Visit Buddhist monastery | 'Visiting Buddhist Temples - Do's and Don'ts"

By              :  Gregory Rodgers
Category   :  Visit Buddhist monastery
Source       :  http://goseasia.about.com/
Posted By  :  http://tinyurl.com/bqh2lmz

Buddhist temples are found all over Southeast Asia and most visitors find themselves in at least one - if not several - during their travels. In all parts of Asia, life in small villages typically centers around the temple or local shrine.

Full of history, intrigue, impressive architecture and carved reliefs, many temples are wonders to explore. Usually peaceful and hushed, wandering the grounds of a temple while lost in your own thoughts is a memorable experience no matter your religious preference.

Foreigners are always welcome in Buddhist temples, usually with a smile even; there is no reason to be intimidated. Following a few simple rules of etiquette ensures that you don't accidentally offend someone, although you would surely be forgiven anyway!

Buddhist Temple Etiquette

• Remove Your Hat and Shoes: Shoes should always be removed and left outside of the main worship area. The pile of shoes is an obvious indication of where to leave them.
• Show Respect: Turn off mobile phones, remove headphones, lower your voice, avoid inappropriate conversation, remove hats, and no smoking or chewing gum.
• Cover Yourself: This is the rule most ignored by tourists who dress for the heat in countries around Southeast Asia. Shoulders should be covered and long-pants worn rather than shorts. Some temples in tourist places may be more lenient, but your modesty will be appreciated.
• Respect the Buddha Statues: Never touch, sit near, or climb on a Buddha statue or the raised platform. Get permission before taking photographs and never do so during worship. When exiting, back away from the Buddha before turning your back.
• Don't Point: Pointing at things or people around the temple is considered extremely rude. To indicate something, use your right hand with the palm facing upwards. When sitting, never point your feet at a person or image of Buddha.
• Stand Up: If you happen to be sitting in the worship area when monks or nuns enter, stand to show respect; wait until they have finished their prostrations before sitting again.

Interacting With Buddhist Monks

Monks are some of the friendliest people you will meet during your travels. The monks that you see sweeping the temple stairs may be less concerned about dirt and more interested in removing the insects so that no one accidentally steps on one!

• Eating: Monks do not eat after noon; be mindful about eating or snacking around them.
• Body Language: If a monk is sitting, show respect by sitting before starting a conversation. Avoid sitting higher than a monk if you can help it. Never point your feet at any Buddhist while sitting.
• Right Hand Only: Only use your right hand when giving or receiving something from a monk.

Advice for Women

A woman should never touch or hand a monk something. Even accidentally brushing against their robes requires that they fast and perform a cleansing ritual. Food or donations must be passed to a man first and then on to the monk - even the monk's own mother must follow this rule!

Donations

Nearly every temple has a small metal box for receiving donations from the public. These donations keep the temple running, usually on a very thin budget. If you enjoyed your visit, giving a small amount would mean a lot.

A typical donation is US $1 or less.

Going a Little Extra

While certainly not expected, these gestures will show that you took the time to research Buddhist customs before your visit.

• Enter the shrine with your left foot first, and exit by leading with your right foot. This gesture symbolically represents a whole.
• The traditional greeting for a monk is to place the hands together in a prayer-like gesture and give a slight bow. Known as the wai in Thailand or the som pas in Cambodia, the hands are held higher than usual (near the forehead) to show more respect to monks.

When to Visit Buddhist Temples

The best time to visit a Buddhist temple is early in the morning (just after sunrise) when the temperature is still cool and the monks are returning from their alms procession.

Visiting Mosques

Many countries in Southeast Asia - particularly Malaysia - have a mix of Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques open to the public.

Source: http://goseasia.about.com/od/travelplanning/a/visiting_buddhist_temples.htm

Help Tibetan Monastery |"The story behind the Dalai Lama’s chair"

 By            : Press Release
Category  :  Dalai Lama Chair, Help Tibetan Monastery
Source      :  http://www.religionnews.com
Posted By :  http://tinyurl.com/VisitMonasteryInNepal

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (RNS) Lots of rock stars expect cushy perks at the venues where they perform. Requests can include special food and drink, music, video games and even a puppy to play fetch.
For the Dalai Lama, it’s all about the oversized chair.

