The Beginning of Tibet Buddhism

When comes to the middle part of the 11th century, different sects of Tibet Buddhism have been formed and organized, such as Nyingma Sect, Kadam Sect, Saying Sect, Kargyu Sect, Gelug Sect, Xigye Sect, Gyeyu Sect, Gyunang Sect, Guozha Sect, and Shalu Sect, etc, and some of which have played the important role in Tibet Buddhism history, some of which have been combined with other Tibet Buddhism sects. The major five Tibet Buddhism sects are Nyingma Sect, Kadam Sect, Sakya Sect, Kagyu, and Gelug Sect.

The Beginning of Tibet Buddhism

Nyingma Sect

According to Tibet Buddhism history, Nyingma Sect was established in the AD 11th century and acted as the earliest sect of Tibet Buddhism. As this sect was formed and influenced by Bon Sect and the Buddhists devoted to find the scriptures which have been hidden during the time when Buddhism was destroyed by Langdama. Meanwhile, it is said that the Buddhist spirit of this sect was succeeded since the 8th century in Tubo Dynasty. Hence, the history of this sect is age-old so that it is called Nyingma Sect which literally means "the old" in Tibetan language. The Buddhists of this sect only wear the red hat so that they also called Nyingma Sect as Red Sect.

Nyingma Sect is aimed at learning the Tantra of Tibet Buddhism. It was also influenced by the Buddhism of Han people. Nowadays, Nyingma Sect has been greatly developed in Tibet, India, the Kingdom of Bhutan, Nepal, Belgium, Greece, France and America.

Kadam Sect

It was established in 1056. In Tibetan language, the name of Kadam literally means that people should be taught by Buddhist scriptures. Kadam Sect advocated to learn the exoteric Buddhism firstly and then to learn the Tantra, which the exoteric Buddhism is the major religious doctrine. Almost each sect of Tibet Buddhism has been influenced by the religious doctrine of Kadam Sect.

When Gelug Sect formed in the 15th century, Kadam Sect was changed, or combined with Gelug Sect.

Sakya Sect

Sakya Sect is also called the Colorful Sect, established in 1073. As the ancestral temple – Sakya Monastery features the grey and white land, this sect was named Sakya which literally means the white soil in Tibetan language. Meanwhile, the stripes of different color of red, white and black on the walls of Sakya Monastery is the reason why people called this sect Colorful Sect.

In Tibet Buddhism history, there were five great masters of Sakya Sect. in Yuan Dynasty, one of the great masters, Sapan tried to persuade the tribes in Tibetan region to submit Mongolia. After his death, another great master, Pasipa was pointed as the imperial master by the emperor of Yuan Dynasty. And then Sakya Sect became the representative of the allegiance of Tibet region to Yuan Dynasty.

Kagyu Sect

Kagyu Sect was also named "the white sect" as the founders of this sect only wear the white monks' dress, established in the 11th century. Kagyu Sect makes a great point of the learning of the Buddhism Tantra. As Buddhism Tantra is only taught orally, the name of Kagyu was finally confirmed (Kagyu literally means teach orally in Tibetan language).

It has been once divided into two branches, Shangpa Kagyu and Tapu Kagyu, which Shangpa Kagyu has been decayed in the 14th – 15th century. Tapu Kagyu has been successfully developed and then divided into many branches, too.

Gelug Sect

It was established by Tsongkapa in 1409, also called Yellow Sect. It was formed the latest in Tibet Buddhism history. The founder of Gelug Sect, Tsongkapa devoted to advocate the reform of Tibet Buddhism. In 1409, he took charge of a great religious ceremony called Fahui in Jokhang Temple, Lhasa city, which has been succeeded successfully by generations till now. After the ceremony, he ordered people to build the Ganden Monastery and established Gelug Sect with very strict religious doctrines. As the followers wear the yellow hat, Gelug Sect was also called Yellow Sect.

Later on Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc, have been constructed.

Additionally, the famous reincarnation system of Living Buddha, Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama has been created by Gelug Sect.