Religion is very important to the Tibetans with
everything being centered around it, along with
education cultural was based on religious
beliefs.
Article 7 of the 17-Article Agreement signed on
May 23, 1951, includes the clause " the policy
of freedom of religious belief laid down in the
common Program of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference shall be carried out.
The religious beliefs, customs and habits of the
Tibetan people shall be respected, and lama
monasteries shall be protected.
Bon : The Tibetan people are very self respected
and we can easily faith on him. Generally they
known as very faithful people. The oldest
religion is Bon, after that the Buddhism has
been spread. This religion is a blend of the Bon
and the Buddhism. Bon is the ancient religion of
Tibet. It is difficult to distinguish between
Tibetans who follow the tradition of Bon and
those who adhere to Buddhism. Both share a
common heritage, as well as popular religious
practice such as chanting mantras, making
offerings, and spinning prayer wheels. Monks
receive training in astrology, medicine, poetry,
and the making 0f religious objects. Bon monks
are often called to laypersons homes to perform
rituals on holy days, when there is illness, and
when someone dies.
Buddhism : Probably Buddhism was first
introduced to Tibet in 173 CE during the region
of the 28th Yarlung King Thothori, but had
apparently no impact. The first official
historic introduction of a Buddhist scripture
into Tibet happened during reign of a King Hlato.
Buddhism revived, with the help of King Yeshe O.
A real revival occurred after 1042, when
Atisha-di-Pankhara pur Tibetans "Back on the
right Track". He presented the Buddhist
philosophy in a very clear and condensed manner,
which became the basis for philosophical
teachings in most Tibetans traditions. Buddhism
is still prevent in Tibet and the temples and
monasteries that were destroyed are rebuilt. The
Chinese government still has a strong hold on
religious practices, including placing a limit
on the number of religious buildings.
Lama's : They are the teachers of Buddhism.
Lama's play an important role in Tibetan
Buddhism. Lama teach all the monks. The Lama is
the one that takes care that the system of
Buddhism will continue to work. In 1578 the Lama
Sonam received the title of Ta-Le (Dalai) from
the Mongolian ruler Atlan khan. Because he wad
the third reincarnation found in a row he became
the third Dalai Lama. |