DALAI LAMA CHAIR-Help Tibatan monastery

Syracuse University requested the special seating for the spiritual leader of Tibet who spoke on campus Monday (Oct. 8), and it’s obvious he enjoyed the spacious accommodations.

As he should. The red leather and wood Stickley chair was made especially for him — three times.

Aminy I. Audi, president and CEO of the Fayetteville, N.Y.-based furniture company, explained that the first “Dalai Lama chair” was commissioned for a visit by the Buddhist leader to the University of Buffalo in 2006. Colgate University commissioned a copy of the same chair for a visit there in 2008.

Syracuse called Stickley recently to borrow the third, a copy from The Stickley Museum in Fayetteville for this visit, Audi said.

The chair is an oversized version of Stickley’s classic Eastwood chair, designed by Gustav Stickley.

“It’s an exquisite example of craftsmanship,” Audi said.

The University of Buffalo originally asked that the chair be enlarged to allow the Dalai Lama to pull his legs up and sit cross-legged, a position he prefers, Audi said. Moments after taking the stage Monday, that’s exactly what he did — untying his brown shoes and tucking his legs up under his red and yellow robes. He did the same thing for the afternoon panel and sat that way for all of both sessions. A Stickley moving van was parked behind the Schine Student Center late Monday to take the Dalai Lama chair back to The Stickley Museum.

The Colgate chair was originally auctioned for $25,000, but the donor gave it back to the school, Audi said. The University of Buffalo chair remains on the UB campus.

You may purchase your own custom-made Dalai Lama chair — made of quarter-sewn white oak and a carefully selected hue of red leather, Audi said. The price tag is $8,000.

Source: http://www.religionnews.com/faith/leaders-and-institutions/The-story-behind-the-Dalai-Lamas-chair

Visit Buddhist Monastery in Nepal | "Top 10 Famous Buddhist Temples"

By              :   Press Release
Category   :   Visit Buddhist Monastery in Nepal,
Source       :   http://www.touropia.com/
Posted By  :   http://tinyurl.com/VisitMonasteryInNepal

Visit Buddhist Monastery In Nepal-Boudhanath

Buddhism is a major world religion and philosophy founded in northeastern India in the 5th century AD. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as “The Buddha”, who was born in what is today Nepal. Buddhism takes as its goal the escape from suffering and from the cycle of rebirth: the attainment of nirvana. There are between 230 million and 500 million Buddhists worldwide. An overview of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world are :-

10) Haeinsa Temple 

9)  Wat Arun

8)  Pha That Luang

7)  Jokhang

6)  Todaiji Temple

5)  Boudhanath

4) Mahabodhi Temple

3) Shwedagon Pagoda

2) Bagan

1) Borobudur

Source: http://www.touropia.com/famous-buddhist-temples/

Tibetan Festivals | "2012 Celebration Date Contrast of Tibetan Festivals"

BY                :  Press Release
Category     :  Tibetan Festivals
Source          :  http://www.travelchinaguide.com/
Posted By     :  http://tinyurl.com/contruction-of-monastry-nepal

Tibetan New Year/Losar

2012 Celebration Date Contrast of Tibetan Festivals

Festivals	Date Contrast
	Gregorian Calendar	Tibetan Calendar
Tibetan New Year/Losar	Feb. 22	Jan.1
Monlam prayer festival	Feb. 25	Jan. 4~11
Butter lamp / Choe-nga Choepa	Mar. 8	Jan.15
Saga Dawa	Jun. 4	Apr. 15
Gyantse horse race	Jul. 20	Apr. 14~18
Thangka unveiling TashilungpoMonastery	Jul. 3	May 15
Zamling Chisang / Samye Dolde	Jul. 3	May 15
Choekor Duechen / Tukbe Tseshi	Jul. 23	Jun. 4
Ganden Thangka unveiling	Aug. 2	Jun. 15
Shoton festival	Aug. 17	Jun. 30
Labrang Rikda	Aug. 25	Jul. 8
Karma Dunba	Sep. 2	Jul. 17
Nagchu horse race	Aug. 10	-----
Jerkhundo horse race (Yeshu)	Jul. 25	-----
Litang horse race	Aug. 1	-----
Lhabab Duechen	Nov. 6	Sep. 22
Palden Lhamo festival	Nov. 28	Oct. 15
Ganden Nga-Choe	Dec. 8	Oct. 25

