Tibet

For over 2000 years Buddhists in Tibet have lived freely and independently, but in

1949-50 that all change when China invaded and took control.1 All of their traditions and customs, government, environment and rights were taken away and destroyed by this tragic invasion.2 The majority of Tibetans were either killed or exiled, but the ones exiled have been very strong throughout all of this and stayed true to their beliefs and themselves. After enduring the exile to India, Tibetan Buddhists still managed to live their lives in the traditional Tibetan fashion.

The origin of Buddhism dates back to around 563 BCE , with a man by the name of Siddhartha Guatama.3 He was an Indian prince born in Lumbini, India. He was completely sheltered as a child and was not let out of the palace.4 As a result of this, at age 29 he fled the palace and became a homeless monk.5 This event is called the “ Great

Renunciation”. While on his journey he encountered the “4 messengers”; an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a holy man.6 This was a great revelation for him because he had no idea that those things existed. After traveling for a while, he decided to join the 5 ascetics, where he went without food or sleep for a long period of time and almost died.

He did all this in search of the “truth”. After recovering from his food and sleep deprivation, he decided to turn to meditation to find the “truth”. So he went to the Bodh

Gaya tree and meditated under it until he entered nirvana, which is known as a state of perfect joy.7 Because he was able to do this, he became the first Buddha. He then traveled for 45 years with his followers called the Sangha, which were his family and the 5 ascetics.8 They went around teaching people what the Buddha had learned on his journey.

He died at the age of 80 and entered nirvana forever.9 After the Buddha died, the Sangha kept traveling and teaching more and more people Buddhism.

In the 7th century Buddhism was introduced to Tibet by teachers from China and

Nepal.10 Then in 775, an Indian monk set up the first monastery in Tibet.11 Soon after that, Tibetans developed a different style of Buddhism called Vajrayana with Lamas as teachers. Vajrayana is a combination of the major aspects of Hinayana and Mahayana

Buddhism.12 In the 14th century a new sect was formed called Gelugpas. In th...

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...n sand. It contains images of 722 deities in the shapes of animals, plants, human forms, and abstract symbols. Students in the initiation use the Mandala to visualize in meditation the steps that lead to enlightenment.36

This spiritual ritual has been around for many, many years and is still able to be practiced by Tibetans in their exiled home.

The Tibetans had to experience one of the hardest things anyone could encounter, attempted genocide and exile, and they survived it. This is a very commendable thing because they it would be extremely hard to do. They had to give up everything they had in their lives, including for many, the ones they love. They had to out that behind them, move into a foreign land and completely start over. They did make a few changes in their government, while in India, but primarily the live their lives in the traditional Tibetan way.

They stayed true to their religion and never lost faith in it. Also they never lost faith in the

Dalai Lama, and without him I do not think they would be as well off as they are today.

The Tibetans have primarily “kept alive in India what was almost destroyed or sinocised inside Tibet.”37