The Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet

Besides the mysterious age-old legends of the introduction of Buddhism in Tibet, we found that the Buddhism culture has been introduced into Tibet region in Tubo Dynasty according to Tibet history record.

The Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet - History

According to Tibet history, Songtsen Gampo was the 32nd Zampo of Tibet (Zampo literally means the kingdom of Tibet). During the government of Songtsen Gampo, the palaces on Potala Mountain have been constructed, which were named Potala Palace by generations. In the mean time, Tibetan characters, rough Tibetan laws and regulations, and the code of ethics have been created and established. Besides, larges numbers of temples and the Buddhist scriptures were respectively built and translated. All of which were the contributions to the development of Tibet Buddhism.

During the early period of the introduction of Buddhism in Tibet, Songtsen Gampo ordered his man to build the Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple respectively for Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti and the princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty. Both of which were the great proofs to witness that Buddhism culture was highly promoted by Tibetan Zampo at that time.

The Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet – How to Introduce Buddhism into Tibet

In 647, Songtsen Gampo ordered his man to build the "Resha" – a Buddhist prayer room for Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti. The 8-year-old Sakyamuni Statue was enshrined and worshipped in the Buddhist prayer room. Meanwhile, he also ordered his man to build another Buddhist prayer room – Gyada Ryaomuqye for Princess Wencheng of Tang Dynasty. The 12-year-old Sakyamuni Statue was enshrined and worshipped in it. Afterwards, Resha was translated to Jokhang Temple, and Gyada Ryaomuqye was translated into Ramoche Temple. Both of which were actually the imperial private Buddhist prayer rooms at that time. They proved that Songtsen Gampo also advocated the Buddhism culture in Tibet region, even though Bon Sect was the major religion in Tibet. As a matter of fact, the constructions of those two temples were deterred by the officers who believed in Bon Sect many times. The constructions were finally managed by Songtsen Gampo straightly.

Songtsen Gampo was representative of the imperial power of Tubo Dynasty. He highly promoted Buddhism so that Tibetan people followed him and believed in him. Some of the Tibetan people were influenced to learn Buddhism culture since then on. Songtsen Gampo ordered his officer to India to learn the Buddhism scriptures. After his back to Tibet region, he started to translate the Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan characters. In the meanwhile, large numbers of the Buddhist halls were constructed to prepare for the introduction and the development of Buddhism culture in Tibet.

More and more Tibetan people started to learn the Buddhist scriptures and spread the Buddhism culture gradually. Afterwards, Buddhism culture was merged with local customs and beliefs such as the religious doctrines of Bon Sect and accepted by lots of Tibetan people. Since then on, the unique and mysterious Tibet Buddhism culture was formed and established. Tibet Buddhism has been succeeded successfully till now. Almost every Tibetan devoutly believes in Tibet Buddhism.