Source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/tibet/festival.htm

Visit Monastery In Nepal |"Top Ten Cardinal Precepts"

By              :  Press Release

Category   : Visit Monastery In Nepal

Source       :  http://buddhism.about.com/

Posted By  :  http://tinyurl.com/VisitBuddhistMonasteryNepal

Buddha in deep Meditation

Novices also agreed to follow the top ten Cardinal Precepts, which are:

1. No killing
2. No stealing
3. No sexual intercourse
4. No lying
5. No taking of intoxicants
6. No eating at the wrong time (after the midday meal)
7. No dancing or music
8. No wearing of jewelry or cosmetics
9. No sleeping on raised beds
10. No acceptance of money

Source: http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/firstmonks.htm

Visit Buddhist monastery Nepal | "Major Buddhist Temples in Nepal"

By              : Press Release
Category   : Visit Buddhist monastery Nepal
Source       : http://www.nepal-buddha.jp/
Posted By  :  http://tinyurl.com/VisitBuddhistMonasteryNepal

Visit Buddhist monastery Nepal

Nepal has a rich Buddhist culture and temples which were nurtured over a long time, centering on Kathmandu. Historically, Nepal enjoyed a close relationship with India and Tibet, and not only host many pilgrims from other countries visiting Buddhist holy grounds in Kathmandu Valley, but there was also an active intercommunication of monks and people learning Buddhist art.

Source: http://www.nepal-buddha.jp/en/buddha_birthplc/nepal_buddhism_2.html
 

Visit Buddhist Monastery | "Tibetans in exile follow Gandhi's footsteps"

By:              Press Release

Category  :  Visit Buddhist Monastery

Source :       http://www.tibetcity.com/

Posted By :  http://tinyurl.com/preservation-NEYDO-tradition

Tibetans in exile follow Gandhi's footsteps

Dharamsala : Tibetans, who have been forced to flee their homeland in China more than half a century ago and have settled across India since then, have been following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and non-violence.

Every year, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the democratically elected government in exile, holds functions at its headquarters here to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, that falls Oct 2.

"Mahatma Gandhiji has made a tremendous contribution to India as well as the world. His commitment to peace and non-violence is well respected all over the world," Tibetan political leader Lobsang Sangay said at a function here Tuesday.

Describing the Mahatma as the most important guru, he said: "As His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) always mentions, India is our guru (teacher) and we Tibetans are their chela (disciple) and as far as non-violence is concerned, Gandhi-ji is one of our most important guru."

Many Tibetans, mainly the youths, are following Gandhi's teachings, Tashi, secretary of the CTA's department of information and international relations, told IANS.

He said as a mark of respect to the Mahatma, the CTA has been holding functions every Gandhi Jayanti since 2007. "We are observing a public holiday in all CTA offices on this day."

Even the elderly monk, the Dalai Lama, ultimate spiritual and political leader for millions of Tibetans, is the admirer of Mahatma Gandhi.

"I never met Mahatma Gandhi in person, although I dreamt of doing so. I admire him because he was a great thinker who put what he thought into practice," a post on the website of the CTA quoting the spiritual guru said.

The Dalai Lama was responding to a question about Mahatma Gandhi whose aphorism "Be the change you want to see" continues to inspire young people today.

He replied: "Although he (Mahatma Gandhi) had received a thorough western education as a lawyer, when he returned to India he dressed and conducted himself like an ordinary and traditional Indian. He showed how powerful change can start with one individual and spread to others."

The Tibetans have lived in India since 1959 when the Dalai Lama fled his homeland after a failed uprising against the Chinese rule.

Since then the 77-year-old globe-trotting pontiff has been seeking autonomy, not independence, through non-violence for his people in Tibet as he fears their cultural and religious traditions are being slowly crushed.

In his speeches, he often refers to his own plight at the hands of the Chinese.

