared. However none of the demonic forces has move his mind and he just remained in a contemplation of Loving Kindness. The gradually all the demonic forces were faded away and rain of weapons were turned to rain of flowers.Then entered in to four stages of absorption (Sam Ten Zhi) and gradually attended Rig pa sum – developing three states of awareness, Tendrel Chuni – twelve links of interdependent causation, Phag Pai Den Pa Zhi- Four noble truth and so on. Hence he entered in to enlightenment and taught various path to enter into Buddhahood. His first sermon was on four noble truth to his first five monk at Deer park now known as Sarnath, near Varanasi in India on 4^th day of Sixth month which we usually called as DrupTshey Zhi. After that he has taught countless ways to attain Buddhahood and at the age of eighty, on the full moon day of Fourth month attained mahapernirvana at Kushinagara in Northern India with lots of auspicious signs.