The Formation of Tibet Buddhism

Even though Songtsen Gampo ordered his man to built Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple respectively for Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti, and Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty to introduce and advocate the Buddhism culture, the formation of Tibet Buddhism was hard to establish at that time.

According to the social situation of Tibet region at that time, Songtsen Gampo just unified the tribes and established Tubo Dynasty. In order to consolidate the government of the new dynasty, he published a series of internal measures and diplomatic measures. But the political situation is very unstable at that time. Some old-fashioned nobles who believed in Bon Sect united the wizards of Bon Sect to conspire against Songtsen Gampo. Bon Sect was a popular primitive belief of Tibetan people in Tibet region. The wizard was said to be the intermediary of the deities and the human beings. They took charge of the sacrifice ceremonies. They told people that even Zampo was the son of the deity; he didn't have the power to govern other tribes. Zampo was only the brother of the leaders of other tribes. Absolutely, the primitive Bon Sect was not suitable for the government gradually. Since Buddhism culture was brought by the two princesses (Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti and Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty), it has been quickly accepted and used by Songtsen Gampo.

After the introduction of Buddhism culture in Tibet, it has been opposed by the old nobles and wizards of Bon Sect. During the long-term period of struggle, Tibet Buddhism has been destroyed once and evicted out of Tibet region. But finally Tibet Buddhism became the major religion in Tibet.

The Formation of Tibet Buddhism – Development

The period of the formation of Tibet Buddhism could be divided into two parts, "the early period" and "the late period". The early period originated from the middle period of the 7th Century during the government of Songtsen Gampo. It is said that Songtsen Gampo once sent his officer to India to learn Buddhism culture and then created the Tibetan characters and grammars. The Tibetan characters were officially published. In the meanwhile, large numbers of the monasteries have been built and the Buddha statue started to be enshrined and worshipped in it.

Till the 8th Century, Padmasambhava – great Indian Buddhist master, came into Tibet and greatly advocated the Buddhism culture. The classical Buddhism scriptures were translated and spread in Tibet region. It was the splendid period of Tibet Buddhism.

In the middle period of the 9th century, Langdama Zampo closed the Buddhism monasteries and prohibited the spread of Tibet Buddhism. He ordered his men to burn the Buddha statues. Tibet Buddhism was almost destroyed under the government of Langdama Zampo. The early period of Tibet Buddhism ends.

When comes to the 10th century, Tibet Buddhism was revived in Tibet region. The late period of the Tibet Buddhism begins. In the 11th century, another Indian great mastery came into Tibet region and advocated Buddhist religious doctrines. Different schools of Tibet Buddhism have been formed, such as Nyingma Sect, Kadam Sect, Kagyu Sect, Sakya Sect and Gelug Sect, etc. After the 13th century, the great Lama gradually mastered the local power of Tibet. The unique Tibet Buddhism culture which is characteristic of the combination of the politics and the religions formed in Tibet.