"At 16, I lost my freedom, at the age of 24 I lost my own country. Now, at 77, what I learned is the power of talk. In the spirit of dialogue, you can't have one side that is defeated and one side win. Open your hearts; consider others," he said.

Time magazine last year listed Mahatma Gandhi and the Dalai Lama among the world's top 25 political icons.

The Dalai Lama, according to the magazine, "for decades - and from exile since 1959 - has worked to resolve tensions between Tibet and China. And like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. before him, the Dalai Lama has done so in a manner defined by non-violence and tolerance."

Currently, India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans and the government-in-exile, which has never won recognition from any country.  

Source: http://www.tibetcity.com/news11.asp

Buddhist Monastery Nepal | "Middlebury readies for Dalai Lama's visit next week"

By              : Press Release
Category   : Buddhist Monastery Nepal
Source       : http://www.tibetcity.com/
Posted By  : http://tinyurl.com/DonateToMonastryInNepal

TIBETAN PEACE FLAGS hang in Carol’s Hungry Mind Café in downtown Middlebury in anticipation of the upcoming visit by the Dalai Lama on Oct. 12 and 13. Independent photo/Trent Campbell

MIDDLEBURY — Preparations are under way at Middlebury College for the arrival of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of millions of Tibetan Buddhists and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who will mark his third visit to Addison County on the weekend of Oct. 12.

“The Dalai Lama is very impressed with Middlebury,” said Ellen McKay, administrative program coordinator of the college’s Charles P. Scott Center for Religious Life. She noted that the college’s diversity and focus on environmental programs are things that the Dalai Lama “is all about.”

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, will give a public lecture titled “Finding Common Ground: Ethics for a Whole World” at Nelson Arena on Saturday, Oct. 13. That will follow a talk on Friday, Oct. 12, at 1:45 p.m. for Middlebury students, faculty and staff, called “Educating the Heart.”

According to Middlebury College President Ron Liebowitz, the purpose of the talks is to help people explore resources for hope, optimism, and cooperation, while challenging them to lead lives of courage and engagement.

Read More Source : http://www.tibetcity.com/news1.asp

Support Tibetan Monastery | "Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism"

By:              Jonang Foundation

Category  :  Support Tibetan Monastry

Source :       http://www.jonangfoundation.org/five-traditions

Posted By :  http://tinyurl.com/preservation-NEYDO-tradition

Classifying the Tibetan Traditions

Among the many contemplative systems, scholastic methodologies, and esoteric instruction lineages that were transmitted from Indian Buddhist masters onto their Tibetan successors, there are 2 basic categories that define the Tibetan Buddhist traditions historically:

1. Nyingma ("ancient," rnying ma)
2. Sarma ("new," gsar ma)

The pre-Buddhist indigenous Bon make up a 3rd separate category of Tibetan religious tradition.
The Nyingmapa sustain the knowledge transmitted during the Tibetan imperial period from the 8th to the 9th century. This era is known as the "early dissemination" (snga dar) or the initial period when tantras were translated from Sanskrit into Tibetan. During this time, the ancient tantras (rnying rgyud) were brought to Tibet, arranged and translated under the direction of the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen, the Indian Abbot Shantarakshita, and the Kashmiri Master Padmasambhava. Though this early translation tradition of Buddhism in Tibet was interrupted in the 10th century, the Nyingmapa continue on to today.

The Sarma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism originated during the late 10th century. The various cycles of tantras, commentaries, and meditation guidance texts that were translated during this later dissemination (phyi dar) of Buddhism in Tibet are known as the "New" traditions. Although there were a great variety of Buddhist traditions that took shape in Tibet from the 10th through the 13th century, the 4 primary later or new translation period traditions are:

1. Sakya (sa skya)
2. Kagyu (bka' brgyud)
3. Jonang (jo nang)
4. Geluk (dge lugs)

Sakya Monastery was established in the year 1073 by Kontan Konchok Gyalpo (1034-1102), making it the earliest of these four Sarma traditions. Milarepa's (1040-1123) close disciple Gampopa (1079-1153) later founded Gampo Mountain Monastery, commencing the Kagyu tradition in the year 1121. Then, in 1294, Kunpang Thukje Tsondru (1243-1313) arrived in Jomonang, giving rise to the Jonang tradition. More than a century later, in 1407, Je Tsongkhapa Lozang Drakpa (1357-1419) reinterpreted the existing Kadam tradition and founded Ganden Monastery in the highlands of Central Tibet, initiating what is today known as the Geluk.

