Vajrayana Part 3

BRIEF HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN INDIA

Gautama the Buddha was born in northern India 15th Century BC, the son of a King.  It was clear from the beginning that the young prince Siddharta was destined to be an extraordinary being.  His early life was spent in palatial luxury, before long he began to doubt the validity of his worldly life. Fleeing from his father's palace, he sough a more meaningful life, studying under a number of highly regarded masters of philosophy and meditation. He was sincere in his quest and rapidly achieved the highest meditational accomplishments that these masters could teach him.  But he was not satisfied.  Through his own efforts finally attained enlightenment at the present day BodhGaya, India.  What he discovered was the truth so profound and vast and the Buddha taught during his lifetime in 3 categories:

1) Pali Canon - form the basis for the Theravada school; emphasize Moral discipline and ethics

2) Teachings of Mahayana/Great Vehicle - stress on compassion and concern for others

3) Tantric/Vajrayana/secret Mantrayana - variety of skillful methods to bring profound realization in a relatively short time.  The Buddha predicted that they would be spread in this world by Other Enlightened Beings who would appear later.

After his death, over the centuries these strands of the Buddha's teachings have been handed down from master to student until today.  Learned scholars/pandits studied the teachings they received by fully realized individuals who had practised and mastered what had been transmitted to them and thus fully qualified to pass on the teachings to their students.

BRIEF HISTORY OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN TIBET

Pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet was BON.  The first appearance of Buddhism in Tibet is said to have occurred during the reign of 23rd monarch of Yarlung dynasty, Totori Nyentsen (born c.173 C.E). According to legends, a Buddhist text and relics consecrated to Avalokitesvara fell from the sky to the roof of the King's palace. The scriptures were written in Sanskrit and no one at the Court understood the significance of  the relics.  

This occurred during the reign of Songtsen Gampo (c.618-650). Seeking to make political alliances, King Songtsen Gampo married a princess from Nepal (Bhrkuti, a devout Buddhist).  Next, King Songtsen Gampo married a Chinese princess from the Tang dynasty.  Princess Wencheng was sent to Tibet in 640 - a devout Buddhist. Princess Wencheng civilised Tibet.  

King Songtsen Gampo sent scholar Tonmi Sambhota to India to develop a script and codify the language.  Next, great king Tri Songdetsen (c 740-798) - a devout Buddhist sent a message to the Indian scholar Santaraksita inviting him to Tibet.  Scholar Santaraksita faced many obstacles caused by the Bon dieties. Before his departure, he advised the King to invite Tantric adept Padmasambhava who could defeat the Gods of Bon.  As a result of this victory, Padmasambhava was able to overcome oppositions.

In 775, Tri Songdetsen, Padmasambhava and Santaraksita successfully established Buddhism in Tibet by building the first monastary called SAMYE.

   

THE GREAT DEBATE BETWEEN KAMALASILA (INDIAN SCHOLAR) & FA SHANG, MAHAYANA SCHOLAR)

Tibet faced opposition from two groups - Indian Mahayana (Kamalasila of Santaraksita school) - Chinese Chan/Zen Mahayana School (Fa Shang).

To settle the dispute the King arranged for a debate between them to identify a system/standard of teachings in Tibet. This debate was held in Samye.

Tibetan Buddhist believe the council resulted in clear victory for the Indian gradualist Buddhism & the defeat of the Chinese teachings of Sudden Awakening-Buddhahood.  The Indian Mahayanan view that awakening is the result of gradual perfection of Compassion and Wisdom - a process that begins with

- Moral Cultivation

- Meditation practice

- Remove mental defilements lead to deeper understanding of reality.