Evolution of Religion in Tibet

The traditional religious beliefs of Tibet are basically composed of two major parts, on the one hand, they are generally popular in the huge pastoral areas and are not divided into sects. On the one hand, it is popular in the vast pastoral areas, regardless of sect. Seeing the pagodas, turning, and kowtowing to the living Buddha, it belongs to the folk beliefs, which are very rich in content and have close relationship with people's daily life, culture, entertainment and all kinds of customs. On the other hand, it is the theological religion with the monastery as the center of its activities, which is theorized, regulated, systematized, and controlling the whole ideology of the upper class society, and the dominant one, which has the most advantageous power, is the Tibetan Buddhism that is passed down to the present day, which is the most important one, and which is the most important one.

From the beginning of the primitive religion of Benjaminism, to Yongzhong Benjaminism, to the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet, Nyingma, Sakya and Gelugpa and the creation of the four main sects, is after a long history of years, a brief description of the following, (a) the original Benjaminism

Early primitive Benjaminism prevalent in the western part of Tibet, due to the tribal different schools, so the name of the mutual exchange of, such as the Chaben, Zanzanben, magic Benjamin,, etc.. However, the characteristics of their beliefs and objects of worship were more or less the same, that is, worship of nature, worship of animals, worship of ghosts and gods, respect for sorcerers and killing of animals for rituals, etc. Worship of nature includes heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, sun, moon, stars and all kinds of plants; the worship of animals, such as macaque monkeys, rams, yaks and so on, are treated as the incarnation of God, and are regarded as deities with supernatural power; the worship of ghosts and gods and the respect for sorcerers are thought to be everywhere on earth, and are interdependent, with sorcerers using sorcery as a means to protect human beings from the evils of the world and to protect them. Witches use sorcery as a bridge of communication between people and ghosts and gods, such as auspicious seeking blessings, worshipping the gods and seeking medicine,

(Potala Palace from the Da Zhao Temple)

Gaining good fortune, prospering talents, divining good and evil, and dispelling the devil, etc., this kind of blessing and elimination of disasters, all rely on the Benzoic sorcery and wizards, and as for the killing of animal sacrifices is the use of blood to the supernatural forces to express their pious beliefs, expressing reverence and gratitude And pray for blessings, such as the slaughter of many animals in the fall of each year for its flesh and blood, known as the red offering of the Benzai religion.

(Visit the White House from the East Courtyard)

(2) Yongzhong Benjaminism

As people's knowledge level gradually increased, and the original way of worship is also complex, about the third century BC, based on the primitive Benjaminism, and absorbed the religion of the neighboring tribes, the culture, the inheritance of most of the contents of the original Benjaminism, but also created a new connotation, and finally created the Yongzhong Benjaminism.

(C) The introduction of Buddhism to Tibet

After the formal introduction of Buddhism to Tibet in the seventh century, it caused the resistance of the Tibetan Benzite forces and many fierce struggles, which is the so-called "Buddhist-Benzite struggle" in the history of Tibetan religions

After suffering many blows to Buddhism, it had to change its strategy, and welcome Buddhism, which was more suitable for the traditional concepts of Tibet and was close to the Benzite beliefs. The Mahayana Tantric master, Lianhua Sheng, came to Tibet to preach, and he adopted the spells and sorceries that were popular with the Benjamins, and categorized the Benjamins' local deities as the protectors of the Buddhists, thus shifting the original opposing positions to a mutually compatible one. And make Buddhism and benjamin into one, so the formation of a unique Tibetan Buddhism.

Pilgrims ascending the Potala Palace

Male pilgrims in full costume

Waiting in line to enter the White House to visit

Three rows of wooden stairs leading to the White House

Dazhao Temple gilt bell

Dziomo beads and ivory with the necklace. Solemn and generous

Knotting and appreciation, private message for more information