In addition to the Nyingma and the 4 major surviving Sarma traditions, there were minor practice lineages such as:

• Zhalu (zhwa lu)
• Orgyen (o rgyan)
• Bodong (bo sdong)
• Kadam (bka' gdams)

While these and numerous other traditions existed in Tibet during the later translation period, many of these early practice lineages of Buddhism did not survive as autonomous traditions in Tibet. Although some such as the Zhalu and Bodongpa have survived in isolated cases, most of the guidance texts and meditation techniques from these minor traditions were assimilated into and preserved by the 4 major living Sarma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Source : http://www.jonangfoundation.org/five-traditions

Best Buddist Monastery Nepal | "Buddhist Monasteries Tour"

By: Press Release

Category: Buddhist Monastery In Nepal

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Posted By: http://tinyurl.com/DonateToMonastryInNepal

Lumbini Buddhist Temple

Since the founding of the Lumbini Development Zone in 1978, Buddhist nations from around the world have constructed extravagant monasteries around the birthplace of the Buddha. Each reflects the unique interpretation of Buddhism of its home nation and together the monasteries create a fascinating map of world Buddhist philosophy.
The site is extremely spread out, so hire a bicycle in Lumbini Bazar or rent one of the waiting rickshaws at the entrance to the archaeological zone. Unless otherwise stated, all the monasteries are open daily during daylight hours.

 Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/the-terai-and-mahabharat-range/lumbini/activities/walking-tours/buddhist-monasteries-tour

Visit Buddhist Monastery Nepal | "Tibetan Buddhism: How it all began"

By: Press Release
Category: Visit Buddhist Monastery Nepal
Source: http://www.himalayanmart.com/
Posted By:  http://tinyurl.com/VisitBuddhistMonasteryNepal

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- TIBETAN Buddhism began in the mid-7th century AD, when the powerful Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (617-650AD) became a devout Buddhist under the influence of his two queens, Nepal's Princess Birkurti and Princess Wencheng of China. 

To propagate Buddhist teachings, the king sent his ministers to India to learn Sanskrit and Buddhism. Upon their return, they began translating sacred Buddhist texts from Sanskrit into Tibetan.

A century later, king Trisong Deutsan (742-797AD) invited a great Indian Buddhist master, Guru Padmasambhava (or the Lotus Born), to visit Tibet. The latter subdued the influences of the shamanistic Bonpo belief and, since then, Buddhism started to prosper. 

The Drukpa (or Sky Dragons) lineage in Tibetan Buddhism has an 800-year legacy. It originated from the great enlightened Indian masters, Tilopa and Naropa. The lineage continued with Marpa, the Tibetan translator who travelled to India to receive Buddhist teachings and training.

The lineage's beginning is associated with nine dragons soaring into the sky. Druk in Tibetan means dragon but it also refers to the sound of thunder. In 1206, Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje (then 45 years old) saw nine dragons flying up into the sky from the ground of Namdruk. He named his lineage Drukpa or Lineage of the Dragons, after this auspicious event. Thus, Tsangpa Gyare became the founder of the lineage and was known as the First Gyalwang Drukpa. All Gyalwang Drukpas are recognised and revered as reincarnations of Naropa. 

Tsangpa Gyare was prophesised in many Buddhist texts and recognised as the indisputable emanation of Naropa (1016-1100). It was said that Buddha Shakyamuni spoke of the coming of Tsangpa Gyare.

He unveiled many treasures - holy teachings and objects - in southern Tibet, and also discovered Tsari, a holy place in Tibet. 

Tsangpa Gyare became popular as Druk Tamchay Khyenpa, the Omniscient Dragon, and was addressed as Je Drukpa (Lord Dragon master) because of his spiritual attainments. 

