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.