Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Buddhism for the future
Buddha did not advise his disciples to go and convert people who would otherwise
go to hell. Rather, he advised them to show the world what is right and what is
wrong and to be good, to encourage men to come and see for themselves the truth
that he taught,
When we are happy and contented we are in heaven, when we suffer physically or
mentally we are in hell. Theres no need to wait to die in experience either of
these states
10 Paramis
1. Dana- generosity
2. Sila- precept
3. Nekkhamma- renunciation
4. Panna- wisdom
5. Viriya- energy
6. Khanti- patience
7. Sacca- truthfulness
8. Adhittana- determination
9. Metta- loving kindness
10.Upekkha- equanimity
3 aspects to understand Buddhism
1. Intellectual aspect
2. Spiritual aspect
3. Practical aspect
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Buddhism in the modern world
Buddhism in the Himalayan Lands (Nepal, Sikkin, Bhutan, Ladakh) belongs to the
Mahayana Family
The Buddhist communities there are to a degree permeated by a syncretistic legacy
of teachings and forms of worship from Hinduism, but as a whole they resemble
Tibetan Buddhism and are subjects to the challenges of our century. Thus, it is that
the Buddhism of these countries, in its own way, is undergoing, even if slowly, as far
reaching and transformation today, as the Buddhism of theother Asian lands.
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Introducing buddhism
Buddhism was introduced to Tibet from India during the reign of Songsten Gampo
(616-650 CE) and from Tibet it spread in the other Himalayan countries. Thats the
reason how Bhutan became a Buddhist country.
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Buddhism: a way of life and thought
exception to, this rule. While it is certainly essential to demonstrate Buddhisms role
in the spiritual heritage of the country and to express Bhutans commitment to
Buddhist values, the primarily Nepalese Hindu minority in the country must also be
considered a part of the spiritual heritage of the country.
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Encyclopedia of global religion
Tantric buddhism took root in Bhutan in the 8 th century, superseding the indigenous
Bon religion which nevertheless subsists today in local practices. Ngawang
Namgyel, a leader of the drukpa Kagyupa (the thunder dragon) sect of Tibetan
buddhism, unified the territory of Bhutan in the 17 th century. Religion has played a
profound role in shaping Bhutans responses to the challenges and opportunities
that modernization has presented
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THE BLESSINGS OF BHUTAN
Bhutan, Tibet, and other nearby regions are generally thought od as Buddhist
cultures. This is correct, but seriously oversimplified. In fact, this part of the world
had a vibrant religion in place before Buddhism arrived. The old religion is popularly
referred to as Bon ot the religion with no name. this old religion is still very
important in Bhutan and fascinating in its own right.
Buddhism in Bhutan is technically a branch of Tibetan buddhism. We sometimes use
that term in this book to include the buddhism practiced in both Tibetan and
Bhutan. We more frequently used the term tantric Buddhism which can be
regarded as a synonym. (yet another synonym is vajrayana which is frequently
heard in butan, but is used rarely in the west.)