After Tibet was invaded and mistreated by China, the people began to flee Tibet and seek refuge in other countries, India included. As such, the Tibetans brought in their various beliefs and religious practices to India as well. Despite the problems they faced (such as adapting to Indian cultures and practices), they managed to preserve their 1300-year-old religious practices and beliefs. The refugees got a sense of urgency in keeping and knowing more about their identity and religion, and believe that religion is the main aspect of their culture which has remained most intact.
Tsepak Rigzin, a 28-year-old translator for the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, states that only 10 percent of the young people accept ordination, compared to 20 percent in old Tibet. It still means that thousands of young monks and nuns are being trained to carry on the monastic tradition that was a central feature of Tibetan life. In special schools along the Himalaya and in full-scale Buddhist universities, they follow an intense course of study and work and practice. Some 800 fully educated religious "lamas" escaped Tibet in 1959 to form the nucleus of these new schools. The same “lamas” have been able to ensure that Buddhism does not fade away by travelling to many western countries to teach Buddhism to whoever’s interested.
One such man is the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since he fled Chinese occupation of his country in 1959. He’s the most famous out of all the other “lamas”, primarily because he was believed to be the Buddha Reincarnated. He’s their spiritual leader, who continues to preach and spread not only Buddhism, but also to practice kindness and become a good person overall.
He does not, however, spread beliefs of only his religion. During his travels abroad, he has stressed the need for a better understanding of and respect among different faiths of the world, as well.
References:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/tibetan_1.shtml
Wikipedia
Comments
Post a Comment