Tibetan buddhism

Question 1

what is the Dharmakaya?

Answer 1

the ultimate truth behind everything in the universe

Question 2

Yidam

Answer 2

supernatural beings which represent aspects of the ultimate truth ad can be helpful or harmful

Question 3

what is Tantra?

Answer 3

means “weaving”. using upaya to manipulate the interconnected threads of the universe. (magical)

Question 4

what is the Bardo?

Answer 4

the stage between death and rebirth, lasting 49 days

Question 5

what is the Vajra?

Answer 5

means “diamond” or “thunderbolt”. A weapon of the god Indra symbolising the fast route to enlightenment.
represents masculine principle

Question 6

what are the acts of worship LAY Buddhists use which allow them to manipulate the fabric of the universe?

Answer 6

• prayer flags
• prayer wheels
• giving offerings Such as lighting butter lamps

Question 7

what acts of worship do Tibetan monks do which require training from a lama?

Answer 7

• reciting Mantras
• Mudras
• the Ghanta and Vajra
• Mandalas

Question 8

what is the Ghanta?

Answer 8

a bell which represents wisdom (the ultimate goal)
it is seen representing the feminine principle.
often held when performing a mudra

Question 9

what are mantras?

Answer 9

“tools for thinking” they can help purify or focus the mind

some mantras have meaning on which they focus, it can also be an act of mediation too

Question 10

what are mandalas?

Answer 10

they are symbolic diagrams of the universe. the outer circle represents samsara and the inner square nirvana

Question 11

what are mudras?

Answer 11

hand gestures which hold symbolic meaning, Many have connections to the buddha or bodhisattvas.

Question 12

what is Bon?

Answer 12

the religion in tibet prior to buddhism, which has influenced Tibetan Buddhism.

Question 13

what are the beliefs of Bon?

Answer 13

• has belief in deities with could be good or evil and could be appeased through worship or offerings
• also belief in angry gods who cause problems for humans and could also be appeased

Question 14

what are the practises of Bon?

Answer 14

• shamans have ability to communicate with the deities through rituals and can act as oracles
• meditation on the angry gods can help Bonpon understand how they affect reality

Question 15

samboghakaya

Answer 15

celestial buddha e.g Avalokiteshavara

Question 16

Nirmanakaya

Answer 16

humans who have become a buddha e.g Siddhartha Gautama

Question 17

what are bodhisattvas portrayed as in Tibetan buddhism?

Answer 17

portrayed as both benevolent godlike figures

Question 18

what do the practises of monks help them do?

Answer 18

mantras, mudras and mandalas help monks perform visualisations

Question 19

what is visualisation?

Answer 19

monks focus on a yidam or bodhisattva, they will meditate on its image to attempt to achieve actualisation

Question 20

what is actualisation?

Answer 20

means merging with the yidam and taking on their qualities, becoming empowered in the same way,

Question 21

how is visualisation and actualisation seen as a path to enlightenment?

Answer 21

because all bodhisattvas are connected and part of dharmakaya it is seen as route to enlightenment, becoming a bodhisattva and full of compassion

Question 22

what is an example of a mantra?

Answer 22

the Mani Mantra- “OM Mani Padme Hum”

best known Tibetan mantra meaning ‘homage to the one holding jewel and lotus’

Question 23

which branch is Tibetan Buddhism part of?

Answer 23

part of the vajrayana branch which is sometimes considered part of Mahayana branch

Question 24

what does vajrayana buddhism claim?

Answer 24

claims to offer fast route to enlightenment, through use of upaya and through practice of tantra

Question 25

what is the experience of the bardo?

Answer 25

the untrained may not know they are dead.
sometimes a person is helped through the bardo by a lama who reads prayer and performs ritual, advising the dead to break with attachment

Question 26

what is an example of a mudra?

Answer 26

the gesture of earth witness refers to when the buddha mediated under the bodhi tree and refused the temptation from mara

Question 27

what are the arguments that Tibetan Buddhism is unique?

Answer 27

• the use of tantric practises such as mantra and mudra are believed to have magical elements that shape reality
• the worship of yidam, who can offer protection and help on path to enlightenment

Question 28

what arguments are there that Tibetan Buddhism isn’t unique?

Answer 28

• many branches use mantra as a mindfulness mediation to help concentrate
• tantra is based upon pratityasamutpada and the yidam are based on bodhisattvas