As many as 50,000 people were said to have attended his teaching sessions. He was also said to have 88,000 eminent followers, of whom 28,000 were enlightened yogis. His order became famous for the purity, simplicity and asceticism of its adherents and the profundity of its spiritual teachings. 

Tsangpa Gyare was born in 1161 in the upper Nyang region of the Tsang province.

Soon after his birth, numerous spiritual masters recognised him as a reincarnation of a great saint and cared for him. He became accomplished in various Buddhist practices. 

Under the guidance of his root master Lingchen Repa, he became an expert in Mahamudra (the Great Seal) meditation and the Six Practices of Naropa. He was able to withstand extremely harsh, cold weather. 

In retreat in a snow-covered cave, Tsangpa Gyare only wore a thin, white, cotton robe. The psychic heat that his body generated melted away the snow under him as well as his surroundings. 

When Tsangpa Gyare passed away at the age of 50, a rainbow canopy appeared; showers of flowers fell on the day of his cremation. It was said that many could hear celestial music and smell a beautiful scent in the air. When his body was cremated, his heart, tongue and eyes remained intact. His skull bore the images of Arya Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin), Manjushri and Vajrapani; the 21 joints of his backbone turned into 21 mini statues of Avalokiteshvara. Many of these relics - proof of Tsangpa Gyare's spiritual attainments - are still kept in various Drukpa monasteries. 

Bhutan, one of the few remaining Buddhist kingdoms, takes the name of Druk or Druk Yul, meaning "the Land of the Thunder Dragons". Its people are known as Drukpa. In the 17th century, Tsangpa Gyare's fourth incarnation - Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651)- united the warring regions in Bhutan and became the political and religious leader there. 

The Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh, north India, is also an important stronghold of the Drukpa lineage.


Source: http://www.himalayanmart.com/Tibetan_Buddhism.php

Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling | Buddhist Monastery

By: Press Release
Category:  Buddhist Monastery
Source: http://www.dgtlmonastery.org/

Tibetan Buddhism Monastry

Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling Buddhist Monastery was founded in 1996 by renown Tibetan Buddhist teachers Ven. Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche and Ven. Gonsar Rinpoche. Their deepest wish in estblishing the monastery was to preserve for the benefit of all sentient beings the Buddha's teachings as transmitted by the Gelugpa linage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Though DGTL functions as a traditional monastery for monks of this lineage, it also welcomes lay people of all nationalities and backgrounds to participate in its many religious, cultural and educational programs. These include sacred teachings by visiting and resident monks, the construction of precious sand mandalas, daily prayer services, guest lectures to schools and community groups, and the annual Taste of Tibet in which the monks cook Tibetan delicacies for the communities of Bloomington and Cincinnati.

DGTL is nestled at one end of Bloomington, Indiana's Lower Cascades Park, a natural setting with cliffs, a creek, and a waterfall. The quiet monastery grounds and the building decorated by hand with traditional Tibetan colors and designs.

Source: http://www.dgtlmonastery.org/

Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal | Pre-Buddhist Bon religion

By: Prakash A. Raj

Category: Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal

Source: http://www.transitionsabroad.com

Of the 1,200 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Nepal many were constructed in the latter half of the 20th century when the Chinese army moved into Tibet, the Dalai Lama fled to India, and many reincarnate lamas, called Rinpoches, entered Nepal as refugees.

At the same time, Nepal also became a popular destination for tourists from Europe and North America. Their guides were followers of Tibetan Buddhism. As many people from the West became interested in Tibetan Buddhism, numbers of new monasteries were constructed in the Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu is now one of the best places in the world to study all four sects of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the pre-Buddhist Bon religion.

Source: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0107/tibetan_buddhism_in_nepal.shtml

What is Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal | Help Buddhist Monastry, Monks

By : Press Released
Category: Tibetan Buddhism Nepal, Help Buddhist Monastery, Monks in Nepal need Help
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Tibetan Buddhism  is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India (particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim). It is the state religion of Bhutan. It is also practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia (Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva) and Northeast China. Texts recognized as scripture and commentary are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon, such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas.

A Tibetan diaspora has spread Tibetan Buddhism to many Western countries, where the tradition has gained popularity. Among its prominent exponents is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The number of its adherents is estimated to be between ten and twenty million.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism